~17 years later~
Somehow with age, everyone turned beautiful in the outcast -unofficial- village. Aradhya's wound had healed but had left a predominant mark. Aradhya's features were more sharp and precise. She had grown into a beautiful woman contrasting her teens.
The village, however, was surprising. If someone had to stumble across, they had enough sources and money to provide. They were almost as able as the king himself. They could very well lead their own country, but Aradhya never let anyone forget their roots. The roots that are always gained from Ashokdhar.
Aradhya and Gaurang were the same as they were. They loved each other. Not romantically and yet beautifully. The bond they shared was something that everyone in their circle admired. Pure and unconditional. They were soulmates. Like how Vihaan and Sadhana were but better. Gaurang had also aged backwards.
The straw houses were replaced by strong brick ones. The lumber was of the best quality. Water fills were always replenished and even strong additional houses were built for anyone who stumbled by and sought help. Farmers were doing good and the medicine retailing was successfully being carried out. The women had now become independent and had nothing to ask from their men. They had mobilized their savings.
And as for the children...they had become the army of the village. Trained by Aradhya, they all had become exceptionally good in battle and swordplay. They never feared a battle and nor were they afraid to take the leap. Every child had Aradhya's spirit of fight in them and that enabled them to guard their place.
Though all this, everyone there was satisfied with Aradhya's direction. There were moments when their trades went down and some doubted her, but Aradhya never let anyone get disappointed.
Aradhya crouched down before the pot where the meal was being made. She blankly made the dish. She had too much on her mind. She had to take care of the finances and the people. And among that, she had to be a mother.
"Chavi!" Aradhya called. She raised her brow as Chavi walked in with a tight frown on her face.
She had a small frame, almost similar to Aradhya's. She had black scuffled hair which always was wavy. Her eyes -which almost seemed like they were of Vihaan's- were filled with rage.
"What is up with the knot on your face? It's a fine day outside." Aradhya served the food to her as Chavi sat down.
"There has been a lot of buzz about your husband, Ma." Chavi nonchalantly ate from what was before her. Aradhya froze for a second. She looked at Chavi who seemed nothing but offended and angry.
"You should stop, Chavi-"
"Do you know what they were saying? 'All hail the Samrath Chakravarthy Maharaj Vihaan of Ashokdhar'. If he had shown that interest in finding you, he would have found you years ago."
"How long, how long is this going to continue? You cannot just keep hating him like this. What good is your hate going to do?"
"I don't care, Ma. He left you to die in the wild. He didn't even try to look for you. He made you lose your child. He made you live sleepless nights without food when you first started out leading these people. Do you want me to go on?"
Chavi stood up abruptly and walked out of the door where she came across Gaurang about to come in. She nodded at him and continued on her way. Aradhya sighed. She knew she had gone wrong only there. She had gone wrong in telling Chavi not to only think about her mother but everyone.
Gaurang sat down beside Aradhya and cleared his throat.
"The same old rant?"
"Yes. I don't even know if I should feel good to know that she defends me or bad to know that she hates Vihaan."
"It's okay. She'll come around. Vihaan is the one who you love after all. Convince her by saying that you still hold him dear to your heart."
"Do you think I haven't tried that before? She just tells me that I have no self-worth. I just hope she doesn't cause a problem because of this."
"She's your daughter. Do you really expect her to not cause a problem? Causing problems is you guys' second nature."
Aradhya hit him on his arm while he just chuckled. He booped her on the nose and left the place to help someone who yelled out to him.
. . . .
"I think now that a raise in tax payment can improve our kingdom further. Treasuries will be filled. The people are more than eligible to pay a greater amount of tax" Acharya Chitrabhanu proposed the idea to Vihaan.
"That does seem very developing." He replied. His tone was calmer.
Seventeen years had made him get through his situation. It would have taken six months but Aradhya wasn't there. He had come out of his ruthless stage and had advanced into a state of mind where everything was logical and wise.
"But...if I may..." A voice of a young prince pulled through. Vihaan shot a place at Darsh who sat along with the board of ministers.
He had his father's features and yet the qualities of his mother. He was composed, well taught and very well versed in political issues. Nandini never let him forget about his two mothers. She taught everything Aradhya had preached and everything Sadhana stood by.
"Yes, go on, Darsh, what is it?" Vihaan asked.
"This has nothing to do with the tax increment but the northern villages...I would like to go and visit sometime."
"Why?"
"I haven't been there ever. I haven't met the people. And I heard there are beautiful forests there, I would like to see them too."
