Ekaansh

"So did you talk with Atharav about the soldiers?" Daksh asked.

It has been a week since Suhasini was declared as the "Leader of Surush," She is very adaptive. Speaking of which I still needed to talk with Ishaani about her progress.

As we passed the arena where the women were training, I saw Suhasini with Ishaani. Isha was making Suhasini do curl-ups. I paused to stare at them.

After she learned about my identity, I didn't spare to find information about her and it has been safe to say that she was rarely alone thanks to me.

"When is Kasev coming back." I threw the question at Daksh. He had come back 3 days ago. Kasev was surprisingly hostile towards Suhasini and refused to talk to me.

"I don't know man." Daksh sighed. "He refuses to talk to me too. He only talks to Hari."

"Whatever it is, I want him back. He is one of our best healers." I said.

"Well, second best," Daksh muttered. "Father wants to meet you," He said.

"When?" I questioned. After Viswanth and his army took over my kingdom, I grew up at Daksh's home.

"Tomorrow," He said sympathizingly. I groaned. "Yeah, I know. I left my research at your table about Viswath's former concubine, Rushita," Daksh said. "I need to leave right now. I need to be back as Father will worry why I am not home."

"Goodbye, brother," I said to the person who was my brother in every way except blood.

***

(Flash Back (Author's POV))

One such day, Kalindi was having a discussion in her court with fellow women. Suddenly a maid came running and informed her that Rajkumar Ekaansh was hurt while playing. Kalindi immediately went towards their chamber to see her eldest son sitting in bed while the younger one was sleeping beside him with dried tears. Kalindi took Ekaansh's hand in hers to check up on the burn. Seeing the long wound covered with herbs, she asked him, "Why are you sitting up, Ekaansh? Sleep for a while". Ekaansh answered, "It's not even paining now, Ma. Initially it burnt my skin but now I'm ok. Varun was so scared and cried a lot. I made him lay down on the bed and within minutes he fell asleep".

Maharaj Ravi came in and inspected the wound and said, "You can rest and will not attend sword practice today". Ekaansh was disappointed but agreed as he wanted the wound to cure quickly. Soon he too fell asleep beside his brother leaving his parents alone.

Kalindi brushed Ekaansh's hair and said to Ravi, "Maharaj! He didn't even flinch when I touched his wound. It feels like he is trying to look unaffected while hiding his pain". Saying so, she stood up to take the medicine to reapply on the wound.

Ravi kissed both their heads and said, "I don't how these two will stay apart. One hides his pain while the other cries for his brother's pain".

Kalindi asked, "Why should they stay apart?". She came near the bed and sat beside Ekaansh.

Ravi replied, "Ekaansh needs to take extra training to be the Crown prince in the future." Kalindi sighed and slowly wiped the previous medicine from the wound. When she was about to apply it back, she visibly gasped and Ravi too looked at it. They were shocked to see that there was no trace of a scar. Kalindi mumbled, "How can it be possible? Even your wounds get healed quickly but it usually takes at least a day. It's like some miracle".

(End of Flashback)

***

"Suprabadam, Acharya." I said to Acharya Mahaveer.

The Acharya was seated in the lotus pose in his customary place in the center of the hall. I knelt opposite him and waited, quaking inwardly.

His eyes flew open. "You must keep your promise."

"Which one?" I asked, flummoxed.

"All of them." He fixed me with a penetrating stare. "Your promise to your mother. Your promise to yourself. Your promise to Daksh."

"I don't remember making any promises to Daksh," I protested.

"Oh? You think leaping on him to save him from his father wasn't a promise?" Aacharya asked.

"Er ... what was I promising?" I managed to ask. What did I promise that time? Stupid Dasksh  always getting me into trouble. I should never followed him into eating that day when it was a fasting day.

He snorted. "Figure it out, since you're so clever."

"I'm not so clever," I said. "I've figured that out."

"Then you have learned." His lips twitched, then pressed together. Then, he nodded. "Take care of Daksh and Rashmi when I am gone."

My stomach fluttered. What did he mean?

"But you're right here," I stammered.

"Did I say take care of him now?" he demanded. "I said when I am gone. That is the gurudakshina I ask of you."

"What do you mean?" I asked softly.

"Ekaansh, you are no idiot. You know the bond between me and Uttam is purely based on the well-being of the gurukul. Daksh and Rashmi were too young to blame me. In a twisted way, Daksh and Rashmi are the only people who love me." He took a deep pause. "I am dying of an illness. I only have 6 months left. Take care, my child. Take care of yourself and them."

His world shattered in an instant as the words echoed in my ears. The once vibrant colors of my world now seemed muted, as if a veil of darkness had descended upon everything I knew. I stood frozen, unable to comprehend the weight of the news that had just been delivered to me. The room felt suffocating, the air heavy with sorrow and uncertainty. Outside, the sun continued its relentless march across the sky, casting long shadows that seemed to stretch endlessly. Birds chirped in the distance, their songs a stark contrast to the heaviness that now enveloped my heart. Every sound and every movement felt amplified as if the world itself was trying to make me understand the enormity of what I had just learned. As I stood there, grappling with the reality of his parental figure's impending death, a single tear escaped my eye, tracing a path down my cheek. It was a silent acknowledgment of the pain and grief that now gripped my soul, a symbol of the profound loss that awaited him. At that moment, time seemed to stand still, and my sorrow froze in a world that had suddenly become unfamiliar and cold.

He gazed at me sadly before saying, "I am tired from my journey, we will speak tomorrow, and don't tell them."

I nodded and left the room. But upon doing that I punched the wall until there was a hole in the wall.

Why? Why him, god? First my father, then my mother and now him. I was lost in my thoughts until Daksh came and asked, "Hey what happened."

"I am tired from my journey, we will speak tomorrow, and don't tell them." His words echoed in my ear.

"Umm... nothing just left my food back at home," I said, awkwardly.

"So... why is your hand bloody?" Daksh inquired.

"Because I have been taking a blood bath." I smiled at him, sarcastically.

"Are you okay, tho," He asked.

"Yeah, I am alright," I said while looking out the window. "I am alright."

Even  they thought I wasn't looking, They both mouthed at each other, "He's not fine."

"Now, don't you both have duties to do?" I questioned.

"They straightened up and said, "Yes sir," in unison. "And Daksh, I want the report about Suhasini by lunchtime."

"Okay," Daksh muttered to me. "Dude, is he on his period?" He asked Veer.

"I don't know man." He chuckled.

"Both of you back to work," I ordered. They whined but compiled. While I shook my head, fondly at them. 

____________

Akka - Older Sister

Annaya/Anna - Older Brother

Celli - Little Sister

Tammudu - Little Brother

Atta - Aunt

Amma - Mom

Nana - Father

(These are all Telugu)

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: ̗̀➛ Q/A:- So what do you think about Daksh's father.

: ̗̀➛ Next Update:- Thursday

: ̗̀➛ BTW Kalindi is Ekaansh's Mother and Ravi is Ekaansh's Father

: ̗̀➛ There are a lot of hints for the book. Read Carefully. 😉