Enchanted – First Day of Royalty

Dadima later came to Geet “Geetanjali.. are you comfortable here?. This is your room from now. It is main room of this Palace and belong to your Raja Saheb but now it’s yours.”

Geet smiled. Not knowing what to say. Not understanding why, he gave his room to her. The best room in palace was hers, he gave it to her. The thought lingered a little.

“Bete but you remember, you have to give one month to this palace. Uske baad anyway you want to spend your life you can. Raja Saheb himself will make arrangements. But remember beta, this one month you have to bear his strictness”

“Dadima, it doesn’t sound like he is my husband. He sounds like a strict guardian” she made her face

“Husband toh aapne he banne se mana kiya hai na. and Beta he is guardian of this whole palace and this city, even me in some cases. He loves everyone and everything here but at same time he is strict for its betterment as well. He has been handling these from years. He himself…” But Geet stopped Dadima in between.

“Dadima, I don’t want to know about him from you. Aap unkee dadima hain, you will obviously like him. I want to know about everything here on my own. Please Dadima…. I am a commoner and I have little different way to see things”

“Ok beta, know things your way but keep one thing in mind. You are no more a commoner, you are Raja Saheb’s bride. “she then caressed her cheeks

“Don’t stress. Please rest. Tomorrow come down for Aarti at 6 am”

Dadima left, but was worried now. The extended family dwelling in palace will get chance to create rumors. She hoped, Raja Saheb has ways to stop this rumor of him not staying in his own room.

Geet changed to her polaka dots baby pink night suit and thumped herself on bed.

“Ohh gosh… everything is so heavy here. One month and I am off from this palace. To my city of freedom, Delhi”

Next morning was Aarti time at 6 am. Everyone have been waiting for Geetanjali. First day of Rani Sahiba. When it was 6:15 am, Raja Saheb could not wait anymore. Whole city would be waiting for Shankh Naad from the palace. He started the Aarti and then it was followed by others.

One of his step uncle taunted meekly said “Seems like Raja Saheb’s order is not going to work on his child like wife”

Raja Saheb ignored and completed the prayer which was followed by all. He then took the big Shankh and blew it. The sound of it reached out of palace and also to the ears of Geet who was sleeping peacefully.

She woke up irritated with the sound. She checked the clock… it was 6:30 am. Who wakes up this early. What is the use of such affluence when you can’t even sleep till you want?

Viccky quietly sent Annie to wake up their Bhabhi – She saw Geet sitting irritated on the bed

“Bhabhi, you are sitting here. Raja Saheb is very upset. Please come down soon”

Geet lazily came down in her night suit.

“Wah Bhabhi ji in childlike night suit at Palace Aarti. This is our new Rani Sahiba” Taunted Dev, step cousin of Raja Saheb.

Raja Saheb whose temper was already at top; his mind blew off hearing her come down in Night suit at morning prayer.

“Geetanjali bete come. You must have forgot to wake up. Koi baat nahi” Dadi tried to nullify her delay.

Though she herself was bit upset. If Geetanjali is so careless, she is going to ruin everything her grandson have revived after his parents. He has given his childhood and now Geetanjali’s one mistake can ruin things.

Raja Saheb was facing the temple and Geet only saw his back. She was taken aback by the strong structure of her husband, the authority that he held. The feel on inequality surrounded her. He will only rule her and she has to oblige in this relation. Her denial for relation was confirmed when she heard his strong voice

“From tomorrow Geetanjali is needed in temple at 5 am to make all arrangements and lead the puja and Aarti. I will not be present and I want prayer to go as perfect” and he left from there making final decision.

Geet was shocked. First, he ordered her, then she have to wake up at 5 am and then whole responsibility of this Puja, every day. Even at home, she would take Prasad from mom running, generally getting late for something or the other. How is she going to handle it all?

Later Dadima took Geet away from all Judging eyes to her own room

“Geetanjali – Girls will come to get you ready in Royal attire and you will then come to kitchen. Today the food will go from Palace to the people of Kalsia. It’s in your honor and you are expected to participate in cooking.”

Dadima left. Not giving her any chance to say anything. She did not want to be strict with her but it was only one month to prove Rani Sahiba and they cannot take chance.

In the other side, Raja Saheb called whole family in the Family Meeting room

“We are here to remember a warning once again. A single word about palace out in any way, Ten Percent deduction in finances coming from palace of each member. So, not only you prevent yourself from spreading rumor, you work hard on making sure nothing is out”

He then signaled everyone to disperse. They left, cursing him within. There were two step uncles and aunts and their young kids. Few married and few single. All elders or younger have to listen to him. It crushed their ego every day but none could do anything in front of his power. They all lived here at his mercy, here in this affluent palace. He also provided for their educations at abroad or within the nation but only on his terms.

Raja Saheb, was realizing, as of now Geetanjali was their weakest string. He has to be care full with her acts and be strict for this one month. One mistake and things can be ruined.  He himself wanted to send her away from palace after this one month. He had many much important stuff to take care and she being here will be consuming his most time.

This one month was needed to build her image as Rani Sahiba and that image will install in people’s heart. He will make her work but he knew he have to work from behind.

Geet was in kitchen and she was made to participate in cooking the Royal food for people. The words will go out, so Dadima made sure her participation showed, even though her involvement was not much, she genuinely did not know what to do in this huge Royal kitchen and such huge amount of cooking. On top, heavy jewelry, fine hairdo, perfect makeup and heavy saree. She was typical girl to wear loose torn jeans, cotton crop top, hanging from one side of her shoulder and hanging above her waist from her curves. It was all so opposite of her.

Dadi was supervising and asked Geet to bring something. Geet got chance and ran out for some relief. She got chance to check on her social media feed. She was walking with her head dipped in her phone, she hit something and landed on someone himself moving fast. He supported her by her waist as her head dipped in his broad chest. He turned other side not looking at her. She felt dizzy with the feel of the person. His aroma hit her nostril and she could not stop taking deep breath to take it in. He was so strong and she felt so delicate against his body. His top buttons were opened and she got view of his chest. Very small bare portion came to her view but it was so beautiful. Her heart raced. He then swiftly moved her away from him and disappeared from there. Who was he? Geet kept wondering, forgetting all about her social media feed. She sighed!! What’s the use? She was married to some oldie type Raja Saheb, who must be wearing some kingly attire. She by now have imagined all the kings she has seen on TV till date

He had rushed to his room. He very well knew it was her. Though he had not seen her as per her condition. But his hand on soft skin of her petite waist and her clinging on to him. Her heart beat that he could feel against his chest. He closed his eyes. It had been years he has ever felt anything for himself. His wish, his happiness – No, with responsibilities that he was loaded, he had no time to think about himself. This was first time in years, he felt his heart beat for him, for his own self. His heart was beating fast, as if not in control. No it can’t happen. How can it. He was man of full control. He had to be.

He gulped a glass of water, took a deep breath, changed to his tracks and headed for his run. That’s better; to put his focus on so many important stuff than his own self.

Then Geet went out with Dadima; Public gathering for her, food distribution and Rani Sahiba elegantly mixing with people. Geet was her own self and with some strict direction from Dadima; it was amalgamation of both and it was all praise for Geetanjali, The Rani Sahiba.