Chapter 13
On return to the Raj Mehel ways were parted, Ranaji's attention was taken up by news of an important phone call, Lakshyaraj retired to his room whilst Swarnlekha was kind enough to walk Gayatri to her room to avoid her getting lost in the maze of the Mehel which Ranaji's eyes thanked her for.
As they walked through the corridors of the palace Swarnlekha could see the Gayatri's eyes seemed to look around and into each room they passed.
"Fikar mat kijyey Rani Sulkashana ka kamara mehel ke is hise mein nahin hai."
("Don't worry Rani Sulakshanas room is on the other side of the palace. ")
Gayatri was amazed good people in this family were to understand one and other wel at least Ranaji and Swarna anyway.
They soon stood at the door of Gayatris room, she stepped in and Swarna smiled but before she could leave there was something that Gayatri had been meaning to share for a long time with someone. Just unsure who.
"Swarna"
"Ji.." She looked at Gayatri with a smile.
"Aap toh raj kumari hai, aap toh yey sab samajti hongi naa." ("You're a princess you probably understand all this a lot better then me.")
"Kya" Swarna looked a little unsure for a moment but could see whatever this was something that meant a lot to Gayatri, her words were well thought out to say the least.
"Ham unki ek loati patni nahin hai. (I'm not his only wife ..)
Aise mein hamari zimidari kya hai unke prati hame kuch samaj mein nahin aa raha Swarna." (I have no idea what is expected of me Swarna)
Gayatris predicament could be seen on her face and Swarna felt her heart sink in that moment for this raj Mehel and its ways crept up on a girl like Gayatri who didn't deserve the harshness it came with but with all good there was bad and all bad unfortunately good. "Hamre saath chaliyey.." ("Come with" )
Swarna took Gayatri by the hand into the room and out to balcony confused by what Swarna was trying to show her but Gayatri noticed that there was quite a significant bruise on Swarnas wrist in the process. Putting it down to her uncomfortable bangles Swarnlekha aptly changes the subject making Gayatri look out of the Balcony. On the other side Ranaji could be seen in his room stood over a phone call.
Gayatri looked at Swarna confused but was shush'ed as soon as she tried to ask what was going on and told to just watch. She had no clue why they watching Ranaji on the phone. He spoke fine English is what Gayatri made out and his mannerisms' were as royal and gentlemanly behind closed doors as they were in front of people but as continued to watch she still had no clue what Swarna was getting at.
After Ranaji had finished his phone call a servant entered the room who bought him his ritual coffee. Another who helped him with his attire, a third who bought ointment for his healing wounds but when all was said and done Rana Indravarden singh Deo was alone when it came to the little things in his life there was no one who accompanied In the little things life.
"Ranaji ki Maharani beshaq Rani Subharna hai, ("Subharana is Ranajis queen")
Unka Pyaar Rani Sulkashana ("Sulkashana his love")
"Lekin unki patni ki jage abhi bhi khali hai Gayatri.." (but he is yet to have a wife Gayatri.)
Gayatri looked at Swarna like she had opened doors and she had thanks to her Gayatri saw a whole new perspective on the possibility for her relationship and not only that it was all she had ever dreamed of ...to be his wife'.
...
Amerkots palace was being decorated lavishly when Ranaji walked through the corridors of the palace to head for a spot of leisurely sport in the in morning. Unsure why there was such a fuss when he had specifically spoken against such things Ranaji asks for Rani Subharna in particular for she was the one who overlooked these things. In fact she was in charge of all things domestic in the Mehel.
Before the queen could be called for she was seen approaching alongside her Rajmata.
Although both women could see what was going on in the kings mind they knew they had the upper hand on this occasion.
Before Ranaji could direct his words of displeasure at Subharna, Rajmata was quick to intervene.
"Aaj ke din aap kisi ko daat nahin sakte Ranaji." (You cant be angry at anyone today Ranaji) aaj ka din hein aaisa hai.!
Both women smiled at him in a way that he couldn't keep a stand.
Rani subharna placed a tilak on Ranji's forehead.
...
Gayatri on the hand looked upon the royal broach Raj mata had gifted her to welcome her into the family, she hadn't yet worn it but from all the goings on in the mehel she had sensed this morning she made out that today there was something important for sure. Her trusted friend wasn't far to help her pin it perfectly to her saari.
