SIYAASAT - Chapter 41: Chapter 41

Swadheenta.
" Swadheenta" I heard Rehan yell, but I was too angry to hear him.
" Sach bata do" I hissed at her grabbing her tightly.
[ Say truth]
" Swadheenta I have never said anything to you but now you have crossed the line, leave her this instant," he said to me and I glare at him.
" It's me who didn't say anything to you have said enough to me" I'm beyond angry I looked at Maharani " and now it's her time to say, now say the truth" I growled.
" What truth?" She asked.
" What truth? " I mocked her " that you said on that night placing a dagger on my neck did you forget and if yes then I make to remember" saying this I place the knife more on her neck.
" Swadheenta it's a crime," Rehan said, I look at him.
" I don't care if it's crime or not today she will say the truth " I glared at him and look back at Maharani " or else she will die," I said slowly through clenched teeth.
" Yuvraj hume bachaiye," Maharani said placing her hands on my arm trying to get free.
[ Save me]
" Why you were not scared that night when you were planning to kill him," I asked her.
" Ap kya bole ja rahi hai, hum apne hi bete ko kyu marege" she said crying, look at her acting real tears pouring down her eyes.
[ What are you saying? Why I will try to kill my own Son?]
" Kyuki agar nahi marengi toh asli bete ko raj sighaasan kese milega " I shouted in anger.
[ Because if you don't then how will you make your real Son king]
" Swadheenta this is your last warning leave her" anger was clearly visible in his voice too.
" Rajmata " I turned to her who is too shocked to see what just happened" don't you love your Bahu if yes then SAY THE TRUTH"
" Dekho Rajgarh ki Rajkumari tum thik nahi kar rahi hai" she come forward pointing a finger towards me.
[ Look Rajgarh's Princess you aren't doing right]
" Now I don't care what is right or wrong now I only care about truth"
" Sach bol do," I said dangerously to Maharani and she starts crying loudly.
[ Say truth]
" Yuvraj" she called him crying.
" Ma," he said with worry " Swadheenta leave her," he said angrily.
" See how much he loves you and you on other hand Sharam toh aa nahi rahi hogi na," I said to her and held her more tightly.
[ You won't be feeling any shame]
" Maharaj don't you love your second wife or you got bored with her too that's why you're standing there without doing anything thinking yeah I'll get new wife," I asked Maharaj.
" Hum kuch nahi bol rahe the kyuki tum humari bahu ho lekin ab tumne had par kar di hai" he said through a clehched jaw.
[I'm not saying anything because you're my daughter in law but now you have crossed the limit]
" Ohh then why don't you ask your lovely wife to say the truth," I said clenching my teeth and glaring at Maharani.
I look back at Maharaj and saw him moving his head as if gesturing for something.
" What are you trying to do..." I didn't able to complete my sentence as someone twists my hand making Maharani escape from my grip and placing my knife on my neck twisting my hands back.
" Rehan leave me!"
" Thanks, Yuvraj or else she'll kill me today," she said gasping placing a hand on her neck.
" Jayada natak karne ki na zarurat nahi hai I'll stab knife in your stomach if I want to kill you and don't worry about dying god didn't call bad people early," I said leaning forward but Rehan was grabbing me keeping me in place.
[ Don't do drama]
" You're not scared there is a knife placed on your neck and still you continue saying things," Rajmata said.
" Because I'm not like you I'm not a coward like you guys I say what I want to say" I glared at all three of them.
" Swadheenta bas" Rehan turned me towards him and throw the knife away.
" Why didn't you're able to see?" I screamed frustratingly.
" Yeh, yeh bahiyaad aurat" I pointed towards his mother.
[ This vile woman]
" Don't say a word against my mother I'm already trying to control myself not to do something" he said looking down, clenching his fists.
" Me bolungi, yeh jisko tum Ma, Ma karke pooja karte ho na tumhari Ma ki life usne jahanum banai hai"
[ I will say, this woman who you keep calling mother, mother is the woman you made your mother's life hell]
" Ma toh kya, aurat kehlane ke layak nahi hai yeh" Rehan raised his hand but this time before it can touch me I grabbed his hand in air.
