Seize Her And....

Chapter : 45

A Promise.

Tashi looks up at the gloomy sky, as his eyes reflect the same darkness. The more he enters into the wood his heart keeps hammering from within. He never wanted to be the conveyer of such news but he has to. As he gets inside the main tent he finds Aniruddha infront of the centre table. A huge map spread infront of him as he studies it with his glasses on. Tashi stands at the entrance contemplating his choice of words when his heavy voice booms through the tent.

"When you start hesitating, I get worried Tashi. Say what you have come to say." Aniruddha says glancing back at the map once again. Tashi still finds it difficult to utter the words but he also knows that delaying will only enhance the problem.

"The Mahipal is coming next week." He utters finally. Aniruddha furrows his eyebrows, tilting his head slightly.

"And you received the information from...?" He asks, now looking straight at Tashi.

"The palace. They are making arrangements. Vidur, the son of Mahipal is .... is about to get married to Mrinalini.... next week." Tashi flinches as the table slides from the centre of the tent and falls on the other side. Aniruddha stands at the same place, his eyes focused on the ground, his hands fisted beside him but his chest heaves up and down, like a predator getting ready for his attack.

"Dada..you can't lose your calm. You have to...." Tashi attempts to reason with him but the animalistic growl is enough to shut him for the moment.

"Call a meeting. We are preparing for the final battle. I want to see the end of it now. Let's settle everything for one last time." He commands with finality.

Tashi keeps looking at his face. For some unknown reasons his heart beats faster.

"Dada, you know you are the only family I have. I just want you to be careful. I might sound like a weak man right now but I don't want us to lose the last thread of protection. You give us confidence to fight, to move ahead with our heads held high. Your presence is important for us, for our unity. We are a bunch of coward people, gathered together on your command, looking up to you. You need to protect yourself no matter what. Otherwise all your efforts will be useless. Please stay alive." He pleads. Aniruddha's furious eyes softens for a second as he moves close to Tashi, placing his hand on his shoulder, he utters,

"You are not a coward Tashi. You, my friend, have every potential to become the next leader. Don't underestimate yourself. But I won't be reckless, I'll try my best to win this staying fully alive." He chuckles and utters,

"I have a woman to spent my entire life with and if I die this soon she will run after me even in my afterlife. You know how stubborn she can be." He says as Tashi smiles at him. Aniruddha's eyes darken once again.

"That's one of the reasons why I have to win this fight Tashi. I can't imagine a life without her. She has to be mine and I'll make sure of that." He utters and runs out of the tent.

*****
The water is as unmoving as her heart, Mrinalini keeps looking at it. She is sitting on one of the stone made seats beside the pond inside the palace. Right next to her sits the son of her arch enemy.

"You haven't uttered a word since the last few minutes and I know how beautifully you can talk. Are you not ready for the marriage?" Vidur asks holding his breath, because if she agrees he doesn't know what he'll do with her decision.

"Say something. Please." He pleads.

"I don't.... I don't know how generous you are but I've heard stories about your father, our Mahipal. He seems to be quite a powerful man." Mrinalini begins, her eyes still fixed on the water.