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Bhuwan POV
Kunwar ji started sobbing and I rubbed his back to comfort him. Somehow he calmed down himself and looked at me like he wanted to tell some more.
"Bhuwan, humein bahut dar lag raha hai. Agar babasa ne us gore ki baton mein aa k fufa sa ko dhoka diya to unki bhi halat kahi Mainakpur k raja ki tarah na ho jaye. Tumhe pata hain na ki pichle pandit ji ne apne vardan mein us raja ko shapit kar diya tha. Kitne kasht mein mrityu hui thi unki, hamari to atma kanp jati hai. Buwan mainakpur ki sat pushtein Bhanugarh ki sewa mein lagi hain, ab jakar unka prayaschit pura hoga. Agar babasa k sath bhi aisa hua toh....toh humein bhi Bhanugarh ki sewa karni padegi. Bhuwan hum rajkumar se das ban jayenge (Bhuwan, I am terrified. If my father has got influenced by that white man and betrayed my paternal uncle then I fear that he must bear the consequences like the king of Mainakpur. You knew that the last priest has asked in his wish that a curse bestow upon the king for his misdeed. He has died a very painful and slow death, the story has always stirred my soul. Since his death, his seven generation has served under Bhanugarh and now their punishment will be over. If the same thing happens to my father... then I also have to serve Bhanugarh. Bhuwan, I will become a servant from prince.)" his face has become white like a sheet and I also realized his concern and fears but the most important thing was that his father is going to bring threat to my kingdom.
"Kunwar sa, Kunwar sa!! (Prince!! Prince!!)" our conversation has been interrupted by the entry of one of our schoolmates, a commoner.
He informed the prince that the king of Raunakpur has arrived at the Gurukul and wants to meet him. He stood after listening the boy then took lazy steps like he doesn't want to meet his father. I and the other boy followed him at the entrance of Gurukul.
Our prinicipal was talking to the king few meters away from the long caravan which includes two big horse carts and other goods carriages. We halted our steps at the other side of the entrance under a big peepal tree. However, the prince reluctantly walked further to his father and touched his feet to seek his blessings.
I just sat under the tree and looked at the buggy. I caught a glimpse of reddish brown hair, quite unusual. I climbed the lowest branch of the tree to find out the person sitting inside the buggy.
I saw reddish brown hair neatly arranged in a bun but some strands were wandering away from the face. The buggy's window was diagonally of my field of vision so I slid towards my right on the branch. Then I saw the cheek with a tinge of red. The skin was like milk nah like the shell of egg. I slid some more towards my right when her gaze caught me. She waved her gloved hand at me like stopping me from doing something. A shiny thing fell from her hand and worried expression came on her beautiful face but why?
"Thump" I got a very painful answer because I fell on the earth along with the branch. So she was stopping me from doing this. Well Bhuwan, you have made a very remarkable entry (note the sarcasm)
I rubbed my right hand and then my hips to subside the pain. She gestured me to come to her and I looked around. Everybody was laughing at me not very loudly but yes the amusement was visible on the present audience.
I patted off the dust from my clothes and move towards her. I saw the shiny small metal on the ground and picked it up to give her. I was about to give that to her when someone jerked my hand after removing that shiny metal.
"Stay away, you filthy creature" a very tall man in red tight clothes and black boots was standing in front of me while I again met the ground.
"Darling, it's not his fault. I... I have called him. Please leave him" although I didn't understand her language but I felt that she was pleading. Is she pleading for me?
A servant quickly came beside that tall man probably that gora (white) about whom my prince friend was telling. The servant mumbled something in hushed tone and he went towards the king of Raunakpur.
"I am sorry. I apologize on his behalf" her melodious voice caught my attention. What she must be telling? I gave her a confused expression.
She scratched her head a little like she is thinking something. Then she looked at me, she pointed her hand towards the direction in which that man went. She gasped some air and inside of her cheeks inflated, she was looking cute. Then she tugged the end of her ears with her forefingers.
Oh! She is saying sorry on that man's behalf.
"Kai bat ko ni memsahib. Wo to Surat se hi pagla saand lagey hai (that's okay memsahib! He looks like a mad bull from his face itself)" I realized that she didn't understand me.
I Did the same expression like she formed to describe that man and put my index fingers on my forehead like they are protruding as horns of bull. She started laughing and I saw the Pearl like teeth.
She gestured me to put my hands down while she was looking in the direction of that man.She has noticed something on me and called me near to her. I gulped down the spit because my throat went dry at that instant. She took my hand in her soft hand and my heart skipped a beat. Her fragrance filled my head and I became a statue. She took out her handkerchief and cleaned my right palm. A pain shot through my hand and I have noticed that my palm has a long cut which I must have got when I fell down another time. She gently wrapped the fabric around my hand.
She looked in his direction once again and then gestured me to go away. I understood her sign language and decided to leave but the same man stopped me in my tracks.
"Hum nahee jante the K toom senapatee jee k bete ho. I am sorry (I didn't know that you are the son of general)" he was speaking our language with so much force that once I thought if he has constipation. I wanted to laugh on his face but I controlled myself.
