ETRETR SS: A Royal Affair C47 P122 21ST SEP 2016 CONCLUDE - Page 15

Chapter 14

No one dared question the king or defy his orders, so post the leave of Rani Sulkashana from the Mehel there was very little talk about her at all. What exact grounds she had left on were unknown to even members of the Raj Parivar but what they did know was that she was out of Ranaji's life for good. She was no longer apart of the family, apart of the kingdom or his queen and if Ranaji could get rid of the one who was dearest to him out of all then that was an eye opener to all others never underestimate the king!

Ranaji had taken almost a week to himself after that night. He spent the majority of time in his quarters withdrawn from any social appearance. He spoke through one or two trusted servants and was seen at times leaving and re-entering the Mehel but that was it. Subharna was the face of politics for that duration of time but the feel in the palace was still high and mighty which surprised Gayatri out of everyone who wasn't used to such things. She worried a lot over these days but then she was also an optimist at the same time which was probably what got her through everything so well.

She worried about him, worried whether it was her again that had bought her bad luck along with her and that's why this was all happening but was warned strongly by Swarna never to speak of such a thing before Ranaji for he detested superstition of this sort and especially seen as he had married her to prove otherwise.

Gayatri was one of the lucky ones though for she was one of the few that actually got to see Ranaji even at such a time. She watched him every night through her balcony and that gave her the piece of mind she needed.

Whether he was sat in solace in his chair, playing his piano, reading or just pacing his room having him visible helped but she could also feel and see anguish he was going through.

Just yesterday she was out in her balcony hanging one of her saari's out because she preferred to look after her favorite saari herself the way she would at home and little was she aware Ranaji was stood at his respective balcony and unintentionally their eyes met.

Gayatri per nature flustered a little but her eyes managed to carry a fitting greeting. Contrary to the innocently, chirpy a little flustered girl on the other side Ranaji stood tall, his hands drawn into his pockets he nodded very regally in acknowledgement of her.

When Gayatri did look at him she saw a worn-out Ranaji, his appearance was a little frayed. His beard had grown a little longer, he looked weaker than the norm and pain lingered in his eyes, at least she could see it but she could also see that there was strength in his posture and determination in his poise everything a king was supposed to be. Strong yet compassionate, loving yet stern and even with his own turmoil Gayatri almost felt like his eyes asked her how she was at least so it seemed to which she smiled telling him she was well.

That encounter didn't leave Gayatri at all as she walked towards to prayer room at the start of the new day she took note of the door to Ranaji's room for a second and was caught in the act.

"Unki raniyon par ko pabandi nahin hai aap chahe toh pravesh kar sakti hai."

("He will see you if that's what you want.") and so it was true Ranaji had exempted his wifes from the ban on disturbing him but Gayatri was aware that when the likes of Rani Subharna followed his orders like any other person in the mehel so adherently she should too. It was just that like any other wife would be she was concerned.

"Ji nahin ham toh bas.." (no its just I ..)

The concern was something both wifes could relate too.

"Ham samajte hai ("I know..") Subharna said in the most sweetest of tones and took Gayatri along with her both ladies likey to be asking for the same thing from god in their prayers that morning.

...

Maybe god had listened after all for the first time in days Ranaji was at the breakfast table that morning and looked as powerful and in tact as he could from appearance. Suprising all at the table who had got complacent with the Kings absence the past days all got up from their seats at once as Ranaji entered the room.

There was very little talk around the table just smiles on the faces of those who were happy to Ranaji back and disappointment on the faces of those who's days of lax of the rules were over.

Gayatri watched Ranaji discreetly like she would do from her balcony only this time round it felt like Ranaji had caught her in the act or maybe his sense of awareness was just par excellent. He spoke of her as he cut first bite into his breakfast.

"Gayatri aap.. breakfast ke baad hame hamare kaksh mein milyeyga.." (Gayatri make your way to my room after breakfast.)

Surprised by the use of her name from him across the table Gayatri's heart certainly skips a beat or two before she is able to reply with a nod.

