The palace courtyard was silent and heavy with sorrow. The sky itself seemed dull, as if mourning Gauri's departure. In the center of the courtyard, the funeral pyre had been prepared with sacred wood and flowers.

Her body was bathed with sacred water and gently dried. Then they brought a beautiful red bridal saree, the same color she had worn on the day of her wedding.

Bhumi's hands trembled as she dressed her.

Bhumi's love for Gauri was especially deep because she watched her grow from a tiny child into a graceful woman. When Gauri dies after giving birth, Bhumi's heart shatters, but she does not allow grief to weaken her. Instead, she gathers her strength for the sake of Gauri's newborn daughter.

They carefully draped the saree around Gauri, arranging every fold with respect and love.

Her long hair was combed and braided softly. Fresh jasmine flowers were placed in her hair, spreading a gentle fragrance through the room.

A small vermilion mark was placed on her forehead, and her bridal jewelry was put on one by one. Bangles were slipped onto her wrists. A delicate necklace rested around her neck.

But the most painful sight was the mangalsutra, the sacred thread of marriage, still around her neck.

The women around her began crying again.

Adhiya stood there frozen in grief, her eyes fixed on her sister's lifeless face. The palace was filled with cries and mourning, but Adhiya could not cry or speak. The pain in her heart was so deep that it took away her voice.

Her lips trembled, but no words came out. It felt as if her world had suddenly become empty. The sister who laughed with her, shared her secrets, and filled her life with warmth was now gone forever.

Bhumi (crying softly):"My child... my Gauri..."Tears rolled down her wrinkled cheeks.

"I still remember the day you were born. You were so tiny... you used to hold my finger and refuse to let go."She let out a broken sigh.

"I raised you in my arms... watched you grow up... watched you become a beautiful bride."

But I never thought I would see this day... the day I would have to say goodbye to you."Bhumi gently stroked Gauri's hair.

"You always smiled so brightly... even when you were in pain. You always cared for everyone."Her eyes filled with sorrow.

"And now you left your little daughter behind..."She wiped her tears and looked down sadly.

"Don't worry, my child... I promise you something today."Bhumi placed her hand over Gauri's hand.

"I will take care of your daughter... just like I raised you. I will love her, protect her, and never let her feel that her mother is gone."Her voice softened into a whisper.

"My queen looks like a bride again... but this time she is leaving us forever."

Gauri's face looked peaceful, almost as if she were simply sleeping.

Adhiya :- "Gauri... my little sister... look at you. You are dressed like a bride again."Tears rolled down her cheeks.

"When you were little, you used to run to me whenever you were scared. You always held my hand and said, 'Didi, you will always protect me, right?'Her voice broke.

"And I promised you... I promised I would always be there for you."She held Gauri's cold hand tightly.

"But today... I couldn't protect you."

"You always called me your strong elder sister... but today I feel so helpless."Adhiya gently placed her forehead near Gauri's hand.

"My little sister... why did you leave me alone?"

For a moment, anyone who saw her could believe she would open her eyes and smile again.

But the silence of the room told the truth.

Sharvik stepped forward slowly. His heart felt like it was breaking into pieces.

Sharvik :- "Gauri... open your eyes... please..."Silence answered him.His breath became heavy.

"You always scolded me for worrying too much... you used to laugh and say 'Nothing will happen to me, King.'"A tear slipped from his eyes.

"Then why... why did this happen?"His voice cracked as the pain inside him burst out.

"You promised me we would raise our child together... you promised you would never leave my side."He looked at her face helplessly.

"Our daughter... she came into this world today."His hands trembled as he held Gauri's cold hand.

"She is so small... so beautiful... just like you."His voice shook with unbearable sorrow.

"But she is crying... Gauri. She is crying because she cannot feel her mother's arms."Another tear fell.

"You carried her for months... you endured so much pain to bring her into this world."His voice broke completely.

"But you left before even holding her once... before hearing her call you mother."Sharvik lowered his head near her hand, his shoulders shaking.

How am I supposed to live without you...? Every corner of my life has your memories."He whispered softly through his tears.

"You gave me our daughter... but you took my whole world with you."His voice faded into a painful whisper.

"Gauri... if you could hear me just once... I would beg you to come back."He closed his eyes in grief.

"Please don't leave me alone in this world..."

Near him Nakul stood.

Nakul looked at Gauri with tearful eyes

Nakul (crying softly):"Chhoti Maa... why are you sleeping like this? Everyone is saying you went far away... but you promised me you will never leave me."

He wiped his tears but they kept coming.

"You always said I am your son... not just Adhiya Maa's son. Then why did you leave your son alone?"

"You always called me your son... You hugged me whenever I cried. Then why did you leave me alone today?"

He looked at the baby lying nearby.

"You told me that you will give me a little sister... and we will take care of her together."

But Chhoti Maa... who will hug me now when I am sad? Who will call me 'my son' like you did?"

"Chhoti Maa... everyone said you were strong."His voice trembled.

Unable to control himself, Nakul leaned forward and hugged her lifeless body.

"Please come back Chhoti Maa... don't leave me... please..."

"Chhoti Maa... please wake up. Why are you sleeping like this?"

Seeing the innocent child cry like this, the people standing there could not hold back their tears.

Even the sky above seemed to mourn the loss of Gauri, and the pain of the little boy who had just lost his Chhoti Maa.

Priests signaled that the time had come. Priests stood nearby, chanting sacred mantras. The sound of the chants echoed through the air, making the grief even deeper.

People of the kingdom gathered there, their heads bowed in respect for the queen they loved. He looked at Gauri one last time.

Sharvik (whispering):"Forgive me... for letting you go."

With shaking hands, he lit the pyre.

Sharvik stood beside the pyre, his face pale and filled with unbearable pain. His eyes were fixed on Gauri's face, as if trying to memorize it for the last time.

The flames slowly began to rise, surrounding the wood and flowers.

A cry of grief spread among the people. The fire burned brighter as smoke rose toward the sky, carrying Gauri's soul away while the people she loved were left behind with their sorrow

On the other side stood Adhiya, her eyes swollen from crying, but her face filled with bitterness as she looked at the baby.