"You both aren't eating?", I asked.

"No", they both said in unison.

"I mean, Arjun ordered the maids to bring special lunch as he had not eaten since today morning.", Tamizh said and I glared at Arjun.

"You're eating special lunch when you gave me a dead soup?", I asked him.

"It's not like that. I'm hungry. You can sleep now."

"I don't want to sleep again."

"Then rest.."

"I'm bored!", I whined.

"Tell your sweet brother that you're bored. He'll play with you.", He said and I looked at Tamizh.

"Uhh.. actually.. since Arjun want to earn your apology, he's ready to play with you."

"I don't want to play games.. I just want to do something interesting.", I said and they both looked at each other.

"I've got something really interesting for you.", Arjun said. "What?", I asked in disbelief.

"Sleep", he said and continued to read his book while Tamizh was cleaning his knife. People here don't get bored at all?

I rolled my eyes for few minutes and soon sleep consumed me.

I woke up where I heard thunder sounds. I opened my eyes and saw Tamizh and Arjun still doing what they were doing when I slept.

I flinched when I heard thunder sounds. It remembers me of yesterday where I was shivering in fever. Their birth gazed at me like I was a rare snake.

"What?", I growled.

"Nothing..", they both said I unison. It was evening and the sun have already set.

"Did you eat your special lunch?" I asked Arjun mocking him.

"Yes. It was good.", He said and circled his arms around my shoulder.

"Tell me where is my room.. I'm tired. I need to sleep.", Tamizh said and Arjun chuckled.

"How could you find your room in my palace, Tamizh? Go back to your palace.", Arjun said and Tamizh chuckled.

"Yeah. Well, I'll go back. But, along with my sister. Is that okay?"

"You're testing my patience. She's my wife for God's sake. Can you leave us alone?"

"But, you have 5 wives.."

"But, she's my main consort-"

"That doesn't mattar.. if I go back, I will only go with her or if she says me to get out.", He said determined. Arjun looked at me.

"Tell him to go back, Thara. We don't need him anymore. I'm here to take care of you, am I right?"

"No. If you chase him out. I'll go with him too. What if they again mess with me? You will just stare at me whatever they blame me or do me. You will only believe them. If you get mad at me, you'll again leave me in some other forest where I couldn't find my way at all. How could I believe you?", I said and hurt flashed his face.

"That's how my sister should be..", Tamizh said.

"I'm so sorry about that. It won't happen again. I won't allow anyone to mess with you once again. This is a promise."

"Don't give me empty words instead of a real promise, Arjun. Your words are always empty. You never mean your words.", I grumbled.

"I do."

"You don't", me and Tamizh said in unison.

"Tamizh, I'm talking to my wife. Better don't intrude in our conversation.", Arjun said Tamizh and turned back to me.

"Thara, Listen. I didn't meant to do that. When I heard that you called my mother with names, I was mad. I just love my mother a lot. I can't just see someone disrespecting her.", He said and that's when I was really angry.

I pushed his chest getting up.

"So, you still believe that I'm the one who did this. Can't you see they're lying. You don't even believe me. Then, how would you not let them not mess with me. I really hate you.", I yelled.

"Thara, don't get tensed. It's not good for your health.", Tamizh said.

"He doesn't even believe me, Tamizh. See, he just don't mean his words.", I said to Tamizh at the edge of crying.

"I didn't mean like that-", before Arjun could continue, I cut him off. "Then what do you mean. You don't mean anything! I shouldn't have come with you. I should've gone back to my palace with Tamizh. I regret my decision.", I yelled and the room was in deadly silence.

Tamizh get up and marched towards me. He brushed off my tears with his thumb.

"Why do you always make my sister cry, Arjun?", Tamizh yelled at the top of his lung and I flinched.

"Shh. Don't cry. We'll go if you want.", He said and it sounded right. If I stay here, they will try to break me again and again. They will not stop it.

Also, everyone believe that I called his mother with names. Not atleast one person believe that I didn't. Even Arjun!

"Let's go. I don't want to stay here anymore.", I said inbetween my sobs.

"Wait. You didn't let me finish.", Arjun growled.

"You don't want to say anything, Arjun. You don't believe her. She wants you to believe her and you are not. Then, why do you convey fake apologies?"

"Let me talk to my wife, Tamizh. I know how to talk with her. Just ask my one of my soldiers where is the guest room. They will show you. Go!", Arjun yelled and made me face him while I kept looking down the floor crying.

Tamizh left the room giving us some space. Arjun locked the room and came back to me. He made me plop in the bed where he sat beside me.

"I think we should talk."

"No. There's nothing to talk when you're not even believing me. Even though you said you'll investigate if I really called your mother with names. But you didn't. It shows how strongly you believe them. You also want me to stay without self-respect."

"It's not like that. Who said I didn't investigate about it?"

"Oh yeah. You would've investigated about it. I know why you did this. If everyone knows your mother lied, it would be embarassing for her around your dynasty. If it's me who's embarassed because of her lie, you don't even care."

