MAHINA, DURJA

It's strange to communicate with you like this but I couldn't think of another way. I am too weak and it has pushed me to think for the future and here it is, my letter in your hand. I am certainly not sure what is my condition now as you read this letter but I really hope I am well and that I have simply given you this letter for you to read.

I have so much to say but I'll keep it short for my hand is already giving up on me.

First, don't dwell in sadness for a long time, you not only have yourself to take care off, you have a nation to look after. It is your duty and my wish for you to do so. Second, never once think you have failed. Know that we have achieved our goals; to bring peace between our two nations and bring back the lost people back home. You have done it. I am proud of you and thank you.

Here it is, the real reason for a letter.

I am truly sorry. I failed to protect myself. Neglected to keep vigilance and fell into Alli's trap. I am sorry, I have made you worry of me. It hurts to know that I might not be able to console you despite being there by your side. It hurts that being a physician, I healed a lotof people but not myself.

Rimyama. That's what was added into the temple water I drank every day. How silly have I been to have been tricked with the sacred water. I should have doubted when I was asked to consume it every day. Rimyama is an all-black plant, from its roots to its leaves are all black. It brings someone who consumes it close to fatality but doesn't grant it easily and so, the slow regression of my health.

You will eventually find who did this and when you learn about her, don't get yourself controlled over anger. Always come back to me, I'll be here as long as I can.

That's it... I can write no longer... all my thoughts are flying and I am unable to put in this letter. I miss you.

The wind had stopped blowing. The birds stopped chirping. Utpala was quiet with souls roaming around in silence. Dhruva sat next to the bedside, the letter on his chest as he watched Nakshathra breathe. It was what he had been doing since his return two days ago.

He had not gotten a wink of sleep and waited day and night for her to wake up. The physicians had declared, she had gone into a comatose state, alive but beyond sleep. They had prescribed air infused medicines and inserted a cellulose tube into her mouth to allow them to feed her liquid food and water. It was so much they could do to keep her breathing.

When the news of Nakshathra's deteriorating health reached him, he had left for Durja at once. Dhruva did not care to finish up their search, his heart and thought was with his wife and urged him to get there at the soonest. It took him several days to reach the city. By the time he reached Utpala, wave of sadness had hit the palace.

At first, Dhruva was numbed to the tears and grief on the faces he walked past. Then Prithvi rushed to him, lamenting over Nakshathra's condition and behind Prithvi, Parthiban sat on the edge of the bed hunched and his body shook—silent sobbing. Dhruva softly pushed Prithvi aside and faltered his way to the bed.

His pounding heart stopped for a bit when he finally caught the full sight of Nakshathra laying almost lifeless on the bed. Partiban murmured but he heard nothing.

"What happened? Why is she ..." Dhruva swallowed and looked at his brother-in-law, eyes red and wet.

"She fell into unconsciousness. They said she is in comatose state."

Dhruva shook his head refusing to accept. Fat tears fell as he dropped on his knees at the bedside. Softly caressing her head, he called her. "Nakshathra, I'm-I'm back. Wake up now. Don't you want to hear how it went? Nakshathra, can you hear me?" He gasped through his sobs. "Look at me, please. Wake up...."

He lost his strength, fell to the ground and broke into a heart wrenching wail. Utpala cried with him as he continued speak incoherently between his cries.

It was after much later; Dhruva came to arealisation, the closer I got to her, the more dangerous her life became.The truth ached and he remained a closed book, denying to open up to hisbrother and brother-in-law. Although it emotionally broke them to see Dhruvadevastated, they let him be. It was the best for all to remain in the stateeach one of them were till they were out of it on their own. Amidst the achingtruth of Nakshathra's state and the unavailable treatment to heal her, Dhruvaprayed for miracle. However, he refrained from speaking 

The oil lamp next to him fizzled out and a mild smell of mustard waft in the air. Dhruva set the letter aside, he rose from the chair and headed to replace the burnt wick with a new one. His eyes began to show its heaviness from the lack of sleep and the tiredness of his travel. While he worked on the lamp, a line from Nakshathra's letter flashed. I should have doubted when I was asked to consume it every day.

"Who was it?" he muttered, trying to pull out a buried memory and headed out to find someone for an answer.

If truly it was someone he knew, Dhruva swore to get them punished in the worst way possible. They should at least have a taste of the pain they have inflicted on his wife.

He hastened his pace and returned an hour later, dejected. No one had any idea who messed with Nakshathra's drinking water. All of them only repeated the same but Parthiban knew something. Nakshathra must have told him yet he kept it to himself, promising Dhruva to tell him once they have all calmed down.

