Chapter 40

Sorry I was late, my brother is leaving and I have to see to his departure. Will PM in the evening coz I must go to leave him now. I am so excited to watch the missed out episodes of this week. Wonder what the new track is like!

VERY IMPORTANT NOTE: TO THE CONCERN OF ALL MY READERS

Though this query was pointed out by Sona, I would like to all address all my readers to this fact. Yes, dears, there are a few readers in our FF who, despite their busy endeavors, have felt so connected with the story, that they trample all over the place "liking", "quoting" and "replying" to other comments, keeping the thread alive. Like I once said, Arhasia is not a land that belongs to the characters of the tale alone. It belongs to us. And because I keep telling this FF is a recreation of our original IPPKND, when you express lovingly, discuss and analyze this FF, you are actually discussing and analyzing and falling in love with our show again.

If you restrain from making comments thinking that others write far better than me and are hindered by the thought of incapability of artistic language, then let me tell you I have no such protocols. I read a comment and, even in its simplicity, I see a richness for you may be speaking to me from your heart. So all comments matter to me. Not just those that think deeper, not just those that are long. They may be special to me, yes, but every reader of mine is distinct and important to me, even one-line commenters.

Now, to a very very very important point. I had been planning to update last night but refrained from it when I read the comments on a certain page of this thread. I was so overcome with emotion, I shut down my computer and went for a late stroll around my house to calm my over-moved mind. I didn't know whether to laugh or cry. I was lost and it took some time for me to come and write this. I assure you, I love very single comment and commenter of mine, but of among the 149 pages of my old thread and 12 pages of my new thread, this page was the one that pierced right through my heart.

https://www.indiaforums.com/forum/fan-fictions/3256949/arhi-ff-2-the-beasts-and-the-bleeding-roses?pn=11

Why you ask? I saw me in there. I saw the merging of my conscious and subconscious. I saw my mind revealed in the words of Shas and highlighted by hoopoe. These two in their innocent discussion, wrecked my world and left me staggered and amazed at the same time. The way hoopoe connects with my earlier chapters and the latest, amazes me so much I am baffled to realize why I hadn't thought I it myself. It was more Shas' message that pierced harder than hoopoe's, though. And since it has been brought to light, I shall have to speak on it to recover back my sanity.

In Shas' surprisingly truthful words, my FF is not just a story of "two people coming together." It is a labyrinth of mysteries, where layers of many stories and a web of signs……all lead to one Answer. One Truth. From the tiny tale of Rahim Chacha's son to the massive story of Arnav's life, there is a cluster of connections and the maze of mysteries that are linked by a single thin thread. The thread that is the Answer. The thread that is the Truth.

Frankly, I never know what the next chapter of the FF is going to be like. Which character's point of view will be spoken there and what the setting will be or what will happen in it. I don't know what words will be chosen to make the chapter. My mind is blank when I write the story. It is only after I've written a line and look back to read it that I realize what exactly I've written. That is why I say that this tale is the "Dark Lady's narration to me."

You will not believe me when I say this but all of you, and I mean ALL OF YOU, know the story like I do. You know exactly what will happen in the new chapter and you had already known what would happen in the preceding chapter before I had even updated it. You already know how it began and how it will end and in what order it will proceed. The entire plot and the fate of its characters: you already know but you are not aware of it. However, the tale is in vagueness in your mind and in my mind too. We are the same. The only difference is I have the Dark Lady on my side. While you remain with your vagueness of the entire story, she words the vagueness for me. The vagueness is the same in my mind and yours but my chapters are like this mirror I hold up to clear the fog in your mind and show you what is already in your mind.

One more thing I wanted to tell you- as Shas said it- it is not the "what" of the curse but the "why" that matters. And as arshy4ever, and alter hoopoe, pointed out, the word reason in Nani's remark of "Fools with Reasons" stands out!

Echoing Shas again, this tale is more a play of my subconscious than my conscious. Though I speak of symbols and hints, I never deliberately put them there. They emerge on their own as I write. They pop up all of a sudden. Sometimes it's there, sometimes it's not. Sometimes it looks like just a wonderful story. But sometimes the true form of its labyrinthine-pattern emerges. We don't know how or what to connect with, towards where the next step in the complex maze should be. And the answer to that is the Truth. And this Truth or Answer has already been given to you, from the very first chapter, from the very Prologue itself. It is there in every chapter, in very character, in every dialogue. The Answer is staring right at you but like me, the vagueness of our minds hinders us from seeing it. But maybe deep readers and decoders like Breeze, Sona, Sohpie, arshy4ever, hoopoe and Shas might find it. Sooner or later. Maybe even before I find it myself!

