CHAPTER 2
(at the palace)
The car was parked at the portico of the grand ancient palace made of chalk-white marble. A wide road curved around a large appealing garden; containing a beautiful fountain at the center, whose sprinkling water seemed to touch the sky, lead to two huge gates at each end. On the right of the palace was a big ground that was used for special occasions and for sword practicing and other outdoor games on regular basis. On the left was a lush green area containing flowers of almost every species at the start and rows of timber trees later. The boundary having long trimmed trees at uniform intervals covered about thirty sq. km of land.
The inner walls of the palace consisted of meaningful paintings of former warriors of Rajasthan, crafted by ancient skillful artists. The overall beauty of the palace was captivating. Each and every corner reflected the royal status of the inhabitants.
The living room appeared unusually bright that day. May be the light was radiating from the joyous and excited eyes of the mothers who smiled lovingly at every statement of their sons, however casual it may be. Why not? The painful hollowness in their hearts was finally filled after a cursed time gap of four long years!
Many respected people of the town had come to welcome the three princes, including the Raj-purohit and the principle of the school owned by the royal family.
"We have organized a grand celebration party on your return", Uday said to three brothers sitting before him. Three of them nodded with a smile.
Then turning towards the Raj-purohit, Uday said with a tint of pride in his voice, "I am so glad that my sons have topped even in the foreign land. I also got a wonderful feedback from their principle who sounded quite impressed by Aryan and Dhiren. I am proud of all three of them".
Jaimal glared at Saket who had barely managed to pass in his course.
Impressed by their qualification, the school headmaster invited Aryan and Dhiren to visit him the next day and give some valuable suggestions for the development of the school curriculum.
"You are right hukum. The whole town is proud of the unmatched qualities of the three kuwars", said the Raj-purohit.
*************
(Aryan's bedroom)
Half of the day had already passed for the rest of the family and the workers of the palace. But a handsome lad was still in the midst of his sweet dreams.
Nivriti ran her hand through Aryan's hairs.
"Get up Aryan! It is already noon!"
A charming smile spread on Aryan's face as he kept his head on her lap. Nivriti prayed God to protect her son from all the evil in the world caressing his hairs, and said silently, "I missed you, son".
"Dude you are not yet awake? Get up fast", Dhiren spoke loudly as he entered the room in sky-blue shirt and black jeans. "I need to visit the school and you are coming with me. So get ready."
Aryan clutched his mother tightly around her waist and replied lazily, "Hmm".
Dhiren knew, from his past experience, that it was a tough job to pull his brother out of his beauty sleep. He crossed his arms across his chest and said, "Its ok if you don't want to go" and then added in a louder tone, "Come bua, I'll show you some of our college pictures and a special pic of– "
Before Dhiren could complete, Aryan suddenly got up with a jerk. "I am on my way", he quickly snapped removing his off-white cozy blankets.
Before Nivriti could put her question on his weird change of attitude, Aryan pushed his brother out of the room and disappeared behind the bathroom doors.
"These boys haven't changed a bit", Nivriti muttered shaking her head and left the room with a smile.
*****************
(at the school)
Dhiren and Aryan had reached the school half an hour ago. Dhiren was a bit keen on attending the meeting but Aryan found the idea quite repulsive. Dhiren had dragged Aryan to the school, thanks to the pic, his only weapon against his brother's ever careless attitude, but he could not persuade him to meet the headmaster. He had gone to the principle's office as soon as they entered and Aryan had been roaming around the school campus since then.
He stopped at the sight of a tensed boy with two notebooks in his hand who was sitting on a bench under a big peepal tree. The boy suddenly looked up and exclaimed with excitement, "You are- you are kuwar ji, aren't you?"
"Yes. But you can call me just 'Aryan bhaiya' ", Aryan said sitting beside him. The boy grinned broadly at his affectionate words.
"But what are you worried about?"
"I-I have to submit this assignment today", the boy murmured and then added hesitantly, "Will you help me ku- Aryan bhaiya".
"Yes, why not? Ask."
"Hmm… what is 48*57 ?"
Before Aryan could even attempt to answer, a feminine voice came from behind, "2376."
The duo turned back to locate the source. A young girl in dark maroon salwar kameez, with thick long hairs that fell to her waist, was striding towards them. As she came closer he could see her big black kohl lined eyes that were twinkling due to a tremulous smile on her rosy lips.
"That was quick", said Aryan.
"I know that." Though the words were uttered with a smile he didn't like the tint of arrogance in her eyes.
"Would you like to give it a second try, kuwar?" the girl offered raising her brows.
She was actually challenging him! It was much better. Now he could prove himself supremacy. The girl had got the quick answer by sheer fluke and moreover he wasn't aware of any kind of competition!
Aryan nodded shortly. The girl signaled the boy to put up the next question.
Aryan had effortlessly won many mathematical quizzes at international level but this upcoming question of primary level had made him sit upright and listen intently. He had been the ultimate winner and he could not afford to lose at any cost.
"Ok, what is 288 divided by 9?"
"32", the girl replied almost in an instant.
Baffled beyond limit, Aryan got up in irritation. But no matter how agitated he was, he could not help admiring the girl's excellence at numbers.
She looked at him with a smile. The realization that she had actually defeated him was making him feel more uncomfortable with every passing moment. He smiled back to mask his growing discomfort. He tried hard to appear nonchalant but something in her eyes and smile made him feel that she was seeing right through his mask. Well, she actually was!
