Chapter - 31
"Siya... Siya... open your eyes," I pleaded, my voice shaking with worry.
But she didn't respond. Panic surged through me as I picked her up gently and laid her on the bed.
I could feel my heart racing as I dialed for the doctor, urgency driving my every action. "Get to Rathore Palace, now!"
I grabbed a water bottle from the table and splashed a few drops on her face, hoping it would wake her. "Come on, Siya, please!" But still, she didn't wake up. The feeling of powerlessness washed over me, heavy and suffocating.
"Siya!" I shouted, my voice echoing in the silence. I felt helpless, like I was losing control.
Within moments, Maa rushed in, her eyes filled with concern. "Aarav, what happened to her?"
I didn't know how to explain. I could barely find the words. "She... she fainted," I stammered, feeling the weight of panic heavy in my chest. "And she's not waking up!"
My mother moved closer, trying to console me."She'll be fine, Aarav. Don't worry."But her words felt empty; nothing could calm the storm raging inside me.
Just then, the doctor arrived, and I rushed to him. "Doctor, she fainted while we were talking."
He nodded, his expression serious. "I need to check her, Ranasa. Please wait outside."
I wanted to argue, to stay by her side, but Maa put a hand on my shoulder. "Aarav, let the doctor do his job."
With hesitation, I followed her outside, walking back and forth. Each minute felt like it lasted for hours. I couldn't get rid of the growing feeling of fear in my chest.
After 5-6 minutes, the doctor finally emerged. I rushed forward. "How is my wife? Is she okay? What happened to her?"
He took a deep breath, looking serious. "She had a panic attack. I've prescribed some medicine, so make sure she takes it on time. She needs to eat regularly and stay away from any kind of stress; she can't handle it right now."
I felt a wave of relief wash over me, but my concern lingered. "But why hasn't she woken up yet?"
"She was given an injection to help her relax. She needs this sleep to recover," the doctor replied. "She'll wake up after a few hours, so don't worry."
After thanking him, I asked someone to escort the doctor out.After the doctor left, my family started to gather. Dadimaa, Chachu, and Papa came to check on her before quietly leaving the room so she could rest.
I sat beside her, holding her hand gently. Her skin felt warm beneath my touch, but she remained unresponsive. I knew she couldn't hear me, but I still needed to talk to her. "Siya, you know... until today, I thought I was invincible."
I took a deep breath, my heart heavy. "I believed I could win against anyone. There's no weakness in me. I'm a powerful ruler, and I can do anything with a snap of my fingers."
I paused, looking at her peaceful face, so unlike the turmoil in my heart. "But today, you made me realize how helpless I can truly be."
I squeezed her hand, desperate for her to understand."You are my weakness, Siya. I can't handle it if anything happens to you. I just can't see you like this, my angel."
A tear slipped down my cheek, and I brushed it away angrily. "You give me peace in this chaotic world. So how can you think you are not worthy of me? It's me who doesn't deserve you."
I leaned closer, speaking softly. "But I can't leave you. Never, please, never say to stay away from you. I can handle your hurtful words; I can take your anger, but I can't bear the thought of you pushing me away. That is one thing I cannot do."
My eyes never left her face, tracing the gentle curve of her lips and the peacefulness of her features. I felt an overwhelming urge to protect her, to shield her from all the pain and darkness in the world.
As I spoke, my voice grew quieter, almost a whisper. "Siya, you need to wake up. I can't lose you. I won't lose you."
Time slipped away as I sat there, my hand still holding hers. I felt exhaustion creeping in, and without realizing it, I began to drift off, my eyes heavy with fatigue.
As I closed my eyes, I whispered one last thing, "I'll be here when you wake up, my love. You're everything to me."
I didn't know when sleep finally took me, but I knew that as long as she was by my side, I would fight to protect her, no matter the cost.
The first thing I felt when I opened my eyes was warmth.
