The Promised Princess

Attack

It has been a few days since Aditya said his decision about getting Aradhya married to Ayan, and all have been worried about what will happen. Aradhya knew her brother will do it as he doesn't care about her. Aradhya hasn't been able to sleep properly for days and she has been very tired. She is hiding it but everyone can see that she needs to take rest. 

It was after dinner and Aradhya was standing on her balcony and looking at the beautiful Kingdom when she heard someone come in. She turned and saw her best friend standing there, he looked at her with a smile but the worry was visible in his eyes. 

"Aradhya, are you ok?"

He asked and she just nodded her head and gave him a smile but he didn't look convinced,

"Baahu, I am ok. I just haven't slept properly" 

She added quietly, he just shook his head and clutched her hand in his, he took her to the bed and laid her down, and sat beside her. He slowly massaged her head and started telling her about an incident that happened during their childhood. 

"Do you remember Aradhya, we used to run away from our parents to disguise ourselves as villagers and roam around while Bhalla used to cover up for us, but then he just grew apart. One of the times Kattapa caught us and we made sure he didn't tell anyone about it. Another time, we were eating grapes and our mouths became red in color" 

He said smiling with the nostalgia of those days and Aradhya nodded indicating that she remembers everything and she had a smile on her face too. She couldn't help but fall asleep as she was very tired and Baahu's hands did wonders. 

She had a good night of sleep after many days and Baahu stayed with her knowing she might have nightmares and she will have a panic attack if no one is there, he didn't realize when he also fell asleep with her. 

Devasena entered Aradhya's chamber in the morning to take her out for some fresh air, but seeing Aradhya sleeping in Baahu's arms hurt her so she just left the chamber. After some time Rajmata entered the chamber and smiled seeing her children sleeping peacefully after many days but she was also worried seeing their position as she knows if anyone saw them it would create a very bad rumor so she went on to wake them up. 

"Baahu, Aradhya wake up both of you"

But they just groaned and turned opposite to each other and started pulling the duvet to their heads. Sivagami shook her head with a smile and continued her task to wake them up. After they finally woke up rubbing their eyes with cute pouts on their faces.

"Maaaaa" 

"Kya ma? Both of you go and have a bath first, go"

Both of them went very reluctantly and Sivagami smiled at their antics. She went to her work while both of them had a bath and went to have breakfast. Aradhya felt worried as her gut was telling her something weird might happen that day but she ignored it and went to meet Devasena. 

Devasena was in her room, she was very angry and Baahubali was trying to find what was the cause of her anger. Aradhya entered the room and was amused by the happenings. She looked at Baahu who was running behind Devasena like a puppy and Devasena ignoring him royally. Aradhya wondered what he did now. 

"Good morning" 

She said and announced her arrival as they didn't even notice her so engrossed in their fight. 

"Good Morning" 

Devasena said with a pouting face and she went to stand near the balcony, and Aradhya asked what happened to Baahu with her eyes and Baahu indicated that he himself doesn't know, Aradhya let out a sigh and went near Devasena asking her what happened.

"He didn't even come to talk to me yesterday and when I went to talk to him he didn't even look at me" 

Devasena said with some tears in her eyes and Aradhya understood that she was having mood swings due to her periods and hugged Devasena.  Devasena clutched her stomach due to pain and Baahubali got really worried and went near them. 

"Devasena, what happened? Are you ok? Are you hurt?"

He asked in a panicked voice and Aradhya couldn't help but feel a pang of jealousy in her heart, she mentally laughed at her state and she couldn't watch as Baahu took Devasena in his arms and made her lay on the bed. She turned away and wiped her tears but they kept falling and she took a deep breath.

'Get it together Aradhya' 

She thought to herself and tried her best to stop crying, she was successful and turned back and saw Baahu fussing over Devasena and took a deep breath and went out of the room, and headed to the kitchen. 

She came back with a concoction and fruits and made Devasena have them and calmed Baahu saying it her menstrual time and its nothing to worry about and that she will take care and Baahu nodded, He went as he was called and had some work to do. Devasena slept and Aaradhya asked the maid to inform her when Devasena woke up and went to her room.  

She went to her room and wrote a letter for her brother Ayan who was traveling due to Royal Matters again. She asked the maid to send it to him and was going to meet Rajamata. 

A terrifying scream was heard in the palace and all rushed, they were shocked when they saw Aradhya laying on the ground with a pool of blood around her. She was stabbed in the stomach. Baahu just stood there in shock while Bhalla and Rajamata immediately called for guards and the Royal physician. Aradhya was trying her best to keep her eyes open while there was a heavy flow of blood from her stomach. 

Baahu stumbled and followed them with tears in his eyes, scared for his best friend and his partner in crime and angry thinking about who dared to do it. 

All were worried about her as the physician tried her best to treat Aradhya.