OS: The Forbidden Triangle - Agnishikha's POV

Prologue (Page 1)

Chapter 1 (Page 1)

Chapter 2 (Page 1)

Chapter 3 (Page 1)

Chapter 4 (Page 2)

Prologue

As the reddish hue of the sun's final rays of light vanished over the mountains surrounding Magadh, the city of Patliputra glowed with the light of the hundreds of thousands of torches. The anklets of a young lady echoed throughout the empty hall as she ran down it, her hands holding up her skirt so as to not trip. Her eyes darted wildly in fear that someone might spot her. Swallowing, she slowed down in front of the large palace doors and with a wave of her hand, the two guards bowed and left.

She entered the large room and her eyes narrowed in anguish as she saw rose petals scattered across the bed. Dozens of flower chain fells from the high ceiling joining together at one of the four edges of the bed. Her face contorted in rage as her eyes widened and her left eyebrow rose. Her breathing got louder with each second that passed by and her anger knew no bounds. That scoundrel! she thought.

Crying out in fury, her delicate hands tore the flower chains. She jumped on the bed and stomped the petals thinking each to be her enemy. Screaming, she fell on the bed and buried her face in her arms as she cried her heart out.

"What? What happened here?" a manly voice came from the door.

The lady looked up, her mascara ruined with her innocent tears. Her red eyes, brimmed with tears, tried to focus on the voice but it was all too blurry. "Just go away!" she screamed. "Go away, go to HER!" Her voice cracked.

"Calm down dear one, calm down." The voice got louder as did his footsteps. She felt the bed give way slightly due to the weight of the man.

"It's okay my sweetheart. I'm here now." The man put his arms around the lady, but she only shrugged it off. Looking away in distaste, she once again told the man to go away.

The man closed his eyes. Moments later, he opened them and smiling, he softly held the lady's chin as he turned her face towards him.

"My love, my life. You mean the world to me and having you cry here in my chambers burns my heart with intense fury. Please calm down."

He brushed away her tears and dabbed at the scattered mascara. "Pray tell me what happened? You were strong a few minutes ago, and now you are here crying."

"You just got married to ... to that .. to that b***h! And you're telling me what happened! What the hell is wrong with you!"

"This is an alliance than a relationship. I have no love for her, my love is only you."

The lady looked away.

"Noor. Noor. Nothing has changed. I'm still your Justin, and you are my Noor. The only difference is now we both can feel the pangs of separation."

Noor looked at Justin, his blue eyes twinkling in the dim light. "How can I trust that you won't fall in love with her? How can I trust that you won't stop loving me?"

Justin's eyes drooped. He grabbed Noor's hands and placed it on his heart. Lub-Dub, Lub-Dub, Lub-Dub. "You have to have faith in me, my sweetheart. I can only offer you my promise that I will never love Agnishikha, and for each moment I am forced to spend with her, I hope that I am punished for betraying you."

Noor smiled slightly, but quickly hid it. This was exactly what she wanted. Crying out in delight, she embraced Justin as they both lie on the soft bed prepared for the newly wed.

In the dark corner of the room, close to the door, I stood there. My heart had just been shattered to a million pieces by the man I had thought to be my husband. I had fallen in love with him, and only now did my ill fate reveal to me the destiny that was in store for me. Wiping my tears, I creeped out the room that was supposed to be a symbol of our love and rushed towards Subrasi's room. In this entire palace of darkness, she was the only light I knew of.

I was the Princess of Ujjain, and now after marrying Prince Justin, I had become the Princess of Magadha. My name is Agnishikha and this is my story.

Chapter 1:

As I made my way through the palace halls, the thoughts of my husband embracing Noor flooded my mind. I tried to shake these disturbing thoughts from my head, but everything reminded me of this betrayal. I picked up my skirt and dashed into the chambers of Subrasi. Seeing her standing near her bed, I grabbed her shoulders and hugged her. My tears mixed with my kohl stained her attire, but she held me tight. After a few moments, she pulled me away.

"Aare Agnishikha!" She touched my cheeks and wiped my tears. "Why are you crying?" She asked. She turned towards her Sevika and said, Sevika, take Drupad to his room please." When the Sevika had left, she sat me beside her on her bed.

"Agnishikha, tell me what's wrong."

I confided in her. "Didi, I went to my room and I ... I .." I hesitated, the images of Justin and Noor once again caused panic in my mind.

"And you..." Subrasi pushed.

"They .. they were hugging each other!"

Subrasi's eyes opened wide in dismay. "What!" She exclaimed.

"I can't say I'm surprised." A cold, cruel voice came from the door. We both looked up, and clad in a blue sari, her hair tightly pulled back by golden chains, was the Emperor's first wife, Maharani Charumitra.

"Maharani Charu!" Subrasi said loudly; she stood up.

