OSR Samyukta 41-Life afresh at Sawai pg49 - Page 7

The ambiance of the shrouded chamber that constantly houses a distinct aura of displeasure seems increasingly unsympathetic during this rueful evening. As is the norm, the permanently shut and guarded heavy iron doors muffle the calamitous events transpiring within. Only supplemented by a handful of burning brass oil lamps reflecting the wretched faces of its inmates; the sordid room reveals the increasingly vexed Jaivardhan walking away from the ceaseless disputes occurring between Agni, his friends and the commander Dhananjeya.

Observing his unused sword; Agni nurses his ego, hurt by both the failure of his ambitions and the popularity garnered by his rivals Dharam and Veer during the war.

Screaming in frustration, Agni stands up vehemently "Does no one have any idea about how Dharam and Veer came to know about the revolutionaries attack on the capital?"

Hurling away his weapon in annoyance; he pauses for the clangs of the metal to subdue, before continuing "Anyway, I shall eradicate all the revolutionaries at once... they dared to raise their hand against me…to injure me... I paid them... I provided them with manpower and they set out on me!"

Mustering his courage, one of Agni's friends speaks up "Where are the rest of the revolutionaries anyway?"

Staring at the commander, the enraged Agni adds "What about Bhimsen? Babu? Where are they now?"

Aware that everyone was awaiting an answer from him, the cornered commander exhales deeply and replies with an apologetic frown in order to pacify their curiosities "Most of them were killed during the revolt… many have even been captured" he pauses "But some escaped… including Bhimsen and Babu…they were the ones who were responsible for injuring Rajkumar Veer."

Unable to repress his raging emotions at his numerous failures anymore; Jaivardhan turns around furiously, prances towards Dhananjeya and holds him by the neck, as he howls "I thought their orders were clear…one thing they set out to do and even that they could not achieve…" umindful of the choking noises produced by the suffocating commander, the defeated Jaivardhan continues "All our hard work, effort, revenue, planning…everything has now been destroyed… the only saving grace being that we weren't incriminated of treason"

Slowly approaching his fierce father, Agni places his hand on his shoulder in an attempt to calm him down. Watching Jaivardhan slowly retract his powerful grip from the gasping Dhananjeya's throat, Agni mutters in a comparatively hushed tone "Dharam and Veer are aware of our plans… pitaji, I think it would be better to lie low for a while and resume our strategies only after taking very cautious steps…"

Interrupting their relatively composed exchanges; one of Agni's friends proliferates their woes, by ignorantly reminding them of the distressing news "Gadhwar is still angry about the defeat…they are blaming all their losses on our poor planning…" while his remaining exasperated men glare at him signalling him to remain silent, the friend concludes foolishly "B...besides, I... I... just wanted to ask you if you knew...did you know that Dharam and Veer managed to get the news about Chatarpur's attack, from the princess of Niphaud?"

Taken aback by the newfound information; the puzzled occupants of the chamber gradually turn their attention towards a slumped lonely figure seated on a plush couch, at a dark far end. Having had his head buried within his hands all the while, Rajkumar Harsh slowly becomes conscious of the strange silence around him and raises his head to view everyone's curious faces staring in his direction. Taking a short while to recover from his immensely forlorn state, he confesses in a low tone "Chatarpur...attack? Princess of Niphaud...y... yes...Rajkumari Siya read the scroll that you had sent me before the war…she was the one who had sent the message about the secretive Chatarpur attack to Dharam" after a brief pause; Harsh laughs at the proposition, before continuing with an expression of disgust "Ha! Rajkumar Dharam... it seems she apparently has her heart set out on Rajkumar Dharam and cannot imagine living a life with me... that... that ungrateful... malicious... spiteful witch... she thought she was doing me a favour by breaking off all ties with me..." he pauses to vow with fervid vindictive conviction "After everything that I did for her, she dared to insult me... me - the prince of Chatarpur... I want to see her life and happiness destroyed... she thinks she shall live happily with Dharam...I would like to see their lives wrecked and Dharam crushed!"

