Shalini changed to a simple salwar suit. She looked more like a girl next door in it without make up.
" You are beautiful like this", said Riya. " Be natural". Then eating her home made snacks she said, " And you are a good cook too".
" And you really are a fool", said Shalini shaking her head. "You know I have designs on your man and yet you are here sharing food. I slept with him you know".
But Riya shook her head.
" No you didn't. He never slept with you as Vicky", she said." It was in some other life. Isn't it"?
" So you are here to rub salt on my wounds", said Shalini.
" No", said Riya.
" I am here to ask you Reshma. Why did you spoil Gunjan's life. You slept with Srikant. This much is clear. So what happened ".
" I fell in love and he didn't", she said slowly.
" This is what happened."
" Will you tell me your story", said Riya. " You owe me that much at least".
" Nothing good comes out of digging old graves. They only bring pain", said Shalini.
" I amm ready to take that risk", said Riya.
" Suit yourself", she said.
Four centuries earlier
A young prince was all alone in forest hunting.
" Kill him", ordered another young man. He must not come out alive".
" Yes your highness", they said.
As prince moved all alone. Someone attacked him from behind with a sword.But it clanked with another.
" Only cowards attack from behind", said the newcomer. He was a mere teenager.
Prince looked at his saviour. But the battle was still on. Finally the prince and the boy one.
" I am prince Baldev Chauhan. May I know my saviour's name.?
" Its Srikant pundit your highness. I am one of your soldiers", he answered.
" Not anymore", said the prince. " You are now my commander ".
Well the pair was highly successful. They won many wars. And in a coup de etat Baldev became the new king.
It was new king's twentieth birthday. A huge feast was thrown. Food , wine and women dominated. By now Srikant and Baldev were friends. The city's top consort Heerabai came to dance for him. Her prime was gone but she still could rock g*ntlem*n's bed.
But she brought a surprise for the new king. It was an untouched girl.
" My niece Reshma at your service your highness", said the dancer.
Reshma's first dance turned heads. She was bold and beautiful. Men wanted her.
" She just turned 16 your highness. My gift for your twentieth birthday", said the dancer.
Reshma sat at the king's feet.
" Stand up Reshma", said the king.
The girl did. " Srikant", said the king.
" Yes your highness", said Srikant.
" I offer her first time to you for saving my life multiple times", said the king.
At first Reshma was offended that the king gave her to a mere soldier.
BUT ONE LOOK AT SRIKANT AND HER BREATH STOPPED.
Tall, dark, mature and well built he stood at 5 feet 10 and was still growing. He was a year younger than king but looked way mature. His eyes were coal black and lips hard. He was checking her out. She felt nervous . A playful smile curved his lips as he nodded.
" Thank you your highness", he said. His voice was velvet. She melted.
He offered her a hand. Trembling she put hers in his. His hands were rough and grip strong.
Her first time was an explosion. For both of them. He was gentle. He was hard. Traditional and expermental . And boy was he experienced. He did not let her sleep a wink. She supported him completely. Never gave up. Took all what he gave. By morning he wore her off. She slept blissfully.
When she woke up he had left.
A note was on the bedside..with a rose
" I had the most wonderful experience. See you soon".
Srikant became a regular. She found out he was married. She felt a pain in her heart.
" His bride is a child", said Adheer one of his friends. "She can never make him happy like you do."
" She is plain and stupid too", said Sushant his younger brother.
Reshma climbed on cloud nine. She brushed his wife off.
Time flew by.
" You should not love him Reshma", said another dancer. " We can't have that".
" He is married", said another.
" That girl is stupid", she said haughtily. " I am the one he loves".
But it was not the case.
Gunjan turned into a mesemerising beauty. And one look at his wife was enough. SRIKANT FELL FOR HER.
" Don't go to Reshma Sahib", said Gunjan.
" I will not", he promised.
AND HE KEPT IT.
He broke his ties with Reshma. She was a mere courtesan not his wife.
" Where is Baanke( my handsome man) ", she asked his friends.
" Spending nights in the arms of his wife", said Kishan.
" She is beautiful. Her veil fell and I saw her. Sri has the luck of a devil. Her", he pointed at Reshma . " And Gunjan". The men laughed.
Their each word was like a nail in coffin for Reshma.
She danced whole night that night without taking a break. She sprained her legs. But her heart pained the most.
