OSR Samyukta PART 21
Joyous moments slowly return to Aryanagar
Recap - Shera saves Veer from the wet streets with great difficulty and places him outside her friend's hut, hoping he would receive good care there. Siya receives the scroll from Dharam and reading his positive reply is absolutely elated. However; on noticing Veer's signature, there is a slight confusion, which Siya tries to iron out by thinking rationally. The whole retinue of girls are surprised when Harsh and Siya's parents come there to confront Siya. They come to know the truth about her relationship with Rajkumar Dharam, her scroll to him and his message back to her. Siya puts up a brave fight and tries to convince her parents on the rationality of her judgements, but her mother finds it unable to overcome her ego and sticks to her decisions.
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Aryanagar – Border
Catching up on his breath; Dharam unwittingly puffs up with pride and fiddles the grip of his blood stained sword, as he watches the remaining handful of devastated Gadhwar soldiers desperately striving to escape for their life on that fateful morning. Jaivardhan stares in revulsion at the many if not most Aryanagar loyals, celebrating their victory by singing deafening fervent praises of their able prince Rajkumar Dharam and their commander-in-chief Sanjaya.
Numbed with horror at the collapse of all his well planned schemes, Jaivardhan silently hyperventilates "I cannot even believe that the nosy brat Veer and Sanjaya gave the authorization for the army without my knowledge... the Gadhwar and Chatarpur royals are going to take their revenge on me for the losses caused to them... they were prepared only for war not battle..." struggling to calm himself, the evil royal reconciles slowly "I hope the Gadhwar commander has had the fair share of torture deserving him...I can still turn tables and clear mine and Agni's name from this whole affair."
Beginning to walk away from the war field now devoid of any hostile soldiers and towards the main barracks; Jaivardhan desperately hopes his confidante Dhananjeya had managed to carry out the essential instructions, required to save his and Agni's skin.
Just after daybreak; as the enemy lines along the eastern and western horizons of Aryanagar begin receding, the grateful Dharam swims through groups of loyal soldiers and officials, acknowledging their respectful wishes and compliments offered to him. Noticing his son walking towards his direction through the busy scenes, the elated Aryavardhan stretches out his hand to receive his son with pride.
Gladly returning his father's affection, Dharam quickly turns to Sanjaya and enquires with concern "Sanjaya ji... any news on Veer so far?" he pauses briefly "What about the commander-in-chief of Gadhwar? Has he been captured? I had given out specific instructions for the same! This is very important!"
Sanajaya nods his head and replies in a low tone "Rajkumar Dharam... my messengers have not returned with any news of Rajkumar Veer so far... however, the Gadhwar commander was caught escaping not very long ago..." pointing towards a large barrack a long distance away, he continues "I just received information that he is being held captive in the main war camp now..."
Dharam exclaims in astonishment "Being held there? Let's go...we need to go now!"
The troubled trio start hurrying towards the military barrack, silently taking in the ironical post-war sights at their border. Paying respects to their monarchs; weary battalions dance joyously to commemorate their accomplishment as they march back to the capital, leaving behind the macabre scenes of thousands of wounded or dead Gadhwar and Aryanagar soldiers, being cleared from the grounds.
Aryanagar – Border – Inside the war camp
The hot eventful morning discloses the grim sweaty faces of the Aryanagar nobles and royals surrounding the spectacle with bated breath, in the bleak war camp. Bearing bruises from the war and from torture; with his folded palms tied tightly, the hefty Gadhwar commander is reduced to a pitiable state, as he kneels on the floor amidst the hostile group. Forced to lie to protect Jaivardhan and Agni's name in the vain hope that they would let him free after this ordeal, the injured man addresses the nobles "You have to trust me...I never mentioned anything about anyone from Aryanagar being involved in this war…" pointing to Dharam, he continues vehemently "This young man and two other young men... came to me disguised as weapon merchants...they repeatedly asked me if Rajkumar Agni and his father were involved in a scam with Gadhwar, but I disputed their questions...I told them that this was an independent plan by Gadhwar...they didn't seem to believe me...they kept repeating that Rajkumar Agni and his father were involved!"
