PART 1
Once upon a time far away in the land where there was music of the birds in the air, the snow mist diving through the moutains amidst the clouds and the green trees dancing happily, there stood a village full of prosperity and life.
In a far corner of the village, there lived a family of potters who worked their magic with clay. The father was the head potter who ran things, the mother was the provider who helped him make the finest clay for his work and they had a young, lovely, fiesty and beautiful daughter named Geet who was the most adorable and sweetest child that ever lived. Together they were happy and content like no other family.
"Geeet, honey where are you?', her mother went around the woods a few miles away from the house looking for her. She was getting worried sick when suddenly out of nowhere appeared Geet riding her white mare, both covered in dirt and looking all ragged up.
"Look mother, what I found near the swamp, it is black mud. Would you let me make black pots with it?", her eyes glowed with excitement as she dismounted the little horse and showed up her bag of dirt.
Her mother ruffled up her almond brown hair lovingly, "My Love... you can make anything you want in a few years. But first you should learn to work your hands with the clay. It would grow on you and you can make anything with whatever you find!"
Geet smiled happily, "For real mother? anything I want?"
"Yes", she kissed on her forehead "but you must never stray into the woods like that dear child!"
Little Geet nodded crossing her fingers in the back.
Geet was now a blossoming young teen of fifteen. She learned her hands with the pots and was on the pursuit of getting the black clay she found near the swamp.
Her mare was grown up too snorting and keeping her company in the dark. She was about to finish and pack her bags when a bright glow filled the entire region and Geet shrinked closing her eyes. When she opened her eyes again, the bright light dimmed back into the village to the direction of her home.
"Come on girl, something's up in the village", she called for her horse. She mounted her white mare and was on her way back when she saw a batallion of soldiers riding their black stallions riding towards the woods past her.
"I wonder what is wrong", she whispered and in the darkness she saw them jet black eyes for the first time in her life riding ferociously on his stallion charging towards the woods. He was the leader, the crown prince she realised. He didn't pay any attention to her, neither did he look at her but it was the first time Geet was witnessing the royalty and something fluttered inside her tender heart.
When Geet returned back, she saw her world turn upside down. Her home and everything in it was gone burned down to ashes. She dropped her bag and ran into the ruins calling for her loved ones, "Father...Mother...where are you?"
"Geet...child...is that you?", came the feeble voice of her mother from among the ruins.
Geet ran towards her and kneeled down to take her head in her lap, "Oh mother, you are hurt badly..I shall fetch the healer"
Her mother stopped her with an angelic smile. "You will do no such thing Geet."
Geet was broken and she asked in between her sobs, "But...what happened mother? How did this happen? Where is father"
She saw tears running down her mother's cheek which had drops of blood dried up at the chin.
"Your father...he is gone! The explosion... it took everything away!!"
"Explosion? Is that what the bright light was?", she inquired as she sniffed.
"ummhmm", her mother whimpered. "The royal batallion was riding. An oil barrel slipped by accident I guess..Next thing I knew was fire and destruction everywhere. Your father was closest to the barrel trying to move it away before it caused damage.."
"Oh...mother..how can I bear this?", cried Geet her heart out.
"Sushh...now...my Love. Listen to me and you listen carefully...I (whimpers in pain) have always stopped you from your adventures. But tonight I am glad you were away. Go on kid, go on with your adventure but always remember to look out for yourself and be kind to others. Never do anything that your heart refuses to." , with a sigh her mother breathed her last leaving her shattered, broken and scarred for life.
After resting them in their graves, Geet set out on the journey of her life to the woods, but she had one goal in her mind. She vowed to make the royalty pay for whatever they had done to her! The prince she remembered his eyes so vividly! She vowed to herself to make those eyes feel all the pain that she felt on that night. It was her mission, her goal.
PART 2
"I have told you before. The guards should never have let him out of sight! It is only two months to coronation. The prince cannot go on like this! He is not a boy anymore, he is a young man. He will be twenty eight come this fall!"
A worried Savitri Devi paced upon and down the palace balcony as the prince's confidante and chief minister Aditya stood like a sorry figure in front of her.
"I know Queen Regent! But you know the prince. No one can stop him if he made his decision!", remarked the nervous minister.
