It was a bright and sunny day in Areenia. The birds were out, tweeting like they always did whilst the occasional dog would bark, chasing the low-flying pigeons. The rowdy chatter of housewives filled the tight-spaced market. Some were immersed in a heated conversation with the man selling vegetables on the vegetable stall. Others were whispering quietly and swiftly the latest, hot fresh gossip.
"This much for a bag of onions!?" One housewife exclaimed. She picked up the small bag of onions, containing about five or six and shook her displeased. "This is too much!" She slammed the bag down, tutting a little.
The poor stall owner looked at her with a solemn expression. "What can I do, madam? The financial climate is such that I have to sell it at this price." He bowed his head, slightly, admitting defeat.
"Okay, okay." She gestured with her hand before placing one on her hip and thought hard. "Give me a couple of potatoes then..." She fetched out her small purse and took counted out the money owed. The stall owner thanked her before she walked off, not caring about him.
"Did you hear? Today the Vadhera parivaar are coming here." The housewife stopped in her tracks to hear the conversation between two other wives. She tightened her grip against the bag containing vegetables and walked towards the two women.
"Vadhera parivaar are coming here?" She gasped as the two wives glanced back at her. They nodded, gesturing her to come closer.
"Yes! I heard that Prince Viren is coming here with his newly wedded wife. And that the Earl has some business with our King and Queen." She said with whispering.
The housewife gasped. It was not a new thing for a King or Queen of another country to visit Areenia. In fact after the war, the economy of Areenia has fallen so much that the country was pretty much in a crisis. It was with the help of other countries and borrowing their money that has helped pay off their debts. But still, the fact that the Vadhera ' the rulers of the same country they were fighting against ' had come to visit Areenia, was something to ponder about.
"Do you know what it's all about?"
"I don't know exactly but I heard something about the peace treaty contract to be renewed." The housewife nodded. Every so often, the countries who were allies would sign a peace treaty after a couple of years, to keep in contact and to keep up the serenity between the worlds. "But I remember last time it was only Queen Vanshika that came, this time it's the whole family?" She pondered for a second. "Ha, maybe because that Prince Viren is here for his practicing duty with his wife and they all decided to come." She gasped. "Have you heard of Prince Virat?"
"The one that came back from London?"
"Yes yes, that one' my God! I heard about him from someone that he has seriously become crazy. I mean, people were saying that he was throwing a tantrum, misbehaving with people. My God, is this a way to behave with people?" She tutted. "No wonder they won't let him stay alone." She laughed a little.
The housewife nodded, and picked up her grocery bag. "Okay, I'll take your leave." She said before walking off. Though the visit was linked to the peace treaty, she couldn't help but feel slightly out of place, especially since the other women were talking about Chandrilasia's youngest Prince. She too, had heard of the rumours. The tantrum throwing Prince. The one who treated women really badly. It wasn't something that was shown up right especially since the Royal family had ways of dealing with the media, but still it didn't stop people talking. Last time she heard about him, was when he had strung along a couple of girls only to dump them when things got too serious. The media was surprisingly quiet, or less involved, but that was expected for a Royal family but still there was uproar amidst the people.
The large gates opened as soon as the Royal carriage entered the Areenian Palace. On the far side of the brick wall, people were crowding around to catch a glimpse of the Vadhera family as well as the Nayak family. Servants opened the door, allowing the family to jump straight out as the Areenian Royal family walked outside to greet them. Queen Latifa smiled, her pearly white teeth shimmering as she walked down the stairs, holding onto her long golden dress. Besides her King Chandran, dressed smartly with a thin robe behind him followed down. Queen Vanshika hugged Latifa, as the family greeted each other. Chandran shook hands with the Earl and Viren as Latifa talked with the women.
"How was your journey? I hope you didn't have any trouble." Latifa asked.
Vanshika shook her head, smiling. "No, it was fine. We had no troubles at all." Latifa nodded, noticing Jeevika. Vanshika noticed before falling into a smile. "This is Jeevika, our daughter in law and Viren's wife."
Latifa grinned, pulling Jeevika for a hug. "May you have a happy wedded life." She blessed.
"Thank you." Jeevika replied, somewhat shy. Viren glanced at his new wife in awe. Only Jeevika could be so shy with other people but yet comfortable with him. He couldn't help but smile, becoming mesmerised by her large, light brown eyes.
"Let's go inside!" Latifa exclaimed, leading the women in.
Viren bit his lip, as he walked a bit slower letting the others go in front of him. He turned around to see one side of the car was still occupied. He rolled his eyes and sighed, a bit too loudly. He rushed up and opened the door to see his brother sitting on the back seat reading his phone. "What are you still doing here?" Viren asked as Virat looked up.
Virat rolled his eyes, not really talking directly to the older Vadhera. "I told you, I don't want to be here. Why did you make me?" He spat out in anger.