Interrupting the commander's statements; Jaivardhan throws his hands in the air pretending to be extremely hurt and condemns Dharam aloud "Dharam...I never expected this from you...did you want to take revenge on us... on your own cousin and uncle... why did you want to defame us...by claiming that we were involved in treason..."
Gritting his teeth in anger in response to his uncle's act, Dharam finds himself unable to hold back any longer and charges forward to strangle the dishonest commander for maligning his and Veer's name "How dare you? Stop lying...you have been bribed...tortured into this..."
As the furious Dharam is forcefully pulled back by the concerned commanders, the aggravated prince frees himself from their clasp and turns to the rest of the onlookers to defend his and his brother's claims "This man is lying...anyone who knows me or Veer well, would know we would never do something like this...he stated Agni's and Jai chacha's names by himself..."
Surveying the confused faces of his nobles and commanders around him, Aryavardhan steps forward to advice Dharam in a hushed tone "Dharam... I am proud of your success with the war son... but, the more you prod this matter the more the commander is slandering your and Veer's name... don't undo all your achievements now by beating around the bush unnecessarily ...let's not discuss personal matters or family enmity in front of the officials standing here... we have won the war...and now what's important is to get back to Aryanagar... back to our family...they must be very worried..."
Just as the Dharam nods his head in anger and frustration, the attention of all the men in the room is suddenly caught by the unexpected entry of Agni into the war camp.
Intimidated by the questioning glances on the faces of everyone around him; Agni turns quietly to Jaivardhan, only to notice his father's vexed expressions.
Ceasing the awkward silence; Dharam folds his hands and sarcastically questions the entrant "Welcome Agni... welcome... where were you so long... while we were all busy fighting the war..."
Aware of everyone's cynical expressions; the cornered Agni glares at his father for support. Silently marking Jaivardhan's clever indications to assure him that their name was now in the clear, Agni then confidently speaks up with an air of false authority to cover up for his absence "I was busy thwarting the revolution that was taking place in the capital... at the palace... don't my injuries speak for themselves?"
Raising his eyebrows in false wonder, Dharam sighs "Oh I see! And where is Veer?"
Agni shrugs and answers nonchalantly "I don't know...I didn't see Veer anywhere...I was busy fighting revolutionaries...I took care of most of them personally ...guarding our forte single-handedly...we need to do something about these revolutionaries soon..."
Smirking at the response, Dharam battles to subdue his anger at how both the father and the son managed to wriggle out of any predicament so proficiently.
While Dharam continues to ponder, one of the high ranked nobles present in the crowd speaks up in concurrence with Agni "Yes Maharaj the revolutionaries have outdone themselves this time... storming the palace when we have been busy at war here... we should pass a decree that everyone... be it Aryavrat or Shramik...with any knowledge of the revolt... should be reported for questioning... we should round up all the criminals... and execute them..."
Dharam watches helplessly as the men in the room become involved in discussions pertaining to the intimations of the sly prince. Remaining nobles and commanders start pouring in suggestions and comments with respect to punishments to be meted out to the captive Gadhwar-Chatarpur soldiers and to the revolutionaries.
Disappointed by how impossible it seemed to incriminate his evil uncle and cousin; Dharam mentally shuts himself away from the increasing cacophony around him and looks outside the window into stark oblivion, engulfed by troubling thoughts "Where is Veer? Is he safe and sound or has something happened to him? Three days since he left for Aryanagar and no news of him anywhere... God forbid, if anything has happened to him...no one could stop me from taking my revenge on Agni or Jai chacha!"
Aryanagar, the capital – A modest dwelling
Rugged sheets dangling atop the windows poorly conceal the strong sun's rays permeating through the quiet home to reveal the young unconscious prince lovingly wrapped in neatly folded blankets. Painfully staring at the small bamboo basket beside her filled with freshly washed cotton bandages; Pari gently strokes her son's neatly combed hair, backwards. Shuddering at how feverish he was, the tearful mother abruptly retracts her hand in anxiety. Snapping out of her anguish when Sakshi places a glass of hot milk beside her; she nervously turns to watch the Vaidya examining Veer's injuries.
