“Your Majesty.” Smriti bowed slightly as Kumar Viraj tried to bow.
“Don’t!” Ishaan Dev spoke alarmed “You will hurt yourself.” He made Kumar Viraj smile faintly.
“I heard of your departure.” Kumar Viraj spoke, “We hoped you would stay longer.” He smiled. Ishaan Dev shook his head. “I think I have stayed longer than I intended to.”
“I apologise for the delay because of my health.” Kumar Viraj looked guilty.
“Oh no!” Ishaan Dev shook his head “That is not what I meant. I mean, I have left the administration on Priyambada’s shoulders for so long. It must be taking a toll on her.” He stopped as the genuine concern about her rather than the country in his voice made him conscious of the two people who stared at him.
“I… hope Smriti is taking good care of you.”
“It is because of her that I am standing up today, Your Majesty. I am ever so grateful to her.” Kumar Viraj spoke as Ishaan Dev noticed Smriti blushing.
“My departure is tomorrow at dawn.” Ishaan Dev said “General Unmukht has already taken care of the necessary arrangements. I think he is quite relieved that I am finally leaving.”
“I hope not, you are our king!” Kumar shook his head “He should be punished if he has such audacity to make you feel…”
“Relax!” Ishaan Dev smiled at him “You are a man of great morals. Not necessarily everyone is.” He shook his head “I would like to see you once before I leave.” He made Kumar Viraj nod. “Alone.” His last word made Smriti look up at him with raised eyebrows as he turned and left.
“I wonder what he wants to talk to me about, that too privately.” Kumar Viraj frowned.
“Must be about something to do with the border securities. Let’s get you back to your room now. To rest.” Smriti reassured, “You should rest.”
“I am tired of resting Smriti. I need to work, or else, I will go mad!” Kumar Viraj stopped as Smriti laughed “Oh how many people would give anything to rest and here you are complaining!”
“I am sorry.” She stopped at his words, “I have perhaps caused you to overwork and stress more than…”
“I didn’t mean that. Who will take care of you, if not me?” Smriti raised her eyebrows as he smiled.
“Priya… wrote to me, asking about your health,” Smriti said, trying to read Kumar Viraj’s suddenly grim face.
“Oh, did you reply to Maharani?” He asked, looking away as Smriti frowned.
“When did you start calling her that?” She shook her head “It wasn’t a formal letter, it came without a seal. And I told her everything. She said she would write to you soon.” She made Kumar Viraj look up. He nodded silently as Smriti observed him with a sigh.
Maharani Priyambada received the message, which was, at last, addressed to her. Over the last week, a message arrived every single day, addressed to Niranjan Verma, after he had written to the King himself, giving updates on Kumar Viraj’s health. Not a word about himself, not a message addressed to her. The more that happened, the more Priyambada was sure he had heard from Vamsi Gupta, who had perhaps exaggerated her incompetence or perhaps he was unforgiving of her impulsive act and she had ruined the very little bridge that she had built with cooperation. Today, staring at the addressed scroll, she smiled relieved.
“Should I read it?” Devdoot asked as she looked up at him. Urvi frowned at him.
“It is from the king to the queen.” She snapped. “Let her read.”
“I apologise.” Devdoot stood red-faced.
Maharani Priyambada opened the wrapping and read, aloud, as Devdoot and Urvi stood listening.
“Kumar Viraj Gupta has almost fully recovered in Smriti’s care and will resume office soon. The army and I will move back to the capital at dawn tomorrow.” Priyambada wrapped the letter back and sighed. Was she disappointed that he didn’t enquire about her, or hint at any information that would require her to write back to him? She didn’t know. She brushed off the feeling and stood up to address Devdoot and Urvi.
“The Adhiraja is coming back after his first success and he has not only driven away the raiders but also taken care of our subjects and their losses efficiently. He deserved a hero’s welcome.” She made Urvi smile. “Make sure you make the arrangements.”
“I will go decorate the public roads leading to the palace and inform the citizens of the good news,” Devdoot spoke as Priyambada smiled with a nod.
“I will see to a feast, and decorate the palace,” Urvi smiled and turned to leave.
