Yatee : Rise of an Empress

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Chandrashekhar P.O.V.

My Swamini deserves the respect from that madwoman Radha akka. If she insulted her for so many days, then she deserves the respect for at least that much moments. After she invited us to her house, I saw the question mark on Yatee's face. This clearly states that she had never experienced her love. So I decided to let her feel it.

I asked Sripad to tell his dear mother in law to ask Rani Saheb to visit their home as this would mean promotion of her husband and son in law. And my plan was at its correct peak. Now, the threads of this act are in my hands. I asked Sripad to tell Radha bai that she must treat Yatee like her own daughter and her dearest Queen. This will, I hope, reduce sorrowful feelings in Yatee's mind about her.

Yatee P.O.V.

I was awestruck. Radha akka, who never wanted to see me near about her house, is now inviting me in her home !! Amazing ! I hope, this isn't her new plan to humiliate me, now in front of my Swami. This would be my biggest defeat. I promised myself that this mustn't reach Swami. Now I'm happy and scared at the same time.

I was taken to her home along with few of my assistances. I hadn't yet taken of the veil as Swami would also come here. And I was right.

"Attention! King of Swatantra Bharat, Raje Chandrashekhar is arriving." One of the soldiers announced.

My heart was literally beating as fast as a horse can run. It was so much fast that I thought now it would come out of my chest. Soon Swami entered and he took a seat in the main hall. I was seated on the big swing which was on the opposite side of the room. We had no chances of seeing or hearing each other. Suddenly I saw Radha akka coming towards me with her servants carrying few things and a big pot.

She came in front and asked me to dip my feet in the huge pot. It was filled with rose water. She wiped my feet clean with a muslin cloth. Then she performed rotations of the diya in front of me. Then she said something which wasn't expected by me.

"Keep visiting my small little house whenever you pass by. We are privileged to welcome you. Keep your blessings on my husband and son in law. I am blessed to be with you."

She never asked me to come near even her shadow. And now, welcoming in her home ? Something's fishy here. I needed to find out. I was about to speak when suddenly Sripad Bhauji came near us.

"Sasubai (mother in law) Raje is very happy with your behaviour towards his wife. So he is asking you to accompany them along with us for a day to see the face of Rani Saheb. No one, except you is allowed." He exclaimed.

So that's why she is so polite with me. Because she hasn't seen me yet. But she will soon taunt me when my face is revealed. Oh no !! I don't want any complications there. But then Sripad Bhauji said it's time to leave. So he took me back to my Palki.

After I was seated inside the Palki, Sripad Bhauji informed me that he will be besides my Palki. So need not to worry. And he handed me my sword. The one Baba had brought to me few years back.

It was a peaceful journey. We reached Chandanpur till afternoon. It wasn't yet time for lunch and the sun was pretty pleasent today. We reached the entrance of the fort. The whole area was decorated with flowers. I saw a lady, who was maybe a year or two elder to me. She came forward and said :

"Today also, without meeting me and handing me the sweets, Vahini Saheb won't go in. And also, without reciting the उखाणा (a short poem)."

"Kanta tai, is that you ?" I asked.

"Yeah !! Vahini Saheb recognised me !! Look Dadasaheb. You are defeated." She jumped with joy and hugged me. She had grown up a lot in height. I could feel it.

"Okay. So as Vahini Saheb has recognised me, now she has to recite a उखाणा. Come on, Vahini Saheb."

"Okay. I will try." I was a bit nervous.

"स्वामींच्या आयुष्यासाठी पुजते दिनकरा
ठेवुनी जीव आचामानी,
चढते सासरचा उंबरठा वय ओलांडूनी,
घेऊनी शिवलिंग हाथी अन् ठेवुनी
आईची शिकवण मनी,
चंद्रशेखररावांच नाव घेते त्यांचीच ही स्वामिनी.
(For long life of my husband, I worship Sun lord by offering him most precious thing - my life,
I re enter this house after crossing my age to meet my Swami,
I carry my Lord Mahadev and his blessings for my in-laws and keep in mind my mother's teaching,
I recite the name of My Swami, Chandrashekhar, as I am His Queen and Swamini.)"

Everyone clapped for me and Kanta tai gave me a Barfi to congratulate.

"Now your turn, Dadasaheb." She was with the same excitement as she was eight years ago.

"Hmm...
एका बंधनात जुळले नाते
तलवारीच तलवारिशी,
अन् नकळत जुळले नाते सोबत
दोन कुटुंबांचे एकमेकांशी,
यतीबाईंचं घेऊनी नाव
करतो नमस्कार सर्वांच्या पायाशी.
(In one relations, two styles of Swords (he refered Yatee and himselfbas swords) are tied together,
And this results in a nice bonding of two families,
By reciting the name of Yatee, I bow down to everyone.)"

"So nice!!" Kanta tai exclaimed.

Then I was taken to my room. It was besides the one which belonged to Swami (and later on mine too.) I changed the clothes and took a quick bath. The lunch was served in my room only as no men were allowed to see me before the Puja which was to be performed at evening.

I doze off after the lunch. A soft sunset light woke me up. It was late afternoon. Soon Kanta tai came in with a baby in her hands.

"Guess who is he?" She asked with a sparkle in her eyes.

"Is he your son?" Please, say yes, I was praying in my mind.

"Yes. My son and your niece. He is just one month old. Yet his official barase (Name giving ceremony) is remaining, we call him Hari."

"He is the son of Ramchandra Bhauji and ShreeKanta tai. So must be named Shreyansh. The one who is the child of divine mother, Sri Lakshmi."

The baby giggled.

"The baby smiled. This is the first time he has smiled on his name. Done. You will be called as Shreyansh from the day of your Barase. Let me inform this to your Bhauji and Matoshri. You handle him till then."

She left letting the baby Hari sleep besides me on my bed. It was a peaceful time until, some familiar voice was heard :

"How come someone is sleeping besides Rani Saheb. I thought it is a reserved place only for her Swami and Father."

"Sadashiv, is that you?" I was shocked.

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