For a long period of agonizing silence; the worried ladies patiently await further instructions until the Vaidya eventually shakes his head and mutters "Don't worry...there is hope that his injuries would heal, in spite of their severity... he is young and fit... he seems to be responding to my medication..."
Suddenly; everyone's attention is caught by the first signs of movement in the prince's fingers, an encouraging sign after two days of absolute stillness. Sakshi and Pari immediately flash each other immensely relieved smiles on comprehending Veer's gradual yet favourable reaction to the care being provided. Faintly opening his eyes; the prince finds himself unable to focus on anything around him, apart from a hazy recollection of his promise to join Dharam in the Aryanagar war, after finishing off the revolutionaries at the capital.
Tired and dizzy; he re-shuts his eyes, as he barely manages to hear an unfamiliar male voice echoing around him "You both have taken such tender care of him... he is very fortunate... however, I will now need to clean the wound again...and this would hurt a lot..."
Saying so; the Vaidya places a twig in Veer's mouth for the prince to bite on, before initiating his procedures of cleaning and re-dressing the wounds. The young prince suddenly feels a shooting pain in his torso and digs his fingers into the emotional mother's hand for comfort.
Gauging her brother's torment; Sakshi requests her mother, in fear for her well-being "Ma... you might not be able to brave this. Why don't you wait outside? He is conscious now and in pain!"
Pointing towards the firm grasp of Veer's warm fingers around her hand; Pari pleads with her daughter "How could I leave him Sakshi... he needs me..."
Realizing her mother's turmoil; the heavy hearted Sakshi quickly closes Pari's ears, as the miserable sounds of Veer's muffled screams of pain reverberate through the humble hut that distressing mid-noon.
Palace of Niphaud – Siya's Chamber
Delicately leaning off the ebony pole with one hand; the perky princess swings around, until she moves over to the next of the four tall wooden pillars adorning her enormous lavish bed on four sides. As she continues to amuse herself, swaying amidst the sheer sheets flowing atop her bed and from one pole to another; her friends seated on the blue silk-sheeted bed, stare at each other in bewilderment. Adding to the display; her tie-dyed pink attire brocaded with golden threads, her simple gold jhumkas and her untied silky hair leap merrily in rhythm to her oscillations.
Visually following Siya's ceaseless movements around them, Nanda breaks the comical silence in the humungous chamber by asking Siya "So, is Maharani ji taking you to Gomathitirth temple?"
Dangling off one of the ebony poles, Siya nods her head and replies in a low tone "Yes... ma has prayed to the Lord, hoping I would change my mind...her ego is hurt and she still feels insulted... she is very upset that her relations with her long standing friend have all gone sour..." after a brief pause; Siya again resumes her sport around her bed, as she confesses "I hope that she will eventually come around... that day in the prayer chamber, ma and pitaji have had a glimpse of what Rajkumar Harsh could be capable of... what more can I do... I have no other go, but to wait patiently and wish that she would eventually understand me... "
Surprised by how the childlike princess seemed to be both resolute and patient at handling her problems lately, Nanda persists jovially "Everything will work out well Siya... by the way, I must say you look very chirpy, in spite of the fact that you have been imprisoned in your bedroom by Maharani ji, till you actually give in to her wishes... is there something you are hiding from us?"
Pretending to be serious; Siya stops in her tracks, nods her head in the negative and then mischievously winks at her friends.
Discerning her playful pretence, Daksha screams in excitement "What have you been up to Siya? Tell us..."
Rolling her eyes with an air of superiority, Siya responds in a relaxed manner "I finally managed to send the m...m... I... mean I sent a message back to Aryanagar..."
Alarmed by the information revealed by Siya, Nanda exclaims "Siya! How did you do that? How did you send the message back to Rajkumar Dharam?"
Nodding her head dubiously, Daksha sighs and interrupts them "Oh! You replied to the scroll from Rajkumar Veer! Everyone is confident the message was not from him... but, no one cares about how anxious I still feel...and I shall continue to do so, till I see a proper reply from Aryanagar!" she pauses to request her friend "Siya, could I read the scroll again?"
