~Jodha's Diary~ Part 10 Pg. 103 - Page 23

I don't know what to say about the turn my life has taken.
Everything is just so messed up. Being a princess is definitely not a boon for
me, always a bane only. Lets begin from the starting.

As you already know, my younger sis, Sukanya has a huge
crush on Suryabhan Singh, the prince of Bhangarh. I was so happy that she has
finally got her prince charming. One, she always wanted. But then, My fate
can't see me happy for long, I suppose. I came to know from Maasa that my
marriage has been fixed. Now you'll think whats there to be sad about? Right?
There is too much to be sad about. I was like its too hasty, isn't it? But she
said that they have chosen the prince after a lot of thought. And, I would like
him for he is brave and good - looking at the same time. I was fine with the
proposal until I heard his name. It was Suryabhan Singh.

Once Maasa said his name, I heard nothing further. She kept
on speaking and I was busy in my own thoughts. I thought only and only about
Sukanya then. How would she feel, how would she react when she got to know
this. Ufff...these thoughts were killing me. As soon as Maasa left, I realized
what to do next. Only one person could help me out, and that was Baapusa. I
decided to talk to him.

I tried my best to make him realize that she was my sister
and I could not do this to her. But his argument was, that I'm the princess of
Amer first, and I have to do whatever is best for its people. Bhangarh was a
strong kingdom and this alliance would benefit Amer a lot. I said to him there
was no difference if Sukanya marries him. Then, another surprise came. He said
that it was the prince who had brought this proposal, and he wanted to marry me
only. Now why the hell is this prince so interested in me? I fail to
understand. He said that they would not accept Sukanya and this alliance would
break. I had no other option, but to leave.

I was simply pacing to and fro in my room, thinking of what
to do next, when I got an idea. I could talk directly to Suryabhan Singh about
all this. There would be no problem if he himself denies the proposal. Yup, that's
what I should do, I thought. He was staying here in the palace only, for the gangaur
celebrations. I somehow sent him an invitation to meet me on the terrace. And,
I made sure nobody knew this.

I stood behing the jharokha and he came and stood to the
opposite side. Without paying much attention to him, I began with my story. I
told him that I couldn't marry him as my sister liked him a lot and wished to
marry him. I couldn't give such a
heartbreak to my little sis. He kept on listening in rapt attention, without a
word. I told him that I wanted him to deny the proposal to this marriage as I
couldn't. He stiil was quiet. After he while he looked up and spoke out his
thoughts. He said that he was in love with me, from the first day he saw me,
and would never deny this proposal. That was the shock of my life. He loved me!
Oh my God...Someone loves me so much and I don't even know that...Isn't that
crazy? He told me not to consider this as a political marriage as this was not
one. He wanted to marry me only because he loved me. He also said that my
sister would feel soo bad if she had to marry a person who loves someone else...How
would she feel if she came to know this after her marriage? Will she be happy?...He
asked me. His points were valid. But then also, it was me who had come in
between Sukanya's dreams. And I felt very bad about that. I looked up at him,
and he smiled back at me. That's cute! I thought. But, I had many other things
to think about. I turned back to move to my room, and got another big shock.
There was Sukanya , staring me in shock or disbelief or whatever. She ran to
her room and I followed her.

She sat on her bed, tears filled in her eyes. I told her all
that had happened throughout the day. I explained to her that it wasn't my mistake
and I had tried my best to stop all this. She said nothing. Suddenly she came
to me, wrapped her arms around me and hugged me tightly. Tears still flowing
from her eyes. She said to me that she was overwhelmed to see that I did so
much to cancel my own wedding just for her sake. She had heard me talking to
Suryabhan and knew that it was not at all my mistake. She said that she
understood me and my situation. She was the princess of Amer too and she knew
that how important this alliance was for Amer. She said that she had absolutely
no problem if I married Suryabhan Singh and was very happy for me. That day, my
little sis had climbed notches up in my eyes. I couldn't believe that this was
the same Sukanya who used to fight with me on petty things. I just hugged her
tightly and told her that I was blessed to have her.

I have to go to the gangaur pooja diary. I'll be back soon.

...

Hey Diary,

I am back from the gangaur pooja. Today was the last day of
gangaur and today we pray to the gangaur mata near the river banks. But today,
near the river, something strange happened.

Maasa , Sukanya , Shivani , Bhabhisa, and all other royal
ladies of the palace had come with us. Even Raja Suryabhan Singh had come.
Grand decorations were done on the river bank. Amer was in its full glory,
celebrating the last day of gangaur.

We have to leave a diya into the river according to the
rituals. And, as Maasa says, while flowing that diya, we can get a look at our
future for a split second in the water. Maasa always tells us these customs, on
every gangaur, saying that these should be revised often. The other ladies
finished with their pooja. Now, it was our turn. Sukanya and Shivani flowed
their diyas. I don't know what they saw in the water, their disappointed
expressions told me that they saw nothing. Now, was my turn.

As soon as I bowed down to flow the diya, suddenly lightning
started and soon heavy rain followed. People began to run here and there. It was
no less than a storm. I flowed the diya, but the sight in the water caught my
attention. There was the reflection of a handsome, young man, wearing the Rajwanshi
dress. I wanted to get up and run too, but there was something which did not
let me move. Some binding force. And, some attraction too. I just couldn't move
my eyes off him. That face, eyes staring at me, just like mine at him, lips
curved in a smirk...ufff...I don't know how long I kept staring that charming
face. Somebody called out to me and brought me back to reality. I had no time
to look back at him, I just ran away.

Back at the palace, I just couldn't stop thinking about him.
Unknown feelings crowded me. Connections to that face, haunted me. One thing I
had realized, that it was not Suryabhan Singh, certainly not. I had seen him
clarly when he had entered the palace. It was not him. But, whoever it was, was
my future, as Maasa says. This thought excited me more and at the same time
troubled me more. My future was right there, standing right behind me. Ufff...Oh
God!...But if he was my future, then what about Suryabhan Singh?...Was that
charming young man really my future?...Sooo many questions, yet no answer.

Everybody in the palace, including Maasa, Shivani and
Sukanya believed that the face I saw in the water was of Suryabhan Singh. But,
I knew they were wrong. But diary, what could I tell them, afterall? Maasa toh
even said that she saw Suryabhan Singh standing right behind me. Maybe she's
right, he might have been standing there, but in the nick of time, somebody
took his place. Right na?

And you know what diary, Sukanya asked me to close my eyes
and tell her who comes to my mind. And you won't believe! It was that
mysterious young man. Now what should I tell her? She teased me saying that it
must be Suryabhan Singh. But, she was wrong. Oh diary! How would I ever stop
thinking about him?

And if this incident was not enough, I even saw his face in
the fountain infront of my room. Ufff...Oh My God!...Hey diary, Please help
me stop thinking about him na...pretty please...

...

This was the longest chapter of this story with 1539 words...So plz...no one will say short update now...😆😆

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