Sankatmochan peered up the stairs, straining his ears to catch any sound. On hearing his phone ring, he distractedly returned to his room, and his face turned apprehensive on seeing Sumer Singh's name on the screen. Calls between them had been few and far between over the few years, and he was certain that this particular call had to do with Prithvi...

"Namaste, Sumer Singhji," Sankatmochan said courteously.

The polite greeting brought a faint grimace to Sumer Singh's face. The years spent in proximity to the Bharadwaj family had wrought an astounding transformation in Sankatmochan. All of them were for the good, but it was still hard to accept some of the changes, especially the unusually gracious behaviour.

"Namaste," he said grudgingly. "Sankat, where is Prithvi? He's not answering my calls or messages."

Walking back to his post by the stairway, Sankatmochan whispered, "Upstairs. In his room, I think."

"Why are you whispering?" Sumer Singh asked suspiciously.

"Prithvi is very angry about something," Sankatmochan murmured, retreating to his room while keeping a cautious eye on the top of the stairs.

"Angry? Why?" Sumer Singh asked, startled. The young man he'd spoken to some time ago had been miserable, but not angry.

"I don't know," Sankatmochan said haplessly. "I had gone out for a walk and had not carried my phone. Prakash found me and said Prithvi wanted to leave immediately. Everyone in Vrindavan is very sad that he is leaving, particularly Babaji. But apparently, Prithvi placated him and the others by saying that he would return soon. Anyway, I ran back home. Prithvi wasn't around, but I began packing quickly. Then I heard the door slam. I hurried out of my room and saw Prithvi come into the house. He looked so furious...I didn't have the courage to ask him why he was angry. He didn't look at me and just walked up the stairway. And then I heard another door slam. I haven't heard anything else for about twenty minutes now."

Sumer Singh disbelievingly asked, "Prithvi...showed his anger?"

Sankatmochan gave the phone a confused frown before returning it to his ear. "Why do you sound so surprised? Yes, I know he has calmed down a lot over the years," he admitted. "And I've seen it myself since yesterday. But he must surely be losing his temper now and then. I mean...this is Prithvi we are talking about," he said reasonably. Then he hissed, "I think he's coming downstairs. I'll call you up in a short while."

Tensed, Sumer Singh waited with the phone in his hands. Some moments later, his phone emitted a short buzz. It was a terse message from Prithvi, asking him to go ahead with whatever he'd decided regarding the security for the Bharadwaj family, and stating that he would be resuming work tonight itself. A second message arrived within seconds, informing him that the phone was going to be switched off.

Keeping his word, Sankatmochan called him back shortly.

"We are leaving now," he whispered from his spot at the back of the SUV. "Prithvi is saying his goodbyes to the family. I can tell he's like a bomb waiting to explode, but no one else suspects a thing. He looks really cool and relaxed."

"What happened after he came downstairs?" Sumer Singh asked anxiously.

"He was still very angry but he spoke calmly with me, thank God," Sankatmochan adjoined fervently. "He told me to keep my bags in the SUV and asked me to check if Rajeshwari was ready. I went there and learnt two things - Rajeshwari was indeed ready...and Nandini had left the house without informing Sarojini maa or Rajeshwari or Babaji," he said agitatedly. "She had been in the backyard, and then she came into the house and looked at her phone, and she told Prakash she had to meet a friend who needed some help urgently. And she took some money from the box in the drawer of the telephone stand and left. Something happened between her and Prithvi, I'm sure of it," he insisted frantically. "I think if I try to -"

"No," Sumer Singh snapped. "Don't even think about it, Sankat. I know your heart is in the right place, but just...just accept that it is not going to happen. You have no idea what Prithvi..." he paused and breathed deeply before speaking again. "Sankat, Prithvi managed to find some peace and stability in his life after a very difficult struggle. If you do anything that jeopardises -"

"Okay, okay, understood," Sankatmochan said gloomily, feeling deflated.