“Urvi.” Priyambada stopped her at the threshold “I will choose the menu and make the rice pudding.” She made Urvi look at her surprised as she looked away.
“I want to thank the Lord...and him, for saving my country.” Urvi nodded at her words and left. Priyambada sighed.
She looked at the handmaids preparing for her afternoon oil massage and addressed them,
“Tomorrow is a day of celebration. I want to be dressed to suit the occasion.”
“Should we ask Urvi to bring out a new dress?” Vrinda asked.
“No.” Priyambada smiled. “I know what to wear. It is right here.”
Adhiraja Ishaan Dev walked into Kumar Viraj’s room, surprising him as he sat up on his bed, wrapping his injury in a blanket.
“You could have summoned me, Your Highness.” He said awkwardly.
“That is alright.” Ishaan Dev shook his head “You don’t have to be so formal.” He pulled the chair, the guard offered him and clapped his hands for the servants and guards to leave them alone.
“Is anything wrong?” Kumar Viraj asked with a frown. “I am worried.”
“No.” Ishaan Dev shook his head. “I am here to talk about more of a … personal matter.” Kumar Viraj looked up at his words. Was he still suspicious?
“What do you think of Smriti?” Ishaan Dev’s words made Kumar Viraj a little clueless. Could the king have taken interest in her? Ishaan Dev could perhaps read his face as he shook his head.
“Let me rephrase that. What do you feel about Smriti?”
“Me?” Viraj Gupta’s eyebrows raised “I have not really…”
“She likes you.” Ishaan Dev cut his fumbling short. “I think you should know that.”
“Well, she has not had many people around…” Kumar Viraj looked for an excuse as he looked away.
“I have seen how she took care of you.” Ishaan spoke again, “She said she is doing her duty, anyone seeing her can tell otherwise.”
“But I…” Kumar Viraj was short of words. Yes, he did know Smriti, but only as Priyambada’s friend. He took pity on her condition, but that was all. He didn’t see her care as anything beyond fulfilling her duties, until now. Worse, he didn’t know if his heart was capable of love again, he had once been lovelorn and hurt. Ishaan Dev inhaled.
“I know I am not your friend, Kumar. I perhaps can never be. But I am older than you, so take this advice when I say it. I think if you choose rationally rather than rely on your emotions, you will be happier.” Ishaan Dev got up. Kumar Viraj looked up at his unreadable face. He wanted to ask a question his position didn’t allow him to. Are you?
“I have heard of everything she faced because of the war and I felt you should know this because I didn’t want her to be hurt again.” Ishaan Dev smiled faintly “What you choose to do with the information is your choice.”
Kumar Viraj sank back as Ishaan Dev left him in deep thought.
“The troops have been spotted on the horizon.” Devdoot bowed at the threshold as Priyambada stood up from in front of the dressing table. Urvi fixed the last piece of garland on her hair as she checked herself in the mirror. The blue of the dress, as dark as the night, seemed to look better on her today.
“Should I go to the gates to welcome them?” Devdoot asked.
“No, I will.” Devdoot looked a little taken aback at her words and exchanged a smile with Urvi.
“Very well My Lady.” He bowed and left.
Ishaan Dev’s head felt heavy under the morning sun, so he drank down the water left in his pouch and forced himself to go on. He could feel his throat hurt and his skin burning with fever. He prayed softly hoping he didn’t faint to delay the journey further.
“Are you alright sir?” His bodyguard asked concerned “You look flushed.”
“It’s the heat. I am fine. How far are we?” He asked as the guard pointed, “There on the horizon we can see the fort.” He nodded.
“You look so beautiful.” Urvi smiled at Priyambada. “He will be pleased.” Priyambada’s smile faded at her words. Her jaws tightened as she looked away.
“My job is not to please him, Urvi. I am just trying to apologise, as he did.” She walked away as Urvi murmured a soft apology.
Adhiraja Ishaan Dev was a bit taken aback as the citizens cheered upon his arrival.
“Long live Adhiraja Ishaan Dev!” He noticed the decorations and the festivities and looked a bit surprised. For as far as he remembered, he had left the place disappointing Priyambada. Devdoot must have done these. He reminded himself not to keep his hopes high. The palace was at last visible at a distance. He stopped a distance away, at the Lord’s temple. He got down from his stallion, walked up the steps of the temple, and folded his hands in prayers, to thank the almighty. Priyambada watched him from a distance. A sudden empty feeling grasped the pit of her stomach. Every time her father and brother came back from successful missions she had seen them do that. Everything was the same, except the people around her.
