EPILOGUE
THE ROYAL FAMILY OF DEVGADH AND THE ROYAL FAMILY OF JAIGADH INVITES YOU TO THE MARRIAGE OF
HER HIGHNESS MANYATA KUMARI SINGH, MAHARANI OF DEVGADH
AND
HIS HIGHNESS UDAYVEER SINGH, MAHARAJ OF JAIGADH
A month later the royal couple was married. Every known celebrity, politician and royalty from the whole of India was present. Manyata looked lovely in a red and gold saree while Uday looked handsome in a cream colored sherwani. The ceremony went off without a hitch and was much talked about for many weeks.
Manyata stood on the balcony of the Jaigadh palace and stared at the setting sun. This was her third week at Jaigadh and she was in love with the place. She had been given a grand welcome by the people of Jaigadh who thronged the palace to see the new Maharani. Manyata was overcome by the love and respect of the people that she got down from the car and walked to the barricade acknowledging every person standing there. In few days she had become the favorite queen of Jaigadh and won the hearts of the people.
"This is one of my favorite spots in the palace" said Uday as he joined her.
"And now it's mine too" she sighed as she went into Uday's arms. Uday held her as they watched the sun disappear into the horizon and said "I cannot believe that it's been 3 months since our marriage. I still feel it's a dream and I'm scared that it will disappear the moment I wake up"
Manyata pushed herself away slightly and looked at him
"Maharaj Udayveer Singh" she chided playfully "I thought the word scared wasn't in your dictionary"
"It wasn't Princess and still isn't unless you're concerned. I'm scared to lose you" he said in a serious tone
"Uday, I'm here with you, in your arms and this is our dream and it will remain with us till we live" she said and hugged him. "It was our destiny to find ech
"Yes princess" he replied planting a kiss on her head
"Queen, I'm your queen now, your maharani"
"But I like calling you Princess more"
"And I like hearing that" she replied and sighed as Uday softly laughed and held her close to himself
AFTER 4 YEARS
It was a beautiful summer day at Jaigadh. The Jaigadh palace stood majestically and was being decked like a bride and the reason being that the Jaigadh riyasat was celebrating the third birthday of their little princess. There was a lot of hustle and bustle at the palace that day and in the midst of all this a three year old girl child was running as fast as her small legs could take her. Behind her a beautiful woman dressed in traditional garb ran trying to catch the little one before she could hurt herself
"Mini, mini beta wait. Don't run you will fall down" she shouted. As the woman passed, the staff at work stopped whatever they were doing and bowed. The woman smiled and nodded but her eyes were fixed on the little child.
Just as she thought the little child ran into a pillar but was saved in the nick of time by a pair of strong hands that tossed the child high into the air which invited a set of giggles from her.
The woman breathed a sigh of relief and smiled at the scene in front of her and walked toward them
"Rajkumari Mrinalini Padmini Devi, you gave me such a fright" she said in mock reproach
The little child buried her head against the man who was holding her and laughed.
"Look at her laugh. Thank goodness you caught her at the right time Uday or else..."
"Maharani Manyata, don't underestimate my daughter. She is very strong and brave, aren't you my darling" said Uday looking adoringly at his daughter "Happy birthday my love" he said and kissed his daughter
"Papa" she said as she giggled again
"And stubborn too" said Manyata as she stood with her arms crossed
"Hah, look who is talking. She has gone on you my princess and phew I have my hands full" he said
Manyata smiled and extended her arms toward her daughter and the child immediately went to her
"I second that" said a voice and the couple turned to welcome the first of the guests.
"Maa, father" said Manyata and went to take their blessings.
"Uday, you have a tough job at hand" said Maharaj Brijraj "It would have been nice if you guys were equally sided, if you know what I mean" he teased
"Very soon uncle Brij, very soon" laughed Uday
"Father," said Manyata as she blushed and accompanied them to the living room.
"Mini, see what we have got for you. Come here beta" said Komal as she beckoned the staff bearing the gifts to come forward.
Mini smiled and she went to her grandmother who made her sit on her lap.
"I so wish if dadi sahb was with us today" said Manyata as she looked at her daughter. Uday held her hand and squeezed it.
"Wherever she is, she is watching us and I know for sure that she is extremely happy" said Uday
Manyata nodded and looked at her family. This was it, this was her family. Who would have thought that four years ago a simple girl Moniya from a chawl who led an inconsequential life was actually Rajkumari Manyata of Devgadh? That the person sitting beside her, her husband, the love of her life and her soul mate would be the same person whom she hated at the very first sight. Destiny, she sighed as she looked at her daughter. She recalled the time when she had gone into labour. She had insisted on delivering Mini at the Jaigadh palace and Uday had been distraught at that. But he made sure that he was with her all the while and had turned their bedroom into a small hospital with doctors and nurses on 24hrs vigil. He had held her hand just like he was holding it now and had stayed with her while she delivered their daughter. The pain and tiredness was all forgotten as she saw the tiny life in Uday's hand. He had cried that day in joy as he held their child. With the joy of their child's birth came news which shook Manyata. Her grandmother was no more. She had left the world after prolonged illness. She had passed on in her sleep, but Manyata believed that her dadi sahb hadn't left her. She decided to name her daughter Rajkumari Mrinalini Padmini Devi, after her late grandmother and her late mother-in-law, Mini for short. Manyata was apt in naming the child Mrinalini as the child showed all traits of her late grandmother in looks as well as deeds.
"She would make an excellent queen just like maa sahb" Giriraj had said. Now as she looked at her daughter she knew her father-in-law was right. She would make an excellent queen just like her grandmother and as her grandmother always said, it was their destiny to be born into privilege and she would be there to guide her daughter, just like she was guided.
"Princess, what happened" asked Uday and she broke from her reverie. "Let's go princess, time for family picture, Unnati and Jai are here" he said. "Are you alright love?" he asked a bit concerned
"Yes darling, I'm perfectly fine and happy" she smiled and they walked hand in hand to meet the others.
THE END