"Well, it's time he stopped making these reckless decisions of disappearance. Announce a royal ball and tell everyone that the prince is to choose his bride. Set out invitations to each and every house of the kingdom : royalty or otherwise alike. When the news reaches my beloved grandson Maan, he will come back to me himself! And this time I wont let him run away. It's time he chose his bride and accepted his responsibilities."
Soon the news of the royal ball reached every nook and corner of the kingdom including the lonely castle far and deep in the woods where the witch Sunahri lived. Her hair was gold, her eyes were green, her lips the pink of the lotus and heart as gentle as a dove. Sunahri made her way to the bedrooom of her beloved adopted daugther who grew to be a beautiful maiden of twnety five. It was by fate she found the tired girl and her horse exhausted by the journey after the loss of her birth parents. Sunhari raised the girl as her own. She had the most beautiful almond eyes which had a vigorous hunger in them, she realised soon.
Geet was skilled in anything she learned. She trained in weapons, combat, painting but her heart always lied in pottery. She made not just pottery but anything : beautiful sculptures of valiant soldiers, longing maidens as such.
Sunahri knew about Geet's goals. She understood where Geet was coming from but she always wished well for the child. Being the witch, Sunahri knew what Geet's fate would be. She had prepared for it all her life and now it was time. And so, she wished to sent Geet to her destiny to the royal ball of the prince.
"Geet, it is time. They have called for the royal ball", she waited at the door for her reaction.
Wearing a satin sky blue gown with a floral tiara and ear rings, Geet was the most beautiful maiden Sunahri ever saw.
"You mean it is time for my justice?", her eyes beamed at the thought.
"Geet, don't assume things before you get to know anyone child!", pleaded Sunahri.
"What is there to know? Look at them kings and queens living in their palaces. They ruthlessly demolished my whole world and look at you. They exiled you for they feared your powers might be bad omen to the people. These people only know to crush the lives of others. It is time someone gave them a taste of their own medicine."
Sunahri sighed. It wasn't the first time they were having this conversation. But Geet was young and fierce. She couldn't see whatever Sunahri was trying to imply. She decided to leave Geet to her fate and prepared her for the journey.
PART 3
In the woods one always need to be alert. Geet petted her mare as they stopped on the bank of the river for quick refreshments when she heard a rumble among the bushes. She took her bow and arrow and tip toed to the direction of the noise. She was about to release the noose when she heard a growl and a whimper.
"Is that a man?", she whispered to herself and moved closer to get a clear view.
The wild boar was trying to attack the man with blood dripping from its horns. It had soemhow managed to injure the young man on his knee and now had him at his mercy on the floor. The man wasn't giving up. Geet saw his strong muscular hands trying to hold off the boar. He wont be able to hold for long, no matter how strong he was, she realised. Geet aimed her arrow again, this time her eyes grew sharp and pointed it right to the head of the boar and struck it down.
The boar fell on the man who was stunned by the unexpected help.
In the background of the setting Sun he saw this beautiful maiden walking towards him like a savior, the balm to his wounds.
"Are you alright?" she asked hesitantly as she looked around how to move the boar.
Her eyes fell on his muscles as he lifted the weight of the boar off him. The twinkle in her eyes was natural and the blush out of sheer feminine shyness.
"Thank you, young maiden! You saved my life", the young man stood up and bowed in front of her.
Geet did her courtsey, "I am Geet"
His eyes seemed so familiar to her. Like she had met him before, but Geet could not remember where.
"Maan", he said with the most charming smile that she had ever seen.
"What brings such a beautiful maiden as you in these woods."
Geet shrugged and took a long breath, "Ohhh I am headed to the capital village. There is this festival.."
"ahaa, what a coincidence! I'm headed that way too. Going to visit my grandmother actually. We have some business to finish. Are you going for the royal ball?", Maan was rather eager about the last question.
Geet chuckled, "umm..well, lets just say I have some unfinished business there as well."
Maan rubbed his hands looking around, "My horse ran away. Poor guy, got startled by the wild boar"
Without thinking Geet replied, "You can ride with me if you want to. We are headed to the same place anyway"
Maan's face lit up with joy, "Yes, I..I would love that indeed"
They both shifted on their feet smiling and blushing at the awkward silence.
Geet frowned looking at his knee. "We need to clean you up and dress that wound."
Maan looked around, "It's going to be dark soon. We should camp somewhere safe and ride at the first light tomorrow I say"
Geet nodded in agreement. Once she dressed his wound on the knee they looked around and spotted the highest tree around the woods with as much girth as its length. It was indeed a home tree covered with soft moss.