The glimpse of Priyambada standing beside Urvi at the entrance of the palace where the maids showered flower petals on the welcoming troop, gave away the surprised look on Ishaan Dev’s otherwise unreadable face. His reaction made Priyambada press her lips and smile victorious. It wasn’t until he came up the stairs that he noticed her attire and eyes met briefly.
“What is all this?” He asked as she looked away, “Urvi?”
“Your Highness.” Urvi eyed Priyambada as she spoke. “The Maharani wanted a fitting welcome at your success.”
“Not my first.” Ishaan Dev shrugged “For it to be so grand.”
“The first for the Adhiraja of Neelambargarh.” He looked visibly surprised and pleased as the words came out of Priyambada’s mouth instead of Urvi’s. He smiled faintly with a nod as Priyambada turned to Devdoot.
“ Do tell the noblemen that the Adhiraja has returned and I expect to see them at the feast.”
“What feast?” Ishaan Dev frowned as Devdoot bowed.
“The Maharani has arranged for a feast for the ministers and Your Highness,” Devdoot spoke.
“I better freshen up, then?” His words made Priyambada smile and nod as she moved out of the way for him to walk inside.
Ishaan Dev reached his chambers and found himself smiling. Had he been successful in earning her respect as the king after all? He had never seen her address him as one before. He didn’t realise how much he yearned for this respect until he heard the validation from her mouth. His servants jolted him from his thoughts as they helped him undress. He was tired and excited to join the feast.
Maharani Priyambada sat on the other side of the drape, waiting patiently alongside the nobles but there was no sign of Ishaan Dev's arrival for the feast. The food was getting cold.
“Serve the ministers.” She instructed Urvi.
“But, they won’t eat before the king…” Urvi looked confused.
“I will go check on him, you serve them, tell them it's Maharani's order,” Priyambada instructed and got up to exit into the inner palace.
The door to Ishaan Dev’s chamber was closed. The guards stood outside.
“Are the servants inside?” She inquired. The last thing she wanted to do was to walk in on him, half-dressed.
“No, Your Majesty, they left half an hour ago.” The guards shook their heads. With a slight frown, Priyambada knocked softly, then a little louder. Her frown turned to worry as she pushed the door to check if it was locked. It squeaked open as her heart suddenly skipped a beat. The guards looked alarmed.
“Should we go in, Your Highness?”
“No, I will.” Priyambada inhaled as she crossed over the threshold and found him on the bed. It looked like he was in deep sleep.
“He must be tired from the journey.” One of the guards reassured her. Maharani Priyambada was suspicious. He was not a man to forget his duties or keep his nobles waiting even if he was tired. She knew him that much in the past few months. She walked up to the side of the bed, where he lay, with one foot on the ground, and unsurely felt his forehead. Priyambada gasped, stepping away a little.
“Go and summon Devdoot immediately, and look for the medicine man. He’s burning with fever.” Priyambada looked a little pale but quickly regained her composure.
“Raja?” She shook him a little. There was no answer. A strange fear gripped her. If something happened to him, she was answerable. Or perhaps even in trouble. Worse, what was to happen to her people and state? Priyambada tried to calm down. She asked one of the guards to put his feet up and cover him with a blanket, ordered his dressing servants to remove the heavy attire and jewellery and change him into something more comfortable before the medicine man arrived. They bowed as she left. She walked across the hall, towards her chambers and ordered the maids for some cold water, and fresh strips of cloth. She also instructed them to notify Urvi to boil some vegetables and make them into soup.
When Maharani Priyambada came back to the chambers, apologising to the noblemen on the development and promising to keep them updated, she walked in to see that the curtains were pulled and his clothes were changed, and everything she ordered was neatly kept. She was about to enquire about the medicine man when she heard him groan as if he wanted to say something. His eyes were still closed, his forehead burning with fever.
“What is it?” Priyambada looked worried as she leaned in to hear him out. He looked like he was uncomfortable.
