The sky was unusually dark that day. Clouds has covered the sun, engulfing the whole kingdom of Anga in their dark shadows. Though, darkness was all around, the dwellers of Anga were elated. It had been only a day since the crowning of the new king, Brahmadatta [Aham Sharma]. King Dhadivahana had passed a month ago and now his place was taken by his son who was not only an able warrior but also a skilled administrator. But just when it seemed happiness was waiting for all with open arms, darkness lurked in. Darkness which would soon engulf the future of a great kingdom.
From the windows of the corridors of the great citadel of Champa, peered out a woman of extraordinary beauty and outstanding wit. Agnijyotsna [Pooja Sharma], or as her elder sister called her, Agni, the princess of Anga, looked at the dark skies for they reflected the fears of her heart perfectly. In her heart was fear. Fear of a storm, which, she knew, would not only destroy her dreams but also her relationship with this kingdom, this race and possibly, with her sister. She knew not, what the future would bring, but she surely did know that it was time for fate to play its game.
"Agni..." Exclaimed her sister from behind.
Vaidehi [Mihika Verma], or Angika as she was called by many, was the princess of Anga. The eldest daughter of the late king Dhadivahana and the sister of Agnijyotsna and Brahmadatta. She was superior to anyone in beauty and could possibly be compared only with Agnijyotsna. She had both sense and patience, which are hard to find in princesses of kingdoms as effluent as Anga. But what really made many fall in love with her in the first glance was the calmness of her face and the subtle way of expressing herself.
"Jiji..." Agni looked at her.
"I was waiting for you to come to my chambers. I told you to. What are you doing here looking at such turbulent skies?" Vaidehi asked her, carefully noticing Agni to predict her answer.
"I was going to come jiji. But..." She wanted to reason but she could not. How could she express her plight to Vaidehi who was not only innocent but cared for her beyond reason.
"Now, come with me, let us not waste our priceless seconds here." Vaidehi held her hand and took her to the princess' chambers.
Vaidehi's chambers consisted of a huge room where the princess slept and rested all day and a nearby grove where she strolled in the morning and evening. In the grove was a small temple where rested the idol of Lord Shri Ram and Mata Janaki, after whom she was named. The room was decorated with garlands of freshly plucked flowers of every possible color. While the entrance was adorned by red flowers with refreshing smell, the interior of the complex was decorated with the entrancing fragrance of lotuses, for in her room great vessels of water were placed in which floated lotuses which were brought from nearby lake and diyas which illuminated the room with magical light.
Vaidehi made Agni to sit in front of the great mirror which she used to get ready everyday. The mirror reflected the images of two sisters, smiling at each other as if reliving all the moments of their life together. Their smiles were much more than this, those smiles were a assurance to Agnijyotsna that this relationship would never break, even in the worst times.
Still looking at this reflections in the mirror, Vaidehi asked, "Looks brilliant isn't it?"
"It really does reflect us. How many times have we done this? I remember us dressing up together for all the ceremonies here and then preparing for upcoming festivals together. It feels as if this mirror has captured all those moments for us to cherish!" Agni told her with tears showing up in her eyes.
Vaidehi grew conscious at this and instantly asked all her servants to leave. Then, in silence, she asked her beloved sister, "Tell me. Share with me the fears of your heart."
Even her love for her sister could not force Agni to open the deepest secret which she had hidden from everyone since years. She lied, "You, great sister, would soon leave this fortress and go away forever. There, in the Kingdom of the Chetiyas which is among mountains and rivers, among the splendid beauty of nature and love of you husband, King Sahaja, you will easily forget this sister of yours."
Vaidehi sighed and then let out a giggle. Then with her soft hands she wiped the precious tears of her Agni and told her, "Agni, you are the fire which burns in my heart to purify it. The only way I can forget you is when my heart stops beating".
Agnijyotsna instantly stopped crying and exclaimed with shock.
"Now, if you are done, can you please help me choose some clothes for two princesses of this kingdom because a great ceremony is to be held on the eleventh day of this month which will be graced by King Sahaja himself?" Vaidehi claimed with pride and stressed on the name.
King Sahaja, the ruler of the Chetiyas of the north was her fianc. Before dying, her father had fixed the alliance with great pleasure, for this unison was not wrong in any way.The two looked to be perfection together, syncing in spirit, sense and heart. But beyond the matters of heart, this marriage would bring power and prosperity to both the kingdoms, that of Anga and of Chetiyas.
"Hmm... Is that pride? I did not expect love to conquer your senses so soon sister. The days of this affection for me are numbered!" Agni taunted her sister in her usual mischievous manner.
Together they had a great time. They decided on what to wear for the upcoming ceremony and cherished few memories of the past which had in them their father.
Never is the presence of time felt when affection fuels joy. The two princesses did not realise when the day ended and the sun set, until they saw the last ray cease away from the chamber, leaving behind the magnificently enlightened room of diyas.
Again, they looked at themselves in the mirror and Agnijyotsna said with a triumphant smile, "It feels great to look at us like this. The two princesses of Anga. But before it sisters. Sister linked by love and blood!"
They were shocked by sudden roar from behind, "The mirror does not necessarily reflect the truth Agnijyotsna!"
On turning around, they saw Brahmadatta enter the chambers. On his face was an expression of anger which fueled the fire in his eyes. He knew the truth. Agnijyotsna's heart was filled with fear of separation.
"What do you mean by that brother?" Inquired Vaidehi.
"Angika, why don't you ask this shameless daughter of a whor..." But before he could complete Vaidehi's voice rose up.
"Stop! Stop! How dare you use such words for our mother!"
"Our mother? Our mother? Oh my sister... No no no. Not our mother. I would never do that!"
"Agnijyotsna is our sister, our mother is her mother! Did you have wine? Are you in your right senses?" Vaidehi could not let out her words with more disgust.
"My senses are perfectly right. As a matter of fact, my senses are better than ever now. She, this woman who stands beside you..." Brahmadatta roared with anger but his words were conquered by Agnijyotsna's.
"...is the illegitimate daughter of King Dhadivahana" Agnijyotsna finally spoke, with fire raging her eyes.
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