Maan got up to the top of a branch and remarked, "This must make a soft bed if not warm"
Geet smiled from the branch right below it,"Well you can't get it all at once in the woods."
Around midnight Geet opened her eyes hearing a thud and a feeling of warmth on her.
She found him cuddling right behind her and sat upright, "What the hell do you think you are doing?"
"Ssshhh...hush now... I would rather share a bed with you than a snake"
Geet repeated confused, "A snake?"
Maan held her chin and made her look upwards. The snake rolled up itself comfortably on the branch right on top of them.
She snuggled closer to him as a reflex reaction.
He whispered in her ear softly as his firm hands encircled her waist, "Don't move. Just stay still and sleep. It wont even know we are here."
Together they slept warm and cozy in the soft moss bed of the tree as the leaves rustled softly in the night breeze. In the first light of dawn Maan and Geet resumed their journey and reached the stone bridge where they had to part their ways.
"So..I guess this is it.", he said awkwardly.
Geet sighed, "Yeah. We both have to be somewhere else doing the things we are supposed to do.."
Maan caressed her gentle locks, "I wish..."
"What?", she asked with that innocent glow in her eyes.
He smiled, "Tell me you mysterious maiden, if you are done with your business, will you come by this bridge and wait for me?"
Geet shook her head smiling, "I...I don't know if that would be possible. It could take longer...days..months...years may be...or I could finish it in a matter of hours. I have no idea"
Maan looked far away as he replied, "Even I don't know how long it would take...But I promise I will be here waiting for you to return. You can always find me here for you."
Geet leaned towards him and placed a gentle kiss on his cheek. She rode her mare and disappeared on the long pathway as small as a tiny dot just like the way she appeared into his life.
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PART 4
"Dadima, what is the meaning of all this?", argued Maan Singh Khurana at the office room of his grandmother, the Regent Queen.
"My dear grandson, you know I'm getting old. What is the harm if I expect you to take off the burden of responsibilities from my shoulder?"
"I'm not yet sure dadima". There was pain in his voice. One that she came to recognise very clearly ever since that night.
"Maan! What ever happened was not your fault. You need to stop blaming yourself for the things happening around you."
"It is nothing but the truth dadima! I could never trust or see myself as a responsibe king!" he hund his head down in guilt.
"You were only a boy of eighteen. You would not have know!", she tried to reason.
Maan shook his head in defeat.
"Maan, promise me you wont run away from this ball, for my sake. If you are not ready for coronation two months from now, our family would lose the right to throne! For centuries Khuranas have carried the royal throne with grace and honour. Do not let it fall into the wrong hands just because you doubt yourself."
Maan looked surprised, "What are you taking about?"
"My term as Regent will be expired in two months irrespective of whether you choose to be the king or not. The next in line will take the throne. Time is of essence Maan. You need to make a choice! I have faith that finding the right partner will bring you a step closer to your destiny."
"We can't possibly know what destiny has in store for us", Maan said distant and cold.
"But we can always have hope. I want you to have that hope and belief Maan!", dadima assured her.
Maan kept his hand on her shoulder reassuringly, "Don't worry dadima. I will go to this royal ball for your sake. I may not have my hopes but I can't let you down or take your hopes away."
Dadi smiled happily as he left, "I am sure Maan, this evening you are going to meet someone so amazing that she will change your whole life"
It was the evening of the royal ball and the entire capital village was buzzing with excitement. There were princesses from far away land, Duchesses, Baroness from many eminent families and then there were commoners too from various part of the kingdom. The village was filled with beautiful maidens who came to seek their Prince Charming. The maiden who wins his heart will be next queen when the prince completes his coronation at last.
Geet looked at the enormous and magnificent palace before ascending the stairs. Dressed in a satin majenta princess ball gown with tiny golden stones at the sequins, she was the perfect picture of beauty, elegance and grace just like any fairy tale princess. Only hidden behind her gown was a pointy ice dagger resting in its hilt which she herself carved out from the Ice fountain in Sunahri's garden. Determined to demand her justice by stabbing the crown prince by her ice dagger, Geet ascended the steps strongly with vigour and agility.
Once inside the palace, she walked around looking at the grandeur of the place. The people there looked so happy and cheerful that it suffocated Geet. Well, not for long she thought to herself.