“Rajkumari,” Urvi spoke almost in a whisper. “Don’t go so near him before the medicine man checks on the nature of fever.” Priyambada’s stare made her stop. Priyambada knew what Urvi meant was a reflection of her concern for her mistress. Every year people died of infection and fever during the rainy seasons. Her grandmother died because of a mysterious fever. But at that moment, she was more concerned for his welfare and in turn that of Neelambargarh. Ishaan Dev murmured something again, that prompted her to hold his hand, in between her painted ones and lean in to hear him.
“Priya…” She froze for a moment at her name on his lips. Then she exhaled.
“It’s okay, everything will be alright. The medicine man will be here soon.” She reassured patting his hand with hers. Then she placed her hand on his burning forehead and caressed away his locks of hair. His head seemed sweaty.
“Urvi, help me. Pour some cold water into a bowl and bring it to me.” She picked up the strips of clothes. “We need to reduce the fever.”
The medicine man arrived soon, and everyone was rushed out for the inspection. Priyambada stopped at the threshold and turned. Could she trust these men with the king of Neelambargarh’s safety?
“Is it alright if I stay back?” She said, “He may need someone.”
“Of course, Your Highness.” The medicine man agreed. She walked back to his bedside, removed the strip of cloth from his forehead, dipped it into the water and placed it back again as he stirred a little. The man inspected his pulse, and his fever and removed the blanket to inspect his war wounds. If they caused any infections in him, that would be alarming. Priyambada turned her back to the scene as they removed his blanket and discussed among themselves in whispers.
“Your Highness.” The chief Medicine man said at last.
“Is it serious?” Priyambada turned to ask as she saw the others place the blanket over his chest again.
“The good thing is there is no infection, his injuries are all healed.” Priyambada sighed in relief.
“But… if his fever doesn’t recede, with our standard medicines and bathing, I am afraid you have to inform the royals at Suryapali.”
Priyambada turned a little pale at his words.
“But… he has no other symptoms…”
“Let’s just hope the fever recedes tonight.” The man looked grim. “He needs to be conscious.”
“He was, he called my name.” She said in a reflex.
“No, Your Highness, I am afraid it was a trance, he is very much unconscious and only the fever receding will help him regain it.”
“Is it infectious?” She asked. “The maids and servants…”
“Given that he must have had it and ignored it for the last few days, I don’t think it is.”
“Why would he do that?” Priyambada frowned. “Surely there were medicine men with the army.”
“We don’t know Your Highness, but I can tell you surely that it's not caused today. He has a throat infection too, not infectious to others, I assure you.”
“Thank you, because if it was I couldn’t risk the lives of so many at his service. I would have stayed then.” The medicine man smiled faintly at her words before leaving with his assistants after giving instructions on the medication course to be followed to Maharani Priyambada. Priyambada walked up to Ishaan Dev’s sleeping figure and her hands trembled a little before touching the piece of cloth on his forehead.
“Rajkumari.” Urvi jolted her at the door. “What did he say?”
“He will be fine, Urvi. Don’t worry.” She reassured her. “Send in the servants. They need to bathe him to reduce the fever. Here’s the list of herbs we need. I will make the medicine myself.”
“But …” Urvi was not convinced with her trembling voice.
“Do as you are told. Should you always need to ask questions?” Priyambada lost her cool.
“I apologise.” Urvi rushed to get the maids to arrange for the herb.
Priyambada walked out of the chamber as the servants came in to bathe him.
“Devdoot, stay put here. Inform me as soon as they are done.” Devdoot nodded as she ran down the corridor alone. She was quick to get changed at her chambers and go down to look over his diet and medicinal herbs herself.
“If something happens…” Devdoot whispered to Urvi who stood with him outside the chambers waiting for Priyambada to come back. He had sent a guard to inform her, and he had told Devdoot that he found her sobbing in the corridor.
“Why do you say that?” Urvi snapped, “She said everything is fine.”
“Then why was she like that?” Devdoot frowned. “I fear if something happens to him here, we will be in trouble again.”
“Pray, be positive, he will recover.” Urvi snapped as Priyambada walked down the corridor to his chambers.
“Urvi, have you got the herbs?” She asked as Urvi passed them to her.
