21st CENTURY

"Calm down, Diya. You can do it. You will do it. Be patient and stay cool. Interviews are part and parcel of the hiring process. You will give your 100 percent, and the rest leave it to God."

Diya was talking to herself as she was nervous about her job interview and worried about whether she would crack it or not. Unable to control her emotions, she called her best friend, Roohi.

"Hello, Roohi. I have this uneasiness and fear... what if I don't make it?"

"Diya, I told you multiple times that you will make it. And even if you don't, this will prepare you for the future. Don't be so afraid that stress and overthinking make you underperform."

"That's true. But you know I want to make it into the Time Agency. It's my dream to be a part of the Time Agency. Since childhood, I have seen my papa working relentlessly to uncover the secrets of the universe and time. I want to be like my papa and follow in his footsteps," Diya said.

While Diya was talking to Roohi, she was informed to get ready as she would be the next candidate for the interview. Diya rushed to her seat and did a few breathing exercises to calm herself down.

The interview process was completed, and Diya performed well. She even got selected for an internship at the Time Agency. With great satisfaction, she came home and revealed her achievement to her parents.

But Yash and Radha were not happy. Diya sensed it and asked Yash,

"Papa, throughout your life you have always supported my choices. But when it comes to joining the Time Agency, why aren't you supporting me?"

Before Yash could answer, Radha intervened.

"Because your papa has already wasted a lot of time on it, and he doesn't want you to repeat the same mistake."

In his heart, Yash said to himself,

My child, I am afraid you might be separated from us. You were never meant to be here. The place you belong to is not a time where you can survive. I am afraid that fate might play its game again and pull you back to where you were destined to be.

While Yash was lost in his thoughts, Diya interrupted.

"Papa, what are you thinking?"

Yash replied,

"Nothing, my dear Diya. Just remember one thing—irrespective of my wishes, I will always support you. But you need to be careful while working there, as scientific experiments can be risky sometimes."

"Yes, Papa. I will be careful and cautious" Diya replied.

12th CENTURY – VIJAYGARH

"Long live Maharaja Veerendra Singh! Veerendra Singh ki Jai Ho!" the people of Vijaygarh shouted for their king, Maharaja Veerendra Singh.

Maharaja Veerendra Singh was the conqueror of Vijaygarh. He fought a fierce and immense battle with the Samantas of Rajpur and reclaimed Vijaygarh when he was just 19 years old.

Even though Veerendra got his kingdom back, it was not enough for him. He wanted revenge on his enemy, Raja Somnadh, because of whom his parents had died. His eyes were blinded by vengeance, and he could see nothing except revenge.

Some men of Vijaygarh were happy because Veerendra was back. Others were not, because they knew Vijaygarh had simply been transferred from one ruler to another.

The women of Vijaygarh had no opinion, choice, or voice in anything. Of course, this was the 12th century, where such things were expected.

In Vijaygarh, power spoke, and Maharaja Veerendra was the embodiment of that power. No one dared to go against his will, because speaking against the king meant inviting death to their doorstep.

A servant fearfully approached the king.

"Rajasa, we have received a note from Raja Somnadh."

Hearing the name Somnath, Veerendra's eyes turned red with anger. He ordered the servant to read it aloud.

The servant began reading:

"Veerendra, your end lies in my hands. No one can defeat me. You will be punished as you deserve."

Veerendra's eyes burned with rage. It reignited all the struggles he had faced as a 14-year-old when Somnadh had made him an orphan.

Just when Veerendra was about to lose his calm, Rajmata Leelavathi entered the hall.

"Son, you are of marriageable age. Vijaygarh needs a successor for the kingdom to continue. There are multiple suitors for you."

Veerendra respectfully took Rajmata's blessings and said,

"Rajmata, this is not the right time for my marriage. When everything goes as I have planned, Vijaygarh will have its Ranisa."

He said this with an evil smirk.

No one knew what went on in Veerendra's mind, because he did not even let the wind know his next move.

Veerendra walked into his royal chamber, followed by Devnath. Once the servants closed the doors, Veerendra asked,

"Dev, have you enquired about the princess of Rajpur?"

Devnath replied,

"The princess of Rajpur keeps a very low profile and does not make any public appearances. The king and queen of Rajpur have kept her isolated from the world. It is a challenging task, but I am working on it. Soon we will get her details."

12th CENTURY – RAJPUR

"God, why have you separated a mother from her daughter? Please bring my Diya back. My eyes are searching for my Rajkumari, the apple of my eye."

Rani Damayanti was sobbing in front of the Rajmandir.

While she was crying, Raja Somnadh entered the temple and shouted,

"Damayanti! How many times have I told you? If anyone finds out that the Rajkumari is missing, it will bring great shame and humiliation to the kingdom of Rajpur. We are searching for her and will find her soon. Until then, control your emotions."

Damayanti responded with tears in her eyes,

"Rajasa, it has been so long since our daughter went missing, but we still have no clue where she is. Will I ever see my daughter again?"

Somnadh replied firmly,

"I will bring the Rajkumari back... even if she is in a different world."

After coming out of the Raj Mandir, Somnadh called Harinath.

"Did you get any information about him?"

"No, Pitashri. I have searched every house in Rajpur, but no one has ever seen him," Harinath said while showing a portrait.

Somnadh clenched his fists and said angrily,

"The day I find that traitor will be the last day he lives on this earth."

AUTHOR'S POV

Yash is afraid that if Diya enters that world, she will not survive. He wants to prevent the inevitable.

Veerendra wants to uncover the secrets behind the Rajkumari of Rajpur.

Somnadh wants to find his daughter to save his kingdom from humiliation... or perhaps something more.

Diya simply wants to follow her father's footsteps and uncover the secrets of destiny and time.

Radha wants a peaceful life for her daughter, because she knows that once the secrets of the universe start unfolding, Diya may not be able to handle them.

Will Damayanti's longing for her daughter ever end?

What will happen when completely opposite personalities of Raja Veerendra and Diya clash?

Who will win... and who will lose?

Stay tuned, guys!
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