"Beta chahe senapati ka ho ya sipahi ka, insan ki hi aulad hota hai. Aur use insaniyat se hi pesh ana chahiye. (Whether it is a general's son or common soldier's son, he is a human child and must treated with humanity)" I eyed him angrily and left from the place.
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After two days, I and prince of Raunakpur joined our families at the palace for the five days celebrations. The whole palace was decorated with different kind of flowers. The white fountain in the garden has got a new sculpture of an apsara (heavenly beauty). I get off from the carriage and ran towards the fountain. There were small tortoises and colorful fishes floating in the water.
Someone trapped my right shoulder and I turned back to find my brothers standing behind me.
"Bhai sa (brother)" I touched their feet hurriedly and they hugged me.
"Chal jaldi, masa rah taak rahi hai Teri (be quick, mother is desperately waiting for you)" Bhirav bhai sa lightly scolded me and I tugged my ears in sorry.
My mother welcomed me with open arms. After all she was meeting me after two years. She feed me my favorite dishes with her hand and my tummy got full more than its normal capacity.
I requested her to stop feeding me otherwise my stomach will burst out. Everybody started laughing and she affectionately ruffled my hair. I told her that I am going for a walk around the palace and she told me to return soon before the beginning of night celebration. I said okay and went outside the palace.
I thought to go on a long walk to reduce the burden on my tummy so I went towards Rani mahal where the Queens reside. I also have to meet them and give my greetings. The guards greeted me with a smile and I returned the same expression. I briefly chatted with them and then went into the palace. This palace was smaller than the main palace but it has more beautiful gardens and surroundings. It was beautifully decorated with marigold on the entrance. I have seen the foreigner lady in the garden and I went towards her.
"Khamma ghani memsahib (greetings foreign Lady)" she turned towards me and looked for the source of voice. My 4'5" height was looking dwarf in front of her 5'7" frame.
"Hey! You are the same boy from the school" she recognized me because her eyes twinkled but I couldn't understand her.
She understood my confusion then she asked me why I am here in the palace. I was thinking of a way to answer her when the bulb lit in my head. I took out my stole and wore it like a veil and walked really like Queen. She started giggling on my acting.
"You came to meet the Queen but they have just went somewhere" she again responded in sign language.
I made a sad face and she gave me a big marigold to cheer me up.
"Flower, take it" she squatted to come to my level.
"Mujhe gende ka phool pasand nahi (I don't like marigold)" I scrunched my nose and she gave me a confused look.
"Gainda" I pointed at the flower and then nodded my head from left to right.
"Marigold" she pointed at the flower and smiled.
"Gainda" I pointed again.
"Gendaa" the way she pronounced it meant the rhinoceros. I started chuckling but masked it with a cough. She pointed at the flower and again said marigold.
"Mari gol" maybe she was telling it's name.
"Mhara gol" she chuckled and said it is marigold.
"Mari gold" she emphasized at the D part.
"Memsahib aap chhori ho je vaste aap mhari gold bologe lekin main to chhora hu, main to mhara gold bol saku Hun ( lady, you are girl that's why you will say mhari (my) gold but since I am a boy, I can call it mhara (my) gold" she somehow sensed my confusion and then tell me that it is marigold.
We sat in the garden and try to learn words of each other languages. That angry bull came in sight and she gestured me to hide. I hid behind the fountain, that gora (white man) came near to her and grabbed her left elbow tightly and asked her something and she replied something which I couldn't understand.
He grabbed fistful of her reddish brown hair from back of her head and she winced in pain. He shouted at her and pushed her towards the entrance of the palace. She slightly turn her head towards the fountain and I caught a glimpse of tear falling from her left eye. I wanted to kill that man then and there but I sneaked away from the palace like a coward.
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At night, the celebration was going on full swing. Queens and other ladies were seated on the first floor in the corridors while king, ministers and male guests were sitting in the main hall. I and my brothers were also in the main hall. The performance area was very big and a huge chandelier made of diamonds was hanging over the stage. The small diamonds were scattering the light in every direction. I looked at the firangi (foreigner) guest who was greedily looking at the chandelier like he was counting the number of diamonds in it.
The soft music started and the famous courtesan Chand Beghum entered the hall with other courtesan. They greeted the king and he gave his permission to start the celebration. All the girls danced beautifully while the musicians playing different Melodies and singers singing the popular songs. Chand begum was dancing flawlessly and there was a weird expression on every male present in the hall while the females have either smug expression or angry one on their faces. I didn't understand the reason behind such behavior of the two genders.
My eyes were glued to only one person in the balcony wearing a silk brownish gown which has full sleeves and a heart shaped neckline. Her reddish brown hair was neatly arranged in a beautiful bun and medium sized danglers. She was looking stunning even in a simple outfit without lot of makeup. She was a natural beauty, her eyes met mine and she smiled in my direction. My heart fluttered and I smiled back while blushing. What is happening to me and why I behave differently around her. I hate Englishmen and she is also an English lady then why I find her kind and sweet.
I looked at the gora firangi (white foreigner), he was talking to one of his man. After few minutes, his man sneaked out of the hall, I got alert and tip toed from the hall after that English servant.