OS : Emotions [based on the film Baahubali]

Emotions

He watched his Brother rush out of his room and hurry out of the royal palace. He knew exactly where he was going. It didn't take much to understand his Brother's state of mind nowadays.

Since she has been put up in the royal guest house, thronging the back left side of the palace. There was a route through the palace interiors linking the guest house, but he knew that his Brother preferred the scenic route route through the garden.

Bhalla shook his head. He was wrong. Again. He had thought that he would finally see his Brother affected, on losing the throne; the coronation was only a matter of few more days. 4 days exactly, to be precise. But there was no reflection of sadness, loss or pain on his Brother's face; rather it radiated peace, love and a sense of calmness. And of course, he has been busy. As the Head of the Army, his Brother had immersed himself completely in overlooking every small bit of the preparations for the grand coronation. His coronation. Bhalla's coronation.

And this made him mad. How could somebody be so cool and collected, so unaffected. Was it all because of love?

He knew that though Baahu did not obsess for the throne, yet at one point of time, he knew that he would be the King of Mahishmati. And he, Bhallaladeva would be his Senadhipati.

He laughed aloud in his Chambers. How could anybody be so foolish? Walking towards the balcony, he thought aloud - Does love make fools out of men?

Bhalla had played his cards well, and now HE was going to be the King. And Baahu, his Senadhipati, answerable for every small action.

In his heart of hearts, he knew the answer to the question running through his mind. His younger Brother, Baahu was at peace. He had found the greatest treasure of his life. His love.

His Devsena.

Bhalla snorted as he spied Baahu moving confidently towards the eastern end of the garden. He knew where he was going. The garden behind had always been a favourite spot for both of them when they were kids. However, as they grew up, Bhalla stopped going ther for no apparent reason. However, he knew Baahu still visited this floral haven to search for peace, to contemplate. And now it had become a romantic getaway for him.

The mere thought irritated Bhalla. The marriage was only a week away, and he knew that his Mother would not play a key role in it. She was still upset with the duo. It had made him sigh with pleasure, after all, he was getting back everything that was rightfully his.

Except Devsena.

With nothing else to occupy his mind and his thoughts, Bhalla found himself alighting the stairs and following his Brother. Dusk was fast approaching and he was intrigued. He felt like a voyeur, but he knew he had to be there. He had to know what they were planning.

...

Baahu was already inside the garden when he reached them. Her hands were on his. He was saying something, and she was gazing lovingly into his eyes. A spark of jealousy ignited in his soul.

They looked perfect together, his cream accentuated her peaches.

The water fountain behind them gurgled with life, as the pleasant cooing of birds returning to their nests, to their families filled the air around. Bhalla swore to himself that he had never witnessed this part of the garden as anything moire than that ... a garden. But now, it had taken on an ethereal form. He glanced all around, careful not to give away his presence to the unsuspecting lovers.

By the time his eyes turned to them, they were in each other's arms, inching towards for a kiss.

Bhalla knew that he should turn around, this was a private moment for them and he was not a voyeur. But he stayed transfixed to the spot, as he watched them lean in, while closing the gap between them.

Devsena's arms went around Baahu's neck, while Baahu's encircled her waist, anchoring her in.

Bhalla turned away, fuming. This happiness, this peace - all these should have been his. Why, why? Why was it always his younger brother who got the best of everything? Why is it that everybody loved him? Only him?

He turned back to see Baahu gently wiping tears from his fiancee's cheeks, as he held her hand and led her to the interior of the garden, cooing into her ears.

This irritated him further. He was a keen observer and recognised emotions when he saw them. And he knew that these emotions would lead to Baahu's downfall. Their downfall.

An idea started taking shape in his head, and he smirked unknowingly. All these love, these happiness, these feelings embittered him. As he turned around and exited the garden, he reeked of confidence. Confidence to ensure that there was never a moment of peace in their lives, from this moment on.

The END