Oh, you want a "morning after" of that kind. Well, I can't give you what you want because I can only narrate to you what actually happened. The reasons why you are able to enjoy my ArShi scenes is because they do not come always, and your hunger for it keeps growing so much that when you do get it, you feel quenched, extremely satisfied and eagerly wanting more. Hence, the psychological satisfaction and hence the psychological mode in which I deal out my updates. Hope you understand.

Now what happened after that night may not be what you want but it is what happened and there is a reason behind it which, if you put your heart to it, you can understand easily.

Chapter Eighty Eight: The Engraving

The early morning sunrays had barely made its way through the window, when Lady Manorama sat up in bed and said to no one in particular, "It is a girl! It has to be!"

Elder Lord Manohar's head peeped out from under the blanket and he appraised his wife's dramatic poise. He yawned and sat up, "What dream is it that bothers you early in the morning, Manu?"

"Dream?" Lady Manorama shot her husband an annoyed stare, "No dream can wake me up so!"

Her husband sighed, "Then what bothers my dearest this morning, pray tell me?"

Lady Manorama looked across the room as though she could see something there, "I am certain he is bewitched by some girl."

Lord Manohar stared at her, "Who is bewitched by whom?"

Lady Manorama frowned at her husband, "Your son! By a girl! What are you, deaf?"

"You didn't word your worry clear enough for me to understand."

"What are you, blind? Cannot you have seen it for yourself?"

"Seen what?"

"The signs!"

"What signs?"

"The signs of a man in love!"

"Oh those," Lord Manohar was least bothered, "My son is of age to fall in love and why should I hinder?"

Lady Manorama was astonished, "You must! What sort of a father are you?!"

"Why so?"

"What if he falls in love with a girl not of my taste or decorum?"

Her husband was in his usual mood, "Why would your son and I want two Manoramas in our life?"

Lady Manorama grunted, "I can't believe I am really married to the least concerned father in the world."

"I assure you, your motherly concern itself is overwhelmingly suffocating my son that it is better I remain clear of this……love-lore."

"Have you no heart, my lord?" Lady Manorama was hurt it seemed, "To see our son wedded off to bring home a girl like…..….like Rags?!"

This time her husband was appalled, "Who? Miss Kushi? I see no reason why he and the girl would have anything to do with each other! Whatever gave you that idea?!"

Lady Manorama leaned towards her husband, as though afraid someone might hear, "I've seen it with my own eyes. Akashbitwa smiling at the girl and sometimes walking with her across the garden near the stable."

Lord Manohar shook his head, "You see too little and think too much. They must have merely shared kind greetings or wishes, accorded from one to another."

"How do we know?" demanded Lady Manorama, "My son is a quite one and seems to express best his love in his silences and gentle smiles. And lately, he is often daydreaming even while he should finish his breakfast and get going to the Industry. For all we know, they might be inseparable lovers now!"

"Nonsense!" admonished her husband, "As far as I know, that girl Kushi is virtuous young girl and not the wagging-tail-kind you are branding her as."

"What if she is?"

"She isn't. Now come away from your thoughts and get some sleep," he lay back on the bed.

"No, what if she is and she intends to marry into our family to save her own?"

"She wouldn't."

"But what IF?" She looked down on her husband, who could only think of sleep at the moment.

"Then I shall receive her happily."

"What do you mean?" his wife was shocked.

"Except for her lack of prestige and price, owning to her village birth, she is one of a good heart and I can think of no other valid reason why I should deny her place as my daughter-in -law. But I assure you, there is nothing going on between her and my son."

For a few moments, his wife could only stare at him, pallidly, and then she lay upon the bed and muttered, "Reckless wind-washed brain of a husband!"

Lord Manohar smiled and turning to his side, his hands reached out and hugged his wife and, though she frowned and did not hug him back, she remained snuggled in his warm embrace.

A few minutes later, in the room right below theirs, morning sunlight caressed the bed before the window and Kushi stirred awake. With her eyes still closed, she pressed her face upon the soft pillow. And then she sat up, looking around her. It was not a familiar room: at least not as familiar to her as her mistress's room, Nani's room and, strangely, Lord Arnav's chamber.

She saw a gown lying on the armchair near the bed and she realized the room was Lady Anjali's. But where was Lady Anjali? And why was she here?

