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Abhinandan POV

"Baapusa," I heard a little whisper in my ear.

I shook my head. Where the hell did mosquitoes come from?

"Baapusa," I heard again and felt the warm breaths, and my eyes snapped open.

Both of them were staring into my eyes.

"Kya hua?"

"What happened?" I asked, hardly able to open my eyes. I slept just a few moments, and they woke me up.

Yash lowered his gaze.

And, I thinned my brows.

"Maasa ka dum ghut raha hai,"

"You are choking Maasa," Harsh said, and I looked at him confusedly.

"What?" I asked.

"Move your hand; you are choking Maasa. Your hand is on her neck," Yash said, and I immediately lowered my gaze to their Maasa, who was sleeping peacefully in my arms with my palm under her cheek.

"Acha, tumhari Maasa ne kaha esa?"

"Really? Your Maasa said so?" I asked, and they both looked at each other.

"You are pressing milk," Harsh said, and I gritted my teeth.

"No more milk. You are big now," I said, and Yash gritted his teeth. I sighed deeply before pulling my hand back from hers.

And, as I pulled my hand back, she inhaled profoundly, shifted her sides, and placed her face on my chest.

They both looked at her, and I smiled.

"Why are you two awake so early?" I asked, and they both shifted aside from my chest and laid back.

"It is morning. Time for our practice," Yash said, and I lifted my gaze, noticed the slight brightness through the window, and muttered.

"Alright, go freshen up. I will be there in a moment," I said. They both stepped down from the bed, and I inhaled deeply, palming my face.

They could not even let us sleep together for a while.

When I opened my eyes, I noticed her slightly swollen face. Her hair was spread on the bed, and I gently wrapped my arm around her shoulder and shifted her aside to slip by.

She turned on the other side, and I leaned in to kiss her head before stepping down the bed.

Walking into the bathing room, I found both freshening up, and I washed my face, hands, and feet.

Once they freshened up, they walked silently into the practicing area without waking her. They would find the soldiers there.

Meanwhile, I called Meenakshi and asked her to bring me the letters for compensation and age restrictions.

I heard Trisha talking about them.

Once I reviewed both, I sent them to the royal writers to make copies and send them to every village and soldier.

I will sign those in court today.

After finishing that, I walked out to the fencing area and found both of my heartbeats fighting with each other with a wooden sword.

I felt sleep-deprived and sat down on the couch to watch them practice.

My mind was not leaving her.

I knew she was hurt. And I did not know how to make her realize how much I loved her.

I regretted everything I said to her, and I knew that any apology would not mend her heart.

She was way too strong to be melted by apologies.

Suddenly, Yash fell, and my heart skipped a beat. His hair rubbed against the sand, but Harsh helped him stand up.

Well, in the morning, their responsibility was mine until she woke up and got ready. I would train them, have breakfast with them, and even take them to the court for some time.

"Good morning," suddenly, Rudra's voice caught my attention, and both the kids jumped, finding him to walk to us.

"Fufa-sa," they both jumped, and I stood up to look at the baby boy in his hand.

He walked closer and said.

"Have a seat,"

He sat beside me, and I clapped to call an attendee and ask for something to drink.

"Fufa-sa, when will he wake up?" Harsh asked, and I smiled, taking Aditya in my hand. He was just a month old.

"He is little now. He wakes up only to drink milk," Rudra said, and I noticed the baby's features. He was beautiful.

Rudra pulled Yash and Harsh into his lap and asked.

"What are you learning today?"

They both giggled and looked at each other.

"Rolling our wrists," Yash said, and he smiled.

"Really?" he asked. He pulled his dagger out and moved it swiftly into his hand.

"Like this?" he asked, and both looked at him with amusement.

"Wow!" Harsh said, and he hugged them and said.

"Alright, go and continue your practice,"

They both jumped down and went back to the practice.

He looked at me, and I looked at him.

