Mohini POV 

Its has been only three days and I am already missing Yuvraj. When will he come back? 

I have slept with his kurta everyday. 

Swati saw my pathetic condition and I got upset thinking that now everyone will know how much clinging I have become. 

She just smiled and said, 

'Its not a big deal, Ranisa. You both are in the initial love and lust phase which will eventually pass and you won't feel this much clingy with him.' 

I nodded my head taking her words. 

This morning my yearning for Yuvraj made me realise that I have never cared this much about for even Rao except for Dada. 

That reminds me that I have to get on that too. 

That's why I am eagerly waiting for Swati to come in my room and I can send her to Jayant Bhau to get some news about Dada. 

I am pacing in my room when Swati enters inside with a smile. 

She greets me and I greet her in return. 

I sign, 

'Can you do one thing for me? Can you go to that man's house where I had sent you with letters?' 

When she understands what I am saying, her face fells. 

Which makes me realize that she must be interpreting my request wrongly. 

I shake my head hurriedly and sign, 

'Its not related with any conspiracy against Yuvraj, its some of my personal family matters.' 

Her face still shows worry and now she is not even meeting my eyes. 

With lowered eyes she replies, 

'I can't go there.' 

I don't blame her for not going there, she is still doubtful about them so I just sign with a reassuring smile, 

'No worries, I am not forcing you to do anything, if you don't want to go there, I won't force you to go but can you send someone in your place?' 

She doesn't reply instantly which worries me, she hesitatingly says, 

'I can't go there because that man whom you used to send letters through me has already left Suryagarh.' 

That puts me in the shock, in his letter Jayant Bhau clearly stated that he would stay here in Suryagarh until I catch the culprit. 

Maybe he left after he found about my journey to the Malwa. 

WIthout me even speaking, Swati further says, 

'He had left Suryagarh after your coronation.' 

This baffles me even more. I hadn't even found the culprit by that time and he had gone against his promise of staying here until the culprit is caught. 

He is not one to go back on his promises so this seems very odd. 

I sign, 

'Does anybody knew about his identity in the Suryagarh?' 

I dreadingly wait for her answer and she shakes her head which puts my heart and emotions in a storm instead of peace. 

He said that he won't hide his identity and he won't leave until I find the real culprit. 

Is he was the one who my father used to deceive me and attack on Yuvraj? 

Did Bhau used me to lure Raja-sa out of his palace? Is he my father's side or not? 

If what I am thinking is true then I am the guilty one who have been responsible for Raja-sa's condition at that time. 

I stumble and sit down while Swati comes to me worriedly. 

I will find about that later when I request Raja-sa to find my brother for me. 

For the whole day my mind is occupied by these talks. 

I am sitting in the sitting area in the pool where, Naina, Avantika and Swati enter with a smile. 

I paste a genuine smile because I don't want them to know I am worried then they would want to know the reason. 

Secondly I am genuinely happy to see them. 

They all sit down and Avantika says in her pretend snippy voice, 

'Aaj kal hum dekh rahe hai ki aapke paas toh humare liye samay hi nahi reh gaya hai. Kya ek ladki ko apne sasre walon ke saath ye salook karna chahiye?' 

'These days I see that you have no time left for us. Should a girl behave like this with her in-laws?' 

A genuine laughs fall from me. 

Naina also pretends to be mad too, 

'Teen din se aap toh gayab hi hogayi thi, humari yaad aapko ek baar bhi nahi aa rahi thi, na?' 

'You had disappeared for three days, you did not remembered us even once, right?' 

To which Swati replies being all arrogant, 

'When I am with her why would she want to remember her cruel sister-in-laws?' 

This makes Naina angry instantly and she says, 

'Pehli baat ki hum unki nanad nahi, dost hai aur dusri baat, jitna prem woh aapse karti hai utna prem woh humse bhi karti hai.' 

'First of all, we are not her sister-in-laws, we are her friends and secondly, she loves us as much as she loves you.' 

After saying that she huffs then turns away. 

I glare at Swati with an Are you serious? look, she shrugs then pretends to unwillingly stands and walk to Naina. 

She apologizes to Naina who has the record for holding grudge for shortest time. 

She melts from Swati's apologizes and forgives but gives her the warning, 

'Don't ever say that she loves you more than us or I won't be able to accept it and never say that we are her sister-in-law.' 

Avantika rolls her eyes and says haughtily, 

'Inn sabke tamashe mein humare nakhre ki kachori ban gayi.' 

'In their spectacle of all this, my tantrums became a cake.' 

I laugh at her. 

I sign as Swati translates, 

'Its not that I didn't want to meet you both, I was just engaged in work.' 

I would never forget these two, they are like butterflies of my life who decorates it and makes my life beautiful. 

Swati is everywhere I am so I don't even have to miss her and I make sure that I don't lose her. 

Avantika replies with a smile, 

'I know Mohini, we were just teasing you since we didn't see you for past three days, you didn't even have dinner with us.' 

