Chapter 14

Nandini lay awake the whole night deliberating. She had mentally made a list of things that needed to be done. First on it was to bring back Vikram, and for that she knew that she had to make that call to Abhimanyu. Stalling wouldn't help, no matter how she felt about him. Next on the list was Uday, to enquire if he made an appointment with the doctor. Another issue that kept her awake was the conversation she had with Josh. Thinking of it, she berated herself on why she had made that call.

As the sun rose over the hills, Nandini with a yoga mat tucked under her arm walked to the garden situated behind the palace. The garden was closed off with tall hedges all around. A small pool full of lotus flowers was on the right hand side. This place was not frequented by her family members nor the servants, because it was strictly her domain. The path to the garden was lined with rose bushes of different colours which were in full bloom. In the middle of the garden was a large gazebo surrounded by a wooden trellis, open on one end, giving it a private air. On the trellis, pink and red climbing roses grew, filling the gazebo with a sweet scent. The floor was made of pure marble and small pots of ornamental plants lined the outside. On one side of the gazebo was a bamboo cane swing chair and a small table. The other side had a sofa and a coffee table.

Nandini loved to come here often to think, to read, to do yoga, or sometimes to just sit and do nothing. She loved this place more than any other in the palace, mainly because it had been her late mother's favourite too. In fact it was her mother who had made the gazebo built when she was pregnant with Nandini.

Laying the yoga mat on the floor, she sat cross legged on it with eyes closed in a meditative pose. She didn't know how long she sat in that way, but she felt peace wash over her whole body. She couldn't explain what it was. Maybe it was the effect of the place or maybe it was her mother's spirit.

"What are you trying to do?"

Nandini's eyes remained shut though her shoulders drooped ever so slightly. "What do you think I am doing?" she replied calmly.

Uday who was standing with his hands stuffed in the pocket of his jeans shrugged and sat at the edge of the gazebo stretching his legs. Above them birds chirped merrily in the branches of the various trees, a gentle breeze ruffled the leaves waking them up from their long nap.

"Your cologne is disgusting," said Nandini scrunching her nose after taking in a deep breath.

Uday looked incredulous. "It's Versace."

"It is still disgusting."

Uday scoffed. "What do you know about men's cologne. Don't tell me you were going around sniffing men in the US," he snickered.

Nandini's eyes snapped open and in one fluid motion she reached out pushing Uday with all her might. Taken by surprise, he fell on the ground with a large thud.

"Ow . . . what the hell Nandini!"

"You were saying . . ." He lifted both his hands in defeat. Nandini nodded closing her eyes yet again satisfied.

Uday breathed deeply, the smell of roses invaded his senses. "What is the connection between roses and royals? Every palace has a garden full of these things."

"You came here so early to discuss aesthetics," said Nandini in a mocking tone. Uday laughed while getting up dusting his jeans. He climbed up the gazebo again and went to sit on the swing chair.

"The doctor is not available," he said out of the blue.

Nandini did not respond immediately but continued to be in her meditative pose.

"He is in Mumbai, he shifted two years ago."

"Do you have the address?" she spoke after some time.

"Yep . . . wait . . . you plan to go to Mumbai?"

'What is there to plan'. "I don't know . . . yet". Nandini sounded unsure even to herself.

At this Uday leaned forward looking sideways at her. "Yet? Nandini if you have plans like you did for Vilaspore, I say you better drop it. It is not going to work."

Nandini opened her eyes placing her hands behind leaning on it. From this position she could see the sky that was turning brighter and bluer with every passing minute. "I have to go to Mumbai, whether I want to or not."

"What do you mean?" Uday came to sit beside her.

Nandini sighed hating herself for lying every time. "I need to complete my education. Thankfully my college has a branch in Mumbai."

Uday laughed. "How naïve are you Nandini? Do you think uncle Virendra or even Vikram would allow you to go?"

Nandini's anger flared. She got up with a start and stormed off to the garden. Crossing her arms she stood near a bougainvillea plant tearing off the leaves from the branches. Uday bit his lips for speaking so harshly.

"Nandini . . ."