Kushi hastily stepped out of the bed, searching for signs of Lady Anjali. But there didn't seem to be anyone there. That was when memories rushed into her sleep-slowed head and she remembered the events of last night with a feeling of great anxiety and an nameless blush upon her cheeks.

"Is he-?"

Just then the door to the room opened and Lady Anjali walked in, her eyes lighting up on seeing Kushi standing beside the bed, "You are awake, Miss Kushi?"

Kushi nodded and then asked, "My lady, why am I-?"

"We found you sleeping in the living room. We didn't want to disturb Lady Lavanya's sleep so we decided to let you spend the night in my bed."

"We?" Kushi's heart leapt.

"Rahim Chacha and I."

"Oh," Kushi's heart sank, but she resumed, "I was not alone in the living room."

"I know," Lady Anjali came to stand before her, and Kushi saw that the lady had a cup of warm coffee in her hand, "Drink this."

"I cannot take this from you."

"Please. You have had a hard night."

"I am fine, my lady."

"Do take what I offer, Miss Kushi," requested Lady Anjali and Kushi could not deny her wish anymore. She took the cup and Lady Anjali began to leave for the door when Kushi called to her.

"Where is he? Is he alright?"

Lady Anjali looked at Kushi, her eyes warm, "He was unwell and Rahim Chacha found it hard to carry him to his room but somehow he did. He must be awake now. I am just about to see him."

"Is he alright?" asked Kushi again, the warm cup heating her nervous hands.

"He always is fine in the morning, Miss Kushi," said Lady Anjali, "But he never remembers what happens in the night."

"What happened-?"

Lady Anjali interjected, "Miss Kushi, there are certain things that hurt when remembered or spoken of. If you can be kind enough to let the memory of last night fade away……….?"

Kushi was concerned but she willingly nodded, "If it is good for everyone…...and for him, I shall not speak of it any further, my lady." Kushi bowed to show respectful acceptance of Lady Anjali's request.

Lady Anjali smiled and then left.

Kushi was shaken by all that had happened and she sat upon the bed. It was a while before she remembered the coffee and began sipping it. Thankfully it was still warm and it helped to nourish her fear-parched throat. And as she sipped her coffee, her eyes fell on the mantelpiece above the bed.

Frowning in curiosity, she placed her cup on the bedside table and crawled across the bed towards the object of her vision. Kneeling before the board at the head of the bed, her eyes gazed in wonderment as her fingers ran over the engraving on the wall. It was neither too large nor too diminutive but if one had to be certain of what it was, one had to peer closely. Kushi leaned forward and squinted at it.

Strange, she wondered, what does it mean? Her tender fingers ran over the two wild figures engraved on the mantelpiece, their designs etching themselves on her keen mind, not knowing that the engraving was to play its part, profoundly, upon the future of her youth.

Chapter Eighty Nine: Words and Visits

The Wednesday afternoon of Kushi's fifth week at the Castle was a silent day of not much happenings. The First Lord and Second Lord had returned early from the Industry after a tired day and remained confined in the solitude of their rooms. Lady Anjali, Nani, Lady Manorama and her husband were assumedly having their afternoon naps.

Lady Lavanya had, surprisingly, been in the mood to sit outside in the garden and read a book to while away her time. Kushi had brought a book herself which belonged to Lady Lavanya's personal collection of classical books.

"It's strange," said Kushi suddenly, and Lady Lavanya took her eyes from her book, "What is?"

Kushi looked up from where she sat on the grass, "The world of books is so different from the real world we know of."

"How so?" asked Lady Lavanya and then she tilted her head in thought as her eyes retuned to look at the book in her hand, "Ah, if you speak of Shakespeare and his speech in the form of incomprehensible poetry, yes, the real world is far better and understandable."

"On the contrary it is not," said Kushi, standing up and patting away the tufts of grass sticking on her gown, "The world in the books are quite easy to understand when compared to the complications that a single person can extant in the real world."

Lady Lavanya frowned in confusion, "I am not sure I am quite comprehending you here."

Kushi came to stand before her mistress, "I shall explain, my lady." She tapped on the hard cover of the book in her mistress' hand and smiled, "Now this man here: Hamlet."

"How undecided he is!" grumbled Lady Lavanya, nodding.

"He may be," said Kushi, "But I believe that it was fear of the consequences that made him unable to decide."

"Fear of what consequences?" asked Lady Lavanya curiously, "That if he killed the man who killed his father he would end up in hell?"

