Words - once spoken can only be forgiven. The irreversible nature of them have always made the oldest caution the young lest they carry the regret like their ancestors. Alas! No one learns this lesson until it is too late.
(Blurb to be edited)
Vāc i...
Oops! This image does not follow our content guidelines. To continue publishing, please remove it or upload a different image.
Spring arrived early this year but alas- the turbulent atmosphere of Indraprastha didn't seem keen on embracing it anytime soon just like Abhijishya. The past few days had been rather trying on her. She had her fingers in too many pots and she was left frazzled, scrambling to put things in order while slowly piecing together the entire picture of the incident.
The infirmary was a little better than coal and would be out of commission for unknown number of days. Numerous healers and workers were injured and those in charge of watching over the smooth sailing of the infirmary were still held in custody. There were three casualties in the fire- two of whom were elderly patients and another a healer. Ahim- the most probable main perpetrator was still on the run. The administration was in chaos over the scandal while trying their best to contain the news of the incident from reaching outside the borders which was an impossible task.
Only good things were - Rachit was in the clear and Parnika was out of danger. Parnika-shy, clever and so trusting and Abhijishya had failed her.
Desperate eyes trying to convey what her voice couldn't. Her brows scrunched in pain before the horror settled in. Parnika palmed her bandaged neck in confusion.
More noises. She clawed at her neck, her lips moving but no words came out. Parnika gasped and sobbed and twisted trying to force out any sound but all that came out was a wheeze.
"It's ok. Sleep," Abhijishya's eyes stung but she smiled reassuringly, strongly clutching Parnika's hands in hers lest she hurt herself more.
"It is going to be ok. You will be ok"
Teary eyes looked up at her, lips trembling but Parnika settled down again - still trusting, looking up with so much faith.
"It's ok," Abhijishya's throat burned from her lies. Parnika would never be able to speak again.
-turned into a fetching young man that you wouldn't believe your eyes. He will have mastered the sword in a couple more years and dare I say he can rival anyone in chariot racing," a high pitched laugh pierced her ears and once again Abhijishya became aware of her unsavoury company. "Not that I am bragging about my one and only son, Rajkumari but my Chitraksh is a gem."
Abhijishya smiled indulgently. Shailaja, the older woman before her was Royal Treasurer Chinmaya's wife and her gem Chitraksh was none other than the boy with whom Anveeksha had gotten into a fight as a child. These days Shailaja's hobby seemed to be boasting about her son and occassionally asked about Anvi. Abhijishya knew where this was going. It would be Shailaja's fault if she mistook Abhijishya's polite indulgence as consent for promising her daughter's hand to Chitraksh.
"As lovely as it is talking to you, I am afraid our conversation must come to an end. Maharaja would be arriving soon," Abhijishya said, the indulgent smile pasted across her lips.