"Virat! Come on, did you seriously think I'd let you stay in Chandrilasia alone?"
"Why not bhai? Wouldn't it be better?! And besides, I don't want to talk to anyone. God, you don't know how women are, and who knows how Areenian women are? All they care about is looking their best and dressing in a way that hooks you." He groaned. "God, they're all really big '"
"-Virat!" Viren interrupted, not wanting him to disrespect any women. "Just because Maya was like that, everyone else isn't!"
"Bhai please." He gritted through his teeth. "Don't ever say that bitch's name."
Viren sighed. "Fine. I won't, better? But come on, for now let's just go inside. And besides what will people say? That you took all this trouble to come here and now won't leave the car? Come on, man'that's not right!"
"You were the one that forced me."
"And I'm the one telling you now. Look Virat, you yourself wanted to forget about M-" Virat gave him a stern look. "-about her," He corrected. "And now is the time, leave everything, just live your own life. She has clearly moved on, and you should to. Come on, get out. And besides what can go wrong? We're away from home and there's nothing anyone can do. Chill." Viren said with a smile as he dragged his reluctant brother out.
"Okay fine, but we're not staying too long." Virat sighed, as his brother agreed. Viren pulled Virat away, quickly so that they were in tune with the family.
"So, how is Areenia? And also your daughter, I haven't seen her in years. Tanya, was it?" Vijay asked. Chandran nodded, placing his hands behind his back whilst they all walked in. Instantly, they were hit with the sweet smell of fresh flowers, the large white hall covered in variety of fragrances. Queen Latifa had a little obsession with flowers, especially since Areenia was a country surrounded by wildlife. For them, flowers were something they saw all around the year. "Ha, Tanya." Chandran nodded, gesturing for the family to sit on the rich, leather sofas. "Last time you saw her, she was probably in her teens." He smiled, thinking about his daughter. "She has gotten so big, you should see her now." He laughed lightly.
"Well, we'll definitely see her." Chandran smiled at the Earl's answer. Though his ancestors had made some mistakes like helping with the war, Chandran wanted to rid the country of the stigma attached. He didn't want anyone to be in fear or still in prejudice. If anything, he wanted to be a true leader, someone who fought for the right. He smiled thinking about the future. He had only one child, his daughter Tanya but knows that somewhere in the future, she will run the country as the new Queen. Somehow, he couldn't help but feel slightly numb. Sure, his daughter would be the heir but somehow he felt as if she wouldn't be able to take care of the role and it's duties properly. Tanya was always someone who valued artificial things than sentimental objects, a complete opposite to a Queen, or even to that of a Princess, rather. Still, there was a few years left till Tanya takes over and he hopes that sometime then, she'll grow up and learn her real duties.
"Sir.." One of the servants placed a file in front of the Areenian King. "The Peace Treaty" He bowed his head as King Chandran granted him permission to leave. The King picked up the file and took out the parchment where it had the name of the two countries. He happily signed whilst Queen Vanshika did the same. The two families congratulated each other, as they signed on a promise of peace for the next few years, until the next. After a few hours of talking and making conversations, they all walked on their own ways, with Virat moodily walking around the Palace, alone.
He placed his hands in his pockets, his back arched as he roamed through the Palace walls. It was strangely silent, apart from the hustling about coming from the servants. He rolled his eyes as they welcomed him, completely ignoring them. He walked absentmindedly, unknowing where he was going. Walking out of a small archway, he came across a small garden, or a quad where there was bright yellow daisies growing on the fresh green grass. He looked up at the bright blue sky and took in the fresh smell.
"Who are you?" He frowned, wondering who was talking to him. He turned around to see a petite girl, dressed in a dark top and jeans, looked at unpleased. She creased her brow, wondering where she had seen the face. She laughed lightly. "Well, well, well'.look who it is. Prince Virat?" She said, almost questioning.
He scoffed, knowing that every girl knew about him. He rolled his eyes thinking about how they always wanted one thing. He bowed in a mocking way. "Well that's me. Now, who the hell are you?" He didn't mean to be upright rude but these days; he was not bothered with the way people behaved around him. Always so pretentious and obnoxious. He still hadn't gotten rid of the belief that not all girls were like Maya. All he could see was a girl, eyeing him and all the things attached.
The girl laughed. He frowned, wondering why she was laughing. "How dare you talk to me like that," she said sarcastically. "Don't you know who I am?" He scoffed, thinking of her as a potential cheat. "Does the name, Tanya ring a bell?"
He thought for a bit before shaking his head. He seriously didn't know who she was.
The girl rolled her eyes, somewhat not exactly pleased. She walked right up to him, her body nearly touching him. Though he was a few inches taller than her, she tiptoed up so that they were levelled. She gave him a hard stare, almost intimidating him. "Princess Tanya of Areenia, you fool. Don't you dare forget it!" She spat in his face and turned around so quickly that her hair smacked his face.
