The Unfair Agreement

Chapter 5

"Please listen to me!!

I cannot go back to that palace now

My father will force me to marry that drunk merchant! I am only 12 I can't face that drunkard!"

Redness in the eyes, trembling voice, tears tracing her cheeks as she follows the boy...… Her first love!! Trying to convince him to save her from her miserable situation.

Samrat who was briskly walking halts at her plea and says " what do you want me to do?"

The girl's eyes filled with surprise as she stares at his broad shoulders, his neck length waves dancing at the tune of the wind...….

She says " just make father cancel this marriage!

Your father is the king and his words represent the word of gods to my father...… So please try cancelling this marriage."

Seconds of silence turning to minutes...…. As the boy stands still on the ground, finally breaking the hush the boy says " and what about the scroll you gave me days ago...… Does it not imply any emotions of yours."

Rubbing her moist face with the back of her hand, the girl's eyes widen as nervousness starts to build in her broken heart, bringing back its life.

" I...…I thought you didn't want things to go that way so...….. So I tried my best to erase your memories from my heart."

Her heart clenched at every single word coming out of her mouth. She knew she would be rejected, after all, Samrat never saw her as a woman.

"I never replied though

I never asked you to remove my presence from your life. Never ordered you to erase me.

If you start acting disobediently before marriage then what guarantee can I have about the future?"

Disbelief, misconception, myth, was all she could think of.

Has he accepted me??

Am I dreaming?

The puzzled look on her face, her wheatish skin turning blush as she peers her eyes down towards the ground.....

Marriage??…..

Is he serious!!…

In that cool breeze, she feels a warm comfortable enclosure, she is surrounded by the sent which she begged for days ago...…

Yes,

She was in Samrat's embrace, the comforting, perfect place to release the worries, stress which had built up within her all along the day.

She clenches his upavastra burring her face further into his chest as he gently strokes her soft hair, with his large hands...…

But...…

Unlike the girl, the boy has a blank expression...…. As if he is just trying to fulfil his duty.

As a best friend...… Like a savior…

Giving importance to her protection more than his emotions towards her...….

He is extremely protective and doesn't want to share her with any other man alive on earth, but in the corner of his heart, he knows that the happiness he is experiencing is not the sweetest fruit,...…..

which people call love...…

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Tara,s POV.

Sitting across the love of your life, wearing this mangalsutra in his name, dressing up for him, bearing his child.

I am blessed with every single thing a woman desires on earth.

Except for his heart...…

From the time that new girl has entered the palace, Samrat seems to be lost in his world, he smiles more often, which is a good thing..... But that smile doesn't belong to me!!

Each time he comes back from her chamber there is a sense of victory playing on his lips...…..

As if he has tamed a mischievous dear...…

I look at the spirited expression on Samrat's face as he plays with the strings of his veena.

The one which his mother left for him...…..

His eyes closed, lost in the vibrations of that melodious harmony.

No matter how busy he is he has time for me and our unborn child.

I am happy about that...…..

If time could be captured, I would enclose this movement in an airtight container, and label it as the most priceless thing present on earth.

He slowly opens his eyes disclosing his beautiful emerald eyes.

I hope our child is born with his eyes.

"Did you like it?".

He asks more like demands an answer.

That's soo like him, the dominant one, well,  who should I blame I am the one who fell head over heels for this dominant King hear.

And I have never regretted it...…

"I loved it.

It fluttered the strings of my heart."

Oh my god! He is blushing!! He looks away anywhere but my eyes and says

" speaking cheesy stuff as always!"

The last part ends up as a whisper.

I slowly crawl sideways and get settled on his lap, he is so huge that his lap acts as my chair, just meant for me...…..

I hope that girl never uses it...…

He engulfs me from behind and caresses my bulky tummy with his huge hands.

Bringing me back to the present situation.....

"It's just six months and that's the size of your tummy?

Are you planning to bless me with 10 children a time?

I don't agree on that though.

I want each at a time"

He whispers his sensual words in my ear.

Now it's my turn to blush.

How can he say such embarrassing stuff so nonchalantly?

" I..... I..... Never promised anything though!"

I say puffing out my cheeks.

" is it? Then promise me now. Okay?"

He rests his chin on my shoulder closing his eyes as he dissolves himself in this peaceful atmosphere,

But

Somewhere, I feel all his affections towards me are just his way of completing his duty.

The way he schedules his time for me.

The way he sends gifts, or even this embrace, all of this feels like it has emerged out of responsibility.

I feel like I have become an obstacle in his life.

No matter how far he wants to go he keeps me at his side, cause he promised never to leave my side at our wedding night.

I close my eyes leaning into his shoulders

Repeating the phrases.

I am satisfied with this fake love.

I cannot expect more.

It's ok until he remembers me.

It's all ok...…..

Even if he has decided to marry another woman.

And I see the desire for that woman in his eyes...….. I am okay with it.

Although I see her as a sculpture of cinder, I will embrace her as if she is a doll made up of ivory.

