Monami had never seen a more glimmering night sky adorned by a plethora of twinkling stars before.
Up until now it was either exceedingly bright city lights and pollution or more recently her virtual lock up in Samudra's house, that had seized views of stunning bight skies from her.
But now in the quiet and calm of the stop over at the side of some rocky hill road edged with tall trees here and there, she could finally take a breathe. The more she heard others talk the more she stopped trying to find all possible explanations for this 'hyper realistic Mahabharat shoot set' and just accepted she was heading to 'Hastinapur'. She didn't really care right then. Things seemed safe for now and she needed the tranquility.
"Monami you really don't want to go back to your family?"
The question brought her back to ground. Yuyutsu still was not done trying to play Sherlock with her.
"No I don't" she answered rather flatly, resisting the urge to roll her eyes.
Yeah he probably thinks you are some delulu girl, she thought.
"But why? Even if you don't like them you can't run away like this, Monami. You saw how much trouble that got you in."
"Oh yea..." she answered, a tinge of exasperation becoming evident in her voice, "I wasn't just going to run out to the great outdoors without a plan you know. I was going to go to Harvard University in America with a full scholarship."
"University!"
She startled as both the boys exclaimed the word , wearing expressions as if they had seen a three headed bear just now. Monami didn't resist her eye roll this time.
"You bet" she said, shrugging her shoulders.
"But you are a girl" Yuyutsu spoke incredulously.
"Knowledge and education is for everyone, for everyone to have an equal chance at a better life" she replied, tilting her head as she spoke her eyes catching a glimpse of the other man who had looked up from polishing his bow and seeming to hold her in a deep contemplative gaze while also bearing a distant look.
She turned back at Yuyutsu, at least he was more easily readable unlike Karna.
"Besides our scriptures also say, vidyadhan sarbdhanpradhanam (weath of knowledge is greater than all other wealth)" she continued passionately, "And moreover in any calamity it's always women who suffer most; be it natural disasters, wars or even everyday domestic violence and abuse by her husband, you just name it. Hence it becomes all the more important for women to be well educated to be able to protect themselves."
She took a long breathe following this tiny, impromptu speech. Her two audience were looking at her with mixed expressions.
"But, Monami, I have travelled around the world for trading purposes. How come I never heard of this university with it's peculiar name and also unique practise of admitting women."
Yuyutsu was more bewildered than suspicious or disbelieving. Monami was glad for it, the last thing she needed was to be dropped off at some mental assylum by these men. These men seemed better than Samudra for and she didn't really want to be left alone in this strange place again.
Monami was about to articulate her response but before she could Karna spoke up.
"Enough now Yuyutsu" he said , casting her a brief, keen glance as if examining her, "Give the lady a break. You are acting like some paranoid interrogator working for Hastinapur's Mahamantri."
Monami gulped, a strange mix of instincts erupting in her body. What was she not being able to see?
YOU ARE READING
Teardrops on Roses
Historical Fiction"I am the eldest daughter in law of the Kurus and barring my husbands and sons, I await their complete annihilation." "Draupadi please don't do this, please don't say this." "Why?" "Because I am the eldest daughter in law of the Kurus" A Mahabharat...
