The sky over Junagarh Palace was overcast today, as if nature itself had turned a sullen face toward the bitterness between the two sisters. Since morning, Snigdha had been possessed by a strange, stubborn obsession. She had decided to systematically erase the existence of Prabhasha—the girl who had belittled her in front of their brothers.
In the morning, while Prabhasha was combing her hair in the royal bathchamber, Snigdha stormed in like a whirlwind. In Prabhasha's hand was an exquisite ivory comb, a precious gift from their mother, Arohi. Without a word, Snigdha snatched the comb away with a violent jerk.
Shocked, Prabhasha said, "Didi! Mother gave that to me. Why are you taking it like this?"
Snigdha looked at the comb and gave a mocking laugh. "Mother gave it? Which mother? Why on earth would Queen Mother Arohi be your mother? Just because she took pity on you and gave you shelter in this palace, you think you're a Princess? This comb is a royal ornament; it doesn't suit the hand of a renegade daughter of a rival like you. I am its true mistress."
With that, Snigdha slammed the expensive comb onto the stone floor in front of everyone, shattering it into two pieces. Prabhasha felt as if her own heart had been crushed. Breaking into tears, she said, "Why did you break it, Didi? It was so dear to me..."
"Shut up, you devil!" Snigdha roared. "I will turn everything dear to you into dust like this. You love acting so saintly, don't you? Come, let me show the guards your true face today."
Snigdha grabbed Prabhasha by her hair and dragged her out to the palace corridor. There, the guards were standing in a row. Pushing Prabhasha down in front of everyone, Snigdha shouted, "Listen, everyone! From today, if this girl gives any order, no one shall follow it. She is not part of this royal household; she is the daughter of a captive criminal. Her mother is rotting in a dungeon, and she dares to talk big about managing royal affairs? I spit on your so-called nobility!"
The guards stood stunned. They had never seen Princess Prabhasha humiliated in such a manner. Covered in dust, Prabhasha stood up from the floor. There were no more tears in her eyes; instead, a fierce flame blazed within them. In a low, steady voice, she said, "Didi, today you broke my jewelry, you broke my comb, and you even dragged my honor through the dirt in front of the guards. But remember, you aren't exactly a 'holy basil leaf' either. I know exactly who you go to see every afternoon for your illicit activities."
The moment she heard this, Snigdha's face turned pale, but she instantly became even more feral. She rushed forward and delivered a resounding slap to Prabhasha's cheek. The force of the blow split Prabhasha's lip, and blood began to trickle out. Snigdha whispered hoarsely, "If you ever take my name with that filthy mouth of yours again, I will pull your tongue out with hot pincers. You are the daughter of a harlot; big words don't suit you."
Just then, Prafulla arrived on the scene. Seeing this horrific brawl between his sisters, he sat down, clutching his head. He screamed, "Stop it, both of you! Do you want me to commit suicide right now? My head is spinning from managing your daily filth. Snigdha, why did you hit her? And Prabha, why are you saying such things to Didi?"
Snigdha turned to Prafulla and said, "Control this pampered sister of yours, Prafulla. She is calling me characterless! She says I go out at noon for 'filthy work.' Do you believe your own sister could do such a thing?"
Prafulla looked at Prabhasha and said in a harsh tone, "Prabha, you are crossing the line. How dare you question Didi's character? Do you truly want me to throw you out of this palace?"
Prabhasha burst into a loud, haunting laugh. In that laugh, there was a strange mix of sorrow and madness. She said, "Throw me out? Go ahead! Being a beggar on the streets is far better than living in this hell. Didi can do whatever she wants, but the moment I speak the truth, I'm the criminal? Fine, Brother, from today I will not speak a single word to either of you. But remember, the fire you have lit in my chest today will one day burn this palace to ashes."
Staggering, Prabhasha walked toward her room. The pitying gazes of the guards and Didi's hateful laughter pierced her back like needles. She decided that enough was enough. She had endured too much. Now, she had to take the path where her biological mother, Sushila, was waiting. Revenge for her blood became the only mantra of her life, surpassing all royal nobility.
Snigdha stood there like a victor, but her heart was thumping with an unknown fear. Does Prabhasha know everything? Will the secret of Rupanjan no longer remain hidden? On that gloomy day in Junagarh Palace, a new saga of destruction began.