The Heart Of Gold - 4
Story so far:
King Adirath pardoned the maid Gautami under the assurance that she would never again go against his orders. Later, Maanavendra visited Padmini and informed her that it was when he had pointed out to the King that the Princess would feel very lonely and dejected if Gautami is dismissed from service, that he decided to pardon her. It showed Padmini that somewhere deep in his heart he had some caring for her! As the birthday of her father neared, Padmini herself made a beautiful drawing of a vase and showed it to Maanavendra. She asked him to make a vase like this so that she can present it to her father. The old minister readily agreed and called upon the palace carpanter, Vivek.
In this chapter 'Cruel Father': Vivek accomplished his task well on time and to perfection!
Padmini loved his work and the gift was then neatly wrapped and given to her. On her father's birthday, the little Princess, had to wait till evening before she could meet him with her gift. Her father was out attending a funeral of a veteran ruler. In the evening he returned and Padmini scurried to meet him with excitement brewing in her heart. Although her father disliked per presence, he had never insulted her whenever she went to wish him on his birthday.
She was sure that this day would be no exception and what's more, her father was sure to like her gift! Thinking in these terms she came face to face with her father where she stood with her gift! What would happen next?
Would her father acknowledge her gift?
Read below the heart-wrenching Part IV of this emotional saga.
THE HEART OF GOLD
4. CRUEL FATHER
At that time, the Princess was having a chat with Gautami. Seeing Manavendra, both of them stood up and greeted him. He promptly responded and placed something on Padmini’s lap which was neatly wrapped in a paper. “Open it, Padmini!”
The princess did so and what she saw made her jump with joy. It was her vase, which she wanted to present her father on his birthday! It was completely gold-plated having a narrow opening and then assumed the shape of an oval having several flowers decorated on it in a very adroit manner just like Padmini had drawn. The pollen grains of the little flowers were decorated with sparkling diamonds!
“Wow! This is beautiful, uncle! What’s more, it has been completed in such a short span of time!” Padmini exclaimed.
“Vivek can always be relied upon to do such work to perfection at the shortest possible time! Hasn’t he done an excellent job?” asked the minister looking at Vivek proudly.
“No question about it, uncle. Have a look at it, Gautami!”
Gautami, too, liked it immensely and Padmini thanked Vivek for his commendable efforts.
“I am sure father will like this, uncle.”
Maanavendra lovingly looked at Padmini and said, “I am very delighted seeing you so happy, my child. May God always replete your life with such happiness and bliss.” When Padmini talked of payment, Vivek stoutly denied it, “O Princess, this is the first time I am getting an opportunity to serve you. I will not take anything this time. Please!”
An argument took place and finally, Vivek won the battle! Thereby, the gift was neatly wrapped up in a paper and handed over to Padmini.
As the birthday of her father neared, Padmini’s anxiety and excitement grew. She began to imagine as to how her father would react on receiving the gift and on learning that it was his daughter who had herself conceived and drawn the design of this vase.
When there were still a couple of days remaining for her father’s birthday, Maanavendra met her, “Padmini, I will not be here on your father’s birthday. I am going out for some administrative work tomorrow and will return only on the day after the King’s birthday.”
“Oh! It would have been so good had you been here, uncle. After I greet him, I wanted to share my happy moments with you immediately.” Padmini groused.
“I understand, my child. When I return, I will first come to you and then you can certainly share your happy moments with me. Alright? I wish you all the best, Padmini! Your father is going to like that gift! There’s no question about that! Do show him your drawing as well, dear. He will be very happy. I will tell you something else.
Do not get disappointed if he does not express his happiness the way you expect. You know your father, don’t you?”
“I know, uncle. Although father does not like my presence, he has never insulted me whenever I went to wish him on his birthday. This is the first time that I am offering him a gift of my own making which is what is making me so excited.” said Padmini expressing her feelings.
“I understand, Padmini. All the best! See you in a couple of days!” The noble minister was pained to hear the Princess say that her father did not like her presence. After all, wasn’t she generous at heart? Then, why should her look matter, Maanavendra wondered in his mind. He patted her back lovingly and took his leave.
Finally, the day for which Padmini was eagerly awaiting arrived! However, fate was not by her side. In the morning, after she woke up Gautami had news for her. “The King just received news that a veteran ruler of his neighbouring kingdom died yesterday evening due to old age. He has left to attend his funeral. But do not despair, O Princess! He will be back by evening.”
Although Padmini was distressed to hear this, she did not let her spirits die down and waited patiently till he came back. When King Adirath arrived in the evening, Gautami apprised her of the news. Padmini showed restraint and did not run to her father’s chamber to allow him take some rest.
Thereafter, she took her drawing and gift and scurried to meet him. Her excitement reached it’s zenith when she stood before him. She put her hands behind her back holding the gift and smiled at her father. But alas! The King turned his face away from her and said hoarsely,
“Why have you come here? I am already tired! Looking at you will only make me feel more tired! Go away from here!”
These cruel words of Adirath stung the tender heart of Padmini. All her excitement and anxiety drained away and she was filled with deep sorrow. She ran away from there and by the time she reached her apartments, her eyes had started raining tears.
Gautami was alarmed to see her weeping and to find that she had brought back her gift which she wanted to give her father. “What happened, O Princess?”
Words failed the little Princess and she began to cry bitterly holding Gautami’s hand. The maid, at once, realised that things had not worked out with her Princess as she was expecting. She knew that the King must have done something terrible to hurt Padmini. She made the Princess lay on the bed and had a hard time consoling her.
That night, Padmini did not eat anything but kept crying continuously. Gautami was very angry with the King but what could she do? Finally, Padmini rested her head on Gautami’s lap and fell asleep.
Later, Gautami slowly made Padmini’s head rest on the pillow while she herself stayed awake just in case the Princess needed her attention in the night.
The next day Padmini woke up and much to Gautami’s relief did not cry. Despite the sorrow she possessed in her mind, she smiled faintly at the maid. Gautami greeted her, “Good morning, dear Princess! Please refresh yourself and eat something! Right from yesterday evening you have not taken anything.”
Padmini agreed but expressed her desire to eat her breakfast in her chambers and not go to the dining hall, as was the daily custom. Gautami did not ask Padmini about what had happened the other evening for the fear that she may start crying again recollecting the event.
(To Continue)
Looking for the stunning IPhone X Silver! Have a look here and click to own it!
