CHAPTER 20Rikki stopped his jeep at the enterance of Pander palace. Kiara was with him. Then her car stopped next to jeep. Rahul was driving it. Next to him was their Tour guide named Gaurav. He was in his early 30s, Tall and dark with frizzy hairs. Anu and Anjali were at back seat. After they enter in pander, they picked Their tour guide on their way to palace. Then Kiara had to switch her place with Rahul because Both the boys were not ready to leave all three girls in the same car with A stranger. So for Safety precautions kiara came with Rikki and let Rahul drive her car.
It was around Afternoon when they finally reached.Kiara' eyes directly went to an another car parked at palace kum fort gate. "Look there.. " She pointed at the car "Seems more visitors are here."
"Good for us. The way Gaurav told that this place is abandoned and deserted made me feel kind of creepy. " Rikki Sighed as he Hopped out of the jeep. "What?" Kiara laughed, She too Came out and followed him as he went to Rahul "You were Scared by the thought that we will alone in this old and abandoned place? "
"I wasn't Scared. " He offended. "And that all alone thought Could only entertain me. " He winked at her.
"Boys will be boys.. " She shook her head , making fake disgust face at his remark. A smirk appear on his face "Any doubt about it. " He said teasingly. She gave a hit on his shoulder playfully. "No doubt, obviously. " He laughed. Then a voice interrupted their banter "Hey, Don't flirt with my bestie." Anushka Said as she approached them. Rikki turned to her. Anjali was behind her with Rahul and Gaurav the Guide. "then do you want me to flirt with you? " He Smiled at her and added "This Task will be bit difficult. But I can try" . Anu roll her eyes. "Do you want me to give a punch in your gut? This task won't be difficult at all , and I will give you a very good one. " She said very Casually Coming to kiara' side.
"See That's why I never flirt with her. " Rikki made a grumbling sound "She no fun. Always threating me with Kicks and punches."
"Even then you are still the Same." Anu quipped.
"I will remain always the same. " Rikki laughed it off. Before anu could replied he continued "We better go. Ki, go take out your stuff from Car " . Kiara node and moved toward her car. He turned to Rahul, Gaurav and Anjali. "Everything Set?"
"Yup " Anjali replied. Kiara came with her photography Camera and Ipod.
Then Gaurav took the Lead and they Entered in. There was a long passageway leading toward the main fort. Gaurav told them that once upon a time the area around the passageway used to be a Royal Garden full of flowering plants. Now the garden had been swallowed by forest, nothing remain except the wild grass and Scaring looking trees. When they were standing just in front of main building Gaurav pointed at the wall of the fort "Look those marks, They will tell you the story of numerous attacks this fort had been taken upon. Pandher was a Small realm. Many neighbouring region kings attaked here time to time. They thought Pandher would be easy to Conquer but it wasn't. Till the every end of 19 century Pandher was ruled by Monarchy system."
Everyone was listening very keenly. Gaurav told them few other things about Fort and how kings used to rule Here. He Showed them a place near the main area of fort, telling them that it used to be a Royal Court where kings used to deal with their royal affairs. Then they came inside the main building and everyone took a good look of the fort, all they can do was exclaimed together "Woah ! ". Their vioce echoed in whole building. It was typically 18 century style built fort which had now converted into a dilapidated building. From inside it was empty, dull and dim. Walls were broken from many places. Only remarkable thing they saw here so far was Dome shaped roof that had floral carvings on it and few broken Sculptures had been mistreated by time. Here Air was dump, Sunlight hardly peeking through the holes.Dust and cobweb every where. Didn't look like any one had bother to taken care of this once used to be palace. It was a classic example of an ignorant place.
Inside the fort, temperature had drop. There was a Strange Coldness around here , a kind of coldness that usually lead to sudden appearances of unwanted and dead creatures in horror Stories. Kiara shuddered with the thought. She almost imagine a blood covering hand with big finger nales crawling down from the wall, pointing a finger at her. She tug her waist coat close to her body and try to shrugged the horrifying thought away. Reading a Horror novella wasn't a good idea when you were planning to visit places like this, She realised it now. But it's kinda late. Anjali took some snaps using kiara's camera.
