Under the King's GAZE || MaNan

7.

Rajmata left for Tirupathi when Mrityunjay was immersed in sabha work. He was discussing some important defense strategy when a soldier came and informed something to dhanush. 

Dhaanush went outside to look at a woman standing in a veil. He understood, Sallaan must have brought her here but he was only allowed till pratham dwaar (first gate), his entry was restricted in rani mahal. 

“Namaskara! Kon hai aap aur kya chahiye?” Dhanush asked. 

“Hume kuch nahi chahiye sahib.” a voice came from the veil. 

“Vo toh humare pati ne kaha ki mahal me bulaya hai--kaam milegaa---toh isliye. Hum kuch nahi jaante sahib.”

“Aacha acha main samajh gaya. Haan tumhare liye kaam hai na. Chalo mere saath.”

She started following Dhanush while her pretty eyes examined the big walls of mahal, its architechture, chandeliars, gold engraved artpieces, artifacts and mouth-stuck interior. The mahal screamed royalty as if world’s most rare and precious diamonds were used as cement to make the vast mahal. 

 As she was moving, she saw many women who saw her with astonishment and glares. Althought none could actually see her as she was in parda but she saw every woman there. They were pretty and were adorned with jewelery. She saw big ponds, fresh flower gardens, jharokhas and many unbelivable things. She was in her only world, dreaming about dancing in the garden, swimming in the pool, playing with peacocks etc. Smile didn’t leave her face. It was as if she visited a foreign land today. The one who never stepped outside her small hut, was now wandering in his territory. 

“Sahab! Ye kahan le jaarahe hain? Vo sab log toh bahar hain---yahan toh ab koi nazar bhi nahi aaraha.”

She asked as from past 20 minutes she has been following Dhanush. Earlier she could see women, guards and servants; but now it was past 5 minutes when she couldnt spot anyone. The area was vast, spacious with dark black and olive green interior. The floor and surroundings were chilled even in the most hottest month. She felt as if she is on another planet. She could even see clouds in the windows. She was definitely above the earth. Moreover, her legs pained due to continuous walking.

“Sahiba-- jahan se hum chalte aarahe hain, veh raniwaas mahal tha---ab hum maharaj Mrityunjay ke mahal me hain---yahan aane ki ijaazat kisi ko nahi sivaye humare, rajmata Mandodhari ke aur maharaj ki behan rajkumari Mridushi ke. Aur ab aap bhi iss suchi me shamil hain!”

Colours of her face drained away. She couldn’t understand anything. Now she was frightened. She wasn’t stupid to understand that she was been taken to the king’s chamber. She wanted to run, she wanted to hide herself but where? As far as she could could see, she only saw his dominance. 

“Sahib--aapne hume galat samajh liya hai! Hum toh rajmata ko kalakari dikhane aaye hain--humare pati ne---”

“SAHIBA behtar hoga aap baar baar apne pati ka naam na len---unke kroddh se surakshit rahengi.”

She wondered about whom is he talking?

Soon he stopped before a door, and asked her to wait inside. 

“Yeh aapka hi kaksh hai-- aaram farmayen---aapke liye bhojan andar lag chuka hai---hukkum se kaha hai ki aapka khaas khayal rakha jaye----unki khaas hai aap.”

Again with a shocked face and widened eyes, she saw Dhanush. She started sweating as she didn’t know what was happening! Who is this king? How does he know her? She and special? To him? What ? how? And when? She had millions of questions.