"Precisely," said Kushi.

Lady Lavanya snorted, "That is foolish. Revenge for the right thing is never entitled to damnation."

"Every revenge is wrong, my lady," assured Kushi sadly, "It is a prevalent axiom that Unforgiveness is like drinking poison and then waiting for the enemy to die. Revenge only kills the heart that is not willing to forgive. Ah, books are cluttered with tales of revenge and unnatural deaths just because people cannot forgive."

"What has all this to do with our life?" asked Lady Lavanya.

Kushi walked a step away, "I was simply saying that people are not easy to understand when it comes to real life. We can understand Hamlet. But we can never understand……"

Lady Lavanya waited.,

Kushi waved her hands in the air trying to think of a possible name as an example for an incomprehensible human being but there was only one name flashing in her mind presently and before she could stop herself, she had to spit it out, "Lord Arnav?"

"ASR?" Lady Lavanya perked up, "Why is he hard to understand?"

Kushi walked to her mistress and sat beside her, "I mean, do you know, my lady, for instance, if he loves you?"

"Of course he does," said Lady Lavanya as if teaching a four year old that the sky was blue.

"Are you certain?"

"Absolutely."

"Did he say so?"

"Yes," Lady Lavanya frowned, "I mean, No."

She turned to Kushi with a shocked face, "Oh dear me, he has not told me that he loves me but would that mean that he doesn't?"

Kushi leaned into the bench, a thoughtful expression on her face, "One can never be sure about a man's feelings until he says it is so."

Lady Lavanya sank in deep thought, "Oh." She absent-mindedly tapped on the bind of her book, "So…….I must get him to tell me, then." She looked at her handmaid, "Shouldn't I?"

"I suppose you must," said Kushi, "If you intend to be his wife."

Lady Lavanya sprang from her bench, "I do not. I do not intend to marry him."

"You do not?" Kushi was appalled, and also stood up, "My dear Lady Lavanya, how in the world of Arhasia are you going to entail permanence in your relationship if not bound by ritual?"

"What do you mean?"

"Well….." Kushi looked at the sky, "If he had let you drop yourself at his doorstep a sudden day, who says there would not be an occasion when he would suddenly have the fancy to throw you out too?"

Lady Lavanya gaped at Kushi and then at the Castle behind her, "Do you…..do you really think it is possible?"

Kushi leaned towards her mistress with a wary look, and said in a low voice, "When it comes to Lord Arnav, believe me, my lady, anything is possible." And when she said this, she burnt within and also wondered why she had said that.

"Oh dear me!" sighed Lady Lavanya and plopped into her bench, "What do I do? Oh, what do I do!"

Kushi sat next to her mistress, "You must confess your love and make him confess too. And then you must bind your bond with him under ritual. I see no other way out of this tepid state you have brought yourself to be in. The future cannot be predicted, they say, but I say, at least you can secure its foundations!"

"Well-reasoned," assured her mistress who was staring at the grass, "But how do I get a man who barely speaks with me to confess his feelings for me?"

"We must think of a shrewd way to get it done," said Kushi and then she leaned back into the bench, one arm on her mistress' shoulder, assuring her support.

The sound of cart wheels, riding up the hill, broke the still garden air and both the girls looked towards the gate that could be seen through the bushes.

"A cart has come up," mumbled Lady Lavanya, "Who can it be?"

"I do not know…..." Kushi stood up and her mistress too, in the hopes of catching a glimpse of the visitor.

The gates opened and the cart rolled down the path and headed to the other side of the Castle where the stable was and where, a little distance away, stood the huge lake.

"Come let's go and see who it is," said Kushi and Lady Lavanya stared at her, "Why should I? I'm a lady."

"Oh, yes," said Kushi, sadly, "we might as well act polished and glue ourselves to this sad bench."

Lady Lavanya smiled, "Oh you, mind-messer! Take me to see the cart."

Kushi cheered up and led her mistress to the direction where the cart had gone.

From afar, as soon as she had turned the bend, Kushi realised who it was.

"Jiji!" she gasped with abounding delight and was about to run forward when her mistress held her hand from behind, "What do you think you are doing?"

Tears of joy glistened in Kushi's eyes when she turned to her mistress, "That's….that's my sister, my lady! My one and only darling sister."

Lady Lavanya looked over Kushi's shoulder and saw the plain-dressed, fair village girl stepping out of the cart and waving towards where they were standing. Lady Lavanya looked at Kushi and saw how her handmaid was shuffling where she stood, unable to control her risen spirit.

