Chapter 35 Clouds of Joy
The Royal Court Between Truth and Lies
Neer entered the court and the sound of his steps left a light water like rustle on the marble He came and stopped near Nirag and his blue eyes were scanning Nirag face Trying to read every line and every expression
What mistake Nirag Neer voice was calm but held a sharpness Like ice pressed beneath a stone
Nirag and Agni began looking at each other For a moment a tension spread in the air of the court The flames of the lamps on the walls began to flicker and the shadows became long and crooked
Agni stepped forward and came to stand between Nirag and Neer His gait held the resolve of a protector
Nothing Neer Agni said and his voice was in a flat unconcerned tone As if he was executing a plan Nirag just scolded a soldier That is all That is what I scolded him for
Nirag looked at Agni and surprise appeared in his eyes for a moment Then understanding He turned back to Neer and a faint slightly forced smile came to his lips
Yes Pitashree Nirag said and his voice held a strange imitation As if reciting a memorized lesson I will not make such a mistake again
Neer placed his hand on Nirag shoulder His touch was cold but gentle Like the first drop of rain
Alright son Neer said and that sharpness in his voice had now vanished turning into a motherly tenderness
He walked away from there and the swirling ends of his blue robes left a soft rustle on the floor
After Neer left Nirag said to Agni and his voice was a whisper
Tauji Why did you lie to Pitashree
Agni kept watching Neer leave Walking out the door and disappearing into the corridor Then he turned and his eyes held an exhaustion that could be felt down to the bones
I did not lie Agni said and his voice was now heavy I just hid the truth So that your Pitashree could continue to feel pride in the teachings and values he gave you
Nirag gaze dropped He looked at his own hands The same hands that had emitted Agni flame just a while ago His fingers trembled slightly
Forgive me Tauji His voice was so soft that it seemed he was speaking to himself I did all that knowingly
Agni placed his hand on Nirag head His palm was warm A steady reassuring warmth
I know son Agni said and his voice held a pain that words could not carry You are a little tired from all this That is why you did it Go and rest
Nirag nodded yes A slow tired nod He walked away from there and his steps were heavy as if he was using all his strength to lift each foot
Agni kept watching Nirag leave When the door closed he took a long shivering breath He closed his eyes and a pain emerged on his face that he had never shown to anyone
Prakashgadh Preparing for a Celebration
Prakashgadh was now decorated with flowers
Garlands of roses and jasmine hung in the palace courtyard and their sweet fragrance was dissolved in the air A fragrance that was not there on ordinary days At every door and every window lamps were lit and their flames glowed like yellow orange dots in the evening haze
The preparations for the wedding of Akshansh and Vedika were going on in full swing
Akshansh Chamber The Love Letter
Akshansh sat in his chamber before a small table On the table was a silver inkpot and black ink gleamed within it In his hand was a pen Light and delicate but his grip was firm
He was smiling This was not the smile he usually showed This was deeper and internal Small wrinkles had formed at the corners of his eyes as if he had been smiling for a very long time
He began writing on the paper Each letter carefully and each line tenderly
Dear Vedika
The pen stopped He raised his head and looked towards the window Outside the sun was setting and the sky was painted in shades of pink and gold
His smile deepened He began writing again
Just then there was a knock on the door A soldier entered and bowed his head
Yes Prince Please command
Akshansh picked up some letters Each one of white soft paper and the ink on them was not yet dry gleaming faintly
Deliver these to their addresses Akshansh said and his voice held a tenderness that the soldier had never heard before
The soldier nodded yes and took the letters and left from there
Akshansh went to the window Below in the courtyard the soldier was riding away on a horse A bundle of letters was tied to his back
Akshansh smiled and there was a gleam in his eyes The gleam that comes only in love
Anandpur Laughter in the Palace