"Just wait for a Second. " Gaurav Said as He stepped away from them. One by one He opened all the windows of ground floor. Sunlight came inside through the open windows, providing them better look of the palace. To kiara, It was looking less Scary now. She felt good and within light They got to see the floral carvings of roof more clearly.
"So, " Gaurav clear his thought to get everyone' attention "As I have told you This place is not in one of the tourist attractions, and you can see it why. "
"Yes, it's look more like a haunted place where only Horror TV shows people prefer to come." Rahul said. Kiara was relieved to hear that, She wasn't the only one who thought so.
"Exactly. " Gaurav gave a brief laugh. "It was built Somewhere in 1750s. Today it does look like this but a time it was a prosperous royal palace. Everything used to be grand here. Kings, princes and Princesses used to live here. Last recorded king who ruled here was Suryakant Aimk Rai Pandher. He hadn't any Son. So After his death British Government took over his State. There was many kings came and gone, but, It was a Princess' Story that makes this place more interesting. Princess Gayatrisinghi Shivaranjini Maithali Gaurima Pandher... "
"Woo... Such a short name. " Anu chuckled.
"You probaby have heard about her. " Gaurav said to Anjali. She node affirmatively. "I do. Not in detail Though. I only knows that Her father burned her alive. " All heads turn to Anjali "What?! " They asked in unison with Shock. She noded in reply. "That's Savage ! " kiara gulped.
"Yes it was. " Gaurav replied. "But History Sometime meant to be Savage. Like, the Shahjahan killed his all brothers for throne. Rana Kumbha Ancestor of Maharana pratap was killed by his son and So on. "
"I know. But Still, Did.. did he burn her here? Here in this palace. " She asked holding her breath. If he would say 'yes' then at least it would explain why this place feels so dead. She thought.
"No. It was in a hut, Somewhere in the middle of the jungle. " he told. Everyone heave a sighed. This deplorable palace was already giving Them Horrifying feeling , and if they got know that someone had been burn alive here , it would have just increased the horror element.
"Any idea Why did he do that ? " Anu asked.
Garav open her mouth to say but A voice Interrupted him. "What a pleasant Surprise guys. " They heard an unexpected familiar voice. Following voice, all eyes went up and found Samrat Standing there outside a Room of first floor. They were Equally in surprise to see him here. "Hey, What are you doing here ? " Rikki questions.
"Nothing, " Sam said cooly. He continues "Naina had Some work nearby here. After Her work got finish we just thought to give this place a look over." His eyes fell on kiara who was standing beside Rahul. His eyes got stuck on her for few moments. First he was surprised to see her here, and when he recovered, it all made sense to him Why Arya was So hell bent to come here all of sudden. This was the question had trouble Sam Since the moment Arya showed his willingness to come here. Sam had been thinking why?. In last 17 years he never even look back at this place, then Why now all of sudden? . And now the Answer was standing in front of his eyes. He was here just because she was here.
"So, you and naina are all alone up there.. I hope we haven't disturb you two. " Rahul made a wooing sound and jerk his head in teasing manner, his voice brought Sam back to sense. He tear his eyes off from kiara and look to Rahul.
"Well, I'm alone up here. So you only disturb me. " Sam said, coming to downstair.
Kiara got a whole lot of weird feeling Seeing Samrat there. This couldn't be just a coincidence. Could it be? . "Then where is naina ? " She enquired as he came to them.
"There... " He answered looking over her shoulder.
"Woah.. What are you guys doing here? " She heard naina' voice. Everyone turn to look Naina but kiara didn't. "Oh dear god ! Why? Why? " Kiara swear under her breath with annoyance. She didn't need to turn to know whom she would See there along with naina. She could feel His presence. Rikki grunted under his breath. "So you are here too. " She heard Him Say in his not so likely tone. "That's a really pleasant surprise. " Rahul said firmly, with a clear note of Sarcasm in his voice.
