OSR SAMYUKTA - Part 10 - Dharam...Siya....A war of egos!!!
Recap – In a bid to make life difficult for Dharam and Veer; Siya decides to meddle with their plans when she overhears them discussing parts of their plan for the day. She bribes a guard outside the prayer room and takes his help to carry her next plan. Veer goes to the blacksmiths to pay for the weapons. Dharam and Bhalla are supposed to meet him there with the cart, but they don't turn up as planned. While waiting there, Veer makes a fool of himself and meets his match with a beautiful girl there.
Palace of Aryanagar – Maharani Swathi's chamber
Two maids gush into the bustling room with large golden plates stacked with silk attires in various designs, patterns and motifs. They hand their plates to a group of ladies occupied with sorting colossal piles of clothes; one after another. At another corner of the monumental room, Sunanda metes instructions to a batch of protges who systematically arrange numerous religious objects on sizable silver trays. Two bashful girls interrupt the busy lady's assignments, to deliver baskets carrying an assortment of beautiful flowers. Sunanda sighs and carries the baskets towards a quiet corner in the room, where the queens are busy in discussions with the minister.
She waits patiently for the minister to receive his instructions and exit the room, before addressing the queen "Maharani...the flowers have arrived...would you like to choose..."
The cheerful queen rolls her scroll and looks up at Sunanda "Sunanda... you may keep the basket here...I will let you know once I go through these instructions from the royal priest..."
Sunanda complies with her orders and returns to her chores.
Swathi reflects at all the fuss in her room and her eyes widen in excitement "If we are so joyous about our sons having completed their education successfully, can you imagine how elated we would be when they get engaged... married...have children..."
Nivritti takes a rose from the basket and smiles in accordance with the enthusiasm in her sister-in-law's eyes "I am waiting for that day too... I miss their participation in these festivities... I am sure they must be enjoying themselves…far away from any burdens… eating delicious Niphaudi food…waking up leisurely… enjoying all the comforts of the palace" she pauses "all this pleasure…only till they take on their royal responsibilities..."
Niphaud - Temple of Lord Ganapathy – Flower Market
Amidst scores of devotees from all corners of the kingdom, the inundated royals search for a familiar face in the expansive flower market, adjacent to the famous temple of Lord Ganapathy. They continually shift on their feet in order to accommodate mobs of inconsiderate people, looking to purchase flowers and other religious paraphernalia. Bhalla stares angrily at the assembly of fervent devotees behind him, as they unintentionally knock the turban off his head for the eighth time. Reduced to the sorry plight of waiting the entire morning at the crowded flower market as a result of Siya's successful vindictive scheme, the forlorn Dharam is unable to comprehend why their well-charted plans seemed haywire. Dharam asks Bhalla doubtfully "Are you sure the messenger that Veer sent, asked us to wait at flower market of the Lord Ganapathy temple?"
The exhausted Bhalla nods his head "As usual….you don't trust me…"
Dharam stretches his painful legs "Bhalla, I am scared to trust you… I am scared not to trust you… no sign of Veer for so long …I am worried…I hope he is all right!"
The gullible Bhalla reflects on his conversation with the disguised prayer chamber guard sent by Siya, who managed to fool him and meddle with their plans. He then assures Dharam "He came to our room a short while after Veer left for the bazaar. He was a commoner from the bazaar, with a message from Veer that we should not go to the bazaar and instead wait at this flower market for him. If Veer didn't send him, how would he know of our plans?"
An unwitting traveler tramples on an enraged Dharam, causing him to grimace in pain. He pauses to rub his feet, as he mutters to Bhalla "How can Veer bring the bundle here by himself? We were supposed to meet him with the cart there. The man with the map will also be waiting for us...oh Lord! Why did the messenger have to come when I was away for my bath…I would have at least asked him few more questions..."
When his turban is again knocked for the ninth time, Bhalla gives up his fight for his headgear and decides to sit down next to the flower vendors and their deafening pitches. No sooner; a keen devotee standing close by, mistakes him for a floral vendor and points to a basket next to him "How much is that garland of chrysanthemums?"
The fatigued Bhalla replies casually "Five copper coins"
The lady's eyes widen in shock and she walks to the next vendor, appalled.
