Kindle to Rekindle

21 The Monster in Red

A promise is a vow for a lifetime.

Rudra's words made Amber think about his course of action. He knew the government of India desperately wanted the resources and riches of the only developed state of the Indian territory. The elections were close and the ruling government was pressurising him to use all tools to prove Swarnbhoomi was in trouble in the absence of a ruler. The inclusion of Swarnbhoomi as a state governed by the Indian government would mean...

"Amber, just relax. It's all sorted. The meta-issues can be analysed afterwards. Let's check up on Nimrit." Mention of Nimrit by Shakti grabbed Amber's attention and they headed towards the palace where Nimrit and Nivedya were sitting in oblivion holding their hands.

When Nimrit saw the elders coming towards them she said, "What happened to me was not your fault. I could see you were not happy and something was bothering you since the start. I tried to talk to..." Nimrit left her sentence incomplete because she did not want Nivedya to know about her efforts to cheer him up or talk to him. "I am sorry my curiosity made me land in trouble. You kept your promise of staying by my side always and look, you were the one to find me." Nimrit withdrew her hand from Nivedya's before anyone could see them. Void and cold was the state of their hearts in the absence of touch.

Amber asked Nimrit if she was fine and ready to go home. Nimrit got up to leave but imbalanced herself because her leg was hurt. Nivedya reacted promptly and caught her before she could grace the floor.

"I think she has sprained her leg," Shakti asserted looking at Nimrit.

Nivedya helped Nimrit to sit back on the chair making her heart thump inside the rib cage. She wasn't sure how Amber would react to the proximity between her and Nivedya.

"Eklavya bent and whispered in Amber's ears, "Time to show some royal protector skills." He ordered a rolling pin and a cotton cloth and asked Nimrit to sit on the floor.

Amber gestured Nimrit to do as told. His investigations had given him proof of the impeccable expertise of the protectors of the throne. Nimrit sat down and Eklavya tried an ancient yet effective process of treating the twisting of the leg. Nimrit shouted in pain and requested Eklavya to stop but he didn't because only pain can bring relief and it did. Nimrit could get up on her own and walked a little. She thanked Eklavya for his help and left with Amber without sparing a glance at Nivedya.

"I would not leave a chance to bow my head to the strongest and bravest boy I have met in my life." Eklavya bow his head in front of Nivedya making him confused, proud and happy. The man bowing in front of him was the ex-protector of the late queen of their state and he was also the man who relieved Nimrit's pain. So he also thanked Eklavya for helping his friend making Rudra chuckle at his boy's reaction.

He was proud of Nivedya and his selfless act but the scenario told him the affection, care and concern his son displayed was not just the friendship with Nimrit. It was more and the thought made him think if it was feasible? The differences between Amber and him will act as an obstacle on the road Nivedya wished to travel with Nimrit.

A story without twists, twirls, perils will be boring and plain. Rudra smiled at his thought and drove his son home.

The moment Nimrit stepped down from the car Reet engulfed her in a hug and sobbed. She kissed Nimrit all over her face and head several times to ensure herself she was safe. Amber took his wife in his arms and Reet hugged him tightly.

"I died several deaths in a span of few hours, Amber. Why does my baby have to suffer, always? What wrong have we done?" The waiting time at home for Reet since she came to know about Nimrit's missing was killing her bit by bit.