The Triumph of a Queen

Chapter 3

Once we were done with the clothing part , I was taken to my chamber

I had selected a set of ornaments studded with yellow sapphires and small rubies to wear for the day... I loved the colour yellow ..

After that my hair was styled with a small portion of it tied and the others left open .Numerous pieces of jewelries were arranged in my hair. While some were busy with my hair , some applied red alta on my hands and foot, some applied the juice of a red berry or flower on my lips and some black powdery paste was applied onto both my eyes ,they even applied some other pastes to my face and neck (or that was how it felt)and I sat there with closed eyes as I was getting irritated by this long procedures .They then made me wear ornaments from my head to toe. After what felt like eternity, everything stooped and I opened my eyes, from what I saw on the mirror, I understood that it is finally over and I gave out a sigh of relief .

Sometimes I wish I was a common village girl who didn't have to go through such a long bathe and decking up , who can be carefree and can run up the hills and across the meadows , who can dip in the river and play , laugh and make friends with anyone they wish to.

Why, to think about it now, nothing can be done to change one's birth and.., even the royal life and being the only daughter of the one who rules the land is not something bad. It is something envied by each and every common girl, you get all the luxuries and anything you ask for, there are numerous maids to tend upon you and who wait for your command, everything for you is perfect ,you are respected wherever you go and above all your family is the best in every way.

"Princess can we move?" Malthi politely jolted me from my thoughts

As we neared the dinning area , I saw my two elder brothers involved in some kind of discussion, their backs were to me as they were leaning onto the wooden rail , running along the circular corridor .

"Malathi , I think you need to leave now" I had something to discuss with my brothers.

"Are you both blind or something that you couldn't even notice me standing here , waiting for you .." I was really irritated , after Malathi took her leave, I walked to my brothers and waited patiently in front of them to stop their discussion and turn to me but as if testing my patience , they hadn't shown even a slight sign of noticing me. What is that so much interesting that they couldn't even notice their little sister, the only princess of Kalinga ,waiting for their attention, anyway I don't care anymore what it is or how serious it is..

Both my brothers turned to me as if they don't know the person who dared to interfere their serious discussion in such a rude manner.

"Oh.. dear .. I think we both are in trouble.. look who we have ignored" brother Sagara whispered but loud enough for the three of us to hear.. he had even managed to put up a scared face.. but brother Bhagdatta, like always had no fake faces..

My two elder brothers, jyest Bagdatta and jyest Sagara , even though they have contrasting characters , they are always together.., Jyesht Bagdatta is the responsible 'big brother' who is very protective and concerned of his younger siblings.. he is a perfect son and prince who is obedient and law abiding but has to compromise due to his younger ones... while jyesht Sagara is the dramatic brother who is full of life and who puts you in all the sticky situations but fly to help when you are in a real trouble.. we are always the partners in crime .. but when a sibling fight break out , it's a real war which doesn't has a tomorrow.. both of us are the rule breakers who even manipulates the elders at times...

Suddenly I remembered , why I was here , so sticking my palms together and with a pleasant smile , I greeted " Pranipath Jyesht Bhagdatta ,,, Pranipath Jyesh Sagara"

Now both had a surprised face, even my eldest brother had his right eyebrow raised in surprise.. no.. I wasn't faking anything , I can't stay unpleasant at my siblings for long and thinking about what I wanted to talk with them made me excited..

"Jyesh be careful , do you know of a time when Princess Bhanumathi have let it go even after she felt she was ignored.., anyway I can smell something cooking in someone's head".., he was always good in drama but how did he became so much dramatic.., is his Guru in the gurukul giving him some classes in this too ..?? I chuckled as a thought entered my mind..

"What is it?"

"Nothing , I was just thinking , how Mata and Pita will react when they come to know that one of their princes is better on stage than anywhere else.. anyway I'm sure I'll arrange an opportunity for them to witness your talent" I chuckled again

"Ohh, little princess do you know how good I'm with spears and do you know that I'm one of the best when it comes to debates especially about politics and administration.. even our Guru ,the great Guru Drona have said it.." he had put up a serious face..

I gave out a mocking sigh.. yes inside I was proud of him but I shouldn't show it ..at least not now

"Enough both of you ,, Sagara don't you know it isn't good to brag about your skills and Bhanu , what do you want to talk about?"

"Can we sneak out today??" I asked happily with much expectation..

"Bhanu , we can go out with permission.." my eldest brother was trying to pacify me..

"But that's no fun .. with all those guards and servants and with every attention on us.. I won't be able to even move according to my wish plus there will be more places where we are restricted than places we are allowed... " my idea of sneaking out itself was to escape from all these.. but here my brother is trying to pull me back into it..

"But it's for you safety only.."

"Why are you so adamant on sneaking out and breaking rules in the name of adventure" brother Sagara interrupted ..

'Because I want to breath some fresh air freely' I screamed in my head but didn't voice it..

"My dear little sister , you are our smart princess right? think about it again with a calm mind.. I'm sure you won't take a decision that you will regret later" brother Bhagdatta had filled his voice with much care and concern..

"I'm smart but at the same time adventurous and brave too.., I have already decided and I won't change my decision " I wasn't ready to give up..

"Bhanu.., don't be stubborn.. act mature" brother Sagara said with a stern expression on his face..

"Dear Jyest did you forget that I'm Bhanumathi, my stubbornness is famous.. and it is also a well-known fact that I get what I desire.." I was so proud when I said it...I held my head higher , turned and attempted to move from there but before I could take even two steps, I heard my eldest brother ..

"Ok Bhanu.. we agree., we will come with you" I had expected this.. so trying to straighten the curve my lips had formed into ..I turned to face my brothers.. "In disguise.. I don't want us to be recognised.."

"Ok" "When"
"How about noon.., it is the time when the family takes rest and at the same time it won't be dark too " I had it all planned ..

"ok.. but we will return soon.. we will be inside before a pahar completes.."

"Sure , we will" I didn't object , I was ok with that condition, in fact I knew he will say that.. moreover one pahar was the maximum that I could also afford..

"Now I think I should take leave..my stomach is growling,," I kept a palm on my abdomen as I spoke..

"Sure .., you should" I gave a victorious smile as I left from there happily.. Even though I hadn't turned back , I could see the smile on my brothers' faces ..I turned just to make sure.., yes I was right.., my brothers loved me so much, that how much ever they protest, at the end they feel so happy in full filling my wishes and desires.. whole family was the same.. I thank the Gods everyday for making me so lucky..