When Abhimanyu returned the capital, the city was full of celebrations to welcome him. He was overwhelmed by the love of his people. He reached the Palace to see his entire family standing at the entrance to welcome him. All his sisters and their children were also there. More over, he was happy to see his mother smiling at him with tearful eyes. He went near his father and touched his feet to get blessings, as per the ethics. And then he went near his mother, who took his aarthi and he took her blessings and hugged her. He met his sisters and then his grandmother with a formal bow.

Once he is inside the palace, Anamika fed him, her handmade food to her heart's content. For every mother, their child is thin if they are returning after a long time. Then he got filled upon what happened in his absence, by his sisters.

Abhimanyu could sense a difference in his parent's relationship. Although he doesn't know what happened, he is happy that his mother is happy. He knows that his mother has strong ideologies which she wouldn't compromise for anybody. So he didn't question anything to his mother, for he knew that whatever she is doing is for him only. Also he had already been warned by his mother, to not let himself interfere between his father and mother relationship.

After 2 days of rest and spending time with his sisters who departed earlier today, Abhimanyu attended the court today, where everyone agreed with their Ranasa to crown Abhimanyu as Yuvraj as soon as possible. Indirectly the entire court was judging their crown prince which didn't create any difference in Abhimanyu's behavior or opinions.

Abhimanyu although spent his free time with his mother, always avoided looking at the paintings, which are of girls coming from higher status or princess from their governing kingdoms. Soon the day of crowning arrived and everyone is happy to celebrate their upcoming ruler, looking forward for a young energy, similar to their current king and queen during their younger years. Pratap's mother couldn't help but feel disheartened for her late husband, who would have been over the moon to see this day.

Anamika didn't leave her son this time and took him to the room with paintings, the very next day of his crowning ceremony. Abhimanyu pleaded his mother through his eyes to let him go since the dasis were pulling away the clothes covering the paintings of girls. Looking at Anamika's stern eyes, he knew that he couldn't escape this time.

So, he just carelessly looked around the room at the paintings but his eyes were stuck at one beauty which he found unique among all. Something about that girl caught his attention which everyone in the room noticed because he was still staring at the picture without moving. "Her name is Ahilya. She is from the Maratha region", Anamika told him near his ear. Abhimanyu called out her name in a trance, "Ahilya". Soon he realized what he did and immediately excused himself from there.

Anamika was happy that her son's choice is same as hers. Since all the women under their reign is trained in self defense, it is common that their swords are sharp. But it cannot be same for the mind and Ahilya is one rare 'beauty with brains' princess. A decade ago, it was a taboo for a girl above ten years of age to be not married or at least engaged. But with time, some things have changed gradually, as now Parents don't shy away from keeping their daughters till the age of 16.

Ahilya is two years younger than Abhimanyu who is 18 right now. Anamika immediately notified Pratap about Abhimanyu's choice and he sent the official proposal to the Maratha king under his reign. It took few days for the messages to reach back and forth between the two kingdoms. Finally it was decided that the bride's family will reach the groom's palace to complete the wedding.

Abhimanyu had a few days before the wedding which he could use properly to get to know his future wife. And he did meet his bride hiding away from everyone and they tried to clear away their awkwardness by extending a hand of friendship towards each other.

Soon the wedding happened in a few days bringing happiness to all except two people, who are Ahilya's stepmother and stepsister. Ahilya is lucky to have her mother who keeps her away from all their evilness and also a stepbrother who respects his elder sister.

Ahilya got to learn many things from her mother-in-law and also gave her opinions about state affairs while discussing with Anamika. Abhimanyu and Ahilya were very happy in their married life which bored the first symbol of their love, 'Amar Singh Rathod' after a year. Those years were pure bliss for everyone.

People of the kingdom rejoicing the happiness of the birth of next heir, Abhimanyu enjoying his fatherhood before taking the throne, which he has been postponing since the birth of his son and Anamika and Pratap spending their time together with their grandson which they missed together as parents.

Although Abhimanyu wanted to expand their kingdom across the oceans, he didn't want to go away so early leaving the responsibility of his child towards his wife alone. So he postponed his idea of expedition and didn't even let his father know about his idea. Soon Abhimanyu was crowned as the King along with Ahilya as the Queen. Pratap and Anamika were happy to leave the State responsibilities to the next generation and spend time with their grandchildren. Yes, grandchildren because Ahilya is pregnant again.

Everything was going well until the day of labour, because Ahilya was having complications due to having twin babies. And after delivering a boy and a girl, Ahilya left the world due to excess blood loss. Abhimanyu was shattered with the news and couldn't even celebrate the birth of his children especially his princess who was exactly like her mother in looks.