Cause all I know is I will love anything and everything that belongs to Samrat.

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Samrat's POV

I am walking along the corridor of the training center as I feel an unusual silence filling the air.

I turn to my subordinates with a questioning look.

They nod their heads in negative.

I look through the small perforated jali window and see a stunning female figurine standing in the center of the quadrangle, blindfold!!

I wave my subordinates to go further without me.

I slip out of my shiny foot ware opening the door of the court gently to avoid the creaking sound of the door.

I enter the court and see women at standby with bells in their hands.

I eye them to walk out of the court calmly, they walk out of the court.

I take a sword in my hand walking circular around this sculpted beauty placed in front of me admiring her curves.

Her hair tied up in a neat bun, her saree tightened to the point that it almost acts as her second skin.

She looks like Rati the goddess of love carrying her bow and a bunch of arrows.

Ready to hunt her prey of love...… And I want to be one of those targets.

No sooner I click the sword on one of the pillars than an arrow hits the same point.

I look at her in a shocked expression impressed by her archery skills.

I try this several times and each time she exceeds expectations by achieving greater speed and accuracy.

She is expert in Shabdhabedhi (a sport in archery were in the person has to blindfold himself and shoot the arrows at the origin spot of the sound, without visually experiencing it.)

I walk behind with light pads and suddenly a bell falls on my forearm followed by an arrow.

I hiss as the arrow pierces through my skin.

She suddenly twitches her brows, a confused look prominent on her face as she removes her blindfold revealing the most perfect piece of work ever done by god.

Her light brown eyes that contain the sparks of the brightest star.

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Indrayani's POV.

I run towards him as soon as I spot blood oozing from his wound. Oh god! What have I done?

I panic at the movement imagining the pain that he is undergoing right now.

I tear off the edge of my silk saree to tie it on his wound.

He stays still there, observing my actions with amusement.

I slowly try to pull out the arrow that has pierced his forearm.

He hisses the movement I touch the arrow.

I let go of it suddenly responding to his actions.

He looks extremely calm for a person pierced with an arrow.

He moves backwards till his back hits the wall and slides down resting on the floor.

Acting as if he is great pain...…..

Well, it's my fault though. I should have identified the voice of metal on skin...…..

What kind of a shabdhabedhi am I?...

I walked towards him trying to utter a sorry from my mouth.

" Am I so unlikable that you feel grateful  when I am in pain?"

What!!

"NO, THAT'S SO WRONG I FEEL AS IF THE ARROW HAS PIERCED THROUGH ME!!.

MY HEART!

so, please just bear with it for some time.

I will try to remove the arrow quickly it needs immediate medication."

"My my can you look at the sudden switch of events here. "

He stands up unplugging the sharp arrow as if he removed a sticky leaf on his body and looks at me in the eye.

I stand tall from my squatting position and try to take his injured wound to tie the piece of cloth.

Thankfully he offers me his injured arm without creating a ruckus.

I neatly tie the cloth and as soon as I am done with it he pins me to the wall, his another hand above my head as he levels himself to my height.

"Are you practicing for the contest my love?

Trying to avoid this marriage, are we?...…

But don't worry no matter win or lose you are still bound to me."

I hate this confidence of his...…..

" that's foolish!

I will win the competition and will be exempt from your evil clutches."

I say with as much venom I could add in my tone of speech.

He crashes his lips over mine at my statement. His lips harshly dancing over mine as if he wants to erase these words which rolled movements before...…..

I don't know exactly when or why but I give in to his needs.

My lips dance along with his and seconds later his tongue enters my mouth exploring every inch of it.

I clutch his hands for support unable to bear the pleasure that is building within. He hisses breaking the kiss and I suddenly realize that I was squeezing his wounded hand.

I immediately release him, embarrassment creeping in my heart...…

He must have noticed my submission.

I lower my face to the ground.

He smirks at my actions and says.

"How cute!!

Can I ask you something Indrayani?

Do you want to win this competition or are you willing to lose it.? "

Saying this he walks out of the court without granting me another glance.

I am left behind to compose my self, as he messes with me at each encounter!!

Indrayani ….

This was the first time he said my name.

I like the way it sounds from his manly voice...… I am blushing just because he said my name.

HOLY HEAVENS!!.

Please save me...….

I am a trembling leaf in front of him...

Suddenly a sharp pain jolts my heart.

Shattering the wall of affection I had for this murderer!!

I cannot believe my actions.....

I want to defy my existence at the movement.

I cannot forgive nor forget the fact that he is the sole reason behind my misery...

Yes no matter what or how loving he acts towards me. He still is a monster.

And

And I have to freeze my heart for him.

Cause our union is forbidden in this life. And if there is another life, then I would like to be by his side till death...…..

Yes, Indrayani brace yourself, close all the windows of affection for him, and let my only aim be his death and nothing else....!!

I repeat my motive as a mantra trying to induce it in my non-working brain...…

I shall win the match!

And also get back my fathers kingdom...…..

"Father please bless your daughter from above...…."

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