‘Good.” She inspected them by smelling each one and sat down with the Hamandista to make them into pastes.
“The food is also ready, mistress.”
“I will feed him after the medicines.” She nodded. Urvi stopped at her words. She wanted to remind the Queen that there were people appointed to do that but stopped. She studied Priyambada’s pale face and teary red eyes. Perhaps Devdoot’s fear was true.
Priyambada forced the paste, down Ishaan Dev’s throat holding his jaws open with one hand, while she poured the shell full of medicine in with the other. He gulped with difficulty. She sighed.
“Now the food, Urvi.” She spoke as Urvi rushed with it.
It took Priyambada three hours to feed him a bowl of soup. It looked like he was finding it difficult to swallow. Priyambada fought back her fears.
“You should eat too, Rajkumari, or else you will fall ill,” Urvi said as she blew away a few lamps, making the room darker for the night.
“Not before he regains consciousness, Urvi.” She shook her head. “I will give him the second dose of medicine now.”
Urvi and the maids left the room, as Priyambada got up from his bedside tired after giving him the medicine.
“Your Highness.” It was Devdoot at the threshold. “I suggest you go and rest, I will personally be up and alert here all night, and give you …”
“I will stay till I feel sleepy Devdoot, thank you.” She cut him short as he bowed and left them alone. She sat down again and changed the cloth and checked his forehead. It was perhaps in her mind that she felt the fever had risen again. Panicking a little, Priyambada held his cold hands and started rubbing them.
“Wake up please.” She whispered almost like she was begging. She rushed to check his feet under the blanket and called on the servants. “Get hot oil and massage his feet please.” She made them rush as she kept rubbing his hands with hers. Two more times the sand clock was turned, and the fever didn’t seem to recede. The servants sponged his body with cold water as he shivered.
Outside the door, Priyambada couldn’t stand his restless moaning. Priyambada didn’t care if her attire was improper, her hair was undone or her pieces of jewellery were not adequate when she arrived at the Lord’s shrine barefooted.
“Is everything alright, Your Majesty?” The priest was surprised to see her before dawn.
“May I have a moment alone, please?” She managed as he bowed and left. Priyambada sat down on the threshold of the shrine, sobbing.
“You know what you choose to give us and take away from us.” She spoke, wiping away a teardrop while another trickled down her pale cheek. “You know everything. What I lost and gained. Don’t do this, please. I will be in trouble again. Neelambargarh will be in trouble again.” Priyambada folded her hands as the worst fear shrouded her mind and heart. She couldn’t say the rest out loud perhaps even to herself. He is all I have left.
“Your Majesty.” Urvi came to call her and her heart skipped a beat. “Please come with me.”
“What happened? Is something wrong with him?” She asked as she got up.
“His feet and palm are getting colder.” Urvi sounded worried as she rushed to his side. It was another hour almost to dawn when his hands and feet were warmer than earlier, and the burning fever seemed to be less troublesome as he stopped moaning.
Priyambada didn’t know when her hand had stopped rubbing his and she had dozed off leaning against his bed. Priyambada jolted awake as his grip tightened on her hand. She looked at him, holding on to her, and called out to him almost in a whisper. He moved his head a little as something bothered him and suddenly broke out into coughing as if he was choking on something.
“What happened?” Priyambada looked perplexed as one of the older servants was quick to hold a bucket for him to vomit in. Priyambada rubbed his back as he kept on coughing and looked perplexed at the servant.
“It is only cough and some soup.” The servant said, “I will inform the medicine men.” Priyambada nodded in approval.
“Maybe the medicine is working.” She thought aloud, hopefully.
She then held the water pail and poured a shell full of water into his mouth.
Adhiraja Ishaan Dev gradually opened his eyes. In the light and shadow of the room he could see her face, worried and pale as she offered him water.
“Priya…” He couldn’t speak. Neither could he recognize his croaking voice.
“Hush!” She frowned, checking his forehead “The fever is still there.”
Ishaan Dev closed his eyes again, as her voice kept ringing in his ears from time to time as she instructed the men to go about their job. In his dreams, which looked more real than many, he saw Kumar Viraj and Smriti in the garden. Suddenly he turned and there was Priyambada, smiling at him. He didn’t know when he fell back into slumber only to be woken up by her soft touch on his forehead.
