Flashback...

It was a tale of 600 years ago in ancient India. There was a small kingdom called Pratapgarh which was ruled by Raja Chandrabhanu. In his kingdom common people lived peacefully as he was a very kind King. He always thought about the safety of the common people. Many enemies attacked on Pratapgarh but failed everytime as Raja Chandrabhanu had the strongest, bravest and most fearless soldier, Senapati Sidharth, whom Raja Chandrabhanu trusted blindly. He used to protect his state like a shield. Enemies were afraid of him as in the battlefield he was no less than a dangerous lion.

One day he was practicing sword fight with some other soldiers.

They came, fought with him, but couldn't stand in front of him more than 10 seconds. They all fell on the floor.

Sidharth looked at them aggressively.

"Itne dino mein yeh hi sikhaya hai humne aap sab ko? Aise aap sab Shatru se rajya ki toh dur, khud ki bhi suraksha nahi kar paayenge." He roared.

They looked down and said, "Khsama chahte hai Senapati Sidharth."

"Jung ke maidaan mein khsama ki koi gunjaish nahi hoti. Thodi si bhi chuk matlab, mrittyu nischit." Said Sidharth in a serious tone. "Ab aaiye. Aur iss baar dat ke saamna ki jiye."

They nodded and again came to fight with Sidharth. But everyone knew that they would fail as it was Senapati Sidharth with whom they were fighting.

After they failed, Sidharth was moving his sword swiftly until someone put another sword on his sword, challenging him openly.

But Sidharth's expression changed seeing the person.

It was a beautiful girl who was dressed like a man and there was a pagri on her head. She was holding the sword firmly in her soft hand. Her eyes were like lotus but if you see clearly, there was spark of fire in those eyes. She was not like other girls. She was something else. She was none other than the princess of Pratapgarh, Rajkumari Shehnaaz.

"Rajkumari!" Uttered Sidharth looking at her eyes.

She smiled at him and said, "Maan na padega Senapati Ji. Aap ki talwarbaazi ki jitni tareef kiyi jaaye utni kam hai. Paranthu inn sab ko harane ka kya fayda?"

She pointed towards the soldiers who were lying on the floor.

"Himmat hai toh humein azmaiye." She said.

Sidharth smirked. They both prepared themselves for the sword fight.

The soilders stood up and went behind giving them space.

The sword fight started. Sidharth started moving his sword swiftly so did Shehnaaz. She was giving him tough fight.

While fighting Sidharth's sword touched Shehnaaz's pagri and it was removed.

Her long wavy hair came out. For a moment Sidharth became mesmerized by her beauty as she was looking like a Goddess.

Shehnaaz took the chance and tried to attack on him. But Sidharth quickly moved away. Their positions flipped and Shehnaaz's back collided with Sidharth's chest. He put the sword near her throat.

They both looked at each other and became lost. Their breath became heavy.

"Chahe chhota sa muqabla ho yaa badi jung. Humara dhyan kabhi nahi hat ta." Whispered Sidharth huskily and Shehnaaz smiled proudly.

"Rajkumari Shehnaaz!"

A maid came there suddenly. Sidharth and Shehnaaz moved away from each other.

"Aap idhar kya kar rahi hai woh bhi inn kapdo mein? Raja Ji ko paata chal gaya toh hum sab ko dand milega. Aap jaanti hai unhe aap ka talwaar baazi karna bilkool pasand nahi hai." Said the maid.

"Humare Pitashri ko hum sambhal lenge. Paranthu tumhari himmat kaise hui yaaha aise chale aane ki?" Said Shehnaaz sternly.

The maid looked down and said, "Khsama karna Rajkumari. Woh aap ke nrittya sikhne ka samay ho raha hai. Hum iss hi karan aap ko bulane aaye hai."

Shehnaaz understood the matter and said, "Hum aa rahe hai."

Saying that she started leaving with the maid. Suddenly she stopped and looked at Sidharth.

"Muqabla phir se adhoora reh gaya Senapati Ji." She said.

"Nischint rahiye Rajkumari. Ek na ek din yeh muqabla abassayi pura hoga." Said Sidharth giving assurance.

"Hum pratiksha karenge." Replied Shehnaaz with a smile and then left from there.

Sidharth also smiled.

