Chapter 10: CHAPER 10: A LETTER

"Jiji, I'm afraid about what kaya's final decision would be. My son really likes kaya and she is the kind of person who I would love to have as my daughter in law... But.." bhuasa paused but she continued peeling the peas.

Massa understood her concern, it was the first time Rudra had taken interest in a woman. In the past, he has rejected countless proposals from many rich kingdoms and has never batted an eye at any women. His mother wanted him to get married as he is going to turn 20 this year.

“ I know bai sa, there many girls who are crazy about our Rudra, but him being he, never looked away from his sword.” Maasa said with a soft chuckle escaping her lips recollecting the events of a particular day. " bai sa, I don't think kaya would ever reject Rudra, you can take it as a yes from her side. I assure you that only kaya will become your daughter-in-law.” Bhuasa nodded reassured. She placed her hand on top of bhuasa's as if consoling her. She only hopes that Rudra and kaya get closer during the time they have till Devika’s marriage, she doesn't even know how much time they had..what if it gets too late and they are only left with regrets of losing the opportunity of making someone like kaya her son's wife.

“kaya, Arya, come downstairs fast! We have to get the desserts ready for today's function, and Kriti…” both the women looked down on the soft mattress and on the sleepy kriti, she drifted into a nap when the elder women started with their women talks.

“ Yes maasa, coming " arya notified as she catched her breath and looked at kaya who cautiously sat at a distance.

“ you came from the future, you say? Then show me some evidence, tell me some thing about what will happen in the future. Anything and if it sounds legit I’ll believe you. But remember! another lie and you'll be killed by the very sword of mine that you fear so much, got it?” arya looked at her with a cold expression, her stern voice carrying a tone laced with seriousness as she brushed her hand through her hairs

Kaya couldn't help but gulp in fear. What could she tell her about? The huge technological advancement there is in the modern era or how global warming is at a rise? Without a doubt, she knows that she won't have any proof for her to show as a shred of evidence. Nevertheless, kaya nodded.

"words...” she said in a cold voice. "y-yees princess” kaya answered in a flat tone placing her hand on her heart trying to calm it down. 'hot and dangerous’ were the only words that could describe arya.

“sh! Don't get distracted by her, babes. Think about yourself! If you don't save yourself this time then you are certainly dead.” Arya murmured to herself thinking about the consequences of provoking the princess.

“Rudra bhaisa? …bhaisa!” ansh tried to bring the smitten Rudra back to his senses for the hundredth time. Only after a harsh shake did Rudra realized what he was doing. He was staring at kaya with his senses lost in admiration..!

"bhaisa are you okay?” ansh raised his eyebrows at his strange behavior, "not anymoree..” An unknown smile spread over his face as his eyes held a strange longing look. Rudra kept staring her and a small smile tucked at his lips. He has fallen hard for this woman!

His strange expression were beyond what ansh could interpret. Something was seriously very wrong with his brother, he had been behabing very lost and spaced out.

"bhaisa..." ansh soon realized the cause of it when he followed rudra’s gaze and spotted kaya who moved downstairs following arya.

‘Kaya. Hm...’ His mind reached a conclusion that something was going on between both of them. He decided he would help and support his brother. He knew very well that this was his brother’s first love interest and by the looks of it he seemed serious about it.

_____

As soon as all of them reached downstairs they got busy in the preparation and getting ready to greet and welcome the guest and relatives. There was a huge roar in one of the biggest room of the palace which was none other that the room the bride was getting ready. Well not exactly for marriage but yeah for the ritual of haldi (turmeric) which was to be followed seven days prior to the Weddng day.

This room was full of women with contradicting age, some giving blessing while the others just chitchatting and helping the to be bride in getting ready. Arya and kaya entered the room when kriti dragged them inside with great enthusiasm.

"ladies, today is my devika jiji’s wedding ritual. so I request you a to give us family members, some time to stay and talk with her. Other who are not related to us shall wait outside or have the food served before the actual feast.” Kriti declared in an unusually authoritative tone. She felt as if this was a privilege to be provided only to the family members and others should go out. "one two and three” she raised her hand in the air and counted till three but none moved. "guys go outside” she shouted pretending to be authoritative  yet none moved.

Kaya who watched with amusement nudged arya with her elbow, " why aren't they going out?” and arya who was well versed with the family drama knew exactly why.