[ Forget mother, she is not able to call a woman]
" Sochna bhi mat, ek baar me chup reh gayi thi is baar me hath tod dungi," I said glaring at him. We continue to glare at eachother.
[ Don't even think. One time I got silenced this time I will break the hand]
" This is enough Yuvraj I told you to throw her out of Palace before but you didn't listen now look what happened," Maharaj said. I jerked his hand and glared down at the floor fisting my hands.
" Throw her out now" Maharaj shouted, I turned towards him and slowly look up.
" Mujhe?" I chuckled " nikal ke dikhao I will also want to see how will you throw me out.....but remember one thing I'll also not leave you, I'm the Queen of Madhavgarh and I'll make sure the whole media know what Madhavgarh royal family did to his daughter in law"
" Yeh toh tum tab bataogi na jab tum yaha se vapas zinda jaogi" Rajmata step forward smirking at me and I knitted my eyebrows.
" Yuvraj what are you staring at kill her, she tried to kill your mother in front of everyone god knows what she will do behind your back," Rajmata said to Rehan and I smile in amusement.
I turned towards Rehan and my smile fell when I saw him holding a gun at me. He did it before many times but this time situation is different.
I look straight in his eyes because today my life was not at stake but our relationship. The trigger of the gun will decide if our relationship will live or not. If the bullet fire it'll be the end of our relationship and if not then it'll be the end of them.
" Yuvraj what are you looking at? Fire" I heard Maharaj say but my whole focus was on Rehan I'm looking at him without blinking.
" Yuvraj end her," Rajmata said. I'm just looking in his eyes without fear.
I can see him gripping tight the gun, clenching his jaw moving his thumb towards the trigger and I held my breath.
"I can't" he lowered down the gun looking down.
" But Yuvraj," Maharaj said.
" I can't she is the princess of Rajgarh" he walk past me and I smiled.
Juth.
[ Lie]
I turned and shows my victorious smile.
" But she'll no longer be the Queen of Madhavgarh," he said turning towards me and I raise my eyebrow.
" She'll no longer be my wife"
What! I feel the ground shift beneath my feet.
" What!" I exclaimed.
" Yes, what have you done is enough now you can't remain Maharani" he said looking at me.
" I don't care about being Maharani damnit, I'm talking about marriage it can't end like that"
" It can"
" No, it's not " I shouted.
" It can Swadheenta I tried, I tried to save it ask you many times to apologise to Ma but did you listen instead you create new scenes every day but today you have crossed the line"
" You think I didn't try saving anything, every day I tried to save my husband's life" I step forward towards him.
" What do you think by saying our relationship will end? It will not ok"
"It'll infact it end here right now"
" Kuch bhi, Marriage didn't work like that if you say it will end, it will. It's a sacred bond of seven lives" he didn't say anything making me angry.
" Look here " I move his face" our marriage happened and it happened with every ritual and it can't end like that"
" Say whatever you want" he removes my hand and walks past me towards the stairs.
" You can't end our relationship like that" I shouted and he stops.
" It was not me who ended it, it was you," he said without turning, I go towards him.
" Nahi, nahi I'll not let that happen, me apni shadi nahi tutne dungi, tumhare kehne nahi hota hai, aisa nahi hota hai" I shook my head grabbing his blazer collar I didn't realise when my tears start falling. I cried placing my head on his chest.
[ No, no. I will not let my marriage break. Your words can't break it]
He removes my hands from his collar and pushes me aside before climbing up the stairs.
" Rehan" I screamed.
What just happened?
Meri shadi.
[ My marriage]
I fell to the floor, placing my palms over my face I cried, I cried so hard.
------
Poolside
I'm leaning against the wall looking aimlessly at the water. My tears are stopped but my heart is crying.
" What happened Rajkumari?" I heard the mocking tone of Maharani but didn't look up at her.
" Her marriage ended today Maharani she must be crying" it was Rajmata's voice.
" Don't worry Rajkumari life is so full of uncertainty" Maharani placed a hand on my shoulder.
" Be careful Maharani anyone can slip in the pool and can die" I said looking down.
" Finally you spoke of wisdom kyuki pichle kuch dino se tumhari harkaate bewakoofana thi," Maharani said and I look up at her.
[ Because from last few days your moves were foolish]
" Finally jo hum chahte the vo ho gaya," Rajmata said, I frowned and get up.
