Chapter 15

Doctor Hemanth Chaturvedi with a stethoscope in hand, a nurse in tow and accompanied by Keshav Satara climbed the stairs to the first floor of the Vilaspore palace. None of them spoke but there was an urgency in their gait. Only the old noble looked anxious as he hurried and led them to the room where Maharaj Chandra Raj Singh lay. On reaching the heavily guarded double doors, Keshav told the guards standing outside to inform kumar sa of the doctor's arrival. One of the bulky guards looked sternly at the doctor and the nurse. He then turned blankly toward the door and knocked softly.

Dr. Hemanth was thoroughly surprised and turned to Keshav to question it. The other man just said that it was the yuvraj's orders. The door opened and another guard emerged from inside. The first guard spoke something to the one that had come from inside the room. The guard stepped aside letting them in.

Abhimanyu was sitting on the chair beside the bed, holding his father's hands in his and talking softly. Keshav's eyes moistened at the condition of his beloved maharaj, clogging up his throat. Unable to control his emotions, he excused himself and walked out of the room. Doctor Hemanth walked forward and lay a comforting hand on the young man's shoulder. Even though he was the family doctor, he was a close friend of Chandra Raj Singh. Abhimanyu looked up schooling his emotions under an impenetrable mask.

"Uncle," he acknowledged placing his father's hand gently on the bed.

"I came as soon as possible Abhi. What happened?" As Abhimanyu moved, the doctor took his place.

"I am not sure. He was fine yesterday all morning but, at night he started gasping heavily for breath. The nurse on duty phoned me and when I reached, I found him in that condition," he told the doctor, who was checking the pulse of the patient.

"Where is the nurse?" A young woman emerged from the shadows and came to stand beside the doctor.

"Doctor," she said in a meek voice. Still checking the vitals, Dr. Hemanth asked several questions to the young nurse. She answered all of them, much to his satisfaction. Finally the doctor got up and asked the nurses to start a drip. He then motioned to Abhimanyu to come outside. Once out of the room, the doctor pursed his lips, deep in thought.

"What is the problem uncle?"

"There might have been some sort of a trigger, maybe a memory. I am not sure at this point but lets wait and see." Hemanth hung the stethoscope around his neck.

"You still don't want to shift his highness to the hospital?" Abhimanyu walked to the balustrade leaning on it, his gaze going far to the hills.

His eyes hardened. "He is safe here."

Dr. Hemanth sighed understanding the young prince's predicament. Not only had the miscreants entered the palace but they had dared to injure the current Maharaj of Vilaspore. If word got out, it would show very badly on Vilaspore and on Abhimanyu.

"I know how you feel Abhi, but don't you think you should inform the police about this. With your standing in the society they would surely take up the case and find the culprits," he explained.

Abhimanyu's mind was beyond all this. The words that the doctor spoke flew over his head. The image of his father beaten, bloodied and unconscious swam in front of his face. His hands gripped the stone railing with much force. He should have been there for his father. If only he would have come on the weekend as planned rather than attend a volley of useless meetings.

"I want to know who did this to father and when I do . . ." There was a peculiar glint to his eyes.

"You can't take the law in your hands Abhi," the doctor reprimanded mildly.

Abhi smirked as he turned to the doctor. "I am the law around here uncle," he spoke a dangerous timbre to his voice. "The day I get the culprit in my hand is not far. I shall enjoy the moment when I see his life leave his body."

Hemanth understood Abhimanyu's emotion. He silently sent a prayer for whoever was responsible for the state of his father. He had known Chandra Raj since they studied in college together, the former was quite amiable but the same couldn't be said for his son. Abhimanyu was ditto in image and character to his grandfather - the late King Mahendra Raj, who was considered to be a terror while he lived. He would not want to be on Abhimanyu's bad side period.

"Although I don't agree with your methods, I know how you must feel. Chandra Raj is lucky to have a son like you," the doctor smiled warmly.

Abhimanyu shook his head. "No uncle, I am blessed to have him as my father. Uncle, I was wondering if it is safe to shift him to another city."

"Another city? For treatment?" asked the doctor

"No, I will have to be in Mumbai for some time, I was thinking if I can shift him so that he can be closer to me," he explained.

"If you think its absolutely necessary then yes, I think you can."

"It is necessary uncle," they started to walk back to the room. Abhimanyu stopped once more. "This is strictly between us. No one should know, not even Keshav baba."

"Of course Abhi, you can trust me," Hemanth confirmed.

Abhi smiled, "I do trust you uncle, that is the only reason you are here." The guards resumed their duty at the door.

"How long will they stand here?" asked Hemanth eyeing the bulky men standing guard.

"Round the clock, five shifts – two out and one in. I have beefed up the security through and through," came the reply.

"Good," the doctor nodded.