“ bas bahot hua kriti.( okay okay that's enough)” She sighed and sat on a huge couch relaxing herself in a laid-back manner. The others started to laugh whereas kaya was still puzzled. "all of u present here are from the same family, cousins though but yeah we are a family”

Kriti sighed in dissappointment, how could she forget they have the 'door ke rishtedaar’ (distant relatives) as well. Kaya gasped in shock, what a huge family

“devika jiji, this is kaya” arya said introducing her to the to be bride. "hello I'm arya’s friend, I came here for your wedding. It's a pleasure to meet you” kaya greeted her.  Unintentionally she said the last sentence in english, even though it went unnoticed by most of the people present In the room, arya paid keen attention to it. A different language? Is that the language they use in the so called future’?

Devika was puzzled at kaya’s extended hand. What was she supposed to do with it. When kaya realized what she was doing she quickly flucked her hand in the air as if killing the flies. Arya couldn't help but chuckle at her antiques. Wait did she just laugh at her? Arya again wore the same cold expression.

“hello, you are so beautiful and What do you use on your skin, it's really soft and bright?” devika asked with a certain innocence. Her skin tone was not common in Rajasthan so people assumed that she came from somewhere else.

“I use aloe vera gel to clean my skin daily” kaya couldn't help but smile at devika.  These people never shy away from complimenting others. It was all fine till a servant came in to inform kaya that someone was waiting outside for her with a letter.

"who's it? Someone from the royal family ?” the dasi shook her head and responded, "no it's a messenger and he has a letter with him.

A letter? Was there someone she knew or someone who knew her? Who could have sent a letter to her. "okay I'm coming tell them to wait” kaya said politely and the dasi nodded. Kaya faced arya who stared at her with a super cold expression. "come outside, I have something to talk to you about” she lead the way and kaya followed her.

‘Didn't she said that she is not from here? Then how is it possible for someone to write her a letter’ arya was suspicious

She took the letter and started to open it. Kaya was very confused her self. She did not Knew who could have sent her a letter. "you said you don't know anyone from here then who's letter is this?” arya open the letter to her face and showed her the contents written inside.

“I don't. Know who it is, also I can't…under stand what is written inside…” arya raised a brow at her as she scanned her expression And nevertheless started to read what was inside the letter inside. " we the parents of kaya…”

Arya paused and looked at kaya who shook her head in disbelief …she can't believe her ears…parents? She actually has parents in this era?

“….”

“would you care to explain, ms 'KAYA RANAWAT’?” arya inquired looking at the mentioned surname of her parents. Arya was so furious right now that she felt, she can actually kill someone right now. The women in front if her, had the guts to lie to her and not one but twice! This was unacceptable!

“I-I  can explain …n-not .. parents…a lie…”kaya felt her body going cold and looking at her fumbling arya became even more irritated than she already was. Seeing how she couldn't even say anything  to even protect herself made arya disgusted of her. She didn't know but a small part of her heart wanted to believe kaya, she felt that she is just might not able to explain herself. But on want base would she have trust in ber, when since she met her she has only been lying to her.

Arya didn't wanted to continue reading the letter but she had to know the full truth or find any sign which can prove that kaya is innocent but what she read in the letter hooked her to the core, " we the parents of kaya ranawat belonging to a small merchant family in amer hereby notify you all that we would like our daughter to get engaged to prince rudra. We also would like to meet the family of the prince on the decided engagement day, until then we will wait for a reply confirming this marriage alliance.”

Kaya' s eyes widened in shock and she shook her head desperate unable to form words. Everything was new to her and she did not fe very comfortable with this new change.

'Arya wouldn't believe in me anymore even if she wants to’ the thought of losing her trust made her heart ache with an unknown pain. Arya turned away without sparing her a single glance and before she left the room completely, she halted in her place and said without turning back. "if you were this eager to marry my brother, you should have told me, I would have personally taken the trouble of writing a letter to your parents.”

“arya..!” kaya marcged towards her in long strides and took her I'm in her own carresing her to calm her anger down. Kaya was aware of what arya was feeling right now but she herself was in such a difficult situation that she was not able to explain anything.

“you know I wouldn't do that, believe me, I don't even know the language properly, how do you expect me to write a letter? " she said as tears welled upon her eyes. Gosh she was not even a emotional personal and now she's shedding tears on breaking arya’s trust. Even though she was not at fat, she deeply felt bad.

“who else could have informed them if not you! No one here knows a single thin about you, my family is very to have had trusted a stranger who only knows how to lie!” with that said arya jerked her band away and left a sobbing kaya.

‘Independent woman of 21st century, crying here like a dumb idiot’ kaya mocked herself as she kept looking the way arya just went. She’ll find a solution to this problem because if not She’ll in a marriage she doesn't want.