My hands can
hold your wrists
your hair twined
around my fist
Your heat
against my hips
Your name
upon my lips
To feel your need
with mine
To kiss your lips
and take my time
These emotions have me
so entwined
That my heart is awaiting to say
I love you.
470Please respect copyright.PENANAc1uerSMtgc
470Please respect copyright.PENANAM8BXNl8W5C
470Please respect copyright.PENANA4DLaWPRqEa
Three days later
In golden pavilion
On the upper terrace of the suite.
470Please respect copyright.PENANAIWXb0FIhlm
470Please respect copyright.PENANA35fbjIG2yK
"Damn!!! It is as though I am looking for a ghost. I just can't seem to find her."
Kumar Abhimanyu walked in grumbling to his friend who was lounging on the terrace having his afternoon tea. Turning a chair he plonked down on it.
"Who is like a ghost" ,Bharat laughed, amused at his friends frustration with not being able to find this certain person.
"Oh!! Don't damn me, Bharat." Not liking his friend laughing at his expense. "You know very well who!! The same person I have been hunting for, for the past month. Adira!!!!! I just can't seem to find her. It is as though she doesn't want to be found." He ground out.
470Please respect copyright.PENANAO5nWZ2UfwF
"Well!! You do know that you are here to meet a certain princess whom your parents want you to marry. The Kumari KamalLata........ He is hardy going to like seeing you pursue another women instead of her."
"Yes! Yes! I can hardly forget what, with both you and Joginder my man Friday, reminding me constantly. Joginder is on a special mission it seems to get me married as soon as possible. Just the right blood line is required. My mother's put him on to it. But I need to talk to Adira..... Just once." He sounded so miserable.
Abhimanyu and Bharat were childhood friends. Meeting in School at Mayo, they had forged a strong bond. Then both had gone to college together in England. If there was someone that Abhi could talk to it was Bharat.
470Please respect copyright.PENANAu6g17ItA9z
Taking pity on his friends misery finally Bharat let out.
"See here, this is where it pays to not be royalty. I have found out all about the Kumari Adira."
"Kumari Adira? As in princess Adira?"
"Yes my friend, she is princess of Ujjangarh. The eldest child of the Rana. Apparently she was married off as a child bride to a sickly boy. This sort of thing still happen here in the interiors you know. Anyway this boy passed away before he could turn twelve, making the Kumari a widow before she could ever be a bride. What a waste!!! So Kumari Adira has lived all her young life as a widow. Life was perhaps easier for her when her mother was alive but after her mother passed away, the stepmother Rani Charumitra has turned Kumari Adira, into a glorified house keeper. She manages the whole palace, the whole estate everything."
"The Ranaji seems like a decent sort of guy. One would think that he would be seeing to his daughter."
"Uhuh....not really my friend!! I believe he is quite a self-centred sort of a man. Not all that interested in what is happening around him. If it were up to him the estate would run down a long time ago. But I believe the first Ranisa, Kumari Adira's mother ran the entire management and Kumari Adira does it. The Ranaji is too busy in his books and horses to come out and see what is happening to his daughter. The Rani Charumitra treats her very shabbily you know. The Kumari has it quite tough in life.She is not someone to amuse yourself with. My friend!!! " Rebuking his for his actions. Then gently suggesting "I suggest you look somewhere else for amusement. If she wants to be a ghost then let her be one" he pondered.
Stunned into silence by all the information his friend had blurted out. He didn't know how to react for a moment. But all he could think about was this amazingly mesmerising women that he was attracted to like hell. There was no way he was not going to meet her again. After a long contemplative silenc.
"How......how did you find out so much about her." Amazed at all that his friend had just revealed to him.
"My manfriday, Hari," replied smugly. "I asked him to discreetly find out all that he could. He is a hardcore gossip and knows the art of making people tell their deepest secrets. The locals were more than happy to talk about their beautiful beloved rajkumari, and how amazing she is......They love her you know.... Her mother and she are much respected by the locals. Can't say the same for Rani Charumitra though."