Lady Lavanya smiled, "Go and greet her then!" and she released her hold on Kushi and watched her running towards her sister.

While they had conversed out in the garden, there were notable conversations conducted within the Castle. Lady Manorama knocked on her son's room and opened the door to see her son slip an envelope hastily into the drawer of his bedside table.

"What was that you were reading, bitwa?" asked the mother suspiciously.

Lord Akash was sitting on his bed and he smiled at her over his shoulder, "Just a message from the workplace, mother." And then he lifted his eyebrows, "What brings you here, may I ask?"

"Why?" his mother enquired, "Is a mother not justified if she wants to pay her son an afternoon visit?"

Lord Akash smiled, "Not if she comes without reason. Where is Father?"

Lady Manorama leaned against the doorframe, "Oh, that man is having his afternoon nap as if he hasn't slept for ages. And would you believe it, I was talking about a daughter of a friend of mine and how she'd gotten herself a glorious marriage which promised her a secure inheritance when I heard him snoring. There he was! Asleep when his dear wife wanted him to listen to her heart's woes! Oh, the misery of my matrimony!"

"Indeed," chuckled Lord Akash and stood up, "It's nearly teatime and I think mother you will find great comfort in drowning your misery in some warm beverage."

"I would," muttered Lady Manorama, turning about to leave for the downstairs with her son, "To know he was sleeping soundly and how I can't because his snores keep me awake!"

"Then how did you sleep with him all these years?" Lord Akash wondered, shutting the door of his bedroom behind him and walking along the corridor with his mother.

Lady Manorama flashed him a cunning grin, "Ah, there's the notch. I always get onto bed first while he's busy reading so that I fall asleep first. Once I'm asleep and dreaming, his snores are unheard memories."

Lord Akash smiled and shook his head, "You are the owner of a remarkable reasoning, mother."

"I'm quick and witty," said Lady Manorama with a proud nod, "That's what your father likes about me. He says I add colour to his life."

Lord Akash eyed his mother's heavily painted face and her loud coloured gown, "Yes, that you do!"

They were walking ahead when they saw Lord Arnav emerge out of the Library.

"Ah mother, you go down to the dining hall," said Lord Akash, "there is something I must talk with brother."

"Alright, bitwa," smiled his mother, "I will wait for you." She nodded at Lord Arnav who nodded in return and then the mother had begun descending the stairs and the two Lords greeted and began conversing about some arrangements at the Industry. Lord Arnav was heading for his room and his brother followed him as the two focused on the matter they were speaking about.

Now, every alternative Saturday, the servants were assigned with the duty of changing the curtains, rugs and carpets of the entire Castle.

HariPrakash was presently changing the curtains in Lord Arnav's room when the First Lord himself walked into his room, followed by Lord Akash with whom he was talking. The First Lord had just stepped through the door when his eyes fell on the new curtains that the servant was putting up and his words paused in his mouth.

"What the!" he exclaimed and before bot Lord Akash and HariPrakash could comprehend what the exclamation referred to, Lord Arnav had taken swift strides to the open window and, with one firm yank, tore the curtains down.

"What is this?" he barked at the petrified servant who had cowered towards the wall with each step of his Master's approach.

"Curtain-" his feeble voice began but he was interjected by his wrathful Master, "I know it's a curtain, you idiot! What curtain is this!!"

"White satin-"

Lord Arnav fisted his hand with the curtain in his hold and held it before the servant. "How in the name of sanity did you think that I would permit white satin curtains be hung in my bedroom?!!"

"Forgive me, my lord, I-"

"Get out!"

"My lord-"

"I said GET OUT!!"

HariPrakash stumbled aside and rushed to the door to comply by his Master's wish and passed Lord Akash who cast a sad look at the passing pale-faced servant.

Lord Akash turned to his brother and walked towards the window where the latter stood, seething with rage.

"Brother-"

"Akash," Lord Arnav fisted the curtain before his brother's face, "This a curtain fit for Lavanya's bedroom or Di's. Not mine. I can't believe servants can be as thoughtless as their illiteracy permits."

"Brother-"

"Stupid curtain!" said Lord Arnav and in his rage, he flung the curtain in his hand out through the window.

Lord Arnav stepped away, still fuming, and Lord Akash sighed and looked down the window. His heart leapt when he saw who was stepping out of the cart parked there. An eager light appeared in his eyes and he turned and headed for the door as quickly as he could. This rushing motion caught his brother's eye, "Where are you going?"