She met him again at king's function. She approached him.
" Please come tonight Baanke. I miss you".
But he refused.
" Its over Reshma. I belong to my wife. Please don't approach me again".
And Reshma's chapter was closed in his book. She was like a weed whom he threw away.
But not all weeds are harmless. Some turn into poisonous ivy.
Reshma was one such.
She waited for a chance and it came to her.
King Baldev has seen Gunjan at a river. He decided to have her. But Gunjan rejected him and remained loyal to Srikant.
Reshma added wood to fire.
" He is a mere soldier. He should be thankful to you for his riches and power. His wife should be yours".
As king asked Srikant he was angry.
" Gunjan is my wife not an escort", he said.
He left the army and went back to his village farming. The king blind with his power attacked their village killing his son and touching Gunjan.
Srikant vowed revenge.
" I shall clean my village with king's blood", he vowed.
And he did that. He and his friends destroyed king's capital. He killed all his male heirs in front of him. And annhilated his kingdom. He then declared himself the new king.
Flasback ends.
" Maharaj Ranjeet Singh", said Riya. Tears flew from her eyes.
" Yes", said Shalini crying.
" What happened next", she asked.
" Do you really want to know", asked Shalini.
" Yes".
Flasback
" Don't kill him Sahib. He is just three", said Gunjan.
She was defending a young prince as queen cried bitterly.
" My son was not even one", said Srikant bitterly.
" Finish him".
The prince was murdered.
He showed the queens and princesses to his men.
" Enjoy the spoils of war."
" Nooo Sahib", cried Gunjan. " Its a sin. Let them mourn. Please Sahib treat them with respect. ".
But the women belonged to the victor. She could not stop him. But she refused to be a queen.
" I am not a queen", she said. " I am a farmer's wife".
" Then I denounce you", he said pushing her.
She stood all alone in rain as he walked inside the palace.
Reshma took pity on Gunjan and brought her to her own home.
" If he leaves her he shall be mine", she thought.
So she started plotting.
When Srikant's anger died he came to Reshma.
" Send Gunjan".
" She does not wish to go", said Reshma.
" She prefers to be a courtesan than a queen. She wants another man not you".
" I don't believe you", said Srikant. He was not a fool.
" Then ask yourself".
" He wants you to be his queen", she said to Gunjan.
" No its a sin", said the righteous girl.
" I told him all you want is a pair of bulls, a small land to farm and a small house", said Reshma. " But he does not believe me".
" I will tell him myself ", said the girl.
" Then come", said the poisonous witch.
" You don't want to be my queen", Srikant asked Gunjan.
" No", she replied.
" Do you want what she told me you want"? He really was angry.
The innocent girl trusted Reshma.
" Yes", she said.
And then her life was destroyed.
As Gunjan's dead body lay at foot of Shiva temple..the Lord cursed all who wronged her.
" Reshma you tricked my devotee and destroyed her marriage. You will never be a respected woman. Upon your death you shall be reborn as a courtesan again and again. You will have no father or brother or husband but men who will always use and throw you. And the man for whom you did it shall hate you".
Flasback ends
A suffocating silence followed.
"You are free to hate me", she said.
" And will this hate get Gunjan a justice", asked Riya.
" What does a sinner like me know"?
" Maybe one day Shiva can forgive you", said Riya.
" What about you", she asked.
" Will you promise me one thing", said Riya.
" What", asked Shalini.
" There is going to be a war soon. If needed can you join it on my side"?
" I will protect you with my life", she promised.
" Then I forgive you Reshma.".
She felt free for the first time in four centuries.
" Thank you".
Manav and Sonia came to collect her.
" This is Ms. Shalini", said Riya. " A dancer".
She waited for his disdain.
But Manav said respectfully
" Nice to meet you Ms. Shalini". " Your friend", he asked Riya.
She was taken aback.
" Yes"
" Nice meeting you sister". HE CALLED HER SISTER. HER CURSE WAS TRULY OVER.
" Sonia why do you sulk", asked Riya.
" Because your brother's aim is to fight with his mother", she said.
" Because she should not change who you are to be with me. Your clothes, your profession and friends are just fine. Be yourself. I love you as you are".
" He has no tact", said Riya to Sonia shaking her head.
Shalini disagreed.
Manav was a man of high character. She should have an elder brother or father like him.
They bade her goodbye and left.