Agravin's POV-
She paused for a moment and then lifted her lashes to look at me. Her lips adorned with a beautiful smile. She then again turned towards the moon and replied, " Kintu swayambara ka to arth hi yahi hota h n Yuvraj, ki Kanya apni ichcha se kisi ka bhi varan kr sakti hai."
( But that's the meaning of Swayambara Yuvraj, the girl can choose her groom according to her own wish.)
Word games, here I am all nervous and my newly wed wife wants to play word games with me.
" Ye to mai janna chahta hoon Rajkumari, kintu Mai hi kyu? Aap Aryavarta ki sabse sundar Rajkumari, Maniprasth jaise samriddh rajya ki ek matra Rajkumari, aapse vivah hetu Kai samriddh rajya k Raja or Rajkumar aaye the. Khyati ke Yuvraj, mahi Desh ke raja , or na jane kitne yogya pratiyogi, kintu Mai hi kyu?"
( That I know princess, but why me? You are the most beautiful princess of Aryavart. You are the only princess of Maniprasth like rich state, many rich kings and princes had come to marry you. The crown prince of Khyati, The king of Mahi and many others but why you chose me then?)
I asked.
She took a deep breath and then faced me. " Yadi ek prashn mai aapse karu to Yuvraj? Aap ek Rajkumari ke swayambara me samillit hone kyu aaye? Wo bhi Maniprasth jaise samriddh rajya me, khyati, mahi or anya rajya ke Rajkumar or rajao ke pratiyogi banne. Kyu?"
( What if I ask you the same question, Yuvraj? Why you came to swayambara of a princess, that too in a rich state like Maniprasth , why were you competing with the kings and princes of other states?)
She mocked me.
I took a deep breath. No I can't do this , maybe this is not the correct time. I turned my face to other side. I don't know what to answer.
" Yuvraj , swayambara me aane ka aapka ek udeshya hai , or aapko var ke roop me chunne ka mera bhi ek udeshya hai."
( Yuvraj , you have a motive behind coming in the swayambara, and I too have a motive behind choosing you as my husband .)
Her words left me speechless. I just kept looking at the shining moon unable to comprehend what I heard. I felt guilty that I attended her swayambar with not just an intention to marry her but I had a motive, in fact I have a motive but I never wanted to hurt her emotions, I never wanted to use her and I never will. I again mustured up my courage and asked her
" Swayambara me aane ka mera koi udeshya hai ye kis prakar gyat hai aapko.?"
( How you know that I have a motive behind attending your swayambara?)
A smile appeared on her face. She turned and look straight into my eyes and spoke,
" Aisa kon sa bhikshuk hoga Yuvraj, jo swayambara me aaye or daan me swarna , Ann or abhushan k sthan pr Kanya daan mange?"
( Which begger would ask Kanya daan in alm instead of gold , grains and jewels , yuvraj ? )
A glint of mischief flashed in her doe shaped eyes.
Smile threatend to appear on my face and I averted my gaze as I was unable to look into her night shade eyes.
" Kon sa bhikshuk hoga Yuvraj, jo kshtriyon se bhari sabha ko lalkaar de?"
( Which begger would challenge a gathering full of kshtriya.)
She again said .
"Aisa kon sa bhikshuk hoga , jo apni hone wali vadhu ki raksha hetu shastra utha lega wo bhi tab jab sena phle se hi wahan ho."
( Which beggar would take up arms to protect his would-be wife , when all the soldiers were already present there.)
Her questions left me surprised.
"Isi se gyat hua mujhe ki aapke swayamvar me aane ka koi vishesh karan hai. Wo karan kya hai ye to gyat nhi , kintu wo karan jo bhi hai samagra Aryavart k hit me itna avshya gyat h mujhe. "
( That's how I came to know about your motive, I don't know what's your motive but one thing I am sure that it must be beneficial for the whole Aryavart.)
" Aap itni sunishchit kaisi hai ?"
(How are you so sure?)
I asked out of curiosity.
Her smile deepened , allowing me to watch that little dimple that appeared near the corner of her lips on left side.
" Maharshi Keerticharya jab pitashree ke upchaar hetu yahan padhare the , tab unhone kaha tha ki Aryavart ka bhavishay unke ashram me pal rha hai or Aryavart ko ek krne k liye mujhe bhi apna yogdaan dena hoga. Jab aapne kaha ki aap Maharshi k shishya hai tabhi samjh gai thi mai."
( When Maharshi Keerticharya visited us for the treatment of my father, then he said that Aryavart's future is being nurtured in his ashram and for Aryavart's welfare I too have to give my contribution. When you disclosed that you are his disciple then I was sure about it.)
My mouth hung wide open, words refused to come out. I was amazed by her intellect. Tonight she earned my respect in every sense.
" Umm yadi anumati den to ek or prashn puchne ki ichcha rakhta hoon mai."
( If you allow then I would like to ask you one another question.)
She slightly tilted her head to left , she faced glowed more in moon light.
" Jab guru var ne bataya ki Mai kshtriya hoon to sabhi ashcharyachakit the parantu aap nhi, kyu ? Kya aapne iska bhi anumaan phle se hi laga liya tha?"
( When Guruvar told about me being a Kshtriya not a brahman, then everyone was shocked except you, had you already guessed about it. )
I asked looking into her eyes. Those pools of her were making me feel thinge I never felt before. The sounds of her anklets echoed in the entire room as she stepped a bit closer.