Nandini turned sharply in his direction. "I don't need anyone's permission Uday. I am a grown up woman. If I can manage New York, I can manage Mumbai. I am so sick of the men in my life taking decisions for me. And now another one is added to the lot! I wish I could just disappear."

Uday looked guilty as he got closer. "I am sorry sweetheart, but you should understand that we all love you." His eyes took a distant look. "When we were young, you dominated all of Vikram's conversations. He – he was not like the usual teenager who hated the annoying sister. He adored you, still adores you. Growing up as an only child was not really fun, I really wanted a sibling. Once when I had come to the palace for rakhi, you tied me one. From that moment, you became my sister too."

Uday's voice trembled with emotion. "That day at Vilaspore, not only broke Vikram but me as well. I don't know if Abhi is the culprit or not and I don't care either. But that day Vikram and I took an oath to protect you." He looked straight into her eyes. "Vikram has been keeping tabs on you in the U.S. You never had to face an unfavourable situation because he was there to get you through. The same goes for me." He touched her face lovingly. "You are my sister Nandini. I have always thought of you as such. I will try to dissuade you from any reckless decisions that you might make, especially since Vikram is nor here."

Nandini's heart brimmed with happiness and an untold emotion. She put her hand over his. "I am sorry for being such a pain."

"Don't say that ever again okay. You are not a pain," he said and held her close to him. "If you want to go to Mumbai I can do something about it. Shall I talk to uncle."

Nandini moved away from him. "That's not it Uday. Me moving to Mumbai is more than you can imagine."

"It's because of Abhi right? You don't need to worry Nandini. I will take care of him," he said quite sternly.

Nandini shook her head vehemently. "No . . . no please Uday. You should not do anything. This is the only way I can bring Vikram back."

Uday's eyebrows scrunched up in confusion. Realizing that she needed to confide in someone, Nandini related all that happened at Vilaspore, including Abhi's proposition that she come to Mumbai as his personal assistant.

"Is he out of his mind?" roared Uday.

"Right now bringing back Vikram is the only thing on my mind. I will and can do anything for my brother." Uday was not surprised by her determination. He was well aware of Nandini's capabilities.

"What can I do?" he asked in earnest.

"Just get me to the doctor. I need to be clear about at least one part of my life," she clasped his hands.

Uday nodded his head. "His office is in Juhu, I will get the address soon. When are you supposed to leave for Mumbai?"

"A week maybe!" she shrugged. "His secretary will contact me."

Nandini and Uday spoke for a bit more after which she went to take the yoga mat. As she was rolling it, a servant appeared.

"Rajkumari sa, his highness is expecting you for breakfast," the servant said respectfully.

Nandini finished rolling the mat and handed it over to the servant.

"Yes, give this to the maid and tell her to keep it in my room."

"Hukum," the servant bowed taking the yoga mat leaving immediately.

They started walking back to the palace. Nandini pondered if it was a good time to ask him about Uttara. All she had was an assumption that he was in love with her, but what else could be the reason. She decided to broach the subject.

"Abhi had a sister right? What was her name? . . ." Uday's steps faltered slightly, but he recovered soon after.

"I – I don't remember." His voice was firm.

"Uttara! Yes that was her name. I didn't see her in the palace. I wonder where she is? I remember her as a shy, plain kid, always lurking behind the pillars."

Uday stiffened at Nandini's words. He clenched his teeth willing his tongue to not reply.

Nandini decided to up her goading. "Weird girl she was! No wonder her brother is trying to fix her up with that guy. Poor fellow!"

The bait worked as Uday stopped walking altogether. "Who is Abhi trying to fix her up with?"

Gotcha, Nandini mentally congratulated herself. She decided to have some fun on his account. "I am not sure, but I know that he is rich and influential. I heard Abhimanyu using some choice words for him," she hid her smile recalling the words Uttara's brother used for Uday.

"Come on Nandini! You must have heard a name, something at least?", he implored.

"Well, come to think of it, I deduced the name of the person myself. A silly guy you see."

"Who is it?" Uday asked with urgency. Nandini continued to walk, followed by Uday who was quite agitated at the news. They reached the palace in a short time.

"Who is it Nandini?" Uday repeated the question, pretending to be casual.

