Chapter 20
The general feel from the king was of intolerance this morning. He hadn't slept a great deal in worry of Swarnlekhas situation and sheer frustration as to how her father was able to manipulate him. Him Rana Indravarden Singh Deo! Was spoken to like he had no control over his family Ranaji had every bit of authority over every single person in his Mehel dare any of them even look him in the eye let alone hurt one of his dearest. He had a good mind to unleash hell upon every single person that would cross his path but that was no way to come to an sensible solution no matter how big the trouble seemed. He took a sigh drank from a cup of water that was infused in medication and decided to be the king everyone around him need, in control calm, and but assertive.
The tailor had arrived to fit Ranajis suit for the upcoming ball and Rajmata Priyamvada herself had opted to take the tailor to kings chambers. It was clear to ranaji that as always his mother would have something to say hence the personal nature of the escort for a mere worksman.
She asked for the elderly man to wait outside for a moment whilst she spoke to her son who looked fairly preoccupied but that wouldn't stop his mother.
"Sevako mein batein ho rahin hai Indaar aap ke bartav ko le kar kahin woh apne raja ke liyey isaat na koh de. "
("I overhear the servants saying the king is in a foul mood, don't loose their respect will you over a passing mood.")
He took little notice of what the Queen mother had to say, he couldn't care less what people thought he was as human as the next person and he wasn't afraid to show it.
"Was there anything else raj mata?|." Ranaji speaks with a hint of sarcasm as he looks over a file handed to him by Diwan in the background still in no happier mood listing to his mothers last words as she leaves choosing english to convey her words so no sevak would hear what was conversed between mother and son.
"I never liked Sulakashana Ranaji but she seemed to know her way around your temper I'll give her that much."
The mention of his former wife sparked a memory in ranaji not helpful at such a time.
...
Flashback
He stormed into Sulkashanas room without prior notice walked his way to the cabinet where she hid her alcohol, walked to a side table in the room and poured himself a drink.
"And here I assumed that was a secret nobody else knew about apart from me."
another bad day? "She said as she walked up behind him took the glass out of his hands forcing him to turn to her.
"I keep saying time and time again indar lets leave.."
He didn't like that every time she mentioned it he silenced her on the subject Kings did not walk away and today he was in no mood for that conversation.
Pulling at her waist so she would collide against him.. he traces her lips against her ear lobe Not another word .. he whispers before going on to making more intimate advances. Sulkashana could feel the frustration in his ways and Ranaji feel himself slowly forget his troubles.
End of flashback
He opened those eyes of his that he had closed for a moment the feeling that daze created could be heard in the kings command for diwan who was going to hear Ranaji shouting from wherever he was in the palace.
"DIWAN The next person who speaks of sulkashana in my mehel gets thrown in the dungeon.!!!"
...
If Naveli and Gopal could see her right now they would think she looked exactly like the princess from their storybook. She had never worn English attire in her life let alone a ball gown this grand. She just couldn't believe the reflection of herself in the mirror. The dress was of pale peachy color which looked beautiful on her skin.
Whilst Gayatri stood still as the English tailors fitted her dress Rani Subharna who happened to walk past the room at that time stopped to compliment Gayatri on how beautiful she looked but also helped to rectify part of her dress which was hanging over her shoulder a little lower than designed to.
"Joh unka ho uspein kisi aur ki nazar pade woh Ranasahib bardash nahin karte baki aap samajlijyeyga."
(Ranaji is very possessive of things that belong to him including his wifes,, I'm sure I don't have to explain.)
Gayatri got the feeling the rival queen was being considerate rather than spiteful her eyes didn't seem to show anything other than common courtesy.
...Night of the ball
Gayatri had no one to really tell her if the dress looked alright after all she had never been to a ball. She put on her earrings, followed by her neckless and looked at her reflection in the mirror but soon enough caught the presence of Ranaji in the mirror.
Both a little astounded as to each other, gayatri by the unannounced nature of his visit to her room and Ranaji by Gayatris appearance. She looked look oh so different in that ball gown, beautiful in fact stunning.
He too looked rather dashing in his new suit but it was obvious that he wasn't here for just no reason.
Gayatri was careful to get off her seat at the dresser carefully per her dress. Ranaji could see that this was all very new to her and appreciated her efforts for him. These things were not always to everyones liking but they were a must when one was king.
He didn't know why but being around Gayatri gave him an instant feeling of positivity and calm. There was something about her that was so innocent and positive that filled him with ease.
He wasn't sure if he was asking too much of his new queen at this time but he spoke of what he intended to speak of non the less. "Hame aap ki madat chahiyey Gayatri." (I'm here to ask your help)
The king of amerkot ask for her help?? The estrangement of it could be seen in her eyes she nodded non the less and it was all clear when Ranaji started of with the name Swarnlekha.