"Good. And listen, I want you to give me updates about Prithvi while travelling," Sumer Singh said seriously. "If there is any change in his mood, for better or for worse, I want you to inform me immediately."

"Alright, but don't expect any favourable updates," Sankatmochan sighed. "It's true that Prithvi has changed, but I've known him since childhood. I can tell you he's going to be in this mood for some days. Or maybe even weeks."

Sumer Singh winced.

************************

"Make sure every arrangement is perfect," Uday Singh told the group of five men who were clad impeccably in dark suits. "The office room should be extremely comfortable and have all of those technical things he might need. Anything that Prithvi wants should be made available to him immediately."

"Yes, your highness," the men murmured obediently almost in unison.

"The archery and shooting ranges should be set up by tomorrow. And all information about these surrounding hill ranges and good trails for trekking and camping and those kinds of activities must be presented to him. And the stable has good horses for him, doesn't it?" Uday Singh asked keenly.

On receiving confirmation, he dismissed the men and looked at Sumer Singh, who was standing to his left, with a happy yet anxious smile.

"Sumer, do you think this will be enough?"

"Yes, you've covered almost everything, your highness," Sumer Singh smiled.

The news of Prithvi's arrival had catapulted Uday Singh's mood to a joyous high. The old man was nearly beside himself with delight and excitement.

"Good. I don't want Prithvi to feel bored for a moment here," Uday Singh said gaily. Then with his excitement mellowing down, he concernedly added, "And I also hope these activities help improve his mood."

"Yes, I hope so too, your highness," Sumer Singh muttered.

"You're really worried, aren't you?" Uday Singh looked at him astutely.

Sumer Singh offered an unhappy nod. "He did not hesitate for a second before saying 'not good'. It shocked me rather badly."

"Prithvi's state is understandable," Uday Singh said sadly. "It is very difficult to forget your first love. But like I've told you before, he's a very tough young man, and he will bounce back in no time. And also, whatever went wrong between them years ago was tragic but maybe it was for the best. Nandini would not have been able to fit in with Prithvi's current lifestyle. And the relationship would eventually have made both of them unhappy. But at the same time, I sometimes do wish things would have worked out between them," he added with a sigh. "I spent only a little time with Nandini, but I had become very fond of her. Her beauty wasn't skin-deep. That girl had an exceptional...almost magical charm that I haven't seen in any of the females who've fluttered around Prithvi since then. But Nandini also must have changed over the years. And perhaps she would be completely wrong for Prithvi now. But if not...then..."

Sumer Singh continued to look at the floor and didn't say anything in response.

Uday Singh looked at him with a tiny gleam in his eyes. "I know why you're so disturbed about Prithvi's answer. It troubles me too...but don't you think that the honest reply is a good sign, rather than a bad one? Is it possible that some...pleasant developments could take place if Prithvi stays back in Shamli for a longer time?" he asked Sumer Singh thoughtfully.

The viewpoint threw Sumer Singh. He had not thought about that aspect. Could it be an auspicious sign that Prithvi had been truthful about what was he feeling...and also displaying his anger... after so many years?

But then Sumer Singh thought about a few other factors in the situation, and the trend of his thoughts changed again swiftly.

Shaking his head, Sumer Singh dejectedly said, "No, your highness, I think it's best if Prithvi doesn't spend any more time in Shamli. I haven't heard him sound so despondent in years. And from what he and Sankat said, the feeling I got was that spending time around Nandini would only make him more miserable. And I cannot see him endure any more pain," he said with an inner shudder. And the queen was also one of the elements to be considered, Sumer Singh thought warily. She wouldn't dare reprimand Prithvi for spending time in Shamli, but she could take her anger out on the Bharadwaj family.

"Hmm...okay," Uday Singh ruminated. "Well, if Prithvi had wanted Nandini in his life, he would not have let her go back then. That sort of docile behaviour is not in his blood. If he'd wanted the relationship to continue, he would have made it happen, regardless of what it would have taken."

