Chandra Nandini -An soulful Love Story ff NEW CHP 31 pg 24 - Page 7

The breeze blew in through the windows. The night was calm and peaceful so that even the sound of the distant waves of Ganga was audible. CHANDRA tossed in his bed with various thoughts keeping him awake. Beside him, a peaceful Nandini was fast asleep with a smile on her lips probably dreaming of moments of passion she experienced after a long wait.

She would also have found peace after unburdening her worries to her Lord and Chandra as an affectionate husband could have allayed her worries as any loving husband would. But Chandra just said I love you.HE gave her no replies nor said anything big about her lengthy sermons.

Chandra felt that She is trying to attack his weak point ...Even after being this much close with him,she did not confess of sending message to her father after his marriage. THIS irked him.. Chandra thought he will even pardon her,but he expected her to speak to him.Nandini was keeping mum on this whole issue and was treating him as though he was not aware of anything happening around him.

He gently moved aside Nandini's hand that had sort of half embraced him even as she slept. He got up from his bed and moved to the window, pondering over the issue that Nandini told earlier..He was deeply immersed in thoughts, and was unable to understand his wife.
HE thought that he is giving too much space for her. HE was unsure that what will she do,which side she will join . Is she in his side or other camp.Every time just after being close with her, Nandini always made it has a habit to compel Chandra to forgive Nand. He Thought why she is not opening her mouth before intimate moments.Why only after the act.This not end of confusion, why Nandini is stopping him when he says he is going to Durdhara. She is not showing any jealousy when He declares Helena as his dearer wife and Durdhara as Janapadakalyani(Who brings fortune to KINgdom.. ie KIng's favoured wife).She is not seen happy when she has been elected as Mukya Rani. Why she is always saying to him "I am feeling lonely..".Chandra contemplated Nandini's face. It was as placid as lake and as pristine as dew drops.

HE listened her inaudible sounds ,but after some minutes he could not believe her words.

Nandini : Chandra... I know you love me more than I deserve...but I have betrayed you... My father ...he is... sent me a ... message... Chandra i don't want to loose you... He cannot... even he cannot come between us...Shikandi...my foot... vasanth utsav don't come... dont go away from me..i have betrayed you... chandra hated me that time he... want to seek revenge...will you forgive me.Chandra... i am there for you alone... i am not seducing... i am trying to be happy... happy for you ...with you...only... Idiot malayaketu... treacherous rogue

It was blatantly clear that she dreams like she confessing to him.He understood that her actions were not to hurt him,but to seek his attention.Earlier Chandra had accused and even spate venom of hate whenever they came before each other.If Nandini is to blamed ,he too has to share this blame.Had he treated her properly,she could have not behaved like this.Chandra did not find necessary to find what she think during his wedding with her. He never inquired her views nor sought any explanation.

He turned and moved back to the bed where she had begun to sense his absence. He saw her hand groping over the bed to find him. He quickly moved to her side and took her close. Love of the woman is man's best ally, after all." He thought to himself, tenderly brushing Nandini's hair.

Chandra heard some one shouting "We are attacked". Immediately he realized that his weapons are in his room. Without wasting time ,he woke her up.

Chandra: Nandini,we are attacked...

Nandini : what ... Who...(She listens the commotion that is taking place outside)

Chandra: Who else... It is your father.( Nandini swallowed a lump).

Chandra continued"Nandini,my weapons are in my room. I cannot go out. Your father may attack me and Kill me.

Nandini shredded tears and Tried to calm him

"LOok ,I am here. Nobody can even touch you.. So what your weapons are in your room... I will help you out"..

Chandra making his face like a innocent kid "Nandini,How can we go out... We are surrounded. Iam sure Your brother is also came.He stopped and look into her eyes helplessly.

Nandini: you are surprising me..Did you forget That I am born in this palace .I know each corners of the palace. She cupped her hands around his face and said in low soft tone.

"Listen carefully, I know a secret path in this palace.It leads straight unto a room which is equipped with weapons. My father always used to be alert for situations like this. YOu can go and get it . I will help you. From there we can use a back staircase and come to the place where the attackers are present. We can retaliate.

