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"There are two ways of passing from this world-one in light and one in darkness. When one passes in light, he does not come back; but when one passes in darkness, he returns."

Bhagavad Gita, 8.26

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Backdrop:

Keśava played Veena for Abhīstāda, when he gave her the name Abhikhyā. While taking to each other he asked if his words affects her, she accepted that his words are meaningful to her. She requested him to take her to Vijnānaṁ Vidyāpeeth.

Characters:

Abhīstāda: Crowned Princess of Rāthnānathi
Keśava: Crowned Prince of Smaranāgarh
Indraneel: Personal Advisor to Keśava

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The darkness of night had diluted and the sky was shrouded by the orange tint. He had just performed his morning obligations. He was mislaid last night, as he was being brandished by some delightful memories. The one that had enfolded his mind.

His lips parted as a swoon smile appeared on his lips, shining in the faint light. He could see the light coming across from his window as he stood near it with his composition.

While the light wasn't adequate, there was the faint light of the lamp which guided him to write as he etched some words on them. This was a means to articulate.

On some days he would be inscribing a few words, some whose connotation he was conscious of. He would write kāvya, to express those that couldn't be reflected but those hands would inscribe them. Conceivably strived to.

As the light was dissipating the significance of the lamp was diminishing, and the oil in it wrapped up causing the light to faint. Before he could notice it, Indraneel entered.

And he finished off jotting down the last sentence. "Tvaṁ me priyatamá."

While he was aware of the presence of his friend, he didn't shy away from grinning at the last line as the hair curls fondled his cheeks and neck. His long curls were concealing his face but Indraneel could notice the unconscious laugh. His delicate finger stroked the last word as his finger got inundated in the ink and he compiled the sheets.

His eyes caught the view of a single word and he teased his friend. "Tvaṁ?"

"Tvadiya... Madiya... aren't these words that characterize an inevitable aspect of the relationship. Your friend, your son, your love, yours and only yours. The possession that comes with it but is only attributed to material attributes. At moments someone who comes off, like you had never anticipated them to be. But.."

He curtailed, looked at his tender finger drenched in the red stain and brushed his forefinger with his thumb. "....one that attains you, comprehends deeply, with whom you have association of births, which doesn't need to be interpreted in these labels. Not everything belongs to you but you surely you do to someone."

"Arthāt? Not let these words be lurking the meaning you want to convey, you have already concealed a lot."

He paused for the precise words to be found. What he wanted to say was going to astonish him, he wanted to articulate it through appropriate words so that one could realise the seriousness and at the same time not disclose a lot. "My heart has realised the one with whom he thinks it would be easy to lead a life. Existence itself is a quest to learn and I feel I have found the person from whom I can discover. The life I am living isn't merciful, someone who could lead the way and at the same time liberate..."

The words that Indraneel was hearing were overwhelming for him to discern. He was aware he would hear them someday but not presently. In a few months, his life was going to change or more like has already deviated. It was the start of the transition, maybe he wasn't receptive but he was going to be crowned.

Keśava could sense the turmoil he wanted to dismiss but Indraneel has been the one with whom he has shared most of his movement. Yet, some moments were to be kept private and it was one of them, he wanted to keep those feelings only restricted to him. Right now he had no right over them, not to confide or even hold.

At the same time, he couldn't see his dearest like this. So, he soothed him with his words. "I can't tell you in detail. I honour the seclusion that comes with these feelings. However, I would like to elucidate about the moment in your life when you realise the love. It's not encompassed by the delusion of material beauty or thoughtlessness. Neither rage nor ignorance controls you. Here, isn't the possession of yours and mine because.. what's to belong and what's to not."

He approved his words but he wanted to know who she was. He has always cherished his discussion. But, this time he wanted to know who she was.

He swivelled his face toward the window and gazed outside and remembered the symposium of that night and then he closed his eyes. Alleviating his nerves.

"If you want to know the name, I don't have any. From where she is I don't know, or maybe don't want to reveal yet. Yet, she has an identity that I don't think needs to be defined in limited words. I have found some who not only soothe myself but soul too." He whispered.

He turned and this time glanced at him. "But if you want me to tell me something about her then. She is the one who was born through a spiritual union. Here, she appears as Omajā."

He wished to question more but his query was thwarted by him. Before the words that were sauntering on his lips could make their way out. "That's only what I could tell you, I still don't have phrases. I hope this boundary is respected by you."

He nodded and waited for Keśava to calm, he fastened his eyes and inhaled a deep breath. His mind still replenished with her thoughts, the hazy face appeared in his mind which he could see in the glimmer of the moon. Then he realised his presence.

He opened his eyes and assembled the paper that was coloured with the phrases composed by him and kept them away from the sight of anyone.

He gestured Indraneel to sit and he also went to seat there. His face deprived of any expression as if the inner turmoil was paused, one gets awed with his self-control. The senses that had been themselves curbed into the entanglement. He only showed his pleasure toward him by his softened eyes and his stretched lips. "Continue with your words. For which you have come here."

He mumbled at his starting words not expecting to speak suddenly. However, it was for which he was known, ambush.

"We have again found faults in the accounts. This time the pattern changed. Unlike the previous time, they have made expenditures on objects that weren't compelled or were exaggerated in number. Not only have the funds been used excessively but not used for the needful. The shortage of food has also been noticed in warehouses, which may cause scarcity shortly. Or if the arduous condition arises."

Listening to him, he stayed there motionless and then turned his gaze to the outside. His cheeks loomed the vague red colour and his breath became erratic. Anger was compelling, the heats of which could be felt. "Premā kṛte Komalahridayam, Anyayam kṛte Krodha chā."

