Chapter 17

Nandini glowered at the pieces of her phone lying on the ground in her bedroom every time she walked past it. Her screaming fit earlier had brought it her maid and other servants. They had taken one look at the face of the angry princess, the phone lying in pieces on the ground and had left immediately without saying anything. Her maid however dared to ask if she could clean the mess. She was replied by a very strong 'GET OUT!'

After about an hour she calmed down considerably realizing that she had unnecessarily destroyed her phone. She recalled seeing Uday's missed call on it earlier and wondered if she should take the risk and go to his house. If she did then he would badger her about how she caught on about Uttara. A tiny voice asked her if she wasn't interested even a bit to know about her probable sister-in-law. With that intention she quickly dressed up and searched in the drawers if there was a spare phone. She found an old one, then picking up her sim put it in the old phone. She crossed her fingers and heaved a sigh when the familiar sound and the image of the company popped on the screen. When the home screen appeared she realized that the battery was low. Should she wait till there was enough charge? Deciding against it she picked up her satchel and walked out of her room. She saw a maid dusting the hall who halted her work and folded her hands on seeing her.

"No one should enter my room," she said to which the maid replied in reverence.

As she climbed down the stairs, she was met with a depressed Veer Singh. She suppressed a smile as she stood before him stealing a glance at the library. When she saw the guard outside she understood that her father was in.

"Father has still not relented Veer Singh ji?" she asked in an empathetic tone.

Veer Singh looked at her distractedly and let out a sigh. "I am afraid not princess." He rubbed his brow absently. "You are leaving for somewhere princess?"

"Yes I have some work outside."

"Shall I call for a car? maharaj would need the SUV, both the Mercedes are at the service center. I can call the BMW for you?"

Nandini shook her head. "I don't need any of them. I am longing to ride in an auto rickshaw today."

"Okay I will call . . . what??? . . .I think I was mistaken princess," he fumbled thinking he had misheard her. "I thought you said auto rickshaw," his eyes narrowed.

"Yes I did. I did say auto rickshaw Veer Singh ji."

Veer Singh's head started pounding the same time that his heart started beating furiously. "Auto rickshaw? Do you even know what you are saying?" he questioned forgetting for a moment that he was talking to a member of the royal family.

"In all my service here at the palace I have never ever heard such a thing. A princess travelling in a common rickshaw like the commoners? Whoever had heard such a thing? What will the people think when they come to know? No one in this family had used the common means of transport for generations," he breathed in and out.

Nandini waited for his ranting to be over. "Remember whom you are speaking to," she gently warned. Then with her head held high and a finality in her voice she ordered. "Please ask the security at the gate to call for a rickshaw. If it hasn't been done in generations then I think it's a good day to start it. I want to see what would happen if I break the norms of royal travel," she smiled serenely.

Veer Singh had no choice but to obey. He knew that she was beyond reason. Arguing with her was bad for his health and for his station.

"As you wish princess," he replied and went to make the call. The security guard thought Veer Singh was joking at first but when the old noble shouted in annoyance the security guard hurriedly left to find the three wheeler.

In just ten minutes an auto rickshaw stood at the entrance of the Jaypore Palace. Veer Singh imparted the news with a tone of disapproval. Nandini ignored it and reached the entrance way. A colorful looking auto rickshaw was standing there with a perplexed driver and some astonished security guards. She surveyed the rickshaw. It was a nice one freshly painted and colourfully decorated. Although she wasn't a huge fan of garish decorations she loved this one. Nodding in approval she got in and sat down loving the firm seats.

"Lets go?" she told the driver and he hurriedly got inside looking back at her every now and then wondering what he should do. Just then Veer Singh appeared beside him.

"Listen!" he spoke with authority. The driver quivered at the sight of Veer Singh and gave him all his attention. "Today is your lucky day. Not everyone will get this chance but you have got it. I hope you understand who is with you?." When the driver did not respond Veer Singh continued, "Princess Nandini needs to go somewhere. You are to take her to wherever she wants to go and wait till she comes back without asking any questions and without speaking to her unless she speaks to you first. You can collect your fare from the palace after she dismisses you," he said.