The nurses had finished setting up the drip and one of them was adjusting the blanket around the legs of the sleeping form. Abhimanyu straight away stopped the nurse.

"Leave it," the nurse removed the blanket from the feet immediately. He looked at Hemanth, "Father doesn't like his feet covered."

After few more checks and instructions to the nurse, the doctor took his leave, followed by the other nurse. Abhimanyu gave further instructions to the guard and after glancing in the direction of his father for some time, he too left.

The nurse heaved a sigh of relief. She had considered many times to tell the truth, but had decided against it in fear of the prince. At first when she was given the job of taking care of the sick king, she was quite upset. The sight of the gorgeous prince lifted her spirits considerably. He was giving her sleepless nights, that was when she thought of distracting herself by watching some videos on you tube.

Never again, never again, she kept telling herself.

If the prince knew that she was responsible for his father's condition last night, he would have skinned her alive. He had grilled her again and again last night, making her recount every single thing that had happened. She gulped, thanking the Gods for saving her hide.

She still didn't understand what made the king react so strongly. After all she had only played an interview of a popular movie star albeit a little loudly. Thinking about these things she was startled when her phone rang. She looked up to see the guard looking crossly at her. Without blinking an eye she ran to the desk at the corner, picked up the phone and cut the call without even checking who it was. Even better she thought switching it off and throwing it inside her purse with force.

*****************************

Back at the Jaypore Palace, Nandini hovered in front of her father's study awaiting his summons. She twirled the long beaded necklace frowning every now and then as her mind conjured up situations and answers for her father's possible questions. The guard stationed in front of the door watched her every move with fascination. He implicitly decided that this was a usual trait in a royal or a noble. The day before it was Veer Sing who behaved such and now the princess. Before he could dissect the nuances of royal folks, the door opened and the formidable Veer Singh walked out.

The noble looked to and fro, from the princess to the door and back again. He hurried over to her and spoke in hushed tones.

"Princess, maharaj is in a – a weird mood," he spoke urgently.

"Weird?" she questioned her heart beat increasing with every second.

"Yes – yes. His highness is refusing to look at me let alone speak," he moaned. Then he folded his hands and bowed to her. "Princess, please you need to solve this problem. I can't have maharaj treat me like a conspirator," he pleaded.

Nandini look in the direction of the library and steeled herself. "Sure Veer Singh ji, I will make sure father knows that you did all you could to help me," she said sweetly with a bright smile. With that she quickly walked to the door and knocked twice.

"Yes – yes, please do . . . wait . . . what???" as he realized what the princess meant his eyes went round with terror. He rushed to stop her, but she had already entered inside. He stood there wringing his hands and pacing in front of the library, his face marred by fear.

Nandini closed the door behind her and walked to where her father was sitting.

"Father, may I come in?"

"Mmm," he waved a hand motioning her to get inside. " . . . has Uday left?" the king questioned while checking some papers.

"Yes father." Silence prevailed again as Virendra Singh became engrossed in the papers that he was reading. Nandini watched him affectionately, smiling at how his eyebrows knit together at some word that he was reading then nodding as he realized its context. It was long before he spoke again, but Nandini did not mind the wait.

After almost fifteen minutes her father looked up. "Why are you standing Nandini? Formality in front of your father?" he asked a bit miffed. Nandini took a seat, the same one she had taken two days back. This time however, she did not feel the 'chills' like she felt that time. He father put aside the papers he was reading and leaned back on the chair he was sitting on.

"Do you want to tell me anything?" he asked lighting a cigar and taking a puff.

Nandini shrugged but did not say anything. She would not be the first one to divulge information. "What do you want to know father?" she asked serenely.

"I thought I told you not to got to Vilaspore – alone?" he stressed the last word.

Nandini knew that denying would not do any good, it would just irk him.

"I had to father and I was not alone." Virendra Singh was not angry not even upset. He just waited for her to continue. "Uday accompanied me."

"I know about Uday, I met his father. You at least had the sense to call him. Did you meet Chandra Raj?"

Nandini wanted to say that it was Vikram who arranged for her chaperone but stopped herself short. "No I didn't, Maharaj was in residence but I wasn't allowed to see him."

Her father nodded. "Did you at least inquire after him?"

"Yes father, in fact I specifically asked for him but Abhimanyu said that I can't see him," she rambled. "Is something wrong?" she asked when she saw a flying confusion on her father's face.

"There was a Mahasabha meeting yesterday. Chandra Raj did not come for it. He usually does not miss things like that." He then leaned forward, "You met Abhimanyu?"

"Yes, I did. Do you think there is something wrong with Chandra Raj uncle?"

"Nothing you should be concerned about dear. Tell me what happened after you met Abhi," he asked shifting the subject.

Nandini ignored the 'nothing you should be concerned about '  phrase from her father, though she didn't like it.

