Nayika
(Leader)
Arnav went towards the sacrificial fire with a calm expression. The whole crowd cheered for him. He sat for the yagna and the sages started putting offerings in the holy fire and sprinkled holy water on him. He joined his hands and repeated the hymns the sages told him to. He closed his eyes and remembered his noble father.
“ Please bring the Empress forward,"the main sage requested. Arnav’s eyes opened, he looked towards the fire. The sage explained the importance of the clause of having a wife before ascending the throne.
“Marriage is a sacred bond. Your marriage with the empress is a role model for the society, the one they should look up to as ideals. It ensures that the throne shall remain protected by your heirs. Marriage instills a sense of responsibility in the turbulent minds of young princes. It also assures nature’s balance of men and women even, in the court.”
Tarini entered the hall in her own aura. Her heavy gold anklets made loud tinkling noises spreading throughout the court.
She went and stood beside where Arnav was sitting.
“Samraagi, sit beside your husband. You have to be beside him for all your life,”the sage said.
Tarini nodded and sat beside Arnav.
They both passed a look of mixed emotions to each other. Arnav held her hand in his and made the offerings into the fire. After the recital of some more hymns, they were asked to stand in front of the crowd and make promises to the crowd which they have to try their best to fulfil during their reign.
Arnav went and stood in front of the crowd. He was about to start speaking when he suddenly turned back and looked at Tarini, much to her surprise.
He came backwards to her and faced her. She lowered her head and closed her eyes expecting more verbal abuse from him. A lone tear trickled down her cheek.
He held her hand, making her look at him in surprise. He was looking straight into her eyes but softly.
“Stand by me!” he whispered in her ear and led her with him to face the crowd. She felt her chest become heavy with pride. Her hand trembled slightly but she managed to pull up a smile by the time they reached in front of the crowd.
“ I, Arnav Singh Raizada, the son of Aaryamann Singh Raizada and Sunayana devi, look up to the heavens, our sacred earth and the people of Aaranya and take an oath that I shall make every attempt possible to protect Aaranya from all evil and take care of all interests of the state and it’s people and nurture it fully like a father should his child. I shall make sure sense of fair play runs through the veins of each citizen of Aaranya. I take this oath and ascend the sacred throne of Aaranya with my wife.” He then turned to Tarinii, who was staring at him in awe, and nudged her to speak.
“What?" she whispered.
“ Call out to the heavens and swear...” Arnav nudged her.
“Me? But the oath is taken by the Emperor...” Tarinii looked at him in confusion.
“Yes, but you are my half, right?” Arnav explained.
“Ardhangini, according to the scriptures and our marital vows?”
“Oh!"
“ So by law, you are supposed to share my responsibilities.”
“Hmm?”she looked confused.
“Say something!” he nudged her.
“Uh… I, Tarinii Arnav Singh Raizada, the wife of emperor Arnav...”
“The empress of Aaranya” Arnav nudged her again.
She looked towards him with moist eyes. Her own identity!
“Remember, every other identity of yours is secondary to this title now. You are the Empress of this kingdom before anything else!” he smiled to her.
“But I got this title by virtue of being your spouse. Then how can this title be my first identity?”
“In the absence of any legal heir, you handled and saved the kingdom and that is appreciable enough to make you worthy of this title irrespective of how you got it. Isn’t it?”
She smiled back widely to him. Tears of happiness found their way through her eyes. She had finally got the recognition she needed.
She held his hand and moved ahead.
“ I, Tarinii, the Empress of Aaranya, wife of Emperor Arnav Singh Raizada, look up to the almighty and promise the crowd of Aaranya that I shall never let the Emperor take any decision that is against the benefit of the common mann and woman of Aaranya. We together shall try our best to ensure Aaranya becomes the kingdom of ideality in the utmost sense of peace, prosperity and justice. I take this oath and ascend the sacred throne of Aaranya with my husband.” She smiled back to Arnav.
The crowd cheered loudly for both of them. Flowers rained on them while they both looked towards each other. The heaven, the earth and the crowd smiled on seeing them.
Finally they became the Emperor and Empress of Aaranya.
***********
“Maharaj, how you…I mean you were shouting on me just yesterday and today you were... I mean how?” Tarini held his hand. They both had retired to their room before the royal court would start for the day.
Arnav kept his crown on the side table and looked towards her.
“I realized I was wrong. I was just angry, Khushi, my ego took over my sense. I want to apologize to you but this is so difficult.” He groaned.
Khushi covered his mouth with her hand.
“ You don't need to say anything...” she said as she wrapped her arms round his torso. “ Whatever I did that, I did it for you. And even if anyone shouts or hits me for doing something for you. It doesn’t matter to me. Nothing matters to me except you, only you.” She kept her head on his chest.
