She thought about everything that had transpired since the evening. She had seen her sister practicing, her husband coming there, practicing with her and losing to her in distraction. She had noticed how his invitation for jungle ride had been extended and how Chandrika had been uncomfortable about it. Tactful as Madhumita was, she had made friends with even her husband’s mistresses who stayed in antahpur. Because of these friendships, she knew more about his preferences than wives usually do. And knowing them, she was not surprised that he had fallen hard for her eccentric, wild and unfeminine, but beautiful and lively sister. And marrying him would be the best thing to happen to Chandrika. She would not be expected to change herself. The duties of antahpur and that of a queen would be discharged by Madhumita. The sisters would stay close and Madhu would be able to continue to protect her against the worldly intrigues that Chandrika had no ability to understand or take interest in.

It would be good for her too. Unlike her baby sister, Madhumita knew better than to expect that she could keep her husband’s affections all to herself. Sooner or later a rival would arrive. Instead of it being a mistress, or a princess from some other state, it would be better if it was her devoted sister. She wouldn’t plot against her or her children and would love them as her own.

Besides, Madhu knew that even Chandrika had a soft corner for Bhumimitra in her heart. The mortification she had felt today was not just because she had been scolded. But because she had been scolded by him! She was ashamed of not having lived up to his expectations.

Everything would be perfect, except that her silly sister would not accept the situation. She had gotten this notion in her head that she would not be a rival to her sister. And making her accept anything against her understanding was close to impossible. What was Madhu to do?

—

It had been two days and Chandrika had still not come out of her room. They could find nothing wrong with her, but she complained of weakness. Bhumimitra could not hold back any longer. He reached her room unannounced and indicated to her attendants to leave them alone.

She greeted him silently by folding her hands and made to get out of the bed, but he motioned her not to. So, she remained seated, resting her back against the headboard. He paced anxiously near her and then asked suddenly. “Why? Why are you doing this? What has happened?”

“I am just ill, Maharaj. I will fine in few days.”

But he seemed not to have heard her at all, “I scolded you. I agree that I was rude. Too rude, probably. But must you take it to heart like this? I didn’t scold as a king, or even as your guardian. Don’t you understand why I scolded you?”

“Because I had been irresponsible towards…”

“Hell no! You are not such a dimwit, Chandrika. I didn’t scold you because of your friends. I was perfectly capable of taking care of them. I was angry because… Oh God! Because I was worried about you. Don’t you understand that?”

“I’m a tiresome ward for you, Maharaj. You should send me away.”

“Send you away? That is your solution? Send you away? You simpleton… But why am I doing this? No. I must come to the point. Otherwise you will keep pretending to not understand. I am not going to send you away, Chandrika. What I am going to do is to marry you and keep you with me. Forever.”

“That is not possible,” her voice quivered.

“Why not?”

“Maharaj. It isn’t right.”

He hesitated this time. When he spoke again, his voice was somber and calm, not agitated and urgent like earlier. “Have I overlooked something? Are you betrothed to someone? Or would like to be?”

For a moment, she almost felt like saying ‘yes’ to that. That would make him back off. But where would she bring a lover from when he would want to meet him? So, she shook her head honestly.

“Are you afraid that your sister will object?” He was now trying to cool-headedly think of all the possibilities behind her objection? But she shook her head again.

“What is it then? Something tells me that the objection is not your heart. But if it is, you will have to tell me. If it is somewhere else, then also you will have to tell me.”

“You will not understand, Maharaj. You must let me go.”

“Let you go? You are not the prisoner, Chadrika. I am. Of my desires and passion and love for you. I will wait until you think me capable enough to understand.”

“You can’t wait forever,” she said querulously.

“Why not?”

“Will you marry me forcefully? Without my consent?”

“Never.”

“But I must get married. Once I do, I will belong to another man. You can’t keep desiring me then.”

“Who will you get married to?”

“I don’t know. As the head of the family, it is your responsibility to get me married.”

“Chandrika!” Her insolence infuriated him. She trembled visibly. Seeing her condition, his anger vanished almost as quickly as it had arisen. He laughed out loud. “Oh! You ridiculous woman. If I as much as lift my eyebrows, you start trembling like a dry leaf. And yet, you wouldn’t let a single chance of infuriating me slip by. What am I to do with you?”

“That wasn’t my intention, Sir. I am sorry,” she said in a small voice.

“I know. You don’t intend to do it. It is just in your nature to make me lose my mind,” he said, looking amused, “And I am pathological enough to love it. So, here is the deal, Chandrika. Either you will surrender to me, or you will take me into confidence and share the reason for your objection. Until then, don’t expect me to do my duty of getting your married. I will shirk it all my life if needed. I don’t care what people say.”

He paused to see he she would say something. But she just sat there with bowed head.

“And for God’s sake, get out of this sick bed. I am going to send your maids back to help you dress up. I expect you to join your sister for lunch as you always do. And I will come to the courtyard in the evening. We will practice sword-fighting. I can teach you to do better.”

He didn’t bother with the formalities of greetings and walked out. Only then did she lift her eyes and look at his receding form longingly.

—

To be continued