“I am sorry to wake you up, the medicine men instructed upon three baths. The servants will take over.” Priyambada smiled reassuringly. The bags under her eyes gave away her tiredness as she moved away from his bedside, adjusting her drape, only to be stopped by her hand in his.
“Stay.” He spoke as if words didn’t escape the movement of his lips. She frowned, failing to understand him as she let go of his hand forcing him to do the same.
“Urvi, I will look over the preparation of his meal while they bathe him, and help me make a drink, he seems to have lost his voice. It's weird to see him that quiet.” Ishaan Dev heard her voice fade away. “When are the medicine men coming?”
Ishaan Dev had a cough that was examined by the medicine men when they came by in the morning. After he was bathed and dressed the servants were dispersed by Devdoot who filled him in on the happenings of the previous day. He was still too exhausted to register everything Devdoot said and almost closed his eyes, tired, making Devdoot stop.
“What are you doing?” Priyambada’s stern voice jolted Devdoot as Ishaan Dev opened his eyes. He tried to sit up as the servants helped him lift his head on the pillows while Devdoot got an earful from her.
“You think he is fit to listen to your political nuisances now?” Priyambada snapped. “He had fever till dawn. There is no guarantee it won’t come back.”
“I was just… going to get the …”
“Go on then!” She said sternly.
“I…” Adhiraja Ishaan Dev once again opened his mouth to speak and all that escaped his lips was a cough. Priyambada frowned at him. She leaned in, frowning a little.
“I am not understanding a word you are saying!” Ishaan Dev’s eyes fell on her drape which fell slightly below the neckline of her drape wrapped around in a bodice, exposing her cleavage as she leaned in to listen to his otherwise unhearable voice. He looked alarmed and stopped at the proximity. Priyambada didn’t even seem to notice that nor did she feel his gaze on her. She brought a glass near his lips “Drink this. Three times a day and you will learn to speak again.” Ishaan Dev realised he had no sense of smell as he tried to smell the green substance in the glass.
“Don’t worry it's not poison, given your condition, it's not even needed.” She snapped. Ishaan Dev glared at her words and couldn’t help but notice how fresh she looked after a bath in her wet hair and changed attire. She didn’t even take the time to wear any jewellery. He gulped down a little of the drink and immediately made a face. His taste was still intact. Priyambada suddenly looked amused at his face as she surprised him by checking his forehead with her cold hand.
“As soon as the fever receded a bit, you are back to annoying me. Don’t be a child! Have it.” She almost rebuked, forcing the glass on his lips. He gulped it down with great difficulty.
“Very good, two more of these today and then tomorrow.” His eyes widened at her words as she couldn’t seem to care less. “Sleep a little now, I will be back with your breakfast.”
Ishaan Dev tried to talk again as she walked away but in vain.
Priyambada visited the Lord’s shrine as Urvi prepared breakfast. The medicine man had reassured her it was just a normal cough and that it would go with care in a few days. But since he had ignored his health, and the fever had weakened him, he needed a week’s rest. She needed to thank the Lord for listening to her prayers but nobody needed to know about it. She needed to be discreet. When Priyambada entered the room for breakfast, Ishaan Dev was sleeping. Priyambada placed the food down on the table and looked at his peaceful sleeping face. She had no will to wake him up but his medicines needed to be given on time.
“Raja?” Her words made him open his eyes. For the first time, he realised she was referring to him with a title. “Breakfast is here.” She smiled faintly. He tried to sit up but she stopped him by holding his shoulders down firmly.
“Don’t you dare!” She snapped. “You aren’t moving from this bed for a week.” He frowned at her words. Unaware of his staring, she took the soup in the shell and blew at it, before holding it at his lips. Ishaan Dev took it and gulped with difficulty as his throat hurt. She repeated the process, making him smile.
“ What is funny?” She frowned as he shook his head. She oddly reminded him of his mother. Maharani Trinayani Devi was always that bossy when anyone felt slightly unwell. He was relieved he couldn’t speak his mind today.
“I don’t believe I am saying this, but it is odd having you so quiet.” She spoke almost to herself offering him the soup.
