THE GHOST
-6. Bosom Friend

“Whether you get a chance to meet your guruji or not, there is something which you must accept!” began Neelkant, who despite his ripe age looked elegant with his sharp features. His flowing white beard only added to his personable personality. “I know that this will cause you sorrow but then I will still mention it. Why are you in this false belief that your husband is still alive? Why don’t you accept the truth that he is dead? If only you accept this reality can you think ahead!”

“Father!” the Queen exclaimed aloud.

“My child, I do not want to hurt you but I have to say this! Logically, if he is still alive why is he not returning back? Where is the need for him to stay in hiding? If he has been taken captive, would not your spies have had a whiff about it until now? I believe that either he has been killed in that jungle or his enemies have done him some fatal harm. With him out of the way, his foes may be even planning to lay siege on this kingdom. Your divine force theory may have thwarted their move for the moment but for how long? I heard about what that vile Aditya was going to do to you! Therefore as a father I would be apparently worried about your safety. Why do you want to risk your life like this? And that too for such a man’s kingdom who gave you nothing but disloyalty! Despite your sincerity and love, was he not having plans to marry that other Princess? I am sure that there are other able ministers around who can manage this kingdom in his absence. Give them the kingdom and come with me! I am there to always take care of you and protect you till the last breath of my life! I know that this may be too early but still I will speak my mind! If you permit, I shall even look for some Prince who is willing to marry you! After all, you are still young and have your entire life ahead of you. Why should you stay back here and lead a life of uncertainty and peril?”

The Queen did not respond for a few moments. Then, she looked at the King’s eyes and spoke her mind, “I can share with you a fact, father. During the latter part of his rule, my Lord swerved from the path of righteousness. He began to ignore his people and was even impudent towards them. This had aggrieved my heart. I had learnt from you and my guruji that a King lives only for his people. They are his foremost responsibility. Thus, in the absence of my Lord I wanted to make amends on his behalf.   I decided to give my people all that I had expected of him, myself. This is what I am doing now, O Father!

Let me also tell you that I firmly believe that my King is still alive and safe somewhere. I will continue to believe so till the time I do not get any evidence to think otherwise. Father, if you see me alive today it is because I encourage such thoughts in my mind. I also do not want to think about his disloyalty towards me. At this moment I am only aware that as his wife it is my duty to be loyal to him. Atleast in this birth, I will have no one except him as my husband. Please allow me to lead a life of my liking, O Father.”

These words stirred the emotions of Mahirat. Even Neelkanth was moved to hear the thoughts of his daughter. He thrust his hand on her head and said fervidly, “It is my mistake that I did not realize your greatness. May God be with you, my child!”

The Queen rested her head on his lap and the King passionately passed his hand over her head. All this was too much for Mahirat to bear. Allowing both the father and his daughter to have their moments of seclusion, he moved away from there and came to his chambers.   He now felt all the more miserable about his decision to marry the other Princess. He seldom allowed his emotions to get the better of him but on this day, he just could not suppress his tears from trickling down his moist eyes. He covered his face with his hands but soon regained composure and wiped away his tears. That night as the Queen slept, he came and sat beside her. Here was a gem right in front of him and yet he could not recognize it all this while! Indeed he had become blind in his greed for power and the irrepressible desire to satiate his selfish needs! The King wanted to touch his Queen and seek pardon for his sins. But alas! That would remain only a desire in his heart that could not be fructified atleast till his curse lasted!

Neelkanth stayed with his daughter for a few days and left for his kingdom. All this while, Mahirat was pleased to see his Queen passing happy moments with her father. He now knew that with the departure of the King and his continuing disappearance would cause much sorrow to Mandira. Of course, she would never show this on her face not even when she was alone in her chamber.

One day, as the King watched his Queen sitting in her chamber, he suddenly remembered about his friend Bhagirat. It had been so many days since his disappearance but his bosom friend had not come to enquire about his Queen’s well-being and provide her with moral support. What could be the matter with him, he thought. Just then, a guard came and informed the Queen that Bhagirat sought an audience with her! Thrilled, the King joined his Queen to receive him.  His delight soon turned into an expression of shock and concern on seeing his friend! Bhagirat’s once brawny physique now appeared weak and pastel as if he was sapped by some ailment. As if echoing Mahirat’s sentiments, the Queen enquired about his health. Bhagirat informed her that he was suffering from a bout of fever all this while and had just recovered. The Queen escorted him to her chambers where they got engaged in a conversation.

“There is still no news about him?” Bhagirat asked discerningly.

The Queen nodded in the negative.

“I wonder what would have happened to my friend! How can he disappear like this? I still feel that Aditya has a hand in all this!” Bhagirat observed.

“Why would Aditya accept to all his wrongdoing except this, O King? The Queen prodded.

Acceding to Mandira’s observation, he raised his head and prayed, “I only want my friend to return safely! May God protect him….” He felt silent and hung his head down.

Mahirat stood beside him watching him lose his emotions helplessly. Suddenly some thoughts began to cloud the mind of the invisible King which disturbed him. Over the years, just like him even his friend had become a victim of self-conceit and arrogance. He too had become immoral and insensitive in his lust for power and money. What if Bhagirat, had to undergo a harsh punishment like him for the evil qualities he possessed, the King wondered. He felt the urge to somehow make his friend realize the need to mend his ways. As he was thinking about a possible way to achieve this goal, the Queen was informed that a sage Adirath had come to meet her. This sage was known for his intelligence and perspicacity. The Queen excused herself and soon entered the chamber with the sage whose calm and serene face filled everyone’s heart with tranquility and peace of mind.