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'Main galat thi', Rajkumari Ahankara thought, 'Ashok waisa nahi hai jaisa maine socha tha, Rajkumar Sushim ne jo bhi Ashok ke barein mein kaha, sab asatya hai. Woh naa hi chor hai aur naa hi chaploos, woh bohat acha hai.'
She loved Sushim, it was true and still loved him. But his arrogance scared her. When the conspiracy that her father and sister plotted was out, everyone also doubted her. It hurted her very much when she saw disbelief in Sushim 's eyes. It was only Ashok who was kind enough to listen to her pleas and help her prove her innocence. Rajkumar Sushim eventually accepted her and Emperor Bindusar on realizing about her help in fighting the conspirators, rewarded her by permitting her to stay in their palace and also accepted her as their eldest daughter in law. After such a serious incident a marriage is difficul,t also, Rajkumar Sushim had to complete his training. Hence their marriage was postponed, but still, she stayed in the palace.
Special training was provided for not only Rajkumar Sushim but also Rajkumar Siamak and Ashok, who was now her friend. She considered him as her friend but, it was unaware to Rajkumar Sushim. It was the fear of losing her love that forced her to keep mum. She had already lost her family and she can't afford to lose her love.
Many a times this thought crossed her mind that, what if she had fallen in love with Ashok rather than Sushim? Would her situation be different then? Would there be any secrets between her and her love? Perhaps no. It was a bitter truth that Sushim was selfish. For him, everything comes after himself, even her. If it was Ashok, she would have got selfless love. But alas, time has passed. She failed to acknowledge the real Ashok and already gave her heart to Sushim. She loved Sushim, deeply and cannot even think of cheating on him, but it was her guilt in wronging Ashok that gnawed her inside.
'Aap chintit pratit hote hai?'
The sudden voice startled her. She turned to see Ashok smiling at her.
'Kuch nahi.. main toh bas aise hi...'
'Aapka dukh main samajh sakta hoon Rajkumari, kintu ab aapko woh sab kuch bhoolna chahiye. Aapki nayi jeevan ka aarambh hone wala hai, aapko ab khush hona chahiye.'
'Main khush hi to hoon Ashok, kintu kabhi kabhi aise hi, sab yaad aate hai.'
'Toh phir aap kuch samay Rajkumar Sushim ke saath bithaiye, aapko acha lagega.'
'Aap jaante hai na Ashok, Rajkumar Sushim katin parishram kar rahe hai. Woh Samrat Bindusar ko sidh karke dikhana chahte hai ki woh hi uttaradhikari banne yogy hai. Aur Acharya Chankya ka dand bhi poorn nahi hua... kaha samay milta hai unhe aur, in sabke beech mein yadi main bhi unhe pareshaan karu to..'
'Pareshaan? Aap unki patni banne wale hai! Aap unke sameep rahenge to unhe acha lagenge.'
She didn't know what to say. Things have changed between them. He doesn't want anyone near him when he was practicing nor in the hospital except servants. During other times he treated her well, that too if she behaved according to his wishes.
'Rajkumari, aap theek to hai na?'
'Haan main...'
Ashok saw her face contorting in fear. He could vaguely guess the reason.
'Aap jaaiye, mujhe kuch kaam hai.'
'Ji.'
She rushed past him and he moved back behind a pillar. From far he could see Rajkumari Ahankara embracing Rajkumar Sushim. He realized the difficult situation of the Princess. Usually, he used to find some way to help a friend in distress. But in this case, he can't, he just, can't. An ironic smile crossed his face. The Princess had indeed fallen in love with a beast.
She loved Sushim, it was true and still loved him. But his arrogance scared her. When the conspiracy that her father and sister plotted was out, everyone also doubted her. It hurted her very much when she saw disbelief in Sushim 's eyes. It was only Ashok who was kind enough to listen to her pleas and help her prove her innocence. Rajkumar Sushim eventually accepted her and Emperor Bindusar on realizing about her help in fighting the conspirators, rewarded her by permitting her to stay in their palace and also accepted her as their eldest daughter in law. After such a serious incident a marriage is difficul,t also, Rajkumar Sushim had to complete his training. Hence their marriage was postponed, but still, she stayed in the palace.
Special training was provided for not only Rajkumar Sushim but also Rajkumar Siamak and Ashok, who was now her friend. She considered him as her friend but, it was unaware to Rajkumar Sushim. It was the fear of losing her love that forced her to keep mum. She had already lost her family and she can't afford to lose her love.
Many a times this thought crossed her mind that, what if she had fallen in love with Ashok rather than Sushim? Would her situation be different then? Would there be any secrets between her and her love? Perhaps no. It was a bitter truth that Sushim was selfish. For him, everything comes after himself, even her. If it was Ashok, she would have got selfless love. But alas, time has passed. She failed to acknowledge the real Ashok and already gave her heart to Sushim. She loved Sushim, deeply and cannot even think of cheating on him, but it was her guilt in wronging Ashok that gnawed her inside.
'Aap chintit pratit hote hai?'
The sudden voice startled her. She turned to see Ashok smiling at her.
'Kuch nahi.. main toh bas aise hi...'
'Aapka dukh main samajh sakta hoon Rajkumari, kintu ab aapko woh sab kuch bhoolna chahiye. Aapki nayi jeevan ka aarambh hone wala hai, aapko ab khush hona chahiye.'
'Main khush hi to hoon Ashok, kintu kabhi kabhi aise hi, sab yaad aate hai.'
'Toh phir aap kuch samay Rajkumar Sushim ke saath bithaiye, aapko acha lagega.'
'Aap jaante hai na Ashok, Rajkumar Sushim katin parishram kar rahe hai. Woh Samrat Bindusar ko sidh karke dikhana chahte hai ki woh hi uttaradhikari banne yogy hai. Aur Acharya Chankya ka dand bhi poorn nahi hua... kaha samay milta hai unhe aur, in sabke beech mein yadi main bhi unhe pareshaan karu to..'
'Pareshaan? Aap unki patni banne wale hai! Aap unke sameep rahenge to unhe acha lagenge.'
She didn't know what to say. Things have changed between them. He doesn't want anyone near him when he was practicing nor in the hospital except servants. During other times he treated her well, that too if she behaved according to his wishes.
'Rajkumari, aap theek to hai na?'
'Haan main...'
Ashok saw her face contorting in fear. He could vaguely guess the reason.
'Aap jaaiye, mujhe kuch kaam hai.'
'Ji.'
She rushed past him and he moved back behind a pillar. From far he could see Rajkumari Ahankara embracing Rajkumar Sushim. He realized the difficult situation of the Princess. Usually, he used to find some way to help a friend in distress. But in this case, he can't, he just, can't. An ironic smile crossed his face. The Princess had indeed fallen in love with a beast.
Cricket
Music Corner
Mannat Har Khushi Paane Ki