Kiara finally turned, and as she expected her Eyes met with Arya's deep blue ones. She spotted An impish smirk on his face. She Snorted and cross her arm over her waist Showing him clearly that how unpleased she was right now.
Rikki filled them in when naina asked them about their visit plan. He didn't have any problem with Sam and naina. They both were nice people and easy to get along , But Arya... Well, The least you say about him the better. Anushka Came forward Sensing Rikki' discomfort with Arya, And introduced them to Their tour Guide, Gaurav as their 'College friends'. They had a formal hi hello with each other. As arya didn't like to be a part of any group He separted himself from them showing his 'not interested ' attitude. Hands in pocket He stood lying against a pillar. He didn't took off his eyes from Kiara who wasn't looking back at him and chose to avoid his presence as much as possible. She stayed at Anjali side when she told Naina why she had choose pandher for her Research project out of all the places. Kiara saw a kind of uneasiness on Naina's face whenever she looked at her. It seemed like her brother She too thinks Kiara Shouldn't be here.
Rikki slide at kiara' side. He gave a sidelong look to her and whisper "I don't like it. Why He has to be here? " He grunted keeping his voice low. Kiara sighed thinking Only if she could tell him the real reason, but then , she herself didn't know the real reason.. He didn't came here just for her. Or did he?. Pushing her thoughts aside She lean to Rikki "Why His presence bugging you ?" She asked him, hoping that perhaps his answer might help to understand her why she herself was so bother by Arya' presence. He glace at Arya who was standing alone few steps away from them. "Do I really need a reason? " Rikki replied. Kiara Smiled Thinking How effortlessly Arya Can get into people' nerve. It seems he was born to do that task only. "Ignore him. " She Said and Got her attention back to her friends where Anjali and Anushka done asking Sam and Naina about how they land up here.
"So, Gaurav.. " Samrat tried to ease the awkwardness of Situation, He could see how Rikki , Rahul and even kiara were not happy seeing them or just Arya here. "..what you were telling our folks before we interrupted? I hope you won't mind telling us too. I'am a knowledge Seeker." He Smiled.
"Then I definitely won't mind." Gaurav replied and Continue " I think we were discussing about The Princess of pandher, Right ? " He eyed towards Anjali and Her friends. "Right. " They all replied in unison. "And I still want to know why King Killed his own daughter ? " Anu Asked eagerly.
"Woah, Care to fill me in What are you talking about before you continue ? " Sam Said with interest. Except this palace used to be Maithli' home Once upon a time He knew nothing about it. This thing suddenly interest him.
"Gaurav was telling us that The Last king of Pandher Some Suryakant Aimk Rai Pandher had burn her daughter alive. " Rahul answered. "He didn't told us yet The reason behind this inhuman Act. So... " He signal Gaurav to Continue.
"I didn't know Someone was killed here . " Before Sam Could realised what he was saying words Slipped out from his mouth. His eyes directly went to Arya realising his mistake. Arya flinched hearing his words. For a minute Arya feel suffocated Remembering something he wanted to forget.Only He knew how many people had been killed here mercilessly. After all, He was the one who killed and dried them off. He was a monster then. All faces flashed in front of his eyes. Every single Scream fill his ears and Guilt rushed through him ready to choke him. Sam gave him a Apologetic look. Arya knew Sam didn't mean to hurt him. He closed his eyes briefly to let it pass over and calm himself down. He heard Anu' s voice clarifying Sam that it was not here in palace King killed his daughter. It was Somewhere else. When Arya opened his eyes All he saw was kiara's face. Standing next to Rikki, She was Staring him with Concern. He gazed at her , breathing her beauty and innocence. At that moment She seem the Light of his darkness filled life.
She moved her eye brows in a way asking him "What happen? " . Was that shows she care for him?. He felt good with this thought. In reply he shook his head slowly, conveying "nothing." She didn't look convince. Her brows furrowed as if saying that he was lying. He crossed his arms over his waist and gave her an assuring smile.
