Getting married to some random Sultan, who's face is also unknown? Okay
But killing someone? Not okay!!
My whole life wasn't as eventful as it is now in just two months! The fact I killed someone even if he was trying to assault me is hitting me every day. Four days later and everyone is still pretending like nothing happened. Absolutely nothing!
Rather they are preparing for my Mehendi Ceremony. Which is today. TODAY! So that's it? I am being married off to some sultan who's name is the only thing I know?
I have always liked henna. Wore it whenever I had time. Even applied it to other people whenever they asked me to. But I am dreading applying henna today. This wedding is not something I have imagined for myself .
I knew I wasn't gonna have a knight in shining armour, arriving in his pure white horse and sweep me off my feet. But this is something I also didn't know. To being married to a stranger.
Hell will break loose the day I will let him touch me. I killed a man once to protect myself, what if I kill another. It's no big deal.
"Come baisa, I will help you take a bath and get you ready for the ceremony." Meena said coming forward to me.
I nodded and changed from my heavy lehenga to a white soft cloth. The cloth reached just over my breast and little down to my thighs.
At first I was immediately shy because wrapping this cloth around me was wrapping nothing. As soon the water touch the cloth it becomes transparent. But do I options? No. So I made amends with this little cloth.
I sighed looking at the round and a little deep bathing are inside the bathing room. Oh, how I miss my shower jet.
I sat on the bathing area,water reaching just below my breast. Meena sat beside me applying all kind of paste and masks to my body and face. She also that favourite paste of mine which smells like jasmine,sandalwood and vanilla.
One thing I have to admit, the skin care products here are top notch. My face glows better than a Chinese lantern after applying all these.
She put the paste on my arms,neck and put a mask in my face. She also applied some sort of oil which smells awesome and rinsed it off with some sort of soap. These kind of products are just entering the kingdom. With all these I barely need perfume.
Soon after the bath I was given a fresh new dry white cloth to wrap it around my body. I sat in front of the mirror. Even though I did time travelled here my face didn't change. My conclusion is me and Yaksha have the same face. Is this the reason I was pulled back here? We looked exactly the same no change. Maybe she was a bit slender than me but that's it. No other changes.
While admiring myself in the mirror I say Rajeshwari entering my chamber smiling at me.
"Tum toh bin bulaaye humari kaaksh mein aa jati ho Rajeshwari. Koyi tumhe rokta nehi hain?" I said with a teasing smile. I had to learn even pure Hindi with all those books so no one wouldn't suspect me. I am still learning and make mistake here and there. Please save me lord.
(You come to my chamber without asking. Doesn't someone stop you)
"Saach me? Esa kaise bol sakti ho tum Yakshu? Hum tumhari bachpan ki sakhi hain! Kaha gayi humari pyari aur shaant Yakshu? Hume waapis chahiye woh wali saheli humari!" She whined with a fake hurt look.
(Really? How can say that Yakshu? I am your childhood best friend. Where did my lovely and quiet Yakshu went to? I want my that friend back)
Saachi mein? Waapis chahiye? Baan jaye shant hum phirse? I raised my eyebrows.
(Really? Want her back? Should I become that Yaksha again?)
"Nehi nehi. Humein lagta hain humin ye waali Yaksha zyada pasand hain"
(No no. I think I like this Yaksha better.)
We both laughed together. I will honest miss her so much. Rajeshwari was the one who taught me everything from the start. I don't know how will adjust without her. I know Meena is going with me but still. Rajeshwari is, well Rajeshwari.
"Chaliye hum tumhe taiyaar karne aye hain. Akhir humari ek matre saheli ka mehendi hain.Sabse zyada chamakna hain tumhe. Aur humare bina woh kaise shambhab hoga?" She said picking up my beautifully embroidered peacock lehenga.
(Come I have came to get you ready. After all it's my one and only friends Mehedi. You have to shine more than anyone. And how will it be possible without me.)
"Haan haan bilkul!"
( Yes yes true.)
I wore the lehenge amd blouse first. Rajeshwari was helping me with my anklets while Meena was helping me dying my wet hair with ash pot. After dying my hair she put it in a soft loose braid with a gajra mala on it. I put the light necklace and earrings on.
Since it was just an intimate function with just ladies I didn't bother putting heavy jewellery.