Nandini acted puzzled. "Who is what?" she asked him. Uday ran his fingers through his short hair impatiently.

"The guy who Abhi was speaking about . . . for Uttara," he spelled out with great difficulty.

"Ah that! Why are you so curious to know? You don't even know Uttara," Nandini said in a mock serious tone.

"Damn it Nandini! Just tell me will you."

"I will tell you but after breakfast. I am starving!" saying that she walked quickly over to the dining hall and slipped in before Uday could stop her again. Uday's heart was beating rapidly. As he slowly walked to the dining hall, thoughts flooded his head. Who was Abhi trying to fix Uttara with? Will Uttara agree for it? How can she? No she won't, she won't . . . she can't!

He was so lost in these thoughts that he did not realize that he had already entered the hall. Seated at the head of the table Virendra Singh looked in amusement at the young man who was looking dazed. Beside him Nandini was smiling broadly helping herself to some hot parathas.

"Uday beta, come join us for breakfast." Virendra Singh called out to the young man who was standing frozen by the doorway of the dining hall. On receiving no reply, the king called out again. "Are you feeling fine my boy?"

Uday composed himself with great difficulty. "Yes uncle! I – I was h-here to talk to Nandini," he said shooting daggers with his eyes.

Virendra Singh smiled warmly. "Of course but first have breakfast. Come, come,"  he gestured to the empty seat on his left. Uday moved like an automaton and took his seat. He was far from hungry but one didn't refuse the king no matter what. He tried to catch Nandini's eyes as he served himself but she did not look at his direction even once.

"So Uday, what is it that you have to talk to Nandini about?" asked Virendra Singh buttering his toast. "Or should I be asking where has she asked you to take her this time." Nandini's hands stopped midway. She knew that this conversation was due to pop up any time, she didn't anticipate this soon. She slowly lowered her hands.

Uday smirked evilly. "Yes uncle, she was asking me about a place that she wanted to go." Nandini's eyes went round as she glared at Uday and she mouthed 'traitor' at him.

"Where does she want to go this time?" Virendra Singh asked taking a bite of the toast.

"Father . . ." Nandini started to say but was duly stopped by a single raised hand.

"I will talk to you after breakfast in my library. Now I am talking to Uday." Nandini lowered her head playing around with her food having lost her appetite.

"She wants to finish her education. Her college has a branch in Mumbai, so she was asking me about the place. I stayed in Mumbai for few years so I thought I could help her." Nandini heaved a sigh of relief. Virendra Singh however did not respond. He casually glanced at his watch, "I have a call to make Uday, help yourself okay." As he turned to leave he looked at his daughter. "Come to the library after an hour. We have to talk."

"Yes father." Nandini replied meekly and watched as her father left the dining hall. She dabbed her lips with the napkin and placed it beside her on the table.

"I won't save you next time." Uday's voice floated to her. Nandini poured herself a glass of juice from the pitcher. She took a sip and replaced the glass on the table.

"There won't be a next time."

"Don't be so sure dear." Uday grinned. "Now", he got serious "will you tell me who the guy is?"

Nandini put a finger on the rim of the juice glass rotating it in a circular motion. "You know him very well," she said cocking her head to a side.

Uday mentally ran all the faces that he knew in his head. Who the hell was it?

She leaned forward clasping her hands in front of her. "Why are you so inquisitive? Why do you want to know about her?"

"I – I'm just curious that's all." Nandini lifted a hand, immediately a maid rushed forward with two finger bowls. After dipping her fingers in the warm water, she wiped it on the towel and then got up. Uday followed her suit. Another maid appeared and started clearing the dirty plates away.

Uday and Nandini walked together to the hall.

"Are you going to tell me?" he asked fishing his car keys from his pocket. He looked dejected and for a moment she felt sorry for him. They continued walking till they reached the door and Uday bid her a good day and turned to leave.

"His name is Uday Singh Rathore, son of Digvijay Singh Rathore." Uday spun around in shock. Nandini smiled enigmatically and wiggled her fingers. Before he could ask her anything else, she ran inside.

Uday felt relieved - shocked, but relieved. Sitting behind the steering wheel, he breathed out heavily wondering how she figured it out. He would coax it out of her later on.