"I cannot believe he did that," he said in a low voice, and I nodded. He referred to Guruji.

"I know. I am still shocked and unable to process any of this," I said, and he inhaled deeply.

"I spent twenty-seven years of my life trusting his beliefs, and never for a moment had I felt that he was wrong. And, after listening to this, I am shocked," he said, and I nodded, caressing the baby's head.

The attendees walked with juice and fruits and kept them on the table.

"I know. I mean, he was never happy about our wedding, but I never thought that he would stay so low. If I had even the slightest hint, the things were a thousand times different," I said, and he nodded.

"I cannot believe how Trisha managed all of this. I have seen her growing up, and she has never dared to lift her eyes before him. I had not even seen her talking. He was a God for her. And I can understand what she would have felt. She spent her whole life living for him, and in the end, he was the one who did not want her to be happy. I cannot believe how she kept it to herself all these years. There was not a single hint on her face," he said, and I stared blankly at the table's corner.

My mind replayed all the moments when she looked away from me, stayed silent, and chose to remain silent.

"She should have told. There were secret ways to get rid of him—"

"She would have never allowed that. I know her," I cut him off, and he looked at me.

"I know why she kept it hidden. She has been raised like this. Things are just white and black for her. There is no gray. And she never compromises with her values. And I think she did not tell because she did not want anyone to compromise her morality as well. I mean, it was wrong to kill him any other way except a war. The more I think about it, the more I feel how right she was all the time. But, I could not even think a hundredth part of what she thought," I said, and he placed his hand on my shoulder.

"Everything will be alright. She is a sensible girl. Just give her time," he said, and I nodded.

"Things have to be alright," I muttered.

I had been wrong this all time. But, she was love, my wife, and I could not save her that night because some bastard gave me a sleeping medicine.

I did not even know what happened that time, how she fought alone, and how she looked.

All I knew was the remains of that time as the blade and finger marks on her neck and cheek.

And, since that moment, I just wanted to tear that soul apart who planned to do this.

I was not always angry. She had chances and moments to tell me. The way she kept me tied with the swear not to ask her, she could have kept me with the swear of not killing me.

But I would have killed him at that moment. But, after one year, after two, after three, I never changed?

Not even for a moment she found me worthy and my love worthy of sharing it.

And this had hollowed me in these five years.

She treated me as a king, a father to her children, and as everything but not her Abhi.

If I was not a Samrat for her, why did she make me one then?

Suddenly, the baby in my lap began crying, and I came out of my thoughts.

"Oh, I think he needs his mother," I said, and Rudra took him from my arms and smiled.

"I will see you later," he said, and I nodded.

"You two, do you want to play Rudraja?" he asked, and I looked up at him.

"I can handle these two for a day," he said, and I chuckled.

"I will be glad," I said, and they both jumped with joy and looked at me to seek permission.

I nodded, and they went with him.

Standing up, I returned to her chamber and found her sleeping comfortably.

Closing the door and locking it, I walked closer to her and parted the curtains to find her lying on her stomach.

A tiny smile appeared as I stepped closer and sat beside her.

She inhaled deeply, sensing my presence, and immediately looked around.

"Where are kids?" she asked and looked up at me.

"They are with Rudra," I said, and he immediately sat up and looked outside the holes in the window.

"Why did you not wake me up? I have to prepare the documents for the signing," she asked, and I lay down and looked into her eyes.

"Dono Dastavej bana diye, nakal banane ke liye bhej diye, darbaar me mohar laga denge,"

"Both documents have been prepared and sent for copying. I will get them sealed in the court soon," I said, and she laid back, inhaling a deep breath.

She closed her eyes, and I placed my hand on her head, gently pulling the loose strands of her hair from her cheek.

"Trisha," I called her in a slow voice, and she hummed.

"Hn?"

Shifting closer, I placed my head in front of her and looked at her closed eyes.