*-*-*-*-*

It was unusual for the king to be at the western part of the palace however, he seemed to be a frequent visitor to Utpala ever since Nakshathra had fallen sick. He often spoke less, only sees her from afar and leaves after getting the needed information from Arunya or Ramani.

Today the king's guards waited outside Utpala to escort the crown prince, the young prince and the prince of Kavish to his palace. He had sent a message, wishing them to join him for a light talk over breakfast.

The king was seated at the table with two of his daughters among those whom Dhruva rarely meets. Upon seeing them, the king broke into a welcoming smile.

"Good to see you, sons and you too, Rajakumar Parthiban." His weary eyes sparkled at the presence of his guests for the morning.

"Your Majesty," they curtsied and each took a seat at the long dining table. Dhruva next to the king, Prithvi next to his sister and Parthiban next to Dhruva.

His half-sisters as usual remained reserved. They neither tore their gaze away from their plates nor spoke a word to greet them. Dhruva observed his sisters for a moment before ignoring them completely. His sisters had never wanted to forge their relationship with him as a brother nor did they tried to warm up with Nakshathra and when they did not show a little care for his wife, he had set them aside.

A king's servant set a bowl of thick porridge of dry-roasted semolina for each of them. An unusual menu for a king's breakfast, he thought but refrained from asking. Not that he expected anything big but it's simply wasn't how the king eats on a daily basis.

"The time in the palace doesn't seem fit for me to have lavish breakfast. If you are not happy with it, feel free to request something of your liking," the king offered, especially to Parthiban.

"I am fine with upma, Your Majesty. Thank you."

"The queen. Isn't she join us?" Dhruva asked, nonchalantly.

"Ah, she has been complaining sick for days. I have sent a physician but she sent them back and doesn't allow me to check on her either." He lifted his cup to his mouth. "She will be fine. How is the Yuvarani, any progress? What does the physician say?" Yogathepan switched his tone to a much serious one.

Dhruva exhaled a shaky breath. "Her pulse and other vital organs are functioning well, they said. But they are trying their best to wake her up."

While the rest had their breakfast, Dhruva left it untouched. He would have his breakfast with his wife. Right now, he seemed it to be the right time to stay away from the chamber while her ladies-in-waiting clean her up and dress her for the day. Although the king's only resource of healing were the physicians, Dhruva was still waiting for the most important person to arrive. He believed with her arrival; they will figure out a way to bring back Nakshathra. Afterall, Nakshathra's health was triggered by a plant from her nation, she would know better.

"I am a bit too late to ask but any idea what triggered her health?" Yogathepan asked, enquiring about Nakshathra's for the first time in detail.

Prithvi gulped the content from his cup and took charge to explain to his father on the incidents from the beginning. Right from observing the fast to discovering the strange leaves in the water.

"Who in the palace has possession of such deadly plant?" Yogathepan pushed his chair with a screech and up on his feet. He was clearly agitated to learn someone from the palace have had done such a crime. "How could they misuse the privilege given to them as the palace dwellers?

"We are looking for traces of the plant and we will soon find them," Dhruva said.

Yogathepan slumped back into his chair. "What did the poor girl do to deserve this fate? What am I going to answer to Maharaja Bavaneswaran when he learns about her state?" He placed his head on his hand. "I don't want another reason to bring the two nations further apart."

Parthiban cleared his throat to speak. "I'll help my family to understand. Although it will be hard to control them but they will understand it wasn't in your hand to stop this. You were unaware."

"Exactly, a lot of things are happening and I am not aware of it. All of these is making me question my ability as a king of Durja. I am such an incompetent king. For one last time, before I step down and make way for Dhruva, I want to fix this. I want to make sure I deliver rightful punishment to them who jeopardised my daughter-in-law's life for their fancy."

"Appa, you don't have to step down. I am not ready to take it yet, not when Nakshathra is bedridden. You have a lot more to do then this, appa. I'll ascend only after she has woken up and able to be on her feet again."

Yogathepan read his son's face, a small smile lingered at the corner of his mouth. "I am proud of you, son. I know I have neglected you in the past but I'll not hereafter." The king gave a firm tap on Dhruva's shoulder. "You haven't touched your breakfast. You don't like it?"

"He plans to sit with anni and have his breakfast," Prithvi chirped in as he winked at his brother.

"Very well, if the rest of you are done. Let's go and spend some time with Nakshathra. I heard that people in coma can hear us. I am sure, she will be happy to have us in Utpala." The king clapped his hands and rose to his full height.