Maan was dancing with a sweet princess of a friendly neighbourly kingdom who kept singing his praises in an attempt to please him. He was starting to get bored and was thinking of polite ways to make an excuse when his eyes fell on a maiden so fair and graceful that his heart immediately yearned for her. She felt so familiar even though he couldn't see her face as she was standing with her back facing him. He prayed for it to be her and when she turned, it was as if a dream come true for Maan. He didn't realise when he peeled off the young princess and walked towards her like the gallant prince he was.
When he tapped on her shoulder and she turned back Geet was filled with joy to see him again.
"What a pleasure to find you here?", she exclaimed as he kissed her land and led to the dance floor where other noble men and women were dancing.
"Pleasure is indeed mine!", he said with that charming smile of his.
She started dancing with him as the merry tune played along. They joined the row of young men and women and tapped their feet along with the group. Geet kept looking here and there to spot the prince. She wasn't sure which one of these gentlemen was him and with Maan around her, she couldn't focus on her task.
As he made her spin with his finger holding her Maan noticed her attention wavering elsewhere.
"I'm sorry, are you expecting someone else?", he inquired.
"Oh noo no...I was just looking. This is the first time I have been around here."
Maan smiled at her naive reply. "Fear not maiden. You saved my life. I think I owe you one."
She kept her hand on his shoulder and swayed as his hands went around her slim waist.
"Is that why you are dancing with me, because you owe me?"
Geet noticed a few women among the crowd of the audience watching them and pointing fingers at her.
"Of course not. I'm dancing with you because I..", he paused thinking about what he was about to say.
"What?", she asked looking at his eyes questioningly.
"Because didn't I promise you that I will always find you", his playfulness was back and Geet noticed more people looking at them.
The music shifted into a soft romantic melody with celtic undertones. The lighting was dimmed with the spotlight on them. Everyone moved away as they watched them dance in tune with each other as one soul and two bodies.
"Maan", she called out softly.
"hmmm?"
"People are looking at us"
"Do you want to get away?", he whispered in a husky voice which made her feel enchanted.
The musical was now reaching a crescendo and it came to an end with a high note gliding on to the base as if marking the end of a concert.
The crowd clapped at the romantic dance and by the time the lights were back on Maan was running away from the crowd with Geet beside him.
On her way Geet heard a little girl shout, "Mamma look, the prince found his princess!!"
When Geet turned she found the little girl pointing at her. Geet stared at Maan in shock and awe, fear and wonder at the same time. The black eyes! It was him! It was him all that time!!
PART 5
Maan led her into the beautiful royal garden. It was a pleasant sight to the sore eyes. The one with beautiful colourful flowers and fruits of various kinds that was enough to captivate your eyes, the soft grass which tickled your feet like a fluffly cushion. But even those comforting pleasures could not sooth Geet who was now in a dilemma. It was easier when you believed the enemy was a soul-less ruthless beast. But when you get to know them, when you succumb to their charms, it was never easy.
"Geet, here, come and sit here", he pointed her to sit beneath a tree next to him which was much alike to the one where they took shelter on their way.
She sat next to him and said it out loud as if for herself to hear, "YOU, are the prince!"
Her hand went to the hidden pocket where the dagger was, her fingers almost brushing the hilt.
When she saw him smile, it was angelic, "aaah now you know!"
She could sense the gloom in his voice.
"You don't seem to be happy with that idea?", she asked.
"I don't know..I..I'm not sure if I would ever make a good king", he told her, his eyes distant now.
"Why would you say that?", wondered Geet her hand toying with the hilt still not pulling it out. She came here with a single goal. Now was not the time to falter.
Maan looked at the moon in the sky and then his eyes wandered far beyond the bushes and trees, far beyond the palace.
"I was provided with an opportunity to prove how valiant I was, years ago when I was but a boy!"
"Did you fail?", she asked her hold on the hilt gripping.
"No no...I won.", his tone was melancholic.
"You are not happy about the victory prince?", her hands caressed his tensed shoulders.
"I made an error of judgement! It cost me heavily..."
"What happened?", Geet was curious to know.
"The dacoits were looting the grains and livestock. Father wanted me to stay back. But he didn't return even after a long time. So I went in search of him. My men and I we rode fast and high passing village after village to the woods. We were nearing the woods when the look outs of the dacoits spotted us and sent a fire arrow towards our oil barrel. It all happened so quick! I didn't have time to think. If the barrel was left on the cart, the explosion would have been bigger and the whole village would have burned. I was trying to rescue everyone. I ordered the soldier to throw the one barrel that was lit away..I..I didn't saw him..."
