Karnataka – The Royal Palace

The Rajputs had come to Karnataka to visit Kaveri’s sister, Radhika, and her family. A young boy, around ten years old, looked around curiously.

“Dadi, why are we here?” he asked.

“Beta, we are here to visit your other dadi.”

“Oh”

Just then, a loud voice echoed through the palace.

“Ajendra!”

Vikram Kshatriya stepped out with his family.

“Vikram!”

The two men embraced, as did the sisters. Meanwhile, a little girl peered out from behind her father, her curious eyes fixed on the visitors.

“Appa, who are they?” she asked, glancing at the boy standing next to Kaveri.

“Maya, go meet your grandmother,” her father instructed, pointing at Kaveri.

Shy yet curious, little Maya hesitantly walked towards Kaveri. The elderly woman smiled warmly, picking her up and handing her chocolates. Adranksh, watching from the side, pouted—those were his chocolates!

“Adranksh, don’t be grumpy. Here, try these,” Radhika said, offering him another handful of chocolates.

Maya’s gaze darted between her chocolates and Adranksh’s, her tiny face scrunching up.

Kaveri set Maya down, and as she and Radhika went inside, Maya followed, clutching her grandmother’s hand. Before leaving, she shot Adranksh a look, eyeing the chocolates he now held. The family chuckled at her antics as they entered the palace.

—

During lunch, Adranksh and Samay were in Samay’s room, engrossed in video games.

“Maya, go call your brother and Adranksh,” her mother instructed.

Maya ran to the room and stood in front of the screen, blocking their game.

“Mayaaaa! Move!” Samay whined, struggling to win his race.

“No, no, no. Amma is calling.”

“I’ll come. Now move.”

Before Maya could protest, Adranksh pulled her into his arms, hugging her absentmindedly.

“Don’t disturb,” he mumbled, eyes still glued to the screen.

Maya stilled, studying his face.

“Adranksh, look at this drift!” Samay shouted excitedly, snapping her back to reality.

“Ansh,” she whispered.

Hearing her, Adranksh turned toward her just as Samay tugged her hand.

“Maya, let’s go.”

Adranksh’s gaze lingered on her as they walked out.

At lunch, Maya was busy picking tomatoes out of her gravy, her face filled with disgust. Adranksh, watching her, burst out laughing. Maya glared at him before deliberately ignoring him. Seeing her act as if he didn’t exist, Adranksh’s laughter faded.

—

Later that afternoon, Maya rode her cycle in the palace garden while Adranksh and Samay played cricket. A stray ball hit Maya’s hand, causing her to lose control and fall. She cried as she saw blood on her knee.

Adranksh ran to her side, pulling out a chocolate from his pocket.

“Don’t cry, Maya,” he soothed, offering it to her.

Maya sniffled, eyeing him and then the chocolate. She took it, broke it in half, and handed a piece back to him.

Samay returned with a first-aid kit, but Adranksh took it from him.

“Sorry, princess,” Samay apologized, hugging her. Maya smiled through her tears; her teeth were smudged with chocolate.

Adranksh gently took her hand. “Squeeze when it stings, okay?”

She nodded, and he carefully cleaned her wound. She winced and squeezed his hand tightly.

“All done,” he said, placing a band-aid on her knee.

Kamakshi watched the scene and smiled. “Adranksh is such a good boy.”

Shrestha nodded approvingly. Surya lifted Maya in his arms.

“Appa, see! I’m okay now. Ansh helped me,” she beamed.

She then walked to Adranksh and hugged him. “Thank you, Ansh.” With a quick kiss on his cheek, she let go.

Adranksh was completely shocked. As everyone watched, a blush crept onto his face.

Maya ran to Radhika and held out her hand. Laughing, Radhika handed her a big chocolate bar. Maya took it and ran back to Adranksh.

“Ansh, this is for you. Whenever you need my help in the future, show me this wrapper, and I’ll recognize you instantly.” She handed him the chocolate before skipping off to Samay.

—-

Later, as exhaustion set in, the children returned inside. Maya curled into her mother’s lap, while Adranksh rested his head on Shrestha’s lap.

That night, Maya woke up to find Adranksh asleep beside her. She studied him for a moment before tracing her small fingers over his face. Feeling the touch, Adranksh stirred and opened his eyes.

“Ansh… how old are you?” she asked sleepily.

“Ten.”

“Hmm.” She got up, washed her face, and returned. He was already waiting for her.

“Maya, how old are you?” he asked.

She held up six fingers as they walked downstairs together.

Unbeknownst to them, the adults sat discussing their future.

“Ajendra, I was thinking… why not strengthen this bond further?” Vikram suggested.

“What do you mean?”

“I want my Maya to marry your grandson Adranksh in the future.”

Ajendra was taken aback but smiled. “I agree.”

The two men embraced, sealing an unspoken promise.
—

The following week passed peacefully, with Maya and Adranksh growing inseparable.

One day, Adranksh ran up to her, holding a freshly plucked red rose.

“Ansh, this is so beautiful,” she whispered, reaching for it.

“Wait! It has thorns.” He pulled it away and disappeared into the kitchen. Moments later, he returned, having carefully cut off the thorns.

Maya took it, pressing it against her heart. “I’ll keep this forever.”

She jumped on him, hugging him tightly. “Thank you, thank you!”

That evening, it was time for Adranksh to leave for Rajasthan.

“Maya, I promise I won’t forget you. Talk to me,” he pleaded.

“No, Ansh! You will forget me. You’ll find someone else to play with. You’ll share chocolates with them, treat their wounds, wipe their tears…” Maya’s voice trembled.

“Maya.” He turned her towards him, determination in his eyes.

“I promise. I won’t wipe anyone’s tears except yours. I won’t treat anyone’s wounds except yours. I won’t eat chocolates until you feed me yourself. I swear it, Maya.”

She sobbed and hugged him tightly.

And he kept his promise.

Adranksh never ate chocolates. Never wiped anyone’s tears. Never treated anyone’s wounds. Not even his own sisters or cousins.

And Maya?

She always kept the red rose Ansh had given her.