Chapter 253: Dispelling Dislikes, Discomforts and Dubiousness
Shadow frowned furiously.
The stable boy had put hay in only one trench and, once again, the black horse had to share it with the white one.
Shadow munched on his hay as he suspiciously eyed Lightning who was immersed in her side of the hay, opposite the dark horse was.
Cursed white horse! Shadow appeared to say as he munched furiously on his tasteless hay, What does that stable boy expect me to do: pity the darned horse just because she's hurt in the leg?!
Lightning looked up just then, her expression passive and disinterested with regard to the black horse.
Huffing, Shadow looked away, Who does she think she is! Sworn enemy of mine!
With a proud lift of her head, having had her fill of delicious hay, Lightning sauntered back to her stall and Shadow watched her dis-trustingly from the corner of his eyes, No wonder my Master despises her Master too! That suspicious soldier must be as arrogant and senseless as his horse!
It was with great difficulty that Lightning crouched down to lie down and rested her head on a pack of dried hay, her eyes closing tiredly.
Shadow frowned at her and then at her leg which was almost green with the frequent application of herbs.
And then he snorted, Well, what do I care! You deserved it, white witch!
Lightning moved her bruised leg in her sleep and she winced visibly before resuming her equestrian slumber.
Shadow, who had been watching her, frowned.
This time he was not angry at the white horse but at himself.
Because he had betrayed his masculine pride:
When she had winced, he had flinched too.
Darkness settled over the land of Arhasia and Lady Deviyani sat in her rocking chair, watching the shadows on her walls dance eerily to the rhythm of the solitary candle in her room.
Just then, the sound of firm footsteps striding up the corridor was heard and Fortune, who was perched drowsily on the window sill, looked up expectantly towards the door.
Lady Deviyani sat up, knowing the footsteps were headed towards her room and wondering who it might be.
"It doesn't sound like any of the ladies, and I know the footsteps of most of the men in this Castle," mused the elderly woman, "Except for the one who rarely visits me..."
Almost instantly, she was certain whose footsteps they were and she looked confusedly at Fortune. Just then, the anticipated knock sounded upon the door and, without awaiting her approval, it was opened from the outside.
Lady Deviyani stared at the tall figure that stood in the shadow of her doorway, disbelieving his presence, "Chotey?"
"Nani," he stepped in and the candlelight fell on his handsome face, "If you are not too preoccupied, may I-"
"Come hither, my son," his Nani beckoned, her eyes filling with tears.
Shutting the door quietly behind him, the grandson walked to his grandmother's side and, to the astonishment of Lady Deviyani and her white parrot, Lord Arnav sat on the rug before her.
Lady Deviyani was taken aback, "Chotey, arise! You are the First Lord of this land and you mustn't-"
"Nani, for this moment, let me be your grandson alone."
Lady Deviyani held her breath and then, tearfully, placed a hand on his head, "My son, my darling child."
Lord Arnav took the hand she had placed on his head and held it in the clasp of both his hands. He realized it was her hand that was bandaged.
He looked up at his grandmother, "I am sorry, Nani. I am truly sorry for everything..."
A teardrop slid down her aged cheek as she smiled down at him, "Chotey, all these years, proud as I am, I had been waiting to hear this..."
"I know," Lord Arnav leaned forward and lay his head on his Nani's lap, "I am sorry I let my despise for you inflame and distance you further away from me..."
Nani caressed his hair with her motherly fingers, "I am sorry I failed in my duties as a grandmother. If only I could understand, if only I had stopped fearing and tried trusting-"
"Nani, it was more my fault than yours," Lord Arnav looked up at his grandmother and she was shocked to find tears glistening in his eyes.
All of a sudden, she could see no man before her but a little boy, her little Chotey crying at her feet, his yearning little hands clutching to her motherly lap.
"Chotey, you cannot believe what my heart feels this very moment..." she whispered with emotion, "My Chotey is back! Do you know what this means!"
Lord Arnav said nothing but stared at her.
Nani caressed his hair again, "It means you are being healed."
Lord Arnav gulped, his thoughts obscure. I am being healed? But how...?
Nani laughed in relief, "Oh, Chotey! I should have known this day would come! I knew it! I had felt it! Ever since that girl walked into this room, drew the curtains away and flooded my dark room with light..."
Lord Arnav was confused, "Nani, who are you talking about?"
Excited by the spectacle before his eyes, Fortune volunteered the answer this time, "Green heart! Green heart!"
Lord Arnav looked over his shoulder at the chirpy parrot and Lady Deviyani nodded happily, "And how true that name is for her!"
Lord Arnav blinked at the bird and then at his grandmother, "Are you talking about... about Kushi?"
"Yes, Chotey," Nani patted his cheek, "By loving her, you have learnt to love like her."
Lord Arnav was amazed and he stared at the empty space over his Nani's shoulder, realizing her wise words were true indeed. It was ever since Kushi came into his life that the cold, still surface of his existence had rippled.
Nani patted his hand and he broke from his thoughts.
"Chotey," she began in a curious tone, "You don't usually come this way. You are a man who does everything on his accord, never inquiring upon the will of the Elders before doing anything. But did you come this way, perchance, intending to convey me something of significance?"
Remaining seated on the rug, Lord Arnav straightened his back, his gaze fixed on his grandmother, "Well, yes, Nani. I came to tell you I am letting you have your wish."
"What about?" Nani asked, and then her face lit, "Are we...are we...going back home?"
Lord Arnav only smiled and Nani burst into tears.
Lord Arnav leaned forward and embraced his grandmother, his firm shoulders securing her trembling ones, as he said, "I know you hated having to leave."
"Over ten long years away from home," mumbled a tearful Lady Deviyani and then she looked at him, "But why have you finally decided to return home after all this time, Chotey?"
Lord Arnav sighed, "Because I realized I had to stop running from the past. It is time to return, time to face the emptiness and begin anew, right from where we had left and lost ourselves."
"My last days..." Nani whispered, "My only living wish is to surrender to death on the soil that I was born from."
"And you shall," assured Lord Arnav, "But only after a long time, after you've seen all your great grandchildren come to this world, grow up and be-"
"Oh I simply cannot live THAT long!" Nani laughed between tears, "You mustn't tease me so, Chotey."
"It is my wish that you live long enough to bless the progeny of the Raizada family," Lord Arnav said seriously.
Nani smiled and, leaning forward, gently kissed upon her grandson's forehead.
Fortune was exhilarated, unable to hold himself contained, "Honeybee green! Fortune happy!"
While the elderly Raizada woman found the peace of her heart in the chamber above, deadly silence haunted the chamber below.
Unaware of the dangers that lurked around her, Lady Anjali was fast asleep on her bed, one hand protectively placed upon her inflated womb.
The shadow beside her shifted and vindictive eyes glinted dangerously at her hand on the womb.
A cursed hiss pierced the darkness and, even in her deep sleep, Lady Anjali winced but she resumed her soundless sleep, enveloped in the black blanket of the ominous night.
In that darkness, walls away, the Lady in the Dark Hood closed her eyes remorsefully and sighed sadly.
And then, before vanishing, she passed by the tiny bed on which Rahim Chacha was sleeping with his protective arm around Ram.
The shadow of the Lady leaned down to whisper like the soundless wind into the little boy's ear, "Guard the silence as you would your soul."
Bindi
Udne Ki Aasha
Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi 2
43