After clearing the dark shadows of Shilajit, a bright morning dawned upon the Junagarh palace today. As the first light of dawn broke, Arohi and Aditya got ready and set off toward the royal court. No subjects had arrived yet; the court was perfectly serene. The soft morning light fell upon the throne. Just as Arohi and Aditya took their respective seats, the Maharaja entered. A strange sense of satisfaction was visible on his face today.
Looking at Arohi with a smile, the Maharaja said, "Mother Arohi, after yesterday's storm, the royal palace seems to have found new life. A special ceremony has been organized for you tomorrow evening. Since you have been wed anew, tomorrow will be your 'Bou-Bhat' (Wedding Feast). There will be festivities across all of Junagarh, with elaborate arrangements for music, dance, and dining."
The Maharaja paused and looked at Aditya, saying, "I have also sent a letter to Arohi's mother in the kingdom of Kanchangarh. The celebration will reach its fulfillment once she arrives." Then, turning back to Arohi, he asked in a gentle voice, "Child, do you have any special friends whom you would like to invite to this ceremony?"
Arohi looked at Aditya with a slightly shy smile. There was deep love in Aditya's eyes at that moment. Arohi said softly, "No Father, I don't really have any such friends. To me, Aditya is my everything; he is my best friend."
Hearing this, the Maharaja was very pleased. He said, "Splendid! Then I shall send word to the rest of the invitees. The work of decorating the palace will begin today. Aditya, I'm telling you as well—be prepared; let tomorrow evening be truly memorable."
Then the work of the royal court began. Aditya rose from the throne, went to the Maharaja, and said humbly, "Father, a new Minister is needed to govern the state. After a traitor like Shilajit, it wouldn't be right to leave the seat vacant."
The Maharaja sighed and said, "No son, I do not wish to invite danger again by appointing someone from outside as Minister. I have seen Arohi's discernment. She is as intelligent as she is brave. Aditya, you and Arohi together shall manage this kingdom. I have grown old; how much longer can I continue!"
Arohi spoke up hurriedly, "Father! Do not say such nonsense. You will always be like a banyan tree over our heads. We cannot move a single step without your counsel."
Aditya smiled, "You are right, Arohi. We don't need any separate Minister. The two of us will share the Minister's duties." Everyone in the court burst into laughter upon hearing this. The entire court echoed with pure joy and laughter.
At the dining table during lunch, the Maharaja looked at Arohi and said in a repentant tone, "That devil intentionally mixed salt and chili into the food that day to create a misunderstanding. But today, I want to eat that authentic cooking from your hands. Today, cook for us to your heart's content."
Arohi happily agreed. She went to the royal kitchen and cooked with great satisfaction. When the steaming, delicious food was served on the table, the Maharaja and the Queen Mother took the first morsel and exclaimed, "Exquisite! Mother Arohi, the taste of your cooking is divine! We have never tasted such nectar before."
Hearing everyone's praise, tears of joy welled up in Arohi's eyes. She sat down to eat as well. Her heart filled with the taste of her own cooking and everyone's unstinting love. All previous sorrows seemed to vanish in an instant, spreading an air of strange peace throughout the room. After that royal lunch, a serene calm descended upon the palace. The Maharaja, Queen Mother, and everyone else went to their rooms for a little rest. As evening approached, the garden of Junagarh palace seemed touched by spring. Arohi went to her favorite garden and began tending to the plants. She was wearing a simple cotton saree, with her hair in a loose bun. She was watering the plants with great tenderness. Suddenly, she saw a red rose that she liked very much; plucking the flower, she tucked it behind her ear. Losing herself in nature, she seemed to have forgotten all her grief. Aditya had gone toward the city in the afternoon to handle some urgent royal business. When he returned to the palace after finishing his work, he stopped short seeing Arohi in the garden from a distance. With the red rose tucked behind her ear, Arohi looked like a forest goddess.
Just after dusk, the sound of conch shells and the clopping of horse hooves were heard outside the palace. Arohi's heart whispered—Mother has arrived from Kanchangarh! She ran to the palace entrance. The Queen of Kanchangarh—Arohi's mother—stepped down from the palanquin. Seeing her mother, Arohi hugged her like a little child. "Mother! You've come! I knew you would surely come!" A flood of joy was in Arohi's eyes. Aditya also arrived there and bowed to touch Arohi's mother's feet. Placing her hand on Aditya's head in blessing, Arohi's mother said, "Son Aditya, I am eternally grateful for the way you have protected my Arohi."
Afterward, everyone sat together in the inner quarters. Servants brought hot tea and sweets. A session of storytelling began. Arohi's mother sighed and said, "My heart trembled upon hearing of Shilajit's devilish conspiracy. I cannot believe that the man we knew as a great well-wisher for so long was actually a venomous serpent! Just to secure his own future, he could play with an innocent girl's character?"
The Maharaja said gravely, "You are right, Queen Mother. A cunning Minister like Shilajit is rare in history. He wanted to destroy not just our family, but all of Junagarh. However, had it not been for Arohi's 'Magic Mirror,' the truth might never have come to light. It is because of Arohi's intelligence that Junagarh is free today." "The web that Shilajit and his daughter Sushila had woven was beyond any human's power to escape. However, God does not tolerate sin, and that is why they are suffering the consequences of their own actions today." The conversation continued for a long while, covering stories of the past, news from Kanchangarh, and plans for the upcoming festivities in Junagarh.
As they talked, the night grew quite deep. The Queen Mother stood up and said, "It is very late now; everyone must take some rest. The preparations for the Bou-Bhat will begin early tomorrow morning. People will arrive at dawn to decorate the palace. So, it is necessary to go to bed early to stay healthy. Queen Mother of Kanchangarh, please come along; your chamber has been prepared." The Maharaja and the Queen Mother took their leave and went to their rooms. Arohi's mother also blessed Aditya and Arohi before retiring for the night.
Once everyone had fallen asleep, the palace became silent. Aditya and Arohi slowly entered their bedchamber. Scented candles were burning around the room, and the fragrance of jasmine filled the air. Aditya went and stood by the window; in the moonlight outside, the mountain peaks appeared silver. Arohi came from behind and rested her head on Aditya's back.
Aditya gently took Arohi's hands into his own. "You know Arohi, when I cast you out of the palace, it felt as if all the light had vanished from my life. Today, having you close like this, I feel as though I have conquered the world."
Looking into Aditya's eyes, Arohi teased him playfully, "Before, you used to scold me, but now I see you've learned to speak such sweet words!"
Aditya laughed and pulled Arohi close to his chest. Tracing a long kiss on her forehead, he whispered, "Have no fear, Arohi; whether it's the magic of Mayanagari or the conspiracies of Shilajit—nothing can separate us anymore. I promise, until my last breath, I will hold these tender hands of yours just like this."
Arohi pressed her ear against Aditya's chest, listening to his heartbeat. Wrapping her arms around Aditya's waist, she said, "I too understand nothing without you, Aditya. May tomorrow's Bou-Bhat ceremony mark the beginning of a brand-new chapter in our lives."
In the moonlight, the two lovers lost themselves in each other. The Junagarh palace stood as a witness to their unbreakable love. Tomorrow's new sun will bring news of a brand-new celebration.