"Kabhi krodh nahi aaya ki hume daat do,"

"You never felt angry to scold me?" I asked, and she opened her eyes lazily and shook her head.

"Krodh nahi aaya lekin bura bhot laga. Or jab bura laga to ehsaas hua ki shayad hum kabhi itne kareeb aaye hi nahi ki aap hamare dekhe or vishwas or sabr kar le,"

"I didn't feel angry, but it hurt a lot. And when it hurt, I realized that perhaps we never got close enough for you to truly see me, to trust and have faith in me," she said, and I shifted on my back and stared at the mirror designs on the ceiling.

"Kabhi jarurat bhi mehsoos nahi hui hamari. Ki hamare pass aa jae, ek baar keh de ki hum aapko apni baaho me bhar le,"

"Never once did you feel the need for me. To come close and say, just once, that you wanted me to hold you in my arms," I said, and she stayed silent for a moment and replied.

"Patni ko apni jarurat batani nahi hoti, pati ko khud samajhni hoti hai,"

"A wife never has to express her need; it's the husband's responsibility to understand it on his own," her voice came out low, and I inhaled deeply.

"Humne kaha to tha bata dena, hum thodee katche hai,"

"I told you to let me know; I'm a bit naive," I said and looked at her.

"To katche hi rahiye,"

"Then stay naive," she said and sat up to step down the bed.

I immediately held her hand, and she clicked her tongue with frustration to take her hand out of mine. I held it firmly, and she glared at me and leaned in to bite my wrist.

I hissed with pain as she bit me brutally, but I did not leave her hand.

"Haath chodiye hamara,"

"Leave my hand," she yelled at me.

I gulped and tried to pull her closer. Her eyes turned red with anger, and she stared into my eyes.

"Haath chhodiye hamara,"

"Leave my hand," she said, raising her voice. I sat up a little and pulled her a little closer.

"Gussa kis baat se ho bass ye bata do. Ki humne patni kehne se mana kar diya ya fir bura bhala kaha,"

"Just tell me what made you angry. Was it that I refused to call you my wife or because I said hurtful things?" I asked, and she tried to pull her hand back.

"Humne kaha hamara haath chhodiye,"

"I said, leave my hand," she yelled at me, and I pulled it a little to make her look at me.

"Abhi hamara haath chhodiye, haath chhodiye hamara,"

"Abhi, leave my hand, leave my hand," she yelled, and when I did not, she raised her other hand and suddenly slapped on my face. I immediately left her hand.

"Samajhte kya hai apne aap ko? Hn? Hum bhed, bakri hai, jo hamara haath pakad lenge. Aapki kisi baat se gussa nahi hai hum. Hume nafrat hai aapse. Aapke chehre se. Hume dukh hota hai aapko dekhkar. Rote hai hum ye sochkar ki kaash us din mana kar dete or kisi bhi tarah hamara aapse vivah nahi hota. Nahi banna tha hame kahi ki Maharani, apni choti si duniye me khush the hum. Apne pashuo ke saath, apni din charya ke saath, kam se kam hum sab me hamare pita to khush hote. Kahi ka nahi chhoda aapne hume. Is mehal me laakar, is chaar diwari me jimmedariyo ke saath baandh diya hume. Humne nahi kaha ki humse vivah kare, hume yaha ki Maharani banaye, jabardasti ki thii aapne hamare saath, sirf bacho ke liye vivah kiya tha. Kyu aate hum aapke pass, jab hamara vivah prem ke liye hua hi nahi. Jab man aaya, Trisha hamari patni hai, jab man aaya Trisha hamari patni nahi hai, are aap layak hi nahi hamare Pati banne ke. Bhaagne ki aadat hai aapko. Jindagi me char dukh to aap bardaasht kar nahi sakte. Kyu bane hum aapki patni, fir koi mushkil aaegi, aap to apne kaksh me pade rahenge humse muh fer kar. Khush hai hum apne kaksh me or apne bacho ke saath. Nahi banna hume aapki Patni, jaiye yaha se,"

