A Love So True

Chapter 26

Flashback......

Ishan was chatting with his friends on the backstage. The sudden sadness was disappeared from his mind after some time. He wasn't thinking about it or the man anymore.

" We have to give a good performance tomorrow. You know , VIP guests will also be present there."

One of them said in a serious tone.
Rishabh munched on  potato chips in his mouth and said ,

" Senior brother , it's not like that they are gonna give us some jobs after watching our play  specially not me . Drama instructor gave me a role of a girl who dressed like a boy. Girl with  beard and moustache."

Others laughed at Rishabh's funny face. The senior smacked his head.

" You dumb , be serious. It's not a comedy drama but a famous dance drama which has a deep inner meaning."

Ishan learnt all dialogues but he had some vague idea about the plot . He asked,

" Ummm ... Senior , what's the plot ? Can you tell me in short. It might help us to play better."

The senior settled himself on the sofa.

" I read the original translation. It's basically a dance drama written by Rabindranath Tagore
Chitrangada ."

The senior narrated the drama to them. Everyone was so engrossed with this.

Lord Shiva had been deeply satisfied with the utmost devotion of the King of Manipur who had worshipped him. He had granted him a blessing that he will have only male heirs. When a girl was born to him, he named her Chitrangada and raised her as a son. Since her childhood Chitrangada practiced the art of archery, educated herself in the tactics of warfare.

Arjuna, the brave warrior travelled all over India during his term of exile,  during his wanderings one day he reached  ancient Manipur . There, he met Chitrangada .

He thought him as a little boy and ignored her. Chitrangada was already fell in love with Arjun. Chitrangada mourns at the loss of her feminine identity. She then desperately explores various aspects of femininity to captivate Arjuna's attention. In this process she realised her true self and sheds the external trappings of femininity and reveals her genuine nature to Arjuna , the man she loved.

The senior finished his narration and laughed slightly as everyone was staring at him with their mouth agap.

" Oyeeeeee... What a beautiful story. I thought that I have to fight with some hooligans in girl's costume."

Everyone laughed at Rishabh but Ishan's mind was lost in thoughts. Some lines from the story that senior narrated was still lingering in his mind.

Arjuna thought her as a boy and ignored her.

She mourns at her masculinity that she possessed from her childhood.

She desperately tried to find femininity in her to get Arjuna's love.

At last she revealed her real nature to the man she loved.

Love is not about our outer shell but the inner beauty we possessed inside.

Chitrangada of their play and his real self .

He felt himself so closer to her.

Chitrangada found his Arjuna and he .... Would he be able to find h-

Unconsciously his gaze attracted towards a certain direction. His heart missed a beats.

Shubman Gill was standing not so far from them , chatting with a man.