It had been a long-tiring day and Anala was ready to collapse into her bed. She collected the complaint letters from the Dasa and thanked him before turning towards her room. She knew it wasn’t her job to concern herself over the people’s problems but, she couldn’t help it. She just couldn’t stand watching her people in pain and distress.
It was late at night and she always sneaked in the letters without anyone’s notice. Her mother said that she shouldn’t be focusing on these things and rather on her training. But, Anala being herself always found her heart at this interest.
Entering the corridor of her room, she noticed that all the soldiers outside their rooms had been summoned. It was unusual that there was no security around this time. She thought maybe Vibhakara had gathered them for some instructions and would return soon. So, she entered her room and hid the letters in her safe place and changed out of clothes into her nightwear. She was very much tired and wanted some good sleep. After tying her long brunette hair into a plait, she blew off the torch and welcomed the sleep happily.
A loud noise woke her out of the deep sleep and Anala jerked up in her bed. The sound came from outside and she took her sword just in case, if needed. Slowly, opening the doors of her room she noticed that the soldiers still hadn’t returned. She didn’t fully come out of her room, fearing that the intruder will notice her. So, she just sneakily looked around until her eyes fell on the vase that had fallen from the table. This was the cause of the noise, she thought.
There weren’t any cats or dogs allowed in this side of the castle, meaning someone was trying to be where they didn’t belong. Still, looking over the empty she saw a flash of red cloth. And then after a moment, Vibhakara walked across the corridor looking anxious and deep in thoughts. He didn’t glance at the fallen vase and just hurriedly walked to his room. Anala opened the door fully and stood up. It was safe she thought, if her brother was roaming around. Her brother had almost reached his door when she called him out,” Bhratha?”(Brother?)
He turned around abruptly and his expressions were full of fright as he looked at her. He was surprised to find her up so late.”Bhratha?” (Brother?”she once again called him and this seemed to break him from his thought.
“Ha choti?” (Yes, little sister?)he looked at her in confusion.
“Aap itni raat gaye kya kar rahe ho?”( What are you doing up so late at night?) she asked him.
“Tumse matlab?”(None of your business.) he sounded annoyed and this was the first time he had spoken so rudely with her. Hurt flashed across her features and she was shocked.
“Par Bhratha?”(But,brother?)
He cut her off and said,”Apne kaam par dhyaan do, Anala. Dusro ke kaamo main dakhal-andazi mat karo.”(Mind your own business,Anala. Don’t interfere in other’s matters.)
This stunned Anala into silence and she just stood there wondering what she did wrong. Her brother didn’t pay any attention to her and walked into his room, closing the door with a thud. Anala thought that maybe her brother was pissed off about something and ignored him, by going back to sleep with a broken heart.
~~~
Next day, Anala had finished her daily morning ritual of practice and just after that her mother had summoned her to meet her. It wasn’t quite usual for Maharani Jyothika to call into her study when she’s busy in her work. So, Anala thought that it might be something important. Immediately, freshening up and changing out of her warrior attire into her usual lehenga and blouse she started walking towards her mother’s study.
Nodding at the Dasi’s and the Dasa’s along her way, she didn’t notice her Uncle Asraya walking towards her. Her uncle stopped directly in front of her and she took a step back because of the closeness.
“Anala,beti.”( Anala,daughter.) Asraya smiled at her widely.
She flinched at his words and tone. She just never liked him very much, always thought that he was very greedy and too sweet.
“Chachaji, aap or yaha?” ( Uncle. What are you doing here?) she asked him with annoyance.
“Ha, beti. Main humesha sirf Madira hi nahi pita.” ( Yes,daughter. I don’t always just drink alcohol.) He replied smirking at her and she rolled her eyes sub-consciously at him.
“Anala, meri beti.” ( Anala,my daughter.) he picked a strand of hair from around her cheeks and placed it behind her ear.”Tum itni sundar ho, par utni hi bewakoof. Tumhe tumhare aas-pass ki cheezo ka bilkul bhi andazaa nahi hai.” (You are so beautiful but, as much stupid. You have no idea about the things happening around you.)
Anala hadn’t realized that he had cornered her around wall while talking and she was disgusted with the closeness. His hand had slipped past her shoulders towards her waist, purposely brushing the swell of her breasts in the process. She pushed him away hard in anger and shaking her off his movements.
She started walking towards her mother’s study without glancing back at Asraya. But, he made sure to let her know of him still being there by saying, “Ignore, all you want Anala. But remember, you will discover a lot of things if only you look around carefully.” His words were followed by laughter that filled the corridor, leaving Anala shook.
Anala ran towards her mother’s study and was out of breath when she reached there. Taking a moment before knocking, she entered when her mother asked her to. Unlike her father’s office, Maharani Jyothika’s study was very much bright and full of life. Her room resembled the bright fire which gave her a sense of familiarity and Anala’s formal incident with her uncle was forgotten for the moment.
