"Apu.. Apu.." She slowly opened her eyes and saw a parliament of huge shadows surrounding her. She was slowly coming to her senses. "Apeksha..." Yuvan carried her to the flower hut in the midst of the garden. "Apu.. What happened.. " "I.. I... "She took a deep breath and looked around her. She was relieved as it was just a dream. "I was just dizzy. Maybe the new weather. It's fi.." She was shocked as if she saw her demise before her. "What happened? Are you fine?" Yuvan was getting restless at her situation. She slowly took the flower stuck in her robe. "Its...Its... jasmine." She looked straight at him with wide eyes, she clutched him hardly "do we have jasmine vines planted in the garden?" "No.. I guess" He looked around at her clueless behaviour. "Apu.. It's fine, just a flower; maybe you had a bad dream. " He grabbed the flower from her and took her to the mansion. She slowly slipped to sleep. She woke up almost at dusk. It was full of hustle and bustle outside. But she wa
The maids were dressing her for the festival and it seemed to be a very big one with such decoration and preparations. They dressed her in a studding red gown. It was as red as a fresh rose. Her hair was dressed with a veil attached. It had stunning jewels fitted on. The room was full of giggles. As she was almost ready, she heard some footsteps heading towards her amidst the fits. It was exactly 11 persons towards her and most probably women, Amanya calculated from their steps. People around her were suddenly silent and moved apart. A fine lady walked into the room. She had a golden tray in her hand with a few more maids accompanying her. The tray was covered with red silk. The maids bowed before her, addressing her as princess. Amanya looked at her, the only princess of Amai."So you are the beautiful lady who made my grim brother gooey. I am Atri, your new sister." She is as sweet as the reports say, Amanya thought.Atri removed the silk from the tray and it had a crown. It was as
There was a big commotion outside. The horse neigh was followed by many horse steps. But for Amanya, all those steps had no existence, all the chaos outside was mere silence. The gleaming yet gloom walls around her questioned her previous action. Starting from Dashur, why did she agree to his idea when everything was within her grip , why couldn't she let it go. The questions led her to their moments together, which she cherished and avowed. She knew, for her, he was special; special than anyone in this world. But..A loud creak shut her inner voice. She raised her head, her eyes looked for him through the veil. He slowly walked in; closing the door. Yuvan slowly walked towards her and lifted her veil. Amanya cradled her gown tightly. Her eyes still had the gaze, an aura but her actions were contradicting. The time was moving with a creepy silence. They both had a lot to share and express but the spark was still not lit.The silence was killing her. "I..."Her words were hushed by Yuv
They stood before an old mansion. It was a big one evident even with the ruins of time. The moon and stars were their torch. He held her hands, and gestured. She walked with him step by step; a mansion which was even hidden from the eyes of cobras where its each corner had a stench of mystery she followed him with credence. In the dark lane, he walked with conviction as if this was his residence. He paused before a door and looked at her. He pushed the rusted door. It opened with a huge crack sound. She stood staggered. A big trellis, vined with jasmine in its full bloom inside a ruined uninhabited mansion. Yuvan took her on shoulder and passed the trellis to a pergola. The lawn was as fresh as a well maintained one. The pergola was full of green vines. He laid her in the shades of pergola. "When I was young, I came to this place by mistake. Later, when father found me here, he locked this place and stationed guards here." "Why??" "No idea. Someone said that this mansion belonged to
"We failed.."Ashok was perspiring while talking to her. "Devi, our cobras are back empty handed.""You say; should I disperse this batch of cobra Huh?? I just asked you to find an old mansion and you are saying there is none!""Commander, according to the clues you provided, our cobras were trying to track the mansion for almost one month but that place doesn't exist. The directions point towards a lake.""Do you think I am too old to remember a simple way?""No.. Devi I mean you had wine that day, maybe you hallucinated.""Ashok you have guts huh?? to infer that I hallucinated an entire night from just a bottle of wine.""Sorry commander, I will dispatch more cobras and this time I will lead the batch.""No need. Leave it . I still have time to dig that entire lake."It was almost noon. Ashok quickly hid from the maid who brought her mid day snacks."Devi.. This.." He looked at the flower cakes carefully."Its poisoned !!""Hmm.""Devi.. Its Mekala right; How dare she??" Ashok flip
The words from Amanya were not enough to impress Ashok. He couldn't figure out the reason for her tolerance towards Amai or Mekala. Though he despised the whole Amai, its king, commander, and those old greasy ministers he admired its crown prince. He decided to cross her orders and ignite the game.Wild winds screamed all its way in the west. The tempest was increasing day by day; the land had no remaining traces of green. Scouts from the military camp was the only noise in the cold desert. The soldiers were diligent, ready to attack like a cheetah. The fire lamps around the tent were the only warmth in the west. The crimson light kissed his lashes and refracted through his eyes. He gazed at the white pearls tangling with wind. But what he could see was her warm smile. It was replicated on his face. "Bruddah!!" Abhik was perplexed at his brother's smile. "Bruddah!! Why are you smiling?""Her smile is contagious. I can't help it." Yuvan smiled foolishly."I just hope di is fine. Bru
He was sad; even the morning rays couldn't curtain his tears. He caressed his ring, " I am sorry to let you suffer. I.."Abhik barged into Yuvan's tent and paused before him. He was panting loudly that he forgot his reason for visiting."Bruddah, you are awake?? Huh.. he had a sigh of relief which was easily replaced by excitement. Di..""Di??" Yuvan finally noticed his brother's arrival. "what happened?""Crowned prince; seriously?? Can't you see it?" Abhik commented sarcastically, pulling Yuvan's hands towards the door of the tent."Strange!! The whole snow melted in a single night. The ground looks as if it never existed. But the reason for this sudden melting and climate change?""No more reasons; Yuvan turned to the battalion, Order from the crowned prince - Pack the stuff, dismantle the temporary tent, we are leaving the west today itself. He turned towards Charan, Bring my horse."Their journey was unbelievably smooth. They camped their night near a lake. It too looked like a
The court had mixed opinions on Yuvan's attitude towards Apeksha; some praised his loyalty while others doubted a Hirangan. They saw her Hirangan origin as a threat to Amai but no one dared to openly attack his beloved. His majesty had the latter opinion but knowing his son's temper, he choose silence.Yuvan was too excited that he started to vic his words. He hugged her in complete contentment."You waited for me in the garden, right?" Yuvan spoke softly."I wanted to welcome you alone." She whispered."I am here to be welcomed alone, your highness." He bowed.She laid on his lap in the pergola and listened to his west expedition. He talked ceaselessly in excitement. But when it was her turn to talk about the past months, she was silent. The amorous pergola suddenly turned dull. Yuvan saw her dripping tears in silence."I just remembered a task. Apu, I will be back." He smiled and hugged her and walked out with Ashok who was waiting outside.As he passed the gate, his smile was repla