"No need of that," she interrupted. "I will take care of it. Please tell father that I have gone into the city."

The ride was not what she expected but beyond it. She felt a sort of freedom coursing through her as the wind blew on her body. After some time the driver looked back wondering whether to speak or not but he had to.

"Excuse me rajkumari sa," he said unsure whether he could address her directly.

"Yes?"

"Where should I take you to rajkumari sa?"

"Oh! I am sorry I should have told you beforehand. Minister Digvijay Singh's residence."

The driver hit on the brakes and the rickshaw came to stop with a screech. He turned back with a horrified look on his face.

"Rajkumari sa? I – I . . ." he fumbled with embarrassment.

"Is there a problem?" she piqued running her fingers through her tresses.

"Will they allow Kajri inside?"

Nandini knit her brows in confusion. "Who is Kajri?" she asked.

The driver smiled running his hands over the steering of the auto. "This is my Kajri. My one and only dear one."

Nandini smiled in spite of herself. "Don't worry everyone is welcome there." She looked around the auto for the first time since she got it. There were pictures of a young man on one side of the auto and on the other side of a beautiful girl. She concentrated on the young man. He looked familiar. She had seen him somewhere but where? She shrugged not giving it too much thought.

In some time the huge bungalow of Minister Digvijay Singh came into view. The walls surrounding the bungalow were pretty high topped with barbed wires all around. The auto stopped in front of the gate with the driver unsure of what to do next.

"Why have we stopped?" she questioned.

"Rajkumari sa they will not let Kajri in," he replied knowing full well what was going to happen.

"They will, you just honk the horn till someone comes out. One more thing don't tell them who I am."

The driver did as told and finally one of the security guards manning the gate came out. "Why are you creating a ruckus?" he yelled to the auto driver. The driver turned to her fearfully.

"Just tell him that you need to go inside." The driver did as told. The guard replied in the negative and asked him to return. The auto driver looked at Nandini as what to do next. Nandini got out of the auto with her satchel. She reached the gate and spoke in hushed tones. Seeing a beautiful girl in front of him, the security guard did a double take.

"I need to meet the minister urgently," she said gripping her bag securely. When the guard still did not relent, she looked at him seriously. "Look here!" she spoke. "In this bag I have some secrets which I have to hand over to the minister. If you don't let me in then I will leave it with you and whoever is following me will come after you." The guard looked stunned at the information. He quickly went inside the gate to consult with the others. Two more guards came out with the first one and looked closely at her. Finally one of them spoke. "You can give the bag to us. We will hand it over to the minister's secretary."

"No. I can't, because the bag is mine but the stuff inside is for the minister. I cannot give it to anyone except him." Nandini stood her ground, while the driver stood by confused as ever.

The guards discussed yet again consulting with someone over the walkie-talkie. "Okay we will let you in but one of us will accompany you. If we find out you are lying then its police station for you," he said trying to frighten her.

Nandini smirked. "In your dreams," she muttered under her breath. She got in the auto loving the whole scenario. The first guard sat with the driver while the others opened the gates shutting them immediately after the auto got inside. The guard kept looking back at her every now and then enthralled by her beauty and grace.

The auto stopped in front of the entrance. There were cars parked all along the driveway. The auto stood like a sore eye amidst the opulence. Nandini got out and looked around. Lot of things had changed. The house looked beautiful and more beautiful was the neatly mowed lawns with all types of plants arranged in pots.

Digvijay Singh's secretary came out of the entrance. He took one look at the auto and the passenger and he frowned. "What do you want?" he asked rudely. "You don't have an appointment and just barged in like this?"

Nandini made a show of wiping her tears sniffing delicately. She walked up the stairs and stood in front of the man. "I need to see the minister, it is very important. It is regarding his son Uday." she said bringing up her sad voice.