Harsh pauses and gores at Agni, to ascertain his oath "Anything… anything that you set out to do against Dharam, in future …you shall have me by your side and will always have my support for it…"

Walking towards his heartbroken friend in order to console his misery, Agni advices him in stern spirit "We are already suffering heavy losses... we cannot afford to do anything in haste... so Harsh, be patient... our combined wishes of ruining the two brothers would definitely be fulfilled..." he stares into oblivion, continuing his rigid immoral admissions "But, the only way that we could ever achieve anything, is if Dharam and Veer were not a combined force... they continue to remain too strong, if together... they have to be split... only then shall they become broken souls... when together, they are always successful in all their endeavours…"

As a reflection of another evil plot in his mind, the end of his lips slowly reveals the sliest of grins, while Agni turns to speak to his melancholic father "And the only... only person who has come even close to bringing a misunderstanding in between those two brothers in all these years... was the most capable and observant spy I have ever come across... Shera..."

Aryanagar, The tribal basti (settlement)

Briefly inspecting the folded cotton pouch tightly clasped within her hands; the diligent girl wipes the pearline drops of sweat off her brow, as she steps from the hot noon into the partly shaded rustic enclosure. Skirting jovially to avoid impish children chasing one another down and around the small crowded settlement; she nods her head to greet elderly members of her tribe resting on the dry muddy floor, as she bypasses them.

Moving close to sit beside the old man, Shera helps him to turn over on his back and then ensuring she had his attention, begins to advice him "Bade baba... I have brought you your medicine... the vaidyaji has asked you to have one pinch of this powder everyday after your noon meals... hold on to this tightly... please don't forget to follow the vaidyaji's orders..."

Forcefully opening his palms; she places the medicine into it, closes his fingers and reminds him once again, before exiting the tent "Bade baba... your cough has become worse... please don't forget to take it regularly... you need to take your medicines regularly, if you want to feel better..."

Smiling fondly at the affectionate old man's nods, she lets out a small sigh and then steps out of the shelter to enter the midst of the busy area.

Turning around to face the speaker, the man struggles to focus on his daughter's beautiful face, before shamelessly denying the misdeed "No... Shera... I did not take it..."

Not minding the bustle of her tribe surrounding her; Shera positions herself in front of her father in order to block his way, as she challenges him softly "Baba... please give it back... you know how desperately that money is needed for food... for... all our people... for the children..."

Slowly nodding his head, the stubborn man corrects her "Shera... I used the money to buy materials for the shop... by the way, you irresponsibly seem to have deserted the shop today..."

Battling to control herself from being provoked by his statements, she speaks up in a low tone "Baba... our shop materials are not available in gambling dens...or in bar rooms. However, that is where you seem to have spent all of it..." observing his disinterested expressions; she holds him by his shoulders in order to make sure he paid heed to her pleas, as she continues to implore "Baba... I work day in and day out at the shop...I feed 20 mouths everyday... I am forced to risk my life, working with a rogue like Rajkumar Agni... now... now I am even getting involved in Aryanagar politics...I am killing my conscience on all levels... and here you are just spending all the…"

The intensity of the downcast girl's monologue withers as she notices a sudden lull in the pandemonium surrounding her. Briefly staring at everyone's alert expressions; she then peeps over her father's shoulder to see the disguised retinue of Rajkumar Agni and his friends, advancing through the hushed colony towards her. She watches wearily, as the wicked group now stationed in the centre of the throng; nod their head sporting sardonic smiles to greet an attractive young tribal man, leaning on to a wooden pole.

Repelled by their very presence; Shera masks her feelings to force a false grin of hospitality at the hostile men. Taking a few steps away from her father; her immediate thoughts are for the safety of the innocent children scampering around, obliviously. Pulling her veil down to conceal her face; she quickly indicates to the group, leading all five of them including the young tribal man, away from her community towards a barren patch of land nearby.

As the entourage approach a desolate plot, Agni remarks cynically "Tasha, I must say that all the members of your tribe seem to be... be... dare I say the word... frightened of me..."

Cracking his fingers, the handsome youth responds with a devious grin "Rajkumar Agni... who would dare defy your orders or betray your trust... definitely not the members of my tribe... we remain true to our word..."

While the two acquaintances converse casually; one of Agni's friends, signals towards the silent girl walking ahead.

Taking the hint, the prince smirks at his sly party and then speaks aloud in an instigating manner "True Tasha...most of the members of your tribe are afraid of us...in fact all, except for one... one who is in fact, angry with me now..."