"Please excuse us, we have some matters to attend." The eldest of the sisters rose as did the other.

"Isn't it respectful to visit your ailing sister-in-law at least once?" Yogathepan questioned, his tone commanding.

"We will visit her when we feel it's the right time," countered Hamsavalli while the other refused to make eye contact with any of them.

"That's alright, Hamsavalli. Go on, there must be more pressing matters to look into. I don't want you to miss it." Dhruva gesture them to leave. They were not obliged to do anything out of their interest and he had no intention to bring such vibes close to his wife.

"These brats. I am beginning to clearly see my mistakes in upbringing my children." Yogathepan followed the three of them to Utpala as he continued to mumble about his weird behaving wife and arrogant daughters.

The morning sun had rose to its peak and the light shone bright on Utpala. As they crossed the bridge over the lake, Dhruva noticed something unusual from their chamber's balcony. A kind of glow, he spotted even through the sharp sunrays. However, he let it slide. It could be an illuminance from an object in the chamber, he thought.

But as they entered Utpala, there were a little commotion on the first floor. The princes rushed, skipping two-three steps up their way. The king followed them in a hurry.

"Yuvaraja, some lady just came in and she is doing something on Yuvarani," one of the guards reported, his body shaking from witnessing events beyond his imagination.

Dhruva immediately knew it should be Achi Mangalam and the glow he saw from the bridge wasn't an illusion at all. The one healer he had been waiting for was finally here and he knew then, Nakshathra will wake up in no time. His heart fluttered at the thought.

When Dhruva barged into the chamber, Achi Mangalam was in an aggravated conversation with Ramani.

"How could you child? You were there when I told Kavi about the plant," Achi fumed.

"Achi—"

"No. No child. I can't accept your explanation."

"I was ... I was threatened ... My father's life ..." she sobbed, swallowing half of her words.

"Who threatened you?" Dhruva's voice boomed loud with authority.

Ramani turned, her face was swollen from all the crying. She dropped on her knees with her hands joined together.

"Forgive me, Yuvaraja." She laid her forehead on the ground, her body shook. "I was forced to do it. Please forgive me."

Dhruva said nothing. Everyone had already gathered behind him. He ordered Prithvi to send the guards out and shut the door. As the noise from outside subsided, he spoke. "So, you were the spy she didn't want to reveal," he spoke low with spewing anger.

"Please forgive me, Yuvaraja," she wailed.

"Tell me who was the person involved in messing with the water?"

Ramani nodded her head vigorously.

"Who? Tell me who and I'll consider forgiving you."

He could see her hesitation. Was the person among them at the moment? Dhruva scanned the chamber. Behind him Parthiban, Prithvi and his father stood. In front of him, knelt Ramani, further inside Arunya shivering in fear as well and at the bedside, Achi Mangalam. Dhruva tried to decipher Achi's expression, if she has any positive feedback on Nakshathra but she appeared stern. His heart twisted.

"Her name is Alli." Ramani wiped her tears off with her trembling hands. "A name she had given herself to disguise her unwarranted activities. She was behind all the abductions that took place in Kavish and she was also the reason for, Yuvarani's condition." Ramani sobbed.

"Do we know her?"

Ramani nodded again.

"Who?" Yogathepan stepped forward, his voice rough and edgy. "Who is it?" he demanded.

She flinched, snapped her eyes shut and blurted, "Maharani Kumudhavalli."

Silence filled the room at once as if everyone had even stopped breathing, almost everyone. The revelation sounded too good to be true yet Dhruva tried to connect the dots. It seemed weird but words spoken months ago found its way out right at the moment.

What if she was pretending to have given up revenge? Pieces of question Parthiban had asked when they first met, ticked the box. 'It could be her.'

When the king was uncertain to give his approval for the marriage proposal, she convinced him. Another check. 'It could be her.'

It was also the queen who suggested Nakshathra to observe the fast that was never performed in the past years. 'It could be her.'

Soon the heavy quietness broke as Yogathepan grabbed Ramani's arm and yanked her up on her feet. "How dare you accuse the queen?" He seethed. "She would not do anything as such."

"What makes you name the queen as the offender? What enmity do you have on the queen?" Prithvi attempted to remain calm as he gripped the hilt of his sword tight ready to unsheathe it at any given moment.

"Answer us!" They demanded.

"Trust me, it's the truth." Tears streamed down her cheeks.

