OSR SAMYUKTA Part 3 – It all starts sinking in…
Aryanagar – Village of Sawai – At a small rustic house
After three knocks, they hear a faint voice from inside "Who is it?"
The child replies "Dadiji… its me… open quickly… its cold out here"
Following the sound of hurried footsteps, the wooden door creaks open to reveal a frail old woman. She nearly stumbles on the doorstep as she desperately tries to grab the child, who runs from Veer's arms into her grandmother's. Elated, they hug each other affectionately, while tears of relief start flowing from the tired lady's eyes.
Dharam speaks softly "W...We...We will have to leave now…. It is very late and our parents must be very worried… we just wanted to ensure that she was back home safe … the ruffians have been taken care of… so don't worry…"
The old lady turns towards the silhouette of the two princes at the doorstep
The child smiles and adds "Yes grandma … they saved my life"
The grandmother moves towards them, wipes the water from her eyes with the corner of her veil and holds Veer's face gratefully. He becomes thoroughly touched by the depth of gratitude in her eyes.
The old lady replies, expressing her gratitude "You have saved my Sonu… I don't have much to offer you other than my blessings…" she reflects briefly and then grabs them both feebly by their wrist, leading them into the house "let me show you at least some appreciation, by feeding you one meal"
They meekly try protesting her enthusiastic attempts, while she forcibly seats them on wooden stools. She promptly lights the hearth to warm the food and serves them a sparse yet heart-warming meal of flattened breads (rotis) and local lentils. The famished princes gulp down the simple tasty course in no time, recalling the wonderful memories it brought back of their Gurukul days.
Wrapping up his meal, Dharam smiles at the yawning girl and asks her "So, your name is Sonu?"
Sonu blushes and nods her head "Yes…" she then pauses for a while "Bhaiyya... can I go to sleep now? I have to get back to work early tomorrow morning"
They laugh heartily, following which; Veer playfully mocks the girl "You?...Work?...Where?"
Sonu explains dramatically "Oh! Didn't you know…the construction of the royal guest house is going on… not far from here…I go there with my mother and father every day"
The smiles on their faces fade, as the gravity of her claim strikes them.
Dharam asks her curiously "Why do you not play with girls your age Sonu?"
She giggles loudly "Bhaiyya … are you not Aryavasis? All my friends also work there!" she ponders "except Rani of course… she couldn't work because of ill health...they took her away!"
The look at the old lady aghast, as she speaks up to add "You are young Aryavrats, so you are probably ignorant of it…. all Shramiks however young or old, have to report to work… if not, the soldiers would first warn us…and then take away our belongings or even…."
Dharam retorts "This is ridiculous…the city I come from, the capital…Aryanagar is not like this…workers are paid well…everyone has two decent meals…grants are distributed…children not forced to work…"
She interrupts him, as she takes away their empty plates "All villages around here possess similar situations…soldiers take taxes away even before handing our daily wages…" she laughs "we are lucky we haven't lost our small inherited house yet… I think that is why the ruffians thought we had some money and probably captured…" she pauses briefly "I think it is better I stop…"
Reeling from the shocking information they received; Dharam and Veer rinse their hands, pondering about the state of that village quietly.
Veer looks at Sonu affectionately "Do you want to come and live with us?" rubbing his wet hands on his garment he approaches her and takes her hands in his palms. His eyes well up when he realises how tiny her bruised soiled fingers were in comparison to his. Choked, he continues "you can also study and play like other girls… you can" he is stopped by Dharam's subtle disapproving expression and he looks back at Sonu's puzzled face helplessly.
Dharam asks the lady politely "Maaji… would you be able to identify the soldiers who are responsible for mistreating and threatening everyone in this village…."
Sonu jumps in "yes I can… I can… I know the red soldiers from this city and… the new blue tunic ones that have started coming in as well…"
The door of the modest dwelling suddenly opens wide ajar, revealing the dumbfounded faces of the girl's parents, staring at the princes of Aryanagar conversing with their daughter. The mother breaks the few awkward moments of silence by running to her daughter in a frenzy of joy and relief. Cradled in the arms of her mother, the child explains her ordeal animatedly to her parents.