“Same here, Khushi.”Arnav smiled to her.
“ I was so scared, really scared when Vikram Jijaji signed the document, handing me all the responsibilities of our empire. He had guided me well but unlike you, I had little to no experience in Rajneeti. It was when I thought how important Aaranya was for you, I forgot my fear. “she sighed.
" You have no reason to be afraid of anything anymore." Arnav kissed her forehead and embraced her. She rested her head on his shoulder and closed her eyes, relieved that he didn't hold any misunderstanding, any grudge against her.
He remembered what made him realize his mistakes.
Flashback :
Arnav entered Anjali' s room in haste. “Didi! I am going to become an Uncle! You didn’t tell me, how wicked of you !”he pulled her cheek.
Anjali blushed. "Yes, my little prince!”
Arnav glared at her. " I am going to be a Mama soon. At least now, stop calling me little."
“Okay, I won't call you that anymore!" Anjali giggled.
“ I am not a small boy, anymore! I am going to be crowned as the Emperor today.” He smiled.
“That is true, Arnav. Time flies so fast, doesn’t it? Some years ago, I was playing with my baby brother and now soon I shall have my own baby!” she pulled his cheeks.
“You know, Arnav...” she continued speaking.
“I want a baby girl and
so does he (referring to Vikram blushingly), as brave as yout Khushi."
Arnav looked towards her.
“Nobody expected that she would handle the situation so well. You can't even imagine how much she had cried, how much she was scared when so many enemies threatened to take over the kingdom. I have seen her emotionally break over your unconscious state. She had not given up hope on you unlike everyone else in the kingdom. People had started assuming you to be dead but Tarini, that little girl, she made sure that your heartbeats keep beating for Aaranya. Had there not been a rebellion in Raigad, we would have stayed back till you wake up.
I had told her to take up all the responsibilities but she denied as she was very scared. But when I persuaded her, swearing on you by calling her your Ardhangini, she got up and took up all the responsibilities without any objections.
Have you seen the progress, Aaranya made economically in the past three months? According to my husband, it is more than it has ever made. She has done all of this so selflessly and bravely...
Arre, where are going?” as she saw Arnav going away. Arnav had been standing there in shock, hearing that part of story which he had imagined in another way, a disgusting way.
“Please excuse me, didi. I will talk to you, later. I have some amends to make.”
Arnav rushed through the corridor, towards the royal stable as self guilt overcame him for the first time in his life. What a great mistake he had committed by blaming Khushi for something she did for him?
She did that all for him- selfishly as she considered herself as a part of him!
And he... He had just messed his relation with her by accusing her and insulting her. How will he ever clear this mess he has created!
He shall have to clear this mess, as the love of his life must get what she deserves.
Ardhangini, right? Then there must be equality!
He thought as he smirked to himself.
******Flashback ends
He smiled, thanking the almighty with a silent prayer for revealing the reality of the situation at the correct moment.
He ran his hand through her hair and smiled contently.
***************
“ Has Suryapura accepted our terms and surrendered? Their king is dead, of course they have to surrender,what am I even asking?” Arnav chuckled to himself as he sipped his morning medicine.
“ Yes, they have surrendered. But to take up Suryapura as a territory under Aaranya’s reign, there is one condition...”Aman said .
“Alright! Bring it up in the courtroom." Arnav said while leaving the garden.
*****,???
A short woman entered the court in a striking red bridal attire. She bowed her head in front of the royal court of Aaranya. An orator came in front and read out the message in front of Arnav with his permission.
“ The princess of Suryapura, Chandni has agreed to surrender her kingdom and herself to the kingdom of Aaranya…”
“Wait! What?” Arnav was shocked. "We didn't ask the princess to surrender. Does the princess deny ascending the throne? Does Suryapura have no heir to their throne?"
“Yes, Emperor. It is a custom in the kingdom of Suryapura that the next king in line shall be either the king ‘s son or son in law."
“So to rule over my kingdom, you shall have to marry me!” said Chandni in a determined voice, her head yet covered by her veil.
“So be it! The marriage shall be held tomorrow!” Arnav said aloud.
Tarini who had just entered the court after dealing with some legal work in her chamber, gasped in shock!
He just agreed to the marriage proposal placed by another princess. She remembered Arnav ‘s words during the competition.
We kings are inflicted in both political and personal matters. Marriages in the royal household signify friendship between two states ensuring peace prevails. My father’s motives weren’t wrong, he was a young victim of politics just like most of us princes are. So to find love in a second wife shouldn’t be rendered wrong then.
Was this it? Will Arnav no longer be only hers anymore? Will she have to share him with another woman now? Hey devi Maiyaa!
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