In the exquisite palace of Madhya Pradesh, a woman in her mid-twenties struggled with the pangs of labor.
The city awaited either an heir or a heiress again, the weight of expectation heavy in the air.
Her painful scream subsided as the dhai maa announced, "A heir has come. Let us inform Rajmata."
With that, she took the newborn, leaving the mother smiling through her pain, acutely aware of her fate.
At that moment, Kanak entered the chamber, carrying her one-year-old son, Abhimaan, alongside Devika's four-year-old daughter, Niharika.
She approached Devika, gently caressing her head.
"Let me call a maid. How can they leave you like this?" Kanak said, concern etched on her face.
Devika grasped her hand tightly. "This family got what they wanted. Why would they care about me now?"
"Devika, don't think like that," Kanak urged, a tear escaping her eye.
Just then, Abhimaan, still learning to walk and speak, chimed in, "b-a-b-y." Devika smiled at him, a brief moment of joy amid her turmoil.
A maid entered, swiftly clearing the room and her.
Finally, Devika held her son in her arms, tears sliding down her cheeks and falling onto his delicate face.
Kanak smiled softly. "His eyes are just like yours-eagle-black and fierce."
Abhimaan and Niharika reached out to touch the newborn, but Devika hesitated, protective of her fragile child.
In this royal palace, birthing a child was a grand affair, yet Devika felt a profound solitude in her triumph.
Kanak, sitting beside her with Abhimaan on her lap, tried to lift Devika's spirits. "What shall we name him? Let's think of something special."
Devika, though touched by Kanak's attempt to distract her, felt the weight of her suffering since marrying into this family.
After a brief silence, she kissed her newborn's forehead and whispered, "I want him to win every battle in his life. I want him to fight against injustice and never suffer as I have. He will be my victory. His name will be Abhijeet Singh Sisodia."
Kanak shivered, understanding the depth of Devika's pain and the fire that burned within her.
Suddenly, the royal maid announced, "HIS HIGHNESS IS COMING."
Kanak swiftly left the room with the children, unable to contain her rage at the name that had haunted them all.
King Surya Pratap Singh entered, a proud smile on his face as he approached his wife, who clutched the baby tightly. "Finally, you've done something worthy," he said, reaching for the child.
Devika pulled the baby closer, her voice steady. "Dare to touch him."
Surya Pratap's anger flared. He gripped Devika's jaw tightly. "Remember, it's I who compelled you to bring this child into the world. He is my son-always will be. Defy me again, and you will see my true wrath."
Devika chuckled bitterly, tears streaming down her face.
This was not new to her. Surya Pratap stormed out, leaving her alone in her sorrow.
Devika began to cry, kissing her son's forehead. She spoke to him as if he could comprehend her words. "Please, never be like your father. I'm so sorry you had to be born into this family. Never hurt those you love. I've endured so much-beaten, betrayed, crushed under the weight of responsibility and honor. Please be my light, Abhi."
For the first time, she let her pain spill out. The silent warrior within her began to fracture.
***
Abhijeet was now six, and Devika had given birth to another boy, Abhinav, who was just four months old.
From a young age, Abhijeet sensed the gravity of his mother's struggles. He became her pillar of support, asking if she had eaten or if she was healing from the scars inflicted by his cruel father.
Life continued in its usual pattern until Arvind Singh decided to leave the royal family for Mumbai, seeking to start his own business. He believed this family could not raise good children and wished to shield his family from its toxic influences.
The children were devastated by the news, but Devika was shattered. She wanted to plead with them not to leave her and her children alone with a monster.
Yet she remained silent, resigned to the fact that perhaps some would find peace away from the palace.
With their cousins gone, Abhijeet and Niharika felt an acute loneliness.
Deep down, Devika knew that the worst was yet to come. Four innocent souls trapped in a merciless system, their fates intertwined in darkness. Nothing would be the same; the bright spirit of Abhijeet would dim.
This marks the beginning of their cruel destiny, the "Whispered Vows."
I hope you liked the chapter. Next chapter will be set in the present time. This chapter is for better understanding of characters. Many flashbacks, violence and trauma is upcoming.
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