"It is true." Parthiban stepped forward in her defence. "It is the queen, Kumudhavalli who is behind all these. It was under her order the leaves were added into Nakshathra's drink. My sister told to me herself. We can even find the traces of the plant in her palace. Ramani was simply acting on her orders."

"Absurdity. This is absurd!" Yogathepan pushed a ceramic vase to the ground, shattering into pieces. "I ... I am giving you the respect as a guest, Parthiban. Do not test my patience. I'll not tolerate you one more second if you continue to put the blame on my wife." Yogathepan and Parthiban stared at each other, challenging one another.

"It's simple the fact, Your Majesty."

There was a time when Dhruva thought highly of his step-mother and the pedestal on which he had kept her slowly started to reduce in height. Every time she neglected him, belittled him, she reduced in his eyes, he had kept the pain in his heart buried deep inside until no one can see it. As her innocence were being discussed and him connecting the dots, Dhruva couldn't stop himself from believing both Ramani and now Parthiban.

He calmly walked to his father and held him by his shoulders. "Appa, I need you to sit down." Dhruva gestured him to a nearest chair and turned to Parthiban.

From the corner of his eyes, he noticed Prithvi pacing back and forth anxiously.

"Tell us everything that you know, Parthiban. Only then we can think what to do further."

"What? ...." Yogathepan started then chose not to say a word more.

Parthiban walked to the bed, watched his sister laying like a vegetable giving himself a few moments.

He began with Ranganathan, why he ran away from Kavish and how he met Kumudhavalli. He told them about their collaborative scheme to topple the army strength of Kavish. He told them about her, trading Kavishians as slaves in exchange for golds and their alliance with Shoolin king. He told them how Kumudhavalli had planned to take revenge on Heramba family through Nakshathra. And lastly, he told them how she had used a similar method to kill the late queen.

At the final revelation, did Yogathepan unleashed himself and lunged at Parthiban as he failed to control himself. A bloodied Parthiban stayed rooted as Yogathepan threw punches on his face. Dhruva and Prithvi rushed to tear them apart. Dhruva hadn't even had time to cumulate his thoughts over the reason behind his mother's death and his father had begun to attack Parthiban. Despite the two of them pulling him away, Yogathepan's hold was steel strong around Parthiban's neck.

Dhruva gave up, throwing his hands in the air. His brother continued to break them away. His hand reached for his head, fingers pressing on his temple over the throbbing ache. When he spoke his voice trailed slowly, "stop," like the words weren't ready to be out. He twisted his lips, pulled them between his teeth in attempt to control his tears. Dhruva was a messed in his head but he had to take charge of the situation before it got too late.

"Dhruva, help..." His brother's voice muffled through his chaotic head.

"Stop it! Appa!" He shouted. Tears spilled from his eyes. "Let him go." His bloodshot eyes stared straight at his father. "We will see if what he says is true." Dhruva turned to Parthiban. "Are you sure the plant is in SuryaKanthi?"

"That's what Naksahthra told me." Parthiban wiped the blood from his mouth.

"It is in there, Your Highness," Ramani jumped in to reply.

"Come with us, Ramani." Dhruva gestured his hand to the door. "Achi, please stay with Nakshathra until I return," he said to the aged lady and marched his way out following the rest of them.

*-*-*-*-*

Yogathepan was the first to break into Kumudhavalli's chamber as soon as they found a relatively grown plant in a shade they have never seen before—black. Right from its stems, its leaves to its roots, all of it was black. Kumudhavalli, the queen of Durja had been growing the dangerous plant in her palace was an absolute shock to everyone mostly to Yogathepan.

He had cherished her presence in his life, for the love she had at first shower on Dhruva and for birthing three of his children but learning she had used him for her plan of revenge had enraged him. In the ferocity Yogathepan had uproot the plant and scampered to her chamber, soil trailing his way. They all knew her end in this kingdom has come to an end.

The door to her chamber was pushed open followed by a loud thud on either side of the wall. His father marched menacingly slow towards the haggard looking Kumudhavalli. By the looks of her, Dhruva understood the lady who ran out of the palace right before they entered had passed her the news of their discovery.

"Your Majesty, what brought you here?" she asked concealing her fear through her forced smile.

"If you hadn't known or couldn't see clearly then this is the reason I am here." Yogathepan threw the uprooted Rimyama, soil stuck to its root splattered all over the chamber.

"What—What is this?"

"The key to your end, Kumudhavalli. Really, you don't know what this plant is even when it was sitting right there in your garden?" Yogathepan minced to her like a predator.