Placing her hand on her hips, the princess replies sternly "Oh Lord! No Daksha...you have already memorized my letter. Besides; the more I read it, the more I am convinced it was Rajkumar Dharam." She pauses to continue in a gentler tone "I have already explained Daksha...those words were Rajkumar Dharam's personal promise to me... does it seem sensible that his very brother would repeat the same words to me? Anyway; once I get a reply, you will then see for yourself..."
Bored of Daksha's relentless worries pertaining to Rajkumar Veer, Nanda rests her chin on her palms and enquires dreamily "Siya! Did you write anything personal to Rajkumar Dharam? What did you write in the letter? You must be looking forward to meeting him some time soon... after the war..."
Shrugging her shoulders; the lively princess replies with a soft unconvinced smile, reflecting the uncertainty she felt about her future "I don't know Nanda... I don't know if all that would happen...and if so, when!"
In order to distract Siya's thoughts from worrying about her future, Daksha changes the conversation enthusiastically "Nanda...can you imagine the first time that Siya and Rajkumar Dharam would actually meet? I am sure she must dream a lot about it... she just does not want to let us know... she doesn't want to talk to us about it..."
Taking the cue, Nanda replies animatedly with a general guess "Well the first time they meet... there might be a lot of smiles... some blushing... maybe... giggles too..."
Observing the new alluring twist in their discussions, Siya lets go of the pole she is holding on to and paces towards her friends to forcefully seat herself in between the two girls. Not minding the presence of the princess in between them, the two friends avoid the puzzled Siya and start whispering loud speculations to the other, teasingly.
Endeavouring to conceal the hot flush in her cheeks in response to their on-going contemplations, the innocent Siya speaks up firmly "Well the first time I meet Rajkumar Dharam ...we would try to catch up on everything... the war... Rajkumar Harsh...our families..."
Slapping her forehead, Daksha inquires with an irked frown "You would be meeting him after so many trials and tribulations...and you would discuss about the war and Rajkumar Harsh with him?" pausing to break out into an assuring smile, the plump girl corrects her "Siya...you both would spend a long time talking not about others...but, about yourselves...you both would be unintentionally staring into each other's eyes... he might even slowly take your hand in his..." unwittingly beginning to imagine the scenes; Siya and Nanda become silently excited, while Daksha continues "Imagine... you both sit and chat for hours on a beautiful green valley ... the prince's horse remains tied to a tree... no one else around in that lush panoramic surrounding... at the end of all this ...Rajkumar Dharam would protectively put his hand around his nervous princess to assure her that everything would work out well...imagine the first time his fingers touch you..." Daksha ends her illusions with a loud sigh "Only Lord knows when I would have such an opportunity with Rajkumar Veer?"
Drawn into picturizing the dreamy vision described by her friend, Siya becomes awestruck and starts stammering "H...h...hand around...his princess...t...touch me...what...in which...green valley..."
Looking at both Nanda and Siya's delightfully startled state due to her vivid imaginations, Daksha smiles casually "You girls are too nave... Siya, have you imagined how you would feel when Rajkumar Dharam... would hold you maybe h...h...hug you for the first time ...before bidding you a farewell and galloping off on his horse..."
Overcome with abashment; Siya closes her mouth in horror and playfully reprimands her friend "Shhhh! Stop it... Daksha don't you ever feel embarrassed talking about such things..."
Uncaring for Siya's warning; Daksha bends backward to whisper something into Nanda's ears, while Siya strives to hear a few syllables of their hushed secret "Rajkumar Dharam... first...k... k ... kiss... Siya...reaction...will be..."
Just as Nanda is about to shriek in excitement at Daksha's romantic revelations, the princess comprehends what they were discussing about and becomes shocked. Immediately grabbing her silk pillows, Siya begins thrashing them for embarrassing her and teasing her so profusely. After a brief chase above and around the bed, the three exasperated giggling girls decide to give up their game peacefully and fall back on the messy bed to catch up on their breath.
