This one is kind of a cliffhanger 😏 toh jitna jaldi target pura hoga I'll post the second part of this chapter
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for the next one. You guys can do this! The target is nothing compared to the amount of reader viewing the chapter so please kar do😭🙏.
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Ragini's pov-
My eyes flutter open as I hear him waking me up. I suddenly remembered the promise he made and we're going to have the dinner together tonight, I need to prepare so much. I give him a genuine smile before getting down from the bed and rushing up to get ready for the day.
I knew he was observing me and he chuckled when I got up and ran to get ready.
I chose a simple outfit as I needed to prepare a lot of things for today and I didn't want to ruin my outfit for later.
I step out of the room and I watch him freeze but I didn't even do anything.
"Kya hua hukum"
(What happened hukum)
"Haye! ab hum kaam par kaise Jayenge Ragini"
(Oh!! How will I go for work now)
"Matlab!?"
(What do you mean)
I look at him baffled
"Kuch nahi...h-hum chalte hai"
(Nothing, I'll get going)
"Ji....uh ..hukum?"
(Hukum)
I pause for a second and then call for him and he turns around almost immediately
"Kahiye"
(Yes)
He looks at me and I quickly lower my gaze
"Aapko yaad hai na "
(You do remember it right)
I try to remind of the plans we have tonight
"Kya yaad hai?"
(I remember what?)
He asked while wearing his footwear
"Ji wo aapne vachan Diya tha ki aap shigra wapas aayenge taaki hum saath bhojan kar sake-"
(You promised to come early so that we'll have dinner together-)
He cuts me off in between
"Ji aap chinta mat kijiye hum jald se jald aane ki koshish karenge"
(Yes don't worry, I'll to finish it off as soon as possible)
A smile automatically makes it's way on my face as I mentally scream from happiness
"Dhanyawad hukum"
(Thank you hukum)
He leaves the room to fulfill his duties and complete the work, I wear my other jewellery pieces and head to the kitchen. I knew jiji would be there already to decide today's menu so I went beforehand.
"Jiji!"
I called for her
"Bolo Ragini, kaisi ho"
"Hum ache hai wo hum ye kehne aaye the ki Aaj ratri bhojan mein hum kheer banana chate hai"
"Kya baat hai kuch khaas hai kya aaj? par tumhare janmadin mein abhi samay hai phir achanak kheer kyu"
(Is there something special, because your birthday is still a few days away)
"Ji.. wo- ...hukum ka Mann hai isliye"
(Hukum wanted to have some that's why)
"Thik hai aap dopahar ke baad aayiga, hum bhi aapki sahayata kar denge"
(Oh okay no problem, come after lunch I'll help you too)
"Nahi nahi jiji hum swayam kar lenge Hume bas samay chahiye"
(No need jiji, I'll do it myself. I just need a bit of time)
"Isme puchna kya hai ragini, tumhara hi Mahal hai, tumhara Jo dil kare wo Karo"
(Why are you asking for my permission Ragini, it's your palace do whatever you want to)
"Dhanyawad jiji"
(Thank you jiji)
She passes me a smile as she burries herself in other works. She does a lot of work as she's the current queen of suryagarh, I wonder if I'll ever be able to manage it the way she does so effortlessly.... Suddenly I bump into someone. Shit!
I look up to find badi-maa standing in front of me
"Sorry I didn't see you were coming this way-" My gaze immediately lowered and I prepared myself for a scolding. Out of everyone why did it have to be her!
"Jo apne kadam Bina dekhe rakhte hai wo log aksar maut ki ghat utaar diye jaate hai."
(People who don't watch their steps, often descend into the abyss of death.)
"Maafi kijiye hum-" I might be lying if I said I wasn't a bit scared but her hand cups my cheek as she makes look up
"Maafi tumhe uss andhere se nahi bachane wali jisme bhatakne wali ka intezaar ho raha hai. Saavdhan raha kijiye Ragini, Mahal ki chaar diwari saayo se nahi bachati"
(Apologies won't shield you from the darkness where wanderers await. Beware, Ragini, for the palace walls do not shelter from the grasping shadows.)
Before I could respond she pats my head and leaves. I watch her slowly disappear into the hallways of the palace as I made my way to my room
[Time skip]
Ragini is busy preparing kheer
🥀
In the heart of the palace, I delicately selected the saffron-filled box from the store, its fragrance intertwining with the excitement in my chest. Grains of saffron fell into the pot of simmering milk, releasing a warm aroma that filled the air. Each stir was a dance, a rhythmic anticipation for the promise he had made that day.
As the kheer bubbled on the stove, my thoughts drifted to the upcoming evening. The gentle hum of the palace life surrounded me, but my focus was on the task at hand. Jhanvi, my new friend maid, observed quietly, sensing the anticipation that colored every movement. She helped me gathering all the stuff and out of the other maids ii like her the most, Her eyes sparkled with curiosity, and she couldn't resist a teasing smile.
