A long, graceful, purple dress, it was just purple no shiny bedazzlements, no design nothing but cloth. Kripa had been unsure about it when she first saw it but now wearing it, she had no more doubts that she was royalty.
Her story was taken right from a old Bollywood film, twins separated at childhood to be reunited 14 years later. Except for the fact that her twin was dead and they were both the rightful heirs of the Throne of Venna, a small country on the coast of India that was ruled by Kripas's family. 20 years ago, when Queen Gayatri had her twins she had named Maithali and Manayta, royal names for the future rulers. When the twins turned seven, there were talks about a democracy, a few of the protesters abducted the twin girls. In exchange for their daughters Queen Gayatri and King Vivek gave up their authority. The promised the country, they could choose their ruler. Once a date for the election was chosen, the kidnappers promised to return the daughters, however Manayta had escaped. Maithali had been returned but Manayta was nowhere to be found. 14 years later Maithali died an untimely death and Kripa (having the same face as Maithali) was found in India, she was then forcefully brought to the palace. Kripa who had been living the life of an orphan for the last 14 years was now the heir of the throne of Venna. Her family was cold and distant, they had instructed her to get ready to be introduced to her people and Kripa was now sitting in her grande room staring at herself in a long purple dress.
Kripa didn't know why she agreed. She was a 20 years old women, she worked at the Orphanage she had been brought up in. She loved helping and playing with the children. She remembered collecting toys for the children and excitedly bringing them to see those men waiting for her. Maya, the lady that ran the orphanage told Kripa they were good people, they were going to take her to her family. Maya was family to Kripa, Kripa had never thought about meeting her family but the fact that they were going to take her to her family intrigued her, so she quietly went along. They took her in a helicopter, two hours later she was in Venna. In her kingdom. Kripa felt like she was still in shock that was why she was quietly agreeing to their every wish. Kripa knew she didn't belong with these people, her family was in India, her family were those little children. However, Kripa couldn't leave ' the people ' her real family had quite a few expectations from her and Kripa was not used to letting people down.
"Lady Manayta, the Queen wishes to know if you are ready?"
Kripa startled out of her thoughts after hearing the servant, " yeah ..i'll be ready in a few minutes sorry" Kripa was only half lying, she was physically ready, but to be mentally ready she needed a few more lifetimes.
"The Queen will come in exactly 2 minutes and 30 seconds to bring you downstairs" the royal servant told Kripa.
Kripa looked at the servant, she was a girl in her mid 20's, older than Kripa. Her clothes were quite fancy, she looked more like Royalty than Kripa
"Whats your name?" Kripa asked
"Aliyah" the servant replied
"You're so young'is this like a summer job? Are you still studying?"
Aliyah smiled, there was a spark in her eyes, she found Kripa's question amusing
" I apologize, I did not introduce myself, Lady Manayta, my name is Aliyah Khanna, I am not a worker here, workers would not be allowed near you till you have been formally introduced to the public'I am your fiance's sister. "
"Oh" Kripa replied taking in what Aliyah said " wait'but I don't have a fianc"
"You will meet him at todays banquet, after you're formally introduced, his wedding had been arranged with Lady Maithali, but because of her untimely death, it only makes sense for you to be married to him."
Maithali ' the name gave Kripa goosebumps. Kripa had a sister, a twin sister, who she had no memory of and now that Maithali was dead, Kripa had gotten Maithali's life. Including her fianc.
"Lady Manayta'if you do not mind me asking'you were 7, when you and Maithali were separated'do you not have any memory of the time you lived here in Venna.." asked Aliyah
"I'll answer on one condition"
Aliyah gave Kripa a confused look "condition?"
"Please stop caling me lady Manayta, I am Kripa, and the whole Lady Manayta thing is creeping me out"
"I apologize, Lady Manayta but I can not call your Kripa, the Queen, and my family will not be happy"
"well can you atleast just call me Kripa when we're alone, please"
Aliyah smiled ' her brother and Kripa would make an odd couple
"Okay, Lady 'I mean Kripa'I'll call you by that name but not infront of others."
"Thanks Aliyah'and no I don't remember ever being a princess"
"oh god..the queen is on her way to pick you up, please be ready"
"I am as ready as I'll ever be" Kripa smiled looking at her reflection
The queen entered the room, looked at Kripa, and instantly looked away as if scared.
"My Royal Queen, Kripa is ready are you ready for the ceremony"
The Queen nodded and linked arms with Kripa pulling her along.