Charu ignored her with a hand gesture and focused on me. "You are our enemy and you think Justin will fall for an enemy. Ha."

I lowered my head in shame as I listened.

"You stupid Ujjaini, Samrat Bindusar only agreed to this proposal because RajMata saw worth in you. Otherwise, we would have sold you to our slaves for enjoyment!"

"Maharani Charu!" Subrasi said loudly once more, in shock. "She is now a part of the royal family; you cannot utter such things!"

Charu gave a cold look at Subrasi. "Shut it."

Subrasi's eyes opened wide in fury, but she quickly lowered them.

"Agnishikha. Justin doesn't like you, and as much as I dislike Noor and her stupid ambitions for the throne, you still came from the enemy's family." She laughed cruelly, turned, and left, leaving both Subrasi and I clouded in a state of disillusion.

Subrasi broke the silence a few minutes later by sighing deeply. "Agnishikha, don't mind her. Maharani Charumitra became dark and sinister in her ways and words when Rajkumar Siyamak was born. Her worry of whether Rajkumar Sushim will inherit the throne has poisoned her heart and mind. You don't worry. Justin will come around and be made aware of his duties towards you. Before you know it -"

"HE ALREADY PROMISED ME!" I screamed. I pulled my hair as tears started to form. "HE TOLD ME THAT I WAS FOR HIM, AND HE WAS FOR ME!"

Subrasi sighed. "A prince is allowed multiple wives ..." she offered. I know it was in the best interest, but my heart refused to give Justin any excuse.

"Agnishikha. Give Justin another chance; he'll come around. That's the only thing you can do right now."

I looked up at her. She tried to smile as if everything was going to be okay, but deep down, I could see the lines of worry on her forehead.

Just then the Sevika entered. "Rani Subrasi, Drupad is calling you."

Subrasi nodded her head and waited for the Sevika to leave. "Think about what I said Agnishikha. Don't act hastily. Now excuse me, I have to go to Drupad." After saying that, she brushed my cheeks once more and left.

I sat on the bed for a few more minutes thinking about the conversation. I guess it's in our best interest if I gave Justin another chance. Maybe he will be open about his affair today, maybe he is ashamed of what he did.

Chapter 2

After what seemed like hours, Justin finally came. He looked at me with lust in his eyes and I blushed. He came closer to me, his hot breath on my neck. I closed my eyes and allowed myself to be gently pushed down. He kissed my neck, my cheeks, and he was inches from my lips when I turned away.

"Agni darling, is there something wrong?" He asked.

"Well Justin, I saw something this evening that made me very uncomfortable."

He pulled me up and sat down beside me. He grabbed my hand, covered it with his own, and brought it up and kissed it. "You can tell me anything."

"I ... I ... " I mumbled for words.

"Agni." His wide brown eyes locked my brown eyes. "This is me. Your Justin. You can tell me anything."

"I ... I saw you and Noor this evening on this bed." I blurted out.

Justin looked down, licked his lips, and looked back up. "Yeah, me and Noor were here this evening."

My face dropped. "Can you promise me that this was a one time thing?"

He cracked a smile. "I love you and only you. Noor was ... " He paused. "Noor was a mistake for me. She cunning took advantage of me. That's why I was so late, I didn't know how to come to you."

I smiled. "So you and Noor, you two are done?"

"I'm done." Justin smiled. "This evening was the last I saw her. She may not be done, but I've made it clear to her that I'm done. I told her that I belong only to the fiery queen of my heart."

Sighing relief, thankful for listening to Subrasi's advice, I pulled Justin down and kissed him passionately. His words reassured me that he was forever mine. I wrapped my hands around his neck, and placed my head on his strong shoulders. That's when I noticed a red patch on his skin with little bite marks. I let go and pushed him away.

"What is that on your shoulder?"

He looked and shrugged. "Probably some scratches."
"Justin, those are bite marks and lipstick."

"Oh that's probably from Noor. Never mind that."

"Justin, those look fresh."

His face turned a nasty shade of red. "Listen Agnishikha." His tone had changed suddenly. "I don't know what you want from me. You first spy on me and then you expect me to be tied down to you only. What's wrong with you?"

"Spy on you?" I stutter, shocked. "I didn't spy on you. I entered OUR room Justin. OUR room. And I saw you on OUR bed, with Noor. How do you think that made me feel when just two days ago you promised to never see Noor again!"

"Ha. You're so selfish Agnishikha. I can't believe I let you close to me even."

"Huh! I can't believe I let YOU close to me. Jerk."

"Way to ruin our wedding night Agnishikha. Guess Noor was right. This is what marriage with an enemy gets me."

I stare at him in disbelief. "You still take me to be an enemy?"

"Well clearly if you were on my side, you would realize that I love Noor. That's right. I love Noor."