"What's the special occasion, your highness?"
she inquired.
I blushed, my shyness accentuating my response.
"Just a promise he made, Jhanvi" I whispered, the words carrying the weight of my anticipation. Jhanvi's soft laughter echoed in the chamber, a soothing melody amidst the preparations. I covered the kheer with a huge plate and asked the others to clean up a bit. I take jhanvi with me to my chamber so that she can help me get ready. I don't usually like other maids getting in our chamber but she's quite nice and kind
Turning my attention to the mirror, I carefully chose a cherry-red and pink ensemble with intricate golden embroidery. I change into it and then draped the dupatta elegantly around my waist covering up properly and jhanvi helped me secure everything in place, I had to look good tonight, we're going to spend a bit of time after so long. My hair, forming a modest braid. A heavy necklace adorned my neck. Each piece held a story, and as my fingers traced the patterns, the moments we shared came flooding back.
The red bangles, a vivid red against my skin, were a reminder of our outing, a simple yet cherished gesture from hukum. My wrists adorned both the red bangles and the golden ones. As I adorned myself, I felt a connection to the past, a bond that went beyond the grandeur of our royal roles.
~Ragini's look~
~Her necklace~
~Her bangles~
🥀
Once ready, I stood before the mirror, a vision of anticipation and grace. Jhanvi's eyes widened in admiration, and she couldn't help but comment, "You look beautiful, your highness. What's the secret tonight?"
Her words only deepened my blush as I acknowledged her compliment with a shy smile.
"Ragini, naam se bulao hume Jhanvi kitni baar kaha hai, tum meri saheli jaisi ho"
(Ragini, call me by my name. You're like my friend)
"Nahi nahi choti ranisa hum Aisa nahi kar sakte, kisine sun liya toh Hume Dand milega"
(No your highness I can't do that If someone overhead us I'll be punished)
"Toh jab hum do akele honge tab tum Hume naam se bulaogi"
(So will you call me by my name if there are no other servants around)
"Par-"
(But-)
"Koi par war nahi samajh gayi"
(No more buts, understood)
She nods smiling a little
I step out from the chamber and to my surprise, I found hukum engrossed in his work, scrolls scattered around him. The air was thick with duty, and he hadn't yet looked up so I called for him "Hukum,"
I called softly, using the endearing term that bridged the gap between formality and intimacy.
He acknowledged with a nod, still immersed in his scrolls. I waited, the gentle rustle of my attire a subtle reminder of my presence. I looked around and noticed that jhanvi had already left, she even shut the door while going back.
I sat near the edge of our bed observing him working as minutes passed by, I thought of calling him again as the dinner was getting cold
"Hukum dinner is ready, if you-"
he cuts me in between and replies
"Ragini, look I have a few important stuff at hand, wait"
He didn't even look at me once, maybe there's something really important, I should wait for a few minutes more
I try to handle myself As hukum struggled to articulate his plea for a few more minutes, I couldn't contain the frustration that had been building up within me. I get up and head towards him
"Hukum!, why did you even promise to be on time if you couldn't spare a moment for me?"
I questioned, the hurt in my voice palpable. He literally started working again and the only difference was that this time instead of the accounting room he was working here, in our room, in front of me, and all I could do was just stare at him and wait.
Silence hung in the air, his response lost in the weight of unspoken words. Determination surged within me, and I snatched the scroll from his grasp. Standing between the table and him, I positioned myself, feeling the heat of the moment intensify.
I looked into his eyes, tears blurred my vision at his ignorance, a testament to the anger and hurt that had festered during the long wait. The food on the table had turned cold, a stark contrast to the warmth that had initially filled the chamber.
His frustrated sigh cut through the tension, and he finally spoke,
"Just a few more minutes, Ragini."
But my self-control snapped. A tear rolled down my cheek, and fell on to his hand, a mixture of anger, disappointment, and longing. I had waited patiently, prepared a meal with love, adorned myself in anticipation, and yet, it seemed as if the promises made were slipping through the cracks.
Before I could turn away, his hand gripped my wrist, his attempt to anchor me in the charged moment. I didn't even want to look in his eyes as I know I might cry, is he still angry from that prank, I already promised him I won't do that again!
I feel his strong gaze bearing through me, he gently rubs the inside of my wrist with his thumb, finally breaking the unbearable silence between us
"You look beautiful princess!"
I don't respond, is he doing this to distract me? I turn my face to the side as I feel him slowly grab the scroll back from my grip, As I stood there, anger etched across my face, hukum, with a soft plea, urged me not to cry.
"I'll definitely finish this in a few minutes now, just give me a moment more and I'll be done with this hmm?"
he assured, his voice carrying a mix of apology and determination.