"Who do you think you are? Huh? Do you think I am some sheep or goat that you'll hold my hand? I am not angry with you because of anything you said. I hate you. I hate your face. I feel sorrow when I look at you. I cry, thinking I wish I had refused that day and avoided marrying you. I never wanted to be anyone's queen. I was happy in my little world—with my animals and daily routine. At least my father would have been happy with me. You left me with nothing. You brought me into this palace and trapped me within these walls with responsibilities. I never asked you to marry me or make me queen. You forced me. I only married for the sake of the children. Why would I come to you when our marriage was never about love? When it pleases you, I am your wife. When it pleases you, I am not. You are not worthy of being my husband. You have a habit of running away. You can't bear even a little suffering in life. Why should I be your wife? When trouble comes, you'll hide in your chamber and turn your back on me. I am happy in my chamber with my children. I do not want to be your wife. Leave," she yelled at me and cried.

My heart broke into pieces, and I gulped and blinked silently.

"Galti maan to rahe hai hum apni, Trisha,"

"I am accepting my mistake, Trisha," I said, and she breathed heavily, staring into my eyes.

"Lo kaan pakad ke maan lete hai,"

"I hold my ears and accept my mistake," I said, holding my ears. She shifted closer and shook her head, holding my hands.

"Esa mat kariye. Aap kyu karte hai esa. Har cheej ka hal sirf saza hi hota hai kya, Abhi. Apne aap ko bhi or doosre ko bhi. Ek rishte me kabhi kabhi vishwas bhi to karna hota hai, sabr bhi to karna hota hai. Hum maante hai aap hume lekar bhaavuk ho jaate hai. Aapko bhot gussa aaya hoga jab aapke hamare gale par vo nishaan dekhe. Hum ye bhi maante ki aapko koi galat fehmi hui hogi jis kaaran aapne kasam kha li aap humne patni nahi manenge jab takk hum bataenge nahi. Lekin in paanch varsho me ek pal ke liye aapka pyaar hamare liye kasam se badhkar nahi tha,"

"Don't do this. Why do you always do this? Is punishment the only solution to everything, Abhi? For yourself and for others, too? In a relationship, sometimes trust and patience are necessary, too. I understand that you get emotional when it comes to me. You must have been outraged when you saw that mark on my neck. I also accept that you might have misunderstood, which led you to swear that you wouldn't consider me your wife until I told you the truth. But in these five years, not for a single moment was your love greater than that vow for me," she said, and I felt a lump in my throat, seeing her break into cries.

"Ek pal? Har pal hamara prem hamari kasam se badha tha, tabhi jitni baar dekhte the hume aapke gale par vo nishan na hokar bhi dikhayi dete the. Har pal bass ye lagta tha ki jab tak vo apraadhi jeevit hai, aap par doosra hamla ho sakta hai. Aapke liye saare saina ki jaanch karvayi, saari fauj dauda di, saare sevak or sevikao or uske parivaar ka nirikshan karvaya. Aapki taraph har kadam hamare dard ho badhata hai or hamari namakyabi ko hawa detta tha. Hind ka Samrat apni patni tak ko nahi bacha paaya. Or uski patni usse kuch batana hi nahi chahti. Aap hamari jagah hoti or kya karti? Or rahi baat patni banne ki to koi jabardasti nahi hai, ek baar galti karke pachta chuke hai, aap khush hai to hum khush hai, hume koi jarurat nahi aapke jism ki. Aree aapse pal bhar baat karke dil bhar jata tha hamara. Lekin Mahabaleshgarh ki Maharani banne ki chakkar me aapne humse vo tak cheen liya. Aaj aapke pass wajah hai to aapke saare tark sahi hai. Or hamare pass wajah nahi to hum galat. Aree hume to pata hi nahi tha ki vo hai kon, koi apna hai, paraya hai, use marna dharm ke paksh me hai ya vipakh me hai, parantu... parantu aapko to pata tha. Agar humne ek kadam piche kiye to aapne do kadam piche kyu kar liye. Hum aapke kaksh me nahi aaye to hamare kaksh me taale to nahi lagee the. Or kabhi aapse unchi awaaj me baat to door, gusse ki nazar se dekha tak nahi humne, aapko bhaga dete kya hum. Aap hume chhooti to haath chitak dete kya aapka? Humare pass to aapko patni na mannne ki wajah thii. In panch saalo me aapke pass hume pati na mannne ki kya wajah thi. Uttar de hume?"

