Amira's confession

** Purana Qila, Delhi. **

As Aditya made his way from the king's chamber, he passed by a newly constructed temple, its intricate carvings catching his eye. However, what truly captured his attention was the sight of Amira, sitting before the idol of Lord Krishna with her head down, her shoulders shaking with silent sobs.

Sensing her distress, Aditya approached quietly, hoping to offer her some comfort. However, as soon as she heard his footsteps, Amira hastily wiped away her tears and put on a facade of indifference.

"What's wrong, Amira?" Aditya asked gently, reaching out to touch her shoulder in a gesture of reassurance.

"Don't touch me," Amira snapped, pulling away from his touch with irritation.

Aditya's brow furrowed in confusion. "Please, Amira, tell me what's troubling you. You know you can confide in me."

Amira turned away, avoiding his gaze. "It's nothing, Aditya. Just leave me alone," she replied, her voice choked with emotion.

Confusion flashed across Aditya's face, but he persisted, "Amira, talk to me atleast. Aren't we close friends? How can i leave you like this?"

She stared at him, her indifference crumbling under his sincerity.

Aditya clasped his hands together and gave a small bow. "I'm sorry, Princess. If I've hurt you in any way, please forgive me. Just tell me how I can make it right," he said, his voice laced with genuine remorse.

Amira turned her face away. Hoping to comfort her, Aditya gently reached out to touch her shoulder, but she pulled away and swatted his hand aside.

"I SAID DONT TOUCH ME!" she snapped, her eyes blazing. "Do you think I'm just some girl you can toy with whenever you please?"

Her words struck him like a blow.

It wasn't just anger; it felt like a direct accusation. One he never expected. His hand dropped to his side as a heavy silence settled over the temple. The air turned cold and dense, making it hard to even breathe.

Amira's chest rose and fell in frustration, but beneath the anger, guilt had already begun to stir. She realized she had gone too far.

Deep down, she had wanted him to hold her. To claim her as his own. But he had never crossed that line. He had always kept his composure, always respected her. And now, in a moment of weakness, she had punished him for it.

And he was no ordinary man. He was the imperial prince. Her words, even in anger, could carry dangerous consequences. But none of that mattered when the knot of jealousy tightened inside her chest.

Finally, after a long pause, Amira spoke again. Her voice was barely a whisper.

"I know you like Raamya."

Tears shimmered in her eyes as she added, "And I know you don't feel the same way about me... You still treat me as a child."

Aditya's heart sank at her words, the weight of her revelation hitting him like a ton of bricks. "Amira, I..." he began, but found himself at a loss for words.

Tears streamed down Amira's cheeks as she continued. Her vulnerability casting a shadow over the sacred space of the temple.

Amira poured out her heart, revealing that her maid had seen Aditya kissing Raamya by the pool on her way back. Overwhelmed with emotion, she sobbed, unsure of what to do.

Aditya, taken aback by the revelation, reached out to comfort her. "Amira, I love Raamya ," he confessed, his voice trembling with sincerity. "I didn't plan any of this.. it just happened naturally. But I swear I like you too, and I really find you attractive... "

Amira's voice quivered with insecurity as she asked, "Then why have you never kissed me?, nor taken any chances to propose either? Is it because my chest is smaller than hers? Am I truly that unattractive, Aditya?"

Aditya sighed and ran a hand over his face, clearly exasperated by her words. "I haven't made any advances because, in my eyes, you're still young. You still need time to understand what you truly want," he said gently, his voice carrying a hint of frustration.

"And you're not ugly, Amira. To me, you're the most beautiful girl I've ever seen," he continued, his tone softening. "I stayed quiet because I wasn't sure what you felt. What if you only saw me as a friend? I was afraid that stating the obvious might ruin what we already have."

He looked at her with sincerity, hoping his words would ease her doubts and fears.

Amira's curiosity was piqued as she listened to him intently.

"I wanted us to grow up together like friends and enjoy our friendship without the complications of marriage, I liked you the day I saw you," Aditya admitted.

Amira's cheeks flushed as she wiped away her tears. "Are you being honest with me? Will you really marry me?"

Aditya smiled softly, touched by her innocence. "If you love me that much, then yes. But only once you turn eighteen," he replied. His gaze lowered as a bitter thought crossed his mind. "And if, by then, you no longer find me interesting, I won't pursue you."

Before he could say more, Amira gently covered his mouth with her teary hand. "Don't say that. I'll never find a husband who understands me like you do. At my age, many princesses are getting married to men twice their age. And here you are, telling me to find someone else who may not even treat me as an equal. Do you really think I'm that stupid?"

Aditya fell silent. Her words made sense. Sixteen was already considered a normal age for marriage in their time. Everything she said was true. Still, his modern mindset often guided his decisions, though he did not regret them.

Amira looked into his eyes and said, "If you want me to wait, then I will. Even till I grow old. But you have to promise me that I will be yours before you die. Understand?"

Aditya let out a small chuckle and nodded. "Growing old is a bit too much. I think two years will be enough."