The entire scenario manages to bring a smile to Dharam's tired face "If you are going to sell flowers, you might as well quote prices accordingly…not prices for weapons…"
Bhalla responds sarcastically "Oh! Definitely…I've never had to sell flowers you see…"
Suddenly, a partially clad yogi dances all over the crowded paths, spraying gulal on ardent onlookers who consider his showers as blessings. The gulal that falls on Dharam's face starts stinging his eyes. Bhalla grabs a damp cloth from a lady sitting next to him and helps him wipe his face. Finally, the defeated Dharam decides to leave the market.
Partially blinded; Dharam pauses his steps as he hears the sounds of the royal band and announcements, indicating the arrival of a member of the royal family. Not minding the furious lady who grabs back her cloth, Dharam stares at the distant blur of the pompous and extravagant procession of Niphaudi soldiers followed by a swinging palanquin. In a short while, troops of soldiers barrage the market and start organizing the crowds of obstinate devotees and lazy gossip-mongers to clear the paths for the princess' visit.
At a short distance from the market, the delicate girl steps out of her palanquin and adjusts her striking orange silk attire in its entirety with dangling pearls and tassels. Joyous at the success of her revenge, she closes her lovely eyes and takes a deep breath of the floral aroma of the market; not noticing her weary friends approaching her.
Daksha mutters resentfully "Siya…why can't we use through the main entrance? I have spent enough time in this crowd here… today…"
Siya pinches Daksha's cheeks "Daksha… how can I enjoy the look on their faces if I use the main entrance… by the way, did you overhear anything…anything important…anything about me?"
The ever-dutiful Nanda replies "No Siya…they have only been talking about bazaars, bundles…carts… nothing spectacular… they seem genuinely interested in the Niphaud bazaar!" Not knowing what to make of Nanda's information, Siya frowns briefly.
She then starts walking towards the market, followed by her retinue. As she enters the crowd's view, she holds her head high to ensure Rajkumar Dharam noticed the respect and adulation that her subjects had for the princess of Niphaud. With haughty steps, she beams ecstatically at the mesmerized subjects, firmly held in check by the soldiers. Not wanting to be recognized in his disorderly disguise, the increasingly conscious Dharam hides his face as the procession of the ravishingly beautiful princess steadily approaches him. After a few bated breaths; Dharam feels relieved, as they walk past him.
Siya abruptly stops in her tracks, approaches the eager vendor standing next to Dharam and purchases a beautiful garland from her. Suddenly, she acts as though she notices Dharam's comically stained face and calls out to her friends. They begin snickering at him loudly and the distressed prince bears the ridicule silently. Surveying Siya's expressions, he slowly realizes that it was the princess who had deliberately interfered with their strategies and caused all their ordeals. He begins to gauge her ignorance and arrogance and in an attempt to refuse to give in to her insult, his eyes begin to gleam with superiority. Amidst the mockery, Siya notices how the pain on his face metamorphosed gradually into chivalry. Siya's laughter slowly dies down, while a soft smile develops on his lips. The amazed observers watch the electrifying war of glances between both of them.
Provoked, Bhalla defends Dharam naively "Do you even know who this is? We are …"
Dharam stops him, all the while smiling at Siya with imposing majesty "She knows Bhalla… she knows who we are… however… since she is the princess of this kingdom… we will respect her in front of her subjects…whatever she does to us…"
Siya's smile completely disappears and she feels muted as a hot flush engulfs her face. The dazed prince suddenly catches sight of an old lady who slips on the wet floor in the packed crowd, a short distance from him. In a bid to follow their duty towards their princess, two soldiers holding back the crowds unwittingly trample on her hands.
Siya watches aghast, as Dharam frantically swims through the crowd and immediately pushes the two soldiers aside. The grateful old lady gets back on her feet and smiles at Dharam. Unaware of his status or of his kind deed; the infuriated soldiers restrain Dharam boorishly and start thrashing him with their baton. Oblivious of her surroundings, the horrified Siya dashes towards them and grasps their baton ordering them to stop. Angered, she points to the old lady "He was only trying to help her…Do you even know who he is…he…" she pauses as she realizes her hand was fastened to Dharam's arm and immediately retracts herself.
With an ironic smile, he stands up; brushes himself and willingly walks away from her captivating persona, for the first time.
