Chapter 24

Nandini woke up early the next day with a splitting headache. She hadn't slept for two nights in a row and the effect of it was starting to show as faint black circles under her eyes. Sighing, she pushed herself out of the bed and went to the get a medicine for her headache. If it was any normal day she would have ignored the dull throbbing and would have got on with her work but, as she was set to travel within few hours, the headache would be too much for her to handle. There would be more headaches waiting for her in Mumbai, she thought wryly.

After freshening up she looked around the room for her yoga mat. Not finding it in the bedroom she went to the hall searching for it and found it in the corner near to the television stand.

'I need to have a word with the maid to keep things in their proper place.'  But as soon as this thought came she wondered what difference it would make when she would not be here from today. She grabbed the mat in half anger and half irritation and strode down the stairs to her haven for some peace.

The sun was just rising beyond the hills. As she entered through the small gate she noticed that a gardener was trimming the hedges around the gazebo. On seeing the princess he bowed.

"If you haven't finished come back later," she said.

"Hukum rajkumari sa," he replied and left immediately.

As she sat at her usual spot, she was reminded of the day that Uday had arrived. He hadn't called her or met her since two days especially when he knew that she was going to Mumbai today and she wondered why. Picking up her phone she looked at it in distaste for a second - promising to get a new phone as soon as possible - before dialing his number. It rang for quite some time before it was answered.

"Damn Nandini! Don't you have any sense of time? You better have a really good reason for calling me at such an ungodly hour."

"Its six thirty in the morning Uday!"

"Precisely!"

Nandini smiled. "Wake up sleepy head, go for a run or a walk or . . ."

" . . . to the garden and sit staring into space . . ." he finished in an irritating tone.

Nandini lifted her brows in amusement ignoring the tint of his voice. "Don't make fun of my garden!" she mock threatened. Getting no smart reply from the other side she continued. "Did you find anything about Uttara? If you want me to find out from Mum . . ."

"Nandini stop! Please! Uttara is my business I don't want to discuss that with anyone."

"What is wrong Uday?" she asked not at all perturbed by his angry words.

Uday sighed. "Nothing. Just get to the point will you?"

Her temper flared ever so slightly. "Why are you being such an ass? If you don't want to talk to me you should have said so instead of behaving like a jerk."

"Look Nandini, I am not in a position to -"

"Whatever the reason is this is not the way to speak to me," she bit out.

"I apologize Princess Nandini Singh. I being a mere commoner should have had more sense than to bandy words with your royal self," he spoke, the words dripping with sarcasm.

"Uday I - "

Before she could explain that he had misunderstood her he interrupted, "I am tired of doing services for you and your brother. Just because I don't come from a royal background doesn't make me less important in anyway. So if you can let me know the reason for your call I will be much obliged otherwise please hang up."

The words aimed for her found their mark but yet she steeled herself to save as much dignity as she could. "I am sorry Uday if you feel that way. I called to find out where you were but that is not necessary now. If it is not too much trouble I would like the address of the doctor. If you don't want to do that too just give me the name."

There was silence from both ends.

"When are you leaving?" he asked in a small voice.

"In six hours"

"Nandini, I . . . "

"No!" she said quite strongly. "I don't want to hear a sorry from you. I did not realize I have been taking you for granted. I just thought of you in -in Vikram bhai sa's place, but that is my mistake." She did not have the strength to continue the conversation. "Just help me one last time with the address. Okay then take care of yourself and go back to whatever you were doing," she hung up before he could say anything else that he might regret later.

Nandini stared at her phone. She was hurt no doubt but she was devoid of any emotions and it was quite surprising. Any normal person would have felt anger, a normal girl would have started shedding tears, but in her case she felt blank.

The only person who was capable of making her feel any emotion was Abhimanyu.

Not wanting to dwell too much on Uday's behaviour or the reason for it, she proceeded with her meditation. She sadly looked around her beloved garden capturing the images in her mind's eye. She was missing the place already.

Sitting cross legged she closed her eyes, trying to forget the earlier conversation and concentrate on the nature. The chirping of the birds and the sound of leaves as they swayed in the gentle breeze reached her ears. There was a heaviness in the air and an unknown fragrance lingered around her. Must be the frangipani, she smiled taking in a deep breath. Within minutes her body relaxed and her mind cleared. It was as though she was floating like a feather. She did not know for how long she sat that way but subconsciously she realized that the sounds of the nature had ceased to be.

