“Aapka hamare rajya, ghar, aur jeevan mein swagat hai,“
“You are welcome in my kingdom, home, and life,” Mrityunjay said softly.
Katha nodded, attempting to maintain her composure, though his proximity sent shivers down her spine.
“Aap agar hamse darr rahi hain toh uski koi awashyakta nahi, hum aapke saath kuch galat nahi karenge. Hum aapke liye ek bhent laye hain, hamari Maa-sa ne kaha tha ki ye hamein aapko dena hai kyunki ab aap is Rajya ki Maharani hain,”
“If you’re scared of me, there’s no need. I have bought a gift for you. Maa-sa told me to give this to you because now you are the Queen of this kingdom,” he said, holding out the box and opening it.
He forwarded it to Katha, who brought it near her veil to see what was inside. There were anklets—exquisite and delicate, emitting a soft jingling sound with the slightest movement.
Katha smiled behind her veil and said, “Ye payal atyant sundar hain, Hukum.”
“These anklets are exquisite, Hukum.” Mrityunjay smiled, hearing her voice and appreciation.
Much to her surprise, Mrityunjay took the anklets and asked, “May I?“
Katha nodded, and he moved a little near her feet to make her wear the anklets, only to pause and whisper, “Can you please pick your lehenga a little?”
She nodded and held her lehenga to pull it up from her feet slightly. He smiled and gently adorned her feet with the anklets. The anklets were light but beautiful.
He touched her feet, causing her to jerk a little. He leaned closer, his voice barely a whisper, “Ye payal aapko yaad dilayenge ki ab aap is Rajya ki Maharani hain, lekin hum kabhi aapki swatantrata ke marg mein rukawat banane ka prayas nahi karenge.“
“These anklets will remind you that you are now the Queen of this kingdom, but I promise you, I will never impede your freedom or independence,” he said, sincerity resonating in his voice.
A flicker of hope surged within her, and Katha couldn’t help but wonder if there was more to Mrityunjay than met the eye. As the anklets adorned her feet, she realized that perhaps, amidst the treacherous game of power and deception, a glimmer of understanding and trust could emerge.
Mrityunjay held her veil, bringing her out of her thoughts. She was scared but maintained her composure. He slowly pulled the veil up, and Katha raised her head to meet his eyes.
As he kept the veil on her head, his expression was one of shock and adoration after being finally able to see his wife, the woman he had waited years to see.
Her eyes were as deep as an ocean, fierce yet caring, her face conveying a sense of true royalty and strength that of a goddess.
Katha, on the other hand, was not less shocked; he was the most handsome man she had ever seen, his eyes fierce like those of a lion, and the shock on his face was evident.
He came out of his daze and caressed her cheek, causing her to lower her eyes.
“You are more than what I had expected, your face conveys a lot more than one can see at a glance.”
He whispered and then leaned closer, planting a soft kiss on her cheek. Her breath rose, making him think she was scared. But before he could back away, as his lips lingered on her cheek a while longer, Katha’s voice came,
“Ye bhent toh hamare liye Maa-sa ne bhijwayi hai, aap hamare liye kya laaye hain?“
“This gift was given to you by Maa-sa. What have you brought for me?“
Mrityunjay was shocked at this, but it didn’t take him long to change it and smile at her words, curiosity gleaming in his eyes. He backed away and asked,
“Kya chahiye aapko? Jo aap maangengi, woh de denge hum aapko.“
“What is it that you want from me? Ask me whatever you want, and I will give it to you.”
This was the perfect opportunity for her to get started with her plan. She nodded, looked him in the eyes, her expression determined, while she answered his question,
“Hamne suna hai aap apna vachan nahi bhang karte, toh hum aapse ek vachan maangte hain.“
“I’ve heard that you never break your promises, so I want to ask you for a promise.“
He smiled at her, leaned in slightly, awaiting her request. “Kahiye kya vachan chahti hain aap humse?“
“Tell me, what promise do you want me to make to you?“
“Hum chahte hain ki aap hamein vachan dein ki jab tak hum na chahein, aap hamare saath hambistar nahin honge, hamse dur rahenge aur hamare faislon ko samarthan denge.“
“I want you to promise me that until and unless I want, you won’t make love to me. You will stay away from me and support my decisions.“
As the words left her lips, Mrityunjay sat still. He took away the hand that rested on her cheek, making Katha a little scared, as he could get angry at her.
After a while, he spoke with a smile,
“Agar aap yahi chahti hain toh yahi sahi, hum aapse zyada prashn nhi karenge, humne aapse kaha tha ki aap jo maangengi hum aapko denge, yadi aap yahi chahti hain toh aapko ye hi milega.“
“If this is what you want, so be it. I will not ask you any questions, I told you that I will give you whatever you ask for, and if this is what you want, then you will get it.“
“Hum aapko vachan dete hain ki jab tak aap nhi chahengi, tab tak hum aapke saath hambistar nahin honge.“
“I promise you that unless you want, I won’t make love to you.“
Katha smiled at him, making his heart skip a beat,
“Hum aapka dhanyawaad karte hain ki aapne hamari baat ko samjha Hukum, iske badle hum bhi aapko vachan dete hain ki chahe kuch bhi ho jaaye hum aapki pratishtha par koi aanch nhi aane denge aur aapki Patni evam Maharani hone ka kartavya poorn hriday samarpan ke saath nibhayenge.“
“I thank you for understanding my feelings, Hukum. In return for your promise, I also promise you that no matter what happens, I will not do anything that can harm your reputation, and I will fulfill my duty as your wife and queen with the whole of my heart.“
She said with a slight smile appearing on her red rose-like full lips, making her look even more beautiful than she already was.
“Hum aapki jitni prashansa karein kam hai, aapne sahas se jo vachan humse maanga hai uss vachan ko hum awashya poorn karenge. Humein garv hai ki hamein aap jaisi patni mili, Katha.“
“No amount of praise is enough for you. By having the courage to ask for the promise you made, I will certainly fulfill that promise. I am proud to have a wife like you, Katha.“
He said to her in a low voice, and she could feel her cheeks turning red with his words. Believe it or not, he was proud of himself to see her blush like that; it was because of him.
He then decided to change the subject.
“Ab ratri kaafi ho chuki hai, aap bhi thak gyi hongi itni lambi yatra karke. Ab vishraam karte hain, kal pratah aapko jaldi utha dengi humari maa-sa kyunki humse zyada jaldi unhein hai aapke haath ka bana bhojan khaane ki.“
“It’s getting late now, you must also be tired from that long trip. Let’s rest now, tomorrow morning my Maa-sa will wake you up early because she is more eager than I to eat the food prepared by you.“
Katha smiled at him, and he helped her get out of bed and walk to the dressing area to change while he freshened up and changed his attire. Although before changing, she sat down on the couch in the dressing area and breathed heavily, letting out her fear that she felt all the while she was in the bedroom.
After a while, she calmed down and changed into simpler attire for the night. When she went out, she saw Mrityunjay already sitting on the bed waiting for her. She smiled and moved forward to lie down on the bed beside him.
As the couple lay down, Mrityunjay pulled up the comforter covering them both. He smiled at her and wished her a good night, which he returned. In a while, sleep took over them.
