Arhi FF: Orchid's Bloom (Ch:3 updated) 21/9 page 15 - Page 8

Rajkumar Arnav had never been a man of words. Nor was he an expert in handling poignant situations or factual confrontations. He was more a man of actions. Like they say actions speak louder than words. He believed in that exacting citation. He had not known how to answer his mother and so he had discovered a healthier sanctuary in exiting without any affirmation or reply. His mother was in an ominous quandary, and no one had deemed enlightening him, with the gravity of the situation, obligatory. Was this the eminence of his place in that empowering palace?

Life had been... a life enough to live for back in England. He had even found himself a few acquaintances with whom he could just sit around and converse about the affairs of the world, discussing about his life and his rank had been the last resort for him. He could wander there without having a dozen guards flit around him confiscating all confidentiality from him, without having the title of Rajkumar fore worded before his name, without having to see the languor and haughtiness of his father in running the dealings of his districts, without having the flowing riches throttle him.

He never needed the undesired wealth and affluence, he never asked for the special treatment, he never coveted to be born in that palace with the title of Rajkumar so brutally and unsuitably punched with his name. He believed wealth and power was all a pretense, a sham to enmesh humanity in its cobwebbed enchanting, rigorous, picturesque placation and magnificence. Who had ever said no to money and influence? How graciously world resurrecting and rectifying spin would it be when each one of the people would put forth others comfort and contentment before theirs?

Sneering consciously to himself, he sustained his stride. He knew all that, were the thoughts of the mind, a make-believe realm where one could erect and foretaste whatever they want to, except that the shift couldn't be brought that effortlessly or down rightly in the bona fide world. The true world was sinister and egotistical, stripped of humanity, too ecstatically indulged in the games of power and play, the games of throne.

The truth was an astringent one. Humanity was gradually taking a vow of desertion. At times it reared its head from midst the hordes of inhabitants of the world; ostensibly wanting to be tested and tried again, in the hope that mankind by some miracle would become benevolent enough to take humanity back, nurture it and flourish it in the stretching regions of the world, bring peace and love back to their planet. For humanity is essential for the intrinsic worth of love and peace, no virtue can walk this earth without the contribution of humanity. It was roving about in deserted wilderness bruised and mistreated by the one specie for which it was fabricated. This world was brought into existence for the execution of one form "Humans." With humans come humanity and from humanity arise the mold of human. So was it fair to tag a man without humanity a human? A clear portion of the world was being walked upon by mortals, not by humans.

Whilst passing through the corridor that was deserted, he saw a solitary unfamiliar figure coming out of the left chamber. His mind caught something too familiar about her, what? He couldn't dot out. Her attire was too plain when compared to the surroundings, her body strewn of every piece of embellishment and make over, which only struck him as more arresting and elegant.

Wanting to make a tte--tte, which was too out of character for him, he spoke out. "You must be Maharanis Doctor," His voice alarmed her, making her head move up so fast it could possibly have given her a whiplash.

"You scared me!" She replied irked, clutching at her heart, even as a glimmer shone in her eyes... those hazel eyes; he really had seen her somewhere.

"I didn't mean to give you a scare. Have we met before?" He prompted.

"Not that I remember of." Her reply came as an arrogant, shrouded reflection.

"Don't lie. I didn't fail to take in the disclosure of recognition in your eyes. You do know me."

"Well of course I do know you. You are the elder son of Maharaja, who wouldn't know you?" She replied, horribly amazed.

"I am not that popular." He replied, his lips forming a thin line, the only purpose to impede them from bursting into that glutinous smile.

"Oh yes you are, I have heard greatly of you from where I come from."

"And from where do you come?" He questioned, his perfectly arched eyebrow raised.

"No where." She impertinently replied, her face vacant of all expressions.

"This is such a surpassing form of premeditated offense." He complained even as his face relaxed into a swathe of lighthearted gratification.

"I wouldn't dare, your Royalty." She rejoined, bowing in front of him reverentially. When she erected back her face held a teeming exhibition of trivial satire.

It was then when the bells of a certain lurking memory in the rear of his head sprung to the frontier. The little girl attired in lenga choli, her jhumkis, her voice, their light repartee and then the finale of their meeting with her confessing that she hadn't found him conceited and mean like other royals. In those moments of comprehension, his entire form itched to beseech her, the life altering proceedings that had brought her here, that also as a doctor. However, he didn't let her know the happy realizations he had just transpired with. Two can always play at a game.

"Do you always fall in conversation so easily with a person you just happen to meet?" He questioned, emphasizing on his projected bewilderment.

"I don't belong to a Neanderthal world. You seem to know so much, your royalty. It wouldn't be apposite to not know about the conducts and temperament of a doctor who attained an overseas education, even when you yourself have been there.." He noticed how her eyes gleamed with passionate esteem for her vocation.

The dipping sun in the background buffed its orangish clothed radiance, through the lattice window, making diametric patterns on the stone floor.

Her hair, when caressed by the little sunlight, appeared aureate. Her face fell obliquely in dim light the other half illuminated, resplendently putting in the picture the soft contours of her face. It was then when he saw her erected nose adorned with a tiny loop of silver pin. Her russet orb emblazoned with a sliver of sunlight, the black iris prominent.

"Even then I would daresay you fell in a much easy conversation with an unknown man. Or better say a known man of a title that makes him out of order for ordinary populace."

"I am the doctor of your mother. That gives me a high enough designation to be handed with the sanction of conversing with Your Royalty."

"Arnav." He corrected, irritatingly stamped by her incessant use of Your Royalty.

"What?" She asked, befuddled.

"My name. It's Arnav."

"I..." His heart soared with an unknown stirring, when the suggestions of blush marked their presence on her left sun-bleached cheek.

"What's your name doctor?" He asked, wanting to alleviate her discomfiture.

"Khushi."

"So Miss Khushi, what are the accounts of my mother's progress?"

"I got here only today. I can't fill you in with fallacious details. I would do my best Rajkumar." She assured, with a flutter of her eyelashes.

"I'd be holding onto that. So much depends on you."

"I know."

"I should be going now. It's time for Maharani's medicines."

"Yes. Farewell, Miss Khushi."

"Your Royalty." She concluded gently, an indicative smile adorning her ivory face.

He nodded his head and moved out of the wing, conscious of the intent gaze at his back, which by some miracle tingled him from head to toe, even as a hushed imploring want of turning back just once raided his mind.

I know it's short but oh well bear with me😉

So Rajkumar Arnav has a fabulous memory.. I am in awe of his memory. And equally glad.. and I am a little sure that she remembers him too and I am wondering whether she has kept it hidden because of his royalty.. I hope to delve into it more and ponder deeper...!

Oh I adore their witty conversations. It is natural yet laced with a sense of humor and authenticity. It is governed thigh morals and ethics. It has literary sarcasm etched into it and pulls me more into their words and thoughts. It also gives me an insight about these two's personality and traits which I.believe is a little similar yet distanced.

Hope to Read more of Docotrs and Kings,

$adh!