Chapter 30

Tears never stopped when I narrated the story. They fell in the court too. I tried to hide them now. Not wishing to be more vulnerable than I already was. I didn't turn to look at him. I physically couldn't make myself do that.

Calm down Aarohi. Calm down. It is the past which you left behind, didn't you? Then why are the wounds still fresh? And the fight started again. By brain can't live with itself. Therefore, I always buried this memory. Then why does it surface back so vividly?

I didn't turn towards him. He didn't make a sound. Maybe he was just processing things. Maybe rethinking his love for me. I laughed at the thought. They always do, don't they?

I got up. But stumbled on my way up. I caught the tree to balance myself. I heard him get up at that moment too. Maybe he wanted to stop my fall. But I've already fallen. What will he save me from? I've already seen the worst monsters.

Tears were streaming from my eyes. They never stop at such moments. "I still remember my father when he saw me in hospital in that state. I still remember how my mother sobbed then. She said that they ruined my life and maybe I am ruined. She caught her words quickly though saying that she didn't mean it. That I will have a beautiful life ahead compensating all the pain I'm feeling. But is there enough happiness in the world to equalize my sadness. I don't think so." I whispered.

But it was not Yudhisthir's fault that that happened to me. I don't want him to be stuck with me because of sympathy. I didn't turn when I said, "It's okay if you don't want me now." Why is my voice cracked? "Men think I'm not pure even in my era. This is three thousand years ago. You don't have to stay with me. I will leave you if you want."

But before I could take a step ahead, his hand pulled mine. I turned and he hugged me. And I broke. I started sobbing to all the warmth I was receiving. For the me, that was lost that day two years ago. And he embraced me so tightly as if helping me hold all the broken pieces of my life.

He caressed my hair as he spoke, "You are as pure as pure can be. I don't love you despite your faults. I love you with them. And what happened was an unfortunate incident which made you stronger. It is not your fault but your strength. It only strength that can face this pain and still have the will to live. I hope perpetrators got what they deserved."

I laughed through my tears, "One got in prison for six years, others for three. All because they were too drunk to know better."

"I would kill them right now, if I could." He said with conviction still caressing my hair.

I whispered, "I know." And I knew that each word he spoke was the truth not because he was Yudhisthir. But sometimes you just know it. Your heart tells you. And your brain agrees.

"You know you can still be with Duryodhan. You can still marry him." It felt like it took him a lot of effort to say that.

"Why-" I started but he cut me.

"He doesn't know you're alive. If he came to know, he'll run here to you." He spoke.

"Why would you say that?" when you said that you love me.

I think he heard the next sentence too. The one which I did not say out loud.

He whispered, "Because you love him." I turned to look up and our eyes met. His hazel ones held sadness as he said, "And I don't want see you sad."

"I can't be with him. I can never share my love or the person I love. He is mine and mine alone. I can bare to be alone my entire life. But I can't bare to be someone's second choice."

Yudhisthir chuckled at that. He smiled and kissed my forehead gently as he said, "That's it. I promise you right now that I Yudhisthir, the son of king Pandu of Kuru vansh, will not take any other wife or lover than you, princess Aarohi of Yadav vansh." His words softened as he spoke my name.

My eyes widened in shock. "Why-y? What?" He made me completely speechless. "But I haven't. I didn't."

Still smiling he said, "You don't have to worry about anything. This is my choice. I will stand for you and fight for you and love you till my last breath. I promise and I never break my promises. I am all you."

"How can you say it so simply?" I asked still in shock.

"Because it is simple. Don't overthink simple things Aarohi." He sat next to the tree and patted beside him. "Come sit with me. The night is so beautiful. It reaches it's peak with your presence."

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