But the anger within me had reached its peak, and every thread of patience snapped. Without warning, I went to get a hold of the scroll and throw it out of his grip but unconsciously I climbed onto his lap, positioning myself in a way that my knees rested on either side of him. He attempted to caution me, even though he was beffudled by my sudden movements
"Ragi-"
However, my anger surged, and I cut him off.
"Aapko humari yaad nahi aati kya, Hukum? Hum kabse aapke saath samay bitana chahate hain, aapne vada bhi kiya tha-"
(Don't you miss me? I wanted to spend some time with you from so long, you even promised-)
I questioned, the frustration and hurt seeping into my words.
He tried to interject again
"Ragini-"
"Nahi hukum, ab aap humari suniye"
(No, now you'll listen to me!)
I insisted, his eyes shut close as he faces his side, his fingers gripping the bridge of his nose from the weight of his responsibilities. My tiny hands cup his face. They barely covered his cheeks as I tilted his face towards mine. The proximity heightened the intensity of the moment, and my gaze bore into his eyes instantly.
"Don't you feel distant, Hukum? Don't you miss me like ....I- I miss you?" I asked, my voice a mixture of vulnerability and frustration. The room seemed to shrink, the charged atmosphere enveloping us as our eyes locked in a dance of emotions.
Finally, he met my gaze, his eyes darkening with a depth of emotion. In that silent exchange, unspoken words hung in the air, and as I poured out my thoughts, a palpable tension lingered, the intimate closeness amplifying the unspoken connection between us but I continued further
"Kitna samay ho gaya hai hukum aap sirf apne kaam ko samay dete hai aur humara kya, hum aapke kuch nahi lagte kya!?-"
(So much has gone by, you only have time for your work, do I not matter to you at all?)
My voice cracks
"Aisa nahi hai ragini, aap galat samaj rahi hai-"
(It's not what you're thinking)
"Hum maante hai aapko hum pasand nahi..aapne aapke Bhai-sa ke kehne par humse vivah kiya, par kya ab aap Hume thoda sa bhi waqt nahi de sakte hukum!"
(I get it you don't like me...I know you agreed to the marriage because of your brother but you can spare a bit of time for me as well!)
Another tear makes it's way down my eyes but I simply ignore it, his gaze pierces through mine but he doesn't let me continue further
"Kisne kaha pasand nahi karte hum aapko Ragini, aapko kaun pasand nahi karta Hume ye bataiye"
(Who said I don't like you, infact who doesn't like you)
"Hum wo sab nahi jaante"
(I don't know all that)
I feel his cold fingers slipping through my dupatta as he holds my waist in a firm grip slightly bending me towards him. But I decide not to get distracted by the proximity between us and I continue further
"Itne dino se aap sirf apne kaam mein Lage hai, hum jaante hai ki raj-kaj zaroori hai parantu thoda sa waqt toh aap humare liye nikal sakte hai na ......aur Hum jaante hai Hume wo mazak nahi karna chaiye tha aapke saath, aur hum uske liye aapse maafi bhi maang chuke hai. Aap ab bhi uske liye naraaz hai?...kahiye na?"
(You've been engrossed in your work from so many days, I know that work is important but you can spend some time with me too right?....and I know I shouldn't have pranked you that way but I already apologized to you. Are you still upset with me? ... Atleast say something...?)
I question him and this time he responds
"Aapne abhi tak Hume manaya
hi nahi Ragini"
(You still didn't make it up to me)
I look at him wondering what to do next. I tried to and I didn't know he was waiting for me to make up to him but the anger ,frustration and desperation takes the best of me.
My hands shiver a little as I cup his face again and lean in towards his
Cheek and kiss it, his eyes shut automatically but he tries to restrain me
"Ragini don't start something you won't be able to finish-"
A smile makes it's way to my face as I see him getting affected by my touch. I kiss his other (right) cheek as his head slowly falls back, I look at his Adam's apple which pops out as he gulps and I gently peck it, before I could move he drops the pen from his other hand and holds me from either sides, both of his hand holding me in his embrace as If I would run away the moment he let's off his hold on me. I look at him in the eyes before gathering up my courage and asking him
"Aap Maan Gaye ya abhi bhi ruthe hue hai hukum!?"
(Are you still upset?)
He doesn't reply and I am scared if I did too much. I think I should apologise, why am I like this, did I force him into his, but he's stronger than me how can I possibly force
him no way right! Yeah maybe he wanted me to apologise properly and look what have I done...I want to go back in time😭
"I am sorry hukum did i-"
"What do you want Ragini!?"
His sudden question leaves me flabbergasted, I don't know what I should reply, I mean should I let my intrusive thought win?
You - I can't say that right
" ...uhmm...I" I stutter fighting my inner voices so that I don't fall into something I can't handle
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