ETRETR SS:A punishment fit for a queen C8 conclude THANK YOU NOTE P25 - Page 7

Originally posted by: john-angad

haven't seen the show but love ur story

Chapter 5

Gayatri walked along Raj Mehel corridors in the evening going about her jobs careful to keep herself to herself behind her saari there was still a lot going on in her mind but as she walked past the Kings chambers no matter how she felt about him in this time her heart was still drawn to him. His room & the possibility of his presence and as she stood at some distance she watched a maid enter Ranas room.

Stepping that little closer to the doors of the room so her husband could be visible to her she watches the lady enter his chambers where he is sat back in bed reading what looks like paperwork, work is what he did when he felt restless and as the maid approaches and begins pressing his legs. It was a traditional service for the king and most certainly also Swarnlekhas doing after knowing her bhai sa had been on his feet all day. Gayatri watches as ever her husband is too modest to accept the treatment and refuses. With a very royal yet considerate tone of voice he free's the maid of her task. "Is ki koi sarurat nahin hai, aap jaa sakti hai" (there's no need, you may leave.)

A few minutes later as Rana lifts his gaze there still seems to be a lady at the end of the bed carrying out the task he had excused her of but something felt seemingly more familiar.

That touch had to be his wife no other servant would dare defy him but his wife she had all the privileges. Behind a cotton orange, dressed as one of the maid's Rana could just about make out his wife, her pale skin, slender hands that were messaging legs in the most dutiful manner. Nor did she look up from her task at him nor did she speak.

He looked up from his paper work and simply watched her silently there was pin drop silence. He had long been waiting to see her and even if he couldn't see her face properly she was before him and that gave him peace of mind.

Some time passed she remained silent submissively going about the task of attending to the king. The time consisted of Rana taking repeated glances at Gayatri.

When it didn't seem like she would speak he broke the silence unable to keep quite for much longer he took a hold of one of her hands from upon his legs taking her by surprise non the less but even then she refrained from looking at him.

She felt his finger tips stir on the front of her palm he had held as he spoke.

"I am sorry for the hurt I have caused you Gayatri for the hurt I am causing you..."

Gayatri swallowed the lump in her throat and controlled her tears under her veil .. should they fall he would know that she was still greatly upset and that would bring him anguish improper for a King to have.

Her tears had fallen he watched her wipe them away sat at the edge of the bed speaking in proper accordance as she always did before him.

"Maaf kijyey magar kisi bhi raj parvivar ke sadasya se bina koi khaz vaje baat karna hamari saza ke niyamon ke virudh hai Hukkum." ( I apologize but as per the rules of my punishment I am not speak with members of the family without good reason master.)

"Hukum"...--The way Gayatri addressed him gave him an honest realization of just what his punishment for Gayatri was. He admired her commitment and excused her per her wish.

...

Working in the Mehel kitchen as other workers did in the evenings in preparation for the morning Gayatri was doing a very mundane task of peeling potatoes she thought a lot during this couple of day at times like these. She was hurt, but the hurt was slowly turning to anger, this punishment in simple terms was messing with her mind . Why was it that she was subjected to this awful punishment when she wasn't wrong.! The queen of Amerkot was peeling vegetables and living in servant quarters! The more she thought about it the more illogical and impatient her began to get.

Calming herself a lady beside her began to talk..

Of course the lady knew she was talking to the queen everyone in the Mehel knew about Gayatris punishment even with the awareness this lady seemed to be fond of the king. Very fond of him.

"Ranaji bohot ache hai Raniji. woh bade atche hai, dayalu.."

(Hes kind considerate caring) ham toh bhagavan se yehi pratha karte hai ke .. hamare bhagya mein bas Ranaji ki seva likhe rakhe. (i pray to be kept in service of him and no others..)

Of course Gayatri didn't feel that way this very moment she had been confronted by very different side of her husband. It was clear to her that her husband was good to his people and also clear that he was a popular royal that all servants wanted to work for yet did not always have the fortune. Servants in the quarters seemed to be assigned there own royal family member. Glad that the lady singing the kings praises had gone Gayatris eyes took not of a smaller, younger prettier figure going about her work.

The girl looked at Gayatri a little guarded before answering "ji" "Chanda Rani Ma" and true to her name she was as pretty as moonlight. Gayatri was taken back by the girl and especially when she used rani ma..at first it was a mere mistake by the girl but later Gayatri was taken back by the gesture. The girl after all was young enough to be Gayatri younger sister. Gayatri noticed the reservation in those lovely green eyes of Chanda. There was something unusual but innocent about the girl. She seemed to only answer when questioned but Gayatri had a way with words and people.

Chanda's mother and father used to work for the royal family before passing away now her home and her life was this. Only 19 Gayatri was saddened by the girls story and the use of Rani ma now made sense. The girl had lost her family, Gayatri smiled without objection.

Soon as they continued working together Gayatri noticed injury to the girls arms, bruises of some sort. Before Gayatri could question a distant voice interrupted.

"Gayatri bhabhi Aap hai naa.. ? "(Its you isn't it Gayatri bhabhi?")

Gayatri distracted turned to find Swarna who had come into the kitchen for a glass of water. Gayatri without a ghungat ..looked unimpressed. She shouldn't have stopped to talk to her. Pulling her to the side Swarna notices that Gayatri was carrying a lot of dislike for Rana at this very time.

"Aap jaanti hai aap ke bhai sa kitne sakt hai agar une pata chal gaya ke aap yaha hamse baat kar rahi hai toh.."

(You know how stern your bhaisa can be if he finds out you're here talking to me then ...)

Stopping her mid sentence as ever Swara fights her brother in laws corner.

"Toh kya .. Rani sa woh itne bhi bure nahin hai!.." Gayatri didn't want to hear any of it there was nothing Swarna or anyone could say to make her feeling better but a familiar face with a smile was nice to see.

...

A weekly royal meeting took place In the palace the next afternoon. The king, the whole family and members of the royal board were all present to talk on the most pressing issues in Amerkot.

Gayatri happened to me one of the maids cleaning In the background during this time. Normally she would be beside her husband as the queen yet today she stood far in the background dusting furniature listening non the less.

There was silence in the room no servants ever made a noise unless they were spoken to. The respected members were mid discussion when there was a small cough in the background.

Nothing was made of it ..

A few minutes later another cough was heard followed by another few minutes.

Rana a very sharp personality took note every single spoken word as well as noise nothing went past him. The coughing maid in the corner had repeatedly got his attention.

It was some time into the meeting when Ranaji put a halt to the talks mid way.

Asking Swarna to fetch a glass of water, nothing was made of it and Swarna obliged that was until she returned Rana had her put the glass of water to a side and dismissed the meeting. Part way, a king needed no explanation however his command certainly drew eyes.

"Ham Aaj ki sabha darkwas karte hai , Gayatri ke alava sab ko agyay hai."

("Everyone apart from Gayatri is dismissed.")

From under her veil a shocked Gayatri looks towards her husband at her distance.. surprised that he knew of her presence surprised that he had done such a thing in front of everyone remains stunned at the goings on.

...

Next chapter:
As Rana waits for Gayatri to take the glass of water he is struck by her refusal.

(This glass of water won't proof as soothing as the answer a question will Hukum.)