Part II:
"So, what if I agreed to your plan to destroy the Vaisvanaras? But, I still don't understand the hatred you have for them. You hate them, yet from you told me you are the MahaPradhana of the Agnidhra kingdom. Why work for them then?" Aaliyah questioned Dagon who was looking over the city through the window.
"It's simple, you see janan. As the old saying goes, keep the friends close but the enemies closer? That's a very true saying. They trust me enough to let on all the royal secrets." Dagon smirked over his shoulder.
The sun had set and they were in the dimly lit dirty room. Wind flowed slightly around them with a whoosh, making the room drop its temperature. Both of them had been going over their revenge plan the whole afternoon, after Dagon revealed the secrets of the dreary night that occurred ten years ago. Dagon had almost convinced Aaliyah to join his revenge plan but, Aaliyah wasn't ready to give in without knowing the actual reason behind it.
"Look, I know you hate them with all your being. But, I need to know the real reason behind your hatred." Aaliyah spoke frankly trying to end this meeting as soon as possible.
"Alright. You want to know the truth? Here it is." Dagon sighed at her persistence.
Aaliyah nodded at him to continue and sat there with interest. Dagon prepared himself for the memories he was about to relive. "The first time I saw the king of Agnidhra was when I was five. My Baba was the King's personal assistant and King's most trusted person. One day, my Baba took me with him to meet the king. That was the day, when I actually saw the power and honor a king had. We had been living peacefully in a small house just outside the Beggar's colony. But, one day suddenly the soldiers of the Vaisvanara dynasty came to our house. My Maa was as usual cooking food in the kitchen while I had been playing outside with some friends. Baba was just about to return from the castle. I was five feet away from the house. As soon as Baba reached the doors of our house, the soldiers along with Jatadeva attacked him. All of them struck their bows at him. Bows after bows pierced my Baba. This caused quite a stir among the crowd and people started screaming. My Maa heard all the commotion outside and came outside only to find her husband on his knees with arrows piercing him. She ran up to him and shielded him from the incoming bows. The arrows hit my Maa but, Jatadeva didn't tell his soldiers to stop." Aaliyah gasped out loud at this, as Dagon's eyes were filled with tears.
"All of this was happening and it was like my feet were stuck to the ground. I was witnessing the murder of my parents and I couldn't do anything. In midst of this, my Maa somehow caught my gaze and mouthed at me to 'Run'. I mumbled out a sorry to her before running away from the scene. I glanced back once to see them for the last time and all I saw was my Maa's hand in my direction, before they brought the black paint out and smeared it across my Parent's faces." Dagon stopped to regain his breath and compose himself.
Aaliyah looked at him and didn't see the powerful MahaPradhana of the Agnidhra kingdom. No, now she saw a five-year-old child vulnerable and frightened. She saw the kid who was helpless as he couldn't help his parents. She saw the man who regretted being alive, who just wanted to die with his parents. She saw herself being reflected in his eyes.
Dagon cleared his throat and Aaliyah looked at him." After that, I ran as fast as I could and hid in the forest till it was dark outside. I stole a beggar's dirty shirt and changed into it. Rolled myself into dirt so that no one could recognize me. When it was after midnight, I somehow managed to reach my house and saw the picture of my nightmares. My parents were hung on the tree, bows still piercing them and black paint smeared across their body put on a display for the world to see. My house's door was splashed with the same black paint and the words "Traitor" were written across it with some blood."
Aaliyah now understood all the rage behind his hatred and was thinking her choice when he asked her, "Are you in or not?"
~~~
Aaliyah sighed as placed her clothes and weapons in her bag. Nader followed her back and forth from the cupboard to the bed. His gaze was fixated on her and that it getting on her nerves.
"Why don't you let me come with you, jaan?" He asked her for the fifth time that night and Aaliyah was trying not to snap at him. She knew that it was just his concern and nothing else.
"Please, try to understand jaan. I can't lose you too in this. You have to trust me on this." Aaliyah said as she closed the bag with a knot.
Nader sighed and finally took a seat on the bed behind her. He caressed her arms before hugging her from behind. "You know I trust you more than myself, right? And that I might also die for you? I won't even mind if you stab me in the heart with your dagger. I will happily die for you. I love you so much, jaan."he murmured into her ears before kissing her on the neck.
Aaliyah felt the tension leave her shoulders as she leaned back into Nader's chest. She sighed in delight at how perfectly they completed each other. She moaned as Nader kissed her neck and caressed her waist, pulling her closer.
"I love you, jaan. More than you will ever know. "She moaned out loud.
Nader turned her around and murmured, "Then let me help you. I'm my best when I'm with you, jaan." Aaliyah sighed as she looked up at him through her lashes.