Realization dawned on the secretary as he conjured variety of possibilities of why a beautiful girl was inquiring after the minister and his son. "Not possible," he said haughtily. "Minister is not someone who can be seen whenever you want. He is in a meeting now and cannot be disturbed. Whatever the matter you can tell me."

Nandini grew tired of the talks. She turned to the auto driver. "Please wait here till I return okay?" The driver nodded quickly. Then she faced the secretary. "If I have decided to meet the minister then I will." She strode inside with the secretary rushing after her asking her to stop. She reached the hall where a discussion was taking place. When she entered the men gathered in the hall stopped speaking and turned in her direction.

The secretary quickly joined her. "Sir, she just barged in even though I tried to stop her. She says she wants to meet Uday sir. Shall I call the guards?"

The men who were gathered there waited with bated breath wondering what the good son of the minister had done. Some even decided then and there to highlight the issue whatever it was, because for them if it was concerning a girl it was never good news.

"Khamma Ghani uncle," she said pleasantly with folded hands. Digvijay Singh frowned at first then his eyes lit up. He got up with a start and along with him the other men got up too, puzzled.

"Ghani Khamma, Ghani Khamma. What a pleasant surprise dear. I heard from your father that you had come. Wait till Sushma sees you, she was already complaining that you had not visited her yet. Sushma! Sushma! Come and see who has come."

An elegant lady dressed in a yellow chiffon sari came out of a room diagonal to the hall. "What happened? What is the matter?" she asked her husband. He just pointed to the girl standing in front of him. "Guess who the guest is!" he said excitedly.

Nandini turned to the woman and folded her hands. "Khamma Ghani aunty."

The woman Sushma looked closely at her then her eyes went wide in surprise and she smiled widely. "Nandini!!! My child come here," Sushma walked up to her engulfing her in a motherly hug. "You have grown up become more beautiful. You look just like your mother sweetheart," she said her eyes misting. "Come, come," she led her inside.

"Wait, wait," Digvijay said before his wife could lead Nandini inside. "Come here dear, let me introduce you to them," he waved a hand before the men. The baffled secretary stood nearby waiting to hear who the girl was at whose arrival the family was delighted.

"Everyone, I know all of you must be wondering who this lovely girl is. Well, I am pleased to introduce to you Princess Nandini, the daughter of my dearest friend Maharaj Virendra Singh."

The men stood up in reverence while Nandini wished all of them, the secretary slowly snuck away not wanting to face repercussion for being rude to the princess . After she left with Sushma the men looked at the minister expecting more. He however did not furnish anymore information and continued with their conversation.

A servant brought in a tray of tea and refreshments and placed it on the table in the back garden where Nandini and Sushma were sitting.

"Shall I bring anything else madam?" the servant inquired.

"No. Has Uday returned?"

"No madam."

"Okay. Inform me the minute he arrives." After the servant left Sushma poured tea for both her and Nandini. The back garden was equally beautiful and the scent from the jasmine flowers was intoxicating. Nandini took in a lungful of the sweet aroma closing her eyes in the process.

"I heard that the jasmine plants at Vilaspore are even more sweeter."

Nandini's eyes snapped open at that. Sushma had finished pouring tea and was holding the cup to her. Nandini took it gingerly from her hands taking a sip of the hot tea.

"Father told you?" she asked now looking at the plants with slight derision.

"About the plants or . . ."

Nandini took another sip. "Both"

Sushma laughed. "I have heard about the plants from other sources. Your father came yesterday. He told us you were in the city and the reason for your sudden arrival. When he knew that Uday had gone to pick a friend, he understood that it was you and that you had gone to Vilaspore. Then he revealed most of it you can say."

Nandini sighed as she placed the cup back on the table. "So I don't have to tell you anything else right?"

Sushma laughed again. "You are just like your mother," she looked at her affectionately.

Nandini looked at the blue sky for a long time. "What was she like?" she asked out of the blue.