Someone was holding my hand. As my vision cleared, I saw him—Aarav.
He was sitting beside me, his fingers wrapped around mine.
He looked different like this—so peaceful, so quiet.
I had never seen him this close before. Whenever he was awake, I could never bring myself to look at him properly.
His gaze was always too intense, too overpowering.
But now, while he was asleep, I could observe him without fear.
I let my eyes trace his features. His face was strong, sharp—just like his personality. But there was something else too, something softer. His eyelashes were long, much longer than mine. That wasn't fair. Why did men always get such beautiful lashes? I almost smiled at the thought.
Then, my eyes fell on his forehead. There were lines there, as if he had been worrying too much. Was it because of me?
Without thinking, I reached out and gently placed my palm on his forehead, hoping to smooth away those lines. The moment I did, they disappeared. A strange feeling settled in my heart. Did I really matter to him that much?
His words echoed in my mind.
"It's not that you don't deserve me; it's that I don't deserve you."
"Never say that you are nothing to me. You are everything to me."
Was I really his everything? Or did he just say that because I was crying?
I didn't know what to believe. My heart wanted to trust his words, but my mind kept reminding me of what Buaji had said—"I won't let you stay here!"
At that moment, I had felt like I was losing everything—him, this family, this place. I didn't want to lose him. Shivji, please don't let that happen.
As I silently prayed, my fingers absentmindedly ran through his hair. It was softer than I expected. I didn't realize he had woken up until I felt him shift.
His voice was deep, laced with sleep. "Are you okay?"
Startled, I quickly pulled my hand away and nodded. I couldn't bring myself to say anything.
He looked at me for a moment, as if making sure I was really fine, then stood up. "I'll be back in a while," he said before walking out of the room.
As soon as he left, my thoughts returned.
Was I really worthy of being his wife?
After learning that he was the King of Rajasthan,a man with immense power and responsibility.
And me? I was just... Siya. I had never been someone's first choice.
I wasn't supposed to be in his life, but fate had placed me here, and he had accepted me without a word.
But for how long? Would I ever truly fit into this role?
Lost in my thoughts, I didn't even notice when he returned.
He walked in carrying a tray. I blinked in surprise. Was that... food?
He sat beside me and placed a bowl in front of me. Khichdi?
I looked at him, confused. Who eats khichdi in the middle of the night?
Before I could say anything, he spoke. "Eat it. It's good for you."
Good for me? Who told him that? How could khichdi be good for anyone? But I didn't argue. I just picked up the spoon and took small bites, eating as much as I could.
After I was done, he handed me a tablet and a glass of water.
I frowned. "Why are you giving me medicine? I'm not sick."
His expression didn't change as he answered, "You fainted, Siya. I called the doctor, and he gave you this. You're weak. Just take it."
I hesitated, but under his firm gaze, I swallowed the medicine without further argument.
He placed the tray on the table and then, to my surprise, lay down beside me.
I had so many questions in my mind. Should I ask him? Would he answer them?
As if reading my thoughts, he pulled me closer, wrapping his arm around me protectively. His voice was soft yet firm. "Sleep now. I'll answer all your questions in the morning."
I didn't know how, but he always understood what I needed, even before I could say it. Maybe that's just who he was.
I closed my eyes, feeling the warmth of his presence around me. And for the first time in a long while, I felt safe.
Without another thought, I let myself drift into sleep, holding onto him, as he held onto me.
The forest was dark and cold. My tiny feet hit the ground as I ran beside Mumma. Her breath was quick, and her body shook with pain. I looked up at her, my heart pounding, but I didn't understand why we were running, or why there were people chasing us. Everything felt so wrong.
"Mumma, why are they after us?" I wanted to ask, but I couldn't. My chest hurt too much to speak.
Her voice came out weak. "I can't run anymore, beta." She stopped, leaning against a tree, her face pale and full of pain.