He touched his face, where she had been breathing across. He didn't know what to think. All he could think of was how close she was, how her body was right next to his. He clenched his fist, sweating dripping, he growled. He couldn't let her do that! He couldn't let her ruin him just like Maya ruined him! He had to do something, ruin her before she ruined him.
"VIRAT!" Reality came crashing through as Tanya stomped into the Vadhera palace where the family was looking back petrified. She was no longer the elegant woman back in Areenia, in fact now she was tired looking, anger written in her eyes. There was also a touch of sadness about her. "Where is he!?" She growled at the Earl. She was so damn tired, and sick of what people were saying about her. Some supposed truths were not truths but rather the supposed lies were the truths, at least for her. She had been waiting for this moment for months, and she finally had enough. So long were the rumours that talked about her revenge, of course she hadn't wanted to do anything but to merely forget everything that happened. But she couldn't. No one would let her! Every where she went, they would whisper, calling her names and shaming her. No one believed her, well except her parents. But how could they change the view of the majority? They couldn't control someone's thinking. So she just about had enough. She needed to find out why did he do that to her! Why did he have to ruin her life, just like he ruined every other girls! Only difference between them and her was that she was infamous, of course the future Queen of Areenia, and the other girls were unknown. She was treated far more worse, far more worse.
"Tanya, what is happening?" Viren said with a calm mind. He held his hand up and walked towards her but she frantically shook her head.
"Don't come near me!" She spat out before reaching out to her side pocket and getting out a gun. There was a slight murmur as Jeevika gasped, wanting to reach out to her husband. Vanshika quickly pulled her back hoping that Viren would calm Tanya down. "I'm warning you Viren." Tanya spoke. "Please, don't come near me or else I'll shoot!" Her words were not really confident but a slight whimper: she was half between nervousness and wanting to cry.
"Tanya'" Viren started to speak.
"NO. Where is he!? WHERE IS VIRAT!?" She screamed out.
"He's in London'" Swamini whispered out, her body completely terrified. She couldn't bear to see the gun pointing at Viren. "With Maanvi."
Tanya whimpered, breathing slowly. "How could he dare do that?! Live happily ever after knowing that he ruined my life?!" She thought to herself. "Bring him to me."
"Tanya, come on. Stop this nonsense." The Earl had had enough of this. He took a step closer but Tanya had edged the gun back, taking off the safety cap. Jeevika cried out for Viren as the Earl quickly went back.
"Call him home, now!" Tanya shouted. "Call him!!!!"
Vanshika looked at Viren trying to remain calm but who could, knowing that there was death just around the corner? She knew what Viren had done to Tanya, and also knew that Tanya was not exactly at fault. She was just the wrong time at the wrong time. It was the only reason why they had decided to get Virat married, so that he wouldn't dare do what he did to Tanya again. Vanshika wanted to cry, but as the ever 'so dutiful Queen, she held her heart strong and took out the nearest phone. Frantically, she dialled Virat's phone.
It seemed like forever as the phone started to ring before a male's voice picked up. "Her motherly heart were falling to pieces as she looked on at Viren who was still held up at gun point. She couldn't wait for Virat to speak, so she quickly rambled on. "Virat, Tanya is here. She is calling for you. Virat, Viren'.Viren is'.she has a gun. Virat you have to come here quickly. I don't know what she would do."
Tanya listened to Vanshika's conversation intently. She hadn't meant to be threatening Viren but she needed Virat here at any cost. She held tightly onto the gun, pointing at the Prince. He tried to move back slowly. Tanya gulped, her forehead breaking a sweat. She breathed heavily keeping her eye on Viren. Suddenly, Jeevika couldn't bear what was happening and tried to pull Viren back as Tanya pulled the gun, releasing the bullet.
"VIRAT!" Vanshika shouted down, dropping the phone which broke in pieces. She looked back at the shocked Viren and Jeevika who was standing behind him. Near Jeevika, a vase had smashed into smithereens and it's pieces were thrown across the carpet. The bullet that had been accidently let off had pulled into the vase, breaking him. Tanya gasped, her face instantly showing a sorry expression but didn't say anything. She couldn't let them think that they had won. She didn't want anyone to get hurt, she just wanted Virat's answer. In the split second, the rest of the family took a sigh of relief that the bullet didn't hit any of them. They were stuck in the room, as Tanya had threatened no one to come in or else.
"Ma?" Virat spoke into the phone. He gasped, a tear falling down his face.
"Virat?" Maanvi rushed to him, she noticed that he was completely still. "Virat? What happened?" She said, scared. She shook him, trying to make him listen to her. "Virat!"
He shook out of it and looked into her concerned eyes. "Maanvi'." He whispered. "Maanvi, Tanya has got my family at gun point."
Anupamaa
