HARIHARESHWARI 14 : CHANDRA CHAYAYAM SINGHASANAM

CHAPTER 58

"Pitashree, aapke putra toh hum hai. Fir Chachashree Dilip kyu Yuvraj hai ?" The little Vinda asked.

Jayasen looked at him, "Woh tab se Yuvraj hai, jab aap dono ka janm nahi huya tha."

Anuvinda frowned, "Parantu ab hum hai, fir bhi woh Yuvraj ke pad par kyu hai ?"

Jayasen felt a growing unease as he discerned a subtle undercurrent of greed in the demeanor of his young boys. He couldn't understand where this newfound greed was coming from. He and his wife had always emphasized the importance of gratitude and generosity.

Shifting his gaze, the king said, "Abhi tum dono balak ho. Apne Chachashree ke bhaati veer ban jaao, fir tumhe Yuvraj nyukt kar diya jaayega."

"Parantu unhone Jarasandh jaise Raja ko parast kar diya ! Hum aisa nahi kar sakte !" Vinda said.

"Raja ka putra hi Raja banta hai. Fir aapke baad Rajya toh hume milna chahiye, parantu chuki Chachashree Yuvraj hai, aapke baad woh Raja banenge. Fir humara kya ?" Anuvinda asked.

Jayasen's lips parted, the innocence he once cherished now seemed tainted by greed and cowardice. How had they strayed so far from the values he had instilled in them ?

"Kisne sikhaya yeh sab ?" He asked.

"Itni samajh hai humare andar, Pitashree." Vinda said folding his arms.

A wave of disappointment washed over the king, for he had hoped to raise noble heirs, brave and righteous warriors like himself. However, it became painfully evident that beneath their cherubic exteriors lay an unsettling darkness.

Suddenly a pratihari entered the room, bowing before the king, she said, "Yuvraj Dilipsen aane ki aagya chaahte hai."

"Aagya hai." Jayasen said.

The pratihaari stepped out, and within moments, Dilip strode in accompanied by a group of servants. They were lugging two enormous sandooks, piquing the curiosity of the young Vinda and Anuvinda.

Dilip said with a smile, "Mere bhatije yaha the toh socha yahi upahar de du."

"Kaise upahaar ?" Vinda asked sprinting towards, his uncle with his brother.

"Batayiye na !" Anuvinda said excitedly.

Dilip chuckled caressing their faces, "Tumhare liye hai, swayam dekh lo."

The young princes approached the sandook and eagerly opened it. In an instant, their eyes widened and sparkled like stars in the darkest of nights, beholding the sheer opulence of the golden gem-studded toys of every imaginable kind.

Dilip's face lit up with pure joy as he witnessed the unguarded enchantment in his nephews' eyes. Their innocent and eager excitement tugged at the very depths of his soul, filling him with an indescribable sense of delight.

He couldn't help but marvel at the way their faces lit up, reflecting the golden hues of the treasures before them. He couldn't help but feel a surge of gratitude for being able to bring such happiness into their lives.

"Iss sab ki kya awashyakta thi, anuj ?" Jayasen asked.

"Awashyakta hoti toh prem kaha hota ? Apne putra-samaan bhatijo hetu khilaune lana toh mai apna saubhagya maanta hu." Dilip said.

Jayasen smiled sadly at him, here stood his brother, showering his nephews with affection as if they were his very own sons, seizing every opportunity to pamper them. And yet, in stark contrast, Jayasen's own sons failed to appreciate his love, perceiving him as a looming threat instead.

He wondered where things had gone wrong. How somewhere along the way, fear and insecurity had clouded the perception of Vinda and Anuvinda, making them view their uncle's love as a potential danger rather than a blessing.

"Kya huya Jyesht ?" Dilip asked bringing his brother out of his thoughts, "Aap chintit kyu lag rahe hai ?"

Jayasen shook his head and forced a smile, "Kuch nahi. Bas aise hi. Rajya ke karya."

"Oh." Dilip nodded, but he could sense the unease in his brother's eyes, the slight furrow in his brow that indicated a deeper concern.

But then the laughter of Vinda and Anuvinda momentarily pushed aside his concerns.

Smilingly Dilip asked, "Upahaar acche toh lage ?"

"Ha !" Vinda said.

"Parantu agle baar swarn ka sher bhi le aayiyega." Anuvinda said in a demanding tone.

"Uchit-" "Koi awashyakta nahi hai." Jayasen interrupted Dilip.

The crown-prince frowned looking the king who was gazing at his sons with a disappointed gaze.

"Kyu Jyesht ?" Dilip asked.

Jayasen looked at him and said, "Pehle hi bahut khilaune tum de chuke ho, Anuj. Aur adhik ki awashyakta nahi hai."

"Parantu Pitashree !" The boys whined.

"Mana kiya na maine !" Jayasen scolded, "Pehle apne Chachashree ka sammaan karna sikho ! Unke prem-patra banne ke yogya bano."

"Balak hai Jyesht." Dilip said, trying to calm him.

"Balak hai toh balako jaisa vyavhaar kare." Jayasen said.

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A/N

Chalo accha hai Maharaj Jayasen doesn't give in to the tantrums of his children.... Unlike ANOTHER MAHARAJ we know 🌝