Epilogue part 2 #2
Abhimanyu quickly looked around and spotted Aaradhya nearby. His entire expression changed. "Please don't hit me!" he shouted in an exaggeratedly innocent voice.
Aaradhya immediately turned around.
She saw Abhimanyu sitting on the ground while the boys surrounded him.
"Hey! How dare you hit him?!"
She came running toward them and helped Abhimanyu get back on his feet. Then she turned toward the other children, placing herself protectively in front of him.
"Who pushed him?"
The boy who had shoved Abhimanyu nervously stepped forward. "I did, but-"
Before he could finish, Aaradhya pushed him hard. He stumbled backward and fell, scraping his palm against the ground.
Aaradhya pointed at him angrily.
"Next time, I'll hit you with a big rock!"
The boy's eyes widened. Aaradhya grabbed Abhimanyu's hand and pulled him away.
"Come on." Abhimanyu followed her, trying desperately not to smile.
They sat together on a nearby bench, still catching their breath after the little fight. Aaradhya noticed the dust covering Abhimanyu's clothes and immediately pulled out her embroidered handkerchief.
"Here, wipe that dust off. You look ugly," she said, handing it to him.
Abhimanyu took it, looking at the handkerchief before wiping his face.
"Goodness, you're so weak!" Aaradhya complained. "Can't you fight back? My daddy always says we shouldn't let anyone harm us."
Abhimanyu simply nodded, a knowing little smile appearing on his face.
"Thanks for helping me."
"Yeah, yeah, of course," Aaradhya replied proudly. Before they could say anything else, a girl came running toward them.
"Aaradhya! The principal is calling you!" she announced before immediately running away. Aaradhya's smile vanished.
"Oh nooo! Now she'll definitely call my parents." Abhimanyu looked at her curiously.
"Are you scared?" Aaradhya stared at him as if he'd asked the most ridiculous question. "You fool! Of course I'm scared!"
Then she pointed toward herself dramatically. "But not for me... I'm scared for Daddy."
Abhimanyu blinked.
"What?"
"If Mommy finds out about this, she'll first scold Daddy because she'll think he's the one teaching me all this fighting!" Abhimanyu couldn't hold back his chuckle.
"Bye! I have to save Daddy too!" She ran toward the school building, leaving Abhimanyu sitting there.
He looked down at the little embroidered handkerchief still in his hand. A quiet smile spread across his face.
He carefully folded it. "Crazy girl," he murmured, still smiling.
Meanwhile, at the Rajput mansion, the family was gathered around the dining table for dinner. The atmosphere was warm and lively, with Aaradhya's empty chair reminding everyone that she was still at school until the holidays officially began.
Rudra looked toward Ishni while serving himself some food.
"Jaan, tomorrow we have to go to Vipul and Tara's place. He called this morning and told me they're having a baby shower."
Ishni looked up from her plate, her face immediately lighting up.
"Really? Tara's baby shower?" Rudra nodded. Ishni smiled. Across the table, Aaradhya looked between them curiously.
"Baby shower? Does that mean I'm getting a baby brother or sister?" Rudra chuckled.
"Not yours, princess. It's Vipul uncle and Tara aunty's baby." Aaradhya's eyes widened with excitement.
"Then I want to go!" Ishni smiled at her. "Of course you can come."
Aaradhya immediately started imagining all the things she could do at the celebration, while Rudra exchanged an amused look with Ishni.
----
The next day, the baby shower ceremony was held at Vipul and Tara's beautifully decorated home. The entire place was glowing with flowers, fairy lights, and colorful decorations, while laughter and music filled the air.
Ishni looked breathtaking in a beautiful light-blue saree, her hair styled elegantly with delicate flowers. Rudra stood beside her in a sky-blue shirt paired with white trousers, looking effortlessly handsome.
And then there was Aaradhya.
She wore a gorgeous navy-blue lehenga, with tiny embellishments that shimmered whenever she moved. Her hair was neatly styled, and she looked every bit like a little princess.
Rudra looked at her proudly. "My princess looks beautiful." Aaradhya twirled around.
"I know, Daddy." Ishni laughed. "Someone is definitely taking after her father." Rudra placed a hand over his heart. "Finally, someone appreciates my genes."
Ishni rolled her eyes. "Don't get too excited."
Aaradhya giggled as she stood between them, completely enjoying the attention. They entered the beautifully decorated house and were warmly welcomed by Vipul and Tara. "Congratulations!" Ishni said, hugging Tara gently.
Rudra shook Vipul's hand with a smile. "Finally, brother. Big day." Vipul grinned. "Yeah, I still can't believe it myself."
Before they could say anything else, Aaradhya came running toward Tara.
"Auntyyy!" Tara immediately opened her arms, and Aaradhya hugged her tightly.
"Look at you!" Tara laughed, hugging her back. "You're looking like a little princess today." Aaradhya beamed.
"I'm so excited to see the new baby! I wonder if it's a girl or a boy!"
Tara smiled and gently touched her belly. "Why don't you guess?" Aaradhya placed a finger on her chin, pretending to think deeply.
"Hmm... I think it's going to be a girl!"
Vipul laughed from beside them.
"And why exactly?"
"Because girls are better!" Aaradhya declared confidently. Rudra chuckled.
"Of course she would say that." Aaradhya turned toward him.
"Daddy, you agree, right?" Rudra immediately nodded.
"Always." Ishni smiled at the little exchange while Tara laughed. "Alright, princess. We'll find out soon enough."
----
Meanwhile, in Jaipur, the weather had turned violent. Lightning flashed across the dark sky as heavy rain poured over the palace. The usually lively corridors were completely silent.
Abhimanyu sat with his father, quietly talking to him. "How is everything at school?" his father asked.
"Good..." Abhimanyu replied softly. "But sometimes I miss you. I feel like, instead of having guards around me, I just want my father to be near me."
His father smiled sadly. "I know, beta. But you know I have responsibilities. I'm the king. After your mother left, I had no choice but to send you away. There are too many enemies around us. I have to keep you safe."
Abhimanyu nodded, understanding even though his heart felt heavy.
Later, he left his father's room.
Hours passed. The storm grew stronger.
Suddenly, a deafening explosion shook the palace. Abhimanyu rushed toward his father's room, but his grandmother immediately ran toward him and covered his eyes.
"Dadi Maa! What happened?"
"Don't look, beta!" she cried, pulling him away. Before he could understand anything, the guards hurried them toward the car.
Abhimanyu climbed inside with his grandmother, still terrified. The car sped away through the rain.
He looked back at the palace through the window, clutching the embroidered handkerchief in his hand.
"I'm sorry, Princess....I couldn't keep your promise."
Suddenly-
BOOM! A massive explosion erupted behind them.
The palace disappeared into flames. Abhimanyu turned around in horror.
But before he could even process what had happened-
BOOM!
Another explosion tore through the road. The car he was sitting in was engulfed in fire. The screams of the guards were swallowed by the thunder. Everything became flames, smoke, and darkness.
---
Meanwhile, miles away, Aaradhya was completely unaware of what had just happened.
She was at the baby shower, dancing happily with her family, her navy-blue lehenga twirling around her as everyone laughed and clapped.
She had no idea that somewhere far away, the boy she had spent years fighting with, teasing, and reluctantly promised to win a dance competition with...had just lost everything.
While Aaradhya's world was filled with music, laughter, and light.
Abhimanyu's world had suddenly fallen into fire, silence, and darkness.
The end