I was careful placed on his bed by him. Dhai Ma quickly hustled near me while I continued acting being fainted. Other maids who came for my assistance Where asked to wait outside of the room by Dhai Ma just before entering in.

" Off you go ...leave her alone. .." said Dhai Ma to Siddharth Veer.

" But Dhai Ma she's ..... ?? Shouldn't I call the Royal doctor?" I Heard his voice as he was confused because he was asked to go out of the room.

" Oh you go , that Won't be needed. I will handle it , I think she got exhausted and fainted, she needs some rest that's it ." Dhai Ma assured Siddharth Veer as she tried to shoo him from this room.

" But... but... Dhai Ma she's ...." before Siddharth could say any other word , Dhai Ma pushed him out of this room and asked him to wait outside.

She could have easliy told him about this truth that everything whatever we were doing was nothing but just a sham to stop this fight but Dhai Ma is a wise lady , she didn't risked uncovering this truth Especially when my father was around she didn't wanted it to take any chance and hence kept this only within me and her.

As soon as Siddharth Veer went out , she Closed the door behind him. I slowly got up and sat on the bed giving her a teeth flashing smile for the success of our plan. Dhai Ma came near and sat close to me too.

I spoke cheerfully " IT REALLY WORKED DHAI MA ." But as I spoke in a louder tone for which Dhai Ma waved her hand down as an indication to lower my volume so that whoever is outside this room might come to hear my voice and know about our sham we pulled out together.

" Thank you Dhai Ma. You really saved the day , You are a genius." I spoke in my lowest voice . Dhai Ma gave a broad smile to hear me appreciate her brilliant idea But because of some reason her smile drifted away from her lips.

" What happened Dhia Ma ? I asked losing my smile too.

" This fight got stopped because of you and it ended in a right way but there is still a bigger thing which is standing ahead in front of you. ..... and that is ' Your departure from Jaisheelgad'..... with your father..... because he is here to take you with him and as Siddharth has already granted that permission to him, he will surely take you from here And finally you will be free ." she said giving me a small smile.

She sadly looked at my hand and took it in her own and continued...

".... but I don't know Nandini whether to tell you this but still being an elderly person and also your well wisher I would suggest you choose wisely. You know your father very well, you have been with him all your life and nobody else can tell you about him in a better and truthful way as you yourself can ....So I would not talk about your father because I don't know much about him. But ....Yes I will definitely speak for my son Siddharth and as both of you were supposed to get married tomorrow, That's why I am telling you this. You may choose to go from here But I am sure you you are well aware of this , that Once you're gone , forget about visiting this Palace again for some reason, Your father will never let you step near the borders of Jaisheelgad again .... But if you choose to become Siddharth's wife then I can assure you with all my heart and soul that my son will always keep you happy and will do anything and everything to keep you happy and safe . Now the decision will be in your hands My child. " Dhai Ma spoke in her motherly tone and left me thinking about everything.

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It did not clicked me at the first that Shaktinand was trying to provoke me to fight him but when I saw Nandini lying down being fainted and Shaktinand still pushing me over to fight me instead of caring about his daughter that's when It struck me and I got suspicious about this entire thing.

I saw when Nandini's expression in the courtroom, changed when Shaktinand proposed this fight to win her over, I could very well make out that she has never seen this side of her father before. Poor Nandini !! I feel so guilty for being so harsh on her where She was One Who has suffered from both the ends.

When I saw Nandini lying down on the battleground for a moment I was not bothered of anything not even the pain which I kept on receiving from Shaktinand. Nothing really mattered to me in front of her.

Such a damned man Shaktinand is that he couldn't love anyone in his life. He couldn't keep his friendship and his humanity intact and At last he couldn't even love such a lovely girl who is his very own daughter. I can't imagine how Nandini must have felt to see her father like this.

Just the way how I was living in a stupid illusion to hate Nandini where in reality I was in love with her since from the beginning ..., It seems even Nandini too was living in her own illusion where she thought that her father only loved her but .... anyway. .....

