Pragya was completely at sea with her situation. She couldn't grasp what was happening around her. The King had imprisoned her for the disrespect she had shown him. There she sat on the floor, still adorned in her beautiful red dress and white top, with her transparent bandanna. Her long, silky hair was tied back with a lovely flowered hairband. Her large eyes were reddened from tears after witnessing the beheading of a prisoner.Despite her beauty, she was a stranger to these people. "My love, where are you? I know you will come to save me," she whispered. Suddenly, someone announced, "The king has arrived," and everyone bowed down in worship. The King approached Pragya's cell."Who are you?" he demanded."Sir, I am Pragya from Goa," she replied."There is no country by that name. You are here to spy on us, aren't you?" he accused."What? A spy? No, sir, I assure you, I am not spying," she responded softly."Why should I believe you?" the king inquired."Sir, I am just a simple girl from Goa, Maharashtra. I don't understand why or how I ended up here. I was supposed to be at my wedding ceremony with my family and my future husband's family. If you don't believe me, then please give me a phone so I can call them," she pleaded.At this point, one of the soldiers interjected, "Your Majesty, you must not trust this woman. She speaks of places that do not exist."Pragya countered the soldier, "Just give me a phone so I can contact my family.""What are you even requesting?" the king asked wearily."A phone," she insisted. "My family must be worried sick by now. Just one call, sir. Let me assure them that I am safe," she implored."What does 'phone' even mean? Your Majesty, she is squandering your precious time. I suggest you order her execution," said the soldier whom Pragya had kicked in front of the king."No, no, no, Your Honor, I mean, Your Excellency, or is it Your Majesty? Look, I haven't planned my demise anytime soon. I don't even know how I got here, nor do I know the name of this place. Please, try to understand my predicament, sir," she implored.The King, intrigued, decided to listen to her tale. He had never encountered someone so bold, beautiful, and self-assured. "What have you to say for yourself?" he prompted her to speak."Sir, my name is Pragya Singh Rathore, from Goa, India. My arrival here was unplanned. I was at home preparing for my wedding. My fiance was delayed, so I began reading a book. Suddenly, a force from within the book drew me in, and I found myself here. I could never have envisioned a place like this existing in the 21st century," she finished her account."Your Majesty, we must not overlook such jest. She's mocking us," interjected a soldier."Cheng Gu," summoned the king."At your service, Your Majesty," the soldier responded."Fetch Vin Zhang," commanded the king. The soldier bowed and hastened out of the dungeon.
PRAGYA'S POV
I can't fathom why that soldier detests me so. He nitpicks every statement I make. What is he after? Perhaps it's because I embarrassed him in front of his king. It baffles me why everyone in this palace regards me as if I've lost my mind.Shortly after, that insolent soldier returned with an elderly man. What sort of king is this? Isn't he ashamed to have made that old man bow to him? This is unbearable.After the king and the old man had a discussion out of my earshot, the old man fixed his gaze on me for what seemed like an eternity. Their actions left me perplexed. What do they want from me?After scrutinizing me for about thirty minutes, he bowed to the king and declared, "Your Majesty is correct. Even in the Satavahana Dynasty, there was no woman like her," the old man proclaimed.What? The Satavahana Dynasty? Who now will understand me? Who will believe me?"Excuse me, sir, but I am from present-day India. The Satavahana Dynasty fell 2321 years ago. Why are you suddenly discussing it?" I interjected.The King shot me a lethal look. Not literally, but as if to say, 'I will kill you,' prompting me to silence myself and continue eavesdropping on their conversation."Mr. Vin Zhang, please proceed as you deem fit," he commanded. Then, he turned to me with a grave and menacing air. Everyone, even the smallest firefly, fears him. I'm curious about what he did to earn such devotion."What was your name again?" he inquired. Despite my repeated reminders, he feigned ignorance of my name."Pragya, Pragya Singh Rathore, sir," I responded, striving to remain courteous. But I vowed never to prostrate myself before him as others do."Listen, Pragya, His Majesty is the king of the Qin dynasty, King Jing Zheng. While you are here, you must comply and show due respect to His Majesty," the soldier instructed. I couldn't help but raise my eyebrows, amused.Should I prostrate myself at his feet and venerate him? Never.The king of Qin reacted unexpectedly! He yanked my hair, pulling me towards him. He closed in on me, his lips nearing mine. I struggled to break free from his embrace.He whispered in my ear, "Because I rule here. Don't be foolish, or I'll behead you like the one you witnessed. Be a good girl," he said, patting my shoulder before returning to his original position.Then he summoned his trusted soldier, "Cheng Gu."Cheng Gu approached and bowed respectfully. "Yes, Your Majesty," he replied."Escort her to her room. No one, except the imperial doctor, is permitted inside," he commanded.What! Now he decides who can enter and leave my room. This King is too much.