A faint chiming reached her ears. Her brows knit as she strained to hear more clearly. It was the sound of bells ringing  in succession. Her forehead scrunched as she focused on it. As minutes passed the ringing intensified reaching a crescendo and then it stopped. Immediately she felt as if she was pulled by some unknown force and heaved into space.

Nandini found herself standing on a carpeted floor. She looked around curiously seeking to figure out where she was. It was a lavishly decorated room unlike any that she had ever seen. One side of the wall was filled with books from the bottom to the ceiling. In the center of the room was a huge ornate bed covered with white silk sheets and the headboard was propped with a dozen soft downy pillows.

"Look! Look!" a voice whispered in her ear.

"Where?" she questioned glancing to her left and right.

"Look closely princess. What you seek is right here."

"Where!? Where? I can't see!" she said in a frenzy.

Thick smoke billowed from the ground and rose upward. The fragrance that she had smelled earlier was getting stronger. She started coughing and waved her hands to and fro trying to clear her vision. When the smoke thinned out, she found herself standing in front of a table on which was a golden bowl full of green apples and a single red apple. "Take the red one" the same voice whispered again. She tentatively reached out for it and picked it up. As she turned it around she found that the apple was full of worms. Letting out a shriek she dropped it on the floor in disgust. The apple quickly rotted away leaving behind only the dried dead skin.

"Look closely princess! The fruit is rotten. The fruit should be thrown out."

"What does it mean?" she cried looking all around. "Please! I don't understand." She heard the creak of a rocking chair and turned to see a man dressed in white kurta and pajama with a somber expression, rocking slowly. The man's face was blurred but she could make out that he had something in his hands that he was reading intently. Nandini rubbed her eyes vigorously in a bid to see who the man was. He got up from the rocking chair and went over to the bookshelf near him and put whatever he was reading deep inside the shelf and pressed some numbers into it. Then he turned to her.

"Look closely princess!" he said to her and disappeared. The fragrance  stronger than ever before filled her nostrils making her gasp for breath.

Nandini's eyes snapped open feeling breathless. Leaving the gazebo she hurriedly rushed over to the garden and sat on her haunches breathing deeply. As the sun's rays washed over her, the erratic beating of her heart slowly returned to normal.

That was a vision'

She placed a shaking hand on her chest as she struggled to decipher what it meant. Nightmares were usual for Nandini but visions were something new.

Why now? Which place?

She had a feeling that she had been there. Why the hell couldn't she remember? Then the voice had asked her to look closely, but what should she look for? And who was the man? What was that fragrance? She had smelled it somewhere before? But where? . . . where?

What was going on?

Confused and disoriented she quickly got up and hurried off in the direction of the palace wanting to wash off the unknown presence that she felt all over her body.

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

Keshav Satara, Abhimanyu, Bhim, two priests and almost half the village were gathered outside the palace doors. Abhimanyu with hands crossed stood listening to the priest as he blabbered on, while Keshav Satara dabbed his eyes with a white kerchief. Bhim's face as usual was blank. The morning that had started uneventfully had a sudden change of situation when the bells in the outer courtyard of the ancient temple started ringing simultaneously continuing to ring for almost ten minutes. The priest who was present at that time came rushing to the courtyard wanting to see who had dared to ring the bells, but to his surprise found none. Now as he was relating the same to the yuvraj, his eyes filled with fear and concern.

"Yuvraj ji, I feel that this a warning of something bad that is going to befall the royal family. You need to make sure that proper amends are done to pacify the deity," the senior priest spoke urgently.

"I understand panditji," replied Abhimanyu, " . . . but it must have been a strong draft that made the bells toll."

"No, no hukum," said the other priest quickly. "There was no wind today. It was unusually calm and quiet. Not a leaf moved hukum. It surely is the work of the heavens," he pressed on. "Not only that, we have had fierce sandstorms last year and even then the bells did not ring. Why today all of a sudden?"

Not wanting to get into a debate of religious beliefs with the priests and the villagers regarding their faith, Abhimanyu agreed halfheartedly to do whatever they wanted. There was also another reason for him to agree as the temple was his mother's favourite place and she had spent several hours daily there. If by that means her soul would find peace then so be it. He instructed the same to Keshav and ordered him to make necessary arrangements and provide with whatever the priests wanted for the worship. Keshav responded ecstatically overjoyed that the prince had agreed for something that he himself had wanted for the family.

Meanwhile, seated in his bedroom Abhimanyu though not wanting to be superstitious still could not refute that the temple bells that had not budged since his mother had passed away had rung today of all days. Why? Was it because he had moved his father from the palace to a more secure location? Was it some sort of sign from his mother that she did not approve? A soft knock sounded on the door outside.