If only I could have been beside her atleast like a friend but I guess she is pissed at me too after hearing my shocking truths of camouflaging myself as a soldier to be her friend.

Right now With a bleeding cheek and with a throbbing body I am waiting a little far from my room where Nandini is resting for some while but what is suffering in the most painful way is ..... my heart, which doesn't wish to be apart from her even for a single moment. .... and here, .... I don't know how am I going to survive this wound of letting her go myself.

I heard the sound of the door open and Nandini stepped out. Dhai Ma stood on the door inside the room letting Nandini slowly make her way out. Watching her coming out, I immediately walked to her.

" How are you ... ?? .... Are you okay ..?? " I asked in a panic tone as I was eager to know how she was doing right now.

Saying nothing and lowering her eyes she just slowly nodded her head as an indication that she was okay.

I was just happy to see her fine But suddenly The thought of her departure from this palace shook my core with sadness.

My heart was Beating in its slowest space as if it didn't want it to beat any more , I Cannot explain in word That how heartbroken and upset I was with just the thought of letting her go. My inside was tearing apart with this unbearable sorrow which I was experiencing it right now. The weight of this sorrow grew heaver in my chest in every passing moment.

This feeling was like someone was crushing my heart and it was bleeding inside leaving me dead.

It was time When Nandini was about to leave this palace and will advance her way towards her much awaited freedom from me.

Yes, of course, I have full power to stop her and let Shaktinand go back without her but I won't do that. I don't want to cause her anymore pain because of my own selfishness . She should not receive any more pain ,not at least from my side as has suffered a lot and if she thinks and knows that she will be happy at Shreemadpuri Then be it , Then I will happily let her be like that even if it will tear me apart.

I watched her as she Just stood in front of me, consciously pinning her eyes on the floor ... I presume, She must be shy of me after learning about my hidden feelings for.

" So ... so.... finally you are going ?" I spoke hesitantly regaining my voice which came out of my lips in a soft painful tone.

" ...I... I just want to apologise, .... I know I'm late and it is totally useless but still I would go ahead and apologize Even if you don't forgive me . ....... I am sorry for whatever I have done to you as you never deserved this at all ....... you shouldn't have gone through all of this ...none of this...... You truly are a nicest person I've ever seen . I just hope that may God keep you safe and happy no matter , wherever you be. "

I said whatever was coming in my mind . Deep down, all I wanted was to hold her back for a little more longer near me before she goes away . I wished that 'This' time between me and her stop still and she'd be with me like this forever.

Nandini was quietly listening to me without making any motion. I looked at her eyes which was not ready to look back at mine . I was waiting her to say something but she didn't utter a word . To break the silence between us I spoke.

" Your father is waiting right ahead at that room ....."

" Have a happy life Nandini." I meant every word of mine.

Still pinning her eyes on the ground while listening to me quietly , She's slowly nodded her head and took a step away without uttering a single word to me.

But before she could take any more step to go, I blurted out as I was dying to hear atleast something from her.

" Don't you have anything to say to me ? " I asked her being helplessly broken by my grief and her unbearable silence .

She stopped on her way and looked elsewhere, overpast her shoulder and again slowly shook her head indicating no and continued to slowly walked away increasing her speed to reach to the room where her father was waiting.

I stood there like a dead man as if my soul was ripped out of my body which went numb watching her go. I wish I could have grabbed her hand and shouted that how much I love her and I will never let her go anywhere and she will stay here forever with me.

"What an Irony...

A gril with whom I was suppose to get married just tomorrow , Now she is going away from me forever . " I snorted giving a bitter smile looking elsewhere, thinking internally

As I watched her enter in the courtroom where her father was waiting her. I tried to gulp my sorrows but the entire attempt to suppress my sadness and heartbreak was a total fail as I couldn't hold back my tears which was brimming out from my eyes but still I inhaled a deep breath and jerked my head for an attempt to control myself and looked elsewhere to stop it.

