THE CONQUEROR'S CAPTIVE

I'M RIGHT HERE

Surabhi's POV

"Step away from my king, Adi Bhaiyya."

The clang of steel echoed through the courtyard as his sword slipped from his hand and hit the ground. 

His lips trembled.

His knees looked like they might give out.

And then, "Su-Surabhi?", he choked. "Surabhi....?"

His voice cracked like a boy's. Not the king. Not the warrior. Just..... my brother. My Bhaiyya.

He staggered back two steps and stood frozen, shaking, his eyes wide with disbelief as if his mind refused to believe what his heart had already screamed. I felt Bhargav step behind me, gently taking my sword. But I couldn't take my eyes off Aditya.

The silence shattered when I heard a cry, "Surabhi!!!"

Aparajitha Bhabhi.

She was already running towards me. Tears streamed down her cheeks as she closed the distance between us. She didn't stop, didn't ask for permission. She just pulled me into her arms, clutching me like she might lose me again if she let go.

"You're alive....you're alive", she sobbed, rocking us gently. "Oh, thank the gods! I thought-", her voice cracked, and she kissed my forehead like Ma used to. I wished she was here to see me finally reunite with my family. Her fingers slid into my hair, stroking it as if to reassure herself I was real.

I held her tight. I didn't want to let go.

She pulled back just enough to look into my face. "Where did you go, Surabhi? After that night, our palace... it became a graveyard".

Before I could answer, a familiar voice came from behind her.

"She didn't leave us, Bhabhi. She was taken". 

Dheer Bhaiyya. I turned to him.

"She was kidnapped by the previous king of Rishabhapriya".

I turned, eyes wide. How did he know?

He smiled softly at my confusion and stepped forward. "I'll explain later. For now, just tell me. How are you, Surabhi?", his voice cracked with pain.

My throat tightened. I tried to speak but only a croak came out. So I smiled through the tears and whispered, "It took me getting kidnapped and disappearing for five years for you to finally stop calling me little devil".

He laughed, the sound broken but warm. "Don't tempt me. I might go back to it just to annoy you".

He pulled me into a tight hug. One that lifted me a little off the ground.

When he finally let go, Roop Bhabhi stepped forward, tears shining in her eyes.

"I still remember that day", she whispered. "You threw yourself between me and the enemy soldiers. You saved my life and we thought...", her voice broke as she sobbed, "we thought you'd lost yours".

Her voice shook as she added, "I will forever be grateful to you, Rajkumari".

"No formalities", I said quickly, holding her hands. "Please, Bhabhi. Oh! I'm just so happy I can finally call you that now". 

Then I turned hesitantly.

Adi Bhaiyya was still standing in place, trembling.

He hadn't moved. Bhargav was beside him rubbing his shoulders as he nodded at me. I walked until I was right in front of him.

His face was pale. His eyes were locked on mine, brimming with disbelief, as if he feared I'd vanish if he blinked.

Tears blurred my vision. I could barely see his face, but I remembered every detail. I had memorized his features in my dreams over the years, afraid time would steal them from me.