"No! Mumma, they'll come! They will catch us!" I cried, my tears blurring my vision. I didn't want to leave her.
"You have to go, beta," Mumma said, wiping away her tears. "I can'trun now. You have to run fast, okay?"
"No, no, Mumma, I don't want to go alone." My heart was breaking. I didn't want to leave her. We had always been together. Why was she telling me to go?
The voices were getting closer now. I could hear them shouting, "Where are they? We have to find them!"
"Mumma, no! I won't go! I don't want to leave you!" I was shaking with fear.
But Mumma, with tears in her eyes, looked at me and said, "You are my good daughter, right? You listen to me always."
I nodded, even though I didn't want to.
"Go, beta. Run. They'll not find you if you go that way. Follow the path, and you'll find a highway. Just go... please."
"Mumma, no! I won't leave you!"
Her voice broke, and she said, "Promise me, whatever happens, you will not come back. You'll only run in the direction I told you. Swear it to me, Siya."
I was so scared, but I promised her. "I promise, Mumma."
And with that, I started running. My legs ached, my heart was heavy, but I ran because I had promised her.
Then, I heard Mumma cry. The sound cut through my heart like a knife.
I stopped in my tracks, my body trembling. "Mumma!" I cried out, but no one answered.
"Mumma! No!" I fell to my knees, tears streaming down my face.
And then I heard a voice, soft and gentle.
"Siya... Siya, wake up, baby."
I gasped, my eyes snapping open. My heart raced, and I felt my body shaking from the nightmare. I looked around and saw Aarav beside me.
He pulled me into a tight hug, and I clung to him, crying. "Mumma..." I sobbed, the fear still gripping me.
"Shh, it's okay. Just breathe in and out," he said softly, holding me close. His voice was calm, and it made me feel a little safer.
I tried to follow his words, taking deep breaths, but the tears kept coming. "I had a nightmare," I said between sobs. "But... I don't remember it. I just remember calling Mumma."
Aarav hugged me again, his warmth surrounding me. "It's okay. It was just a nightmare. Forget it," he reassured me.
He handed me a glass of water, and I sipped slowly, grateful for his care. Afterward, he made me lie down against his chest. I felt so comforted there, knowing he was right beside me.
"Sleep now. I'm here," he said softly, wrapping his arms around me.
I nodded, feeling the weight of the nightmare slowly lifting. I hugged him tightly, letting his presence calm me, and I closed my eyes, allowing myself to drift off to sleep.
When I woke up in the morning, the first thing I noticed was that I was alone in bed. Aarav was not there.
For a moment, my mind started running in all directions. Did he leave? Did I do something wrong? But then, I reminded myself not to overthink.
Just as I was trying to clear my thoughts, I heard his deep voice.
"Good morning, Siya."
I turned towards the voice and saw him sitting on the sofa, working on his laptop. He looked calm, as if he had been up for a while.
I hesitated before responding. "G...good morning." My voice came out softer than I intended.
He shut his laptop and walked toward me. His sharp gaze studied me for a moment before he asked, "Are you okay now?"
I simply nodded.
"Go freshen up. I'll arrange our breakfast," he said.
I didn't say anything, just got up and went to the bathroom.
Under the warm water of the shower, my thoughts refused to stay quiet. Why is he taking care of me like this? I came into his life by accident, and yet... he does so much for me. Am I just a responsibility to him?
Pushing the thoughts away, I got dressed in a simple blue suit and stepped out of the bathroom.
The moment I entered the room, I saw that breakfast was already arranged on the table. My eyes flickered to Aarav, who was waiting for me. Without a word, I walked closer, and he served me a plate of poha.
I didn't say anything—I just quietly ate my food. He ate his as well, and after we were done, he handed me medicine.
I frowned. Again? I really didn't like taking medicine, but did I say anything to him? A big no.
Without a word, I took the medicine and swallowed it, trying not to make a face.
Just then, there was a knock on the door.