"Justin!" I manage to say, my voice choked with emotion. "How could you?"

"You know what. I'm done with you. Tonight would have been fun, but someone had to ruin it!" He raised his eyebrows and rolled his eyes. Grabbing his shirt, he pulled it over himself and walked towards the door.

"Justin! Where are you going?" I scream weakly.

"Back to the person who cares for me, who loves me dearly, and who is the fiery queen in my heart. Don't wait up for me." He laughed as he walked out the door.

I pulled myself up and sat at the edge of my bed. Emotions of love and hatred mixed. I loved Justin, but his attitude and his deceit pushed me to the point of no return. My face contorted in anger as I sat there breathing heavily. I was insulted and humiliated by the Mauryans. Justin and Noor had to pay, and if anyone came in my path, I swore their destruction!

Chapter 3

The sun rose over the kingdom of Magadh. As the darkness vanished from my room, I glanced towards the mocking sun who dared to lighten my room. I rushed over to the window and pull the curtains together, reestablishing the darkness I had grown to love in the last few hours. The images of Justin and Noor played in my mind again as I thought about the selfish attitude of that pig. However, now was not to the time to trifle over such things, Justin and Noor had to pay.

Hold on Agni. My subconscious, my better self, called out. Maybe Noor wasn't involved in this. Maybe Noor is the innocent one, maybe she found herself in that position because of Justin!

I balked at that thought, but my inner mind would not find peace until I discovered the truth.

Sighing, I collapsed on the bed, my disheveled hair spreading out on the silk comforter. How would I even approach this? Would I go up to her and be a friend or a foe? Thinking so, I drifted off to sleep.

Hours later, as I walked down the hallway, who be it but Noor was coming right at me. My heart sprung from its stale beating and raced excited, as I managed to restrain my cool conscious. As we passed, I could sense electric sparks flying between our eyes but I ignored it and carried on my path.

"Agnishikha."

My heart pounded as she called out my name again. "Agnishikha!"

I turned around to face my caller. "Yes Rani Noor."

She smiled crookedly, "How was your nuptial night?" She smirked.

My eyes glowed for a moment, but I restrained myself not knowing the full proof.

"My nuptial night was pretty fun, believe it or not."

I smiled hollowly, and tried to ignore her. I turned to leave but she caught my wrist.

"Where do you think you're going princess. I'm not done yet."

I turned and faced her cold-blooded eyes. She wasn't even feigning sympathy. She was insulting me on purpose.

"I didn't know you weren't finished talking. But you're making me uncomfortable."

"Oh come on." She softly punched my shoulder. "We're just two girlfriends talking." Her tone changed, it seemed more friendlier.

"I'm sorry if I hurt your feelings. I was just excited to hear all the juicy details of Justin and Noor. Oops, I meant to say Justin and you."

That stung hard. She knew the truth but she was toying with me, slowly and painfully. It was now or never, either I faced her now or forever hold my silence.

I chose silence.

Chapter 4

"Oh what! Cat got your tongue huh?" Noor murmured. She grinned. her eyes flickered with joy.

My mind was inflamed in utter rage. My nostrils flared, my eyes reddened, I wanted to bite her head off!

"Want to know a little secret Agnishikha."

"No. I want you to leave me alone Noor. Just get lost."

"Oh come on. It's a little secret that involves you too." She laughed once. I wanted to punch her throat in, but evidence would remain.

"No."

"Great! I knew you wanted to know."

I looked away in disgust.

"I had my nuptial night all over again, last night."

Confused, I looked back at her smirking face. Her ugly, stupid, all high and mighty face. God, I just wanted to bash every inch of that face.

"Oh that's right you weren't here on my first nuptial night. I'll give you a clue. It wasn't with Samrat Bindusar, but it was someone more sexier, more handsome, more fair, and more Greek than Bindusar." She let out a high pitched giggle.

My fists clenched. So Justin was with Noor last night.

"You know what Noor, think all you want that Justin is yours, but I married Justin. I will rule over him until the end of humanity. His heart may belong to you, but I have no need for such a selfish heart."

Noor's eyes lit up in rage. She did not expect this.

"You want to know a little secret of mine, Rani Noor?" I continued, our eyes locked. Neither was going to blink.

"You can have him at night all you want, because during the day, I will control him. Even if it means that I sleep with him in the eyes of the people, I will humiliate the love between you and Justin. I will taint that love you hold so sacred. I will destroy you both." I smiled wickedly and with a quick fling, I released my hand from Noor's grip and turned, my beautiful long hair flying behind me. I narrowly missed her stupid face, but one of these days, I'll whip her face with hair.

Noor stood there, dumbfounded. Good. She deserved it. I returned to my chambers of silence. Tomorrow was going to be a wonderful day.