Changing her outfit, Shehnaaz went for her dance class. A famous Nartaki(Dancer) was teaching her. Like other princesses, Shehnaaz could dance and sing well. But swords were her favourite more than anklets. She also wanted to fight in the battlefield like a brave soldier. But the king never liked it as he thought battle was not for girls. Shehnaaz couldn't disobey her father but she started learning sword fight from Sidharth which was unknown to the king. Sidharth agreed to help her and they started coming close. Now they couldn't think of living without each other. But the problem was that Sidharth was just a solider while Shehnaaz was a princess. So they couldn't claim each other in front of the world as according to them, Raja Chandrabhanu would never accept it.

Shehnaaz was doing her dance steps sitting on the ground while two eyes were continuously staring at her beauty.

Shehnaaz eyes fell on that person while the figure immediately hid behind the pillars.

Suddenly she heard clapping sounds of her dance teacher.

"Bohut khub Rajkumari. Aap aise abhyas karengi toh nrittya kala mein aur bhi zyada mahir ho jayengi." Said her dance teacher.

Shehnaaz stood up and said, "Dhanyawad Guru Ji."

She touched her dance teacher's feet.

After he left, Shehnaaz went to see who was behind the pillars.

Sidharth was trying to escape when Shehnaaz blocked his way.

"Aap humari nazar se bach nahi sakte." Said Shehnaaz to Sidharth who was giving stupid smile in front of her. Only she could bring this kind of smile on his face.

Sidharth then changed his expression into a romantic one and said while coming towards her, "Pakde jaane ka bhi alag maza hota hai Rajkumari."

Shehnaaz controlled her blush and said, "Chhori chhupe humara nrittya dekh rakh rahe the. Iska dand paata hai na aap ko?"

"Aap se mila hua har dand humein manzoor hai." Said Sidharth looking deep into her eyes.

"Phir chaliye humare saath."

Saying that Shehnaaz started going and Sidharth started following her curiously.

They both entered Shehnaaz's room. A painter was waiting there.

Seeing it, Sidharth asked, "Yeh sab kya hai?"

"Inhe toh aap jaante hi hai. Humare shaahi chitrakaar hai. Pitashri ne inhe bulaya hai humari shaahi tasveer bana ne ke liye. Hum chahte hai ki aaj yaaha hum dono ki tasveer bane, eksang." Declared Shehnaaz.

"Paranthu Rajkumari yadi Raja Ji ko paata chal gaya toh anarth ho jayega." Said Sidharth with little fear.

"Yeh Rajkumari ka hukum hai." Said Shehnaaz looking at him. "Aur Rajkumari ke har hukum ka palan karna aap ka kartavya hai, Senapati Ji."

Sidharth sighed. He knew the stubbornness of Shehnaaz. And that was what he liked the most about her.

"Jo hukum Rajkumari." Said Sidharth making Shehnaaz smile.

They both gave pose and the painter made their portrait.

Days passed like this. Sidharth started becoming the most favourite person of the king. But there was one person who was very much jealous of him. He was also jealous of the bond Sidharth and Shehnaaz shared. Now his main motive was to not only destroy Sidharth but also to destroy the whole kingdom. He was another solider of Pratapgarh, Sena Bhairav.

One day everyone gathered in the king's court. The king was praising Sidharth.

"Senapati Sidharth ne sirf nidarta ke saath yudh kar ke humare rajya ko hi nahi balki humari kayi senayon ki jaan bhi bachayi hai. Unn ki inn hi bahaduri ke inaam swarup hum unhe apna shaahi talwar dena chahte hai." Said Raja Chandrabhanu.

A man came with the royal sword. Sidharth felt honoured and came near. Shehnaaz was looking at him proudly.

Raja Chandrabhanu looked at Shehnaaz and said, "Rajkumari Shehnaaz, hum chahte hai ki tum apne haathon se Senapati Sidharth ko yeh shaahi talwar do."

Shehnaaz stood up being very excited.

"Ji Pitashri!" She said and went to him.

She took the royal sword in her hand and gave it to Sidharth. Sidharth was overwhelmed to receive this from his lady love.

While giving it, their hands touched and they looked at each other with full of love.

Only Bhairav was understanding what was going between them and he was burning with jealousy.

After receiving the royal sword, Sidharth bowed his head and Shehnaaz passed a smile.

After sometime the court was over.

Sidharth was going to his room when he heard a male voice.

"Akhir aap ne shaahi talwaar ko apne naam kar hi liya, Senapati Ji."

Sidharth turned and found Bhairav. He was giving sarcastic smile.