The tea cup stopped midway to Sushma's lips. She slowly took a sip forming the answer in her head, "Your mother was the most beautiful, generous and talented woman that I had the pleasure to know. She was not only my best friend but, also my soul sister. We were at college together, travelled the world and did almost everything that you can name of - good things and some naughty things," she said with a wink.

Nandini soaked in the information about her mother whom she was not fortunate to meet or know. She had heard bits and pieces from her father and brother but never anything of how she was as a young woman.

Sushma continued. "Mrinalini was class apart that was obvious as she also hailed from a royal family. However her father was not too keen on the marriage between them."

Nandini turned to Sushma at the revelation. "Why?" she asked.

"Mmm . . . something to do with the horoscopes. Mrinalini did not care for it nor did Virendra but her father was adamant. It was too late to back off by that time as they were madly in love. Virendra successfully convinced her father and promised that he would sit for all the rituals to abate whatever was the cause."

Nandini listened with rapt attention picturing her parents in their youth. How would they have been? Her mother would have been glowing with happiness and love. Her father had never spoken about her mother because the pain of losing her was still fresh in his mind.

"H-how did they meet?" she asked.

"In the most traditional way possible. Their marriage was arranged too but they fell in love." Nandini smiled thinking about her parents.

Sushma glanced at Nandini then got up from her seat. "Come lets go inside. I will show you something," she said leading the way.

Nandini followed her inside the house thirsty to know more about her mother. "My maternal grandfather . . . is he still alive?" she asked.

"He passed away a few years after Mrinalini died, as her death had shaken him up completely. He accused your father of going ahead with the marriage even when the priests had warned of the consequences. Then he asked custody for his grandchildren – that is you and Vikram. He told your father that it was the only way to make up for the death of his dear daughter. Of course your father did not agree." Sushma stopped walking reminiscing the past. "That was such a stupid proposition to make to someone who had lost his wife."

"Oh! Didn't my grandfather have any sons of his own?."

"One son or was it two, I am not sure of it. Those days we were not allowed to mingle with the men even if they were your best friend's brothers. After the death of your grandfather, they cut off all ties completely. I know that much because Virendra spoke to us requesting us to intervene in this matter. We did but they refused to acknowledge it. After a while your father too stopped trying. He loved your mother like crazy dear and he loves you even more than Vikram." She stopped in front of a room. "The reason he loves you so much is because you are the spitting image of your mother. Come," she said taking Nandini's hand, "I will show you."

They entered the room it was a private study of sorts. "This is my study," Sushma said looking around. Then she went to a cupboard, opened it and took out an album. She turned the pages searching for something and stopped at a particular page. "See," she looked at Nandini's direction pointing at the picture.

Nandini's heart beat faster and faster. She had never seen an albums of her mother. It was all locked up in her father's library. The only picture available was the huge portrait on top of the stairs and one in her father's library. She had never talked to her mother, never felt the need to, not even in her dreams. Her father's love was enough for her.

She stood tentatively in front of the album pondering whether to look at it or not. She willed herself to take a peek what will she lose?

What she saw took her breath away. The page was filled with pictures of her parents from their youth. There was a wedding picture where her mother looked stunning in a red saree and her father in the traditional garb of a rajasthani prince. In another one her father was playing doubles badminton while her mother and other ladies cheered on. There was also a picture of her father holding the polo stick sitting on top of the horse.

Nandini greedily devoured the images with her eyes taking in every detail. One picture in particular caught her attention. It was in sepia print and was quite old but in good condition. Three young girls posed for a photo in front of a Rolls Royce car. Two of them had shoulder length hair that was left open. One of them had secured it with a hair band while the other had not used any accessories but her hair was parted in the middle. The other girl had short cropped hair parted at the side and secured by clips. They were all dressed in pants and tops and while the two girls remained standing, the girl in the center was leaning on the hood of the car.

"Can you identify your mother?" Sushma asked gently from behind Nandini. She looked closely recognizing her mother instantly. "The one with the cropped hair," she replied.

Sushma let out a laugh. "Yes. That was her. Perfect wasn't she? Then what about the others?"