Geet knew what he was talking about. It was the night of the explosion. How could she forget?
"Who?", she asked tears welling up her eyes.
""The man. He was coming with a pot of water I guess to put down the fire but it was too late. The barrel was thrown and it blasted right at the man's hand. His home, the woman everything was destroyed. I couldn't stop and help him! The dacoits had already had their trails! If I stayed they would have killed my father!"
Geet raised the next question gritting her teeth, "So you chose to rescue your father instead of that man or his family?"
"Like I said, it all happened quickly. I thought the damage was already done there. At least my father had a better chance! I didn't know better. But none of those excuses would make up for it. I know that now. I should have stayed back and helped."
Geet taunted the tone of which was oblivious to Maan, "At least you saved your father!"
He shook his head in pain, "I didn't! He was hurt badly. We lost him..on our way back! "
He shut his eyes tightly and Geet could see the drop of tear trickling down his cheek. "I wish every day of my life to go back to that night and do things differently. Had I helped that man, father would have been alive. I would have been a better person, a worthy prince! But I am nothing! I am reckless and careless. I live in the fear that shall I be a king ever, how many people would lose their lives because of my hasty actions!"
Geet was hyperventillating looking at this broken man. She believed all her life that he crushed her life and was not even aware of it. But tonight, she realised that he was living in far more pain and hurt than she had ever been, carrying all that guilt, pain and shame piled up inside his heart.
How could she kill a man who was already torturing himself with such regret and grief?
Maan got up and walked towards the flowering red rose. Geet followed suit fighting her own dilemma.
"You, Geet. You stopped and saved me!"
"That's different", she found herself say.
"No, it isn't. You are worthy of a title to rule. I am trapped here because I can't let my dadima's hopes shatter by not accepting the crown. But with you beside, I believe I can rule with reason and wisdom. I want you to be my queen and guide me always! Will you marry me and be my princess Geet?"
It was all too much for Geet. Here she was battling the decision whether or not to kill him and he was asking her to be his queen! To show him the right path!
Her mother's voice rung in her ears, "Never do anything that your heart refuses to."
But her heart was being a traitor here. It was falling for this man whom she was supposed to kill. Her heart was telling her to be with him, to guide him so that no one else would feel the pain that she did. To be his reason and judgement. It conflicted her mind. She was here to kill him! That was supposed to be her justice!!
She never expected to hear his side of the story.
"I'm sorry..I can't", she mumbled.
"You can't?', he asked confused.
She picked the dagger and threw it at his feet. "I...I can't kill you..How could I? I wanted to punish you for my parents' death but you have been punishing yourself all these years!"
Maan looked at her dumbstruck. Realisation dawned on him. She was the potter's daughter!
She wiped her tears and said in a strong voice, "I forgive you! But I think you should be able to forgive yourself and believe in yourself"
With that Geet ran away leaving behind the prince Maan who was chasing after her.
Maan searched for her everywhere all night raiding every house in the village but Geet was no where to be found.
When he returned defeated back to his palace dadima who now felt sorry for him caressed his cheeks lovingly, "I think you should make peace with the fact that you are not going to find her"
Maan looked at his dadi his eyes beaming up.
"At least you tried son", she reassured.
"No, guess I didn't try hard enough yet!"
He ran to the stables and took his stallion and rode hard to the end of the village where the stone bridge was. There in the backdrop of the rising sun and falling mist sat her, Geet, the maiden who was the most beautiful of all, her eys red tired of crying and deprived of sleep. Yet she looked just as pretty to him as he first met her.
"I told you, I will always find you!"
Startled she turned around to find him, her Prince Charming.
"You found me!", she ran towards him.
"Now and always", said Maan lovingly.
"I want you by my side Geet. Will you do me the honours?"
"But I tried to kill you!", she looked surprised
"You didn't though. Doesn't really count now.. About my question...what is your decision Geet?"
She nodded her head in agreement smiling all the time.
He lifted her in the air with joy and then they shared their first ever true love's kiss.
In a month, Geet married Maan and became his wife. The next month he was coronated as the King and together they ruled with wise judgement and reason for the welfare of the people and lived happily ever after.
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