Ashwaki: waiting for Ashok

Murder in the night

"ARGHHHHHHHH"

I woke up with a start. A scream.

Who was that?

I tiptoed downstairs and realized we were half way through the night. The rays of dawn stayed outside the windows and darkness surrounded the corridors.

Just as I was about to turn left in the corridor, I stopped and looked back at a window which was creaking.

No-one else was awake? How come no-one heard the scream except me? Was it my imagination?

What if something was behind that window? All these horrid thoughts swept up a wave of anxiety but I found my feet moving slowly towards it. My hands dangled either side of me, stripped of weapons; unguarded.

I wished I had a sword.

Should I wake up Ashok? No, why should I worry him.

My fingers twiddled and I could feel my heavy breathing on my neck.

I walked, and walked and - stopped.

There was a small gap between the two doors of the window.

And it was creaking.

My hand crept slowly towards the lock on it to pull it shut, slowly; gradually; steadily.

AND JUST THEN - I felt a horrific tap on my shoulder.

"ARHHHHHHHHHHH!" I screamed, without realizing how high pitched my voice was.

The murderer had come for me.

"Kaurvaki?"

I didn't dare look behind but the familiar voice made me open my eyes and turn round.

"Maharani? Why are you up so late?" I calmed down, tucking a few loose strands behind my ear.

"I should be asking you that, how come you're up so early and what are you doing - near this window..."

"I heard a scream and...."

I saw something peeping out behind her back.

"What's that?" I asked, pointing at a small bag hidden behind her back.

"You didn't answer my question, Kaurvaki."

I felt like shouting at her for the truth.

"Kaurvaki....? Answer me!"

After a few minutes of silence between us, her bellowing voice startled me from my trance.

"I heard a scream so I came down to see where it came from."

"What's the window got to do with that?"

"Well, I saw it open so I thought to close it." I began to put a hand out to pull the window.

"Leave it open." She said hurriedly.

I pondered upon her quick response. I stopped instantly.

"Alright, but, Samrat said....."

"I know very well what my husband said, I'm the queen and it is my order to keep the window open."

Alright then - who am I to disturb her in her plans. I felt hurt at her acrimonious response.

"Now go and sleep, you need to take Ahankara to the priest as well tomorrow."

Oh yes. We were taking Ahankara to the priest for checking her horoscope.

"Yes, goodnight."

She nodded slightly and waited there till she saw me leave.

She proceeded towards a room, presumably her own bedroom and all was quiet till the next morning.

I was sensing something disruptive, but what could it be? Maharani had something to do with it, but what?

Although she loved her son so much, she won't take anyone's life for it?! Would she?

Law and order is in the air, she can stop me from finding out, but she can't stop the air.

💓
The sun shined in the salmon pink and purple sky the next morning.

"Ahankara!" I went into her room but she wasn't there.

I waited and a few minutes later, she came out of the bathing area wearing a beautiful blue and peach lehenga.

"You're looking so nice today!"

She smiled shyly.

"Well, I've got some jewelry that Maharani has ordered you to wear."

I handed her a platter which I was carrying. It was three kilograms of gold and I felt relieved after she took it and ran a hand over the ornaments.

"When you're ready come down, our palanquin will leave soon to Panditji's house."

She nodded and I left her sitting at the mirror. I put my own ornaments on and my large nose pin shimmered in the light as I appeared in the hallway.

"Right - let's proceed." Maharani proclaimed after we were all ready.

We sat in a palanquin which took us to the priest's house.