Naina also says with a reassured smile, 

'Don't be scared, you can do whatever you want don't fear us, we won't eat you.' 

I sign with Swati translating, 

'I have been busy in the grants that Raja-sa left behind for me to look over then stamp it, if it is to my liking, grants for new rules, new measures for our Suryagarh.' 

They nod their head in understanding. 

I have been impressed by the new measures and rules for Suryagarh which can benefit Suryagarh in the long run. 

I just hope that his mission there becomes successful or it can create rift between Ambari and Suryagarh. 

This won't be good as it can also create rift between the other empires too. 

I pray to God that Ambari's king understand Viraj dewarsa's dilemma and back out the war and Raja-sa comes back in one piece. 

Naina's question makes me refocus in the current situation, 

'So you gotta spill how did it go in the harem and servants' quarter?' 

I laugh at her eagerness, Avantika also leans forward, these past days spending time with her told me many things about her. 

She loves to gossip for one thing, she is passionate about her art and very free sprited girl. 

I sign with Swati translating, 

'Not much eventful, the servants' quarter was very easy to deal with as they already love me so much so they were happy to comply with me to make me happy.' 

Then Swati adds on her own, 

'Plus they were really happy with the new measures introduced there, it really helped them, they would surely bless Ranisa in their prayers.' 

I just smile at her, 

Then she lowly says with anger, 

'But I can't say the same thing about the women of harem.' 

I sigh listening to that, she is really angry with Chandani from that day only. 

Avantika heard that and asks while frowning, 

'Why are you saying that? What happened?' 

Swati looks at them then starts telling them everything that happened. 

I was already there so rather listening to it, I busy myself on writing my plan action for new opportunities for our people. 

She finishes with, 

'Chandani toh apne aapko aise dikhati hai, jaise wo hi yaha ki Rani hai, na ki ye, aur woh ye sab sirf isliye karti hai, kyunki usne Raja-sa ke saath kayi raatein guzari hai.' 

'Chandani shows herself as if she is the queen of this empire not her, and she does all this only because she spent so many nights with the king.' 

Which brings a thought in my mind, she is not just doing these things because she spent some nights with Raja-sa. 

When Raja-sa came to check upon me that day I had seen the ring on his finger for the first time she expectantly waited for Raja-sa to turn to her. 

She wasn't angry or jealous when Raja-sa turned to me, showed care for me. 

She looked sad that this time he didn't cared for her, he didn't turn to her. 

Somehow she has developed hero complex for Raja-sa, she started to love him because of that. 

Whatever happened between them only resulted in inclusion of harem in the palace and her being powerful there. 

Sometimes I can understand her pain to not get someone she loves, to see him becoming someone else's in front of your eyes. 

But it doesn't mean I will give what's mine and I won't let anyone snatch him from me too. 

I turn to them and ask in signs as Swati translates, 

'I want to know why some of these ladies staying in harem do other works?' 

Naina answers, 

'Some of these ladies here are from the empire over whom Agam had won victory.' 

Avantika further says, 

'They were given the options either they stay here as pleasure ladies or they can do any work they want to do but all of them has to stay in the harem only or they can leave the palace and stay in Suryagarh as civilian.' 

Swati asks lost in her thoughts, 

'Why would they want to stay here like this?' 

I glare at her which she sees and says sorry, how can she judge them for fending for themselves? 

The situations of our lives force us to survive like this. 

The atmosphere has gotten so heavy with all this talk. I look at them lost in their thoughts. 

I make my bangles giggle loudly snaping them out of their thoughts then sign as Swati translates, 

'I want to discuss some new opportunities for our people which concides with your both likes and passion.' 

They sit up eagerly to listen to my proposition. I continue with Swati, 

'I was thinking to open an art school to inspire arts in the hearts of the young people in Suryagarh which can be used in many fields.' 

Avantika frowns and says, 

'I like the idea but what are the fields are we talking about here?' 

I love that she has already gone in serious business mode, I further explain as Swati translates, 

'We can promote art schools in our empire and introduce them to certain levels of art according to their talent; beginner, intermediate and advanced.' 

Naina puts her input, 

'Uske liye aapko unki pariksha leni hogi, ye janne ke liye ki kaun kis star par hai.' 

'For that you have to test them, to know who is at which level.' 

Avantika thinks about it and nods her head and says, 

'Hum teen tarah ki parikshaye kara sakte hai, har samatal ke liye, aur jo apne aapko jis samatal mein dekhta hai uss samatal mein woh pariksha le aur agar woh usme uttrin huye toh unhe uss samatal mein dakhila mil jaega.' 

'We can conduct such tests for each level, and whoever sees himself in that level can take that test and if he passes it then he will get admission in that level.' 

This was a good idea and I am feeling pretty proud of this idea. 

I sign with Swati translating excitedly, 

'I don't have much knowledge in that so you have to look in the people who are in good in arts as teachers for the school, we can start these first in 2-3 regions then spread it.' 

She nods her heads and says, 

'Yes first we have to see people's response to this.' 