In Vedika kingdom Anandpur the decoration with flowers had also been completed The entire palace was bathed in the light of lamps In every corner and under every arch small oil lamps flickered as if the stars of the sky had descended to the earth
In Vedika chamber her younger sister Vaishali was applying henna on her hands Vaishali fingers were light and skilled Each line was becoming like a flower petal
Sister Vaishali said laughing and her eyes sparkled Should I write brother in law name
Vedika became shy Her cheeks turned pink and she turned her face away
Vaishali You too Vedika voice was a whisper
Vaishali laughed A loud clear laugh that echoed in the room
Tell me sister Where should I write it Brother in law name
Vedika hid her face even more Vaishali write it wherever you want Do not ask me I feel shy
Vaishali said laughing Oh So now my elder sister has started feeling shy too
Vedika began to smile A soft shy smile that bloomed on her face like a flower
Just then Queen Lata arrived Her voice held a soft motherly reprimand
Vaishali You will not stop troubling my child will you
Vaishali looked at her mother and smiled Mother you always take sister side
Queen Lata stroked Vaishali head A gentle motherly touch
That is because The Queen said and her voice held a pain Because your sister will leave this palace very soon And then you will be left alone here
Vaishali eyes became moist Her smile vanished
Really Vaishali whispered Sister You will leave me and go
Vedika smiled and there were tears in her eyes too But they were tears of joy
No my sister Vedika said and she held Vaishali hand I will always be with you
Vaishali smiled A relieved glowing smile
Queen Lata hugged both her daughters All three were together A mother and her two daughters A bond that distance cannot break
The Messenger A Journey of Invitation
Prakashgadh Nirag Chamber
The soldier had now reached Prakashgadh He came inside the palace and stopped another soldier and made him sit on a seat
Then he went to Nirag chamber He opened the door Inside Nirag was sitting and a map lay before him Nirag eyes were on the map but his gaze was somewhere else Somewhere far away in some unseen place
Maharaj The soldier said and his voice held a respect that was not for Nirag but for his position A message has arrived for you
Nirag looked up His eyes were normal Red and blue But there was an emptiness in them as if they were looking but could not see
Alright Nirag said and his voice was flat
Nirag came outside In the courtyard stood the soldier of Nabhgadh He bowed to Nirag as soon as he saw him A military disciplined bow
Pranam Maharaj
Nirag nodded What is the message
The soldier took out a letter White paper with a red seal on it He handed the letter to Nirag
The Prince has sent a message for you The soldier said Now please grant me leave Maharaj
And bowing to Nirag he left from there Mounting his horse and raising dust
Nirag read the letter It said
Friend
You are invited to my wedding I want to invite you to my wedding If possible please take the trouble of coming a few days early
Akshansh
Nirag smiled But this smile was not on his face It was in his eyes A faint memory filled gleam
I will definitely come Akshansh He whispered
Pawangadh Anvay Reply
The soldier had now reached Pawangadh He came inside and another soldier went and brought Maharaj Anvay
Anvay read the letter A smile came on his face That same old friendly smile
It said
Friend You must come to my wedding And that too a few days before the wedding
Akshansh
Anvay smiled I will definitely come friend
Then the soldier also delivered letters to Aksh and Kalpit and the same message was written for them
The Tapobhumi Margdarshak Blessing
Finally the soldier went to the Tapobhumi Margdarshak servant gave the letter to Margdarshak
Margdarshak read the letter A smile came on his face A gentle proud smile
He said in his mind
Son I hope your wedding goes well Because many obstacles will arise in your wedding
Saying this he closed his eyes And behind his eyes there was a worry A worry that only he knew
Outside the sun had completely set Now it was night A quiet starry night But somewhere far away in a corner of the sky clouds were gathering Black heavy clouds warning of tomorrow rain
And in the palace of Prakashgadh Nirag stood near the window looking at the sky
Nirag eyes were fixed on the clouds And there was a strange expression on his face As if he was remembering something Or perhaps trying to forget something
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