Palace of Niphaud – Guest bedroom
Veer stares at the heavy bundle on the floor and paces around his bed furiously, convinced that his partners were having a nice time with Rajkumari Siya and her giggling entourage. Following faint groans from the corridor, he watches an exhausted Dharam and Bhalla slowly drag themselves into the room. Veer remains speechless for a while as all the built up anger in him slowly transforms into amazement, amusement and then finally; he bursts out in fits of laughter.
Bhalla mumbles sorrowfully "Don't laugh at us Veer…I am generally very calm … but for the first time… I think Rajkumari Siya's fate…I mean her end is in my hands now"
Veer stops laughing at their distraught profiles when he gradually understands that the irresponsible acts of the haughty princess and her friends had ruined all their organized plans.
The aggravated Veer decides to confront Siya and dashes towards the entrance, but Dharam physically stops him "No Veer! No! We cannot afford to be reckless. We have to finish what we came for and proceed home. We do not want to be embroiled in petty fights with unmindful girls"
Veer looks at Dharam in disbelief and playfully examines his face "Dharam… after all this she has done to you! Don't get angry with me… I am just advising you…but if…if you are so lenient with her now… things will become very difficult for you in future…"
A pained voice echoes through the room "What do you mean Rajkumar Veer?"
The three boys turn around to see the princess standing there flocked by her friends. Fed up, Bhalla digs his face in his hand, while Veer stares at Siya baffled. She sternly signals the bodyguards, who bow their head and leave the room helplessly.
She continues "This is my palace! I come and go as I please…your bodyguards cannot stop me time and again…" She turns to Veer "What do you mean don't be so lenient with her in future? Rajkumar Dharam stop weaving any dreams… we have no future…"
Veer rolls his eyes "Rajkumari Siya, why are you meddling in our personal affairs?"
Siya persists in spite of her friends trying to calm her "I would not have done all this, had it not been for Rajkumar Dharmavardhan… it is entirely your brother's fault…"
Veer and Bhalla look at the bewildered Dharam for an explanation.
Prodded by Siya, Nanda stammers; adding to the confusion "Rajkumar …y…you have come all the way here to meet Siya and you don't even meet her, greet her or gift her…"
Astonished, Veer interrupts the humorous situation "Dharam…you came all the way here to meet her? And I thought you had come here with us to tour Niphaud… "
Dharam finds it impossible to prove his innocence as everyone in the room continues their accusations. Daksha speaks supportingly "Rajkumar Dharam…. Siya made such a lovely meal…and you said such things that would break her heart…" she flashes a proud smile at Veer "At…least Rajkumar V…Veer enjoyed the meal…unlike you…"
Veer desperately tries to hide his laughter at all the undue praise he was receiving at the expense of his brother's unfortunate situation.
Dharam becomes exasperated and pleads with Siya's friends "When did I say things that broke her heart? I…I … never even asked her to make the meal in the first place…"
Nanda looks hurt "Rajkumar! I heard your comments! Additionally…she wanted to send you a message last night and your bodyguards didn't even allow us in…"
Veer fuels the volatile situation "What! Why didn't you allow her in Dharam?"
Dharam scowls at him "Veer! Why wouldn't I…I…. allow Rajkumari S…Siya in…"
Siya holds her hand up to silence the room "Rajkumar Dharam…You wait for the right opportunity to give me a personal message… you ask me to meet you at odd places and you don't even turn up…I have never had to wait like that … for anyone… ever… I waited the entire evening as per your instructions…" she walks towards a small table and places a lovely studded golden idol of Lord Ganesh sleeping on a small Niphaudi cushion "I had this specially made for you…you can have it now… I don't need it…"
Veer persists with his performance "Dharam what is all this going on? Unfortunately, this time I have to take Rajkumari Siya's side …why did you make her wait like this…"
Dharam removes his turban, throws his hands up in frustration and asks Siya "W…wait …. what message…which message…when did I give you this message... "
Siya looks confused and turns to the silent Bhalla "Balaram ji... didn't he give me the message? Don't you remember our conversation yesterday? Didn't you tell him?"
Bhalla remembers his confrontation with them in the hallway "Oh yes… Dharam… you asked her to come to the blacksmiths too...then why didn't you even wait to meet her?"
