APRICITY

10.Frolics

The thirteenth D-day of my life imprinted an indelible memory. The love, gratitude from our countrymen inundated me.
Afterall, the magnificent title of being a Prince wasn't just for display. I had to prove that I own my name. That I am the rightful heir of my reverent forefathers and their life long sacrifices weren't just for a mere piece of land, but to restore the supremacy of divinity, of Dharma in this land. The land of the Golden bird.

I strolled across the palace corridor only to be stopped by Jyeshth Pitamah's study room.

"Pitamah?" I curtsied.

"Now, you are seeking permission from your Pitamah?"

I smiled idly and entered the room stuffed with numerous scrolls, books, manuscripts and Pitamah sat in the centre holding a quil in his right palm.

"I wanted to tell you something." I creased my brows reminiscing the goings-on at the Mahalakshmi temple.

"Tell me. Don't hesitate." He replied.

"Umm..today, I sneaked out of the palace." I fumbled with my shaky fingers.

He chuckled lowly. Contrariwise, I was bewildered at his levity.

"Neither could I ever stop your Pitamahi nor even your uncles from doing so. How can I stop you? Go ahead, and tell me the whole thing."

"Really, Jyeshth Pitamahi too did so?" I asked curiosity peaking in me.

"Count me in too." He snickered. This jovial facet of Jyeshth Pitamah was seldom seen, curtailed in disguise of the crowned Emperor.

"So, I am cutting things in between. What happened there was that I met a few devotees at the temple. There were thrown out of Kamboja by some moneylenders and even they had forced their helpless children to work for themselves."

Pitamah nodded his head and gestured me to sit beside him.

"I was notified about the same recently and no worries Sahadeva will be leaving for Kamboja and Gandhar to fix issues." He said patting my back. " I am impressed at your diligence. Don't ever step back if you learn things like this in future."

"Can I accompany Pitamah Sahadeva to Kamboja? I had promised them to return their children."

"Keep faith in your pitamah. Perhaps, you're still a child." I puckered my lips in disappointment.

He sighed. "Fine, I will let you go provided you complete the preliminary tutelage on armaments."

I stood up and bowed dramatically, "Your wish is my command, Grandsire."

He laughed contently. "Holy heavens, a miniature of Govind you have become !!"

I swathed him in a big bear hug. "I love you."

He wriggled his eyebrows, "Save that for your future princess, grandson."

Hearing this, my only expression was a silent 'O'.

"I will, I will." I smirked before leaving.

"Mata..." I called.

"Hmm.."

"Why was everyone at the court stunned at my expense? Was my way of asking of the boon wrong?"

She came towards me and cupped my face. "No, there was no wrong in it, my son. You have all the rights to know everything you yearn for."

She ruffled my hair as a charming smile adorned her lips. "But the purpose must be true. To follow Dharma in each footstep."

I nodded in agreement.

"Some die to fulfill this purpose, and some needs to live. This is how it all works." She said.

I assured her holdinf her hands, "I won't let go of my conscience, Mata. I promise. I won't ever let the burned pyres of the brave deceased to go in vain."

The peaceful, charming moonlight glistened through the folds of the curtain.

She kissed my forehead with utmost affection. Mata's slendour fingers as delicate as a nascent fawn, bathed in the serene luminiscence. Little did she know, she has a heart of the diamond, the strongest, the purest.

"Mata, how far is Kamboja from here?"
I glanced at her questioningly.

"It's in the extreme north, even higher above Gandhar. Why are you asking dear?"

I narrated how I sought permission from Jyeshth Pitamah to accompany Pitamah Sahadeva to Kamboja.

"Do you want to see something?" She asked.

"What is it about?"

"Come with me." She walked along the east wing of the palace and I trailed behind her.