The elaborately engraved gates were thrown open to the victorious army that marched in to a merry, disciplined tune. The princess bent over the fence of the altar to steal a glance at the King who had so neatly defeated her father.
Suddenly, she saw a handsome young man mounted on a white elephant. She couldn't take her eyes off him. For a moment it seemed he looked her as well. How did he recognize her? Her garments were not very different from the rest of the women in the palace. Did he recognize her at all? Or he was taking a look at women in general? Well, did he look at her at all, or was she imagining stuff?
"Kaushalya?"
That broke off her trail of thoughts. Red in the face, she quickly gathered a handful of petals off the brass plate nearby and let them go. She stared in awe as the elephant caught them with one twirl of his trunk and showered them on his master.
There, it's clear now! He did look at her, and smiled! Her friends shared meaningful glances, and giggles as her cheeks flamed red. She turned and fled. Her sister called after, but she knew better than to answer.
---
After a few months,
"Maharani Amritaprabha! Maharaaj has ordered for the preparations for the wedding to be started as soon as this message reaches your Highness. Ayodhyapati Raja Dasharath has expressed his desire to marry Princess Kaushalya to which his Highness has very promptly consented. For her highness the Princess my Lord says, 'There can be no better choice for you, and I hope you will trust my judgement.' "
---
With hesitating steps, princess Kaushalya entered her husband's house, upturning the kalash of rice placed in the doorway, as per the prevalent nuptial rituals. Raajmaata Indumati pulled her close and placed a loving kiss in her forehead, "Putri, Saubhagyavati Bhavah; Putravati Bhavah!". Thousands of lamps bade her welcome, while the air filled with the heartfelt cheers of the citizens and royals alike.
Vershini, her elder sister squeezed her arm with a warm smile. She pointed to where her brother-in-law Raja Rompad clapped her husband on the back and laughed at something. The maids who had accompanied her to her new home, were now whispering among themselves.
"You saw how handsome he was!"
"Our Princess is really lucky to have got Maharaja Dasharath as her husband."
"I heard, he shot an arrow from Ayodhya, which went straight and hit the palace gates of Raavan in Lanka!"
"Yes! They say he's the strongest man alive!"
Kaushalya felt a sudden inexplicable joy. Her knees felt weak as she lowered her veil.
---
All she managed was an agitated smile when Dasharath entered their private chambers and beamed at her.
He took her trembling hands into his.
She shut close her eyes while he uttered her name for the first time.
I do not know what followed, for I haven't experience enough to relate, but Kaushalya did decide in the morning that her husband was the best in the world, and that she would never leave his side; not until Death's claim.
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