She listened to his words, her heart swelling with love and gratitude. She hugged him tightly, accepting his indirect response.

Then she pouted playfully to change the mood, as if not entirely convinced. "Liar, you're just saying that to make me happy," she accused.

Aditya gently lifted her chin, guiding her gaze to meet his. "Let's make a bet, Princess. Once you turn eighteen, I'll marry you as my first priority, and we'll have lots of kids," he said, a mischievous twinkle in his eyes. "Then don't complain later that you can't handle so many at your age."

Amira blushed deeply at his teasing words, her heart swelling with love and gratitude. She hugged him tightly, fully accepting his explanation as her heart fluttered with excitement. "Age is just a number, Aditya. I will give you as many kids as you want. You mean everything to me," she whispered, her eyes glowing with affection.

Aditya chuckled softly at the irony of fate, remembering how he had once said the same words to Raamya. Though he had teased Amira in jest, her unwavering commitment to be his partner at any cost struck a lasting chord in his heart.

As he hugged Amira tightly, he bowed his head in gratitude to the idol of Lord Krishna, feeling grateful for bringing her into his life against all odds.

Sensing the opportunity, Aditya couldn't resist teasing her a little further. "Alright, change of plans. Let's start making kids now and worry about marriage later," he teased, scooping her up in his arms and heading towards her room.

Amira protested in mock indignation, her laughter echoing through the corridor. "No, put me down, you perverted clown! I don't want to get pregnant now! You're an idiot, a loafer! Put me down or I'll call my abbu(father)! You're taking advantage of me!" she cried out, her playful banter filling the hallway with joy.

As they approached the entrance of Amira's room, Aditya gently lowered her to the ground and planted a tender kiss on her forehead. "Consider this an advance. The rest will be pending after marriage," he whispered softly.

Amira's cheeks flushed with a rosy hue at Aditya's gesture. After a moment of hesitation, she reached up and tugged at his kurta(traditional shirt), adjusting his height slightly with her toes, then leaned in to peck him on the cheek. "Consider this a gift. The rest comes after marriage," she murmured, her voice laced with shy embarrassment as she hurried inside her room.

The air was charged with anticipation as Aditya stood outside Amira's door, a gentle smile playing on his lips as he made his way back to his room only to get another surprise.

Time flew by, and he didn't even noticed when he had reached back to his room.

As he stepped inside, the soft candlelight cast gentle shadows across the room.

His gaze fell upon a familiar beauty lying sprawled across his bed. It was Ramya, fast asleep in his usual spot.

Her slender form was wrapped in a disheveled saree that clung to her curves, teasing the outline of her body as if pleading to be unveiled.

He paused for a moment and looked around.'Is this really my room?

He stepped out to check and saw Bheem sleeping outside as his personal guard. That confirmed it. 'Yes, it is my room. then.."

When he turned back, he saw Ramya again, but this time with a softer gaze. The fierce woman now looked vulnerable, almost like a newlywed bride resting after a long day, waiting for her husband. The red saree wasn't helping either, as it only enhanced her beauty further.

The fabric hugged her skin, offering fleeting glimpses of her soft flesh and the gentle swell of her cleavage, hinting at the hidden warmth within.

Aditya's heart raced at the sight. He felt a rush of desire like never before. The temptation was strong, almost overwhelming after what had happened between them,

However, the Emperor Hemu's stern advice about restraint and propriety dampened his morale. He knew that giving in would not only betray his duty but also undermine his integrity. 

Taking a deep breath, Aditya carefully covered Raamya with a sheet, shielding her from view.

It was a small but significant act, reflecting his commitment to honor and duty even in the face of temptation.

He then settled on the far side of the bed, aware of the magnetic pull Raamya exerted on him. The urge to draw closer was intense, but he stayed firm, grappling with the conflict inside him.

As he lay there, his thoughts swirled between the allure of Raamya's beauty and the weight of his responsibilities. Despite the internal struggle, he resolved to uphold his principles.

The room was quite and he struggled with his inner demons to find pointers to keep control on himself. He was almost successful to slowly being pulled toward sleep.

But destiny is not a certain pawn of any individual. Does everything unfold as expected?

As Aditya teetered on the edge of slumber, the sensation of Raamya's approach tingled through his senses.

Softly, she enveloped him in the soothing embrace of the sheet, its warmth cocooning him like a protective shield against the night's chill.

Drawing nearer, she intertwined her fingers with his, gently guiding his arm around her slender waist.

With a delicate touch, she pressed herself against his sturdy form, finding sanctuary in the shelter of his broad chest.

There, in the silent depths of the night, she sought solace, her heart seeking refuge in the comforting closeness they shared.

Unbeknownst to Raamya, her delicate movements brushed against the intimate contours of Aditya's desire, stirring the slumbering beast within him.

With each gentle caress, the dragon of his passion began to awaken, its fiery breath igniting a primal yearning deep within his core.

As the sensation intensified, Aditya became acutely aware of the growing urgency pulsating through his veins, signalling the impending surge of desire.

In that moment, he realized that doing nothing is not an option anymore.