Chapter 3 2

Author's pov

Agnidev has left for Ajanya's Kingdom. He wasn't ready to come but Ajanya had said it's an emergency that's why he is going leaving his pregnant wife alone.

Her tears softened his determination to go but he knows he has to.

It took him 10 days to reach her kingdom.

Once he reached Ajanya's husband Rudradev welcomed him grandly and took him to Ajanya who is looking like she is crying for days now.

Her appearance is screaming that something has happened with her.

"Ajanya my sister what happened to you? Why are you crying?" Agnidev asked his sister with concern

"bhratashree hume kshama kijiye ga hum Jo vi kar rahe hai us ke liye." (Brother, pardon me whatever I am doing )Ajanya said and Agnidev didn't understand what she meant

"BhrataShree, marry my Sister in law Sugandha, I'm asking you to fulfil the promise you gave me when Bhabhisree was pregnant for the first time." Ajanya said and Agnidev looked at her with shock

"What are you saying Ajanya? You know I have given a promise to Shikanya that I won't marry anyone else ever then how can you say it?" Agnidev asked in anger

"I'm helpless bhratashree, My husband has given me the ultimate choice that if you don't marry Sugandha then he will leave me and take my child away from me. And you know what a girl's image is when she is left by her husband. Sugandha is madly in love with you and even she has tried to commit suicide as well and that's why my husband is hell bent to get her married with you. I know you can declare war against this kingdom and win easily but what about me? My life will be ruined. I know I'm sounding selfish but nothing will change if you marry Sugandha, bhabhisree will be a little hurt but she loves you she will forgive you. But if you didn't married her then my life will be finished and I have to commit suicide. "Ajanya said while crying

Agnidev is angry with Rudradev and in dilemma as well.

He doesn't know what to do.

" I can't do it Ajanya. Shikanya will not forgive me,"Agnidev said

"bhratashree have you forgot that you're a kshatriya? And kshatriya never break their promise. They even die to keep their promises and you can't marry to keep your promise?" Ajanya asked

Agnidev was totally trapped in his words. He cursed himself for giving promises without thinking... But now it's too late to do anything.

" Fine, I will marry her, "Agnidev said and Ajanya sighed in relief

She knows she did wrong but she has no other options to save her marriage.

On the other side Shikanya is getting anxious very much. She isn't feeling good. It's like something is going to happen that too very soon.

"maharani ji (Queen) take your medications," her special maid came with plate filled with some herbal juice

"Madhuri, did any letter come from Maharaj (King) ?" Shikanya asked with hope

Nowadays she is bed ridden and can't even get up on her own.

"no maharani ji there is no letter from Maharaj ." Madhuri replied

"OK," Dejected she took the medication

It's almost 25 days that he has left and Shikanya can go to labour anytime now.

Suddenly she felt something wet trailing down from her lower region. When she looked at it she saw that her water had broken.

"Madhuri call vaidya ji (doctor) I'm going in labour." Shikanya said Madhuri ran out to inform doctor and midwife

Shikanya has a very bad feeling but she want to stay positive

Soon enough the whole Palace got to know that their queen is in labour.

Shikanya is screaming in pain as it is extreme. It's more horrible than her earlier labour.

" Maharaj ap kaha hai. Humein apki avasakta hai apki Shikanya pira me hai.(King ,where are you? I need you ....your Shikanya is in pain)" Shikanya thought as tears rolled down

"maharani ji, push harder," The midwife said but Shikanya could not

She was tired already. It's like all the energy from her body is taken off.

Suddenly her heart started ache and burned as well like it was breaking and in fire.

"Ahh!" she screamed as that pain is more horrible than this labour pain

Tears trailed down from her cheeks and a sarcastic smile appeared on her lips.

"you broke your promise Maharaj with this you cut my life line as well." Shikanya whispered and tried to push because she knows she doesn't has much time left

Her tears didn't stop at all. Everyone thought it was labour pain but no one knows it's her heart ache, the betrayal she got from her husband that is making her cry. She knows that her husband again married someone and broke his promise that he gave to her.

Ironically it's the same day when Agnidev is marrying Sugandha..

When Shikanya started to feel the ache Agnidev was getting married to her.

After a lot of struggle, finally Shikanya gave birth to her child.

"maharani ji its a girl," the midwife said

Shikanya forgot her pain for a moment when she saw her daughter's face... She looked at her right wrist and saw her moon mark vanished and that's now imprinted on her daughter's left wrist.

Meaning her daughter is more powerful than she was.

"Be brave my daughter, your life will be hard, forgive me my dear for leaving you alone with these people. But I know you're strong and you will survive everything. Your powers will help you to survive my dear. You're special just like me but I will pray that your fate won't be like me. "Shikanya whispered near her daughter's ears

" I name my daughter Agnishikha and wish that she will be known as Rajkumari Agnishikha only "Shikanya said with a smile as she named her daughter

She hugged her daughter as her vision started to blurry, she wanted to see her son once before she closed her eyes but she doesn't have enough time for it.

" Jab apne hi hamare biswas ki maryada vang kar de to gairon sa kya ummed rakhna? Jisko hamari raksha karni thi wohi humari anth ki vajah ban gaye.(When you broke my promise ,what can expect from the unknown?The person who have to save me became the reason of my end)" Shikanya whispered

She closed her eyes for forever and a smile formed on her lips.

"Maharani ji, open your eyes," the midwife said but nothing happened.

The doctor checked her pulse and shook his head with tears in his eyes.

"maharani ji is no more," he announced and everyone present in the room broke in loud sobs

One side someone lost its battle against life and another side someone started his new life with someone without knowing that his this action made two kids motherless.

Few Hindi words with their translation

Maharaja- King

Maharani- Queen

Rajkumar- Prince

Rajkumari- princess

Yuvraj- Crown prince

Didisa- Elder sister

Bhrata shree- Elder brother

Dasi- maid

Yudh- war

Sandesh- letter

Matasree- mother

Pitasree- father

Rajya- kingdom