HOUSE OF LIES

15

The carriage suddenly stopped with a jolt, and Rajveer grabbed Nandani to stop her from falling. He checked her for any injuries, and when he was sure she was fine, he stepped out of the carriage to find out why it had stopped.

As soon as Rajveer stepped outside, he saw a crowd gathered around the carriage. Some people were even lying down in front of it. "What's going on here?" Rajveer asked.

"Sir, they're saying you're not allowed to enter the village," the carriage driver replied.

"Why?" Rajveer questioned. Just then, an old man came out of the crowd and bowed to Rajveer.

"Kuwar Sa, please go back to your palace. We don't want to get involved in palace matters. We don't care who becomes king," the old man said.

Rajveer paused for a moment, then walked closer to the old man. "I think I've seen you before. Are you-" Rajveer started, but the old man interrupted.

"I was the advisor to the king of Suryagarh-your father," the old man said.

Rajveer immediately bowed in respect. Seeing this, Nandani stepped out of the carriage, covering her head with her dupatta, and joined Rajveer in bowing to the old man. Though she hadn't accepted her relationship with Rajveer yet, she knew the position she held.

The old man refused to bless them and turned away. "Please leave. I don't want to see you," he said.

"Mama (maternal uncle), you won't even look at your nephew?" Rajveer asked softly. The old man turned to Rajveer, emotions in his eyes, but he was still stubborn. He walked away.

Rajveer decided to follow the old man, with Nandani by his side. They reached near a small hut, and Rajveer was shocked to see how his uncle was living.

Nandani held Rajveer's hand and asked, "Who is he?"

"He was my mother's knight and her Rakhi brother," Rajveer replied.

"Then why is he living like this?" Nandani asked.

"He was kicked out of the palace after my mother passed away," Rajveer explained and went inside the hut.

Inside, there was a small pot of drinking water, hardly any furniture, a cot, and a small kitchen with a traditional stove that used wood. Nandani was surprised that someone could live in such conditions.

The old man was cooking something on the stove. When he saw Rajveer, he picked up a half-burned stick of wood. Nandani flinched, but Rajveer stood there, calm.

"Leave, Kuwar Sa. This place is too dirty for a royal," the old man said.

Rajveer called for the guards and ordered, "Take Nandani back to the palace." But Nandani held his hand tightly.

"Aren't you coming with me?" Nandani asked.

"Nandani, I'll stay with Mama for a few days. You should go back. This place isn't suitable for you," Rajveer explained.

Nandani didn't let go. "I'll stay wherever you stay, whether it's the palace or a small hut," she insisted.

"Nandani-" Rajveer started, but stopped when she gave him a cute glare.

"Cute," Rajveer murmured with a smile.

He then sat by the stove, next to the old man, who didn't even glance at him.

"Mama, I know the palace took everything from you. Believe me, I was powerless against that woman (Aasha) back then," Rajveer said.

The old man just stared at the burning stove. After a while, he brought out three bowls and served some khichdi. Rajveer smiled, remembering the past. The old man took a bowl and went outside to eat. Rajveer picked the rest 2 bowls and handed one bowl to Nandani and kept one for himself.

"Nandani, this is the tastiest khichdi in the world. Mama used to cook it for me when I was a kid," Rajveer said with excitement. He set aside the spoon and ate with his hands.

Nandani, surprised at how different Rajveer seemed from the cold man she knew, tasted the khichdi. "It's good," she said after her first bite.

"See, I told you!" Rajveer replied, licking his fingers after finishing his bowl.

After eating, Rajveer went to look for the old man. He searched everywhere and finally found him sitting by the river, staring at the sky. Rajveer quietly sat beside him.

After a moment of silence, the old man spoke, "You look like Rani Sa, Raj."

Hearing that, Rajveer became emotional and hugged his uncle. "Mama Sa, I've missed you so much. There was no one in the palace on my side," Rajveer said.

The old man patted Rajveer's back and said, "Rajveer, I lost my wife, my son, my daughter-in-law, and almost my grandson because of the palace. I can't get involved in royal conflicts anymore."

Rajveer was shocked. "But Naitik Kaka Sa told me you were safely moved to another kingdom."

"The king ordered us to leave the kingdom, but as we were leaving, we were attacked by my own troops. I killed every one of them, but my wife and son died. Only my daughter-in-law and I survived. She passed away while giving birth to my grandson. I had to send him to his maternal grandparents for safety," the old man said.

Rajveer was speechless. "I had no idea all this happened to you. Why didn't you leave?"

"I was waiting for you, Rajveer," the old man said.

"But why, Mama Sa?" Rajveer asked.

"Your mother left something for you with me. I had to protect it until the day I could give it to you," he replied.

"Something for me?" Rajveer asked, confused.

" yes , the truth about the palace " the old man said .

||guys the next update will be in November, I am hibernating right now ... see you in November.||