Pratap was thinking about the past few years where he tried to gain his wife's trust back and the way he got paid back for his karma. The weekly cooking he did for her which she choose to not acknowledge and the lame excuses he gave just so he could spend some time with her which usually involves, him gazing at her while she plays with their son. He very well knew that if he wanted he could barge inside her chamber and stay in it but at the same time, Anamika wouldn't like that. So he didn't invade her choice of privacy.

And above everything he felt, how it is to be ignored and forgotten, although his situation is not even half that of Anamika's. These few years have taught him some things which he cannot even learn in his Gurukul. Thinking about all this, time has passed and he walked to the garden to meet Anamika.

When Pratap reached the garden, Anamika was already sitting there waiting for him. He looked around to find that there are no maids and guards around them. He neared Anamika to take the seat opposite hers. Anamika stood up greeted him, "Pranam! Ranasa". Pratap nodded at her and replied, "Pranam! Ranisa".

They both settled on their seats and silence lingered around the air for sometime. This happens most of the time when Pratap tries talking to her. For he knew that the only words he could utter in their privacy were either sorry or forgiveness which doesn't make any sense as long as his actions doesn't make sense. So he kept his mouth shut to avoid redundant words of apology which after some time wouldn't have any impact as it would become a routine.

Anamika sighed loudly and started to speak her mind. "Ranasa! It is not often that we talk unofficially. So you might know that whatever I have asked for your presence is very important", Anamika spoke to which Pratap nodded.

"We could simply live the coming years just like the past thirteen years or the ten years before that. I don't care much about how others think but it is definitely having a great impact on Abhimanyu, which is not good. I don't want for him to have a life where one part of his heart is filled with love and the other part is filled with hatred. Although I have realized this three years back, it took me sometime to come to this decision. That's why I called you here", Once again Anamika spoke.

She continued, "I don't want to talk about the past again and again. I cannot make you understand my point of view, when being a woman even my mother is not able to understand me. Or may be I'm an outcast among them. I don't know that but one thing I know is, we can never change the past. And I'm here for Abhimanyu. Although I have already told that we could just be parents without being a husband and wife, I think I didn't give my best in that."

It is true that Anamika's mother always tries to resolve the cold war between them, whenever she is in the palace. May be because she felt that her daughter is also living a life similar to her, living in the memories. But the difference between them is that she is a widow whereas her daughter has her husband. That is why she wants them to reconcile and live the remaining life happily with each other.

Anamika took a pause and continued in a low voice, "In these three years, I tried to forget everything and move on. I really did. I kept my negative thoughts on future aside. Even if I take ten steps towards you, there is one last step which I couldn't take forward. And after trying for so long, I realized that I could never take that step forward."

"I don't want Abhimanyu or our future grandchildren to choose sides between us. I could have simply taken sanyas(pilgrimage) but I'm greedy to see my son growing up and having a family. So we should think of some middle path which could solve this issue once and for all", she looked at Pratap before continuing, "We can create a new relationship with each other, as acquaintances who doesn't need to avoid each other or who doesn't need to give fake smiles. We can start off as strangers so that we can keep this relationship apart from the past. Will you accept this?"

Pratap didn't interrupt her while she was talking. He knew that if it was not for Abhimanyu then she would not even have faced him. Her love for Abhimanyu is above everything not because she got status after his birth but because she got a reason for smiling everyday. She found her deceased father in him.

What he didn't expect is that she would even think of having some kind of relationship with him, just for Abhimanyu. "I accept your decision, Ranisa", Pratap said. Following which Anamika replied with a smile, "Thank you Ranasa. I hope we will have a happy life ahead without any grudges."

She poured tea for him and placed it in front of him. If it was before, she would have left already. But as per their latest decision, She has to try and keep her words. Pratap said, "I want to say something before we move on with this new relationship". Anamika nodded at him to continue.

"In the past years, I tried to say certain things to you, which may answer some of your unasked questions. One of which is, would I have done all these things, as in the flowers, gifts and cooking food, if Saudamini was alive? or if she was not guilty of the crime?", Pratap is continuously looking at Anamika who is simply sipping her tea.