Veer sighs heavily "Oh Lord! So many things happened that I wasn't even aware of…" he slaps his forehead dramatically "You told Bhalla but didn't bother to tell me…"
Dharam gives up and sits on the bed "Fine… anyone else…" he shouts out to the bodyguards "Do you have any complaints too? Anything else I did… or didn't do?"
Veer teases Dharam mischievously "No sooner than your mother started talking about marriage, you had everything planned… you are very clever Dharam…"
The cornered Dharam replies indignantly "Veer! …keep quiet now or I will hit you…."
The entire commotion comes to an immediate standstill, as the queen enters the room; alerted by the turmoil and bawls. She notices the stained and tired faces of the boys and enquires kindly "What happened Rajkumar? Why are you dressed like this?"
Dharam tries halting Bhalla, but he proceeds to blurt out his complaints against the princess "Rajkumari Siya...she misdirected us...to...wait at the temple...so... all this ... happened...we had no intention of making her wait...or...to make fun of her food..."
Dharam tries changing the conversation but the unmindful queen questions the daunted princess "Siya, what are you doing here in the guest bedroom now? What is all this?"
Looking at her horrified face, the queen realizes that her daughter had been up to no good. She tries to restrain her anger while addressing her daughter in front of the princes, but her disappointment ends up pouring out as ceaseless frustrations. Veer looks at Dharam's worried face, as the proud girl stands in agony; braving her tears.
When able to take no more of her mother's reprimands, Siya blares at her mother "This happened...because of you...you...because you hide everything from me..."
Infuriated by her daughter's disrespect, the queen is about to slap the quivering girl; but eventually stops herself. She then firmly grabs Siya's wrist and storms out of the room.
After they exit the room, Bhalla and Veer stare at each other silently. Dharam walks to the small statue of Lord Ganesh "Something is wrong Veer... Rajkumari Siya has had some big misunderstanding… I feel sorry for how hurt she must be feeling now..."
Veer puts his hand on Dharam's shoulder "I never realized situations would sour so badly" he counsels him wisely "Let's make the preparations to start for Gadhwar … we have to travel to and fro by cart, not horses…we only have a night and we don't even have a map…once back; we will try to sort out this misunderstanding, if time permits..."
Dharam nods lightly in approval
Palace of Niphaud – Outside the guest bedroom window
A guard becomes alerted as he thinks he hears a low noise from somewhere around him. He beckons his friend and they use their lanterns to scan through the leaves and the dark shadows of the tall foliage in an attempt to search for anything out of the ordinary. On finding nothing, they smirk at each other comfortingly and proceed to their stations. Veer breathes a sighs of relief and shushes Bhalla with a finger on his lips.
After making a final search to ensure the soldiers were nowhere in sight, he gradually starts lowering their packed disguises and travel accessories from their bedroom window, as covertly as possible. Dharam ties the knot around the bundle of weapons tightly and then shoves the heavy bundle towards Veer. Both of them use all their might to suspend the weight and slowly release the ropes from the window. When the bundle is just a few feet above the ground, the rope slips from both their hands and the bundle drops on the soft base echoing a muffled clank.
Instantaneously, the light of a lantern is spotted at distance followed by a guard's voice "Who is it?"
Veer covers his face and sighs deeply while Dharam grits his teeth in frustration.
See you till next Saturday 😳
Part 1 & 2 https://www.indiaforums.com/forum/dharam-veer/853004/samyukta-1-and-2-dharam-and-veer-story-so-far
Part 3 - https://www.indiaforums.com/forum/dharam-veer/859041/samyukta-of-d-and-v-it-sinks-in-part-3
Part 4 - https://www.indiaforums.com/forum/dharam-veer/864874/samyukta-part-4-realizing-their-fears
Part 5 - https://www.indiaforums.com/forum/dharam-veer/871744/samyukta-part-5-to-find-out-the-truth
Part 6 -https://www.indiaforums.com/forum/dharam-veer/877903/samyukta-part-6-the-feast
Part 7 - https://www.indiaforums.com/forum/dharam-veer/884104/samyukta-pt-7-dharam-siya-first-glances
Part 8 - https://www.indiaforums.com/forum/dharam-veer/890384/samyukta-part-8-siya-feels-cheated
Part 9 - https://www.india-forums.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=896808