Nandini was sitting silently in her room. It was already late night but no one could sleep at all. They are waiting for Sanchit to wake up. The tea on the table was turning cold but her mind was on something else. Just then Manik walked in and found her deep thinking staring at the darkness through the window aimlessly. He moved closer slightly frowning.

"What are you thinking?"

Nandini was startled by his question. She turned her head to look at him. Shaking her head she let out a sigh, "it's nothing. Just some random things"

Manik could catch her lies easily as he stared at her with an intense gaze, "is that so?" He nodded, "but why do I have the feeling you're so reluctant to open up a little?" He sat down beside her.

Nandini found it hard to keep her pretence. She heaved a sigh and put her words directly, "I just don't want to return back" she pursed her lips. Showing her dissatisfaction clearly on her face, "it's hard to adjust the life of cage inside the mahal"

"You don't like to live there?" Manik chuckled, "there are people who craves for such luxury and comfort. They are even ready to sacrifice anything to grab the fame. But here you are disconnecting yourself from it. It's surprising"

"I never wished for that" Nandini was quick to respond. "Nor I ever wanted to associate myself with the royals or anything that related to such term. I wanted to put myself where I could see my freedom. Not the cage where it suffocate me"

He shook his head, "let me remind you something my wife, the place you are calling is not a cage. Of course, there's some boundary, I wouldn't deny that, it was set to protect you but the way you put it in your mind is different. I never caged you, I never restricted you from doing anything you want.  You are free to do things as per your desire. You just need to make sure you don't leave evidence behind for people to track you, that's it"

Nandini was speechless. He put the things infront of her so easily. Like he was solving a mystery she was unable to. She could only stare at him as she listened more to his words.

"I have also been living in those cage. There's time I wanted to free myself but when I think of the throne, which my father and uncle secured with their lives, I couldn't choose my desire over it. This was also the reason I let Chand go around and let his life free from the responsibilities. I didn't want him to suffer in the war of court" Manik heaved a sigh but still put a slight smile on his face. He grabbed her hand and pulled her towards him making her sit on his lap.

"I was alone before, half of my life went with the court matters and cleaning all the mess. I wanted someone to help me with it so that I can share my worries and express myself freely. Now that you are here I couldn't find myself to let you go.  Won't you help me?" His eyes were filled with emotions she had never seen before. Nandini couldn't find her voice to reply.

She has seen him being cold and solemn all the time. But today he let out his emotions letting her see that he also has the heart and wanted to be loved. Her mind exploded and her heart flattered. In her life only this man could pull out her soft side and she couldn't even deny it. Suddenly she couldn't hold herself back and determined. She never craved for a partner who would help her in every steps because she always believed she was enough for herself. But since he was destined she doesn't taking the help. She circled her arms around his neck with a smile.

"Then Samrat, we are sailing the same boat so let's do this together" Nandini said and Manik smirked. He kissed her tasting the flavour of her lips making her moan. His arms tightened around her waist stroking the bare skin sensually. Their kiss heated more as he pushed his tongue inside her mouth claiming for his territory. Nandini moaned again. His hand reached up to cup her breasts when someone knocked on the door before opening it.

"Oh fu—" Chand's curse stopped in middle as he turned his back at the scene. "I haven't seen anything" he rushed to explain.

Manik stopped his action then rolled his eyes clearly controlling his annoyance because of the disturbance while Nandini was quick to get up fixing her cloths.

"Why are you here?" Manik asked glaring at the back of his brother.

"I have something to say"

"What?" Manik asked like it was hint of warning.

"Phuphashree woke up" Chand waved his hand. "I am leaving" he quickly left the room.

"Ah he finally decided to get up" Nandini smiled.

Manik turned to look at her, "let's meet him. I believe we need a good explanation for him"

Nandini nodded then they both walked out of the room.

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Sanchit opened his eyes. His eyes flattered for a while before the blurriness disappeared and new light shone infront of his view. He frowned slightly. He felt strange inside, this wasn't where he lived before he fainted. He turned his head around and found an unfamiliar view. The room was small and he felt the softness of the bed. He tried to drag his body up but because of the weakness he couldn't do that. He don't have any energy left to support his body. He fell on the bed again.

Where is this place? How come I am here? - his mind roared with question. Is it Kanishk's doing? He felt confused all of a sudden. But inside he was feeling if someone just rescued him from that dark cell. But in the next moment he felt it's just impossible. He let out a deep sigh. His thoughts haven't ended when the sound of foot steps echoed. There was a sudden commotion then it turned silent again. He don't know what's happening around him.

He laid there motionlessly trying to gain some energy for himself. How much he wanted to escape from that dark cell and flew towards his loved ones. Suddenly a beautiful smiling face flashed in his mind and his heart clenched instantly. If he could just tell her.... It has been so long but her smiling face still lingered on his mind. But... Again. Will she be still there? He promised her a beautiful life yet he couldn't fulfil it. Their youth wasted in a way that it couldn't never be the same again. The pain aroused more making him restless.

