Chp.11 Journey to the palace.
Ridhima reached home and was greeted by her grandma. When grandma saw Ridhima's face, she understood that something was bothering her.
"What's the matter Ridhima dear? Where were you and why do you look so down?" she asked.
She told her grandma what happened during the day and also told her about her plans to go the palace. Dadi understood her anxiety and said, "O my dear, rest assured, we will definitely come up with some or the other idea. Now relax and freshen up while I serve dinner. After the day's events, you need a good night's sleep. So have dinner and go to bed, we'll talk in the morning."
Ridhima's mood did lighten up after talking to her grandma. She washed her hands and face and sat down for dinner with grandma. She had prepared dal, rice, chapatti and spinach and sheera for dessert. Ridhima ate the simple yet delicious and sumptuous meal with her grandma. She then cleared the dishes and then made the bed for her grandma. She put on the small lamp beside the table and turned off the lights before she hit the bed. But she couldn't sleep. The thoughts of that guy kept haunting her memory and how much ever she tried, she couldn't block them. It was nearly 3 a.m. in the morning before she could catch some sleep.
***
Ridhima lived with her dadi in that small house of theirs in the village. Ridhima's parents had died when she was 3 yrs old. They had become the victims of an epidemic that had struck the village. Ridhima and her dadi had been away from the village on a pilgrimage hence they had been saved from the clutches of the vicious epidemic. The Royal people had done everything that was possible to save the villagers, but despite their efforts, around 1/3 of the village had fallen prey to the disease.
When Ridhima and dadi had returned from the pilgrimage, it had subsided and they learnt of the heart-breaking news from their fellow villagers who had been lucky enough to escape the fangs of death. Ridhima due to her little age could not comprehend the meaning of it. Dadi told her that her parents had gone to live with God in heaven, leaving behind all their worries and sorrows. That they lived in a big house with streams of honey, milk, chocolate and crystal clear water flowing around it and gardens with flowers and orchards of fruits of all kinds in it. Ridhima was very happy for them, but she still missed them very much. It had been very difficult for them to bear the loss, but gradually as time passed, they learnt to live with it. As Ridhima grew up, dadi told her the truth. But it didn't weaken her rather she became even stronger and learnt to face the challenges of life with much more determination. It made her an independent, strong girl loved, respected and adored by all.
***
Ridhima, as usual, woke up early in the morning before her dadi. She fed the hens and chicks, watered the plants. Then she washed the clothes and did the cleaning. She had a bath and dressed up, and then she put the washed clothes to dry. She went on to prepare breakfast. When she had finished all her chores and breakfast was prepared, Ridhima woke her dadi. Dadi woke up, took a bath and got dressed. Then they both did the puja and had breakfast. While Ridhima was clearing the dishes after breakfast and dadi was sitting out on the porch, Sohni came running calling out for Ridhima, she was panting and gasping for breath.
"Sohni have you participated in a marathon or something? Why are you so out of breath?" asked dadi.
Ridhima finished the cleaning and came out. "What is it Sohni?" she asked.
"Oh Ridhima, it is the most amazing news I've ever heard!" she replied.
"Ok, but calm down and let us know what are you so hyper-excited about," said dadi.
"Dadi you won't believe it. Ridhima, I just heard, rather overheard munshi ji talking to someone. He was saying that the Royal palace needs a nurse for Badi Rani Sahiba, as the one who was previously caring for her has quit the job," replied Sohni.
"Ok so?" said Ridhima. "So here's your chance to get to the palace!" exclaimed Sohni.
Dadi's face showed a look of recognition. But Ridhima still looked confused, "I still don't think that I get you."
"Ridhima, Ridhima, my dear Ridhima, think about it. You want to go to the palace, and they need a nurse for Badi Rani, so don't you think that you are the best person for the job. I mean, the way you took care of that man yesterday, I'm sure he must be dancing on his feet by now," said Sohni.
"Yeah dear, I perfectly agree with Sohni, this job is your ticket to the palace, to meet your prince," said dadi.
"But Sohni, taking care of that man was different whereas, taking care of Badi Rani Sahiba is different," said Ridhima.
"No it's not, that man had a snakebite, you had to act fast, a delay of a second and that man would've lost his life, but you acted at lightning speed and saved his life. Whereas, Badi Rani is suffering from paralysis, you just have to treat her well, give her medicines on time, make her do a few exercises and the other one or two things told to you by the doc," said Sohni.
"But dadi, how can I leave you alone here and go to the palace?" Ridhima said.
"O dear, don't you worry about me, I can take care of myself and Sohni is always here whenever I need help. You go child, go to your prince before it's too late," Dadi told her.
Ridhima's face lit up. "Sure Dadi?" she asked.
"Sure dear," she replied.
"Oh thank you dadi, thank you so much," said Ridhima and hugged her dadi.
"But dadi, if anyone wants a job in the palace they are supposed to have a talk with munshi ji, so what about that?"
"Just let the wicked, spoil sport munshi remain out of this. I know my girl, and I know that she is quite capable of handling it on her own. Now what are you waiting for? Get going, hurry up and pack your belongings," dadi said.
"Dadi you mean right now?" asked Ridhima shocked. "Yes sweetheart, at this very moment. I do not want you to waste anymore time, now go!" replied dadi.
Ridhima hurriedly went in and began packing her belongings. She came out all set to go. While Ridhima was packing her belongings, Sohni had arranged for a bullock-cart to take Ridhima to the Royal Palace. She came out of the house and stood staring at dadi. Suddenly she hugged her; her eyes were filled with tears at the prospect of leaving dadi alone behind. Dadi had been her only family since childhood and now she was leaving her dadi and going away. But she held back her tears knowing well that if they started flowing out it would be difficult for her and dadi. Dadi also understood this very well so she said, "hurry dear, your Princey is waiting for you!"
Ridhima smiled at this. She got in the waiting cart and waved good bye to Sohni and dadi, not knowing that this journey of her's would change the course of her life and her world forever.
***
Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi 2
Sports
Current Affairs
Sadda Haq Season 2
CID
Jhanak
270