Kartika was listening in shock. He could not believe that Rohini’s father had entered the forest at a point.
He asked Ashwani, “Are you sure? You are talking about Rohini’s father?”
Ashwani was taken aback, “You call your mother-in-law by her name.” He laughed. “Wow! Do you know her personally?”
Kartika at once got alert. He felt as if he was caught cheating. He mumbled, “I am sorry… I meant Queen Rohini…I was not thinking clearly…aaa”
Ashwani kept laughing, “Don’t worry brother! I am not her husband!! I am not offended…”He kept laughing which made Kartika even more miserable.
Ashwani said, “Well I need to leave for Avanti. I have not met the queen in person”…he paused and said… “Sorry Rohiniiii”…he laughed hard… “I have not ever met her in person but I think I will have to talk to her now.” … “Do you want to come? I mean she is your mother-in-law. It’s your wife’s home… she might be missing her family…right?”
Kartika at once nodded in agreement. “Yesss…I think that would be appropriate. Rashmi wanted to visit Avanti. It would be a nice break for her as well.”
Ashwani had mischievous eyes. He said, “Ok. Then we should leave for Avanti soon.”
Kartika, Ashwani, and Rashmi along with other members of the family reached Avanti, where they had a grand welcome. King Shailendra was mesmerized to see his daughter back. Even Rashmi was happy to be back with her family. She did not bond well with her stepmother but she immensely loved her father.
Kartika and Ashwani mentioned the details of their quest to the King. King Shailendra was supportive of them. After all one of them was his son-in-law and the other was the dear son of his best friend. He told the Queen that Kartika and Ashwani wanted to meet her in person. The meeting was scheduled.
As Kartika and Ashwani walked into the Queen’s chamber Kartika felt a bit restless. Kartika was in love with the Queen and Ashwani had already sensed it. Kartika had to be careful.
The Queen appeared before them. Ashwani now understood why his friend blushed at her name. She was from another world. Such a beauty could only be dreamt of! She was like a rare celestial nymph. He always wondered why did King Shailendra marry a priest’s daughter and not some princess. She was so beautiful!
Ashwani was never short of words. But even he did not know what to say. Rohini spoke first, “Please take a seat. I hear that you have questions about my father. He is no more. But I will try my best to help you.”
Both Ashwani and Kartika took their seats. Ashwani spoke to her, “Did he ever mention about Raghopur? We heard that he used to live there. Did he ever tell you about his tragedy in the forests surrounding the village?”
Rohini looked Ashwani in the eye. She came close to him and sat beside him. Ashwani was feeling uneasy. She was so attractive that he got goosebumps. Kartika was feeling strange too. He did not like her sitting close to Ashwani. But she did not heed him. She continued speaking to Ashwani, “My father was a strange man! But he loved me. He loved me a lot. Most people believed that he became insane as he aged. Even my mother left him and went away. But I always understood him. I knew he was in pain. He did tell me the story. The forest casts a spell on people. Some fall weak and die. Some are stronger to face it, but eventually, it gets to their mind. It hypnotizes people. My father was very strong! I know it because he survived more than anyone!” The young king and the prince listened in silence. The meeting didn’t last long because they could not ask her anything further.
After the meeting, Kartika was not talking to Ashwani as if he was mad at him. But Ashwani was also fairly silent. He was enchanted by Rohini. Both drank wine and listened to fine music in the open garden of the palace. As the two sat in the moonlight, Ashwani spoke, “It is so weird! I can’t stop thinking about her.”
Kartika looked at Ashwani, “About whom?”
Ashwani replied, “Rohini.”
Kartika went furious, “Don’t you dare call her by name.”… he stopped for a while and continued… “I mean she is the King’s wife…It… is… not appropriate. You are drunk…be careful with your words.”
Ashwani smiled, “Yeah! Of course…only you can call her by name.”
Kartika felt stupid. Before he could say more, Ashwani said, “It is so unfair that she married that old fat king!”
Suddenly Kartika’s anger faded. They both looked at each other and laughed hard.
Ashwani calmed down and spoke again, “On a serious note… there is someone who has survived and still kept her sanity.”
Kartika nodded in agreement, “Yeah! That old lady of Raghopur… right?”
Ashwani replied, “Yes! That means the forest does not affect people who are mentally very strong. It feeds on our vulnerabilities, our weakness.”
Kartika said, “What would be the weakness of a Sage? He practiced celibacy. He had no attachments.”
Ashwani thought for a while and said, “People don’t openly show their weakness and desire my friend. We all are trapped at the subconscious level.”
Ashwani looked at Kartika and asked, “Why did you marry her?”
Kartika felt a cold shock. “What are you saying?”
Ashwani went close to him and said, “Do you think I am a fool? The way you look at the Queen…If the King notices …he will forget that you married his daughter…he will kill you.”
Kartika was exposed. He could not hold anymore. Maybe it was the wine, or maybe his love…but he spoke to Ashwani about his feelings, “Do you think I am doing it on purpose? I know I spoiled the life of that beautiful girl…Rashmi is sweet and beautiful like a scented flower. But I keep thinking about her…about Rohini…sometimes I wish I could tell her.”
Ashwani spoke in a sweet tone, “You know, brother! I feel for you…I really do…but you can’t keep yourself stuck…she will never be yours…but you have a chance of true love in your life… Your wife is sweet, beautiful, and innocent. She deserves your love and attention.”
Kartika smiled, “You are right!”
And then both fell asleep under the moonlight!
Both slept in ignorance, unaware that someone was watching over them from afar.
Read all the chapters. Go to chapter 1.
