The small hut creaked as the soft wind swirled outside, carrying with it the scent of damp earth and wildflowers. Nandini sat near the flickering oil lamp, her hands steady as she stitched together a torn fishing net. Her hair, now roughened by the sun and wind, fell loosely over her shoulders. Every thread she pulled through the net felt like an attempt to stitch together the tattered fragments of her own life.
The kabila had become her home, not by choice but by necessity. Days were spent learning to survive, nights wrestling with dreams of what she'd lost. The nights were the hardest. Memories of Aryanagar haunted her—her father, Maharaj Devraj, her brother Kartik, and her closest friends, Veer, Meera, and Urmi. She often replayed the day she had been humiliated in the royal court, accused of betrayal. Her father's voice was cold and sharp as he declared her unworthy of being his daughter. Kartik, her own brother, hadn't stood up for her, and the silence from Veer and Meera had hurt even more.
"Your hands will cramp if you keep gripping it that tightly," Vaishali's voice broke her reverie.
Nandini looked up, startled. Vaishali stood at the entrance, her face lit with a soft smile. Nandini forced a small smile in return. "It keeps me busy."
Vaishali walked over and plopped down beside her. "You've been busy since morning. It's okay to take a break, you know."
Nandini's fingers stilled, and she looked at the other woman. Vaishali's kindness had been a balm, even if Nandini couldn't bring herself to share the full truth about her past. "Sometimes, work is easier than thinking."
Vaishali tilted her head, studying her. "Thinking about what?"
Nandini hesitated. "The kind of life I left behind."
Vaishali placed a comforting hand on her arm. "Whatever it was, you're here now. And here, you're safe."
Safe. The word felt foreign to Nandini. The kabila had given her refuge, but safety was a fragile thing. She nodded, though her heart ached with the weight of unspoken memories.
In Aryanagar, the grand halls of the palace had lost some of their luster since Nandini's departure. Veer and Meera's wedding had brought fleeting joy, but unease still lingered. Maharaj Bhimrao, determined to secure Aryanagar's future, focused on forging new alliances. His eyes were now set on Sitampur.
"Devraj's son, Kartik, is an ideal match for Urmi," Bhimrao announced during court. His words were met with murmurs of discontent.
"After what Nandini did, how can we trust that family?" one nobleman objected, his voice tinged with disdain.
Bhimrao raised his hand to silence the room. "he severed ties with his daughter for her betrayal. Her actions do not reflect her family. Devraj remains a loyal ally, and this union will strengthen our kingdoms."
Despite the dissent, the decision was final. Days later, Bhimrao and Veer arrived at Sitampur with the proposal. Maharaj Devraj received them with great pomp.
"It is an honor to host Aryanagar's Maharaj," Devraj greeted, bowing slightly. "What brings you here?"
Bhimrao smiled warmly. "An alliance through marriage, Devraj ji. Your son, Kartik, and my daughter, Urmi."
Devraj's face lit up. "It would be our privilege. Your faith in us humbles me."
Preparations began swiftly, and soon, the palace of Aryanagar hosted another grand celebration. But amidst the music and laughter, a shadow loomed in the form of Yashwardhan. Standing in his chambers, he reveled in Nandini's disgrace, believing her absence was his triumph.."
Jaiveer slammed the goblet onto the table, the wine splashing onto the polished wood. His father, stood before Yashwardhan, his expression severe.
"While you waste your time with petty grievances," Jaiveer spat, "Aryanagar grows stronger. Do you think they will wait forever for us to act?"
Yashwardhan's jaw tightened. "The throne will be mine. I don't need you questioning my resolve."
jaiveer's hand lashed out, the slap resounding in the chamber. Yashwardhan stumbled back, his cheek burning. "Resolve means nothing without action!" jaiveer thundered. "Do you think I secured this kingdom for you to squander it? Swear to me that you will do whatever it takes to claim what is rightfully ours."
Yashwardhan straightened, his eyes blazing with fury. "I swear it, Father. I will have the throne, even if I have to burn Aryanagar to the ground."
jaiveer's lips curled into a cruel smile. "Good. Now prove it."
5 Years Later
The sun dipped low over the horizon, casting a warm golden glow over the river. The air was cool, and the water glistened with a soft sparkle, reflecting the last rays of daylight. Nandini stood at the edge of the river, gazing at the clear, tranquil surface. The village around her seemed to pause in this fleeting moment—silent, still, almost as though the world itself held its breath.