At midday, Devdoot stood perplexed as Priyambada went to fetch lunch, keeping him at the king’s vigil. The fever had come back, slightly alarming her, as Ishaan Dev noticed her visibly scared face while the medicine man reassured her it was nothing to be scared of. Now, finding Devdoot alone in the room with him, Ishaan Dev was finding it difficult to make him understand what he wanted by lip reading and hand gestures. His charades made a clueless Devdoot confused.
“What is it?” Priyambada asked as the servants placed the food. He noticed her plate with his and looked up with questioning eyes.
“Urvi insisted I eat alongside since I skipped meals.” Priyambada cursed herself for saying that as Ishaan Dev frowned. She didn’t want to give away that she understood from one look of his what he was thinking.
“Your Highness, His Highness wants something from me, but I have no idea what it is…” Devdoot looked confused as Priyambada stared at Ishaan Dev raising her eyebrows. He gestured again.
“Oh, he means chalk and writing board.” Priyambada shrugged as Devdoot bowed and left. Her hand stopped at the food.
“What do you need that for?” She frowned.
He moved his lips and stuck out his thumb indicating the lack of voice, as she smiled.
“So you miss talking too?” Priyambada stirred the rice with the curry as she spoke, her eyes fixed on the plate. Ishaan Dev smiled faintly. Only if you knew.
Much to Ishaan Dev’s annoyance even after three glasses of torture, the voice that came out sounded like a disgrace even to the frogs. Worse, after every sentence, he choked and coughed and almost vomited which the medicine men termed as a “Good sign”. His stomach muscles pained from the coughing. He lay awake, staring at the ceiling while Priyambada had gone to change before he was to get a hot oil massage on his palm and feet. The sound of her approaching anklet made him shut his eyes and pretend to be asleep.
“Prepare for the hot oil.” She instructed Devdoot. “Add some garlic to it.”
He heard the footsteps recede. The room was quiet except for the sound of her anklets and bangles as she came around to his bedside to inspect the medicines.
“Ah, we need more herbs tomorrow.” She spoke to herself. She glanced at him, appearing in deep slumber and sighed with a smile. She placed her hand on his forehead, to check the fever. It was a little warm, not burning. Her hand moved from his forehead to his hair, caressing it slightly as Ishaan Dev struggled with himself to lay still. Narrowing her eyes a little at his movement, she held his palm with her free hand to check if they were cold. His grip tightened on her hand as her heart made a funny leap. Was he awake? Probably not. Why would he hold her?
The servants came in with the oil massage, and she sat down by his head, on the edge watching them massage his feet.
“His hands are warm, just the feet,” she said like a whisper. ”Make sure you don’t wake him up.” Ishaan Dev smiled inwardly.
After the servants left, it was Urvi who was at the threshold.
“You didn’t get a wink of sleep last night, Rajkumari. You should go to your room. Devdoot will keep vigil.”
“He can’t understand any of his gestures.” Priyambada shook his head “He needs someone to, in case he needs anything…”
“Might I suggest making your bed here then?” Urvi’s words made Priyambada look a bit wide-eyed at her. Ishaan Dev prayed that his throat didn’t choke with a cough now.
“You were here last night and you will be here till he is alright,” Urvi added. Priyambada inhaled.
“Fine.” She said looking around “Near the couch.” She pointed to the far end of the room, as the maids arranged it. Urvi left the room last, reassuring her she was right outside the door, like the night before. Priyambada nodded. She slowly and carefully got down from the bed to walk to the sofa when her hand was pulled back by his grip. Priyambada looked confused at his sleeping figure. Was it possible he would have such a strong grip even in his sleep? She was suspicious. Then Priyambada shook her head. Maybe he did. She sank back on the bed, beside him, half laying, leaning on the bedpost, and blew out the lights.
It was after a good few minutes when Ishaan Dev realised that her breath had slowed down that he opened his eyes and saw her sleeping, in a half-sitting position. He moved a little, to make more space for her, and extended his blanket over her robe. Her face looked tired but calm in the light of the stars. Ishaan Dev stared at her with a lingering smile. At least, she cared. She didn’t hate him as he expected her to when he had left. That was enough for now.
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