The Queen linked arms with Kripa and went down the stairs slowly, with elegance. There were many people there many with cameras. The guards did not let them get close to the them but pictures were taken. The Queen took Kripa outside the palace, where their were more people with cameras and more people not letting them get closer. Kripa was taken inside a limo and seated. The queen sat beside her.
"Where is the ceremony?" Kripa asked, afraid of hearing the cold voice of the queen
"City Council" The queens replies were always short and to the point as if she did not waste time with sentences
"why are so many people outside and around our home? Why not go straight to the ceremony?" kripa didn't understand why she was asking so many questions, the queen frightened her
"only special guests are invited"
"I thought I was being introduced to the public not to special guests"
"media will be present" the queen was sounding annoyed
"all media or only special media?" Kripa knew she was crossing limits but she couldn't stay quiet
The queen didn't reply, the next few minutes were the most awkward moments of Kripa's life.
They reached, Kripa was taken on stage. The Queen took the mic
"Thankyou for arriving here my people, I know we are all heartbroken at the death of Lady Maithali, who was the rightful heir of this throne, her death was not a only a tragedy it was a slap in this countries face. The democratic ways of this country have weakened us and made us suspectible to such disasters. However we will not watch this happen, we will make royal blood run this country. I wish for you all to democratically make a king the ruler of the country. The elections that will be taking place in the next few weeks, will be a moment where we can change this country by having it ruled by royal blood. I request you all to vote for a true king, my future son-in-law Mr.Angad Khanna."
A man came on stage ' he wore a black suit, his eyes were cold ' like the Queens. Kripa could tell he was doing the best to avoid looking at her. He got on stage but did nothing.
The Queen continued "14 years ago, I had lost a daughter. I have found her but at the cost of my other daughter"
To Kripa, the Queen sounded bitter as if she'd rather have kept Maithali than get her replacement..these people meant nothing to Kripa but she wasn't sure why it hurt when she said that
"Maithali was a perfect princess, beautiful, loyal-"The Queen stopped talking and began crying
Angad went and comforted her. Kripa looked at the audience, many were crying.
The queen managed to say "daughter'Manayta" and point Kripas way in between her sobs. The people looked at Kripa as if they had just noticed her. Kripa heard whispers throughout the audience "her face'" "Maithali"
They were all commenting on the similiairities between her and Maithali. Well they were twins.
Angad took the mic from the sobbing Queen. "Please stay for the Banquet" he said in a deep voice that made Kripas heart skip a beat.
Kripa wasn't sure why but she was shaking at hearing his voice.
Maithali had passed away a year ago, yet the people acted like her death was current. Kripa found herself feeling insignificant in the banquet that had been made to honour her. She fled to a corner and stood their with her plate of food. The rich people food was delicious.
"Lady Manayta" Aliyah called Kripa "come I'll introduce you to your people"
"can I bring my food with me?"
"your plates empty though?" Aliyah said eying the food
"its so good though, I want seconds"
"Kripa" Aliyah whispered hoping no one would hear "you cant take seconds'that's not very lady-like"
Kripa pouted, the food was so tasty, and she couldn't get more
"I'll arrange for the food to be sent home with you, I promise, please mingle for now"
Kripa nodded a bit happier, and walked with Aliya
Aliya introduced her to a bunch of old people, whose names Kripa didn't remember after being introduced.
They all stared at her face, as if it was the scariest thing alive.
"Come, Let me introduce you to someone you actually want to meet" Aliya said dragging Kripa to the man whose voice left Kripa shaking.
"Bhai" Aliya said getting his attention. Angad Khanna turned around to respond, his face was gentle this time, but at the sight of Kripa it froze. Kripa felt that the whole world froze in that moment. He stared at her with a piercing gaze and she stared back, unsure why. She felt like she was a bubble and she floating. Her bubble popped and she felt like she was falling to the ground seconds later when his look turned cold and his eyes full of hate. Kripa lowered her gaze.
"This is Lady Manayta" Aliya said unaware of the exchange that just took place
"I realized" Angad said, in the voice that drove Kripa crazy
"Hi" Kripa said hesitantly advancing her hand for a handshake. She had done the same for everyone Aliya introduced her to and they had all shook her hand without any problem. Angad however glared at her hand as if it were foreign and walked away.
"Wow'he's usually nicer" aliyah said as Angad walked away "Don't mind him'after Lady Maithali's death everyones been acting weird"
Kriipa nodded trying not to care.
Bade Achche Lagte Hain Naya Season
Cricket
201