[ What I wanted happened]
" You didn't think that, right?" Maharani chuckled, but I continue to stare at Rajmata.
" What do you think you'll come to our palace and I'll accept you as my daughter-in-law never, I hate Rajgarh and I hate everything which belongs to there," Rajmata said with hatred.
" You came here and I couldn't do anything I tried to break your relationship with help of Lavanya but nothing happened but then I see how Yuvraj took a stand for you and stand against his family for you I got the idea how to throw you away from the palace, Yuvraj loves his mother so much and when on one end is his mother and on another his wife I know he'll always choose his mother and that's what happened"
" We made a plan and manipulate you according to us and finally you did what I wanted" Rajmata laughed.
" You know Rajkumari you're too naive" Maharani place her hand on my chin " you didn't even think for once that I may be his stepmother but why would his father and grandmother want to kill him" Maharani laughed.
---------
Morning
I stare at the girl who is in the mirror trying to find out her identity.
Maharani Swadheenta?
But last night Maharaj snatch the right of Maharani.
Then?
Swadheenta Rehan Pratap Singh?
But didn't last night her husband snatch the right of he being his wife.
I raise my hand to wipe the sindoor from my forehead.
Then who is she?
Rajkumari Swadheenta?
Rajkumari toh me kabhi thi hi nahi.
[ I was never a Princess]
Then
Yeah
Swadheenta
The girl is Swadheenta neither queen nor someone's wife.
It's Swadheenta.
Sirf Swadheenta.
I smile looking at myself I'm looking like the same girl I was wearing a black suit, neither some heavy jewellery nor some heavy lehenga suffocating me.
--------
Hall
I stand there looking around when everyone comes there. I look at Rehan our gaze meet for a second then he looked away.
" Why did you call all of us? What are planning to do now?" Maharani asked, I grinned at her.
" No naya natak I promise I called everyone here because I'm going back and no one is here to say goodbye, I'm hurt yar log rishtedar ko ishe accha bida karte hai me toh fir bhi bahu hu " I pouted.
[ No drama. I'm hurt people say goodbye to the relatives more good than that]
" Accha now everyone stands in a line I want to say goodbye to everyone"
" Dimag kharab ho gaya hai" Rajmata said.
[ You have gone mad]
" No Rajmata, no cheating I'll say goodbye to you too but you have to wait for your turn"
" First of all, I want to say goodbye to my father-in-law" I stand in front of Maharaj and smile at him, he looks at me like I'm gone crazy.
" Me sabse phele apse milli thi or pher bhi chue the, you remember?" I remember how shocked he is when I told him I'm his daughter-in-law.
[ I met you first, touched your feet too]
" Then you shouted at Rehan" I giggled.
" You weren't the best father-in-law but you're not the worst as well..Bye" I wave my hand and move towards Bhabhi.
" Bhabhi," I said excitedly " ap kyu ro rahe ho yar " I wipe her tears" apki bidai thodi hai" I smiled taking her hands in mine.
[ Why are you crying? You aren't going anywhere]
" You were the first one who talked with me when I came here and you know I was so angry with you when you woke me up at 6 am the next day" I remember when I first get ready as the daughter-in-law of the royal family.
" Then you scared me saying I have to prepare lunch for so many people and left me alone in kitchen mere hath pher thande ho gaye the dar ke maare " she smiled a little.
[ I got so scared]
" You were like an elder sister to me who always supported me and loved me thank you" suddenly she hugged me and I smiled hugging her back. I broke the hug.
" C'mon Bhabhi I have to say goodbye to others as well, bye" I waved my hand and smiled at her.
" Maharani nahi nahi Sasuma" I said standing in front of her, she raised her eyebrow.
[ Maharani no, no, Mother in law]
" Why did you wrap a big bandage on your neck I didn't press the knife this tightly," I said touching the bandage but she jerked my hand.
" Ok, ok I want to say thank you to you" she knitted her eyebrows " you remember when you gave me bangles on the first rasoi without tasting the food " she nodded" it's nice that you didn't taste the food because I don't know how to make it and also when we went to that temple I didn't faint that day actually I didn't know how to do arti so I acted like that" she looked at me shocked.
