16 century India, where it all changed.

Amber/Amer village (today's Jaipur)

Amber as a part of Rajputana territory, was in dilemma of the Mughal invasion. Rajput's didn't want to surrender to Mughals but they were in no power for a war against the huge army.

Amidst all these tensions of power and rule, the rulers had no idea of what was going on in the small villages and how the people of their state were suffering.

The sound of horse hooves could be heard from a distance and all the people in the bazaar stood in side-lines with their heads down, eyes down.

Men in Black attire with their faces covered with a black cloth, wearing black turbans were the riders of those horses. A total of 20 men on horses stopped in the middle of the bazar. They all had a gold symbol attached to their turbans. One of the men jumped off the horse and looked around. All the common people stood there scared to even look up at them. "The Nawaab will be visiting today. We will be setting camp around this village forest for hunting and entertainment. No commoner is allowed in the forest or around the camp for next 2 days." The man announced while walking in the middle of the crowd. He climbed back on the horseback "Long Live the Nawaab" he shouted which was followed by a huge roar of the same chant from other men too.

Diya (pov)

"Diyaaaaa!" I hear my Ma Sa (mother) call me from the kitchen. "Yes Ma! Coming!" I leave the small Ganpati Murti which I was painting on the table. You see I love making murtis and painting them. If there is anything other than my family which I love is my Ganpati Bappa, the soil of my country, and the colors. All these are a part of me and have always been with me through these 20 years of my life. But Pita Ji has never approved of my hobby and has always tried to make me distant from these things. He believes Murti making is a lower caste job. Not suitable for us Brahmins who are upper caste and that we must follow the rules of the society. Huhhhhh... I don't like these rules and nor do I believe in these stupid rules. I believe no job or work should be limited to one group of people or caste. People should be given this freedom. When I try to express my views to my Pitaji, I am always awarded with taunts like, 'my thoughts are not of this world'. Hahh!! And the usual stare like he could literally curse me with some chanting and he probably would have, if I was not his own daughter. When I see ma, I run and hug her coz she has been my only strength. Whenever Pitaji used to disrespect my art, whenever he hid my colors and sent me to singing classes... she was always there to support me and understood my thought. Of course, she didn't stand up for me against Pita ji coz he is her husband and this society has always taught us that your husband is your god, and who can ever disrespect their god. But she had always been my silent support.

She gets scared when I jump at her out of nowhere, and later just laughs. Her laughter making me smile. "Diya you are 20-year-old woman now, who still behaves like a 2-year-old." She says shaking her head, but the smile remains on her face. "I maybe 20 but I will always be like a small kid with you even if I get 200 years old." I reply making a very serious face. On this she laughs more and caresses my cheeks "of course my baby." She looks at me adoringly.

"ok tell me why did you call me, I was busy making my Ganpati murti." I sit on the mat. "Your Pitaji will stay in the Temple only tonight as Raja ji wanted to perform some rituals tomorrow early morning, so as the head priest he is arranging all the necessities." She informs me while packing something. "at least now I will be able to finish my murti without his taunts" I murmur. She turns and gives me a look to which I just grin sheepishly.

"ok ok so what do you want me to do?" I ask trying to change the topic. "I want you to take his dinner for him to the temple" she hands me a bag with packed food.

"Ughhhhh ok. As you wish my Devi." I get up with the jute bag in my hand and start to leave the house, my mother following me to the door. "go safely and don't indulge in any other activity. Just go straight to the temple, give the food and return back home!! Ok??" she shouts from the door.

Of course, she being my mother, knows me thebest. I just skip, turn and wave her bye. Turning I head towards the Temple notknowing that this trip was going to change everything.

Hola peeps!!! my first time writing something historical!! hope you liked it and enjoyed it as much as I did while writing this chapter. :) shower it with lots of love, votes and most importantly your comments!! they are your views which I would love to know!!

see you again with a new chapter super soon!! ;)