"Just……." Lord Akash didn't complete what he had intended to say and was already out the door and running for the stairs.

Lord Arnav frowned, "What the!"

He cast his glance to the window, thought for a moment, and then walked back to it. He peered down and his heart stilled.

As soon as Lady Lavanya had released her hand and let her run to her sister, Kushi had lifted the sides of her gown and raced in the direction of the cart from which Payal was getting down. Joyful tears blurred Kushi's vision and a wide smile played on her eager face as she raced across the soft grass, scaling the wall of the wide Castle. Payal also rushed towards her but they were still a long distance away and Kushi was still running by the Castle wall, when something light but vast fell upon her head and she stumbled to the ground.

"Kushi!" cried Payal from afar, panicked that her young sister had her hurt herself.

Kushi tried scrambling out of the white cloth but she couldn't find its end (though it must have felt nice and soft to be under it). So, with the curtain still covering her like she was covered in snow, she rose and steadied her feet. Then she pulled at the cloth and managed to find a way out through the front. She lifted the cloth from before her face and still holding it lifted above her like a curtain over her shoulder, she looked up to ascertain the source of the falling curtain.

A face at the window caught her vision. Eyes met and her heart leapt. She felt strange, for the way he was looking her was the same way he had looked at her the day he had seen her dressed in the red robe lying on the ottoman.

Lord Arnav could not take his eyes off the girl. The curtain was so long that it draped her entirely and it looked as if she were dressed in the white satin and her young head framed with the backdrop of the remaining white curtain that she held lifted with her hands, like the veil of a young bride. From above, she looked like she was lying in the snow, looking up at him with those melting eyes and her black rich hair and her red lips stood out among all that snow. If there were a few red drops on that white around her………...

Two other girls crossed into his vision: one Lavanya and the other another village specimen, who were rushing towards the girl in the centre. The two girls were oblivious of his presence but he realised that Kushi had seen him looking at her. He frowned and stepped away from the window, clenching his fists.

Chapter Ninety: Farewells

"What a long curtain," said Payal as she folded the huge white satin curtain that had fallen upon Kushi, "I suppose the windows of the Castle are all tall and wide for such curtains to be put on them!"

"Yes, very," murmured Kushi, as they stood in the garden after Lady Lavanya had been introduced to her sister and then the former had to leave for her tea with the Raizada family.

Kushi caught a movement near the cart and looked up to see Ram walk towards them.

"Oh! Was it Ram who rode you here?" asked a delighted Kushi, waving at Ram as he neared them. He waved back.

"Yes," said Payal and she looked at the boy too, "He's a real sweet one! When I miss you in the daytime, I find great relief watching him or learning the language of his fingers."

Kushi looked at her sister, "Why didn't you bring Buaji with you?"

Payal smiled at her sister and Kushi felt there was some exciting news in the way, "We are expecting visitors at home."

"Who?" Kushi was curious, though she had an excited predisposition to the possible answer.

Payal cocked an eyebrow, "You don't know?"

Kushi gaped at her sister and then she giggled, "Really? Babuji and Amma are coming?"

Payal grinned and nodded violently and both the sisters hugged each other, unable to contain the unexpressed joy at the thought of seeing their parents.

"Oh, this is most wonderful!" Kushi said, her head against her sister's as Payal patted her back in their embrace.

Ram had reached them and as he stood watching them, Kushi caught his eye, "Come here you!"

Ram rushed towards them and the sisters let the boy join in the happy hug.

"Little surprises and jovial bonds," murmured Kushi when they had released their hold and stepped back, "What more can one need in one's lifetime?"

Payal smiled and Ram tugged at Kushi's sleeve. Kushi looked down and he handed her an envelope.

"He said he wanted to give it to you personally," said Payal, looking warmly at the boy as Kushi took the envelope and opened it.

It was from her father and her eyes filled with tears. Kushi looked at Ram and whispered 'Thank you' and then she looked at Payal, "What time will he and Amma arrive?"

"Just in time for dinner tonight, I should assume," said Payal, and then she paused before saying, "I was sent here by Buaji to ask Lady Anjali, or Lady Lavanya or whoever the authority concerned is, if they would let you take a few days leave from work."

Kushi's eyes lit, "Yes, I would want that for I will not be able to concentrate on any work here if the thought that my parents are visiting and I cannot see them lingers in th back of my mind."

"I would know that, wouldn't I?" said Payal, winking at her sister, and then she was serious, "So…… who should I ask?"