"Come in" he said aloud knowing well that it would be Bhim or Keshav as they were the only people beside his father who did not need prior permission to enter his rooms.

The door opened and as he expected, Bhim walked in and bowed. "Hukum, an emissary from Udavpore has come. He has a message from the Maharawal. He seems to be in hurry as he has ordered to be shown quickly."

"Hmm . . . if he is in a hurry I think a little waiting would do him good . . . when are you going to pick up Ms. Sharma?"

"In a little while sir," he paused. "If I may suggest, I think its best if she goes back to her own house sir," said Bhim

Abhimanyu got up from the swivel chair and went over to the bed to pick up his phone. "Well noted Bhim. Please do as I say for now."

Bhim bowed once again. "Shall I go and bring her back now sir?"

"Yes and take her to the staff quarters. Tell her to meet me at eleven. She should not come to the palace before that time."

"Hukum," said Bhim leaving for the job that was assigned to him.

After Bhim left Abhimanyu went to the balcony of his second floor wing and dialed his secretary's number.

Akash answered on the first ring itself. "Sir," he spoke.

"How is father?"

"His highness is doing well sir. The vitals are all stable."

Abhimanyu closed his eyes in relief. The urgent way in which he had shifted his father late last night had worried him but he was not about to take a chance in waiting for another day. The air ambulance had already been arranged so it was just a matter of few hours. All people who were involved in it were sworn to secrecy and anyway they knew it was better to face the god of death than to face an irate Abhimanyu. Only a handful was aware of where the king was to be shifted to, for the others - Keshav included - it was informed that the maharaj was being taken abroad for intensive medical care.

"You were discreet weren't you, otherwise I would be quite disappointed."

"Of course sir! I also made sure to switch off the cctv in the duration. The security had been sent off for the night so none was present. The guards are posted outside and the nurse is also comfortable."

Satisfied he shifted his attention to his private problem. "Hmm . . . now what about the other issue? Have you contacted her? Whatever happens I need to see her two days from now at my office."

"I was about to make the call sir. She is not responding to any messages of mine," came the quick reply.

Abhimanyu gritted his teeth. 'Of course she wouldn't. She needs a higher dose of an attitude check, but I will wait till she gets to Mumbai.'

"I will take care of that Akash. Did you get any more information on the attackers at Vilaspore?"

"Yes sir, an out of state team. I was able to remotely access the cctv visuals outside the palace gates. The number plate of the car in which they left was a hoax but i was able to get in touch with some men who was able to recognize one of the perpetrators."

Abhimanyu's eyes darkened when he heard that. "Well done Akash, it would be my pleasure to meet them personally," he said flexing his fingers. Oh yes! He would so love that. "Just keep tabs till I get there."

After hanging up the call he went back to his bedroom and lay grandly on the bed preparing to make another call. This call would be fun for him, would it be fun for the recipient too? "Well lets find out," he said out aloud and dialed Nandini's number.

The phone rang for a long time. As he was about to hang up she picked the call.

"Hello?" she said panting heavily.

Wild images conjured up in his head on hearing her pant and none of them were innocent.

'Hell'

"Why aren't you responding to any messages?" he barked at her driving away the images.

"Good morning hukum," she said in reply.

"Cut the niceties! Just answer my question."

Nandini counted to ten. "Whoever is sending me the messages need to understand that I am not currently under any employment. Asking me the same question over and over is not becoming."

"The person was doing his job and if you would have replied to the first message he would not have had to send you the remaining ones."

"Then you need to understand hukum that I stand by my word. You don't need to keep checking on me time and again. And would it be nice if you can be a bit more civil."

"Civil?" he laughed out loud. "This is me being civil princess! If you are expecting red carpet reception then let me burst that bubble for you. You are employed under me, bound to my whims and fancies. What I say you do, at the time I want and the way I way. Till I decide otherwise you are going to forget that you are a princess. So if you are expecting special treatment just because of your title you are sorely mistaken. You are just staff."

Eleven.

Twelve.

Thirteen.

Fourteen.

Fifteen.

"Yes that is all I can expect from you."

The sarcasm was not lost on Abhimanyu. He got up with a start and the gash on his arm started bleeding again. He winced as pain tore through his hand.

"Monday you are to be present at Taurus. You will stay with one of the staff that I have magnanimously arranged it for you. Jaypore House is out of the question."

"What is Taurus?" she asked in confusion.

"You would have known that if you would have replied to the message. Now you have to find it out yourself."

"Look . . . I think father is coming along with me and he is bringing in the whole entourage for my stay at JP House. Can't you let me stay there at least for . . ."