"Nothing.  Abhimanyu and I . . .  we just spoke," she said as a matter of fact.

"You spoke! Why do I find it hard to believe?" he looked suspiciously at her.

Nandini sighed. "I understand what you mean father . . ."

"Do you?" her father interrupted her. "The reason you went there in the first place was to tell Chandra Raj that you will not marry his son."

"I went there with such an idea and believe me I still don't agree to the caveman way of dealing with things but," she inhaled deeply, "we reached a – a consensus which can be beneficial for both," she finished.

What a load of crap Nandini, her sub conscious chided.

"That's all?" he stared straight into her eyes.

"That's all," she stared back with equal fervour.

Virendra Singh snuffed out the cigar and threw it in the bin losing interest in it altogether. "I don't know what to say," he said after few minutes. "I did not think you would agree so fast."

Me neither.

His face cleared like the sky after a heavy rain. "Vilaspore did you good right? You both will be happy together my love," his voice wobbled.

I highly doubt it.

"Yes, I am so looking forward to it," she said dragging the word 'so'. Finding her father to be in a good mood, she decided this was the right time to broach the subject of going to Mumbai. "I however would like to go to Mumbai to finish my course," she began to say. "Abhimanyu had been very supportive of it. In fact he was the one who suggested that I should complete my studies," she said quickly before her father could object.

Her father regarded her for a moment. "He said that?"

Nandini nodded. "You can check with him fathershe hoped that when her father made that call Abhimanyu would agree with all she said.

And pigs might fly, her head warned her. She closed her eyes trying to flick off the wayward voice in her head that was irritating her often.

"Hmm . . .what course are you doing again?"

"Analytical Mathematics"

Her father's face lit up in surprise and admiration. "Really? I thought --"

Nandini smiled. "Fashion designing?"

Virendra Singh let out a laugh. "I am sorry for being a chauvinist. When do you have to leave?"

"Probably in a week."

They spoke more on where she would stay. The Jaypore House was available, now that Vikram was not using it and it was a better and safe option. Her father assured her that he would send guards, servants, her personal maid, a chef and others to make her stay more comfortable. She didn't oppose but she had a faint idea that Abhimanyu would have other plans for her. If he wanted her to be comfortable he wouldn't have told her to be his personal assistant, she thought wryly.

"Nandini," her father called her. She turned to him questioningly. "Did you talk to Vikram after you came back?"

"Yes I did," she said slowly knowing full well that she was treading on light glass.

"Is he planning on returning any time soon?" She could sense the pain in his voice but what could she tell him. She can't let him know the truth, it would devastate him.

"I will try to convince him to return," she said.

Her father's countenance fell every so lightly. "He is angry with me Nandini. Angry that I allowed such a fate for you."

Nandini walked back to where her father was. She moved his chair so that she was face to face with him. Then kneeling before him, she held his large hands in her soft ones.

"Father, believe me bhai sa is not angry with you. He feels helpless but he doesn't blame you. I spoke to him last night and he is - he is planning to return soon. Trust me father", she said with more determination. "I will make sure he reaches Jaypore safe and sound." She got up before he could say anything and placed a kiss on his forehead.

As she reached the door she stopped. "Do you have Abhimanyu's number? I - I forgot to take it from him," she lied.

"I will give you Chandra Raj's number." He picked up a piece of paper and jotted it down and held it to her.

Nandini took it from him. "Oh! one more thing father, please don't stew the man for long," she glanced toward the library door.

Virendra Singh smiled evilly. "I am not missing this chance," he wiggled his eyebrows playfully.

When Nandini opened the door and walked out, Veer Singh was waiting anxiously for her, just as she thought he would. He hurried over to her with bated breath.

"Princess?" Seeing Nandini looking serious Veer Singh gulped. "His highness is still angry? Oh! its terrible, too terrible" he whimpered.

Nandini bit her lower lip trying her best not to laugh. "Veer Singh ji, I sympathize with you." She made a show of sighing heavily and walked away leaving a flabbergasted man holding his head in both his hands.

The smile that erupted on seeing the helpless Veer Sing refused to go away even when she had reached her suite. Finally, falling on her bed she laughed her heart out. She was glad that the meeting with her father went well. Now that she had easily got permission from her father, she had to relate the news to Abhimanyu, so that he could start working on bringing her brother back. She did not have his number and did not want it either. Now as she looked at the folded piece of paper in her hand, she mused whether she should make the call or not. Vikram was important, she told herself.

Her cell phone was nearby, just a reach away. She picked up her phone and saw several missed calls from Uday. She would deal with him after the call, she decided. Bracing herself she dialed the number.

*****************************

Abhimanyu was in his room speaking to his secretary.

"Well I am not going to talk to you on this matter again. I need results Aakash. When i come to Mumbai, I need the names in front of me."