Kiara didn't believe him. When She glance at him She find him looking disturbed or more like Claushestrophobic, and now he was saying her that it was 'nothing' . It was Hell Something ! But when Gaurav began speaking She tear off her eyes from arya and focus on him. She can confront Arya any other time about it.
"So, As I was saying, " Gaurav began telling and everyone became silent " This palace was more famous because of Princess of Pandher who said to be a mark of beauty and the pride of the king. Even through He used to saw her as an ally to became Strong and gain more power by marrying her in any Rich and Powerful State, it couldn't change the fact that He loved her. She was beautiful Beyond words and had a caring heart. Kings and Princes' from far away came to Pandher just to have a look of Her. She was everyone desired. Many times Royal Prince's were invited to be selected as Her bridegroom.She rejected everyone. Neither their wealth nor their good looks could impressed her. Because her heart was Somewhere else. She fell in love with a Stable boy. " He Stopped for observing everyone's reaction. They all were taking huge interest in it.
"Was that why her father killed her ? " Anjali asked with widen eyes.
"Princess Maithli was in love with a stable boy. You think it was a Small thing, han ? " He replied with a smile on his face.
"Princess Maithli ??? " Arya' s Shock filled voice made every eye' turn to him. "Maithli Gaurima Pandher? " He managed to say, ignoring everyone bewildering faces as they look at him. The name Sent a chill down Arya' spine . He remembered that's what she called herself when She faced him first time after she killed his parent.
"Princess Gayatrisinghi Shivaranjini Maithali Gaurima Pandher... That's what her full name." Gaurav corected firmly. Realisation hit Arya like high voltage Current. He didn't need to double check. It was HER ! He never thought Maithli ever had a life Beyond Being a Brutal killer and now It came out that she had a very lavishing life. She was a Princess. Princess with Heart. To him That sound more like a sick joke. But she had a heart that fell in love with a wrong person So She got killed by Her own father. Was that why she was full of evilness after she got turn into a Vampire? And what happened to her lover that stable boy ? .
"Do you know anything about her? " when Arya didn't speak anything Gaurav choose to break the silence.
"I thought I know about her, but No... I don't know anything about her. " Arya replied Calmly. And that was just true. He didn't know The Princess Maithli.who once had a heart... He only knows The evil Bloodsucker Maithli. Who was a merciless Killer and They didn't want to know about her. He observe Naina and Samrat were as Surprised as him if not more. Their concern was toward him but he Signaled them that he was fine Though Maithli' real identity as a princess was not easy to take in. He saw Rikki and Rahul were frowning. But did he care? Obviously no. He shrugged and again lie against the pillar. "Continue please..." He said to Gaurav.
"OK fine then. " Gaurav shook his head with a sigh. Everyone attention turn back to him. "So Princess and Stable boy were in love with each other. When the king get to know about it , Naturally he fell into a Rage. He separates them and arrests The boy. King plans to kill him before more ear gets to hear about their disgrace 'Love' . But before king could execute him The princess frees him from the jail and promises to meet him in the heart of forest at the Same place where they always used to meet. Their plan was to elope and start a new life . This made King Orders to kill the princess. She went there to meet her lover but King's men captured her. She was Confined in the Same Old Hut Which had been Her place of 'love'. It was believe that The King himself set the whole Hut in fire. " Gaurav Concluded.
Kiara and her friends were just hearing him narrating the whole story with Sympathetic expression. They obviously feel bad for the Princess.
"What happened to that Stable boy? " Arya enquired. He knew what happened to Maithli. She hadn't died there , though He wish She had. Unlike others, He didn't feel bad for the The Princess. He had seen worse of her and this piece of information about her early life Could never change his hateness towards her.
"When he reached to their meeting place. It's was too late. fire was ready to consume the Hut and Princess Maithli was there amid the flames. Guess what he did then ? " Gaurav asked them , but when no one spoke , Then he replied himself "He jumped into the fire and attempt to save his love. He also died in the fire with Princess. "
"So sad.. " Anjali breath out. Naina asked Gaurav did he know the name of Maithli ' lover but He replied that he didn't. Naina gave a look to Arya , he was totally unemotional about Maithli ' love life and uninterested to know more about it. According to him that boy died for better otherwise if Maithli had gotten a chance she would had turn him into an evil creature like herself.