Her fingers brushed the surface of the water as she stepped in, the coolness sending a shiver through her. She had always found peace here. The river wasn't just a body of water; it was a place where she could feel free. Here, there were no expectations, no politics, and no past. It was just the water and her.
Behind her, she heard the soft splash of someone entering the river. She turned to find Aryan, already swimming toward her. His movements were effortless, graceful in a way that reflected his growing confidence. She watched as he approached, a playful smirk on his face.
she saw aryan splashed Keshav playfully.
"Stop it, Aryan!" Keshav yelped, shielding himself.
Aryan laughed, turning to Nandini. "What about you? Up for a swim?"
Nandini smirked, tossing her scarf aside. "Only if you're ready to lose."
The group erupted in cheers as the two waded into the water. The race was close, their competitive spirits evident in every stroke. Aryan surfaced first, grinning triumphantly. "Told you I'd win."
Nandini emerged behind him, shaking water from her hair. "You cheated. I saw you kick off the rocks."
Aryan raised his hands in mock innocence. "Cheating? Me? Never."
Nandini Just laughed off seeing Aryan's Childish excuse
They climbed onto the shore, their clothes clinging to their damp skin as they sank into the soft sand, the quiet sounds of the river filling the space between them. Their friends, Vaishali, Viraj, and Keshav, were further up the bank, engaged in a lighthearted squabble—laughter and playful taunts echoing across the water. But Nandini and Aryan were not in the mood for such distractions. They sat in silence, their thoughts intertwining with the gentle rhythm of the flowing river.
"I know what you're thinking," Nandini said after a while, her voice breaking the silence. "You want to prove something. You're restless, and you think you need to do something to prove you're capable."
Aryan's gaze flickered toward her, surprised by how well she understood him. He didn't speak for a moment, letting her words sink in. "It's just... sometimes, I feel like there's more for me out there. Like I'm meant for something bigger."
Nandini nodded slowly, a quiet understanding passing between them. She had felt that too—before the palace, before everything that had changed. The need to escape, to find something beyond what you already knew.
"I get it," she said, her voice softer now. "But you have to be careful. There's a price for everything, Aryan. Not everything can be taken by force, not everything can be earned through struggle. Sometimes, the hardest thing to learn is how to wait. How to listen."
Aryan looked at her, his expression unreadable. "And what if waiting feels like wasting time?" he asked.
She turned toward him, her face serious. "Time is never wasted when you're learning something. Even if it's just learning who you are."
As the days passed, Nandini and Aryan continued their training and swimming. The bond between them grew stronger, but so did the tension. Aryan's restlessness was becoming more apparent. He had always been ambitious, but now it was as though something was eating away at him. His desire to leave the village, to prove himself in the outside world, was becoming a constant subject of conversation.
One evening, the conversation reached its boiling point.
"I'm going," Aryan said firmly, his eyes flashing with determination as he stood by the fire pit where Nandini, Vaishali, and Keshav sat. "There's a caravan passing through the northern forest tomorrow, and I'm going to meet it."
Nandini looked up from the fire, her expression immediately hardening. "You promised me, Aryan," she said, her voice rising with the emotion she had been holding in. "You promised that you wouldn't take risks like this. You promised Aloka Uncle you would stay safe."
"You can't be serious about going," she said, her voice sharp.
Aryan turned to her, exasperated. "And why not?
She stepped closer, her tone rising. "Because it's reckless! Do you even understand what could happen out there? The world isn't just some playground for your adventures and also you promised."
"I didn't promise anyone anything," Aryan shot back, his voice tight with frustration. "I don't need permission to make my own decisions."
"It's not about permission. It's about safety! Aloka Uncle is trying to protect you, but you don't see it. He's not trying to hold you back, Aryan. He's trying to keep you alive."
Aryan's eyes burned with anger, but beneath it, Nandini saw a flicker of hurt. "I'm not a child anymore, Nandini. I don't need protection You are not my mother. I need to do something, something that matters."
The words stung, but Nandini refused to back down. "And you're not invincible, Aryan. Just because you've survived so far doesn't mean you always will."
The tension between them crackled like a storm about to break. Vaishali, who had been watching from a distance, approached cautiously, trying to diffuse the situation.
"Alright, enough," she said, placing a hand on Aryan's arm. "Both of you need to cool off before you say something you'll regret."
