Rivannah

Young and Reckless

                                                                                                     *

" What's wrong with you, Vikram?" Rajmata Nayantara screeched, " Have you forgotten how precious you are! How did you end up in that shack near Madhopur? Don't you know that place is dangerous to us? Had Kadam Singh not found you... who knows what would have happened!"

Her livid words didn't affect the young Prince. He sat on lazily on the armchair, bracing his head with a forearm, eyes deep in thought.He could still feel the softness of her skin on his fingers and lips. The innocent gasp echoed in his ears. The hazel eyes gleaming with innocence and surprise haunted him.

It had been hours since his grandmother's subordinate had rescued him from the primary health centre. His friends had been escorted by another car to the safety of their homes. Yet she had possessed his mind completely, refusing to leave him alone.

" I tolerated your wish to have no guards. I support all your decisions and choices." she continued bitterly, " But I won't allow such recklessness and naivety. Today will never be repeated again. You are the future Maharaja of Prathampura, the master of this Palace and its immense estates, the successor of Digvijay's political legacy! Are you even listening to me?!"

" Yes, I am." Vikram mumbled distractedly, " I will be careful, Dadi-sa."

" What were you thinking?" She implored him.

" I don't know." he sighed, thinking of the almost kiss, " I think I have lost my sanity."

" Well, find it again!" Rajmata Nayantara huffed," I will stop those college friends if they are hinderances to your duties. Once you've tasted the power you are destined for, they will be inconsequential and unimportant anyway.An effortless and smooth path is laid front of you, Vikram. It took me great pains and sacrifices to remove all the obstacles and bumps that could have come in your way." her eyes flashed dangerously," And I will not let anyone including yourself, make my efforts in vain."

Her eyes flashed dangerously, venom seeping into her voice. She glared at a hesitant attendant standing at the door of her room. The poor attendant bowed her head and said hurriedly, "Rajmata, Princess Soha and Mr. Nikhil haven't arrived home."

" I don't care what they're up to." she said dismissively, " It's well past midnight, if they wanted to come home, they would've already. Close the doors."

" I'm sure they'll be here tomorrow." Vikram said slyly.

                                                                                                *

Aditi had woken up late in the morning. Her muscles ached due to the exhaustion.She saw Riva's room shut close and knocked a few times. The Princess had been quiet and listless the moment they were escorted home. She locked herself in her room and refused to speak, leaving Aditi alone to answer her mother's probing questions.

Getting no answer, she went downstairs, only to find Ambika missing. It was a Sunday, so her mother must have gone to the temple to seek blessings. She lazily sprawled on the sofa and fiddled with the TV until a news channel blared.

" Breaking news! Live from the royal family of Prathampura.The nephew of politician Digvijay Singh Rajawat married a local woman and left her the next day.Apparently the nephew fell in love with Kalawati and promptly married her in her village Madhopur, using his influence to pressurise her parents. The very next day, he left the new bride and went back to his home, refusing to acknowledge her!

On your screen, we have displayed exclusive photographs of the wedding.Even Princess Soha can be seen in the audience.The poor woman and her family members rushed to the Palace, seeking justice from Rajmata Nayantara. Will the unruliness and cruelty of the nephew be unpunished? Or the poor Kalawati will get her rights back? Stay tuned to our channel for live updates!"