It had been three weeks since she had seen Aditya. He kept his promise of staying away and did not bother her. But it bothered her. She was not angry at him, instead she thought it was the opposite. She had betrayed him and she remembered his outburst. She did not want to be reminded of her betrayal or see hatred for her in his eyes. But it seems like there had been a misunderstanding. She pined for Aditya and now that she had been confined to her room in the palace she felt even more lonely.
One week after she had woken up and was able to move around on her own, she was escorted back to the palace with full care and security. On arriving at the palace, her parents had profusely apologized and offered her a new room, new clothes and everything else that was deemed fit for a princess. Meenakshi had politely refused them and walked back to her old room where her Chitrama was. Chitrama was not exactly happy seeing her here when a new room was made for her in the royal quarters, but seeing her defeated posture and solemn expression she said nothing. Meenakshi sat by her and placed her head in Chitrama's lap, trying to forget the sting of her wound as she bent. Chitrama tried talking to her but nothing could convince Meenakshi otherwise.
"What else is bothering you, Meena?"
"Aditya." She muttered.
"Hmm, that boy." Chitrama spoke, her fingers taming Meenakshi's untied hair. "He looks nice enough. Well built, scars on his body that proudly showcase his skills, that dark hair, hmmm... I wish I was young. I could have had him to myself." She spoke, making Meenakshi sit straight from her lap.
"Ma.." She chided while Chitrama let out a hearty laughter.
"What? You need to appreciate things in front of you. And moreover he wasn't like other men I have seen. He was always around you, taking care of you, talking to you even though you couldn't hear us, constantly worrying about you. Who does all of that? Especially for a woman who is neither his wife nor mother, and not hesitating to show his affection even in public. Every woman dreams of a man like him and not to forget his good look...."
"Maa, please." Meenakshi blushed as she heard about Aditya. SHe hid her face in her palms as Chitrama laughed at her expression. Her heart fluttered knowing that Aditya stayed along with her all day, took care of her and spoke to her.
"Also, he was more affectionate after reading your letter that I gave him." Meenakshi's eyes widened in surprise. She was even more afraid of his response. Was this his punishment? Is he going to stay away from her? Hate her? Despise her? Thoughts clouded her mind. She was shaken out of them by Chitrama who placed a palm on her thigh comforting.
"What happened?" Chitrama asked.
"I am afraid Aditya hates me for what I did to him. He feels that I have betrayed his trust by acting as Maheshwar when I was Meenakshi too. I should have told him earlier Ma, but the situations never let me and IâI thought that I could escape him knowing my destiny. I never expected this day nor that war, but with everything happening around me, I have wronged him Ma." Tears sprang out of her eyes as she remembered that day they met in the forest. His pissed off expression and his wrath still remained fresh in her eyes.
"I don't know what you think of him now or what transpired between the two of you, but all I know is that he loves you. Loves you a lot Meenakshi. I can see it in his eyes as well as in his act." Meenakshi could only hope that this was true.
Little did she know that her life was going to take a new turn very soon.
**********
I wanna write a bigger chapter, but these feel enough for whatever is written.
So confused.
Let's see.
Getting you bigger chapter soon.
Love you kittens.