"aaaahhhh" the screams of yuvarani Niyathi, third wife of Maharaj Amerendra echoed throughout the palace. His first wife Jayandhika and second wife Mandita were assisting the midwives as they helped the yuvrani. His seven year old son, Ahaan was crying sitting beside him hearing the painful screams of his favourite mata. His other two daughters Aadrika and Athulya were in the his mothers chamber, sleeping.

Amerendra was pacing restlessly in front of the door. He could hear her cries it made him feel helpless. He was scared for the lives of his wife and unborn child. The vaidya had already informed him about the complications that may arise in the pregnancy if they decided to continue with it. They were advised to abort the child in the mother's womb itself but his stubborn wife did not allow.

"Arya how can you just ask me to kill our child? Arya this child is not just flesh and blood but a part of you and a part of me. This child is the symbol of our love. How can you just ask me to kill him/her." Niyathi cried keeping her hand on her stomach.

The final stroke for him was when she threatened him that she will take her life if he tried to kill the baby. Helplessly, he agreeded to keep the child.

Niyathi was his life. It was love at first sight for him. The first time he saw her in her swayambar he was completely mesmerized by her beauty. He had won her in her swayambar defeating all other kings who have assembled there. It was only three years since their marriage had happened. She taught him many things. She melted his cold heart. She taught him to smile. She taught him humanity. She understood him without him telling her which even his other 2 wives failed to do.

Pain was an underrated statement. Niyathi felt like someone was ripping her body apart. She never knew child birth was this painful but never thought it would be this painful. Her vision was blur due to tears. She was breathing heavily with sweat beads adorning her forehead. She was going in and out of consciousness as she tried to push the baby out of her.

"I can't." Niyathi let out.

"You can, just a few more pushes." encouraged Mandita.

"Drink this it will help" Jayandhika said.

Niyathi not having the energy to resist anything drank the green liquid in vital given by Jayandhika not knowing it was the last thing she would comsume in her life.

After what seemed like eternity the screams of Niyathi subdued and the cry of a new born baby echoed through the palace. Amerendra let out the breath he was holding. The door of the chamber opened, Mandhita came out with a baby wrapped in a pink blanket.

"Its a girl." Mandhita said but something was wrong in her voice.

"How is Niyathi?" Amerendra asked with an uneasiness. She lowered her eyes before telling him something that shook his entire world.

"She couldn't make it."

He stumbled back unable to hold himself. Tears blurred his vision. No this can't happen. His Niyathi can't leave him alone and go.

"No this is not true. Niyathi will not leave me." He mumbled not believing the it.

The baby started crying breaking the silence. His eyes filled with rage as he looked at the baby. This baby is the reason his Niyathi left him. If the baby had been killed before then maybe his Niyathi would have been alive.

"Take that thing out of my sight before I kill it." Amerendra screamed making the baby cry more. He stormed inside the chamber to see his Niyathi.

"Shh baby mata is here." Mandita rocked the baby back and forth. A curious pair of eyes was witnessing everything that had happened.

"Maa Why did Niti maa leave me? Did I do anything wrong?" Ahaan asked making her heart to break into million peaces. Tears ran down her face.

"No Ahaan you did not do anything wrong. In heaven there is no one like niti maa who is kind and caring so Mahadev called her there. When Mahadev call us we should go right. So niti maa left but she left a baby for ahaan to look after." She showed the little baby to Ahaan.

The little girl opened her doe like eyes and stared at him. The baby smiled looking at Ahaan. He looked at the baby in wonder. He gently touched her checks. A smile broke out on his face. He leaned forward a placed a soft kiss on the baby's rosy checks.

"Don't worry baby I will protect you."Ahaan promised the little girl.

"Hi baby I am your big brother Ahaan and what is your name babygirl." He asked her with innocence shining in his eyes. He frowned when he did not get any reply.

"Why is she not talking to me? Doesn't she like me? " He asked with tears in his eyes. Mandita chuckled before answering.

"Ahaan its not like that putr, she loves you but she should grow a little then only she can talk. " He nodded like he understood what she has just said. Both looked at the little girl and smiled.

***

A few meters away from them two pairs of loathe filled eyes looked at the baby with an evil smirk.

"Niyathi you coward you died even before I could show you hell on earth but don't worry I will give it your daughter. She will suffer and I will make sure of it. Her tears will give me pleasure. Don't worry I won't kill her now anyway not before I show her hell. Poor you left her behind to suffer." said a voice filled with hatred.

"Poor Niyathi. Her daughter already neglected by her own father. Poor maharaj. Jayanthika don't you think you should go console him. Your patidev is greveing over the loss. Maybe a shoulder to cry will help him. " the second person said.

"Ofcourse Mata. Now he is now only mine. Mandhita won't come in my way. Niyathi that bitch should have known I won't let anyone snatch what is mine." Jayandhika said.

The mother and daughter laughed enjoying the pleasure of seeing them in pain. They forgot to acknowledge the fact that God is above all. He will protect his devotee from all evil eyes. He has a plan, sometimes the process is painful and hard but don't forget he will be always with his devotee.

***

That night the people of Amernath lost their yuvrani. The whole kingdom was mourning for the loss.

Amerendra lost his beloved wife who understood him without anywords. He felt like he lost the light of his life. He refused to even look at the girl child whom he believe has killed his beloved. He didn't realise as what kind of cruelty he was doing to the innocent soul.

Mandhita lost her small sister who always had the power to bring a smile on her face even during hard times. She silently promised Nandhita that she will never let Alaknanda feel the absence of a mother and won't let any evil touch her. But she forgot all promises are not meant to be kept, some will break with the time.

Ahaan looked at his baby sister who his niti maa has given birth to. He will protect her at any cost. He will be the best brother she could ever ask for. But will he be able to protect her from the demons that lurk around her?

Jayandhika and her maata Jayashree rejoiced at the loss of her. But they forgot to remember not every evil last for long.