"You can take her with you," said a voice suddenly and the two girls looked to the direction of the Castle and saw Lord Akash walk towards them, his eager eyes on Payal. Payal blushed before bowing, "My Lord, it is an honour to see you in person."

"It is my delight too," said Lord Akash as soon as he stood beside them, his hands clasped behind him in a dignified manner. He nodded at Ram in greeting and the boy bowed to him.

Lord Akash turned to Payal, "It feels a lot different seeing one in person after getting quite acquainted through letters, isn't it, Miss Payal?"

"My thoughts precisely, sire," said Payal, and Lord Akash interjected, "Oh, please Miss Payal, do not address me with the sire. If you must, you may refer to me as your lord but not the sire."

"Yes, my lord," said Payal, bowing, "As you wish." And then she looked at him earnestly, "Since you must have overheard what we spoke of and of my intent to be standing here, would I take it as an affirmation from the Raizada ladies concerned that I may take Kushi with me?"

"Yes," said Lord Akash, "I will inform Lady Lavanya and Nani for they are the only ones who need to be concerned with Miss Kushi's coming and goings. They would understand why she must leave for a few days."

"They are too kind," said Payal, smiling and Lord Akash felt the tug again. He looked at Kushi, "You do have things to pack I suppose, Miss Kushi?"

"They won't take long, sire," said Kushi, "I am extremely grateful, sire, that you are letting me go."

"It is only right," said the Second Lord and then he looked at the boy, "Did he come with you?"

"Yes," said Payal, "He's our neighbour and he drives the cart."

Lord Akash nodded and then looked at Kushi, "Take him with you to help you pack, then?"

"No," sadi Kushi, "It won't take time to gather my things into my box and I am certain it would be futile to have more than a pair of hands in the process."

"Ah," Lord Akash looked dissatisfied with the answer, "Well, then I assume the boy has to ready his cart?"

Kushi frowned, "But my Lord, the cart is already readied-" and then she paused and a sly grin crossed her face, "Oh yes!" She turned to Ram, careful to not let her smirk be seen by the others, "Ram, don't you have to ready the cart?"

Ram looked at her as though she had said that if he really tried he would be able to speak and then he saw how she kept her head tilted purposefully in the direction of Payal and the Second Lord while her eyes were on Ram, forcing him to read what she was trying to indicate. Sense fell into its slot and Ram's face lit with enlightenment.

He nodded vigorously, flashed a smile at Payal and then turned and raced towards his cart. With that smug smile still pasted on her face, Kushi ambled towards the Castle, leaving the other two to themselves, baffled by the exchange between Kushi and the boy but relieved to find themselves alone.

When Kushi walked into the Castle, she was called to the dining hall by Lady Lavanya and when she presented herself there, she felt her blood freeze seeing Lord Arnav seated at the head of table, sipping tea and watching her enter, over the rim of his rich teacup.

"Kushi," began Lady Lavanya, "Nani is calling for you. It seems she wants you to bring her tea yourself."

Kushi bowed, "I would comply by that wish of hers, my lady." She paused and looked up, "Lady Lavanya?"

"Yes?" her mistress busied in stirring the sugar cubes in her tea.

"Though Lord Akash has assured me that I may, on behalf of your ladyship's kindness, I wanted to ask you, since my parents are arriving today, if I may leave for my home with my sister?"

Lady Lavanya's stirring stopped and Lord Arnav's sipping too.

"Rags has her sister brought here to escort her home?" Lady Manorama piped as she stood up with her teacup and walked to the window.

Kushi's mistress looked up, "Home? To the South Village, you mean?"

"Yes," said Kushi humbly, "may I?"

"Your parents have come?"

"They will. Before dinner today."

Lady Lavanya smiled, "Well then, you must go. Though I hope you will not take a leave of more than five or six days?"

"I will be back on Monday today being Wednesday?" asked Kushi.

Lady Lavanya pressed her lips together in thought, "Monday is so far away."

Kushi frowned concernedly, and Lord Arnav glanced at Lady Lavnaya as if she had said something he had been thinking.

Suddenly the sound of a teacup heavily crashing onto the floor had everyone jerking and turning to look in the direction of the window. Lady Manorama stood there, her face more inflamed in colour than her gown as she pointed an accusing finger at the window, "I will not tolerate this!"

And then before everyone's stunned eyes, she was storming out of the house. She had just rounded the bend when she almost crashed into Lord Akash who was returning after his little chat with Payal.

