Nakshatra- An empire of Dreams and Nightmares

Episode XIV- A Dark Night (I)

Breathless, she turned to face him but he was long gone. The air still carried the evidence of his manly cologne. For the first time in the entire day, a real smile spread on Gauri's lips. Tears still fell from her eyes but this time, they held a different meaning. Respect for the man she married developed in her heart. At that moment, he wasn't merely a man but a teacher like Lord Mahadeva was to his wife- Goddess Parvati.

Filled with determination, Gauri swiped the remnants of wetness from her cheeks and took long strides towards Rajwada Palace. Entering her room, she discards the garment which made her feel uncomfortable, and washes her face clean. Draping a heavy royal blue saree over a full-sleeved blouse, she fills the partition of her forehead with vermillion and ties her hair in a low bun. Wearing a gold choker and the mangal sutra, she fills her wrists with bangles and dons a pair of golden anklets. Adjusting the free drape of saree on her head, she smiles at the reflection and returns to the same gathering where she was shamed a few moments ago.

A worried Vasundhara when saw her daughter-in-law entering the premises once again was left awestruck.

The naïve girl who left and the confident woman who entered weren't the same. As Vasundhara predicted, she stood out, but not like a sore thumb. In the mob of self-obsessed creatures, she stood serenely tall, her shoulders squared and head held high. The power in her eyes and pride on her nose wasn't nailed in some etiquette sessions. She carried it from the tears of strong women who've graced these lands long before her. Her kind was different, half water and half fire.

With a profound fortitude and stagnant robustness, Gauri marched majestically, surpassing every royal present in the palace, and made her way towards the podium.

Taking a mike, she clears her throat.

"To attend to some important matters, the King had to leave urgently. In his absence and as his better half, I take the honor of welcoming all our humble guests this evening. Thank you everyone for joining us and solemnizing this union. We greatly value your gracious presence. Let me have the privilege of introducing myself as the wife of King Yagyavardhan Rana and Daughter-in-law of Queen Mother Vasundhara Devi.

I am Gauri, daughter of Kishan and Rukmani. You may not have heard of them. It is because we come from a modest family of farmers in Shivpuri. Both my parents are breadwinners. They work hard to provide for me and take care of my old grandmother."

Chuckling at the thought of a brilliant wrinkling face, Gauri continues.

"I am not going to apologize for the misunderstanding created earlier. I am not sorry that I am not as highly educated as you lot, but I do take pride in what little I know. I know my culture. I know my roots. I know my people. And most of all, I know my truth. Clad in finest garments, bagged with heavy jewels wouldn't change the fact that I am an outsider. That I wasn't born in a rich family or royalty. Still, I am proud of being a daughter of a farmer, who works hard so that nobody has to sleep with an empty stomach. I may not have attended good schools and pursued higher education, but I was showered with love and respect and taught to respect others because God lives in everyone. I come from a background where each able individual earns on their own.

In my village, I used to spread knowledge and morals among children by punctuating tales from mythology. Through my tales, I cleared and painted a picture of rights and wrongs. I pointed out how a man needs to respect his woman. I gave them the courage to face every war the world has to offer. I taught the poor girls to be like Goddess Durga, to fight against injustice. I may not have signed any billion-dollar deals, but I've played a small role in strengthening the shoulders of my country and I am proud of this legacy.

Some of these qualities must have stolen the attention of my dearest mother-in-law for her to approach me with this proposal. I've always respected my King, for he is a kind man who has worked for the upliftment of the poor. I accepted this proposal with a sound mind because it had the potential of providing me a platform to reach many more children and introduce them to the golden history and mythology no school teaches today.

To be a queen isn't a child's play. It isn't about being flashy and showcasing a false pride when I am hollow from the inside. To be a queen is to lend a shoulder to my King, to assist and help him when he is confused. When he needs to rest. To carry his words, where it is difficult for him to reach. To give him a legacy that'll make him proud one day.

So, this is me.

I am Gauri, the new Princess of Rajwada Palace and I am not living in any bubble."

"Let us, servants of the darkness under the oath of blood be respondent oracle of fate and destruction. May the one on throne accept this widow's mite and bestow upon us boundless power."

Chants of evil reverberated through the vicinity of dead's realm capturing yet another innocent in the non-ending whirlwind of blood-thirst. A horrendous laugh accompanied the screech of a frail woman. Humanity yet again witnessed itself murdered as a silent spectator.