Samrat asked Gaurav few more questions about pandher palace and Princess Maithli. Anjali join him to grab more detail information. Others just listen. Gaurav told them that there were some folk songs on Princess beauty. He Continue telling them about The princess beauty and kindness , making it hard for Arya to keep his calm. Mr. Guide knew nothing about that bloody murder so called Princess. Arya thought. He look at Kiara and wondered How Could two people looks so similar yet so different. Maithli was a face of death, So cruel and Power Hungry, but kiara... He finds her beautiful in everyway. It Not just Her curly hair and Icy blue eyes differentiate Her from Maithli but her whole aura was wonder to him. She was passionate about life and The way she looks at him Sometime makes him feel alive. At that moment he realised How fool he was when he mistaken Her as Maithli. She wasn't her and She never would be .. no matter how look alikes they were.
"Here used to be a portrait of her , but Around 17 years ago Western part of palace caught in Huge fire. " Gaurav words got Arya' attention. "Like many other things That portrait got burn in it. No one knows how fire started. But when local folks came here seeing Ashes they Saw what damage fire had done. There was nothing left to save. And Smell of burning rotten flesh lead them to chamber and they found a dead body there. "
Everyone flinched with the mention of Dead body but Arya literally Shivered. Damn, why He had to bring this. Arya cursed.
"A dead body? " Rikki Asked.
"Yes a dead body. It was badly charred. Couldn't even Identified who was he. After investigation police believed that the killer tried to burn the corpse and ended up burning the whole place. Police arrested Care taker. Later he proved innocent and freed from all charges. After getting out of the jail, He abundant this place totally. This whole incident Created such a chaos in this area. " He heaved a long breath. He continue then " I was 13 years old at time. That incidend is still fresh in my mind. 17 years and still No one knows who killed that man " .
Everyone fell silent hearing this. Kiara tied her jacket close to her body and look all over the place.No wonder this place got this horror vibes. She thought. Arya tried not to get too bother by Gaurav words . He again reminded himself that He didn't kill that man or anyone by his own will. But his guilt telling him otherwise. Now he realised How bad idea it was to came here. He shouldn't have. Kiara's eyes stuck on Arya. Non matter how Calm he was trying to be seen but there was something unnerving in him and She notice that. He wasn't all himself Here. He Somewhat look disturbed and pained. When his eyes found her again., he didn't smile this time, He just watch her intently. Even Gaurav voice didn't break their connection. She was observing him, trying to read his face. Her eyes on him at that moment made him feel vulnerable. As if he couldn't hide anything from her. As if She could See inside his wounded Soul.This was one of those times when he badly wanted to go to near her and wrapped his arms around her and feel her close to him. So that she couldn't make him feel vulnerable just by a look.
"Ki.. ? " A hand pulled kiara's arm, Shaking her to grab her attention.
"Huh? " She look at Anushka dumbfounded.
"Didn't you hear what Gaurav said ? " Anu asked her almost murmuring. Kiara had no idea what she was taking about. She gave her a confused look. "How could you? After all, You were all lost in Mr. Singhania. " She nudge her elbow teasingly. Kiara felt embarrassed. She tried to protest but Anu shushed her and said "He look good today. Like always. But Take Some other time to admire his Handsomeness. We are here to see pandher palace. So let's go.. Gaurav taking us to first floor. He said at first floor we will see Princess' bedroom. " kiara just noded sheepishly. She felt so embarrassed at that moment She couldn't bring herself to say anything.
Sam and Naina choose to stay at ground floor with Arya saying They have already seen everything up there. When kiara and her friends Went to upstair , Naina came to arya and Asked him if he was alright and tell him to not to go in Self blame mode again. He noded in reply but his expression tell her otherwise.She gave him a Hug and tell him that she hates to see him like that and want him to give a new start to his life. He grimace. Was a new start possible with old wounds ? .