Nandini shifted her focus on the other girls. "Hmmm . . . the one on the left is you, with the hairband," she said.

"Correct again. Then what about the one in the middle. Does she look like someone you know."

Nandini brought the album closer. The girl in the center looked so familiar. She had a haughty air about her and stood with her hands crossed and legs crossed at the ankles, glaring at the camera or possibly at the one who was taking the picture. Her head was held high in defiance. Nandini frowned Where had she seen the girl? She racked her brains trying to place her. Then realization hit her like the bullet train. She had seen the same picture at Vilaspore. The defiance in the eyes, the arrogant tilt of her head and the slant of her nose. There was only one other person who had all these traits.

"Meet your mother-in-law, Maharani Padmini."

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Suraj stared at the man lying on the bed and tried his best to hold back the happiness that was sweeping through him. If he could he would have danced in joy. Beside him Abhimanyu stood with his hands crossed and a blank look on his face. Behind them both was Bhim standing as if ready to spring into action.

'Here lay the last maharaj. . . mmm . . . I should think of a better eulogy after all he is soon to be my dead uncle,'  Suraj mused laughing evilly inside.

After few moments of silence he spoke mustering as much sadness as he could to his voice. "I am sorry to see uncle Chandra Raj in this condition Abhi. What had happened?."

Abhimanyu did not reply immediately. "Father was climbing down the stairs, he felt faint, he slipped and fell." The nurse was confused at what the prince said but remained quiet, while Bhim knit his brows for a single second smoothing it soon after.

Suraj gritted his teeth at the lie. "Oh is it? How bad! Are the injuries severe?"

"He is immobile as of now, in a state of semi consciousness. He might regain complete consciousness any day from now."

"Is it?" Suraj's tone was somber at the news. "How delightful." He then turned to Abhimanyu. "I do hope that you are not angry with me over the court case. I still believe what I did was right, but . . ." he paused for a second, "we are brothers. Whatever said and done that cannot be changed right."

Abhimanyu did not shift his eyes from his father. "It takes a lot to make me angry Suraj banna. I don't get riled up because of petty things, don't worry about it." He then looked at Suraj who unconsciously took a step back at the blaze in Abhi's eyes. "Only time will tell who is right and who is not."

Suraj shifted uncomfortably then glanced at his watch in a bid to leave as quickly as possible. Though he was elder to Abhi by three years there was something about the latter that made him shiver.

"Oh! Look at the time. I will leave now Abhi. I hope we can see each other in better circumstances. I will show myself out, don't bother," he said when Abhimanyu started to go with him.

Suraj then walked to Chandra Raj and touched his feet in mock reverence. Chandra Raj stirred slightly slowly opening his eyes. When he saw Suraj in front of him his eyes went wide. His body convulsed as he balled his fist. Suraj was dismayed at the reaction while Abhimanyu rushed forward calling out to the nurse followed closely by Bhim.

"Father, father," he called out trying to calm him down. The nurse came with a syringe filled with medicine and tried to inject it but she was unable as he was shaking so much. When Suraj and Bhim tried to help Abhimanyu roared. "No! I am enough for my father."

Finally a feeble voice was heard. "Y-You . . ." he spoke looking only at Suraj.

Abhimanyu's eyes did not miss it. "Father, look at me . . . look at me father." Chandra Raj looked at his son, slowly calming down. "I am here father, I will not let anyone or anything harm you." He looked at the nurse and she immediately came forward to do the injection. As the medicine flowed through his veins Chandra Raj calm down, closing his eyes at last. Abhimanyu's hold on his father slackened and he sat on the bed taking his father's hand in his.

"I think you should leave Suraj banna," he said without missing a beat. Suraj murmured a reply and left immediately.

Bhim ordered the men to shut the door and then came to where Abhimanyu was sitting. "Hukum, I don't trust him," he said in a stern tone.

Abhimanyu held his father's hand even more tighter. "Me neither Bhim, me neither."