"Aur rani ji aap bhi," he adds looking at Subharna who again doesn't expect herself to be mentioned.

...

He looked at her with the upmost curiosity why on earth would she ask for something like that. In kaamon ke liyey sevak hai (we have servants for that..')he tried to explain to his youngest of wifes aur aap is mehel ki rani hai (and you are a queen..)She looked at him with her big hazel eyes ever so innocently that he couldn't refuse.

"Very well..Aap ko isjaast hai."

"Aap ne pheli baar hamse kuch manga hai toh ham mana bhi toh nahin kar sakte."

(Seen as it's the first time you've asked me for anything I can't really refuse.)

The smile on Gayatri's face when her wish was granted was something to be seen Its radiance rubbed off on even Ranaji.

She had asked him for permission to serve him on his everyday needs. Although he tried to explain that there were many servants for that he missing the point all together. She was his wife and she would relish in the little things more importantly it would help their relationship grow. If he saw enough of her maybe he would eventually grow fond of her not only that Gayatri could see that Ranaji was probably unaware that someone to look after him is what he missed in life.

Gayatri left joyous of Ranaji's approval and when it was time for Subharna to see the king as she walked into the room she heard Ranaji mention Gayatris request.

"Gayatri has asked if she can be responsible for some of my everyday jobs I said yes but I want you to make sure she doesn't take up jobs I wouldn't approve of."

"Ji"

Subharna nodded in confirmation as her husband spoke his attention a little more for the paperwork to hand sat at the sofa suite in his room. He had missed a weeks worth of political detail after all and he wanted to tie up all the loose strings before leaving the mehel for his other responsibilities. Subharna is just about to leave when Ranaji calls out for her. "Aap ne abhi tak hamse kuch nahin manga Subharna.."

She turned back and her response drew his attention.

"Aap theekh hai?" (You are well?)

A question in response to a question drew Ranajis eyes to her and he nodded.

Hame aur kya chahiyey.. (What else would I want)

She'd done it again he thought, that play with words that only a queen could get away with but not on this time.

"Rukhiyey rani ji ." ("wait")

Is baar nahin. (I wont let you get away with it this time.) he spoke as he rose from his seat dropped his paperwork and pen to a side and walked towards her.

On every such occasion she either asked for something either for someone else or something for amerkot or was clever enough to word her way out of this.

Not this time, he stood over her and would until she gave him an acceptable response.

As ever she looked at him very little and her words were regal, respectful and always meaningful.

"Aap ko yaad hai maharaj ek vakt tha jab aap London se Amerkot ka safar tai kiya tha kayi salon ke baad hamne aap ko dekha tha. Maang sakte toh yey maang te ke vakt wahin rukh jaata us raat aur ham aap ko vapas jaane se rok lete."

(Do you remember the time you came home from London for a few days that was the first time In years I lay eyes on you after our marriage and you'd seen me. If I could I would ask you to turn back time so I could have stopped you from leaving at all.)

Indravarden heard the heartache in Subharnas every word but he too recalled that time it was just a shame that nor could he turn back time nor did he have words to console her feelings.

She walked away unsure if anything she had said would even mean anything to him or even if he would remember the that one night he had spent with his bride all that time ago after all he had other women in his life after that..

As she walked closer to leave his chambers his last few words for her left her in overwhelm.

"White always looked beautiful on you Subharna.."

He remembered? --Her eyes filmed in tears and her heart knew of not how to react she simply swallowed the lump in her throat closed her eyes in a sigh before leaving without turning back.

Originally posted by: Greyasr

Too good Jagruti just simply wondering what Gayatri would ask for...

Originally posted by: ananya2010

Awesome update, loved it to the core, Sula out of the palace and out of RaGa life, waiting to know how RaGa relationship evolves, love Gayatri-Swarna bond.

Please continue soon, waiting to read more of the story.

Originally posted by: Drashtilove

i just realise one thing if ranaji's one wife named as ragaswari i wont be able to read the story im glad u didnt pick the name (plz dont mind its just now my condition after seeing the epi)

Originally posted by: shalu1786

amazing