"Now how do I get her alone. I need to talk to her." Not liking the track the conversation was taking.
"Abhi!!!"
"Bharat ! Damn it! I am serious, I am not asking this lightly. So God dammit!! now help me, for I will meet her one way or another with or without your help"
"Ok!!ok!! Man!!" Bharat sighed. "Fine !! I'll help you. But you better not forget that this is only to be once. Your meeting the Kumari. So........ about the Kumari. What I've heard is that she stays in a small cottage with an elderly nanny. It is an old out house. Since the Kumari Adira lives there none go there out of respect. It is quite far away from the main palace building. After dinner.............
470Please respect copyright.PENANAOfG3fS9a6R
470Please respect copyright.PENANApAH0EjtiQY
470Please respect copyright.PENANA02oDu0WzRu
470Please respect copyright.PENANAFnDmGhIhEh
Later the same day, late into the night. It was a full moon night and the moon was shining high up in the sky. There was a silvery shine on the trees all around. It was very late in the night. The world seem to be at peace. The crickets
were chirping loudly. Walking down a dark narrow path Adira was retiring for the night. Usually Daimaa did not wait up for her. For it was common for her to come back late from work. The estate was a demanding mistress.
470Please respect copyright.PENANAGGX0d4X5tf
"God! it was an exhausting affair dodging Abhi. He seemed hell bent on finding her. I had to create fictional work to stay away from the palace these past few days. How long this could go on I don't know. I hope he says yes to KamalLata and goes back home."
Walking the narrow path Adira was so deep in thought that she did not even look around.
470Please respect copyright.PENANAfv9EU8P2Hj
"So you have finally decided to show up"
The familiar voice in the dark startled her for a moment.
"Ahhhhh........ Abhi!!!!!" Her hand going instinctively to her chest in fear. Then realising who it was she stood there looking all incredulous.
"So you do know who I am.?" Walking away from beneath the tree that he had been standing under he walked slowly towards her. He was clearly visible in the light of the moon now. She could clearly see his beloved face.
"I thought you had forgotten me.....our meeting." He looked at her with accusing eyes.
"No... I..."
"Hardly worth remembering.....na......"
Ashamed at the behaviour that she had shelled out to him...
"You don't understand....." She said her tone regretful.
"Then tell me...make me understand. Tell me why you left the way you did. After telling me repeatedly that you loved me. After spending the whole night in my arms. Tell me Adira don't you think I have the right to know." Coming close now he held her by her arm. His warmth where he was touching her was burning her alive. He was shaking her agitatedly.
I knew this moment was coming, he would ask for an explanation and there was no getting away from it. Maybe after this we could make peace with each other, live our lives separately. Since there could be no future for the two of us together.
So freeing my arms from his grip, I stood at a distance from him. My body was screaming for his touch, his warmth, for him but................
"I think we need to talk and this is not the place. Come. Maybe it is better to get this whole thing over with now."
So saying I lead him through narrow paths till we came to a small gate. Letting go of his hand I unlocked the gate and pushed it open. Inside was a small garden. Even in the night it was beautiful. There was a high wall on one side with a natural cliff wall to the other two side. With the fourth side having a low wall overlooking hill on which the palace was built. There was marigold growing all around the garden. In the centre of the garden were steps leading to a small natural pond. There was clear water in it. Fresh water fed the pond from one side by a duct whereas all the extra water flowed away from another. It was a quite place. Peaceful even. Sitting on the pond steps she looked up at the full moon clear up in the sky. It was a beautiful night.
"I come here for my morning ablutions." She said to fill in the sudden silence. Shy all of a sudden.
"Why here? Why not in the palace?" He asked.
"Because I am a widow and this is my place, my penance." She stated simply.
"What ..... What went wrong that night? Why did you leave without tell me. Did I do something wrong. I thought we both wanted the same thing."