"First thing, Before her crime came into light, I was feeling guilty for marrying her in a loveless marriage. And when I came to know about our-", Pratap stopped himself as their unborn child is still a sensitive part for them and then reframed his words, " her crime, I was feeling guilty for fulfilling their purpose of doing that sin. If only she was not the mother of my children, then not even the last respect would have been given to her, considering the traitorous acts done to the royal dynasty."

Anamika still didn't looked up and pratap continued, "Secondly, even if she was alive without any crimes, I would have done all these things, not only as a redemption for the hurt I put you through but also because I want to revive the love which we once had".

At this, Anamika looked at him and said, "We have come past the stage of love and forgiveness, Ranasa. According to me, Trust and Loyalty are the most important thing in a relationship, even more than love. I have many reasons to stay together with you, but I can never trust you. And that is the reason why we have arrived at this point where we decided to be acquaintances. Basically strangers who don't need to trust each other. So let's just enjoy this phase rather than dwelling the past."

"Remember one thing Ranasa! Every Love is tested. If it passes the test, then it stays strong. Otherwise, it will crumble down. In our case, it is the second one", Anamika finished her talk.

Pratap started to think about her words and then they spent the tea time together. Anamika left for her chambers excusing herself. Pratap spent some more time in the garden alone, with the calm atmosphere surrounding him.

"What is love?"

This was the question I was asking myself some years ago and even asked my friend. But over the years, I have realized that there is no single definition of love.

And for me, it is what I feel for Anamika because I never felt the same for any other person till now. I never felt the need to know the likes and dislikes of any person but her. I never felt the need to impress someone but her.

I remember that during the initial years of our marriage, I used to wear clothes of her favorite color most of the time. And before marriage, I tried my best to impress her so that she will accept the marriage fixed by our fathers, as soon as possible.

And I never made an effort to know anything about Saudamini. I don't know how her childhood was like. I don't know what she likes or dislikes. Whenever we spent time, it was always nights and even if it is day, then it is all about what jewellery she wants or what she wants from the new kingdom acquired. Unlike Anamika, my relationship with her was not like a normal husband and wife where both of us share our happiness and sorrows. It was more of a physical relationship than emotional one.

When Anamika expressed her pain about missing her father, I really wanted to take her pain away and I decided that I would never let her feel the absence of her father in the future. To think that she would have felt his absence everyday because of my deeds, makes me feel disgusted on myself.

And now as a father, I know how it feels to see your daughter hurting. Now all I can do is make myself a better person, repent my mistakes and try to gain Anamika's trust till I take my last breathe. And love her till the end, without expecting anything in return.

The night went smooth for everyone as they found a solution for their problem. Ragini found peace in what she is doing, Pratap's mother felt some peace after seeing her grandson close to her and both Pratap and Anamika were at peace after clearing out their decisions.

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Years passed and brought changes in many lives. Ragini got remarried after 2 years of looking after the Ashram to a widower man with 2 sons. And surprisingly she got pregnant within a few months after her second marriage. Now she is happily married and settled in the province her husband is governing.

Pratap and Anamika do spend some time together during dinner or tea time. And now there is no awkwardness between them as they talk about their son or state affairs or even some meaningless things. But there is always a boundary line for their relationship which is that of friends. Nothing more.

Now everyone is preparing to welcome their Yuvraj Abhimanyu who is yet to be crowned as one. Abhimanyu has completed his training in the Gurukul and is on the way back to his home, where many responsibilities are awaiting for the eighteen year old.

On one hand, his father is preparing to crown him as Yuvraj (Crown Prince) and hand over some of his works. While on the other hand, his mother is waiting with portraits of some girls, who are daughters of some governors or generals, for him to choose as his wife.

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Hi Guys,

I really had a hectic work last week. So it took me sometime for this chapter. Almost 2000 words.

I tried to wind up everything in this chapter itself. But seems like Epilogue will be solely for Abhimanyu. So please wait for the epilogue next.

I don't know how far I put Pratap's pov better. But being a girl myself, it was easy for me to give Anamaika's pov rather than Pratap's. So forgive me for that.

Precap : Abhimanyu as a husband.

Do vote and comment if you like the chapter.

Thanks,

SM.