After he hung up with his secretary Abhimanyu ran his fingers through his hair in mild irritation. Ever since he had come to know of his father's condition, he had put all his resources into action in trying to find out who was responsible for it. He had many enemies, especially since he had conquered the business world by storm at such a young age. However he was confident that none of them would dare to even move a little finger against him.

He was ruthless, powerful and dangerous.

If they wanted to attack he would have got the scent of it. He had spies everywhere. This however was unprecedented and sudden. It happened in the palace and whoever did it knew every nook and corner of it. With these thoughts he pulled on his running shoes. He needed to clear his head and running was the only way he could achieve it. Dressed in black tracks, white T shirt and grey hoodie, he stormed out of his room. As he climbed down the stairs, he felt a vibration from the jacket of his hoodie. Searching the pockets he pulled out his father's phone from one of the pockets. Standing in the lobby he frowned at the nameless number that was blinking on the screen.

"Hello." Hearing the rough voice, Nandini's heart skipped a beat. Something warm and fuzzy germinated inside her. She immediately brushed it away.

"Hello?"

"Khamma Ghani hukum," she said in a blank voice.

Abhimanyu removed the phone from his ears and looked at it. Then smirking he put it to his ears again.

"Hello," he drawled. "What a pleasant surprise rajkumari sa." He looked around to see where he could talk privately. This was going to be an interesting call. He walked in the direction of the office.

"I was wondering if this is a good time to speak to you hukum."

"Hold on," he said. Abhimanyu entered the office surprising Roopa. For a moment she thought that he had come searching for her.

"Good morning sir," she said her heart jumping with joy. It was then she saw the phone in his hands. Might be an excuse, she thought.

Abhimanyu went to the sofa and sat down grandly stretching his legs. He looked to see Roopa standing in front of him with a dreamy expression.

"You are waiting for something?" he rasped.

"Excuse me?" came an astonished voice from the other end.

"Hold on . . ." he said to Nandini.

"You – I am speaking to you. Are you waiting for something?" he looked fiercely at her.

"N-no sir," Roopa squirmed in front of his gaze.

"Out" Just one word and Roopa started walking to the door as quickly as her legs could take her.

"Wait," he said when she reached the door. She turned to face him. "Close the door behind you."

"Y-yes sir," she said obeying his words.

"Yes princess Nandini. What can I do for you? Wait! You called my father, so I think you wanted to speak to him again right? Wanting to see if you can find any other loophole?"

A good expletive was on the tip of her tongue but she held herself.

"I called this number because I do not have your number – I don't want it either . . ." she said before he could get the wrong idea. "I have convinced father to go to Mumbai. I will be staying at the Jaypore House and will continue my education. So now its your turn, you gave me your word that you will bring Vikram back, so do it."

Abhimanyu clenched his fist. "Lose the attitude princess or you will lose a lot. You are in no position to dictate terms to me. It is I who will dictate and you who will obey without even a murmur," he warned.

Nandini exhaled controlling her spiralling anger. "I think you have forgotten that in status I am equal to you. Stop speaking to me like I am your servant."

Abhimanyu laughed. "In status yes, but in integrity, honour and honesty I stand much higher than you."

"I have not called to parry words with you. I know where I stand,"  she spoke firmly. "I want to know when you will get Vikram back."

"When I feel like," he replied arrogantly.

"What?" her voice rose.

"You heard me princess, when I feel like and if I feel like. I did not get your brother in the mess, he stepped into it himself. As far as I heard he is standing on the edge, don't rile me that I push him off the cliff myself. So next time you talk to me your voice should be low," he spoke through clenched teeth, "I hope you get this into that head of yours. Now say 'yes hukum'"

Nandini let out a curse in her head. Vikram will have to pay heavily for all this.

She counted till ten. "Yes hukum," she conceded thinking of her father.

"That's a good girl. Now I am going to send you my personal number to your phone. Next time call on that."

"I don't need it. If you want to - "

"A – aa . . . yes hukum! That is all you need to reply"

"Yes hukum," she grated out.

"Good!" saying so he hung up abruptly.

Nandini's mouth shaped into a perfect 'o'. She stared at the phone in her hand.

He hung up on her! HE HUNG UP ON HER!

Her anger reached peak level. She threw the phone with all her might and it shattered into pieces.

"The arrogant a*****e", she screamed. "I hate you Abhimanyu. I hate you forever and ever and ever."

Abhimanyu was not aware of the smile on his lips as he hung up. As he realized it he steadied himself. Why was he smiling?  There was no reason for it. The person who called was his enemy, he had to take revenge on her. He recalled his conversation with her and the past happenings caught up to him, He was going to have a lot of fun in Mumbai.

"I hate you Nandini. I will hate you forever and ever and ever"