Aviram :

THE MORNING of Dussehra arrived quicker than expected.

"What?! No!", Devika snapped at me.
I exhaled unhappily as I adjusted my tie before the dressing table.
I wore a blue suit with white shirt.

"Sorry, Leela.. but—"
"Here I am going to dance and my husband is going to be missing! This is not fair!", She said sitting back on the bed stubbornly.
"The clients are foreigners.. they'll leave today itself, in a late night flight. After they leave I'll run down to watch you perform.", I said sighing.

I looked at her dejected look through her reflection in the mirror.
She looked down, sitting on the bed, tapping her toes in annoyance.

"What if you're late? What if—"
"Santosh will record it for me, Leela.", I said softly, finally turning to face her.
She looked up, with eyes brimming with tears.

"Arrey.. now why do you have tears?", I asked, almost concerned as I walked down to her.
She looked at me like an angry child with teary eyes, reminding me of Nayantara when she was younger.

Although they were not related by blood, they were very related by their emotional stubbornness and anger.

She wrapped her arms around my waist and hugged me tightly.

"Today's performance is for you. And you have to show up.", She whispered.
I couldn't help but let the smile escape.
"I will.", I whispered back.

•

Devika :

Aviram had left after completing the Ravan Dahan ceremony.
He had shot the arrow that had burnt down the evil.
And I couldn't help but admire his aim, as I had sat at the seat assigned to the Queen.

But now,

The time had come.
And I stood at the back stage, ready.
The crowd outside was almost insane. The whole city was here for this performance, it held a lot of significance.

Historical and mythological significance, I had heard.
This dance must be performed every year and must be the best performance of the dancer, that shall be the tradition for all the years to come.
That had been one of the Raghuvanshis from the twelfth century.

My heart was pacing a little faster today.
I had performed, but never for a such an active audience. A lot of whom didn't exactly approve of me because I was that rebellious girl from the temple that Rajaji married for an heir.

Funny though, because their Raja ji would burn down the world for the same rebellious girl.
I knew he could.
Ever since he had accepted that he trusted me, I felt a little more drawn towards him.
Although nothing had changed between us as such, but now, everytime I saw him.. my heart skipped a beat.
Every time our hands brushed I felt a strange gush of emotions course through me.

I had started to stare at him as he slept beside me.
A hand's distance remained between us, but yet, there was this strange intimacy that I couldn't explain.

He smiled a little more nowdays, and I admired him a little more everyday.

"All the best.", I heard from my side.
Mrinalini Devi it was.
"Thank you.", I whispered back.
"You know how important this performance is.. don't you?", She asked.
I nodded with a subtle fake smile.

Although she was my guru, I couldn't quite forget how she had made my Ram give up his throne.

"Devika, it is said that only those with a pious heart can complete this dance. I know Raja ji rather overrates your terribly average dancing skills... ", She said with the tone of loath.

I looked at her, widening my fake smile.

"Dear Gurumaa, you must really see me dance without the bias. Maybe you'll see the same spark that he sees.", I said plainly.

"Proud of your art, are you?"
"Just confident.", I said.

She looked at me with a thin smile, a smile that his secrets.
"Well, we shall see your confidence today. Promise, in the name of your Rajaji, that whatever may come.. you shall not step off the stage without finishing it.", She said.

I smiled, genuinely.

"Ah.. fine. Just to satisfy your ego.", I said, "I swear by Aviram's name.. I will step down only after I complete it. It's a promise.. okay?"

She smiled, nodding.

"Remember the tradition of Raghukul.", She said, and then looked at the stage,
"It's time.", Mrinalini Devi said.
I nodded and climbed up on the stage.
The crowd immediately fell silent.

I stood, and the music started.

Raghukul reet sadaa chali aayi
Praan jaaye par.. vachan na jaaye..

And I let the music take me over.
As the beats started, my feet moved.

Jay Raghuvanshi Ayodhya pati.. Ram Chandra ki Jay!
Siya var Ram Chandra ki Jay!

Suddenly as I danced, I found my heart yearning for him through the crowd. Maybe him sitting at the seat reserved for the King, beaming at me as I danced.

I wished for my Ram to watch his Leela's performance.
The performance that was dedicated to him.

Raghuvar Teri.. raah nihare..
Saaton janam se Siya..
Ghar more pardesiya..
Aao padharon Piya..

The 'ghar' or home, here, I could tell was my heart, I knew.

Drawn into the music, I knew I was giving the performance of a lifetime.

And then I suddenly felt a sting.
A sharp sting that started from below my feet.

I had stepped on glass.

And then another.
I couldn't stop dancing.
Not now, not yet, not before he had arrived and seen me dance for him.

I glanced down at an instant.

Pieces of glass, I could see on the red carpet that was thrown all over the stage.
Someone had done it intentionally, just now.

I looked up, letting my feet continue the Kathak.

"Ram.. where are you?", My heart whispered in ache.
I wouldn't have done this Basanti stunt had I been Devika.

But I wasn't in myself any more.
I had become his, without even realising.

Maine sud budh chaain havale
Ram ratan paa liya..
Ghar more pardesiya..
Aao padharon piya..

Suddenly my vision started to blur.
I shut my eyes, letting the tears roll down, drawn into the music, void of any physical pain.

The music edged towards the climax.

And my mind drifted off to an imagination. An illusion to escape the pain.
I saw him, him before me, beaming as I danced.

I knew my feet bled terribly, I knew they trembled a little as they stepped on glass.
The pain tore through my being, but I wouldn't stop.

I had promised by his name.

Bani re bani Mai Teri..
Joganiyaa..

"Leela!", I heard his voice from afar.
I opened my eyes, almost reflexively.
Wondering if I was imagining this too.

And suddenly my body gave away.
The song ended.

Through the blur of tears, I saw him.

When I finally fell to my knees, unable to hold myself up anymore, I felt arms wrap around me.

Arms that were sturdy, strong and of the man who was my husband.

"Leela! Call the doctor! Leela stay with me!", He screamed, least bothered about what the people in the crowd would say.

I felt a drop of water on my cheek.
A tear from his eyes.
I drew in a deep breath.

The pain numbed me physically.

"Ram..", I whispered, realising if I didn't say now.. I might be too late.
The bleeding was profuse.
He lifted me off the stage in his arms.
"Nothing will happen to you, Leela.", He whispered through his tears as he climbed off the stage, almost jogging towards the bedroom.

The doctor would arrive soon, I heard.
He took me into the bedroom and carefully made me lie on the bed.

"Ram..", I whispered again.
He looked down at me, with so much more than just concern.

He wiped off my tears, with the affection of the world.

"I am here, Leela.. nothing—"

"I love you.", I said finally.

He paused abruptly.
I blinked off my tears, the doctor and nurses gushed in.
He stared at me, dumbfounded.

I felt a sharp sting. Someone pulled out a piece of glass. I could almost feel the blood flow out.
As if it sucked the life out of me.

"Raja ji.. you have to leave..", I heard the doctor.
But Raja ji.. sat frozen.

"I.. love.. you.. Ram.", I whispered before I finally gave up.

Darkness fell.

•••

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The song :