"One moment? Every single moment, my love was more significant than that vow. Every time I looked at you, even without the mark on your neck, I saw it there. Every moment, I felt that as long as that criminal was alive, you could be attacked again. I had the entire army inspected for your safety and searched all the servants and their families. Every step toward you intensified my pain and highlighted my failure. The Emperor of Hind couldn't even protect his wife. And my wife didn't even want to share the truth with me. If you were in my place, what would you have done? As for being my wife, no one's forcing you. I've made one mistake and regretted it already. If you're happy, then I'm so glad. I don't need your body. Just talking to you for a moment used to fill my heart. But in your pursuit of becoming the Queen of Mahabaleshgarh, you even took that away from me. Today, you have reasons, so your arguments are valid. And I have none, so I must be wrong. I didn't even know who he was—whether he was a friend, a foe, whether killing him was righteous or not. But you knew. If I took a step back, why did you take two? If I didn't come to your chamber, there were no locks on my door. I never raised my voice or even looked at you with anger. Would I have pushed you away if you'd come to me? I had a reason not to consider you my wife. In these five years, what reason did you have not to believe me, your husband? Answer me!" I asked and felt the tears rolled down my cheek.

She blinked silently, and I shifted away from her.

"Nahi pakadte aapka haath. Khush rahiye, hume kuch nahi chahiye,"

"I would not held your hand. Stay happy. I do not need anything," I said and looked away for a moment to calm myself down.

"And, I am not saying in this anger. I mean it. If this is me who is the source of your sorrow, forget that I exist," I said in a low voice, staring into her eyes, and stood up from the bed.

She sat quietly as I walked away from her bed and returned to my chamber.

My heart hurt like anything, and I immediately went into my bathing room and stripped down to sit in the pool.

The cold water soothed my wounds outside and inside of my body.

Closing my eyes, I arched my head against the pool's wall and let the silent tears roll down my cheek.

I did not know what to do, but forcing her to love me back was not an option.

She had taken my distance from her as my hatred but not my pain.

I knew I had said things to her, but it was not to hurt her but to burn her to speak up.

But I think we had a significant distance between us that we would never be able to decrease. She was way stronger than me. She was habitual from childhood, bearing everything alone and being happy.

I was not like that.

But, still, I could not force her to do anything.

After my bath, I got ready and went to the courtroom. I tried to focus on signing both documents and asked the officials to circulate them.

After finishing that, I was having lunch with the royal members, but an attendee interrupted.

She said, "Yuvraj Harshvardhan and Yashvardhan are asking for you for lunch," I nodded.

"Alright, I will meet you all tomorrow," I said, dismissing the courtroom and going to my chamber. But my brows thinned, and I found it empty.

I clapped twice, and an attendee walked in.

"Where are both the princes?" I asked, and she bent her head down.

"They are in the Queen's chamber," she replied, and I knit my brows.

"My lunch's there?" I asked, and she replied.

"Ji, Maharaj,"

I bit on my lips and inhaled deeply.

What was she planning now? There was no chance those two thought of it alone.

I nodded, and the attendee left.

A part of me did not want to go after having a slap from her, but the other knew that my kids were there.

Inhaling a deep breath, I walked towards her chamber and stepped inside.

