The wedding was completed, two days, it took to reach Vajrajanapur. Katha’s vidaai was nothing short of emotional, everyone was sad that their princess was leaving.
Katha sat in her palanquin, her veil still low, hiding her face.
Katha was left in awe, seeing her welcome; it was grand, and the anticipation among the people was at its peak. They eagerly awaited to see their new queen, to meet Maharani Katha Mrityunjay Rathore.
She stood at the gate alongside her husband, Mrityunjay Rathore. She couldn’t see anyone through her veil, since it was a heavily embroidered bridal veil.
She bowed down to touch the feet of the elderly woman, who was none other than Jyoti Maan Rathore, Rajmata of Vajrajanapur, the mother of Mrityunjay.
The lady blessed her with happiness, and Katha’s Grihapravesh was conducted.
Everyone went to the main hall and sat. Mrityunjay and Katha sat together, he waited eagerly to see her face; he had waited years, but no more.
Rajmata called the priest ahead, who blessed Katha, and then was asked by Rajmata to determine the suitable date for the GrihaShanti Pooja.
The priest said, “Exactly seven days from now is the most suitable date and time for the GrihaShanti Pooja, Rajmata.”
Everyone cheered, and Rajmata said to Mrityunjay, “Jai, aaj se saat din pashchaat GrihaShanti Pooja ke hone par hi aap Bahurani-sa ka mukh dekh sakte hain, tab tak ve hamare saath hamare kaksh mein rahengi. Hum bhi har peedhi ki tarah rasm nibhayenge.”
Mrtyunjay’s face fell at this, while his cousins teased him for it.
All the ladies then took Katha with them to Rajmata’s chamber, where her veil was lifted, and only the ladies saw what Maharani Katha Mrityunjay Rathore looked like. Everyone was left in awe seeing her beauty and enchantment, her eyes conveying boldness and strength.
Rajmata was extremely happy seeing her daughter-in-law. She smiled and kissed Katha’s forehead, “You are very pretty, Bahurani-sa. Stay blessed always.”
Katha smiled at this. Her sister-in-laws (daughters of her husband’s maternal uncle and his daughter-in-laws) were left speechless and entirely jealous seeing the apsara in front of them. Her beauty was unlike any and was one of rare enchantment. The way she smiled could unleash chaos among men, and many women were happy that their husbands didn’t see her otherwise; they would’ve been whipped with her beauty.
Rajmata introduced everyone to Katha one by one, and she greeted everyone with respect.
After a few hours, when night came, all the guests left the chamber, leaving Katha and Rajmata alone. Rajmata sat beside Katha, caressing her cheek, “I am so glad to finally have a daughter in my life. Now I won’t be alone anymore.”
Katha smiled at her Mother-in-law, who then called some dasis to help Katha change out of her wedding attire into a simpler one for the night.
After doing all the work, Katha ate the dinner and then lay beside her Mother-in-law, who lovingly caressed her head, helping Katha fall asleep.
Meanwhile, Mrityunjay was sitting with Ratan, his cousins, and his brother-in-laws. Every man was drinking, but Mrityunjay wasn’t drinking as he was lost in thoughts of his wife. After a long while of getting teased by everyone, the guests left his chamber, and he lay down on the bed, still lost in her thoughts.
After a long while, sleep took over him.
Slowly, the days passed, and these were the slowest and most painful days of Mrityunjay’s life as he couldn’t see the woman he married. The talk of how beautiful she was and the goddess-like figure his wife had was all over the kingdom among the dasis.
No guests left the kingdom in anticipation of seeing his wife, which made him a little angry.
Seven days passed, and finally, the day of GrihaShanti Pooja arrived.
Everyone assembled in the temple of the palace, where the Pooja was being conducted.
After the Pooja was done, everyone assembled in the meeting hall where the Munh Dikhai Rasam was to be held. Katha was made to sit in the centre of the hall, and everyone came one by one, seeing her face and giving her gifts, while Mrityunjay’s patience was wearing thin as he still hadn’t seen her face.
The very same day, all the guests left, making the palace come to its original form, fewer people and more silence.
Mrityunjay was forced to attend to the political matters while Rajmata took Katha with her to see the palace. She told Katha,
“The palace is divided into four parts. The North Wing belongs to Mrityunjay and you, it is the Maharaj and Maharani part of the palace. The West Wing is where I live, The East Wing is the one for the children of the Maharaj and Maharani, if they have any, and The South Wing is the one where Ratan lives.”
Katha nodded, listening to the information, and enjoyed spending the time with her Mother-in-law. After a few hours, as night drew closer, Katha was taken to Mrityunjay’s chamber. The dasis helped her get ready for her suhaagraat, and while helping her get dressed, the dasis were giggling and teasing her.
As the night approached, Katha’s heart beat raced. She was made to sit on the lavishly decorated bed, and soon the dasis left. Katha was dressed in her bridal attire. Her face covered with a veil, head hung low, hands clasped with each other, her breathing heavy.
A while later, she heard the door creaking open, her heart beat raised instantly. She clasped her hands tightly.
Mrityunjay closed the door and locked it. He started taking slow steps toward her, and with every inch of distance being reduced, she felt terrified. Katha is a strong woman, but a part of her was scared of the fact that if he did not agree to her demand and forced her to be taken by him, what would she do?
How will she save herself?
She could feel heavy in her heart, but the thoughts had to leave to have a normal conversation with him.
Within seconds, he was in front of her. He sat beside her and held her hands gently.
God….. I am terrified, thought Katha.
