As I stepped out of the car and onto the campus of Rajasthan University, a mixture of excitement and nervousness coursed through me. The sprawling grounds and majestic buildings seemed to stretch endlessly, a testament to the wealth and influence of the royal family that sponsored and controlled the institution. My husband's family-the Shekhawats.
Taking a deep breath, I made my way to the principal's office after asking some students the way , my heart pounding with anticipation. I kept my gaze low, scanning the bustling courtyard where students chatted and laughed, blissfully unaware of my true identity. Only the principal knew who I really was, and I intended to keep it that way.
I knocked on the door, and a warm voice called out, "Enter."
Principal Sharma, a kind-eyed man with a gentle smile, greeted me from behind his desk. He stood up immediately, bowing his head respectfully. "Welcome, mam ."
I offered a polite smile, appreciating his formality. "Please, Principal Sharma, call me Mayura. I'm here as a student, not as the queen."
He nodded, his expression gracious. "As you wish, Mayura. Please, have a seat."
As we spoke, he addressed me as "Ma'am," a term of respect that made me feel more at ease. He was a man who understood the balance between royal protocol and my desire for a normal life.
"Now, let's discuss your course schedule and any special arrangements you may require," he began.
I hesitated for a moment, then decided to speak up. "Principal Sharma, I have a request."
"Of course, Mayura. What is it?" he asked, his eyes warm with understanding.
"I know you're aware of my... background," I began carefully. "But I'd like to ask you to keep my identity as the queen a secret. I want to experience college life like any other student, without any special treatment or attention."
Principal Sharma listened intently, then nodded. "I understand, Mayura. Your anonymity is assured. No one will know who you really are."
Relief washed over me. "Thank you, sir. That means a lot to me."
"I'll ensure everything is arranged accordingly," he continued, "including a change of name in the records."
I paused, considering this. The name "Mayura Abhimaan Deep Shekhawat" was now known far and wide, making it impossible to maintain any semblance of privacy. "Could you list me under a different name? Something that won't draw attention?"
"Of course. What name would you like to use?"
After a moment's thought, I replied, "Mishka Sen. That will be my name here."
Principal Sharma smiled, approving of my choice. "Very well, Mishka Sen. Let me show you to your first class. We wouldn't want you to get lost on your first day."
I laughed softly, grateful for his kindness. "Thank you, Principal Sharma. I appreciate it."
He walked around his desk and gestured for me to follow him. As we stepped into the bustling corridor, he led me through the crowd of students, pointing out various landmarks and buildings, giving me a mini-tour of the campus. I listened carefully, trying to absorb everything about my new surroundings.
When we finally arrived at a sleek, modern building, Principal Sharma pushed open the door to a lecture hall. "Here we are, Mishka. Your first class: Introduction to Psychology."
I nodded, feeling a surge of excitement. "Thank you, sir."
He smiled warmly. "Remember, if you need anything, don't hesitate to reach out. I'm always here to help."
Classes went well, and I was thrilled to be back in an academic setting. I joined my new friends-Sakshi, Nisha, and Tannu-in the bustling cafeteria, enjoying lunch and each other's company. We talked about our classes and our shared love for psychology, but soon the conversation shifted.
"Hey, have you heard about the king's secret marriage?" Sakshi asked, her eyes gleaming with curiosity.
Nisha nodded, lowering her voice conspiratorially. "Yeah, I heard it was a whirlwind romance. He married some girl, but no one knows who she is."
Tannu leaned in, her brow furrowed. "It's so strange. The king is always in the news, but this time, it's like he's gone underground."
I remained silent, my heart pounding as they speculated about the mysterious bride-me. They tossed around names and theories, completely unaware that the queen they were discussing was sitting right beside them.
Sakshi turned to me, eyes sparkling with intrigue. "Mishka, what do you think? Do you think the king's bride is some kind of princess?"
I forced a laugh, hoping it didn't sound too strained. "Oh, I'm sure it's just a rumor."