"Yes, I agree, your highness," Sumer Singh concurred heavily. "And after the heartbreak he went through, he will not forgive her. And...I've learnt that Nandini's family is on the lookout for a groom for her," he added dispiritedly.

"Oh...I suppose there is no hope then," Uday Singh said regretfully. Then changing the subject, he asked, "Has everyone been informed about Prithvi's arrival?"

"Yes, your highness," Sumer Singh confirmed. After making the calls regarding the Bharadwaj family's security, he had informed the queen and Indrajit through their secretaries. Neither of them had called him back with questions or accusations - which was extremely strange. He's spoken to Kadambari, who had shrieked out elated, sad and angry statements, sometimes simultaneously, and had declared that she would also be coming to Taravan soon – which was thoroughly predictable.

He'd also spoken to Bhoothnath, confirmed what Prithvi and Rajeshwari had told the family, and reinforced the urgency of the work that required Prithvi to come to Taravan.

"Okay, good. I'd spoken to Priyamvada in the morning. She must be delighted to know Prithvi has cut short his break," Uday Singh said affectionately, then he frowned. "Now I only hope Indrajit doesn't call Prithvi up and hound him unnecessarily about the Shamli trip. That boy's hate towards commoners is ridiculous."

Sumer Singh mumbled a noncommittal reply, which he did almost every time he had to speak to Uday Singh about the queen and Indrajit.

Uday Singh cast a shrewd glance towards him and said, "You know, Sumer, this story about how Rajeshwari and Prithvi landed in Shamli contains quite a bunch of coincidences and strange developments."

He let Sumer Singh squirm in discomfort for some seconds, and then chuckled. "It is alright. I don't care about it, to be honest, and will not be asking either of them about it. It doesn't matter what Rajeshwari was doing with Nandini's family or how Prithvi arrived there at the same time. I only care that my Prithvi is going to be with me from now on," Uday Singh smiled joyfully. "It feels as though spring season is on its way to Taravan."

Sumer Singh smiled at the other man's palpable happiness. His own joy was no less. He only wished Prithvi would feel better once he was here, and nothing else would go wrong...

"He's bringing Sankatmochan along too, eh?" Uday Singh remarked amusedly. "That young man who seemed to be only a slightly better version of my old self?"

"He has changed, your highness," Sumer Singh said awkwardly. "He has become errr...virtuous, in all ways."

Uday Singh was astonished. If he'd had to give an opinion based on his life experiences, he would have guaranteed that Sankatmochan was destined to become a bigger lecher with every passing year.

"And how did that happen?" Uday Singh asked in surprise.

"Sankat says it is the effect of being with Nandini's family. They are very honourable, pious and innocent folk," Sumer Singh said with a fond sincerity.

That meant they were boring, smug and self-righteous, Uday Singh thought sceptically. The kind that could ruin the rich pleasures of life and turn it bland and tasteless. It was fortunate then that he was unlikely to ever meet them...

*************************

Wrapped in woollen clothes and a thick shawl, Uday Singh waited in the large and cosy great hall of the sprawling mansion, moving and swaying in his seat every few seconds in eagerness and impatience.

Outside, in the glow of artificial lights, Sumer Singh waited in the cold to see the vehicle that would be coming into sight any moment. When he finally saw the SUV approaching the bungalow, a delighted smile spread across his face and he hurried forward.

When the vehicle came to a halt, guards rushed forward to open the doors.

Rajeshwari was the first to get down.

Sumer Singh smiled and bowed to her with a respectful greeting, and she offered a gracious nod.

Something big leapt at his feet and he jumped back in alarm with a yell.

"What are you doing?" he snapped at Sankatmochan.

"Seeking your blessings, Sumer Singhji," Sankatmochan said humbly with folded hands

"Okay, okay, you have my blessings," Sumer Singh said hastily. "But don't do that again. You almost gave me a heart attack."

"Okay, I will respect your wishes because of your highly advanced age," Sankatmochan said with a dignified air.

Sumer Singh scowled at him, but then the door of the driver's seat opened and he forgot everything except the young man descending from the SUV.