When She parted from him. Samrat Expressed his Shock over the new revelation that Maithli was The Princess of Pandher and had a trouble love life. Arya said he didn't want to talk about it. So Sam didn't say anything further.
Arya notice that naina' mind was Somewhere else. When he asked her what's wrong? She let out a sigh of frustration "God ! Why she has to came here. She shouldn't be here ."
Arya understood about whom Naina was talking and he was kind of glad that she thought same but he choose to play oblivious "Who?".
"Who else. Kiara. " She replied.
"You didn't look much surprise to see her . Did you knew it already that she would be here? " Sam couldn't stop himself asking it. He knew Answer was 'yes' . He knew it and that's why he brought them here today. Naina look at him saying not to start it over.
"No. " Arya said Cooly.
"If you say so." Sam shrugged. He knew arya wasn't going to admit it. Never ever. "Anyways, Why you think She shouldn't be here." He said to naina. Instead of her arya replied "Because it's Maithli' home. If she is here than everyone one is in danger including her."
"Is that why You've brought us here today? " Sam quipped.
"What that supposed to mean? " Arya scoffed.
"Nothing. " Sam shrugged again. "It's obviously Something. You.." Arya tried to say but naina broke in "Guys, Focus ! If Maithli is in this area She could be anywhere here. She can trick us very easily. She has done it in past. And kiara is her look alike , her doppelganger. that put her in more danger than anyone here." she replied.
Arya was puzzled. "Why kiara being her look alike put her in more danger? "
"Look alike's blood gives the Power to a Vampire that no one' s could. " Sam told. "Doppelganger holds a significant importance in our world. There are many things in our world that you don't understand. Just try to understand by this, that If a Vampire Especially Evil like Maithli come across her look alike. She won't let a chance to go an easy access to gain immense Power."
Arya got that kiara was in more danger than he thought. "What do we do now? " He asked holding his nerve back. His eyes went to upstairs where kiara and her friends were came out from the first room and move towards the other one. Gaurav was filling them with palace history. He found Kiara with Anushka, they both were giggling about Something.
"I don't know. You suggest. " Naina look at Sam.
"What we could do?. Rahul told me that They are going do to camping tonight. " Sam replied.
"Is there any way we could join in? " Naina asked.
"Woah, not possible. " Sam answered.
"There is no way we are going to leave her alone in Maithli' territory, Sam." She said strictly. Arya liked the naina' idea. He had thought that he would keep far ground in night near the place where kiara and her friends Would set their Camps. But naina' idea of joining them for camping Sound more fun. "And how you supposed to do it? " Sam grumble. He went on "you think you will go and tell them that you want to join them for camping and They will happily agree? "
"Obviously No." Arya look at him with a mischievous grin on his face as he Continue " But If you'll go and tell them that we are joining them for Camping then They'll happily agree. "
"What do you mean? " Sam raised an eyebrow.
"Didn't you said once that Using Compulsion on humans is very easy for your. " Arya hinted.
"Compulsion? " Naina mused. "Hmm.. I Think that can work. " when even she supported Arya' idea Sam Shook his head . "Oh.. no..no. You must be kidding. I'am not going to use Compulsion on them. I'am not even sure I can do it on all of them together. "
"You have to do it, Sam. " Naina held his arm. "I won't be able to handle it.I have never done it like that before. It will fall out as soon as our eye contact break with each other . And I won't able to pull that kind of Compulsion that works even after eye contacts break in on everyone of them " Sam tried to made them understand but Arya broke in "Then No need to do it on everyone of them. Just Compel Rikki.Make him invite us for Camping infront of everyone. Rest he will handle by himself. "
That Sound better. Sam thought. Though, He still didn't like this whole Compulsion using idea but as always this brother and Sister duo had not Left him with a choice of backing out. He sighed. "Fine I'll do."
Thanks for reading. If you like it Please try to post your comment about it. Sorry for mistakes
Geet - Hui Sabse Parayee
Advocate Anjali Awasthi
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