I was married to him finally. I had dreamt of it since I saw him, I loved him.

I was fidgeting my henna-inked fingers together due to uneasiness, my heart pounding fast due to all the upheaval of emotions I felt. A small smile made its way to my lips when I recalled how I glanced at him when he spread vermillion to my hair partition. He looked handsome as always. 

"Hum, Aaravendra Suryawat aapko vachann dete hai ki Inka dhyaan rakhege" 

"I will take care of her" he told my mother when we went to take her blessings, I was so cheerful. I know he loves me too. Nothing else could explain why he said so, when I arrived in Suryawat, he lifted me up bridal style and I was so shy I could hardly look at him.

My whole face was covered with crimson under the veil when he held my hand to make me enter the palace, he was so affectionate.

I never knew I would get a husband like him, I am lucky enough and today right at this moment he will make me his, he will love me and I will gladly let him.

I have only wanted him from Krishna, only him. And my deity gifted me him, my devotion was not unanswered and I knew this was a miracle of my past good deeds. He has a calm expression on his face every time but I wonder how he will look at me when we are alone.

My pretty red lehenga was shining as bright as my eyes when he glanced at me on our engagement day. His hold was so gentle over my hands when he made me wear the bangles as a ritual. I could still feel his rough finger pads over my soft flesh, his hand was big and mine were so small compared to his. The veins in his hand were visible as his kurta sleeves were folded, it gave me butterflies.

It had been a while since my mother-in-law made me sit here telling me he would come a while later, maybe he is caught up in some work but I know he will definitely come to see me. I was looking pretty, I was dressed for him, everything was for him.

A soft giggle escaped my lips when I remembered how he was holding my shoulder while I was dipping my legs in the Alta, he was worried I might fall due to the heaviness of the lehenga.

"Aarav aap humare hogae"

"Aarav you are mine now" I said.

I was hearing unnecessary sounds in the silence of the big chamber, it was eating me alive. Like I am being succumbed in the hollow space and soon will be alone like I have always been. Even then I smile expecting he will be here any moment.

The door flung open, I tightened myself under my embrace, he is here. I heard footsteps approaching but frowned, the sound of anklets?

I lift up my veil a little to see an attendee, how is she allowed to enter at this moment, anger rushes over me but I still tend to keep it down to hear her first.

"Samragi, aap vishraam kariye Rajmata ka adesh hai" 

"Empress, yours should rest. Queen has ordered" she said putting her head down, I lowered my lashes to my hands before speaking.

"Parantu Samrat Kaha hai? Hum unki pratiksha kar rahe hai"

"But where is the king? I am waiting for him" I told her, she instantly made a face that was questionable to me. Her lips tightened before she fumbled, "E-empress, he is". I gave her an stern look to make her tell me the truth, she gulped. Her hands clutching her skirt were proof enough that she was nervous and most probably hiding something from me.

" He has gone out for some work" She finally said after I glared at her, I would want an explanation from my new family about this. He could have told me himself he was going somewhere and even mother-in-law did not say a word about this.

"Where is he gone to?" I again ask her, this time she gulped even more, I was sure there is something she does not want me to know.

I frown at her with disbelief, I am the Queen and she is not anwering me? That could only mean she was told specifically to not say a word about it to me.

"Tell me" I was adamant and this time my voice made her flinch.
"He is out of the kingdom and I do not know for what work" Her voice was fearful.

I should not force her anymore than this, "Okay you can go" I told her and she ran away, in a hurry. It looked like I would kill her if she stayed a minute more.

I sat there for some more moments until I stood up, the heaviness was too much. I was used to all this but still today I was all dolled up with jewellery.
Chandra Bhabhi took extra care of me, and even though I am older, I was loving the pampering. She would make a great mother and I am excited to go meet her soon.

I went towards the giant window which blew wind right across my face, I closed my eyes feeling the air. I stood near there and sat at the couch, it had space over there.

My face rested as I saw the pretty sky, a star studded night with blinks of stars and light of the Moon.

"Kash hum bhi unki ankho mei chand sa chamke, humare dil ko woh pehchane, woh humse juda hai aaj kash kal humare ho jae"

I murmured as I sat while hugging myself, I wanted him to meet me now, right now and see how much I have longed for him.

My eyes turned teary but I understood that a King has more priorities, I was hurt of not that he left me but that he did not say anything to me, and I felt an ache.

A tear fell down and I stood to embrace my deity, my Krishna. His aura gave me comfort and I did not know when I fell asleep holding him close to me. He was the only one who understood.

The morning I woke up, the silence still managed to open up the scar I had moulded with stitches. My eyes opened to see the empty bed.
My husband never came to me, he did not claim me and I was left alone on my wedding night.

If others know about this it would be a subject of laughter and shame but despite the hurt I felt I still smiled at the sweet birds playing around as the rays of sunlight fell over the floor.

They flew away when I stood up, but one stayed there, it was observing me keenly before it took a small step towards me. I giggled at his antics, is he sacred of me Or maybe he is wondering who the new face is.

Either way when I stepped a little towards him he flew away scaredly, I shook my head.

"Aadhya aap Samragi hai ab, yeh sab aapko shobha nhi dega"

"Aadhya you are a Queen now and it does not suit you" I scolded myself, I have this habit, I called an attendee and then took a bath. I have a lot of work today and I cannot be late.

I got ready with their help and first prayed to my deity, I cannot live without doing this.

Just when I was about to move out, I froze at the door, someone was outside. She was the girl from yesterday, I remembered her voice.

"Samrat ko aisa nhi karna chahiye, aapni rani ko hi chood ke chale gae"

"The king should not have done that, he left his newly wedded bride alone" She said with sympathy, what rubbish?

"Aur jis wajah se woh vyast hai hum sabhi ko pata hai"

"And what he has been doing we all know" She continued further and I was filled with rage, What is she saying about her king?

Before I could open the door I heard another voice and this time my hand froze.

"Samrat hain woh jab chahe kisike bhi saath raat bita sakte hai, hume lagta hai Samragi ko iss sab ka gyat hai, ki veh apni premika ke pass hai"

"He is the king he can be with any one he wants and I think the empress knows he is with his lover".

Lover?
What is she saying?

My heartbeat raced negatively and in an instant I felt the ground swap away from my feets, this can't be, he loves me. He cares for me and I am his wife, his Queen.

I wanted to confront them but what will I ask? Where has been my husband? With whom? Who is his lover?

I was shattered the very moment. All my dreams were crushed by the mention of him with another woman. He left me the day he married me.

🤍

Hey tell me how was the chapter? I would appreciate that.

This story will be an arranged marriage romance but they won't find the peace you expect they will be facing many challenges and let's see how they continue.

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