The Ultimate Victory

Chapter 5 - The Weakness

           King Dharmasena was shocked for a while hearing to Nalini and didn't know what to respond.

           Nalini continued, "Why are you silent your Majesty? I've fallen in love with you the very moment I saw you in the forest. Kindly marry me and make my life worth while". Nalini bowed down to King Dharmasena.

            Suruchi was in a state of shock at the most bold demand of her friend and was curiously looking at King Dharmasena for his response.

            "I won't be able to fulfil your desire Nalini! I cannot marry you", King Dharmasena politely rejected.

           Nalini was shocked. She thought that King would at least consider her proposal and would take time to think. But the direct rejection was kind of unacceptable for her.

          "Why not your Majesty? Have I not saved your life? Is it not your duty to stand by your words"? said Nalini almost in tears.

           King Dharmasena said, "Yes Nalini. It is my duty to do as I say. But my marriage is not my decision. This is something which is not in my control. If you had asked for wealth or a piece of land or a job in palace or anything that is material, I could have given. This offer remains till my last breath. You can certainly come to me anytime for any kind of help. I'm there for you".

        The King turned towards the Commander and signed and every King's man left the house along with King. Nalini started crying and Suruchi came to console her. Nalini hugged Suruchi and asked her desparately, "Suruchi, am I that worthless to get rejected without even thinking for a moment? Am I not good looking? You know in past two years, there had been more than twenty five men who approached me with the marriage proposal and more than fifteen families who approached my father asking for my hand. This means something right"?

       Suruchi thought for a while and made Nalini sit and allowed her to cry her heart out. After a while, she calmly said, "Dear Nalini, love doesn't come by authority, rather comes by submission. Why did you make such bold proposal, that too in front of so many people"?

       "What choice did I have? He was not ready to extend his stay even for a couple of days. If he had, I would have slowly won his heart. The fear of losing him made me make that move. I even went to the extent of sending you home at that night in the forest so that privacy could bring us close", said Nalini.

       "It was for that reason Nalini sent me out so awkwardly yesterday", thought Suruchi for herself. She said, "Did he show any interest in knowing you after I left"?

        "No. He preferred to sleep. We couldn't talk much last night", said Nalini.

       Suruchi said, "See, his behavior is a clear indication that he sees you as any other commoner than his love interest.  Also, beauty and charm alone is not enough to become a queen. There are many aspects which we don't simply understand. As early you let go this one sided love, better is for you".

       "Nalini, Nalini", a loud angry voice came. Both the girls were scared hearing the loud call. 

       "Nalini, your father, Parameshwar uncle has come. Wipe away your tears. We should go now", said Suruchi.

        Nalini wiped her tears and went with Suruchi to welcome her father. The girls saw that Parameshwar was standing outside the house seeing something. They went to him to greet him.

        "Greetings to you father", said Nalini keeping her head down.

        "Nalini, do you know what does the lily plant here indicate"? asked father showing the lily plant in front of him.

        "Oh the lily plant! It was fine till yesterday. I had even watered it after you left yesterday. How could it die so suddenly? Are you angry on me for this father"? asked Nalini.

        Father said, "I planted this eight years ago, the day you started working towards your goal. This was an indication of your sincerity and single minded purpose of reaching your destiny. I was proudly feeling that though you are my child, you differed from me. But now, you just proved that you are nothing but any other loser like me"!