Anamika couldn't help but feel betrayed by the God, for giving her precious son such a fate. He has to encounter such an agonizing situation at an early age. And how he would be living his life with such young children to take care of. She always made sure that her son stays happy but now, she couldn't do anything other than helping him raise his children.

Abhimanyu was not able to come out of grief but still he didn't neglect his responsibilities, be it is his children or his kingdom. Once again Pratap had to step up to take ups some of his works so that he can spend some time with his children who had already lost one of their parents. Anamika is totally taking care of her grandchildren all the time, not leaving them to the hands of the maids.

A few months after the demise of Ahilya, some people came with a proposal for second marriage of the king which were refused by the king himself. Everyone left the idea since they thought that he is still in his mourning stage. But Ahilya's step sister was not ready to leave the chance. So she made a drama of taking care of her sister's children and stayed at the palace itself. Anamika didn't stop her entry or her schemes, not because she couldn't but because she wanted it to be a test for her son.

Abhimanyu didn't let his mother wait for a long time because within two months he banished that woman from the palace after getting fed up of her seducing schemes. And with that he realized one thing, he should not show his vulnerability to others as they might take that as a chance to bring him down. So he decided to discuss in the Royal court, about the long impending war expedition. Moreover, when he is far away from the kingdom for war, someone should take care of the kingdom and it's safety. There could be no proper time than this when his father is fit enough to take care on his behalf.

Soon Abhimanyu left for the expedition although it was heartbreaking for him to leave his children with his mother alone. The day before leaving, he slept on his mother's lap looking like a child himself. After all, his mother will always be his pillar of support.

True to his words, Abhimanyu expanded his kingdom across oceans and some kingdoms even surrendered themselves when they get to know that he is marching towards them. And now he is returning after eight years, and the people couldn't be more happy since their soldiers are returning back to their families. There were few loss of lives during the war and those were immediately communicated with their families.

The palace was decorated to welcome back their king and the children are excited to meet their father. Abhimanyu met everyone and had dinner together with his family. He didn't know what to feel when he heard the news of his paternal grandmother's demise.

Once the children were put to bed, Anamika, Pratap and Abhimanyu were present in his chamber to spend sometime. They were talking about the children for sometime and then Pratap said, "You know, before the expedition many people were coming with a proposal for your second marriage. But now they don't even dare to put forward such thoughts."

Anamika continued, "Don't you think about marrying again? It has been eight years". Anamika is once again testing her son, after all he is a man. "No Maasa. Actually these years healed me in a way, I couldn't think of. I learnt to live reminiscing our memories and now I don't feel like living alone. I feel that she is living with me, through me. And above all, I have promised her my loyalty till my lifetime, not her lifetime."

Anamika stood up and kissed his forehead and said, "You are stronger than you think". She couldn't be more proud than what she feels right now. She excused herself and returned to her chamber. Pratap and Abhimanyu are still in the chamber.

Pratap asked with his thoughts elsewhere, "You have sons right now. But if you don't have a heir, would you have gone for a second marriage?". Abhimanyu knew where this question comes from and answered, "Definitely No. As far as heir to the throne is concerned, I have six sisters with children. So I could pick the deserving person to the throne among them".

Pratap knew that he cannot simply justify himself with the part that he didn't have siblings at all. The reason because he never thought of an alternative for second marriage. All he thought was a solution for a heir. Thinking about all this, he couldn't control his emotions and told Abhimanyu about what he did to Anamika. Although Abhimanyu knew about the most part, it was shocking for him that his father didn't treat his both wives equally. Pratap stopped himself from disclosing about their unborn child and got out of the chamber before seeing hatred in his son's eyes again.

Abhimanyu felt that his mother's pain must have been more than what he is feeling because she would have lived the same lonely life, while seeing her companion right in front of her with another person. At the same time, he didn't want to disrupt the happy life she created right now by digging into the past. He just felt glad that he didn't follow the path of his father. Thanks to his upbringing.

As Abhimanyu is back, Anamika and Pratap now has more time to spend with their grandchildren. Now they don't just play games, rather they train these children and also teach them discipline and so on.

As time passes by, Abhimanyu stood strong on his words and at the same time, he didn't look like a sad or incomplete man. Rather he was a very happy man to see his children grow up and take responsibilities. He felt the satisfaction that he could meet his love one day with his head held high.

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With time, many lives leave the earth and new lives come to earth. But there was one person still living in the same dark room, seeing the reign which she badly wanted to avoid, as rightly said or shall we say, cursed by Anamika.

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Hi guys,

Finally the end is here. Thank you for all your support. When I plan my next book, I will put a blurb here. So stay tuned.

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SM.