Dhiren emerged out of the institute building with the principle. After wishing a formal goodbye to the principle, he started striding towards his brother. Dhiren looked at the little boy and the young girl with him and then at Aryan quizzically. Ignoring the obvious question on his brother's face, Aryan snapped quickly, " Dhiren, if you are done then lets leave" and strode out of the school gate without sparing a glance at the girl leave alone bidding a farewell.
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CHAPTER – 3
The whole palace was decorated like a bride that day. Why not? It was the welcome ceremony of the three beloved princes!
There was an absolute rush in the palace. Servants were running in and out to serve the guests. A huge feast was organized not only for the well respected royal families but also for the commoners of the town. A big crowd of commoners had gathered at the palace ground whereas the so called 'more respected guests' were seated at the living room.
Rukmani was busy distributing blankets to those who belonged to relatively poorer section of the society. Uday and Jaimal were sitting in the living room with the guests, talking cheerfully.
(Aryan's bedroom)
"I can't wear THIS", Aryan shrieked looking at the clothes in a maid's hand.
"I haven't asked your permission. It's my order", Nivriti said in a stern voice keeping the clothes on the bed.
"But maa, I'll look like a monkey in this", Aryan said complaining and sat on the bed pouting a little.
"Look, somebody is sulking like a girl!"
Dhiren entered the room in complete Rajasthani attire. He was wearing a cream silk dhoti, a maroon kurta and had a brownish-cream turban on his head.
Aryan roared into loud laughter looking at him.
"what are you laughing about Aryan?", Nivriti said sternly and turning towards Dhiren, who looked a little dejected at Aryan's reaction, added, "You are looking great, Dhiren, just like a prince charming of every girl's dreams."
Aryan snorted at Nivriti's words but this time Dhiren ignored his reaction and he smiled blushing slightly. The compliment brightened up his face.
"Aryan you too get ready and both of you come down within half an hour. Is it clear?" Nivriti raised her brows and Aryan nodded in affirmation.
As soon as Nivriti left the room, Aryan walked up to his brother and kept a hand on his shoulders.
"You see Dhiren, now I am feeling much more confident", Aryan said making a serious face.
"Why?" Dhiren asked puzzled.
"Because I won't mind looking like a monkey when someone looking like an absolute ass, would be standing right beside me" and he again laughed aloud and ran away as Dhiren's eyes widened at the intended insult.
"Aryan you –", Dhiren ran behind Aryan in anger to catch hold of his naughty brother and kept chasing him round the bed for several minutes.
*****************
(At the portico of the palace)
Two hours later, the two brothers were standing in a dignified posture, bidding goodbyes to the guests at frequent intervals. The two had taken quite a lot of time to settle the dispute, and this was their supposed punishment.
Wearing a blue kurta and an off-white dhoti and a blue turban with white border, Aryan looked quite uncomfortable. This discomfort on his face made him look even cuter.
"Good evening!"
They turned sideways to see the young girl approaching them with a sweet smile. Dhiren smiled back and returned her greetings.
As she came closer her anklets and pink bangles jingled and she stood right in front of them. Her fair features in sharp contrast with her black long hairs and black eyes lined with thin kohl, sparkled in the golden light. The girl, in light pink chudidaar smiled at Aryan and suddenly out of nowhere, a thought struck his mind. He must be looking like a horrible cartoon in this awful attire right now!
Aryan for the first time since his teenage years felt a little conscious. He was somewhat used to seeing girls blushing at his one glance while he remained indifferent. But he somehow could not feel as unaffected at present. It was only due to his unexpected defeat at the school. Yes, that was it for sure.
"Don't you recognize me, kuwar", she asked with an innocent smile.
Had he actually been staring at her all this while? The realization added to his discomfort.
"I don't remember insignificant people", he replied in irritation and looked away.
Dhiren gaped at him, quite puzzled by the unneeded harshness in his tone. Her eyes darkened a little and the smile started fading. But she soon regained her initial self composure and smiled with a twinkle in her black eyes.
"I would suggest at least five almonds with hot milk every night before sleeping", the girl said seriously.
"Excuse me?" he asked puzzled, looking again at her.
She calmly answered, "Yes, it's very helpful to those suffering from forgetfulness".
Aryan gaped at her. Dhiren chortled at her witty reply but checked himself immediately on receiving a glare from his side. Finally he met someone who could outwit his brother for a change! Annoyed beyond limit, the offended boy removed his turban in sheer anger. "YOU- "
"Aryan! Dhiren!" a plump boy interrupted right on time before the fuming boy could explode!
Aryan forgot all his annoyance on meeting his old friend.
"Tarun!" the duo exclaimed in unison and the three hugged each other.
After the earlier excitement was over, Tarun turned towards the girl and exclaimed, "You are Charvi, Rameshwar's daughter, right?" She nodded in affirmation.
"Charu didi!" a little boy came running with a parcel in his hand. Maa is waiting outside. Charvi took the parcel that probably was the blanket, and the little boy ran back on the road leading to one of the outer gates.
"I'll take your leave now", she said bending her head a little as a gesture of respect.
Dhiren gave a dignified nod. She turned around to leave and Aryan felt relieved. Now when the object of his irritation was finally leaving, Aryan returned to his own self.
Now he won't have to stand her, her mysteriously calm smile, and the sparkling twinkle in her black eyes.
"Let's go in now", Dhiren muttered.
Just when the three men were about to turn, she suddenly halted and turned.
"And in case if you need further details, kuwar Aryan, you can contact my uncle. He is a doctor." She grinned broadly and left the place at once, leaving behind three young boys with completely different expressions. One looked puzzled, the other chuckled badly and the youngest frowned with greatest fury!
Book Talk
Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi 2
