"Yes Acharyaa..." Chavi asked as blood flowed out of Hiranmayi's mouth.
"You must know who you are by now..." Hiranmayi said.
"I'm Maya, Acharyaa."
"Stupid, girl. Has it never occurred to you? Why did you come here of all places? The whole world out there and still you came to this kingdom. Why did Vaijayanti take a liking to you? How her firstborn would be the same age as you?"
Adarsh looked up at her, realisation drawing on his face.
"I don't understand-" Chavi fumbled.
"Why is it that you hated Ashokdhar and became the very person you left Ashokdhar not to be? How many times you found Vaijayanti's face familiar, if only you had looked into the mirror with her, you'd have realised."
Chavi's heart skipped a beat. Was she implying that the firstborn of Swarnonnata was her? That could not be true, could it?
"How would you know that, Acharyaa?" Chavi asked with shivering lips. Hiranmayi raised her bloody hand to hold her face.
"Time, my child...will tell you everything." She said drawing a deep breath.
"No, Acharyaa! I don't need to know my past, I don't wish for anything but for you to stay." Chavi said, gathering Hiranmayi in her lap, "I only wish to be your student. I want you to scold me when I make a mistake, bless me before my performances...and...and Adarsh also needs you, Acharyaa."
"Is that so?" Hiranmayi glared, "then stand up, both of you."
"But-" Adarsh argued.
"Are you speaking back to me? Stand up."
Chavi and Adarsh stood up despite wanting to do the very opposite.
"Walk forward five paces and turn around."
They did as they were told to. They faced away from her. Her jingling bangles resounded in the room.
"For what it's worth, my children..." Hiranmayi said, "You two have made me very proud."
Adarsh and Chavi both stood still as soon as the bangles stopped making sound. The soft thud of her falling hand was all that was heard.
Adarsh, as hard as he tried to not cry, found his tears pouring over uncontrollably. Chavi gathered him in a hug, trying to console him while her own tears didn't stop. The two fell to their knees, holding each other.
Losing their teacher was one thing...but losing a mother with their teacher was something entirely apart. As much as they wished it was all a dream...the still, immobile physique of Hiranmayi proved to them that they had indeed lost her forever.
They would have to remember her for longer than they had known her.
🌺
There we have it. Props to everyone who guessed it beforehand, gotta commend your enthusiasm.
How do you all feel about Hiranmayi?
Vote on the chapter, I'd appreciate it if you did.
Until next time
❤️
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LEGACY ||Indian Historical Fiction||
Historical Fiction||PART- 2- REGAL DUOLOGY|| (Can be read as a standalone) Darsh, the most illustrious son of Ashokdhar, is kind, loving, caring and simply just too good to be the Yuvraj. So, he's all set to become the king. He had his priorities set straight, the ki...