Without wasting time,Nandini took his hands and torch to a room in other side of room.There she helped him to get into a corridor ,and finally into a room. Chandra was carefully observing her movements. Nandini lead him to the room and yes she was correct . That room was indeed provided with all weapons."Look Chandra,there is all weapons. Grab them quickly.She help the torch and Chandra swiftly took them. "Chandra,look it leads to the back staircase. Common quick. Dont waste time...

"Yes Nandini, .. I am coming.. GO front..."Nandini did not even think once ,How she is going to face her father All she was thinking was How to help him in this attack."My father... my foot" Nandini cursed Padmanand for his cowardice."He is not worth of Pardon" . She climbed the staircase and opened the door. What she saw at that nip of time, her whole heart stopped for a moment.

Nandini was totally bewildered.
there was Helena,Acharya Chanakya and other ministers were standing smiling at her and Chandra.

Chanakya :"Maharaj, We have curbed the attackers and he smiled at Chandra.

Nandini :"Maharaj,where is My father... "

"Gone far away from our lives" Chandra drew a smile on his face and Put his hand on her shoulder.

Chandra: Acharya.. yes you were right... We can Identify gold only by rubbing it with a stone...

Chanakya : I accept... Gold is always a Gold.Even Gods do mistake.

Poor Nandini cannot understand that all these were scripted by Chanakya. Why very simple

. For getting this answer we have to go back few hours before night.

Chandra,Helena and Chanakya . Three were secretly holding a meeting regarding Nandini.

Chandra: Acharya... Nandini is more trickier than I thought. I have a doubt that she is playing behind my back.She voluntarily always dashes on me. Always tells that she loves me and create scenes before everybody.

Helena : She cannot plot... Forget it...Its just a puupy..

Chanakya: No Helena, May be she is acting smart.

Chandra : We have to find her truth. But how.

Chanakya: Test your wife at the time of difficulties. Its a high time we plot and catch her. If she is innocent,she shall be spared else Chandra you have. no choice

Chandra: If she is guilty,I am ready to banish her from my life and throw her to prison.

Chanakya: You should not change your mind. Because Of date I am always seeing you entering her chambers. (Paused).. It is up to you. I am not bothered. Coming to NandiniIF she thinks herself as Chandragupt's wife ,I will always respect her else I have no sympathy for plotting Nand's daughter.

Chandra: How can we be sure?

Chanakya :Trap her ...

Chandra : You mean to say, We have to put under deliberate situation and watch which side she takes.you should not make her think that you dont trust her... Be natural

Chanakya:We dont have choice.. IF she is acting smart,we have to nip at the bud..If we drift away the time she will make Padmanand to escape. Lets see... which side she belongs.

Helena: If she finds the truth... Wont it be difficult for us

Chanakya: Dont give her time to react or think.It is in hand of Chandra. You have to wake her from sleep and just say Your father(he stressed father) attacked us. If we say simply attacker,my hunch says she may support Chandra. Thats not we need to Know. We need to Know how she reacts if she has been given options to chose between Chandra and Padmanand.

Chandra: Its promising.

Helena: I am eager to see ..

All of them dispersed after deciding timings of the sequence.

Present time.

Chanakya : Maharaj.. situation is tested and we are safe. Thanks Nandini to helping our Maharaj.

Nandini: you are surprising me... I just saved my Husband... It doesn't matter who is attacking Chandra. I am always try to help him.

Chanakya : Yes maharani... I appericiate for that wise words. Maharaj its still night, We all can retire peacefully now. Hope Chandra can be peaceful.

Chanakya went out and Helena just came to Chandra winked her eyes "Lucky you... Enjoy... "

Helena looking at Nandini " Well done.. Nandini...Do you have plans to continue your sleep.

Nandini : Yes ... I am going to sleep.. still long hours to go before dawn.

Helena.: I dont think tonight you can sleep... Isn't it Maharaj

Chandra made a wide smirk: Helena... Dont teach me what to do with my wife...

Helena.: I admit... You are an expert... Nandini you just say me tomorrow whether my words are correct or not.. Dont forget. Helena made her way out. Nandini soon found her hidden meanings of those words. when she and Chandra reached back her room.