Daintily kneeling on her sheets; the loving princess confesses her fears with a warm smile, as she plays with the bells of her golden anklets "Daksha... Nanda... actually I don't even have much hope that I would be able to see him now... if ma comes to know that in spite of all her warnings, I have sent him a message, it could mean the end of any further communication with anyone outside or inside the palace for me... even with the two of you..."
Aryanagar, the capital – A modest dwelling
Shutting the rickety door behind her, Sakshi enters her modest lodging from the sunny morning outside and casts a quick glance towards her resting brother. Smiling to herself; she places the small jute bag of wheat grains on the ground and then observes the radiant happiness in her mother's face, a testament of her maternal joy at having been able to care for her long-lost son at such proximity, for three days. Snapping out of her thoughts; Sakshi lets out a sigh and walks towards Pari, who remains engrossed in the preparations of a light meal at the warm hearth.
Placing a hand on her supportively, the pragmatic Sakshi informs her in a low tone "Ma...I have informed the soldiers at the palace to let Rajkumar Dharam know that Veer is here...they would be here any moment now to take him back"
Just as Sakshi discerns how the news dissolves the smile from her mother's face, the gloomy pair become unexpectedly taken aback by the violently shivering disposition of the recovering prince. Braving horrible nightmares of Dharam having been defeated in the war and of Aryanagar having being destroyed; Veer shudders, as he begins to mumble worrying incoherent words in his sleep.
Pacing towards the trembling prince in order to attend to him, Sakshi suggests rapidly "Ma... he seems to be worried about the war... we should let him know that everything is safe and fine... we should let him think he is in his palace and his own room...so that he feels comfortable..."
Hurriedly seating herself beside him; Pari brushes his hair gently and chokes on her emotions, as she tries to pacify him "Veer... Shhh...here I am...your ma... N...Nivritti …you are sleeping in your bedroom... R…Rajkum…I mean…Dharam is safe… fast asleep in his room... with your help, he has defeated all of Aryanagar's enemies... don't worry... I am here to protect you from all evil eyes...once you wake up, you can get back to your usual mischief with Dharam..."
Unwittingly imbibing the soothing words gently resounding around him; Veer slips back into deep slumber, much to the relief of his family.
Looking up to notice her mother's welling eyes, Sakshi weighs the sorrow that her mother was facing and immediately tries to lighten her mood by deliberating aloud "Ma... has his fever reduced... it seems so...doesn't it... he must be up and about soon enough..." she chuckles aloud "both your children are stubborn...one even more than the other..."
Pari's faint smile in response to Sakshi's jocular statement is interrupted by a soft knock on their door and the two alert ladies stare at each other for a while, curiously. Eventually speculating the visitor at their doorstep to be the Aryanagar prince; arrived to escort his brother back to the palace, Sakshi walks across the mud floor of their shack, towards the door.
Gradually opening the door; Sakshi takes a few moments to perceive the person who was facing her and exclaims in surprise "Y...you here in Aryanagar? Why... h...how..."
Removing the cloth shrouding his face; the handsome man nimbly steps into the hut and explains his presence, as he closes the door behind him "Sakshi! I received information about what happened to my brother-in-law..." immediately catching sight of Pari watching him closely, he corrects his statements "I...I mean... I came to know about what happened to Rajkumar Veer and hence had to come here to check if both of you were all right... if you needed anything..."
Breaking into a smile at his endearing frolicsome nature, Pari welcomes him "Welcome Dhruv...by the way, whose care are the children under?"
Removing the turban from his head; Dhruv wipes his face and then casually sits on the floor opposite her, as he replies "Maaji...Manik is there... he shall be there till today evening..." taking out three copper coins from the folds of his turban; he hands them over to Pari, and justifies it by pointing out to all the elaborate medical articles around Veer "I realized that there would be greater expenses for you with having to care for his injuries ... the Vaidya's fees... the medicines... I brought along what I could..."
Nodding her head in acknowledgement to his noble deed; the affable woman receives the copper coins from him and thanks him gratefully.
