THE CONQUEROR'S CAPTIVE

THRONE

Bhargav's POV

"Bhargav!!"

"Eyyy Bhargavaa!!"

"Is he still sleeping?", I felt a pat on my cheek making me open my eyes and look at my sister. 

"What is your problem, Janaki? You know that I'm unwell", I asked her annoyed.

"I know that. But your beloved mother wants you to get up. It is almost dark. Wait! Did you do you Sandhyavandana?", she asked. My eyes widened and I threw the blanket away to run to freshen up. I changed into clean clothes and took the necessary things for it and ran to the river. As expected, I was late and my father was already there. I kept my belongings on a mat and sat down beside him. He had his eyes closed while doing Pranayam but said, "Late again"

I looked up slowly to find him already looking at me and replied, "Pita ji, you know that I am unwell-"

"That is not a reason to skip this holy ritual! It is a great thing that a traitor like yourself gets to live after everything you have said and done against our king. At least wash off your sins like this", he scolded. He left soon and I completed my work there and started my journey back home. This was the way I had always been treated since I had come back from Gurukul. No smile, no kind words. Just orders and commands. All because I said something "wrong" about their king. 

Once I reached home, I found the doors closed and knocked on it. There was no response so I knocked again. "Are you happy now?", I heard someone say behind me. I turned around to find my father's friend, "The soldiers have taken him. And your mother and your sister. And that little soul", my belongings dropped to the ground. "What sin did he do to get you as his son? You are a menace to this kingdom. I really hope you die and set those poor souls free", my eyes were filled with tears but I ran out of the house towards the palace. My feet landed on many sharp things, stinging it but it was the least of my concerns at that moment. I knew I was one of his primary targets since the day I went against him. But taking away my family was just beyond everything. 

Once I reached the palace, the guards weirdly let me in without making me wait long hours and even called someone to lead me to the king. It was as if they were all waiting for me to arrive. A man guided me to the evil king but he had pity for me in his eyes. That told me something was really wrong and my heart started racing wildly. I walked behind him while sweat dripped down my chest. We reached a dark looking chamber where I saw my sisters on their knees and that bastard near Janaki while she had he eyes closed tightly. 

"Stay away from her, you monster!!", I yelled and ran towards them but his guards held me in a tight hold not letting me run to them. "Oh! Look who it is! It is this swine who decided to finally arrive", he said as he walked towards me. "You have an issue with me not them. Let them go", I said angrily. He laughed loudly and said, "You think I'll take orders from you? A brahmin? Who only knows how to do Puja and decorate stones in so called temples?", his guards laughed. "I DON'T CARE ABOUT WHAT YOU SAY ABOUT ME. BUT KEEP MY CASTE AND MY GOD OUT OF YOUR FILTHY TONGUE!!", I yelled. He slapped me hard across my face and said, "There are only two people in this kingdom who speak to me like this. One is rotting in the dungeons and this other one will join that bitch soon", he said pointing at me.

Suddenly Janaki yelled, "No!! Please don't do that, your majesty. I'm begging you. I apologize for him. Please! I will make sure he never does this again. Please give him a chance", he turned to look at her and then back at me and whispered, "She begs well", and winked making his men laugh. Anger flowed through each and every nerve in me and I struggled to set myself free. I saw him walk up to her, stand in front of her and lift her face with his sword on her chin and said, "You do look very pretty from up here"