Prithvi smiled faintly at Sumer Singh as he approached the older man.

Instead of reassuring Sumer Singh, the smile caused him a painful distress, pushing him to the edge of tears. This was the same weary, lifeless smile that he'd last seen when Prithvi had still been struggling to come out of the darkness that had befallen his life...

He enfolded Prithvi in a tight embrace, and was hugged back warmly.

Then Uday Singh's thrilled voice reached them from the doors of the mansion, and Sumer Singh stepped back.

He got a glimpse of a tormented inner struggle on Prithvi's features, and then witnessed the calm, smiling façade descend over the prince's countenance.

***********************

Prithvi opened one of the tall glass windows in the room, letting a nippy breeze into the room. He gazed into the night for a while, and then returned to the large desk.

He had taken stock of whatever had happened in his absence, and had finished coldly evaluating the decisions taken by his mother, who handled the business when he was away.

In matters that did not involve any profits or benefits to the business, their views weren't just different...they were conflicting to the extent that he had barred her from making decisions in his absence without consulting with trustworthy, altruistic directors. She had responded by refusing to acknowledge the existence of any issue that did not have an impact on the profitability.

However, as long as the focus was on wealth creation, he had discovered early on that their decisions were almost always in sync. The idea that any of his thoughts were in common with his mother had irked him terribly at the start, but he had developed a tolerance towards it over the years. Today, however, it was infuriating him once again...

Swiftly and smoothly, Prithvi delved back into work, taking back the reins of power from his mother.

As the night advanced, he dealt with multi-layered, complex issues with the razor-sharp brilliance that had sent jitters through the topmost echelons of numerous mammoth organisations on countless occasions. The knowledge that he had returned to work had already sent the necessary ripples through multiple arms of the business, particularly the overseas units. The heads of companies that operated within the country would get their share of jolts in the morning.

He'd despised handling the business that Rajyavardhan Singh had set up decades ago. And his antipathy towards it had not reduced over the years. However, he had quickly found multiple ways to make the situation more endurable for himself...and unpleasant for his mother and Rajyavardhan Singh. After that, he'd found it a little bit easier to give it the time and attention it needed...

And it had offered one major benefit too. Apart from his consultation work and arduous treks and travels, it was the brutal schedule involved in running this gargantuan enterprise that had helped keep his mind occupied for the past few years. At least for the hours that he worked himself to the ground, thoughts that were unpleasant, and oftentimes intolerable, had left him alone.

But tonight, work was being as effective as his mother's relentless and hilarious efforts to discreetly set up romantic dalliances for him.

Prithvi paused abruptly in the midst of scanning a long, complicated legal contract.

The pace of his work remained the same as always. But he was being forced to concentrate a little more than usual to get through the work...

...just because of the constant and acute awareness of an emptiness in the shape of a human being near him.

While he was speaking briskly to the directors of overseas units and sending terse emails that were destined to cause more than a few panic attacks and reading through pages of convoluted content...

Throughout all of it, the void remained near him, silent and unmoving but more alive than he was.

Without warning, a tiny moment from the morning of the previous day glimmered in his mind.

A stillness came over Prithvi.

Then, with a strong unwillingness, he checked the left inner pocket of his coat. His fingers came in touch with something he'd forgotten about until now. He drew it out of the pocket.

An intense vulnerability mixed with confusion flickered on his features as he gazed at the knotted rope of dry grass.

His fingers ran gently along the length of the grass.

He'd unravelled about half of the knots while sitting beneath a tree in the woods, but then had felt reluctant to proceed further. So the other knots were intact, proudly displaying the work of soft hands...

The moments that had transpired prior to his phone call with Sumer Singh had seemed difficult and troubling at the time...but in retrospect, they had been harmless. At any rate, they at least didn't make him want to reduce everything to ashes...