Immensely proud of her man; Sakshi silently smiles to herself, before adding protectively "Since the war is over and all the dangers have subsided now... we thought that the care that Veer would receive at the palace would be far superior to anything we would be able to provide him... Rajkumar Dharam would be here any moment with the Aryanagar soldiers to take Veer back to the palace...you should leave now Dhruv... it might not be safe for you here..."
Before Dhruv could express any recognition for her concern, the three members detect a few faint words coming from the direction of the young prince "Ma... I am hungry... please bring me some almond milk... I want almond milk..."
Briefly staring at each other; Sakshi then proceeds to hastily warm some plain milk and pouring it into a mud container, takes it to the starving Veer.
Supporting his head gently; Sakshi helps him sip a few gulps of the milk, till Veer complains with his eyes still shut "No... this does not taste the same..."
Frowning in surprise at her brother's dissatisfaction; she smiles at her moved mother and then turns to the amused Dhruv, who shrugs his shoulders in response. Quickly making up an excuse for the lack of the affluent almond milk, she whispers "Veer... the cooks forgot to stock up on any almonds... so we have run out of almonds at the palace..."
Eventually recognizing the voice not to be his mother's, the wounded prince gradually opens his eyes and struggles to focus on the blurred profiles around him. Many attempts and a long while later, the images of the unacquainted interiors of the humble Shramik dwelling begin to become clearer. Following this; he channels his attention to the familiar faces of Sakshi, Dhruv and then Pari, gradually trying to recall all his past encounters with them. In the process of regaining his consciousness, he remembers the quandary his brother was in and immediately removing the blanket from his person, hurriedly mutters "The war...I need to go...Dharam needs my help..."
However; abruptly feeling a piercing pain, Veer notices the large wound in his abdomen and becomes alarmed by his inability to move.
In order to put the agitated prince out of his misery; Sakshi tries to hold Veer down gently and helps her brother finish the warm milk, simultaneously updating him on all the developments in Aryanagar "Rajkumar... the war has been won... Aryanagar is victorious... Rajkumar Dharam fought very bravely... he is being extolled so highly everywhere now... your family is safe... everyone has realized what you both achieved for Aryanagar and both your praises are being sung everywhere... don't worry Rajkumar Veer... your family have been informed of your whereabouts..."
The effect of the pain in his torso, the pride he felt for his brother's success and the kind words of the meek family caring for him, causes a tear to trickle from the touched prince's eye. Looking at her emotional son, Pari smiles softly and then asks him in a tender fashion "I know we don't have much to offer ... but, are you still hungry Rajkumar? You have not eaten anything for three days..."
Watching the benign faces of his hosts; the famished prince debates for a short while and then nods his head hesitantly. Gladdened by her son's request for food, Pari immediately moves towards the hearth to make porridge out of a mixture that she had specially prepared to help Veer recuperate. Swiftly heating the wheat-meal; she brings the bowl towards the dazed prince and starts feeding him the simple yet nutritious dish. As Veer attempts to gulp the tasteless porridge without fussing over it, he continues to find himself stupefied by his new shelter, the new people nurturing him and the predicament he was in. In spite of being unable to recollect anything that had happened to him for the past three days; he realizes the powerful sense of attachment he felt towards this family, every time he seemed to meet them. While quietly finishing his meal, he perceives all the items of care lying around him and begins to apprehend the dangers that they must have fronted while saving him from the streets and the effort, time and money that the impoverished family must have spent on him. His sight then falls upon the small shrine at one end of their hut and he reminisces the incident at the prayer festival when Pari had gifted his mother the bamboo idol, owing to the fact that she had lost her own son.
Aware of her brother's silence, his reservations and his bewilderments; Sakshi explains what had transpired to help the benumbed prince revive "I think you were probably injured by the revolutionaries... but it is purely fate that some selfless person saved you amidst all the revolts on the streets and placed you outside our house. The Maharaj has announced a reward for anyone who has helped you, saved you or would be able to provide any information about you... if that person came forward, he would be in for a handsome amount for having saved the prince of Aryanagar, but no one has come forward to make themselves known..."