"I never ever thought like that."

"Then what do you think?"

"You didn't listen to me completely."

"Then speak up!", I yelled.

"I thought it was real. I thought you just spoke to her like that. But, when I investigated, some maids said you didn't."

"So, you believe your maids and not me. Am I right?", I said hitting his chest.

"It's not like this. I just wanted to clarify your words. Why do you think like this?"

"Liar", I mumbled.

"I'm not lying. Why would I even investigate about it when I don't believe you?", He said. He have a point..

"But, I'm still angry.", I grumbled. He paced towards me slowly and pecked the side of my lips.

"I'll do anything to earn your forgiveness.", He whispered against my lips.

"Really?", I asked in which he instantly said, "Yes"

"Okay. Then let Tamizh stay here for two weeks. I want you to take me to market tomorrow. Get me some tasty food tonight. And... I want you to be with me whole time.", I finished and he looked at me desperately.

"Well. But, why do you want your brother to stay-"

"You shouldn't question me.", I said and he obeyed. "Okay, my lady!", He said chuckling.

"Why do you always fight with Tamizh? Can't you be together like friends?"

"I don't know but I'll surely try."

"Okay. I'll get you your tasty food.", He said leaving the room. He came back with food that looked awefully tasty. I devoured it. After I was done, I washed my hands and went off to sleep.

The next morning, I woke up and some maids helped me to get ready.

I was looking beautiful. They dressed me very beautifully. And I was grateful for that. But it's uncomfortable..

I came out of the room and saw Arjun talking to soldiers about something important. Guess I shouldn't disturb him. I ignored and marched towards the dining table where everyone was present. Aarthi, the empress, three concubines and for my surprise, Tamizh..

I was silently thanking that Tamizh was here to protect me. Because, I know they will pull up some stunt. I wonder why the empress haven't left to her palace. Is she staying here? For how long?

The maids served our breakfast. Arjun took a seat beside me.

"Since childhood, you only know how to eat and sleep. You're never productive.", Aarthi said purposely.

"So did you..", I replied which made her fume in anger. Arjun held my hand eyeing me to contol my anger.

"I'm atleast with the person I love. But, you didn't get what you wanted.", She again opened the filthy mouth of hers.

"And I'm with my husband.", I said and it induced her anger more.

"What do you mean? You mean you can steal my love from me?", She yelled.

"You mean my love?"

"Shut up before I hut you with something!", She yelled again.

"Remember, my dear daughter in law. You cheated while marrying Arjun. So, you can't claim him."

"You too should remember, dear mother in law. I'm talking with my sister. Not you. Don't get your nose into our conversation.", I said and her eyes widen. Arjun was constantly whispering "shh" in my ear. He doesn't want me talk like this.

"What shh!? Can't you see what your side consort is talking? Can't you see what your mother is saying? If I can't claim you, why am I even here? Just let me go with my brother!", I snapped at Arjun.

"Uhhh. I will ask the maids to serve you breakfast in your room. You can eat comfortably in the bed. Come on.", He said.

"Why, Arjun? Don't you want me eat with you? Oh yeah! Who eats with a cheater?", I said mocking him.

"The consequences of marrying multiple women..", Tamizh muttered.

"What did you say?", Arjun yelled. Tamizh shrugged.

"Arjun, she's embarassing me. Why don't you pay attention to this?" The empress said frustrated.

"She didn't mean to. I apologise behalf of her.", Arjun apologized which got on my nerves.

"Arjun! I meant my words. I'm not like you to mean empty words when it meant a lot to others.", I said. Arjun was very pathetic. Because he wants me be with him. At the same time, he should not make his mother angry.

He don't know what to do. He was sitting beside me stuck. He have no idea who he have to support.

"You'll pay for this", Aarthi mumbled to me gritting her teeth.

I really feel suffocated here. I can't stay with people who hate me. Imagine being and staying everyday with everyone you hate.. it's hell.

We started eating in silence. I didn't talk further or reply their mocking words. Because I know where they would end this conversation.

I finished eating and left back to my room washing my hands. I hate Arjun. He followed to my room. He closer the door behind us.

"Can we talk?"

"Talk about what?"

"I don't think you can live with me forever avenging them. Can you be friendly with them? They'll sure reciprocate it."

"Are you a nut? Don't you see how much they hate me? It's hurting my ego when they talk like that about me."

"So, you decided to live like this forever?"

"It's your mistake that you married multiple woman. You should face the consequences.."

"I married them because my mother said."

"Ohh! Aren't you a little boy who still obeys his mother..", I cooed.

"Shut up. You mean I shouldn't obey my mother?"

"No. Not at all. But you have to take some choices yourself. You should've thought about the consequences.."

"Ezhil have four concubines too. Why didn't you advice him about this when you both were in love?"

"He's past. Now, I'm talking about present which is only me and you.", I said and he smiled.

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