An idea comes into my mind and I sign with Swati translating, 

'Why don't we held art exhibition in different regions of Suryagarh while we develop this idea?' 

When she frowns not understanding, so I further explain with Swati, 

'We can showcase previous Queen's work in this exhibition, for people to admire her work, we can even set up awareness committee there who will tell the opportunities related to the different art with paints.' 

Avantika thinks for sometime then nods with a smile, 

'Right now the only art which is going on here is Sanjhi art and Gemstone Paintings, there are many forms of art which vanished from here.' 

I smile feeling happy that my idea is forming its shape slowly. 

Avantika further says lost in her serene thoughts, 

'Arts can be used in so many places, for decorative items, for potteries, for jewelleries, for clothes, for decorating houses and it can even used to capture emotions of people through potraits.' 

I feel happy seeing her happy. 

I then turn to Naina and sign as Swati translates to her, 

'I know that there is only 3-4 public libraries in whole of Suryagarh which I don't seem to think is right.' 

Naina answers, 

'Its not because we didn't want to but our books were imported from 3 empires, Jyotsar included. 

But after the attack on Suryagarh 7-8 years ago made us stop any import so that we can save our money for our people and soldiers.' 

She is right if they were going through some rough patch then they had to save some money for their people too. 

I sign as Swati translates, 

'I have got the treasury counting of this month and it looks like we can afford to have some libraries included in the empire and have primary libraries for every school.' 

Naina ponders a while then says, 

'Aap sahi keh rahi hai, ab humare vidyalon mein toh khaas taur se ek maulik pustakaalay hona chahiye aur kahi jagahon par bhi.' 

'You are right, now there should be a basic library especially in our schools and at other places too.' 

I sign further with Swati, 

'I am thinking that our schools should introduce some practicals in advanced studies instead of having more theory, 

Like for medicine study the school should have a basic herbs collection for them to study on it. Even for students who want to become doctor.' 

Naina says, 

'It can really widen their concept and help in understanding better.' 

I nod my head smilingly. We can introduce many subjects through this. 

More concepts, more jobs opportunities for people. 

I sign with a soft smile as Swati translates, 

'Lets meet up after we have our plan of action ready paperwise so we can discuss it with Raja-sa and other ministers.' 

In the night I come to my room after having dinner with everyone. 

The room feels so empty without Raja-sa so I try not to focus on the room and get ready to sleep. 

After changing into my night cotton saree, I enter my room and take out Raja-sa's kurta. 

Placing it on one side, I lay down on the other side. 

Sleep doesn't come instantly, I toss and turn thinking what Raja-sa is doing there. 

Worried if he solved the problem or not. 

Talking to these three had helped me in distracting but now that I am alone, I can't help my mind in going dark places. 

These days has gone so peaceful which makes me fearful that these days won't be for long. 

I am waiting for the other shoe to drop. 

Holding his kurta for dear life, I finally fall asleep. 

Those menacing eyes looking at me with pure evil makes me shiver, like they want to kill me, like they want to devour me. 

I try to hide from them but they are lasered focused on me while the chaos is going around us. 

My mother is fighting there while a man is holding me. 

She yells, 

'Don't you dare touch my daughter or I will kill you all with my bare hands.' 

Someone tries to snatch her but she turns at last time and slash their hands. 

Seeing them fighting makes me realized that they are very skilled, our people can only injure them but they have injured them even more in return. 

The way they have dodged every move of my mother makes me believe that they are no ordinary thieves. 

I look back in the eyes who are watching me patiently standing in front of me. 

I feel a cool press of metal on my shoulder and I look in side to find the dagger moving to my neck. 

My mother comes and attack him but he blocks with his wrist and throws her off to the side where a man holds her. 

He throws the sword from her and his mask falls when my mother fights back to him. 

He looks me in the eyes with an evil smile and puts the sword on her neck making me scream out,

'AAI!!! AAI!!! AAI!!! LEAVE MY AAI!!!' 

Screaming continuedly my eyes fall on the man who threw my mother as he move towards me, blood dripping from his wounds. 

I come awake with a jerk and find myself gasping for breath. 

I feel myself drenched with sweat, I put my shaking hands on my face trying to take deep breaths. 

Suddenly my door is thrown open and soldiers start coming inside but I get scared and take out my dagger. 

I don't have my sword but that doesn't mean I can't kill them. 

Swati comes forward with a worried face to me and says, 

'We heard a scream here, Rani-sa.' 

I become shocked because I had screamed in my nightmare, did my voice really come out? 

I try to call Swati's name but the voice wouldn't come out. 

Swati sees me trying and her eyes widen with realization, she says, 

'Did you scream right now?' 

I looked at soldiers and she tells them to get out and I sign, 

'I think so because just now I was screaming in my nightmare but I can't seem to call out your name right now.' 

She becomes excited and says, 

'It means that your voice can come back.' 

It can but I can't seem to understand why after so many years, I am being haunted by my terrible past. 

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