AUTHOR'S POV
King Jing Zheng released Pragya from prison upon realizing she was sick. Indeed, she was sick for them. He assigned her to a private chamber.Pragya thought she had been drugged by an unknown supernatural force to this place. She had yet to discover that she had time-traveled to the early Qin dynasty, 2321 years before her time. She was in 221 B.C. in the Qin dynasty.Her dress, her speech, and her manner of addressing the king were all bizarre to him and his subjects. And for Pragya, it was bewildering how these people could exist in the 21st century. But in reality, she was in 221 B.C.Upon entering her room, she heard the announcement, "Imperial Doctor Vin Zhang has arrived." Shortly after, the elderly man entered."My lady," he bowed as he did to the king.Pragya panicked. "Uncle, what are you doing?" she exclaimed, helping him to stand upright. "Uncle, I'm not like your cruel king. You don't have to do that," she said kindly."My child, we are not kin. You need not call me uncle," the doctor responded.She smiled and grasped the old man's shoulder, saying, "My mother taught me to respect my elders, not like that king of yours," her words tinged with anger."Look, my child, if you wish to leave this place alive, you must obey His Majesty. He is a cruel and merciless king who has slain many to claim his throne. Be cautious," he warned, fear evident on his face as he spoke of King Jing Zheng."Uncle, I'm at a loss for how I ended up here. Just yesterday, I was at home awaiting my husband. Today is my wedding day; I should be there. My family must be worried sick. There's no phone or wifi here. How can I escape? Uncle, you must help me," she implored, clasping her hands together."Pragya, I'm clueless about what you've just described, but from your account, it seems you're from another world. However you arrived, you're here now, and there's no known way back," the Imperial doctor informed her.Pragya was stunned. "Doctor, uncle, I must leave this place. I don't belong here. Please, if you fear the king, don't worry. You won't face any trouble because of me," she reassured him.The Imperial doctor, Vin Zhang, shook his head sorrowfully, "I'm sorry, Pragya, I lack the magical words to send you back to your world. Fate has brought you here, my lady. Nevertheless, I vow to do my utmost to discover those words and reunite you with your loved ones. This is my promise to you," he declared, kneeling.Pragya lifted him to his feet, "Doctor, there's no need for such formalities. You could have been my father. I must show you the same respect I have for my own father, as my parents taught me," she said, holding the old doctor's hand and smiling with childlike innocence. Remembering she was to become a mother in seven months, she cradled her stomach."Uncle, there's something else I need to tell you," she began. The doctor nodded, waiting for her to continue."My husband and I were expecting a baby. I don't want to give birth in this place. What should I do?"The Imperial doctor was the only person with whom Pragya had formed a good relationship so far. "I've never encountered such a thing. You are the only one who has traveled through time. However, as I've learned from many books, you must change a few things to be with us," he said."What do you mean?" Pragya asked, shocked, clutching her stomach."Just as you can understand our language, perhaps by traveling to us, you might have lost your child," he suggested.Pragya collapsed to the ground, weeping profusely. "Doctor Vin, I wish to be alone. Could you please leave?" she requested."Certainly, my lady," the doctor replied, exiting the room.
PRAGYA'S POV
The doctor's words stunned me. I had a miscarriage. I spent the entire night crying, calling out Samrat's name, begging for forgiveness. I reminisced about all the sweet moments with Samrat. I was so certain that nothing could tear us apart. Mehek did her utmost to separate us, but she failed. Now, we are parted forever. Why must it be this way? Why does the almighty subject us to such trials? And my baby, why should he suffer? Who is to blame? Who is paying for whose errors? My mind is overwhelmed with memories of Samrat.***"Pragya, are you alright?" Samrat inquired."I'm fine, my love. Don't worry about me. As long as you're with me, no one can harm me," she responded after they had escaped Mehek's henchmen."Sam, you were adept at fending off those thugs; you must teach me," she insisted."Don't worry, my little angel, I'll teach you everything," he assured her with a smile. When he smiled, she noticed a wound on the tip of his mouth."Sam, you're injured. Wait," she said, then tore the hem of her scarf to clean the wound on his lips. It led to a passionate kiss that left her breathless."Pragya, there's something you need to learn before self-defense," he said, looking at her slyly. "What is it?" she asked innocently. "I have to teach you how to breath during our kisses," he chuckled and peck her lip by his. This continued to a make out session in a warehouse in a forest. ***I recall our first night vividly. Each time Mehek attempted to drive us apart, our love only grew stronger. Yet, when I recall my miscarriage, I am overwhelmed with sorrow. Why me, Lord? Why me, goddess? Why must Samrat and I endure this fate?I had fallen asleep on the floor, leaning against the bed, when the announcer's loud voice roused me."The king has arrived," he declared.The door to my room swung open, and King Jing Zheng, accompanied by his personal bodyguard, entered. Everyone in my room, save for myself, bowed and greeted him.He approached me and asked, "Won't you greet me?""Good morning, Your Honor," I replied casually."And your deference?" he inquired."Why should I prostrate myself before you? Are you my creator, my spiritual guide, or my kin?" I challenged, still shaken from the previous night's events."Prepare yourself, get dressed, and be ready," he commanded."For what?" I asked, feeling indifferent. I hadn't anticipated such foolishness from the king."You mentioned that you had begun a wedding in your world, did you not? I intend to complete that unfinished ceremony," he stated.My eyes widened in shock. "What did you just say?" I questioned, unsure if I had misunderstood."Yes, Cheng Gu, ensure that every citizen is present at my wedding ceremony with Lady Pragya," he ordered."Excuse me, but you cannot force this upon me. You cannot marry me against my will," I protested.The King leaned close to my ear and whispered threateningly, "If you are unwilling to marry me, then forget returning to your world. I will turn your life into a living nightmare.""Cheng Gu, announce to all neighboring states that I am hosting a grand celebration. I will name her as the fourth Imperial concubine," he declared.What? I am to be his fourth wife, and he wishes to announce it publicly? How disgraceful!