I suddenly had a strong urge to at least secretly watch her go out of this palace as I just wanted to see her for the one last time until she drifts away from me Like a sweet dream.

With this aching heart of mine, I quickly took my steps towards the room where she went as every inch of my body was screaming for her.

I reached near the entrance of that courtroom where Nandini and Shaktinand stood together , I watched them while secretly standing out of this room as I thought of keeping good distance between them and me .

At the place where they stood , they had no idea that I was watching them and they were not able to see me as well because of good distance between us . I have already asked my men to leave Shaktinand alone because he was in no power to do any harm now.

Shaktinand was lucky that I spared him and this was only and only because of his daughter and as a king , I also didn't wanted to kill him when he was unarmed in my palace alone.

But It was wierd that Instead of walking off out of this Palace they were standing here. I saw Nandini talking to Shaktinand .

She was a little hesitant while speaking to her father but what probably she could be speaking right now , whereas she should be leaving but instead I saw her telling something to her father.

I went a little I more close to hear it , I didn't intended to eavesdrop their conversation but what I saw caught my attention and curiosity.

Nandini was standing and looking down at the floor. Her body language was only expressing her hesitation while talking. Shaktinand kept his eyes on his daughter to listen what she wanted to say to him.

Nandini spoke to her father

" Father .... arrrr ...... before we step out of this palace there is..... there is one thing very important I want to tell you. "

Shaktinand in his masculine rough voice asked.

" What is it ?? "

" Father ... uhmm.... fa.ther... I mean ......I want to.... I want to..." Nandini spoke in hasitation.

" What is it ... Just speak up fast I am not in a mood to listen anything Right now. " grumbled her father in irritation.

By Studying Nandini's expression on her face I could make out that she was highly terrified of something which she wanted to say and she was building up her courage to speak to her father. But what ..??

" Father I ... am . Sorry for what I am going to tell you .... but ... but it is important to tell you that ... that, I want to tell you ...... that......that ... I am No. more . pure" she breathed out fidgeting with her dupatta still Looking elsewhere in hasitation.

Listening to her Not only Shaktinand but I too pinched my brows in confusion .

She fearfully spoke again

" I am so. Sorry father ....I have ....I have lo.. lost my... my.. purity..... I am no more untouched...... I lo... lost my girlhood .. "

At first Shaktinand couldn't understand but later it clicked him after a moment that what she meant by that.

" WHATTTT ?? " he whispered in shock taking his step backwards.

Shaktinand started shaking by his overfilled anger and shouted in his loudest pitch .

" NOOOOO ..." which echoed in ever corner of this courtroom.

" SIDDHARTH. VEER. SINGH .

I will chop his hands and feed to ...... " Shaktinand instantly turned and walk from her in an intention to find me and kill me on the spot .....Because he thought that I must have sexually assaulted Nandini to take my revenge and be even about whatever he has done with my aunt.

But before Shaktinand could take any more steps further Nandini instantly spoke up making her father halt.

" No.. father he ... he ... He's not guilty alone because.... because. ...whatever happened between us ...it .... it ...was with my consent , He did not force me" spoke Nandini in her trembling voice.

I was left confused as I was totally clueless what Nandini just spoke.

"WHATTTT... what the ..... what is she doing?? why .." . I thought internally.

I saw Shaktinand breathing fire in and out and looked at Nandini as if he just wanted to burn her with his fire spilling glare.

" YOU WRETCHED, SHAMELESS GIRL ... YOU ASHAMED ME..." Shaktinand Shouted emphasising his every word like a mad man , and quickly advanced his step toward her and slapped her hard on her cheek turning its colour into a pinkish red.

" .... I should have killed you on the very day when you were born . You have disgraced me. How am I supposed to fight with my enemy when My own daughter a traitor ?? .... I WILL KILL YOU FOR THIS RIGHT NOW..." while ranting he grabbed her fragile neck with his broad hand which made Nandini's back bump to the near by pillar of the room.