The grateful man faces the princes with folded palms "Rajkumar…y...you both…saved the life of my daughter… I don't know how to thank…"
The plates slip from the hand of the grandmother when she realises the rank of her guests and the implications of her previous conversations. She starts wailing and pleading with them to forgive her and not mind her complaints about the incidents in the village. An awkward Dharam holds her supportively and smiles to reassure the apprehensive family. As the princes decide to take leave, the moved Dharam removes his gold bracelet and hands it to the old lady.
The father looks at Dharam apologetically "After all you have done for us…I owe you my very life…please don't mistake me Rajkumar…. but if anyone found out that we possessed an expensive item like this…we would all be jailed…forgive my insolence but you must take leave princes... your family would be very worried"
Not having the heart to leave, without offering the family something; Dharam anxiously prances about, asking aloud "Does a goldsmith…a pawnbroker live close by?"
On receiving no reply, Veer steps in "Tell me… quickly… I can ride at the speed of light….I will be back in no time…"
No sooner than the hesitant man gives the directions to the nearest pawnbroker, Veer immediately dashes outside the house, mounts his steed and gallops off speedily.
Arayanagar – Village of Sawai - The Pawnbroker's
An irate elderly man opens the door slowly. Recognizing the person at his doorstep, his expression changes to one of sudden disbelief.
Veer nods his head formally and steps into his house. Removing his bracelet and placing it on the table, Veer requests the pawnbroker "I am sorry for knocking on your door at such an odd hour! I am in a hurry and have to get back as soon as I can. Please pay me its worth… in copper coins only."
The confused pawnbroker stares at the bracelet and replies amidst stutters and stammers "I don't have enough c…c…copper coins at home to match the price of the bracelet"
Veer nonchalantly replies "that is all right… just give me all you have."
The awestruck man proceeds slowly towards his wooden cupboard, pausing and turning every other moment to glance at Veer.
Noticing his expressions, Veer sighs and confirms the man's doubts "Yes…yes…yes … I am Rajkumar Veer… now please if you may sir... please hurry…please understand my urgency..."
Aryanagar - Village of Sawai - Outside the hut
After what seemed like an eternity, Veer returns with a large pouch full of copper coins and hands it to the grandmother. The princes smile at Sonu affectionately for the last time. She tries holding back the tears in her eyes and slips between her father's legs to hide her face. After a brief while, Veer and the father of the child help the injured Dharam on his horse, while the injured prince grits his teeth in pain. Not having much time to spare, they bid the grateful family a quick farewell and the two princes disappear into the darkness of the forest
They ride fast and ceaselessly for a long time, until Dharam is unable to bear the pain that the tugging reins and jolts cause his shoulder anymore. Finding himself incapable of keeping up with Veer, he winces in pain loudly and calls out to Veer. Veer brings his horse to a screeching halt and turns around worriedly, to see a slouched Dharam. He quickly jumps off his horse and runs exasperatedly to Dharam.
Sparing no time, he climbs on to Dharam's horse, seats himself ahead of him and gently rests his brother's tired head on his shoulder. Positioning himself thus, he rides swiftly, balancing both their weight alone and simultaneously leading his bare horse by its reins to his left. As Veer continues his journey steering both horses skillfully, flashbacks of the disturbing scenes of that fateful day constantly play in his mind.
An abrupt but welcome relief to his troubled persona comes in the form of a familiar voice from the dark expanse "Rajkumar Veer… Rajkumar Veer….here I am…Commander-in-chief Sanjaya…where have you been…everyone in the palace has been worried and soldiers have been looking out for you all over the kingdom…"
Palace of Aryanagar- Veer's bedroom
Smiling in his sleep, he relishes the soft touch of his mother on his face, taming the harsh morning light of the sun. He turns around and pulls the covers over his head.
Nivritti smiles at her son "Veer do you realize it is nearing mid noon"
He nods his head acknowledging her statements, with the satin sheets still covering his head.
Nivritti sighs to herself "I can't believe you both are brought up in the same family – in spite of being unwell last night; he woke up early…bathed…dressed…prayed…and here you are still lazing in bed."
Veer moans to himself through the covers "Oh Lord! Why has Dharam taken it upon himself to defame me at every instance?"
Nivritti laughs to herself, bends over, pulls the sheet off her son's face and gives him a peck on his forehead, as she mutters a prayer to God for returning her son safely back to her.