Vihaan sighed. He got glimpses of Aradhya in his mind. The last time they met was a bitter memory among all the sweet ones he held. But it wasn't of any use in restricting Darsh from going there.
"You can go." Vihaan smiled. Darsh beamed at him and took off immediately. Seeing him pulled at Vihaan's heartstrings as it reminded him of both Sadhana and Aradhya.
"Acharya...I think we can implement the tax policy now. I'll take care of the signed agreements."
"It'll be up and running tomorrow." Acharya Chitrabhanu said and walked away.
.  .  .  .
Darsh walked through the cities of the northern Ashokdhar accompanied by a friend of his who was a prince himself. A prince of a neighboring peaceful kingdom. The Suryagandharv Kingdom.
Rajat.
Rajat and Darsh had bonded in their Gurukul days. Both shared a lot of similarities and also cherished their differences. Vihaan was on good terms with Rajat's father and so was Darsh with Rajat.
"It is less bustling here. It is calm. It feels nice to see your kingdom laid back for once." Rajat spoke as Darsh nodded in agreement.
"We will need someone to guide us through the woods, we can get lost easily." Darsh suggested.
As the two strolled through the city, Darsh spotted a figure ready to punch a guy in his face. Both the princes ran to stop her but it was too late. It would always be late when Aradhya is the one who trained them.
Rajat put himself between the woman and the man while the woman was ready to fight the man to his death. Darsh pulled the woman back.
"Calm down. What is happening here?" Rajat questioned. The man wiped at his bleeding lips and threw a disgusted gaze at the woman who was held back by Darsh.
Chavi glared at Darsh to let her go but Darsh insisted. Ignoring his grip Chavi spat at the feet of the guy who she hit.
"It really doesn't take much to control your hands when you see a woman. How hard is it? Is it necessary to lay hands on every woman you see?"
Chavi's friend pulled at Chavi's veil to calm her. But all that wasn't enough.
"Chavi calm down. Let's just get out of here." the friend whispered.
Chavi got herself free from Darsh's grip and pushed the man again. Darsh now had no choice but to shut her mouth and pick her up to stop her from pouncing on the man.
"Calm down, will you?" He spoke to Chavi who glared at him, "And you, you will be arrested for assault on a woman." He spoke to the man who had another swollen spot on his face.
.  .  .  .
"Put me down!" Chavi scowled at Darsh who rolled his eyes and put her down. Chavi pulled her lips into a thin line before sighing.
"What exactly happened?" Rajat asked.
"That jerk. That moron was touching me in an inappropriate manner."
"So you just go around hitting them?" Darsh commented.
"What do we do? Just endure it? Not clap back?"
Darsh sighed and rubbed his temple, "You know there is a King in this kingdom. Just complain to him."
Chavi involuntarily scoffed at his sentence, "A king...to hell with your king. I don't trust him."
Chavi was about to leave when Rajat stopped her and changed the topic of discussion as he sensed Darsh being offended by what Chavi said.
"Please, if you don't mind, can you show us around the woods? We are new here."
Chavi scanned them once and sighed, "Fine."
.  .  .  .
Everyone had gathered at a big tree where Aradhya and Gaurang had called a meeting.
"This is about the new policy brought in by Maharaj Vihaan. Everyone residing in Ashokdhar should pay the taxes as per the new conditions." Gaurang announced.
"But why should we? He didn't provide us with anything." one of the outcasts opposed. Everyone joined in.
Aradhya felt the same too. She was conflicted over whether or not this applied to them. She was nervous about the idea of returning to the capital of Ashokdhar. She was entirely flabbergasted.
Her thoughts came to a frightening end when Gaurang spoke beside her. He spoke with such surity that it made complete sense.
"How has he not provided for us? We made our living from these woods. The woods of his kingdom. The woods that he protected and nourished through endless plans. And we even took shelter in his land. I think it is only fair we pay the taxes."
Everyone looked troubled in the crowd. Everyone was constantly whispering and debating.
"Do you really think this is the best idea?" Aradhya asked Gaurang who just nodded.
"I agree!" A loud voice declared. Chavi revealed herself. Her voice held the same fierceness and the determination as Aradhya, "I will go."
"What are you saying, Chavi?"Aradhya asked in a state of turmoil.
"Yes, Ma. I will go. And not only me. Everyone, every single one of us will have to go. It's about time we let our existence be known to the kingdom."
She continued...
"And I also have to speak to the king."
.  .  .  .
Hello again. There is a major time jump in this one, I know.
Let me know what you think if this chapter and also let me know what you think about Aradhya returning to Ashokdhar.
Don't forget to drop a vote, I will appreciate it.
Until next time,
with love
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