" By acting, I remember yar ap toh merese bhi badi vali nikali matlab apne toh mera gurur hi tod diya, kher jo bhi ho maja bohot aaya detective banne me, lekin apne merko bhoot bankar daraya bhi bohot hai lekin sas or bahu ka toh rishta hi kaata meetha hota hai na but it would be so nice na if our fight limited to some nok jhok.... anyways" I shook my head.
[You're more good than me. It was fun playing detective but if our relationship is limited to playing but...]
" Bye" I wave my hand.
" Rajmata, finally it's your turn " she is looking in the other direction " Rajmata " she looks at me" you're my second favourite first one was my Sasuma " I pointed towards her " but I gave you her position because there is a surprise for you" she knitted her eyebrows " I'll tell you later".
" You know you look so intimidating that I got scared when I first saw you, wearing saree with pearl jewellery you give off royals vibes, we didn't spend much time together so I have nothing to say, but " I lean towards her and whisper " I have a secret to tell" I whispered and lean back.
" Jo kuch bhi apne kiya itni planning plotting kari"
[ Whatever have you done]
" Humne kuch nahi kiya"
[ I didn't do anything]
" Ruk toh jaiye..sun toh lijiye"
[ Wait a second.. listen]
" Mujhe bhagane ke liye" I take steps and stand in the middle of the hall.
[ To throw me out]
" Me Rajgarh ki Rajkumari hu hi nahi" and like I thought everyone's face turned shocked except Rehan he is looking at me with intensity.
[ I'm not the Princess of Rajgarh]
" What! Tumhe fasa ke na jau me "
[ Won't create trouble for you?]
" What are you saying?" Rajmata said.
" I'm saying truth"
" Yuvraj "
" Rajmata" I cut off Rehan " let me please I want to tell "
" Ok let's start story time" I clapped my hands and told all of them how your highness lost his business and his marriage happened and then he told lie because if he tell truth we both would get out of the palace.
" This means you're not any Princess?" Maharani asked, I clicked my tongue.
" Yuvraj " Maharaj said angrily.
" Maharaj jo bhi hona tha hogya baise bhi me ja rahi hu, Maharani you have got another chance is baar aapne man ki bahu lana" I smiled.
[ Maharani everything happened and now I'm leaving. Bring the daughter in law of your choice]
I take steps and stand in front of him.
" Shehzaade" I tried to smile but seeing him brings tears to my eyes, I gulped down closing my eyes and stopping myself from crying.
" Sorry for telling them the truth but I want to see everyone's shocked faces it was a nice reaction" I grinned but my eyes are numb.
" I won't say thank you to you kyuki jinti khushiyaan di hai utna dard bhi diya hai and if I start talking about how much time we spend together then night will happen" I gulped looking down stopping any memory from coming or else I'll end up crying.
[ Because how many happiness you have given me same amount of hurt you have given too]
" You called me gold digger because I wasn't ready to leave you, it was partially right because that's why I married to you because you're a Prince it was my dream to live in a palace and be a Princess you made my dream true"
" But it was you who also made me see the truth, the palace is just a building made of stones, a diamond necklace is just some shinning stones and being Princess is like smiling for above even though you're dying inside"
" Is sab me itna ulajh gayi thi ki me apne aap ko hi bhool gayi thi, you remember that me toh bholi hu vali Swadheenta" I flip my hair smiling at him.
[ I got so entangled in all of this that I forgot about myself]
" Par guess what me toh sach me bholi nikli"
[ I'm literally naive]
" Last night I said the relationship didn't break by saying you know why? Because a husband-wife relationship stands on three pillars love, trust and respect"
" You didn't respect me" I remember how he slapped me here in front of everyone " you didn't trust me " I remember how I begged him to listen to me " or pyaar toh kabhi tha hi nahi"
[ There was no love]
" You were right our relationship broke last night" I raise my hands to open the lock of my mangalsutra last time my hands shake but this time it's not because now it's not more than a necklace.
I grabbed his hand and placed it in his palm.
" Aj ke baad apni sakal mat dikhana kyuki Palace, Diamond necklace or Princess ke sath mujhe Tumse bhi nafrat ho gayi hai"
[ Don't show me your face again because along with Palace, diamond necklace and Princess I hate you too]