Nandini glared at Aryan one last time before storming off. Aryan shook his head, muttering under his breath, "She doesn't understand."
Later that evening, Nandini found herself walking alone to the small hut where Aloka had spent most of his days. His presence was both strong and comforting, a rock that had weathered many storms. Nandini had grown close to him over the years, and he had become like a father to her. She often sought his guidance when her own heart felt too heavy to carry.
As she approached, she saw him sitting by the door, sharpening his sword. The sound of the steel against the stone echoed in the still morning air. He looked up as she drew near, his face softening when he saw her.
"Hello, Nandini," he said, his voice warm but steady. "What brings you here today?"
Nandini sat beside him, taking a deep breath before speaking. "It's about Aryan. He's determined to leave. He thinks he has to prove something to the world."
Aloka paused, his expression thoughtful. He had seen the same fire in Aryan that Nandini spoke of, the need to break free, to seek more than what this life offered. "That boy has fire in his heart," Aloka said quietly. "It's both his strength and his weakness."
Nandini nodded, her fingers twisting together in her lap. "He doesn't see that you're trying to protect him. He thinks he can handle everything on his own."
Aloka's eyes softened as he studied Nandini. "You care for him, don't you?"
Nandini hesitated before answering, her voice low. "I do. More than I realized, maybe. But I'm afraid, Aloka. I'm afraid he'll make a mistake he can't undo."
Aloka reached out, placing a hand on her shoulder. "Fear is a powerful thing. It can cloud your judgment. But you must learn to trust him, just as you trust yourself. Aryan will find his way, Nandini. You can't carry the weight of his choices. All you can do is be there when he needs you."
Tears welled up in Nandini's eyes, and she quickly wiped them away, ashamed of the vulnerability she was showing. "But what if he leaves and never comes back?"
"He will," Aloka said simply. "But you must trust that his journey will bring him back to you. It always does. You will be his guide, not by holding him back, but by letting him go and finding his own way."
Nandini took a deep breath, the heaviness in her chest easing slightly. Aloka's wisdom was like a balm to her soul, soothing the ache she had carried for so long. "Thank you, Aloka. I don't know what I would do without you."
"You've always had the strength within you, Nandini," he said with a smile. "Now, trust yourself. The rest will follow."
Meanwhile, Aryan sat by the river, his friends Viraj and Keshav beside him. The three of them were planning their next move, but Aryan's mind kept drifting back to his fight with Nandini.
"She doesn't get it," Aryan said, skipping a stone across the water. "I'm not a child anymore."
Viraj raised an eyebrow. "She's not wrong, though. It's dangerous out there."
Keshav nodded. "And you can be... impulsive."
Aryan shot them both a look. "Whose side are you on?"
"Yours," Viraj said with a grin. "But maybe she just cares about you. Ever think of that?"
Aryan fell silent, the weight of their words sinking in. As much as he hated to admit it, Nandini's concern wasn't entirely misplaced.
Next Morning, Aryan stood by the river, his mind a swirl of emotions. He had decided against going to meet the caravan. For the first time, he truly understood what Nandini had meant about waiting. It wasn't weakness; it was patience. It wasn't surrender; it was strength.
Nandini appeared beside him, standing silently for a moment before speaking.
"You're still here," she remarked, her voice soft but filled with relief.
"Surprised?" Aryan replied, a small smirk forming despite himself.
"Relieved," Nandini said simply. "You made the right choice."
He turned to her, searching her eyes. "Why do you care so much?"
She hesitated before answering, her voice quiet and steady. "Because I know what it's like to lose everything. And I don't want you to make the same mistakes I did."
Aryan's heart skipped a beat as he looked at her, a sense of understanding blooming within him. For the first time, he saw beyond the surface—saw the strength in her that came from her scars, and the vulnerability that had always been there, hidden beneath her armor.
"You're not as hard as you pretend to be," he said softly, his voice filled with newfound respect.
"And you're not as reckless as you think you are," she replied, a faint smile tugging at her lips.
The river flowed steadily beside them, its gentle current mirroring the quiet understanding between Aryan and Nandini. In that moment, they both realized the journey ahead wasn't just about survival or proving something—it was about trust, patience, and learning to move forward together. The road would be long and uncertain, but as long as they faced it side by side, the weight of it all felt a little less heavy. The future was unclear, but one thing was certain they didn't have to walk it alone.