It wouldn't be harmful to his sanity to recall the irritation he'd felt at Nandini's absence at breakfast, and the impulsive decision to walk through the beautiful woods near the ancient shrine just to avoid thinking about whatever nonsensical reasons had caused his annoyance.

It would also be fine if he relived the scene that had met him when he'd arrived at the clearing.

Nandini sitting on the steps of the temple, her back to him. Her lush and shining hair, which was much shorter than it had been once, tied in a revolting style.

He'd felt an unfathomable relief at first. But it had dimmed quickly as he'd waited for any small sign that she had sensed his presence, and when she'd remained oblivious, the irritation in him had mutated into something more ferocious...again.

Instead of calming down and continuing with his own plans, as he'd been doing steadfastly over the past five years, he had found himself striding towards her grimly, intentionally walking over dried leaves.

The rustling sounds had pulled her attention to him finally. But the emotions in the quick look that had come his way had disappeared too quickly to be identified, and that had only fuelled his simmering temper. Then he'd spotted the venomous creature weaving through her hair, and the next thing he remembered was plucking it off, and her startled face...

The exchange that had followed was probably among the most juvenile ones he'd had in years. However, it had yet again proved too difficult to resist the impulse to hurt her as much as he could.

He had enough reasons to feel that way. And to make it worse, the sight of her on the temple's steps had jogged his memory all of a sudden, causing him to recollect a nightmare he'd seen years ago...one that had caused him to rush out in search of her, propelled by ridiculous fears...

The nightmare had probably been a cautionary note about the fate of his insanity regarding her, Prithvi thought harshly. But to have been a genuine warning, it should have shown her getting up and walking away from him out of her own will.

His features hardening, Prithvi threw the knotted grass away with disgust.

********************

Nandini lay awake in her bed, quietly sensing the indefinable ache that was pulsing throughout her body. She didn't try to prod at the source of the pain or try to lessen it by diverting her attention. She simply accepted it...experienced it...

Frequently, a wish would arise from the pain...a desire to go to a room in Ayodhya and spend the night on the bed that would be fragrant with Prithvi's presence.

She let the wish gnaw mercilessly at her heart, refusing to act upon it.

It was a meagre punishment for the unimaginable selfishness that had dictated her behaviour in the afternoon.

She had not thought about his emotions...his wishes...how her actions could impact him. With her mental faculties obliterated by a crushing anguish and fear over his departure, she'd been swept away by a despairing wish to feel his embrace and kiss him one last time...and to somehow express the love that she wouldn't ever be able to convey through words again. And so, she had clung to him and refused to let go, like a parasite that was only driven by survival instincts...

The most unforgivable part, however, was that the guilt remained in the realm of the intellect this night. She knew it would torment her in the coming days...along with self-loathing, regret, disgust and anger.

Yet, for now, there was only something pure and sublime within her, emitting a golden glow and an unearthly peacefulness. There was an agony too. But it was even more exquisite than the serenity...

When sleep took over, she dreamed of being clasped in a fierce embrace under the cloak of night. The arms were sometimes loving...sometimes cruel. She felt the scorching touch of his mouth on her lips...then gliding with a flaming pressure on her skin...

Nandini awoke slowly, with none of the odd fears she usually experienced in the aftermath of such dreams.

She kept her eyes closed and touched the lips that had not stopped throbbing since afternoon. A mysteriously sweet pang in her heart made her breath catch in her throat. Smiling tearfully in the darkness, she embraced it as a sacred gift.

*********************

Prithvi pushed the laptop away with a sudden frustration. He looked with loathing at the item he had cast to the floor two hours ago. It had landed near a plush black sofa.

A moment later, he rose and walked to it.

He hunkered down and lifted the knotted grass, and then sat on the thickly carpeted floor, resting his back against the sofa, knees drawn up.

Prithvi stared at the object in his hands with rage and hatred and an immeasurable despair.

The tormenting emptiness had followed him mutely. Now it melded with him and settled firmly in his heart...

Prithvi looked at the knotted grass with turbulent eyes for some minutes. Then he slowly pressed it to his lips.

**********************