Abhimanyu surveyed his arm as he listened to her. "Out of the question," he interrupted ripping the gauze cloth in one pull to reveal blood soaked cotton. "You deal with his highness, but from Monday onward you will be found at the place I've arranged, if not then . . . "

"Is there anything else hukum?" she spoke stiffly.

"Reply to the message."

When he hung up Nandini stretched back her hand to throw the phone but caught herself just in time.

She had had a faint idea that Jaypore House was out of the question. She hated sharing space as she valued her privacy the most. Now he was forcing her into doing something that she had never thought about in her wildest dreams. She had never shared a room let alone a house with a stranger.

Its for Vikram. Its for Vikram, she consoled herself as she went on to answer the message.

Abhimanyu cleaned up the wound and inspected it in daylight seeing if it needed stitches. Luckily the wound wasn't too deep. Just a few days of dressing would make it alright, but he could get a tetanus shot to be on the safe side he decided.

As soon as he finished dressing up the wound the intercom rang. It was Keshav who was calling to remind the prince in subtle words that the emissary was getting irritated.

"I will be there in ten minutes baba," he said offhandedly. He hated the whole mahasabha business. The group did nothing constructive but met to show off how much money they made and what new ventures they bought. He removed the white T-shirt that had traces of blood on the sleeve and opted for a dark button down shirt from the cupboard. As he wore the shirt he was reminded of his conversation with Nandini.

Two days - in two days time she would be in front of him, twenty four by seven, day after day after day. She would be helpless, waiting for his order, wondering when the term of imprisonment would be finally over. What the poor princess didn't know was that the punishment was life term; never ending, never ceasing.

He smiled in satisfaction.

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

Virendra Singh had arranged for a private flight to take him and his daughter to Mumbai. Though Nandini had told him again and again that it wasn't necessary for him to come along, but he felt it was his responsibility to see that his daughter was comfortably settled at Jaypore House. The guards, maids and cooks had already taken the train to Mumbai earlier that week so that they could keep the place ready for the princess.

"We would be landing in half an hour your highness," the pilot informed him over the phone.

"Thank you."

He looked at his daughter to relay the news. Nandini was staring out of the window looking at the sky that lay like a fluffy blanket stretching for miles and miles.

"Nandini," he called her gently.

"Mmm . . ."

"We will reach Mumbai in half an hour."

"Okay," she replied.

Virendra Singh got up to use the restroom. Nandini continued to watch the sky. Half an hour,  she said to herself. Half an hour when she would land in Mumbai. Her first step to the unknown fate that awaited her.

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

"Yuvraj Abhimanyu, I have been sent by the Maharawal saheb to inquire after your father," the so called emissary from Udavpore sat proudly in front of the prince. "I have been waiting for quite some time. The staff in the palace are not efficient. I think no one informed you that I was waiting from a long time," he pursed his lips.

"There is nothing to inquire. Father is unwell and hence he will not be attending anymore mahasabha meetings," replied Abhimanyu.

"Oh! I see. Then I would like to see his highness to offer my wishes for a speedy recovery. You can take me to him and wait outside while I converse with his highness."

"Not possible!" Abhimanyu replied in a cold voice and watched as the man's face crumpled in a matter of seconds.

The man then quickly collected himself and held his head higher to make a point. "I am sorry yuvraj sa. I think you must have mistaken me. I am Thakur Bahadur Singh the high official and a close relative of the Maharawal. My maternal grandfather was the Raja of Mirpur and - "

"I don't care who you are. It is not possible to see my father because he is not here."

The man's eyes narrowed. "Do you know the position I hold in the mahasabha?"

Abhimanyu stood up bored with the conversation. Keshav who was standing nearby tried to reason with him but one look was enough for the old noble to cease whatever he was about to say.

"You will have to pay for insulting me like this Yuvraj Abhimanyu," the man threatened.

Abhimanyu smirked then looked at him in amusement. "You are threatening me in my own house? Surely, you must have mistaken me for some other spineless prince who would have stood in attention listening to your useless talk." He lifted one foot and placed it on the low coffee table in front of him. "I. Am. Abhimanyu Raj Singh, so before you speak a word in my presence think at least a thousand times and even then don't dare say it because I am not as smooth as I look."

Bahadur's lips quivered as he tried in vain to respond but, the prince's dark countenance and the menacing look was more than what he could take. Gathering his remaining dignity, he quickly hurried away from the premises fearing for his life.

A/N: The fun in Mumbai is going to start next. Keep reading .........