The Triumph of a Queen

Chapter 35

3 months later..

Kalinga royal palace..

"Baba please.. " Banu begged her father , she had stopped calling him 'Pita' once she returned from kanyakul .., Baba was more comfortable and even the Kalinga naresh liked it.

"Convince your mothers.." he replied

"Mata, Maa, Vasudev is one of the greatest statesmen of the era and getting trained by him isn't something everyone get a chance to brag about.. I really wish to learn from him.." Banu pleaded her mothers who were coming up with reasons

"Banu, you are a princess, staying somewhere other than a kanyakul ,for acquiring knowledge is not conventional for a girl especially a princess and you have already completed your kanyakul training.." Rani Samyuktha opposed

"Mata, I'm sure, this opportunity will help her to sharpen her abilities and use them effectively in future.. She is really passionate and we should be helping her follow her dreams .." Prince Sagara supported his sister .. Yuvaraj Bagdatta had spoken earlier in favour of Banu .. Both the princes were aware of the qualities she possessed and wished to see her conquer heights..

"What do you say Gayathri..?" the chief queen who was now half convinced asked 

"Vasudev himself had talked to Maharaj about taking in Banu as his student , not only him but Dwarkadheesh Balarama and Queens Devi Rukmani and Devi Sathyabama were also keen to have Banu with them in Dwaraka.. It may not be conventional but I'm sure it isn't wrong and moreover it is good for our child so I suggest , we should allow her.." Queen Gayathri put forward her opinion . Banu's happiness was the most important for her.

"If everyone is of that opinion, then I too support it.." Queen Samyuktha finally gave up and Banu's joy knew no bound.

*********************************************

Banu sat on the white marble bench in the garden , enjoying the night. Dark nights were always her favourite time of the day.  While relaxing after dispatching her owl, Wobles to Dwaraka with the message, a blanket covered her ..

"I knew you would come.." she smiled still not turning as her brother Sagara sat beside her.

"You sent your owl ..?? To Dwaraka?" he asked 

"You saw..?? Good observation.." Banu commented 

"What was its name??" 

"Wobles" Banu smiled knowing where it was heading

"I don't know where you are getting such names from.. what did you name your horse..?? ha I got it, Rooh.. and when Adithya was born , you wanted to name him Zayn.. Do you have any such names planned for my child too.??" Sagara remarked about his sister's weird name selection. Aditya was the son of Prince Bagdatta and his wife Savitri.

Banu just smiled remembering where she get such names from.

"Do you miss Babishree..??" Prince Sagara's wife Princess Aditi had gone to her kingdom, Ayodhya as it was her first pregnancy. 

"Yeah .. sometimes.." he replies casually

"Is it why you are sending letters secretly.." Banu asked while looking for her brother's reaction with the corner of her eyes.. she then opened a pouch and took out a scroll..

"But Babhishree is in Ayodhya , then why are you sending it to Lanka.." she asked innocently as if unaware of whom the letter is for.

The prince immediately snatched it from her 

"I'm sure it is not a love letter, afterall both of you are married and I trust you two.." she remarked looking at the moon

"Where did you get it from.." he questioned , relieved it isn't opened 

"The palace security captured it after being suspicious of a letter being dispatched from the palace discreetly .., of course they weren't aware that their prince had sent it.. I replaced the scroll before they could open it..." she answered quite proud of her act.

"You sneaked something from the security department.. do you understand what you did..??"

"Come on.. this isn't my first time .. How else do you think , you got back your letters safely .. you thought they flew to your room and sat on your table.." she reacted, irritated.

"Hmm .. Ok.." the Prince knew he should be saying a 'thank you' but no , he won't say it aloud

"You are welcome.." Banu replied without looking

"You will leave in a week.., remember the people in Dwaraka won't be as tolerant as me, they'll kick you out if you take out your true self.." he spoke 

"Really..!! and what if Pita comes to know of your secret.." she countered

"Banu, you are what you decide you to be and not what the society wants you to be.." Banu knew it was his experience that made him speak those words..

"Can't you fight for it.. I'll support you , I'm sure Jyest will also be with us.. everyone else can be convinced.. " Banu spoke solemnly looking at the side of her brother's face, visible under the moonlight

He simply chuckled 

"You can't just laugh it off.. I know what you are going through.." She was serious

The prince stood up and started walking which irritated Banu more..

"You will be a father soon and what if your child also face the same.. will you just watch him being broken inside and acting outside , will you just chuckle and walk away like this.." she didn't want to leave it again.

"What should I fight for..??" Banu saw the hidden rage of a wronged person there. 

"Your dreams.." she replied softly and was received with a sarcastic laugh

"My dreams..?? They were the dreams of a silly teenager .. and he is dead.." he replied and she felt the weight of emotions..

"Not everything is lost.." she mumbled "What if you still hold a chance.."

"No.. not again.." he whispered to himself

"Then why are still letters being sent to Saanvi di in Lanka.. this isn't what you want.."

" I don't know where she is.. do you..?? you were close right.." he turned to his sister

Banu was helpless in front of that question .. she too was unaware of where her friend is after she had been exiled.

"You know what.., infact I'm scared to search.. the tales are not good for ears.. Fate was always cruel to her" he sat on the wet grass near the pond and she wounded her hands around his shoulders and he leaned on to the only person he expected anymore to understand him, and she silently declared that her shoulder will always be there for him .

"Nothing else, I just want her to be safe.. God please keep my Malathi safe and sound.. she is such a pure soul.." he murmured between his silent sobs.

That was the thirty fifth chapter..

Prince Sagara has a distraught past which gifted him some scars in his heart..

Will it ever be healed..

Want to know his past and Malathi..??

And why are letters sent to Saanvi..??

Banu is about to go to Dwaraka to be trained by Sree Krishna and for many new adventures..

Stay tuned ..

Please vote if you liked and don't hesitate to comment your views.. both negative and positive comments would be accepted (gladly..)

P.S- This book is influenced by the Indian epic Mahabarath.., but not entirely based on it ..

Stay safe and healthy :)..