The Mughal Princess (Completed)

36.

"Hum, hum se pehle aane wale, dil torne wale, zakhm dene wale ko mohabatt kehte hai magar Mahi asli mohabatt iss zakhm pe marham lagane wala hota hai."
(We think the person who first walks into our life, the one who left us with these scars is the one for us, our one true love, but true love, it's that one person who helps you heal these scars and attempts to mend your broken heart.)

"What if I love him someday and he doesn't ? He knows too much, will he ever be able to look past it." Maheen said her eyes shining with unshed tears of frustration. Her mistakes would always haunt her, she knew they would.

"Why don't you do what is in your hand, be a good friend to him, a good wife and a good queen."

"I am scared."

"It's okay Maheen." Gehna said hugging her friend and giving her what she could at the moment.

She knew the days to come, with Dev living under the same roof as them were going to be difficult.

•••

Aditya and Maheen lay on the two sides of the bed, staring at the roof. The warm light of the candle made multiple shadows on the walls around them.

"So ? Did you like it ?" Aditya asked Maheen.

"I loved it. If I could I would stay here forever." Maheen said with a chuckle.

"Honestly, me too." Aditya replied.

"Are we going back tomorrow ?" Maheen asked turning towards him.

"We have to unfortunately." Aditya replied looking at her.

"Okay." She said closing her eyes.

"You know you can come back whenever you like right. This place is as much yours as it is mine." He said still looking at her.

"Can I really?" She said popping her eyes open.

"Yes really." Aditya laughed.
"I think we should sleep now, we need to begin the day early."

"Good night Adi." Maheen said with her eyes closed.

Aditya looked at her surprised at her use of the name for him.

"Good night Maheen." He wishes lying down with his hand on his forehead.

•••

Maheen had always loved her mother's peacocks back at home. And while her father and brother found the sound of peacocks annoying her mother and herself always enjoyed it.

As soon as the squawking of peacock reached her eyes a smile etched on Maheen's face. She slowly opened her eyes, blinking the haze away.

Aditya's face was the first thing she saw, close to her own. The bed they shared back in the main palace had been way bigger than the one they did here.

As consciousness slowly seeped in Maheen became more aware of her body, she felt the weight resting on the curve of her waist. She lifted her neck from the pillow to see Aditya's hand heavily lying on her.

Her own feet were tangled with his.

"Allah ! How do I get out of this ?" She muttered. She slowly used her hand to pry his fingers off of her waist, but Aditya's grip only got stronger.

After good fifteen minutes of futile struggling Maheen pinched Aditya's hand and he withdrew it in reflex.

Maheen quickly rolled out from under his grip in the short window she earned for herself.

Aditya grumbled in his sleep and turned around hugging the pillow Maheen has been using.

Maheen looked at him and shook her head letting out a soft chuckle. She pulled the duvet on top of Aditya and covered him completely before heading out.