Chapter 10
1008 Words
Unknown
Putting her palms on the damp rocky walls of the sickening slim underground cave she walked further, signalling the other women to follow her.
Slowly, steadily they were at last out in the open space. Miles away from Umarkot.
She took a deep breath and turned around to look at others.
The women who have never touched anything but fine silks, pearls, gold and diamonds were now dressed in cheap cotton, devoid of any kind of accessories. Their hair tousled and messy and their faces wet with sweating.
"Now princesses, before we enter into the village we should discuss a few important things. "
The first woman better known as Queen Shivanya stated as other four queens looked at her expectantly. Before Shivanya could say anything further, queen Rohini intrigued. "Can we sit somewhere and talk? "
The Other four looked at her and nodded.
"When is he coming? " Shivanya asked as everyone else settled on the stairs of a Shiva temple.
"He must be here soon! " Queen Rohini said while tapping her fingers on her other palm, a thing she do being nervous!
"And what about you queen Ambika? " she asked again. "My brother must be coming soon! " she replied and smiled. She is looking forward to meet her family again.
"Pitaji cannot sent his people here, this is rivals state! " queen Dia said, "so I have to cover the distance to lal garh alone where his people will be waiting for me! "
"I will take your leave as well, when the war broke I was not able to send a letter to pitaji but I think I could reach there myself! " queen Alka stood up and took her leave from the rest and left with queen Dia.
While the sun rose higher in the sky, the three of them waited patiently on the stairs of old Shiva temple. And before afternoon a beautiful royal carriage pulled off in front of them.
"Good bye! God might give us the chance to meet again! " she wished for the last time before entering into the carriage and the carriage soon disappeared out of sight. Now, only the two of them were left, Shivanya and Ambika.
Soon the sun was once again going down while cold breeze started to blow. Shivanya closed her eyes for a few seconds when she heard the delightful voice of Ambika.
"Brother! " she squealed and ran in the dark where Shivanya saw a man standing beside a horse.
"Are you sure you don't want me to wait with you until someone comes to fetch you, queen Shivanya? " Ambika asked with concern.
"Because it is already dark and it isn't safe either-" Shivanya cut off her and said.
"I am thankful that you thought of me but believe me I can manage and besides my brother would be coming soon! " Shivanya conveyed the lie easily but her chest tightened when she thought about it. But her face gave away nothing, Ambika nodded in response and turned away and left with her brother.
Once again Shivanya told a smooth lie, successfully!
Because she don't have the courage to tell the truth, she don't have the courage to tell her that no one will be coming to fetch her!
No one will be waiting for her, no one will be thinking about her!
Her eyes watered as she chewed her lower lip to subsidize the urge to cry. She have to stand strong and fight!
Fight alone!
***
Hundreds of fire lights flickered in the main town market. The shops filled with buyers.
Shops of perfume, clothes, utensils and food items.
She walked further as she looked at the women bargaining with the prices and a small boy crying furiously for candy.
"Madem the best Persian perfume only in 200 gold coins. " a shopkeeper called.
She went past him when she smelled the aura of hot fried jalebies. And her stomach grumbled. But she retreated to her path because she lacks money. The only thing she brought with her was the kohinoor necklace, which her mother gave her just before she died. It was the most important thing, a thing which mother's memories are attached.
Once again her chest tightened and she wanted to cry! 'No! I have overcome this years ago! " she told herself. As she started to walk away a voice called her, "listen"
The old woman who was the owner of the sweet shop watched as a beautiful young woman walked on the street alone! With no thick clothing in such a cold weather, but just a simple cotton dress.
"Aah! " the woman released a deep sigh, she is so alike to her own daughter, for a second her fool heart was ecstatic with the thought that her daughter is back! What a fool of her! The dead never comes back.
The same brown eyes and long black hair.
She watched as the young lady abruptly stopped in front of her store and looked at the items.
'May be she would come to buy something? ' She thought.
But then she saw her walking away.
'May be she don't have money? ' She thought and ran after her. "listen" She called after her.
Shivanya turned around only to find a old woman standing a few feet away from her. Most of her hair was white, and a few wrinkles ran on her face, down her eyes. But still she looked friendly.
"Yes? How may I help you? " she asked with uncertainty.
"My name is Urmila! " the old woman said.
Shivanya battled within herself if she should tell her real name to a stranger.
Getting no answer from Shivanya, Urmila continued. "Well, would you please come with me for a few seconds to my shop? " she said and pointed towards her little sweet shop.
Shivanya was confused at first at her request but then she nodded because the woman really looked friendly.
There's no harm in it, right?
- Writer