"For love to reciprocate there must be affection, and to deal with injustice there must be resentment against it. The ability to fight. The heart may have a similar response to all but the dhārma of action is to provide justice. Haven't they learnt? They have to be acquainted in different ways. For them, I have few ways."

His lips came to rest after the latter words and he waited for Indraneel to speak or disapprove as no words were heard from him. He spoke to him. "Send me the account details first, I would be checking myself."

He agreed and then put the distinct problem forward. "Have you talked to the minister about the changing projections? Mahārājā has asked me to convey that the change would take place after you seize control over the Kingdom."

"Neelūm, why? Tātaḥ is going to resume his place. How... Can I... now?"

He stopped for a moment to stare at Indraneel who wasn't still aaying anything. Words were still to be heard by him. Truth was that Indraneel didn't know how he should explain.

The coronation was expected but not in a sudden way and nor would he have expected it. Not until he would be married, who would guide him? Indraneel yearned to tell him about his coronation but avoided it till Kesava could express his heart to her.

Instead of telling others, he spoke. "Let you handle it for a few months and let him rest. He still requires comfort. For that time let the court be regulated according to you and it isn't like that you aren't aware. You have to take hold shortly."

"Keśava.'' Indraneel stopped him as he saw him moving out of the room. He looked bewildered at him for stopping him. Indraneel indicated for him to wait and brought the crown for him.

His royal crown was a splendid masterpiece. Every detail was well characterized and had a subtler meaning in them. Exemplifying sun and moon, telling about his representative in the Kingdom. And it had a few faint letters engraved in them. Which even he wasn't aware of, out of them were the jewels. The blue emerald, lapis lazuli took away every grandeur with it and at the juncture, its weight re-reminded of his responsibility.

He made him wear it. "Yuvraj Késava. To my lord, who would take the command of the Kingdom."

His lips lifted and he shook his head as both of them moved towards the chamber of Sridhara before going to court.

Abhīstāda today herself has come to check up in the morning. She inspected his injury by softly pressing the outer area of the affected locality. To see if it was still affected or had any discomfort. She found an absence of swelling but there was still little pain which he could feel. That was too restricted to hand only.

She applied the herbs on his hands after which she noted the improvement in other injuries. Only a few days are left, when he will be healed. And she would have to go back. She wanted to tell him about Vrīnda. She was going to speak when her unheard words were made to vanish into the mist.

"Devī, I have a request to make to you. Can I be taken out, since it's been more than sufficient days that I have spent my time here?"

She hurriedly agreed, wanting to complete her sentence. She expected to tell him about Vrīnda. It was her major reason to come here and express her feelings. First, she would put the following emotions in words and, after that she would be giving him the letter to assimilate himself.

"I have something to say."

Suddenly they noticed a commotion outside and she noticed Keśava entering. She wanted to utter the subsequent words but she stopped. Neither she could constitute words nor could he look at him. She was again clenched by the remorse of hiding.

She herself was familiar with the growing feeling and wanted to tell him. She was looking away but his eyes found her. He for a second could only glimpse at her and then look at his brother.

She noticed him caressing his head lovingly. And then talking to him, more like whispering to him.

He nodded to them and then turned to Indraneel to say something after which he helped him to get and guided him outside. She stayed fastened to her place. Her eyes observing him every moment, she expected him to say something. Or even look at him but he didn't turn for once.

She looked for the herbs and assembled the equipment before going back to her chamber. As she was done with the work she saw Keśava at the entrance. Starting at him, his expression calm, still coerced of any enthusiasm.

Her eyes raised to look at him but when he defied she turned away. She walked slowly toward him to the entrance and as she was about to cross the corridor he called her.

"Abhikhyā."

She stopped but refused to look at him, sensing the seriousness in her action. He calmly spoke. "I have a request to make."

She could help but chuckle at his sentence, his brother had requested similarly. He confusedly glanced at her to which she bit her lips swaying her giggle and shook her head to continue.

"Tomorrow I am going to Vijnānaṁ Vidyāpeeth would you accompany me?"

Her lips twisted and her eyes softened. His heart was filled with genuine affection for her. Here he was articulating honestly while she was still wielded by the illusionary identity. Her lips parted but only to be frozen at the spot. How could she disseminate the falsehood to him?

His posture also changed and he saw the dilemma in which she was. But why? He brought his hands near her but abstained from touching, not wanting to invade privacy. She noticed his hand in the air and even with all the constraints she asked.

"Who am I to you?"

He could say anything he wanted but no more word games he wanted to play. He preferred to tell what he certainly felt. Time was restricted he could realize. But why? Even he wasn't conscious of the fact.

"The feelings, or if I say the affection around us isn't limited. There has been an abrupt change I accept and I am ready to take every responsibility of my action, of every word I express. You have made a place that could be held by only one. Nevertheless I am not sure about your feelings. I would always respect it. Let you also decide. I promise I will express each of them to you. To you only."

Kāvya: Poetry

Tvaṁ me priyatamá: You are my beloved.

Tvaṁ: Yours

Tvadiya: Yours

Madiya: Mine

Arthāt: Meaning

Dhārma: Righteous Duty

Mahārājā: King

Vijnānaṁ Vidyāpeeth: A learning center.

Premā kṛte Komalahridayam, Anyayam kṛte Krodha chā: Tender heart for the love and anger for the injustice

Tātaḥ: Father

Devī: An address to the woman, literally meaning Goddess.

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Special thanks to Krishna_premika
For helping with the Sanskrit phrases.

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