" Iska uttar to purva me hi de chuki Yuvraj, koi sadharan brahman kshtriyon ki sabha ko kyu lalkarega, ek Rajkumari se vivah ka vichar kyu karega , or sabse mahatvapurna shastra dharan itne sahjta se kaise karega? "
( I have already answered this question of yours Yuvraj, why a mere brahman would challenge a gathering full of Kshtriya? Why would a mere brahman think of marrying a princess? And how could a mere brahman handle the weapon so effortlessly? )
"Iska pramaan to aapne swayam Diya hai Yuvraj ."
( You , yourself have proved it, yuvraj )
"Kaise?" ( How?)
A mere whisper left my mouth. She once again poured the melodious chime of her anklets into my ears as she took another step towards me. I felt as if my heart beats were competing with some wild hourse in the race. The scent of Jasmin, and lotus enveloped my soul. She took another step and came extremely close yet maintaing a decent distance. Her bangles rang as she lifted her right arms, and I was standing there all still, unable to process anything, just looking at her , waiting for her next move. She tiptoed to match my height, and gently pushed my hair away from my right shoulder, a strong chill ran down my spine , as I closed my eyes. Her fingers never touched my skin but her mere proximity was enough to make me feel like a hormonal teenager. I opened my eyes as I felt her moving a bit away.
" Ye khadag se jo ghav ka chinnh hai aapke gardan pr , wo paryapt shaksh tha Yuvraj, ye batane k liye ki aap brahman nhi ho sakte. Aisi chot kewal unhi yoddha ko lagti hai jo yuddh kala me parangat ho."
( This , this mark of sword on your neck was enough evidence, yuvraj that you couldn't be a brahman. This kind of wounds are seen only on those warriors who are skilled in warfare. )
She completed pointing her altah coloured index finger towards my neck. I was looking at her , the proud smile on her face was replaced with a shy one. I was unable to supress my smile as I looked at her face more carefully. Her rosy cheeks have turned crimson . My question was still not answered but I was not willing to ask that at this moment. Now we will be spending our entire life together, maybe some other day I would be able to ask. Wait but still a question was left and I needed to ask this ,
" Wo Rajkumari, yadi anumati ho to ek or prashna...."
She just nodded still not looking at me.
" Yadi mujhse koi bhul hui to jisse aapko kabhi aahat ho.?"
( What if I ever committed some mistake and hurt you? )
She lifted her lashes and looked at me , her previous smile was back on her face.
" Bhul to sabhi se ho jati hai na Yuvraj , or bhul hui iska arth hai ki aapne prayas kiya , or prayas to unhi ke liye krte hai na jinse Prem ho, bhul hona swabhavik hai pr usse seekhana wo mahatvapurna hai. Or yadi kabhi koi aahat hua to to dusre ko use mana Lena chahiye. "
( Everyone does mistakes Yuvraj and if you made a mistake it means you tired and we make efforts only for those whom we love. Committing mistakes are normal , yuvraj but learning from them is important. And if in case someone is hurt then other one should make efforts to make them happy. )

I smiled cheek to cheek at her reply and surprisingly she took reciprocated it. We both turned to face the moon once again. She leaned on the railing and I did the same. The smile never left my face. Again there was a complete silence between us. Al thought this silence was not awkward as previous but still I wanted to tell her something, I wanted to assure her. She chose me rejecting all those kings and princes , she chose me even when she knew people would question her decision, so it's my responsibility to make sure she felt safe and secured with me. She is not a tool for me to reach my motive , she is my companion in this journey.
"Rajkumari" I said , drawing her attention towards me. She tilted her head and looked at me and I again looked into the sky.
" Aakash mandal me upasthith in sabhi taaron ko Sakshi maan kr Mai aapko vachan deta hoon ki aapke liye ek yogya pati , ek yogya Mitra or jeevan yatra me ek yogya sehyatri banne ka athak prayas karunga."
( All the stars present in the night sky as witness , I promise you that I will try to be a good husband, I will try to be a good friend of yours and I will try to be a good companion of yours in the journey of life.")
She smiled and her eyes glistened but she averted her gaze towards the sky and asked " kintu adhiktar premi to chandramaa ko Sakshi maan kr vachan dete hai Yuvraj, aapne taaron ko Sakshi kyu mana ?"
( But lovers usually consider moon as the witness of their love, but you considered the stars , why yuvraj.)
This word game. Not again. Please.
" Ji wo kyuki, amavas ki ratri Chand nhi khilta parantu taare to dikhte hai na."
( Actually, because on new moon day , the moon is not visible, but the stars are.)
I almost chuckled at my answer and she as well . She turned completely towards me , her dimple was once again visible to me. We were looking at each other smiling.
" Ratri adhik ho gai hai aap vishram kr lijiye. "
( It's too late now you should sleep.)
She said , pointing towards the huge bed.
Once again I was in the confusion state. Without speaking anything I moved towards the bed and lied down on the right side. I turned my head only to find her sitting on the floor of the balcony , penning down something.

Won't she sleep ? I thought but I couldn't dare to ask her , maybe she was feeling uncomfortable in my presence, maybe she needed some space and I should not disturb her. With a deep breath I closed my eyes hoping the sleep to engulf me.
To be continued.....
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