Brinda

Blending Again

A day passed since the marriage proceedings had begun in the private garden and King Adigun paced along the hallway, over and over and again like a lost man. It was morning and he had not seen his wife and Queen since he had woken up. Granted things between them had begun to ease into a good place, he had chosen to respect her by staying in his private bedroom for the night.

"I would rather not rush things at this point in time", he had said as his reason for choosing to sleep by himself for now.

While he poured his footsteps along the hallway, counting his breath and wondering why the entire castle suddenly felt silent, he paused harkened his ears in hopes of listening out for some noise or indication that the other women or the maids were around, but nothing could be heard. It left the King baffled some more and made him wear a thin frown across his face.

"My King! My King!" Suraj came calling while he appeared from the exit door ahead.

He took to his heels and raced towards the King before stopping just some feet away. King Adigun held his breath and did his best to come off as though he was fine. He wasn't about to let his servant know his entire being was aching to see his woman or that they had not slept in the same room and hence he did not know where she went or where she could have gone.

"Have you seen Ambika Devi?" king Adigun finally asked.

Suraj looked a little surprised but his face showed he didn't necessarily see the question as odd in any way or form.

Instead he mumbled, "Did she not tell you? I assumed you were told of the Mehandi going on this morning".

"Mehandi?" King Adigun sounded lost but kept a straight face. "She told me of no such thing".

"Well, if you are looking for any woman in the palace and including my Durga, that is where to find them", Suraj added. "I was hoping on coming to spend some time with you before they get through for the day".

King Adigun felt restless as he asked, "How long are they going to be away for? They should finish and return soon, right?"

Suraj shook his head. "It usually takes about half a day and considering the Queen is involved and that Durga is with her two, I would say they should be done by close of the sun".

It meant he might not see his woman till evening and it wasn't something he felt comfortable with in the slightest.

"You don't look so pleased. It is to celebrate the Queen's wonderful union with you", he explained.

"Why aren't we there? If it is to celebrate our union then at least we should be allowed to have a say in it, shouldn't we?" he asked.

Suraj shook his head and looked down for a moment. "It is strictly for women and men aren't allowed. I wish there was something I can do to get in there and see my beloved Durga but they will see us coming from the doors and cast us away".

It did sound like they had to wait and King Adigun slowly began to reside himself into accepting things for how they are and how they might be. He slowly let himself sit on the floor while he toyed with his fingers and tried to count his misery before his woman would become available again. It meant he had to remain alone for hours until she would come back to him.

"Maybe we can work something out", Suraj said with a sharp spark in his eyes as King Adigun looked at him.

Known to be one filled with mischief, King Adigun wasn't quite sure on how his servant would get past the women and see his beloved Durga, but he was willing to listen and pitch in whichever way he could.