• Dialogue •

So long as the breath is restrained in the body, so long as the mind is undisturbed, and so long as the gaze is fixed between the eyebrows, there is no fear from Death.

Hath Yoga Pradipika 2.40

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Backdrop:

Keśava remember the words of his father, telling about his duties as the King. To let go the pain and all of the dualities he was suffering from. And to convey his regards his send Kheer for Abhīstāda.

Characters:

Abhīstāda: Crowned Princess of Rāthnānathi
Keśava: Crowned Prince of Smaranāgarh
Sridhara: Youngest Prince of Smaranāgarh
Indraneel: Personal Advisor to Keśava
Vinaya: Daughter of Senapati and Mahārani's friend, assisting Abhīstāda

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Keśava in the morning when his invocation to the god was done, he thought of cooking. When he could not find the ingredients he called Indraneel. Indraneel has been his companion and advisor. They both got their education together and he had been a member of his council. Also, he has been a close friend of his.

He was stunned to see him in the morning attempting to cook. As he has advised him to take rest; for many days he hasn't got rest due to the chaos in the Kingdom. He had to deal with the political distinction. Regardless, Keśava was searching for something when he entered.

"Keśava what are you looking for? Haven't you been advised to take a rest?"

His mouth twitched and he showed the rice in the container. "Here, I want to make kheer but can't find sugar."

He shook his head being slightly disappointed with him but moved forward helping him and finding the suitable ingredients. Yet, when he was about to cook and Indraneel came to help him, he asked him to sit and contemplate.

It took him a limited time to cook the kheer. Once it was prepared he put some in a bowl and gave it to Indraneel. He glared at him.

"Have it and tell me how it is?"

He savoured the Kheer and looked at his friend. "It looks like the taste has changed in the last few years. It's not how you used to cook."

He knit his eyebrows and looked at the kheer finding what could have gone wrong. "Is it that bad?"

"Not, I mean the taste has changed for the better."

He finished the kheer and when Keśava was serving he held his hand, interrupting him. "Késava." He called him as he looked into his eyes deeply digging for explanations.

"I have known you for a long time. In the morning for whom are you cooking? I know it's not for me. Don't try to hide, is it something I don't know about?"

He differed. "No, you know her. You remember she operated on Sridhara."

He remembered that day when he had spoken to her, but why would he cook when they haven't met more than one time. Also, she was unknown to her, He didn't know anything about her. "But why?"

He served the kheer and decorated it with dry fruits. "She asserted she didn't want those souvenirs so I cooked something for her that may be, my regards to her."

"And why in the morning. You could later in the day."

He didn't answer him and commenced to get dressed; wearing the jewels and adjusting them. But, he could not resist him. "Where are you going?"

"To meet the minister and now since the Uparīka matter is settled I should look for others that have been neglected. Especially for irrigation. Tāta is not well and I don't want to burden him."

He adjusted the jewel from behind. "Yuvraj you didn't tell me about it."

He flipped at his word. "Yuvraj?" He questioned himself and just gave an affectionate smile to him. "You aren't going to accompany me. You have been looking after me, I have been distressed and I know more than me, you have been distressed and it's not like you are needed today. I would take around and inspect the irrigation facilities and see what more modifications he has done."

Indraneel was initially unhappy to hear this but could disobey his request. Keśava has to already look after many matters and he would simply waste Keśava's time by puttingup the request as he would simply ignore it. He agreed and moved to leave the room when he was halted by him.

He brought the kheer and letter to him. "Give it to Vinaya, she would give it to her." Indraneel raised his eyebrows. "Letter?"

"Yes! Yuvraj also needs to express his gratitude, and it's not like I am giving a marriage proposal to her. You look horrified?"

Indraneel smiled and moved out. Keśava also took the other bowl and strode toward Sridhara room. Where he saw him sleeping.

Instead of disturbing him, he sat near him and observed his brother's injury and stroked his hair. He was disturbed when the attendant came to apply the herbs. He carried and applied them to his injury.

Once he was done he wrapped him with a blanket and asked about his diet. He noticed the sweat on his body and then looked around his chamber and found pangkhā. He waved it back and forth to build an airflow, after some time his brother woke up and looked at him.

"Jyeṣṭha?"

He shook at him and caressed his face. "I discern your wounds have started to be filled. How have you been feeling?"

"Bet-ter," he replied quietly. Due to the injuries, he spoke little as it enhanced his pain. Keśava understood this so he helped him sit and helped him in drinking water.

"Look, what I bought for you?" He held the bowl of Kheer and carried it to him. "I had made kheer and thought to give it to you."

He used all five fingers to combine the kheer and gather it on the tips of the finger with the thumb and now brought those four fingers to his lips and compelled him to eat. He followed the process four-five times till the kheer was finished and after which he cleaned his hands and Sridhara face with water and clean cloth.

He gave the herbs to him and put him to sleep. "Don't worry about anything once you get well I would solve every matter for you. I would walk to the Vrīnda family, if she and her parents approved, let's see where we can take it. Let me know if you have any problems. Please call me."

He started to haul toward the gate when he hesitated and mumbled. "She is also fine, I talked to her before she moved from here. To you both, I have to say sometimes look beyond what you have been seeing and you would find the answer."

He was to leave the palace today when she was coming toward Sridhara chamber. She stopped to greet him, it was then he noticed her. "Pranāma Yuvraj."

"Pranāma."

Then she moved forward but was stopped, "Devī."

Since he was guided by the guards they also stopped and glanced at why he had called her but he asked them to leave him alone.

"Can I ask you for something?"

She nodded hesitantly, not convinced about anything.

He whispered. "In the evening if I get early. I have to visit somewhere. Would you come with me? I will inform you if I get late."

She was perplexed. "Where?"

"Not everything has to be told. But, I promise you that your security wouldn't be compromised; don't be worried. If you want you can ask any of your attendants to be there with you."

"I would think, maybe or maybe not."

He smiled. "I would wait near the garden."

"Also, I saw you changed your nūpur. The ghungroo look good in your feet. The symphony speaks of your arrival."

He turned around and moved away from her, leaving her with mixed feelings to make a decision.

Kheer: A sweet dish

Tāta: Father

Jyeṣṭha: Brother

Pangkhā: Hand Fan

Prānam: A way of greeting

Devi: A respected word for women

Nūpur: Anklet

Ghungroo: Anklet bell

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A little slow chapter but from now the story would be fast. Hope you don't mind being fast.

I hope enjoyed it and it doesn't bore you.

Keep dropping your comments.

Let's go, take care.

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