"I did..... We did..... We ......I ........you don't understand " she stuttered. Unable to phrase her thoughts.
"Then tell me Adira!make me understand.....this ... Do you have any idea how I have searched for you. You did not tell where you lived and I hunted for you in all the village around Rawal. I even searched for you in Rawal. If my mother hadn't forced me to come here............After this trip I was going to go back and look again in Rawal......."
"Abhi! Shsssssss" she put a finger on his mouth to stop his baricade.
"Why didn't you tell me that you were a widow." he finally asked.
"I don't know where to start from"she asked all confused.
"Why not from the beginning," he suggested.
470Please respect copyright.PENANAsbjGO44u4u
"Yes!! .........Abhi I am a child widow and I have never lived any other way. I have never played with other children. Been allowed to be happy. Known the joys of having friends. My widowhood took my whole life and made it into an unending penance which I have to live with whether I like it or not. I am not complaining about my life, just ........ stating what it is.... what I am.......I have accepted the way my life. I have"
Looking up I saw his gaze on me. I looked back at him unable to meet it with confidence So I looked away again and continued.
"Daimaa, you know has always been wanting to go to Mehsana to the Goddess Durga temple. It was the only thing that's she ever wanted. Her son could not have taken here there alone nor could she afford the trip. This trip was my way of doing something for her for all the years that she has dedicated to my mother and me."
Then silent for a few moments as thought contemplating something she spoke up again.
"This trip was just not for Daimaa but for me too. This was my one and only chance of getting to be a person again, of getting to live life away from this place for a few days. So when I left Ujjangarh I also left my identity behind."
He sat quietly. Seeing me pause again he gently held on to my hand. It was so comforting his action renewed my strength.This was the first time in my life that i was opening up to someone about my emotions, talking about my inner thoughts. His quite strength is what had attracted me to him in the first place. This ability to be able to talk anything to each other, this strange connectivity that we had with each other. Continuing where I had left....
"When on the way, near Rawal ...... when we met that... night during the storm" I looked up at him.
He nodded his affirmation.
"I....I .......I....was soooo..." I stammered too shy to say out loud.
"Attracted to me?" He completed for me.
I nodded. "Yes."
"Me too. I could take my eyes off you. Go on"
Waiting for me to go on, he urged me.
470Please respect copyright.PENANAJkVRBfP8Lq
"I didn't want to tell you that I was a widow because I was afraid that your attitude would change. You wouldn't want to talk to me even."
470Please respect copyright.PENANAE0W05tl2gR
"Did you think so little of me.........But why not later on once you came to know me?" He was immediately defensive. Hurt that she thought so little of him.
"No!! I .... I ... Before, ... I did not know you enough but later. .......By then I had fallen in love with you. I ddddd.....didn't want to change my image. And don't say no because you know that had I admitted to being a widow, a wall would have come between us. You know it."
She looked at him then, her eyes guarded. He was gazing back at her with regret.
Her eyes softened then, giving a soft smile, she continued.......
"I know we can never have a future together, that's why I left the way I did. So there would be only cherished memories no regrets. You are to marry KamalLata. Go spend time with her be happy."
470Please respect copyright.PENANA1QFDRaUDMi
470Please respect copyright.PENANApdbrwqHYJF
470Please respect copyright.PENANAXdjeAloMCs
Going with her emotions till now he was enraged when she so lightly told him to go and marry KamalLata. How could she send me to another woman.
"Did that night mean so little to you that you take it so lightly" he asked nottready to let go. "Was it just physical."
"Abhi! No.... You don't know how much you mean to me." She exclaimed in reaction.
"Then tell me" his eyes all dark from the heat and intensity he was feeling.
"I can't, Abhi. What is the point? We can never be together? " she said feeling miserable.
