Aditya stumbled in his place as he read her letter. He had always felt that she had betrayed him, broken his trust, destroyed his faith in love and relationships, but that letter from her shook him to the core. He was so overcome by emotions that he rushed out of the camp, and ran towards a nearby tree. Leaning on the bark of the tree, he took deep breaths to calm himself down, trying to reduce the pang of guilt that was bubbling within him. Her words from the letter were echoing in his ears, as if she was trying to explain herself. Her tear filled face flashed before his eyes, the day before the battle, when they had met near the forest. Her pleadings rang in his ears, every single word echoing as he tried to control his rationality.
'Being born as a girl was a sin I had committed..'
'I am willing to accept any punishment if I survive this..'
'I have always lived my life as Maheshwar..'
He wondered how one could suffer for so long. Suffer so miserably yet accept life, people, relationships, destiny with such ease. Never had Aditya been ashamed of his own life, ashamed of his deeds, granted that he had his fair share of events and days, but never had he ever felt so disgusted by own self. Her letter gave away one realization.
He loved her.
He loved Meenakshi.
He loved his Meena.
Nothing could stop him now. No destiny, no fate, was powerful enough to separate them. He promised himself that he would cherish her with everything until death separates them. He wanted to be selfish and wish togetherness even in death. Nothing would stop him from loving her, even she herself.
If she survives, no...no she would, Aditya shook his head trying to shake away that dirty thought.
She would survive and it would be up to her to decide what she wanted to do. As much as it itched him to leave the decision in her hands, he would respect her choice no matter what. He would let her make decisions in life. His love was enough for both of them even if Meenakshi decided that she hates him. He could live with that.
The only thing he couldn't live without is the fact that she would be no more. His skin crawled with unease as he thought of a scenario where Meenakshi was dead. No, that could never happen. Aditya immediately called for a soldier ordering him to send a word to his father, who had temporarily taken on the kingly duties. He had asked for their royal priest to perform a yagna, so that he could try saving her life. The prayers had more power than the medicines from the royal physician, and his love for her was even more powerful. He was willing to do anything for her and this was just the first step. Aditya ordered the soldier to usher his father to start the preparations immediately. He walked back to his camp where he had temporarily made a permanent residence. Quickly washing his face and changing his robes he went back to the camp where Meenakshi was being treated.
He nodded as he saw Chitrama and sat beside Meenakshi on the bed. Taking her right palm in his hands, he caressed the smaller, rough hands. He smiled as he remembered the first time they had met. She had saved him. He didn't know how she had the strength to pull him into the hut or someone helped her, but her touch, her care, the curious eyes that always intrigued him, the first step of friendship they made, their talks of wives and marriages as they sat on the manchan waiting for the bandits, flashed in front of his eyes. Wiping the stray tears that escaped him, he bent forward and pressed a kiss on her forehead.
"You are mine." He whispered as he sat by her telling the stories she has never heard of.
**********
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