As I walked into her meeting area, I found her sitting on the couch, and the kids were running from here and there. Rudraja was there too.

And the moment they lifted their eyes to me, I planted a broad smile on my face.

"Baapusa," they screamed with joy. I walked closer and sat on an empty couch.

"Baapusa," Rudraja followed them, and I immediately picked her up in my arms and made her sit on my lap.

"Maamu-sa," I said, and she stared silently at me for a few moments before giggling.

"Maamu-sa?" she asked, and I nodded.

"Where is Rudraja's brother?" I asked, and she looked at me.

"Aditya?" she asked, and I nodded.

"Aditya," I said.

"He slept," she said and looked at Yash and Harsh.

"They are Bhaisa. Yash and Harsh Bhaisa. Ishu, Abhimanyu, and Ani are at home," she explained, and I could not help but kiss her head.

She was so cute, exactly like her mother.

"And, did you eat lunch or not?" I asked, and suddenly, I felt Trisha sitting beside me, caressing Rudraja's hand and asking.

"What does my baby eat?"

"Grapes," she said, and I chuckled.

"Grapes?" I asked, and she giggled.

"Grapes, papaya," she said, and I smiled.

"Come here, let me feed my baby," Trisha said, taking Rudraja from her hands to make her sit in her lap to feed her.

I looked at my own two crackers, seeing her with amusement.

"Do you two not want to eat?" I asked, pulling the plate closer to begin my lunch and feed my kids, too.

I fed them a bite and then had another bite. Trisha's plate stayed untouched while I dealt with the most spoiled child.

So, I gulped and made a bite for her.

"Trisha," I called her out, and she looked at me.

And, as I took it closer to her mouth, she looked at me for a few moments and then had it.

"See, that's how you eat it," She said to Rudraja and she giggled.

Everything seemed happy, but I did not dare talk to her much. And when we were done, I stood up to wash my hands.

Meanwhile, an attendee came to take Yash and Harsh to Maasa and Daadisa. It was their time. Trisha sent Meenakshi with them, and Rudraja also went there.

Once they left, I found Trisha and me alone.

And to not make her uncomfortable with my presence, I took my steps ahead to leave.

"Suniye,"

"Listen," she said, and I gulped before turning around.

And as I laid my eyes on her, my heartbeat skipped.

She wore a beautiful maroon dress. It was plain and simple, something she wore when we first met.

I looked away as she stepped closer to me.

"Vo hum... haath nahi uthana chahte the, galti se ho gaya,"

"That... I did not mean to raise my hand; it happened by mistake," she said, and I looked back at her.

"That's okay," I said and fisted my hand.

"Are you angry with me?" she asked, and I shook my head.

"Fir aap gusse me chale kyu gae?"

"Then why did you leave with anger?" she asked, and I looked back at her.

"Gusse me jaate to wapis thodi aate,"

"If I had left in anger, I would not have come back," I said, and she stepped a little closer. The noise of her anklets alarmed my ear, and I could not help but inhale deeply before looking away.

Suddenly, she placed her hand on my chest and muttered.

"I did not mean anything I said. I was just angry," her voice heaved my heart, and I looked back at her.

Her eyes were swollen, and looking at her face, I could not stop touching her cheek. Her skin felt warm, and she blinked, inhaling deeply.

"And, you think I mean whatever I say?" I asked in a low voice, and she shook her head.

Tears rolled down her cheek, and she stepped closer to place her face on my chest and wrap her arms around me. I circled my arms around her and placed my chin on her head.

"Hamari bhi galti hai. Hum bhool gaye the ki aap sirf hamare pati ya Maharaj nahi hai, balki Abhi bhi hai,"

"It's my fault too. I had forgotten that you're not just my husband or the king, but also still Abhi," she muttered in a breaking voice and I closed my eyes.

Suddenly, I felt her fisting her hands on my Kurta, and I kissed her head.

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