I put my waist chain and my dupatta on my head. Yaksha no I mean I am looking exquisite in this simple yet beautiful attire. I didn't apply mahavar today as I am to apply henna.
"Itni pyaari laag rahi hain humari bacchi kisi ki nazar na lag jaaye. Kaala tila laga dete hain" Bua-sa entered and applied kohl behind my ears.
( My daughter is looking so beautiful may evil eye stay away from her. Let me apply kohl to caste evil eye away)
I bend down and touched her feet to seek her blessings.God knows I will need it.
( Daughters don't touch feet. Come, I have come to fetch you. Your father is waiting for you outside.)
"Ji Bua-sa chaaliye. Hum taiyaar hain."
( Yes let's go. I am ready)
Honestly I am not. But it's not like another option waiting for me. Maybe I can make a run for it. Haah no I won't.
I stepped outside my chamber and the king was waiting outside. He took me in his arms and hugged me for me few moments.
Oh Papa how much I miss you. I wonder if you are missing me. You must be devastated seeing your young daughter die. My eyes glistened with tears. Tears rolling down my face.
He broke the hug and I saw him crying too. It turned into a emotional moment quickly. Everyone was crying.
He let me go. And went away. I guess he wasn't a really expressive person.
We went to the palace the function was held in. They made me sit on a low wooden stool. Soon the mehendi artists began their work. They applied henna on my my hands and even in my feet. The ladies were dancing with traditional folk songs and steps. Melodies were being played and the atmosphere turned into a festival atmosphere. Only I wasn't happy.
After applying mehendi I sat there to dry it off enjoying everyone's dance. Rajeshwari was also dancing and I laughed seeing her trying to dance funnily. She pulled me up to dance with her and I used all the traditional steps I knew without harming my henna.
The ceremony lasted for about a few hours. I was tired and went back to my chamber. Meena helped me with undressing and I wore a plain cotton pink lehenga.
Meena left amd I was left alone with my thoughts. I looked at my hands. Most of henna was already off leaving its stain behind. It had a bright orange color. The fresh aroma of the henna filled my nose.
I lifted my my arms to look at my henna inked hands. They looked absolutely amazing. But they didn't made me happy.
"Rajkumari, Raja ji is here to see you"an attendee said from outside of the chamber.
I asked him to send him him.
"Pranam baba-sa.Humein bula liya hota. Hum aa jaate. Aapne kyun kasht uthaya?"
(Greetings Father. You should have called me. I would've come to you. Why did you take the inconvenience)
"No it's okay I wanted to see you. I know you must be feeling a little anxious. I am sure if your mother was here she would've come herself." He said and sat on the bed.
He continued. "I remember the day you were born. I was afraid to even hold you. What if I dropped you. I never held a child in my arms before. But as soon as I held you,you looked at me with your big doe innocent eyes. Relief washed over me. Your little eyes,little lips, little nose, little fingers,little toes. I used to stare at you all day long even sometimes forgetting my work. You looked just like your mother. You still do. I know she would've been so proud of you to see you grow into a such kind and strong woman. I am so proud of the woman you have become. I know the past two months have been nothing but rough for you and and here I am marrying you off. Believe me it's breaking my heart too. But Sultan is a great man. I have seen him growing up. He can do anything for the people he truly loves. Try to earn his trust,Yaksha. Not by just being his wife but by being his companion too. Grow together. You might fight sometimes but don't let it rot your relationship. I know from experience, try to fix it with conversation. Communication is the key for a healthy relationship. And I know he will love you, he has no way but to fall for you. I remember the first time he took you in his arms. He was only 10. He kept asking when you will grow up so he can marry you."
"He has seen me?" I asked now curious.
"Yes. Just once. But after his father passed away and he couldn't visit us anymore. He was busy being a Sultan. He lived a difficult life my dear. Try to understand him at tough times. Even when he is wrong try to make him understand your point. I know you you can if you try. But don't let him insult you also. Always be strong no matter what. Your fate of being his companion, a ruler was fixed the day you were born. You are fated to be a queen. Be the greatest queen ever,so the history can remember. Remember being a queen is just about ruling but also sacrificing. You have to make wise decision along with your husband for them."
"Ji baba-sa. I understand." I hugged him tightly. As much as his words helped me it burden me too. I was just a princess here but there I will be a queen. A queen has her own responsibilities. Am I capable enough to handle such responsibilities?
Only time will tell. I hope I don't disappoint baba-sa.
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