Swarna aaj kuch khaas hai mehel mein? (Is there something important going on today in the palace.)
Ji aaj ranaji ki Rajyasi salgira hai aaj ke din Bhaisa Amerkot ke rana bane they .. aaj raaj jashn hoga(it's the anniversary of Ranajis Coronation, they'll be a celebration in the evening. )
The news filled Gayatri with intrigue, excitement and happiness a husband must have been an excellent king to his people for them to share his joy with such love and excitement. "Tabhi toh mein sochu sab sururat se syada khush hai."
But there was another reason too which Swarna explained whilst looking in the mirror at Gayatri sat in front of the dresser.
"Hmm woh toh honge hein Aaj ke din ranaji ghar ke sadasyon ki man chachi kwahish joh puri karte hai." (They should be Ranaji gifts everyone in his his life a gift of there choice today. )
Khwahish..? ("A gift of there choice") Gayatri thought in her mind.
Swarna went on to explain that on the Anniversary of his coronation Ranaji gifted his queens and other members of the royal family with a gift of their choice and this year Gayatri would be apart of that tradition too. She would also get to ask something of him.
This mornings royal breakfast was done out in the garden, under the sunshine where a game of cricket was being played cricket and the women sat at the umbrella tables and were served breakfast.
Gayatri chose to sit with Swarna she and unintentionally overheard chacha and chachi's conversation about what they were going to ask from the king later today like a pair of children making a Christmas list and deciding which gift was the best.
Gayatris eyes were for Ranaji to begin with but later she noticed a lady sat on a table at some distance from there alone. It was Rani Sulkashana. Dressed so elegantly in a gown topped with a summer hat and sun glasses she looked so fitting for the role of Ranajis partner. Pretty, slim, elegant sat reading a what looked like an English novel with no bother of anyone else around her.
There eyes met once or twice and Gayatri knew they were aware of one and other but Gayatri got the feeling that she wasn't welcome and decided to keep her distance.
Soon enough there was an arrival and dismissal of a doctor at Sulkashana's table..something that caught Ranaji's attention.
Dropping out of the game Ranaji walked over to Sulkashana's table whilst Gayatri watched from a distance.
Gayatri could see that concern and care was what took Ranaji to Sulkashana and she thought about how lucky she was to have Ranaji himself care for in such a way. Gayatri could just about make out what was going on in the distance.
Ranaji poured a glass of water for his queen and added Lemon before taking a seat very masterfully at her table.
"Joh cheeze Sambhal na sake use addat nahin banani chahiyey" ( "we shouldn't get accustomed to things we cant keep in check.")
He said as he put the water before Sulkashana, a cure for her hangover. Unappreciated went this concern for Sulkashana was quick to leave with a fitting remark.
"The same could be said for you and you're women Indar."
The conflict was obvious through their body language seen by almost all but ignored out of either politeness or fear of the king.
...
The celebration that evening was royal indeed but the underlying tone wasn't all that great well that's what Gayatri sensed at least. Ranaji smiled, he played the piano for his guests, he gave a speech but when it came down to his eyes showed that there was a lot more going inside him then would ever meet the eye. Although all others members of the family seemed happy, Chachi seemed to have adorned herself with a new necklace no doubt the gift from Ranaji. Gayatri had thought about what she would ask from Ranaji throughout the day but she had no idea and now it seemed like the time had come. "Ranaji ne aap ko bulayay hai choti rani."
(The King has asked for you Raniji.)
...
Expecting the youngest of queens Ranaji raises his eyebrows a little when Sulkahana walks into his room unannounced and puts before him a document that he is not all that surprised to see. Annulment, officially sealed and stamped by British officer Wilkinson.
When Ranaji put pen to paper it was clear that he wasn't going to go back on his marriage to Gayatri for anyone not even Sulkashana.
...
On the other hand as Gayatri who was about to leave the party to attend to Ranaji's call is stopped by Swarna after all eyes are for Sulkashana who seems to be leaving the palace publicly and for good.
...
Next Chapter: Ranaji was unapproachable for the next few days, he wished not to see anyone apart from those who he requested personally. Rani Sulkashana wasn't a topic to be talked about just accepted. Edited by jagrutid - 9 years ago
Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi 2
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