Sharanya

13 years later

Abhyant's mother sent me my wedding jewellery and outfit. It's a tradition. My wedding is rushed but I don't mind it. It's for a bigger cause. There's kohl in my eyes, red alta on my hand and red bindi on my forehead.

I am all dolled up for my wedding. It's happening with Abhyant, my best friend. This wedding is the beginning of a war. A war which Abhyant will definitely win.

Our marriage will take place in a temple which is located in an isolated forest. I dreamed of my marriage there. I know it's all hushed but in the end I am going to be the queen, everyone will know that.

I enter the temple with my maids and guards that Abhyant appointed for me. As I climb the white marble, I feel cold.

With each step I take, my Payal, my necklace, my kamarbandh make noise. I can hear them along with my breath. As I move towards the mandap, I can feel the warmth of havankund. Priest is chanting the mantras. The temple is filled with our family members and our soldiers.

I am made to sit beside Abhyant. It feels weird and exciting that now he is going to be my husband. We are made to stand for garland exchange. Being in ghunghat it is a difficult task if we take Abhyant's height in consideration.

After garland exchange, the mantras continue. My hand is placed on his. How many times have I held his hand in past? I can't even count.

We take the pheras and again settle down. He proceeds to tie mangalsutra around my neck. As priest instructs him to apply vermillion, his little sister lifts my ghunghat and my mangteeka. He fills the gold coin with vermillion and applies it in my forehead. A little bit falling on my nose and his thumb. I look at him and smile.

Today he isn't in any disguise, he is dressed like a royal. It's been years since I have seen him like this. He smiles back at me, he lipsyncs something which I fail to understand. I will ask that later on. Anamika putting my mangteeka in its place and pallu on my head, steps back.

"Aap ka vivah sampan hua. Ab aap apne bado se ashirvaad le" the priest says.

(Your wedding is now complete. You should take the blessings of your elder)

Abhyant stands up and then forwards his hand to me. He is wearing several gold rings today. I take his hand and stand up.

"Humare Bhatije ka vivah tha aur hume kisine bulaya bhi nahi" we hear the voice.

(It's wedding of my nephew and no one called me)

Abhyant's hand immediately goes to his sword as we go out. He stands on the steps of the temple while his uncle along with an army of soldiers stands few steps away, smirking. Abhyant slightly moves down a step, our gathbhandhan still binding us. All of our soldiers are ready to attack, just waiting for Abhyant's order. Ekaksh stands beside him, his squirrel on his left shoulder.

"Shayad kisiko mritiyo bohot pyaari hai" Abhyant says looking at him, his face doesn't show any expression.

(Maybe someone loves their death)

He used to be so cute when we were younger. But look at him now with all that beard and jawline. I have seen so many girls fawning over him even when they weren't aware of his identity. What will happen when he becomes the King?

"Mritiyo nahi par apna bhatija zaroor pyaara hai. Dekho uske vivah ki Khabar sunni aur khudko rok nahi paye" This stupid uncle of his breaks my train of thoughts.

(Not death but I love my nephew. So I couldn't stop myself when I got the news of his wedding)

"Tsk tsk tsk itna Prem aur wo bhi humse chacha ji" Abhyant replies a smirk playing on his lips, completely stepping down the steps of temple.

(Tsk tsk tsk love and that too for me uncle)

I follow him but stopping at the second last step. I know what Abhyant is doing. He is very strict about his moral, ethics and duty.

Shaurya's eyes shift from Abhyant to me and he says "Prem toh humari nayi bahurani ke-"

(I also love our new brid-)

Abhyant's movement are so quick that I fail to register what happened until I see a kanjhar in Shaurya's right eye. Shaurya groans in pain as blood oozes out. This man always surprises me.

"Bhai sa dusri aankh humari" Ekaksh says fixing his eyepatch and rubbing his hands joyfully.

(Brother his second eye is mine)

I stop myself from laughing. Everyone knows Ekaksh wants his dear uncle's eye. He basically told that to everyone.

"Zaroor Chote tabhi toh dahine par mara kyunki uski wo ankh pehle humari ardhangani par gayi. Bayi tumhari hai. Warna Mann toh humara gardan ka tha. Par yaha nahi..."

(For sure Ekaksh. That's why I hit his right eye because it was the first that looked at my wife. Left one is yours. Honestly I wanted to hit his neck but not here...)

"Jaisa aap kaho bhai sa" Ekaksh nods smiling and petting his squirrel.

(As you say brother)

Shaurya's soldiers move forward to attack but Abhyant's soldiers are quick to action, defending us but also making sure no one is killed infront of the temple. Those are the orders of Abhyant. He instructed his soldiers very well.

"Aree bhai sa humare pyaare chachi ji toh bhaag rahe hai" Ekaksh comments seeing his uncle run with slight limp.

(Brother our dear uncle is running)

"Bhaagne do Ekaksh ab Kal ya phir parso unse yudh mei mulaqat karege" Abhyant smirks and looks at me.

(Let him run Ekaksh, we'll meet him tomorrow or day after it in battlefield)

I never thought my vidai would be this way.