||The Punishment|| Chapter 3/Note : Page 19 - Page 12

Chapter 3

Jainandini sneaked inside her sister's well cared for gardens with a basket in hand. She looked here and there and once feeling assured of her safety she stepped in and made her way to the flower beds. She plucked a few roses and then a few orchids, jasmines and a few of the wild flowers. She stepped back and sat down on the marble bench, as her breath went up and down.

She looked on ahead at the sky as she saw the sun rays breaking through the darkness. She had woken up quite early then ever before in her life. Even the birds hadn't woken up till now. She chuckled at her thoughts. But indeed it was very tough for her to wake up so early that too without the help of the maids and an even higher risk of treading in her sister's heart - her gardens, without her permission. But she was always ready to do anything for her sister's one smile and her approval for her even though she hadn't gone quite far in earning it. But she would make her sister's day special today; it is her birthday after all. Jainandini got up and skipped away to her palace. She had many things to do.

The servants ran about preparing the food for the feast when Jainandini walked in, making them stop in their tracks. What was the princess doing in the kitchen ? They all loved Manyata and Jainandini alike even though Manyata would rub off the wrong sides at times. But yet they all knew that the real power had been vested with Manyata, their Badi Rajkumariji. They tried stopping Jainandini as she stepped up on the pedestal to cook but their futile attempts were shrugged off as she started making her jiji's favorite sweets and they silently assisted her while thanking god for giving their Badi Rajkumariji such a loving little sister.

Udayveer walked inside his grand suite at the Devgarh Palace after having a leisure bath. He picked up the scroll kept on the table and briefly smiled after reading it. It was an invitation to the celebrations taking place for the princess's birthday. He looked at his servant and gestured him. He returned back in while and gave him an elegantly wrapped package. He took out a beautifully crafted bracelet form the package and clutched it tight. Small pearls dangled from it with Princess spelled out perfectly on the silver band. Well, how could the mighty Yuvraaj Udayveer Singh leave the opportunity of giving something to his beloved princess ... He chuckled as he made his way to her palatial buildings knowing fully well that he would never be welcomed.

Manyata was sitting in the gardens and enjoying the breeze as she played with the dupatta of her new lehnga gifted to her by her father along with the many other things. It was something she had struck her heart upon. And anyone would have lost their heart to it what with its gold threading and the gems studded into a beautiful peacock design. She sat there waiting for her breakfast when she heard a voice.

Jiji ! Manyata closed her eyes in frustration but before she could escape Jainandini was behind her hugging her tightly.

"Janamdin Mubaarak ho Jiji ! (Happy Birthday, sister !)" Jainandini practically screamed in her ears in her excitement. Manyata tried to free herself from her strangling hold.

Jainandini pranced about as she gestured the servants behind her to arrange the dishes. She started uncovering them to reveal Manyata's favorite dishes while she chattered away.

"I made them for you myself. I even prepared one of your favorite sweets, jiji. Their shape doesn't look too good but the taste good." She started to serve a bit of all the dishes on Manyata's plate. Manyata was about to give her a piece of her mind when she smiled evilly as a better thought struck her mind.

She looked at Jainandini and smiled at her making her stop in her tracks. Her jiji had smiled at her ? Well there was a first time to everything, thought Jainandini as she pushed the plate to her while smiling happily at the turn of the events.

Manyata took the plate from her and she picked up a freshly baked sweet from it and nibbled at it. Jainandini stood beside her holding her breath and the next moment Manyata threw away the plate and it struck Jainandini on her foot and she cried out in pain.

"What kind of cooking is this ? Are you trying to poison me with this rotten sweet ?" Manyata breathed out in anger while Jainandini shook her head vigorously in pain. She stumbled to the sit on the nearest bench.

"Jiji, that's the best I have ever cooked and you have always liked ..." She was rudely interrupted.

"Wow ! So now you would tell me what I like and what I don't, would you ? Stay in your limits Jainandini. Don't try to cross the line. Now take these away and throw them." Manyata lashed out at her.

Jainandini got up and took the sweet plate and turned away to move to the kitchen when she collided with him. Udayveer looked at her tear stained face. He was taken by surprise at the way Manyata treated her sister and he meant to show her a few things even though their revenge remained incomplete. Jainandini started to move away, trying to hide her tears when he told her to stop.

"Did you cook these ?" He asked trying to act estranged. She mildly nodded, trying to get away to her room as soon as possible.

"Can I have a piece of that ?" He asked her while Jainandini looked on in shock and fear as she found her sister glaring at her. she shook her head frantically. She would avoid all the problems as long as she could. But maybe Udayveer didn't understand her or maybe he was quite adamant because despite her denials he picked up a sweet from the dish and bit into it.

Manyata looked at all this in anger. What were he doing here and what was he trying to prove by taking Jainandini's sweets ? Measly cooking, Manyata scoffed. She was about to intervene but Udayveer had already bitten into it.

"Delicious, Jainandini. Your cooking skills are quite admiral." Udayveer smiled at the astounded look on her face as he picked up another sweet from the dish.

"T ... Thank you." Jainandini stuttered in gratitude with a faint smile, more tears making their way down. He smiled at her while Manyata burned in rage.

"Princess, I hope you know how to make some these. I could make do with them after our marriage. We haven't got many cooks who can craft out sweets so delicious." Udayveer said to Manyata as he turned towards her smirking. Manyata felt her face heat up in anger and humiliation. The guts of this man ! How dare he try to put her sister above her ?

"Jiji ... jiji doesn't know how to ... to cook." Jainandini said and cursed herself the very next moment as prayed for the Earth to swallow her up at her sister's murderous looks. Udayveer stifled his laughter at that as he looked at Jainandini and asked, "Maybe you could teach your jiji a bit of cooking."

Jainandini nodded and ran away before she could invite more trouble for herself. As she climbed the steps leading out of the garden, she stopped and smiled. Jijusa was certainly a wonderful man, her Jiji was lucky, she had got someone so wonderful ... maybe more than she deserved.

Manyata began to walk away in rage. Yeah, now she will learn from Jainandini. That would be the last thing she would be doing even if this world was about to end ! Suddenly someone caught hold of her wrist and pulled her as she turned and banged into him. She struggled in his arms as she breathed in his scent. He wrapped his arms around her waist and leaned in.

"Janamdin Mubarak Ho, Manyata." He whispered huskily in her ears as his lips contacted with her cheeks and he placed a soft kiss on her cheek before withdrawing back. Manyata began to feel dizzy and didn't notice when Udayveer had slipped in the bracelet on her wrist. He chuckled softly at her state as he withdrew his hands and stepped back.

"Be ready for the feast. We will go together." He patted her cheek lightly and went away leaving behind a dizzy Manyata with confusion clouding her mind, her hand resting on her cheek.

I am going into hiding ... 😳

This is the first time i have tried my hand at such a piece of writing ... I am sure it's rotten ...

Do leave behind your reviews and likes !

Will update 'The Devil's Keep' tonight or tomorrow !

Till then I hope you enjoyed this !

Vidhi