"I don't want to drag you into this. It's already a big mess that you are dating me. We know people will kill you if they found out a thirty-year-old man is with an eighteen-year-old girl. I don't want you to get hurt." She caught his face in her hands and looked at him straight in the eyes.
Nader grabbed her hands in his and laid back on the bed, dragging her along with him. Aaliyah fought back tears as she laid in her favorite place. His hand on her back holding her tight and her head on his chest, right above his heart. She couldn't hold it much longer in and tears welled up in her eyes. She whimpered a little as she cried into his chest. Nader cradled her body as that of a small baby and rocked her back and forth.
After crying her heart out, Aaliyah composed herself before saying," I want you to stay here in Hawodham and look after Khoury and Jahmal. You must make sure that no harm is done to them and they have no idea about my plans. Promise me." She said sternly, not leaving room for any arguments.
Nader kissed her forehead and spoke," I promise, jaan. I just want you to promise me that you won't die in this revenge feuds. This people are driven by sheer madness and rage."
Aaliyah nodded her head and clenched his shirt in her hand tightly, "I hope this all ends soon."
~~~
Dagon nodded at the servant to load all the bags into the luggage. Aaliyah and Shazia stood at the side, looking over the servants. Aaliyah had tried to change Shazia's mind but, she failed miserably. Shazia was determined to follow Aaliyah all around the world. Per her, Aaliyah owned her life and could also take it if her heart desired. Aaliyah had explained her a million times that she was a free person and could live anywhere she wanted.
Aaliyah adjusted her red lehenga and internally cringed at the color. It represented Agnidhra a lot but, hid her real identity. Shazia was the first one to enter the ride arranged for them as per Dagon's orders. Aaliyah glanced at the castle for the last time and entered the ride before nodding at Dagon.
It was exactly fifteen days and an afternoon later that they reached the outskirts of Agnidhra. Per Dagon, they would enter the city in half an hour and nearly two hours later the castle.
Aaliyah took in the city walls and the people of Agnidhra. She smiled at the children playing on the road. Businessmen mending their own works and women buying food from the market. As they neared the castle, Aaliyah saw the big statue of the Phoenix in it's full glory with the wings spread open like a big blanket. The route was under it and the security check too.
The whole cart and the luggage were permitted to enter without any hurdles as it was the MahaPradhana itself. Aaliyah observed every corner and corridor as they passed on their way to her room. She made sure that the head covering she had on wasn't slipping away.
When Aaliyah was arranging her dressing counter, Dagon walked into her room while talking to someone. She immediately hid the dagger under her drawer and stood up. She turned to him and kept her eyes focused on the floor as she was instructed to.
"Ahh, Rajkumar. I finally get to present to you my mistress- Adara."Dagon chuckled as he spoke and Aaliyah eyes widened at his calling.
The Rajkumar? Is he the eldest one? The one who was going to be the future king of Agnidhra?-she thought but, didn't voice her questions.
"Adara, I present to you the future king of Agnidhra- Rajkumar Vibhakara!" Dagon exclaimed in delight but Aaliyah knew that his words were laced with hatred.
Vibhakara just nodded at her in silence and looked at Dagon. Dagon noticed how uncomfortable he was and flicked his fingers at her to leave the room. Aaliyah rolled her eyes at his gesture but nonetheless walked out of the room.
As Aaliyah entered the corridor, she saw Shazia talking with a eunuch. She walked towards and stood next to Shazia. Shazia was grinning like a crazy woman as she listened to the eunuch. At least one of us was enjoying the time here- Aaliyah thought.
"Adara. You are so lovely, so beautiful. Those eyes can even make saint go crazy over you. I see why MahaPradhana likes you so much." The eunuch spoke sweetly but, with jealousy. Aaliyah just smiled at her in return and looked away.
"it's so silly of me. Not introducing myself first. "The eunuch smacked her forehead and shook her head. "I'm Banishka and I serve the kingdom of Agnidhra and Janana." She placed her hand over her heart and smiled.
Aaliyah nodded at her." I'd like to show you something. Come with me please." Banishka said as she gestured at both of them. Aaliyah resisted but Shazia managed to drag her with them.
Banishka swiftly turned left and right at every other corner before coming to a stop. Aaliyah moved forward and stood at the edge of the balcony. The balcony overlooked the kingdom of Agnidhra and it was basked in the light of the sunset. Aaliyah was speechless as she looked at the scene in front of her.
Breaking the silence, Banishka exclaimed," I welcome you to the kingdom of Agnidhra."
~~~
Vocabulary-
Janan - Love.
Maa - Mother.
Baba - Father.
Rajkumar - Prince.
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