Picking up a few boiled peanuts from a dented vessel near the hearth, Dhruv speaks up "You do have fate on your side Rajkumar Veer... you were at our orphanage by chance the other day and you could hear about the revolts in time to protect and save your family and your home..."
Letting out his characteristic smirk for the first time in many days; Veer finally adjusts his voice and speaks up to address Dhruv "Dhruv Kumar! You are difficult to understand. You work for the betterment of the Shramiks, but you despise revolutionaries like Bhimsen..."
Calmly munching on the peanuts, Dhruv raises an eyebrow as he responds in a low tone "Rajkumar Veer I want the Shramiks to be free to choose who they would like to work for... what they would like to work as…I would like to abolish bonded labour…I would like to ensure the laws are not different for Aryavrats and Shramiks…I would like to see similar medical facilities for everyone… I would be happy if Shramik children had the right to choose if they could have at least some education… but why would I want revolutionaries to kill Aryavrat ladies and children to achieve this…what is the point…" he thinks aloud "They misuse my orphanage to plot all their devious deeds…they are many in number… I am alone and helpless or they would hurt the children…after the revolt…the Aryavrats, my father included…have become very strict with the Shramiks...anyone with any knowledge of the revolt is being taken in for questioning… so I fear, that its only a matter of time before they come to know about Bhimsen using our orphanage at Sawai and destroy it..."
Reflecting on how pithy and wise Dhruv's words seemed on every instant that he explained his ideals and his mission, the enormously impressed Veer replies "You are right... but now that the war is over... I assure you that slowly but surely, Dharam and myself shall strive to eradicate these corrupt atrocities... those revolutionaries dare to use a children's shelter as a hideout... I vow to finish off all these vile men...and I promise you that nothing shall happen to your orphanage..."
Suddenly noticing the vague shadow of a person, cast on their floor from under the doorway; Sakshi shushes their discreet discussions and walks towards the door. Following a mild knock; Sakshi opens the door cautiously to spot the sprightly visage of her friend, waiting patiently outside their dwelling. Beaming widely, the joyous Sakshi opens the door to receive her enthralling companion "Shera! You here? I am sorry I didn't hear you knock... come in... come in... have you been waiting for long outside?"
Nodding her head negatively in reply; the dynamic girl gladly follows Sakshi by stepping inside their hut, away from the unpleasant heat outside. Distracted by the chirpy conversations at the doorway; the inquisitive Veer slowly looks up, only to catch sight of the unexpected and undesirable presence of the cunning familiar visitor. The strange pair face each other in silence for many moments, while the shocked Veer becomes increasingly displeased, as he recalls the numerous misunderstandings created by her between himself and Dharam. In order to cease the awkward silence; the charming girl bows to the prince in her characteristic frisky manner, but the thoroughly disgusted Veer looks away, refusing to acknowledge her salutations. Aware of the wrathful thoughts racing past his mind; Shera just giggles to herself, while the remaining members in the room stare at each other, confounded by their puzzling interactions.
In an effort to start a conversation, steering away from their recent covert talks about the orphanage and the revolutionaries, Sakshi introduces her friend to the prince "Rajkumar Veer... this is Shera... my friend... she arrived at Aryanagar not so long ago..." observing only a grim nod by her brother in reply, the confused Sakshi then turns to Shera to continue "Shera... w...we were just discussing about the person who saved Rajkumar Veer...and how he hasn't come forward to collect the reward yet…"
Quietly grinning at Sakshi's introductory efforts and the prince's reactions to them, the witty girl then nudges her friend and proposes to the unaware crowd "Collect the reward? Sakshi didi... no one knows that it was indeed a man who saved Rajkumar Veer... I have an idea why don't you and me just go along to the palace and collect the reward from the Maharaj... I have a feeling that we deserve it...I shall probably buy myself a nice pink dress" turning to the seething glares on Veer's irritated face, the prankish girl persists with a silent wink "Why, what do you say Rajkumar?"
Ciao till Saturday😳
Edited by lashy - 17 years ago
Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi 2
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