"Why is it that you have taken all the decisions in this relationship. What you will tell me, what you won't. What we will feel. Where this relationship will go.... What about me Adira? What about my feelings." Her sadness was killing him, but how could he let her go. He needed her. He loved her. He wanted her so much. Unable to control himself he caught her face in the palm of his hands and bringing her close he latched on to her soft lips. Something he had been wanting to do since he had seen her.
Hell!! Her mouth was so soft and sweet. He felt he could go on and on and he did till they broke apart breathless. Her deep eyes were inviting him to get lost in them and he was... Losing himself ....fast. Spiralling into their innocent dazed depths.
"Say you love me!" He forced her with his look to answer him back. "Adira!!"
"I......can't. Abhi. I don't have the right."
Pulling away from him she got up moving backward....
"I am sorry!" She said softly then turning around she ran away.
Seeing her move away he yelled.
"This is not over yet. Adira Kumari. We are not over yet. You are going to be mine."
470Please respect copyright.PENANA9iossqR9Ko
470Please respect copyright.PENANABLOoQW6yuC
470Please respect copyright.PENANAHItFkTYUPw
470Please respect copyright.PENANAsZ3bbpQ3qU
470Please respect copyright.PENANA2VBIt6zG0d
470Please respect copyright.PENANALWhQy1H4jU
470Please respect copyright.PENANAOOtERjgcyG
470Please respect copyright.PENANAm1UujuQOyB
470Please respect copyright.PENANAgh0m1cgqXC
470Please respect copyright.PENANARsIB4ZSA0Y
470Please respect copyright.PENANAaOoslnJeRq
470Please respect copyright.PENANAbi6Di9n7c6
470Please respect copyright.PENANAsLtYjK6H7A
470Please respect copyright.PENANApUFfTzlRZ3
470Please respect copyright.PENANAOpJF22DOBx
470Please respect copyright.PENANAjrDFWWmADg
470Please respect copyright.PENANA7PDOt9cT7G
470Please respect copyright.PENANAKO7ioeh3uv
470Please respect copyright.PENANARYXmARXb3a
470Please respect copyright.PENANAoTqPf0IMcV
470Please respect copyright.PENANAOYtatWGlTx
470Please respect copyright.PENANAI5NvYHt2Ht
470Please respect copyright.PENANAheTgiFUsIj
470Please respect copyright.PENANAGvQFGi6HJH
470Please respect copyright.PENANAyf4UVCPrHy
470Please respect copyright.PENANAsZxpvcSFrD
470Please respect copyright.PENANArY5Z7Hq1iJ
470Please respect copyright.PENANAzHNdGVJ3Rz
470Please respect copyright.PENANAbRB1oeTJfI
470Please respect copyright.PENANAEjCztD0zfF
470Please respect copyright.PENANALXLcnw4shU
470Please respect copyright.PENANAwuZjrN59MT
470Please respect copyright.PENANAU4Mz3Tm4Ih
470Please respect copyright.PENANAknjZa27WoI
470Please respect copyright.PENANAoDw7K55NbM
470Please respect copyright.PENANAa3rNi0zYA7
470Please respect copyright.PENANALkZGIALG3S
470Please respect copyright.PENANAyHIuxYzDld
470Please respect copyright.PENANAtgxDUfbOBF
470Please respect copyright.PENANAbpzuwkiaFl
470Please respect copyright.PENANAyzB1ppX20T
470Please respect copyright.PENANAJqcrFKPuc4
470Please respect copyright.PENANAzEXJrBdDSA
470Please respect copyright.PENANAlnM4V5DvpS
470Please respect copyright.PENANANx7nqPoIBL
470Please respect copyright.PENANArZnLpIbqSl
470Please respect copyright.PENANAmBbKYU6Ded
