LEGACY ||Indian Historical Fiction||

22||REVERIE

Hiranmayi picked up the sleek stick, dipping it in kohl. She held Chavi's face and ran the black kajal thickly on the eye lids and the rim of the eye. She dipped her finger in red alta, drawing circles on her palm and her fingertips.

Chavi's hair was tied up in a strong and tight braid, adorned with Jasmines. Her neck was filled with a variety of gold jewellery. Bangles and chains resounded as she stood up. Her pleated and well-fitted attire spoke elegance everywhere she walked.

Finally, Hiranmayi dipped her ring finger in the vermillion mixture and added a dot to Chavi's face, between her eyebrows.

Adarsh joined from the other room, in his attire as well. Just the lower attire, his upper body bare and his bramhopadesha thread running from his shoulder to torso. He too had kohl rimmed eyes and a tilak on his forehead.

The two students stood with their shoulders rolled back, before their guru who simply looked at them, fierceness in her eyes and yet a calm expression on her face. She guided them out of the room into the main hall of the academy building where a small statue of Natraja was kept.

The three prayed to the idol, the smell of incense filling their breaths and the faint smell of roses from the garlands filled the room. Hiranmayi picked up the Salangai (Gejje or gungroo) from the table and held it out to Adarsh. He joined his hands and surrendered his reverence before receiving it from her.

Chavi too, bowed deeply, those being her first ever anklets, and recieved it from Acharyaa. Hiranmayi pulled the pallu of her silk saree over her shoulder.

"Natraja might forgive you if you dishonor him today, but if you do so, never show your face to me again." She commanded and walked out of the room. Chavi and Adarsh drew a deep breath.

"This might be a nice time to tell me you were only joking about performing at Laasya Sabha." Chavi gulped audibly.

Adarsh answered with his silence, an answer she wished was not true. She sighed and put her anklets into the her bag.

"Uh, children," Aloki spoke at the doorway, "it's time to go."

"Any news of Ashokdhar's arrival?" Chavi asked as they headed out into a carriage that would take them to Laasya Sabha.

Adarsh nodded but didn't reply. A small smirk on his lips as he reminisced the time he welcomed them.

~The previous day, evening.
Bahrgavadeva, Vaijayanti, Adarsh and Aloki stood at the main entrance of the palace, as trumpets were blown and flowers were scattered on the throng that entered the palace.

Darsh stood in the middle, Rajat and Abhik on either of his side, followed by Himanshu and Vihaan at the back. They stood before the royals of Swarnonnata.

"We welcome you, to our humble kingdom, Maharaja Darsh." Bhargavadeva bowed. Vaijayanti asked well, with her ever charming smile.

"We were pleased to recieve your invitation only the day before yesterday, Maharaj. Better late than never, no?" Darsh spoke. It was evident in his tone that he was quite shaken by the diplomatic offering proposed by Swarnonnata.

"You could have been earlier too, Maharaj," Adarsh spoke, "it's not only us who're late. Both our grandfather's were close you see...as kings."

Darsh raised his brow. Rajat and Abhik were sweating behind him, knowing he had a good chance of blowing the alliance up.

"Trees don't hang around with grass even though they start from the same place." Darsh added. A wave of discomfort spread through the room but was immediately lightened up by Adarsh's grin.