On receiving no response, Agni winks at his friends and then quickens his pace in order to catch up with the girl, as he professes "Shera I know that you are angry with me... the other day you came to me with the Prasad at the wrong time... I was extremely agitated on that morning, as all my plans were failing... do you have any of the Prasad left now? I shall gladly take it from you..."

Wearing an expression of dejection; the cunning Agni admits in a tone, audible only to the girl "I cannot believe that you did not come to visit me... were you not interested in even enquiring about me... I was injured... I suffered tremendous losses..." moving close to her; he looks into her eyes, as he continues sadly "For a person who loves you so dearly Shera, you hardly seem to share the same feelings about me... anyway, I don't mind... this is what true love is all about... I still care for you and would continue to do so…"

Entertained by his fraudulent confessions, she disguises her grin and interrupts him dramatically "Rajkumar Agni, I heard that you did not suffer any major injuries... even if you did, you seem to have recovered very well... you look hale and hearty now..." she smiles "Anyway, why the formalities? I shall not mind if you come to the point. What do you need me to do for you now?"

Removing a lush silk pouch from the folds of his outfit, he unfolds the present to reveal an expensive pair of glistening gold earrings. Gazing at her entrancing features; the stealthy prince tries to take the girl's hand in his in order to gift her the apparent token of love, but she quickly retracts her hand to avert the course of action. Watching her faltering interest, he concedes "This is hardly worth your merit Shera... but then, once I become a king... and then an emperor... you shall be by my side, walking on gold... sleeping on gold..."

Striving not to appear impertinent, the witty girl sighs at his remarks and corrects him "Rajkumar Agni, I really don't want to walk on gold... nor do I need gold to sleep... now, what task do you want me to complete?"

Having closely observed the duo's exchanges so far, Tasha becomes horrified by Shera's reply and impatiently treads towards the pair. Graciously accepting the gift from the prince on behalf of her; he then turns towards the annoyed girl and whispers furiously, as he glares at her "What are you doing Shera? Are you insane? Do you want to have the remaining few of us killed?"

Stepping forward to pacify their escalating argument, Agni tuts sympathetically in a bid to support Shera "Tasha, I am sure she wants me to be the emperor..." he then pauses to address Shera with harsh conviction "And for that, my dear Shera; the nosy brothers would have to be split... permanently... as long as they are together, no one else can take over Aryanagar. You need to continue spying on them and let me know of anything you know of... any small things you hear of..." he pauses "You are more capable, witty and vigilant than anyone else I have come across... even that shrewd Veer trusted you, didn't he?"

Listening to his assertions; Shera reflects on her past meetings with the two princes, briefly absorbed into a short trance. Reminiscing their cart ride on the way back from Niphaud to Aryanagar, her conversations with the princes on the morning of the prayer festival, her playful chat with Veer at the cliff, the night that she had laid her life at stake to save Veer's life, their meeting at Sakshi's house and what transpired when the soldiers questioned Sakshi's family. She finally snaps out of her thoughts when reminded of the insult she bore on the streets.

Smirking reticently, she replies in a grim tone "Trusted me? No Rajkumar Agni... they don't trust me anymore…"

Surveying her brief sad trance contrary to her usual vivacious alert self; Agni and his friends perceive that she was mulling on something. Holding the seemingly distant girl's shoulders; he shakes her, as he asks nervously "You seem lost Shera... you know something... tell us... what were you just thinking about?"

Not wanting to give away her thoughts, she immediately disguises herself with a pleasant smile to complement a perky act, in a bit to lead the troublesome royals surrounding her, off the scent.

However, the guileful Tasha spots the change in her demeanour and aggravates her by revealing his suspicions aloud "You are obviously hiding something Shera... why do you want to hide what you know... even if it is something small, do tell them what you were thinking about... even a small clue would help... "

Watching the irritated response on Shera's face; the desperate Agni begins prodding her to reveal the information that she was possibly hiding, while she repeatedly strives to deny knowledge of anything.

After a long while of disputes, constant torture and lone harassment she was facing from the vicious men surrounding her; the determined girl struggles to muffle her mildly bedewing eyes, ensuring that her tears did not flow down.