Anala’s heart filled with warmth when her mother smiled at her and asked her to take a seat. Maharani Jyothika was sealing the royal stamp on a letter and ordered a Dasi to give it to the MahaPradhana. Her mother ordered everyone to give them privacy and not to be interrupted for the time being. Anala knew no one would dare to enter because Maharani Jyothika’s wrath wasn’t something anyone wanted to deal with.
Her mother d her towards the couch and they sat on it side by side. Maharani Jyothika took Anala’s hands in hers and caresses it before speaking,”Oh, Anala tum kitni jaldi badi hogayi. Rajya ke kaamo main, main itni vaysta thi ki tumhare upar dhyaan nahi de payi. Hume maaf kardo?” (Oh, Anala you grew up so fast. I was so busy in the kingdom’s works that I couldn’t focus on you. Forgive me?)
Anala quickly shook her head at her mother,” Maa, aap kyun maafi maang rahi ho? Aap iss desh ki Maharani ho, aapke kandho par bohot sari zimmedariyan hai.” (Mom,why are you apologizing? You are the Queen of this country, you have much more responsibilities on your shoulders.)
Maharani Jyothika shook her head,”Kya poonya kiye the maine pichle janam main, ki mujhe tumhari jaise beti milli?”( What virtues did I do in my past life that I got a daughter like you?)
Anala’s eyes were filled with tears at her mother’s words and she hugged her in emotions. Her mother was startled but quickly hugged and patted her back. Kissing Anala’s forehead, Maharani Jyothika placed her hands on her cheeks and spoke the next words very slowly,” Anala, tum hume jaan se pyaari ho. Tumhari nazro main, hum bohot nek hai. Par, kabhi kabhi logo ki bhalai ke liye hume bhi galat kadam uthane padte hai.” (Anala, I love you more than my life. For you, I’m righteous. But, sometimes I must follow the wrong paths for the well-being of our people.)
“Maa, aap yeh sab kya keh rahi ho?” (Mom, why are you saying all of this?)Anala asked confusion masking her features.
“Tum meri baat dhyann se sunna, Anala. Iss,rajya main bohot saare rahsya hai jo tumhe waqt aane par pata chalenge. Par, tab tak tumhe hum pe bharosa rakhna hoga. Tum koi bhi sawaal nahi karogi.” (Anala, listen to me carefully. This kingdom has lots of secrets. But, you have to trust me on this. You shall not ask any questions.) Her mother’s tone was very much sharp and that meant no counter questions. So, Anala just gulped and nodded her head slowly.
~~~
It had been a few days since the incidence with her uncle and the tense conversation Anala had with her mother. Anala had been trying to ignore her mother’s words. But, it practically seemed impossible. It irked her as to why her uncle had decided to corner her just before her mother had called her. At first, she thought that it was just pure coincidence but, after thinking over it she found some connections between them.
Her uncle’s words were opposite to those of her mother’s. Her mother had warned her not to look into the matter but, her uncle had asked her to interfere in the matters. Even though, Anala knew that her uncle was a cruel man but she couldn’t help but focus on his words more. Maybe, this also linked to as to why her brother was behaving so rudely.
She was sitting in her room, tired after her round of the city. She would go on a round around the city, dressed as a commoner weekly to find out the well-being of the people.
Anala was too deep in her thoughts, weighing the options when the doors of her bedroom suddenly opened and in ran Varudh. He was huffing from his run and his face lit up at the sight of his elder sister. He ran towards her and collapsed in her lap. She chuckled at him and ran her hands through his hairs.
“Toh, aaj kiski baari hai?” (So, who’s turn is it today?)Anala asked Varudh grinning at him.
“Aaj toh Vibhakara Bhratha ki baari thi. Par, who mujh par gussa hue toh fir maine woh Ashwathi par aajmaya.” (It was elder brother Vibhakara’s turn. But, he scolded me so I used it on Ashwathi instead.) He frowned at Vibhakara’s part but, smiled sheepishly at the latter part.
“Aur?” (And?)
“Aur, kya? Ashwathi phirse gir padi. Uss par humesha kaam karjata hai mera kaam.” (And, what? Ashwathi fell down again. It always works on her.) He grinned at her and they high-fived.
Varudh was famous for his pranks all over the castle. But, the only person he would share them with was Anala. It was kind of like their special thing. So, every time he pranked someone he would rush to Anala to tell her the deeds.
Varudh started blabbering on about his next prank and Anala’s mind drifted towards Vibhakara’s behavior. She was now sure that it was all related to what her mother was telling her to avoid. But, she couldn’t ignore it anymore. It was getting on her nerves.
Anala was determined to find out what secrets the Agnidhra kingdom held.
~~~
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