"Jung ke maidaan mein aap se zyada zakhmi ho hum, aur Senapati banaya jaaye aap ko. Aaj Raja Ji ne apna Shaahi talwar bhi aap ke naam kar diya. Jab ki hum aur humare purvaj saalon se iss raaj parivar ki suraksha karte aaye hai. Paranthu humein toh kadi aisa saubhagya nahi hua. Ek sach baat baataiye. Aap ko vashikaran aata hai kya?"

Sidharth knew that he was taunting him. But he didn't lose his calm and said, "Senapati ka darja aur yeh shaahi talwar haasil karne ke liye humein Raja Ji ko vash karne ki zaroorat nahi hai. Humein apni kabiliyat par pura viswas hai Sena Bhairav."

"Vash kiye bina Raja Ji ke itne khaas toh aap ban nahi sakte the. Jung ke maidaan mein kaun zyada kaabil hai yeh toh sab hi jaante hai." Said Bhairav.

Before Sidharth could reply, Shehnaaz came there and said, "Sahi kaha Sena Bhairav."

Sidharth and Bhairav looked at Shehnaaz.

"Paranthu yudh mein mile zakham yoddha ki kabiliyat ka faisla nahi karte Sena Bhairav. Unki bahaduri karti hai." She said.

Sidharth smiled while Bhairav looked down. He didn't have the courage to argue with the princess.

"Humein aap ke liye afsos hota hai Sena Bhairav. Itni mehnat karne ke baad bhi aap Senapati nahi ban paaye. Isliye aap ko ek salah dete hai. Senapati Ji ki kamiya nikalne ki jagah khud ko behtar bana ne ki koshish kijiye. Phir hum asha karte hai ki ek din aap unki jagah abassayi le paayenge." She said further.

Bhairav felt insulted.

"Ji Rajkumari." He said looking down and then left from there.

Sidharth and Shehnaaz looked at each other.

"Aap ne jo bhi kaha uske liye dhanyawad Rajkumari. Paranthu..."

Sidharth suddenly stopped and Shehnaaz asked, "Paranthu kya?"

"Aap ka har waqt sabke saamne humara paksh lena uchit nahi hai Rajkumari."

"Kya uchit hai aur kya anuchit yeh aap humein mat samjhaiye Senapati Ji." Said Shehnaaz sternly. "Aap humare hai. Aur humare alawa aap ko koi aur kuch bhi kahe yeh humein bardaasht nahi."

"Hum aap ki baat samajhte hai Rajkumari. Paranthu kya sach mein hum kabhi ek ho sakte hai? Aap ki duniya aur humari duniya bohut alag hai. Hum sab ke saamne kadi aap ko nahi apna sakte."

"Kyu nahi apna sakte?"

"Kyu ki humara khoon shaahi nahi hai. Aur iss wahaj se aap ke Pitashri aap ka haath kadi humare haath mein nahi denge."

Shehnaaz touched his heart and said looking at him intensely, "Aap ka dil toh shaahi hai na Senapati Ji? Aur humne aap ke dil se prem kiya hai. Humari duniya sirf aap hai. Koi humare rishte ko maane yaa naa maane, hum aap ko dil se apna Swami maan chuke hai. Aur isse hum chah kar bhi nahi badal sakte."

Sidharth looked at her eyes which were expressing deep love for him.

He cupped her face and said, "Hum bhi aap se bohut prem karte hai Rajkumari."

Shehnaaz hold his hands and asked, "Toh phir humari ek baat maanenge? Vivah karenge humse?"

Sidharth became shocked and immediately freed his hands. He couldn't understand what to say.

"Ek hi raasta bacha hai humare paas. Humein paata hai yeh aap ke usoolon ke khilaaf hai. Paranthu agar aap sach mein humse prem karte hai, toh aaj suraj dhalne se pehle rajya ke piche wale jharne ke paas miliye. Hum udhar hi aap se vivah karenge. Aur yadi aap nahi aaye toh hum samajh jayenge ki aap ke liye aap ke usool humare prem se badh kar hai."

Saying that Shehnaaz left from there.

Clenching his fist, Sidharth closed his eyes. He got stuck between his love and his morals. He didn't know whom to choose.

On the other hand, Bhairav heard everything and gave an evil smirk.

In Afternoon...

The Sun was about to set. After much fight with his heart and mind, Sidharth decided to listen to his heart. So he went to that place where Shehnaaz called him.

He came near the falls and started searching for his love.

"Rajkumariiiii!" He screamed. His voice echoed with the sound of the falls.

Suddenly his eyes fell on a flower bed under a tree. A girl was lying there and her face was covered with dupatta.

Sidharth went near her, bent down and slowly removed the dupatta from her face.