Dhruva and Parthiban stayed by the door. He had no intention to question his step-mother, he knew she did it for revenge but she had played with his father's emotions and ruled Prithvi's life for her greed more than she had effected him. Whatever that needs to be done, will be done by his father and his brother. He however, will stay to watch her world and dreams crumple to pieces.

"I—I ..." she stammered, failing to find words to defend herself. Kumudhavalli backed as Yogathepan walked towards her.

"Can't speak? After all that you have done to my family now you are scared for being caught?" His hand found its way to her neck, slowly strangling her.

"What ... have I done ... to you?" She asked as she tried to wriggle out of his grip.

"What audacity is this?" He gave a dry chuckle and let go of her. "You need help to recall of all that you have done?" He nodded. "Fine, I'll give you some bits to rekindle your memories."

He went on to list down everything Parthiban had told them earlier. From where she started in the palace as a daughter of the Royal Advisor to becoming Brinda's dearest friend to poisoning her to death and then made an impression to the queen mother by loving Dhruva in the absences of his mother and becoming a new queen to Durja up to her conspiracy to eliminate Nakshathra to take her revenge.

By the horrifying look on her face, anyone in the room would vouch she had done all of it. But she shook her side to side, denying everything Yogathepan had said.

"That's all a lie!" She screamed, pushed the little pieces of brass decorative from a table next to her. "How could you believe all of that?"

"Then what is the truth?" He asked, crossing his arms across his chest.

"Tell us why you have this plant in your garden, amma?" Prithvi stepped next to his father.

"I don't know. You are being fooled." She paced back and forth then her eyes caught Dhruva's. "That Nakshthra must have planted it."

It had to be the first time Dhruva had seen her with such a look holding so much hatred on him.

"You." Pushed the two of them and darted to Dhruva. She held him by his collar. "You have spewed all these lies to them, didn't you?"

"Why will I?"

"Because you hated me from the beginning."

Dhruva held her hand and released her hold from his collar. "No. I have never hated you but now I feel sorry for you," he said calmly. "After all it's been sixteen-seventeen years, you would tend to find someone to blame for your doings. I am sorry to say, but it is time you accept your crimes and be ready to face your punishment." Despite his calmness, Dhruva had been supressing his own anger. Reminding himself not to get emotional and take pity on her.

"I have seen a good number of people you have tortured and muted. What all of them did to you to deserve such cruelty? Who gave you the authority to act in that manner?" he asked, his voice raising gradually. "Who gave you the rights to sell them as a slave? Who did you think you are?"

"I am the Maharani! I have taken it upon myself," she responded. "My father was killed by their king and I wanted to see him and his family suffer."

"And so, you admit you have done all of these?" Prithvi asked.

Kumudhavalli closed her eyes and racked her fingers through her long hair. She shrugged and tilted her head to the side. "Well, now that you all have come together dumping accusations on me. I'll have to accept it."

"Stop acting like you are the victim here, Kumudhavalli," Yogathepan snapped at her.

"I am ready to confess everything I did under her order and will accept whatever punishment you give me, Your Majesty." Ramani dropped a bundle on the floor, folded her hands together and bowed low. "These are some of her clothes she had used when she disguised as Alli and through that door over there, she goes in and out of the palace." Ramani pointed to a cupboard at the far end of the room, hidden behind the drapes.

Dhruva witnessed the fury, the disappointment, the betrayal his father was going through. So did his brother Prithvi. They were both broken and yet remained strong not to emotionally fall for her plea.

"Guards!" The king called and threw them orders to arrest Kumudhavalli and have the prison be guarded at all times until he was ready to give her the rightful punishment.

After the guards hesitantly, chained their now dethroned queen Kumudhavalli who continued to deny her crimes. Parthiban stopped them to share a final word. "I have one more thing to tell." He turned to Kumudhavalli, "to you especially."

"Your father whom you thought was killed by King Nagendran was not the real killer. It was the man you trusted in this conspiracy. The man that you have partnered with all these long, Ranganathan and his lover conspired to kill you father and used you and your father's death for their revenge. You have helped your father's actually murderer for these many years."

Kumudhavalli dumbfoundedly stared at Parthiban before she started shaking her head. "No. No, that isn't true. I am not a fool," she screamed. "I cannot be fooled. You are lying! How will I help my father's murderer. No, I cannot be fooled. I am not...." As she continued to deny the truth, the guards pulled her away. "... all these for nothing...." Her deafening cry faded out as she was taken away in the chariot to the palace prison.

*-*-*--*-*