Nandini watched his car leave from the balcony of the first floor hall. If he loved Uttara and vice versa, she would do everything in her power to help them, she resolved. While she was thinking these things she did not notice the change in the atmosphere. The sky that was bright and sunny earlier was now cloudy and dull. She wondered at the sudden change. As the wind blew harder Nandini walked back from the balcony to her father's study to face the next biggest challenge.

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The plane from Mumbai landed at Jaypore. Suraj stepped out into a black SUV waiting on the tarmac. He hated flying commercial, with the commoners fawning at him as he belonged to the film fraternity. The jet was not available as his mother's husband - he thought with much distaste - had made up some travel plans in advance. Four guards followed in another car behind him.

"Sir?" his secretary spoke from the front seat.

Suraj ignored the guy and dialed a number. "I will reach by afternoon." He then pushed his shades above his head, engrossed on his phone.

The driver raised his eyebrows at the secretary.

The latter shook his head in a no.

The engine remained idling.

After many minutes Suraj lifted his head.

"Are we waiting for anyone else?" he inclined his head not taking his eyes from the phone.

"Sir, we were waiting for your order," the young man squirmed in his seat.

"Hmm . . ." Suraj leaned back on the seat deep in thought. "Let's go to Paradise."

The driver nodded and turned the car around.

"I thought I clearly said no guards," he looked at his secretary.

"Sir, it was all arranged from Paradise. I guess that madam-"

Suraj returned to his phone, clearly losing interest in the topic. The secretary did not say anything further.

Paradise - it was only in name, he mused. Ever since he came to know the truth that shook his entire existence, he had viewed the place with extreme hatred. Everyone living in Paradise was full of crap, the woman who lived there being the biggest of them all.

The car maneuvered the busy streets, occasionally slowing down which irked Suraj. After few more turns the Jaypore palace came into view. Suraj willed himself not to look at the structure, there would be time later on, he told himself. Right now the melodrama which awaited at Paradise was something he couldn't tolerate, and something that he couldn't avoid.

An hour later, the car glided through the gates of Paradise. The guards who were positioned at the entrance of the huge mansion, bowed respectfully. Suraj pushed his shades back onto his face and got out of the car. He mentally prayed that he escaped the notice of the one woman whom he hated and desperately tried to avoid. Alas! He did not have much success.

"Suraj is that you?" A saccharine sweet voice called out from the hall. Prathima Devi dressed in a plain cream chiffon sari, a rope of pearls on her slender neck and a large diamond and sapphire ring on her right hand came toward him.

Suraj looked at the woman impassively. "As you can see it is me," he replied disinterestedly.

Prathima clasped her hands in happiness. "Oh Suraj, how long it has been." Then her face fell, "You have forgotten me dear. I thought you would come to visit last month after I came back from Bali."

"I am not sitting idle travelling the world. I was busy with few films," he said looking at anywhere but the woman.

A servant maid came with the welcoming silver plate. Prathima adjusted the pallu of her saree and took the plate from the maid. Suraj eyed it and stepped back not wanting a part of the sham.

"Just stop the crap. You know my feelings toward these things." Suraj walked in the direction of the stairs.

"Dear, won't you at least meet your fath---"

Suraj turned sharply toward Prathima and roared. "HE IS NOT MY FATHER!"

Prathima cowered at the severity of the voice. "But--," she started to say. Suraj lifted a hand stopping her.

"Be thankful that I at least acknowledge you as my mother. If you keep this up, then you will not have a son to fall back on when your current husband gets tired of you," he spat.

Prathima gasped at his words. "H-how can you be so cruel and that too to your own mother? Don't you know how much I love you?"  she wobbled with emotion.

Suraj scoffed at hearing the speech. "Yes! I am aware that you are very generous with your love, but I want no part of it." He climbed few steps and stopped again. "Keep yourself away from meddling in my life and maybe, just maybe I will let you free from my judgement."

The words had its desired effect on Prathima. She shuddered in fear. Even though Suraj was her son, she was frightened of him. She could understand his animosity toward her, but what could she do. Her past had caught up with her in a most unwitting way.

Composing herself she walked back to her room, calling out her maid to get a tall glass of iced pineapple juice.