He saw Shehnaaz's face. Her eyes were closed. Sidharth smiled and kissed her forehead. Shehnaaz smiled and opened her eyes. She sat up while looking at him.

"Aap aa gaye Senapati Ji?" She asked.

"Haan Rajkumari." Replied Sidharth. "Humare usool humare liye bohut maine rakhte hai. Paranthu aap ke prem se zyada nahi. Hum aap ka saath iss janam mein toh kya, agle janam mein bhi nahi chhorenge. Yeh humara waada hai."

Saying that, Sidharth hold Shehnaaz's hands tightly.

"Humein humare prem par viswas tha Senapati Ji. Hum jaante the ki aap abassayi aayenge. Bina kisi ki parwa kiye. Aur aaj hum bhi aap se waada karte hai. Har muskil mein aap ki dhaal ban kar khade rahenge." Said Shehnaaz looking at him with moist eyes.

Soon they both became lost in each other.

Khoya Hain Khoya Hain
Khoya Hain Khoya Dil Aise

Sidharth caressed Shehnaaz's face with his hand. She closed her eyes feeling his touch.

Leharon Mein Leharon Mein
Khoyi Ho Boonde Yaar Jaise

Their faces started coming close. Their hearts started beating with the rhythm of the falls and their lips were inches apart.

Taaron Mein Chamke Jiski Do Aankhein
Main Hi Toh Hu Na

Shehnaaz felt shy and left from there giggling.

Jharno Mein Gaayu Main Jheelon Se Bolu
Aa Kar Tu Sunn Na

Sidharth started running after her. They both were running while jumping on the hard rocks.

Dheevara Prasara Shourya Bhara
Uthsara Sthira Ghambheera
Dheevara Prasara Shourya Bhaara
Uthsara Sthira Ghambheera

They went to other side of the river. Both were running in the forest.

Shehnaaz suddenly stopped when a blue butterfly sat on her hand.

Sidharth came near her and kept his hand under hers. They looked at each other while smiling.

Tere Liye Saansein Chale
Aa Jee Le Tu Sang Saajna

Suddenly the butterfly flew away. Sidharth and Shehnaaz looked up and saw many butterflies flying. It felt that they came to congrats them for their wedding.

Sunn Le Zara Tujhe Piya
Dildaar Maine Chuna

Shehnaaz led Sidharth to a place where there was holy fire. Shehnaaz arranged it for their wedding. Shehnaaz forwarded her hand towards Sidharth. Without thinking twice, he kept his hand on hers.

Jahan Jahan Jayegi Tu
Wahan Wahan Aaunga
Main Rokein Se Main Na Maanu
Jhoka Hu Hawaon Ka Main
Thamna Theher Jana Kya Jaanu

Without caring about their differences, about the whole world, they started taking pheras around the holy fire, holding each other's hands tightly.

Jo Parvat Bhi Mujhko Roke Mujhe Roke
Main Thokar Se Udaa Doon Do Pal Mein.

They completed the pheras and promised to be with each other till the rest of their lives.

Then Sidharth took out his sword and cut his own thumb. Blood started oozing out of his thumb.

Shehnaaz closed her eyes and Sidharth filled the part of her hair with his blood. A lone tear escaped her eyes out of happiness. Like this the marriage was completed and they became inseparable souls.

Ugrama Asama Shourya Bhaava
Roudrama Nava Bheethirma
Ugrama Asama Shourya Bhaava
Roudrama Nava Bheethirma

Shehnaaz was about to touch Sidharth's feet but he stopped her and hugged her tightly. They felt peace in each others' embrace.

"Shehnaazzzz!"

Hearing the voice, Sidharth and Shehnaaz broke the hug and looked at the person being shocked.

Raja Chandrabhanu was standing there while fuming in anger. Bhairav was standing beside him and smirking.

"Dekhiye Raja Ji. Aap ki suputri aur priya Senapati ke rishte ka karwa sach. Humari baaton par aap ko vishwas nahi tha. Ab swayam apni aankhon se hi dekh li jiye." Said Bhairav pointing towards them.

"Pitashri...."

Shehnaaz was going to explain but thd king showed his hand making her quiet.

He went near them and looked at both of them angrily.

"Humare vishwas ka bohut khub pratidaan diya tum dono ne. Aur ab tum dono ko dand hum denge."

Saying that the king grabbed Shehnaaz's hand and started dragging her with him.

Sidharth was about to go after her but some guards blocked his way.
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Next Update: Tomorrow

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