Her eyes grew bigger and wider as she was now not able to breathe because of her father's tight hold over her neck. With her little hands she grabbed her father broad wrist to make him stop but as obvious it was , she was completely helpless to stop her father who was exceptionally more stronger than any other man here and hence She had no chance in front of him.

As I was secretly watching it all , I couldn't hold back anymore. I quickly entered in the courtroom to reach there and stop Shaktinand immediately to save Nandini from kill her.

I don't know why she lied to her father and called upon her death but whatever the reason be , all I just knew, was to save her before He chokes her to death.

I marathoned my way towards them but just before I could even reach the the mid way to where they stood ..... I saw Nandini, raise her shaky hand as a sign to stop me on the spot ,when she noticed me approaching near them.

Nandini's secret signal to stop me to come any closer to them went unnoticed by Shaktinand who was right now blinded by his anger.

While choking and struggling hard to breath she gestured silently to make me stop on my way. By her action I could make out that she didn't wanted me to go any near to her. Noticing this, I instantly stopped obeying her sign.

Our postion was in such a way that only she was able to see me from the concer of her eyes while Shaktinand faced her and was totally oblivious about my presence while busy choking his own daughter.

Her face turned red and her eyes were streaming out unstoppable tears of her struggle. Watching her suffer like this , I couldn't waist anymore time standing here like a fool and doing nothing at all to save her just because she didn't wanted me to come in between 'the father daughter' business and to not Stop her father from killing her .

And as I was just about to take my hasty step again towards them to save her ..... thats when Nandini spoke to her father in her breathlessly choking voice making me stop again .

She spoke just when she noticed me approaching towards them again as if she wanted to stop me at any cost from coming near them.

" ple. Please ...do..don't. ..Kil. kill.. me. Fa. Fa ther.....I ..a..am sor ...sorry. .." she struggled hard to speak.

I saw Shaktinand who was grabbing her throat and mercilessly choking her to death, suddenly realised her neck at once letting me and Nandini take a breath of relief.

Getting free from her father's grip, Nandini caught the pillar behind her for support to stand steadily while holding her painful neck with her other hand . She was breathing hard and coughing for life.

" I spared Your worthless life, because ... from today onwards.... You are DEAD FOR ME. and I will think that I never had any daughter before...." Shaktinand hissed through his gritted teeth to her while she was still trying to catch her lost breath and stability.

After Nandini resuming her breathing normally she looked at her father with her sad and shocked eyes as if he was burying her alive.

Fresh tears rolled out of her lower lashes silently leaving her motionless in grieve as she was shocked by what she heard just now.

After feeling betrayed by his own daughter and filled with his uncontrollable rage.... Shaktinand , pushed a huge lamp stand beside them which fell down crashing , creating a loud deafening sound , making Nandini startle in fear and scattering its peices and creating a huge pile of mess in the middle of the courtroom.

With a huff Shaktinand angrily hustled out off this palace without looking back at his daughter and leaveing her behind as if she never meant anything to him before.

Listening to her father's sharp words and watching him walk away like that , she weeped and dragged her back down leaning on the pillar behind her and sat on the floor . Bringing both hands to her chest she closed her eyes tight crying agonizingly like hell got loose on her as she was going through too much pain .

It was hurting me to see her cry like this . I just quickly wanted to bring her to my chest and comfort her for the pain and sorrow she was going through right now but I couldn't do that because right now it was better to leave her alone for a while but certainly I won't leave her side.

I slowly walked to her and sat beside her placeing my one knee down while looking at her sadly.

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🧚‍♀️: Did Nandini take a wise decision .....??

Will she marry Siddharth or still there is something else waiting for them ..??

Will this be a happy ending for them in the end... ??How did you like this chapter do tell me in your interesting comments which I always eagerly wait for.

⚫ If in case you have not yet and then I would request you to please do the same and help me write even better than this.

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