Chitra wanted to take a walk to free her mind but her feet still hurt from standing! She quietly sat on the bed trying her best not to bite her fingers off. She felt warm from inside, both excited and scared about the fact that she will be married in a few seconds.

Yesterday a lot had happened and recalling it only made her more nervous. Vikram woke up after a long sleep and was complaining like an old man about his body aches which made her laugh. He cracked a few jokes with Chitra which shocked everyone, Vikram was never the type to joke around but the medicines made him do that. She was waiting to see his expressions when he realised what he did.

Last night when Arjuna came to check upon her he stood near bed saying he had something important to talk about. He explained about there being no auspicious days till the next month and the only day left was tomorrow. He got to know this because of Lalita devi; the healer as she was the wife of a Pandit. When she didn't reply anything he spoke in a low voice.

" I understand it is too much to take in but I can do something if you don't want to marry me. "

" No! " Chitra almost shouted, was he thinking that she doesn't want to marry him? Now after realising that she was in love with him she will not be able to survive without him!

"No? " His face paled as he looked shocked. all the colour drained away from his face. "Um.. okay, should I arrange transportation-" His words trailed off as Chitra piped in.

" No! I mean yes! I mean.." Chitra tried to explain to him but gave up frustrated and angry that she couldn't even answer properly.

When he understood what she meant, he laughed and bent forward and kissed her forehead, " I understood love, don't worry. "

Her face brightened as her eyes twinkled with happiness. His heart skipped a beat seeing her happy, he could never compare her beautiful smile to anything in this world and would give away anything in return to see her this happy.

Before leaving he kissed her on her cheek almost touching the corner of her lips, her eyes widened realising that he had almost kissed her on lips, " Have sweet dreams princess. " Saying he left the room. Leaving her blushing like a tomato.

* * *

She was dressed in a plain red saree as it was not possible to find anything grand but she was content. She always wanted to have a simple marriage, a loving husband and a loving family. Heat made its way to her cheeks as she remembered last night. Would he be always like this? Loving and caring?

" Hmm..why are you blushing like a tomato? Don't tell me he tried something naughty before the wedding! " The healer bent forward pinching Chitra's cheeks as she teased her. Chitra just laughed blushing.

" Come on now, it's time for you to go to the temple. "

It was very difficult for Chitra to walk to the temple, though it was almost right beside the house she stayed in.

The temple was not as big as the one in their kingdom but it was beautiful. She slowly stepped inside and she saw Vikram sitting in a corner with a smug smile on his face. She could never thank Vikram enough, he made his way to the temple even though he was hurt just to see her getting married.

She carefully sat beside Arjuna while he did the rituals, the smile on his face was so contagious that she found herself smiling. The temple had very few people and was very calm that Chitra missed Meenamma's rant but she knew for sure that she would always be happy for her.

When the pandit was busy reciting the Vedas Arjuna leaned towards her, whispering in a low voice as his lips almost touched her ear, " How come my wife is so beautiful even in a cotton saree?"

Chitra looked down, blushing profusely as his touch sent shivers down her spine. This is so embarrassing, she thought as everyone could see them.

" No!Tsk tsk!!" Lalita devi tisked, raising her eyebrows as she saw what was happening, " Hands to yourself boy! She is yours, so concentrate on the wedding for god's sake." She said, shaking her head as if she was disappointed. And Vikram laughed out loud looking at the scene.

The moment Arjuna applied sindoor on her hairline, Chitra closed her eyes in content savouring the moment.

He smirked at her when she opened her eyes. How did she get so lucky? Arjuna was a man of his word, he is never scared to show his affections and respects everyone.

She observed his handsome frame as they did the

In the final round of saath phere, she promised to gods who had given Arjuna as her husband, that she would put him before anything, that she will never let anyone disrespect him and that she would love him and be with him in every part of life. Let it be in his Riches or in death.

* * *

While Arjuna was busy looking after the arrangements for their travel, Chitra stood there in a corner, watching him.

" Do I smell love in the air? " Lalita devi teased as she stood beside her, " I will tell you something now, even though you didn't ask for any advice."

Chitra smiled as Lalita devi patted her head, she was a woman of humour. " You are a king's wife now but not a queen. A queen is not a title Chitra, a queen is born from the respect and love of her kingdom. "

Chitra listened to her words amazed by the way she spoke. " Earn the respect of the people around you, know what their real faces are and never succumb to whims and fancies of someone when they threaten you. And most of all, it might happen that at some point your husband, the king, might swing towards the wrong path. At that point never support him-"

"But-" Chitra cut in the flow of Lalita devi, " But a wife is always supposed to respect her husband's decision right? "

" Right, but it is also your responsibility to pull him back on the right track and maintain his respect and position. "

Chitra was trying to sink in her words, truly she was a knowledgeable woman, " Your husband is a rightful person Chitra, but as his queen, as his other half, you will have to support him and also show him the right path. "

Soon, it was time for them to leave. Arjuna and Chitra decided to take the elderly couple's blessings before leaving.

When they were about to bend down to touch their feet, Lalita devi stopped them, " Wrong position! " She scolded Arjuna as she pulled Chitra to his left side.

" Where is your heart boy? " She demanded an answer from Arjuna.

" Left? " He answered not caring much.

" So your wife should always be towards your left! Always close to your heart! Understood? " She asked, smiling.

Arjuna's eyebrows shot up as he looked amused. He put his left hand around her shoulder pulling her close to his side, making her cheeks flush a darker shade of pink.

They bent forward and touched their feet for blessings, " Deergha Sumagali bava, " the pandit blessed Chitra first and then blessed them, " Ayushmann bava. "

Arjuna and Chitra soon got into their chariot and it soon picked up pace with soldiers tailing behind them.

Arjuna pulled Chitra closer as her hand went behind his back and her head lay on his shoulder, he kissed her head, her soft hair making his face tickle. " Always to my left, forever. " He whispered, leaning his head on her's.

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