Nisha nodded. "Yeah, probably. But it's fun to imagine who she might be."
As they continued chatting, I couldn't help but feel a strange sense of liberation. Here I was, the queen they were all speculating about, sitting among them like any other student. It was surreal, but also exhilarating to be just another face in the crowd.
When lunch ended, I gathered my belongings and said goodbye to my friends. "See you tomorrow! Have a great day!"
Sakshi, Nisha, and Tannu waved cheerfully as I turned to leave. But before I could exit the cafeteria, a group of rowdy students blocked my path.
"Hey, look what we have here!" one of them sneered, his eyes raking over me. "The new girl, all alone and vulnerable."
I stayed silent, my pulse quickening as they began to taunt me. "What's your name, huh? You think you can ignore us?"
Their leader, a tall, muscular boy with a cruel grin, stepped forward. "You'll be our new plaything. You'll wish you never set foot in this college."
I didn't flinch, didn't respond. Engaging with bullies would only make things worse. But inside, anger and frustration simmered. Who did they think they were, trying to intimidate me?
Just as the situation seemed to escalate, a voice echoed through the hallway. "Hey, leave her alone!"
My friends, Sakshi, Nisha, and Tannu, had returned, standing up for me against the bullies. The leader glared at them, but they held their ground.
"Mind your own business," he growled, but my friends didn't back down.
"We're making it our business," Sakshi said firmly. "Leave her alone, or face the consequences."
The bullies snickered but seemed hesitant. After a tense moment, they finally backed off, muttering threats as they slunk away.
My friends turned to me, concern etched on their faces. "Mishka, are you okay?"
I nodded, grateful for their support. "Yeah, thanks to you guys. I owe you one."
Sakshi smiled. "Anytime, Mishka."
As I left the college gates, I was startled to see a sleek, black royal car waiting for me, flanked by security personnel. I gestured discreetly, trying to signal that I didn't need a ride, but they stood firm, their eyes trained on me.
I sighed inwardly, aware that my royal status sometimes made it impossible to blend in. So, I resorted to my "queen glare"-a look that conveyed my disapproval. It worked; the security team backed off, leaving me to my own devices.
I strolled along the footpath, savoring the freedom of being just another person in the crowd. As I turned a corner, a quaint bookstore caught my eye. The sign above the door read "Page & Co.," and the windows displayed a tempting array of books. I pushed open the door, and a bell rang out, signaling my entrance.
Inside, the store was cozy and inviting, with shelves stacked high with books. I wandered through the aisles, running my fingers over the spines, enjoying the simple pleasure of being surrounded by stories.
One book caught my attention-a slim volume with an intricate design on the cover. The title, "The Whispering Winds of Change," resonated deeply with me. I opened the book, feeling a connection to the words within.
As I lost myself in the pages, the outside world faded away. The characters' struggles and triumphs mirrored my own, and I felt comforted by their stories. But just as I turned the page, my phone rang, jolting me back to reality.
My heart raced as I hesitated, unsure whether to answer. I had turned off my phone after my marriage, cutting ties with my past life. But this morning, something had compelled me to turn it back on.
With trepidation, I finally picked up the call. "Hello?" I whispered.
The voice on the other end was familiar but laced with anger. "Mayura, it's Abhimaan. Where are you? Why did the guards come back without you? Did you order them to leave you unescorted?"
A wave of guilt washed over me as I heard the worry in his voice. "Abhimaan, I-"
He cut me off, his voice rising. "Do you know how worried I was when I found out you were roaming around alone? Without any protection?"
I took a deep breath, trying to calm him. "Abhimaan, I'm fine. I just needed some time to myself."
There was a pause, and I could sense his frustration. "We need to talk, Mayura."
I knew I couldn't avoid this conversation any longer. "Okay..."
He told me to stay where I was and that he was coming to pick me up. I hung up the phone .
I sighed and prepared my self for my angry husband .