INSEPARABLE SOULS

Shree was a poor pheasant girl who was sold by her parents at a young age to the King of Jaisalmer. Despite her circumstances, she reluctantly accepted her fate and regarded the king, who was older than her own father, as her husband. But on the day of their wedding, tragedy struck—the king died, leaving her world in chaos. What would become of her now? “I apologize for not seeking your consent before marrying you; it was the only way to protect you,” Abhivayakt said, addressing the girl who sat silently on the bed in the bridal chamber. Shree gazed coldly at Abhivayakt's shoes, her expression unyielding. “Shree, I promise to free you from this marriage when the time is right. You can live your life however you wish after that. Please don’t be sad,” Abhivayakt reassured her. This time, Shree looked up and let out a dry chuckle. “Freedom? That’s just a dream for me.” “Please don’t think that way,” Abhivayakt replied, his face reflecting sadness. “Kunwar saa, I am a woman and a beggar. My father sold me to your older brother, who then locked me in this golden cage without asking for my consent. I learned to endure this life after your brother left this world. Your family even decided to burn me alive with his corpse, attempting to make me a goddess like Sati. I accepted that as well. But then you appeared out of nowhere and remarried me. I’m just a puppet, moved by the decisions of others,” Shree said, tears welling in her eyes. Abhivayakt remained silent and quietly left the room.