"Mother?" Lord Akash caught his mother before she banged into his chest, "Where are you rushing to?"

"To you, you heart-breaking son of mine!"

"What do you mean?" Lord Akash stared at her, confused.

She pointed a finger in the direction of where he had come, "What was that you were doing a few seconds ago?"

"What was I what?"

Lady Manorama frowned and crossed her arms before her chest, "Don't play with me, boy! I bore you into this world and I would know you better than anyone else in existence!"

"That you would," said Lord Akash, rolling his eyes, and then he smiled at his mother, "Miss Gupta's sister asked me if we would let her sister take leave for a few days and I was merely saying that we would."

"Ah, and I suppose you would smile and nod and have that girl blushing and nodding in return when a formal topic as that is being discussed?"

Lord Akash sighed, "Why do you work yourself up so, mother?"

"Because I care for my son and I do not want him straddling to Rags and her company!"

"The Gupta sisters are quite polished young girls," said Lord Akash in defence.

"Ah, polished with tricks to lure men, I must say."

"Mother!"

"Don't you mother me, boy!" warned his mother and then she broke to wailing, "Oh, a snoring husband and a disagreeing son! What more could a poor mother want!!"

"Oh mother, please!" Lord Akash placed his hands on her shoulders, "You inflate on trivial matters."

"Trivial or not," Lady Manorama said, firmly, "I am not having my son talk with ill-gotten girls as those!"

"Mother it is unwise to be harsh about those less fortunate than you," warned Lord Akash, letting his hands fall to his sides as he prepared to walk towards the Castle.

"Pick on my fortune now," said his mother, following him, "You do not know what it is like to be so fortunate and yet to have other's not remember that you are fortunate and need to be treated so."

Lord Akash sighed again but said nothing and they were soon walking through the door and into the Castle.

Kushi, after packing and changing into a better gown, had wished Lady Anjali, Lady Lavanya and Nani, her sad but slightly eager farewells. She was walking out through the door of the Castle when she caught a glimpse of something dark rush out the Castle gate, from the corner of her eye. When she looked up, there was nothing there so she shrugged and headed for the cart. Happily seated in it, with Ram between the sisters, she watched as the boy picked up his reins and the cart rolled forward.

The cart was passing through the gate when she saw Lady Anjali and Lady Lavanya standing before the huge opened central doors. She waved and they waved back. She was about to sit back again when she saw a face at the topmost window. A tear fell down at the thought of missing Nani but she waved at the older woman who pressed her hand to the window and sadly smiled.

Kushi sat straight wanting to not look at the faces she would not see until the next week. She didn't know she would get this attached to the place she had believed she could only come to hate.

As the Cart rolled downhill and then slid into the path leading to the Road that led to the South Village, a new emotion came over her. A sinking feeling that there was one person who had not been concerned over her farewell.

As she sat there in the cart, riding past the forest that lined along the left side of the path, close to where she was sitting, Kushi sighed. And then something made her frown. A familiar feeling of those eyes watching her. She turned suddenly and looked towards the Castle they had left behind them. But it was too far away and she could not see if there was anyone standing at the gate.

Disgruntled, she turned to sit straight when her eyes caught movement through the fringe of trees in the forest to her left. Gaping, she tried to focus and then her heart leapt in incomprehensible elation. A dark horse was flitting through the forest, at the speed of the cart, and there was a rider on its back.

Kushi sat straight and looked forwards as though she was not bothered, but her heart felt a lot warm and she persistently felt his hidden gaze upon her face. Strangely, she even wished if she could make Ram sever the cart into the forest.

She was one who loved to drink in the sights and scenes during a ride but not this time. This time, she closed her eyes and remained so, shutting out all thoughts and visions and did not open her eyes until they were finally on the Road and the forest was left behind. She didn't turn around to see if he stood at the fringe, watching her go, but the urge was hard to fight and, yet, she won.

Standing hidden among the trees at the periphery, he watched her being driven away. He didn't know why but the thought of not seeing her for over a week was quite disturbing. It made him angry. Well……what didn't make him angry!

"Come one, Shadow," said Lord Arnav, "You wanted to see her one last time, didn't you? Content?"

The horse grunted and Lord Arnav spurred its sides and they were riding back, through the forest to the Castle, where he would have to wait like his grandmother and his lover to pass the days until the little sunshine in their lives returned to delight them or, in his perspective, annoy and tumult his unhappening existence.

Eagerly waiting to hear from my dear readers now………

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