The sound of the door opening had him snap out of his trance. He turned his head only to see two people walked in. Seeing the royal attire he frowned. He had never seen them before. Who are they? They aren't related to Kanishk either.

"How are you feeling Phuphashree?" Manik asked looking at the man looking at him with frown.

"Phupha?" Sanchit's coarse voice sounded rougher and unpleasant. He couldn't fathom the meaning instantly.

"Yes, you may not recognise me. Let me introduce myself properly. I'm Manik Raj Suryavanshi, samrat of Gangghor" Manik said.

Instantly Sanchit's eyes widened and his heart skipped a beat. Manik? He is.... He struggled to get up from but. Forcing himself and using all the remaining energy he managed to pull his body up a little but it fell back again. Manik was quick to support him in time.

"Manik? You are really....?" Sanchit cried out with a happy tears.

"Yes, I was young when I first met you Phuphashree. You may not remember facial feature" Manik replied.

"Ah....it means..." Sanchit tried to recollect everything. He hoped it wasn't a dream.

"You are free Phuphashree" Manik answered him. "You are out of that dark world. Don't worry"

Sanchit couldn't control his emotions pulling in his chest and finally he let it out crying at the end. Nandini watched them from side. Living in the prison for almost half of his life and losing everything in the process is really a hardship one wouldn't want to go through. But she praised the couple who stood loyal for eachother enduring all those pain and commited eachother for such a long period.

"Everything is alright now Phuphashree" Manik made Sanchit lay on bed again.

"He needs to eat something" Nandini decided to interfere now. Behind her Purna brought food.

Sanchit turned to look at her.

"She is my wife Nandini, Phuphashree" Manik said to clear the confusion.

Nandini took the food plate from Purna and walked forward. With a light smile on her face she said, "your body needs energy to regulate the function. Please eat something Phuphashree, you have been starving yourself for a long time"

Sanchit stated at her for few more times before nodding slowly. Nandini helped to eat food. Chandrakant also joined the scene. He stood beside Manik and looked how Nandini was feeding Sanchit.

"I didn't know that Bhabhishree has this side too" he whispered to Manik.

"You still don't know many things" Manik replied making him look displeased.

Once the feeding was done Purna helped Nandini waah her hand and left with the food plate.

"Phuphashree, you need to rest for a while. Once you can get up we will leave for Gangghor again" Manik said.

"Gangghor?" Sanchit sighed. "Is there anything left for me?" He asked with his rough voice. "Everything has gone that night. Everything gout ruined"

"Not everything Phuphashree" Nandini said, "there's still someone who is desperately wishing your presence all these years. You can't neglect such devotion can you?" Her words made him look at her.

"What?" Sanchit was surprised. Is this possible?

"Yes, and I don't think since you can cure the pain of separation now, there should be any more wait" Nandini nodded.

Sanchit on the other hand couldn't believe his own ears. Was Kashmira really waiting for him all these years? When he was in the prison he always thought that he would never be able to meet her again. She must have married to another man. Afterall who will wait for a person who is declared dead? But to his surprise she didn't. He could still remember the words she said to him.

"I have given my heart to you, even if I have to die, it will never change"

And she really kept her words. Sanchit closed his eyes squeezing it tightly. She really waited for him. He felt like he is living a dream.

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In Gangghor, Kashmira was sitting in her room listening to the Purohit who was describing some spiritual stories. Kashmira listened peacefully. The Purohit named, Ajmair, who was working in palace for a long time finished his story.

"Rajkunwari that's for today, I will come back tomorrow with another story" Ajmair said closing his book.

"Purohit Ajmair, you have been working in the palace as the succession of your father. Do you believe in every story you read for me?" Kashmira asked.

Ajmair smiled, "Rajkunwari it's not on the story but ourselves. Believing if it really happened or not it  depends on us. There are many stories which stayed rumours and people listen it for entertainment. But there are some which is considerable because the words somehow reflects truth of life"

Kashmira nodded, "yes, you are right"

"Rajkunwari what happened? You seemed like something is bothering you"

"These days, I don't feel good. It could be because Samrat and Samragyi is not here. But no matter what I couldn't seem to settled my heart. It felt like something has happened" Kashmira frowned.

"Rajkunwari it sometimes happens. You are staying indoors most of the time. Try going out as well. You will feel better" Ajmair tried to give solution.

"I think you are —" Kashmira was saying when Sulochana walked in with a happy face.

"Rajkunwari Samragyi has sent a news that they are returning soon"

"What did you say?" Kashmira's mood suddenly lit up. "Who told you that?"

"Samragyi's sevika Medha informed me" Sulochana replied happily.

"It's a good news" Kashmira smiled.

"Then I believe Rajkunwari's problem is solved" Ajmair got up, "I will visit tomorrow again. For today I will take my leave Rajkunwari"

"Thank you for your assistance" Kashmira nodded.

"It was my duty" Ajmair said and left the room.

Kashmira turned to look at Sulochana and smiled brightly.

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A/n

I meant to update yesterday but because of the network issue I couldn't do that. Recently there some network issues going in so it sometimes gives trouble. Anyways, hope you enjoy the chapter.