It was a bright sunny morning. Suruchi got up and brought hot milk to Nalini, but she could hardly find her. Nalini had left a note saying she would be travelling to Saurashtra to fulfill her mission and apologized for not paying heed to Suruchi's advice. Suruchi prayed god to give some wisdom to Nalini before anything bad happens.
Nalini came to the palace of Dharmasena. She remembered the day she was rejected by the king. She said to herself, "The payback time has come O king Dharmasena, I'm coming to you". She disguised herself as palace staff and entered the palace. As she moved close to the court room, she saw all the king's personnel talking anxiously and walking out of the court room. She hid herself behind one of the pillars and closely overheard their conversation. "The upcoming competition not only decides if prince Ravikirana could become princess Madhavi's husband but also decides the future of Saurashtra, as our King doesn't have any male descendant". Nalini thought to herself, "Competition? Hmm, interesting. I should not interrupt this". She silently followed the king's staff and sat among other audience.
Both Ravikirana and Madhavi entered the ring. Madhavi was dressed in male attire. She looked gracefully beautiful. For a moment, Ravikirana couldn't take his eyes off her. His urge to win the battle became even more stronger. Both the fighters bowed down to King Dharmasena and Queen Kathyayini and began the fight. Initially, Ravikirana took strokes carefully thinking stronger blows could hurt his pretty love. However princess Madhavi was merciless. Her intentions of choosing a husband who is strong enough to protect both the kingdom of Saurashtra and the kingdom of Vidarbha was evident in every action of hers. Her posture was perfect, strokes were stronger and professional and footwork being flawless.
Prince Ravikirana very soon realized that the fight was not simple. He started fighting hard. The fight went on for about half an hour. Prince Ravikirana was sweating and trying hard not to lose grip on his sword. At the end of fifty minutes, he was totally exhausted and fell on the ground with his sword, accepting defeat. Princess Madhavi said, "I'm sorry dear Ravi if I'm hurting you, but I cannot marry you". She bowed down to the king and queen of Saurashtra and then to the audience and left the ring. Everyone were astonished at the mighty performance of their princess and were throwing huge praises of her valour and proficiency in her swordsmanship.
Everyone left the field while Queen Devayani came to her dejected son and helped him towards his room. With tears in her eyes, she said, "I totally understand how you are feeling my dear son. Please control yourself. May be you both are not destined to be together". Prince Ravikirana, trying to hold his tears said, "She could have rejected me when you gave her the proposal. What was the need to insult me in front of so many people"?
Queen Devayani consoled her son and tried to make him understand so that he wouldn't misunderstand princess Madhavi, as she knew Madhavi was only trying to protect her kingdom. Prince Ravikirana requested his mother that they leave Saurashtra as soon as possible. But Queen Devayani convinced her son that he should accept both success and failure the same way and not let his ego rule him. She tells him that they should stay for another three days as she had promised her brother to stay for a week. She also requested him to behave normally with princess Madhavi as this marriage proposal should not create complications in their friendship.
Nalini formulated a plan in her mind to teach King Dharmasena a lesson. The next day, prince Ravikirana took his horse and went towards Luni River side. He wanted to spend some time alone as staying in the palace would remind him of his failure to win princess Madhavi. Nalini had followed him and was closely observing his behavior from a distance. Waiting for the right opportunity, she disguised herself as an elderly saint and went close to him to speak to him.
"What is wrong my dear boy? You look very depressed", said Nalini.
"Greetings Holy Mother! Nothing much. I'm deceived by my own abilities. I didn't perform up to the expectations of my people. The battle that I lost, not only made me lose my love of life, but also created a doubt in myself to be a king. If I'm unable to win a battle against woman, how will I be able to protect my people as an emperor of Kashi? I'm totally at my wits end".
"I understand. But you are not completely at fault. You were only trying to protect the princess".
Ravikirana, with a surprised look asked, "How do you know that"?
Nalini said smilingly, "I know what has happened in your life. I also know what is going to happen in future".
Ravikirana was shocked and didn't know what to say.
Nalini further said, "Do you really love princess Madhavi"?
"Yes. I can do anything to get her back in my life".
"In that case, she is meant to be yours, if you do as I say. After all, true love has to succeed".
Ravikirana said with a huge smile on his face, "Really? what should I do"?
Nalini said, "Make an arrangement so that I can meet her alone. Your ambition will be fulfilled."
YOU ARE READING
The Ultimate Victory
FantasíaThis is the story of the life of a King who does anything for the well being of his subject. In the process, his only daughter goes missing. His Kingdom is hit with drought. His land goes barren. People had to starve to death. Could this all be a ga...