470Please respect copyright.PENANAsZT7Iwb4HG
470Please respect copyright.PENANAt16UlwEAcY
470Please respect copyright.PENANAkY2ArUiNAh
470Please respect copyright.PENANARVlIoMTDCy
470Please respect copyright.PENANALa36fYJDOF
470Please respect copyright.PENANAAjfpnU7OPP
470Please respect copyright.PENANAW4g49xHFhc
470Please respect copyright.PENANAuaCEITgIcQ
470Please respect copyright.PENANAXv9oMAK0ye
470Please respect copyright.PENANAIelkp75PG5
470Please respect copyright.PENANAyPX6Ynt18p
470Please respect copyright.PENANAu8kk0Gpnit
470Please respect copyright.PENANAjcde1mj6Ab
470Please respect copyright.PENANAcZjvU2FTqq
470Please respect copyright.PENANAu0WJJhg7e2
470Please respect copyright.PENANAzsC1CWQgtL
470Please respect copyright.PENANAXcafJkwDNs
470Please respect copyright.PENANAYCDiJwloF5
470Please respect copyright.PENANA7Vnm4EO97y
470Please respect copyright.PENANAnhLuNZKCXD
470Please respect copyright.PENANAgjGvmQUB1T
470Please respect copyright.PENANAmuMdpzUDBm
470Please respect copyright.PENANArUONTFt2ne
470Please respect copyright.PENANAGMjer3fPna
470Please respect copyright.PENANAYrXG3qNDFS
470Please respect copyright.PENANAYSrGb08vuY
470Please respect copyright.PENANAPPh4FZlxNB
470Please respect copyright.PENANAnGsqrGKyjF
470Please respect copyright.PENANAiq8ptpGiSC
470Please respect copyright.PENANANsj0tgpHzC
470Please respect copyright.PENANAqefoUBvZbq
470Please respect copyright.PENANAeNOKNTKa0k
470Please respect copyright.PENANAgGpa9EB1h6
470Please respect copyright.PENANAigk6jPhXWV
470Please respect copyright.PENANAnKkYv5OosS
470Please respect copyright.PENANAesEilhYxwI
470Please respect copyright.PENANAIb6396Mrlc
470Please respect copyright.PENANArbSc0Y07Fp
470Please respect copyright.PENANA7hkAHLLVhR
470Please respect copyright.PENANAdLIdMALOkX
470Please respect copyright.PENANAGZrsH7L3Vw
470Please respect copyright.PENANAiZ7U4ZLywa
470Please respect copyright.PENANA2pCkfXeQfc
470Please respect copyright.PENANAOFLYeeG4Ah
470Please respect copyright.PENANAqYNlIVPawz
470Please respect copyright.PENANASdT9u7ejrB
470Please respect copyright.PENANA0nk5urfvvl
470Please respect copyright.PENANA4xuU2mVrFS
470Please respect copyright.PENANA7KwthexsES
470Please respect copyright.PENANASf9DoogEIW
470Please respect copyright.PENANAdSjhrw5EoR
470Please respect copyright.PENANAQGVhk0n6Jk
470Please respect copyright.PENANAkw1hC4XaI1
470Please respect copyright.PENANAt6JLjOBJBZ
470Please respect copyright.PENANAklcf1n3yur
470Please respect copyright.PENANAWXdAHQ2xkr
470Please respect copyright.PENANA6IopufULDo
470Please respect copyright.PENANAwle9JkmDfS
470Please respect copyright.PENANAX5LKke3KTA
470Please respect copyright.PENANAxxlGdrUt2z
470Please respect copyright.PENANAqpnOGD9RE5
470Please respect copyright.PENANAEBjEZPQFbJ
470Please respect copyright.PENANAZxVz9X07RC
470Please respect copyright.PENANAzV7G2zl48u
470Please respect copyright.PENANAkqGF3HQmuh
470Please respect copyright.PENANAcGsGpsq3lF
470Please respect copyright.PENANAF2ebLroEjb
470Please respect copyright.PENANA3TLsSssdey
470Please respect copyright.PENANAOq5dmhkHgQ
470Please respect copyright.PENANAM73v9jbsMj
470Please respect copyright.PENANAOp6EWTWOP2
"Adira" he yelled. " You already are Mine."
ns3.12.34.113da2