To stay with Swarlekha at all times possible and report back to him on anything that was suspicious was the responsibility Ranaji had given Gayatri. Before leaving the room he confirmed that he would meet her downstairs in a few minutes but turned back to add a little something that put a smile to Gayatris face.
Ek aur baat , aap bohot khubsoorat lag rahin hai..
("and one more thing, you look beautiful.." )
Both couples arrived at the lavish ball hosted by the britsh, Gayatri was glad that Swarnlekha and Lakshya were also present at the ball although ranajis intentions were different she at least felt like she had someone else around her she knew well enough to talk to but as soon as they entered ball room it was clear that it was easy to dift apart from one another.
Although Gayatri tried to shadow Ranaji wherever possible she ended up straying what was already a night full of nerves had just become worse when a british man Gayatri had seen before approached her.
It was Wilkinson but Gayatri could not quite put her finger on the relevance of the man. He greeted her in English took her hand and kissed it as a means of greeting but naturally that made Gayatri very uncomfortable she snatched her hand away from the man who seemed very crude of purpose. Her eyes scattered around for ranaji but she couldn't see him although she heard his tone of voice which was like a saving grace to a very uncomfortable moment.
"I should introduce you to my Queen shouldn't I Mr Wilkinson Rani Gayatri Indravarden Singh Deo spoke in a very candid tone as he stepped beside her and put his arm out for her to entwine within hers.
She felt safe now..
For some reason Subharna's words struck a chord within Gayatris mind she could identify with her husbands tone of voice one which spoke of ego and belonging. When ranaji finally walked her away from Wilkinson, Gayatri who was still hand in hand with him felt better now she was with him and no other but also felt a little wary per a combination of what she had heard of him and seen just now.
"Hame maaf kardijyey, Hamne nazar utha kar dekha toh aap nahin they.."
(I'm sorry, I looked up and you weren't there..)
he didn't say anything till he walked Gayatri to a chair at the table Swarna was sat.
Aap ke liyey ham hamesha hazir rahenge gayatri.. he said with a smile in the most gentlemanly way possible. It was the little things that he did that made her feel esteemed.
Swarnlekha who had caught sight of the glow in gayatris eyes and chemistry between Ranaji and Gayatri commented as the two women mingled and looked at various rich men and women go about there night and of course Ranaji who went about his night in the most chivalrous fashion. Spending time with Swarna was a little akwarkd for gayatri now. One one hand she wanted to be a friend to her on the other she knew of a very dark secret and the third was her responsibility of looking out for Swarna. As
Swarnlekha talked Gayatri for some reason got the feeling she was speaking about herself, could it be that she was talking of her and Lakshyaraj?
"Aap bohot khushnasib hai gayatri ke aap ko Ranaji jaise pati mile .. jise pasand kiya use puri tara apna liyay auro ki tara nahin jab chacha jiske saath chaha rishta jodiya."
(you're very lucky to have ranaji as your husband gayatri, he commits to those in his life not like other men who go around making and breaking hearts as they wish.)
whatever it was painful and Swarna was either unaware or had purposely spoken before Lakshyaraj who looked with anguished eyes.
...
The night had come to an end it was a mix of many things for Gayatri. She had seen yet more of Ranaji's personality. Weather it was his care for Swarna, his ways with the English, his reaction to the Englishman or the trust he put in her she was falling more and more in love with him with every moment.
As Gayatri took of her jewelry at the end of the night saw the light of Ranaji's room on from the balcony of her room she smiled at the small moments they had shared this evening she didn't know why but she felt like she had to share her joy with someone.
Maybe rajmata would want to hear about her evening after all she had helped her a great deal with preparation for the evening.
It was quite late when Gayatri had finally freshened up and was walking the corridors of raj mehel towards Rajmatas room when she saw Kuwar Lakshyaraj at a distance walking out of his room and briskly out of the mehel. At this hour and why confused gayatri?
Seeing the light still beam out from near Swarna's room Gayatri walks towards it to see the door her room open. From distance Gayatri sees Swarna sat on the bed still in her ball gown her back facing the door at which Gayatri was stood at .
"Swarna aap abhi tak in hein kapdo mein bethi hai..?
(Swarna you've still not changed.. )" she said in her chirpy voice.. ham madat kar dete hai she added as she (I'll help) stood behind Swarna unhooked her neckless Swarna was still sat there still on the bed Gayatri did not make anything of it to begin with. assuming she was having unzipping her gown Gayatri unzips the dress a little but is shocked by what she sees.
Swarnalekhas back is covered in flesh wounds. In shock for several moments when Gayatri looks up in the mirror reflection she sees Swarnlekha sat in tears.
...
Coming up ..
As Gayatri slightly uncovers Swarnlekhas back in a modest fashion ever before the king Ranaji takes one glimpse of the scars on her Swarnlekhas back and closes his eyes in sheer torment.
Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi 2