Veer faces his mother and tries reasoning with her "Ma, he is going to become the king…so he tries to put on an honest act all the time…"
Nivritti nods dramatically "Oh I see…."
The anxious prince then enquires slowly "How is he feeling now?"
Nivritti smiles teasingly "Oh...he is fine... recovering... the physician said the injuries are only superficial….he is now probably eating specially prepared cuisine by his mother now…"
Veer springs out of his covers and sits up "What….and what about me…"
Nivritti shrugs her shoulders and then watches amused, as Veer immediately jumps out of his bed to proceed and finish his morning routines, before joining Dharam to devour his lovely meal.
Palace of Aryanagar- Dharam's bedroom
Dharam tries revolting, as his unconvinced mother lovingly feeds him mouthful after mouthful of specially prepared food. He whines incoherently with the food in his mouth to no avail until they are suddenly distracted by the teasing whistles of Veer casually walking into the room.
Watching his brother stride in, Dharam retorts uncomfortably "Ma…I can eat myself…please..."
Maharani Swathi asks him wide-eyed "Dharam… don't tell me you are embarrassed because of Veer … you both are after all, our children…" she beckons to Veer "Veer why don't you come here and taste this. Let me know how it is…" Looking at how gladly Veer sat at her foot, with his mouth wide open; Swathi adds "See … this is a good boy… doesn't put on airs about being fed by his aunt…"
Dharam strives to avoid Veer's teasing expressions and tries to listen to his mother's chatter, as the queen continues to feed them lovingly "Dharam… I would only have such rights of affection over you …for a few more days…"
Dharam smiles "Why do you say that ma?"
The queen explains patiently "What do you mean? In a year or two, you might ascend the throne… you are old enough now… The king and I would like to see you married soon…"
Dharam and Veer nearly choke on the morsels in their mouth, out of shock.
Palace of Niphaud
The regal queen of Niphaud, Maharani Gauri; decked in pristine attire thoroughly complementing her magnetic personality, confidently metes out sets of orders to her group of personal attendants. As the queen meticulously supervises various royal responsibilities from her monumental chamber, her attention is caught by the steady stream of maids walking to and fro the large hallway with small pails of water and bowls of coloured dyes. Amused, she descends from her couch and peeks out of her chamber quietly. She watches the maids whispering complaints to each other about the stains on their dresses and becomes puzzled. Alerted by the queen's presence behind them, the maids bow to her and scamper back to their duties. The queen then notices a flurry of activity around the large room at the very end of the vast corridor.
To investigate the commotion, she walks along with her personal maids through the elegant hallway, passing by miniature water fountains and attractive flowering creepers. As they approach the room, she hears groans of pain from within and hurriedly rushes to the entrance. The queen is left absolutely speechless by the transpiring scenes, while the maids in the room abruptly stop all their activities and bow down to the monarch in silence.
The fluffy rugs on the polished floors of the vast eloquent room are stained with various hues of colours. Spots of dyes are smudged all over the expensive silk sheets and fabrics draping the ornate carved furniture around the bed. Water and dye spills on the floor add to the additional clutter of abandoned scrolls lying randomly. The horrified queen glares at the old maid seated on a stool, whining about the pain in her back caused by posing in the same position indefinitely. An old tutor sits on a couch with his face in his hands, dejected and defeated.
Amidst all the disarray in the room, a slender girl leans on her lush divan, humming a tune to herself; blissfully ignorant of her mother's presence behind her. Radiating ethereal beauty, the girl merrily swings her legs through her pink brocaded ghagra, making a jingling noise with her anklets. She dips her quill in one of the numerous miniature mud-pots of dyes surrounding her, and ponders to herself for a while. As a lock of her lengthy silky tresses repeatedly falls on her face, she tucks it behind her sparkling earrings, before continuing with her pursuit on yet another scroll. The jingles of her bangles are abruptly muffled by the loud screams of the queen "Siya…"
The startled girl stands up and straightens herself immediately. She tries to rub the dye blotches off her ivory hued hands and face. The young princess stares nervously at her mother with riveting innocence, as her long dark eyes strive to hide the mischief and fear in them. She asks her mother softly "Yes ma…"
The queen thunders "What have you been doing?"
Siya replies casually "Oh! I have just been learning how to paint."
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