THE SEEDS OF UPHEAVAL
-6. Sombre Demand

“Is there any progress in feeding him?”  Bhupendra asked his friend as he sat beside the Prince who had thinned down considerably over the days. 

“Just marginally.” Dhuranjaya responded and fell silent. 

“Actually, I was on my way to attend some function of a neighbouring ruler.  Since your kingdom is so nearby, I came here to enquire about Paramjeet.  The function is there tomorrow and therefore I will have to start very early the next day.” 

Dhuranjaya informed his friend that he, too, had been invited for the function but none of them wanted to go for apparent reasons.   As Bhupendra conversed with Dhuranjaya, he could notice that his friend wanted to tell him something but was somehow not able to do so.  At first, he ignored this feeling but then when this became increasingly noticeable, he decided to ask Dhuranjaya about it. 

“I get this feeling that you want to tell me something, Dhuranjaya!  Is that true?” 

This took Paramjeet’s father completely by surprise and for a moment he did not know how to respond.  Then he replied stammering awkwardly, “N…No!  N…Nothing!  I do not know why you feel like that!” 

“No!  I have been observing you for some time now!  You look at me as if to say something and then look at the ground as if deciding against it!  What is it?  I have never seen you hesitating so much in front of me!  Please tell me if you want something!  I will be only obliged to help you, dear friend!”  Bhupendra offered.  Dhuranjaya, who was appearing very uncomfortable and pensive, still denied that he wanted to say something. 

As Bhupendra spoke with Paramjeet, Dhuranjaya looked at his friend with grief-stricken eyes.  He, thereby, took Bhupendra to the visitors’ chambers and asked him to rest.

Dhuranjaya returned back and sat by the side of his son.  After some time, both his brother and the Queen entered in.  “What happened?  Did you take up the matter with Bhupendra?”  Dhurjaya asked eagerly. 

The King shook his head in the negative which made Dhurjaya frown with disgust.   “But why?  We had talked about this so much!” 

The Queen looked at the King questioningly. 

“You feel it is that easy?”  Dhuranjaya retorted.  “Bhupendra has been my closest friend and therefore I feel terrible to talk to him about it.  I will have to prepare myself before I take up this matter with him.  He is to leave tomorrow and therefore it is not possible for me to tell him about this now.  I cannot rush up like this!”  the King made his stand clear. 

“Alright!  You take your own sweet time!  I have done my best to make you realise facts! I would have gone myself and talked to Bhupendra about this.  But then Aditi is your child and it would appear genuine if you go and take up this matter with him.”  Dhurjaya shrugged his shoulders and walked away. 

Dhuranjaya looked at his Queen and rued, “I just could not do it, O Dayanti!  I was  not prepared to put my friend in grief!  That noble soul!  He observed that I was trying to tell him something and urged me to speak out without any hesitation!  He promised to help me in whatever way he can!  If only he knew what I was going to ask!  O Queen!  As of now, I cannot do this!  It will take some time for me to prepare myself!” 

Dayanti clasped the King’s hands in understanding. 

The next day, King Bhupendra left and three days hence King Dhuranjaya decided to go to Kamesthi and speak with his friend in this matter.  With great difficulty, he had made up his mind for this agonising task.  He asked both his brother and the Queen to take good care of their son and took his leave.

Meanwhile, King Bhupendra had reached his kingdom the very next day after he left Vasantnagar.   It was now evening and the King was spending time with his family.  Just then, he was informed that his friend, Dhuranjaya, had come over to see him.  Surprised at his visit, all three of them rushed to receive him.  Although, Dhuranjaya was very disturbed, he, at once, tried to sport a cheerful look when he saw Aditi for he knew that she did not know about the tragedy. 

“How is Paramjeet?  Any news from the ashram?”  asked Aditi innocently, blissfully unaware of all that had happened.  The elders exchanged painful glances for a moment and then Dhuranjaya made the child sit beside him.  “He’s fine, dear!  I am sure that he would complete his education successfully and make his father proud!”  Both Bhupendra and Chandraki had a lump in their throat as they heard these words of Dhuranjaya. 

“How is your education going on, my child?”  Dhuranjaya asked. 

“Oh!  Very well!  I am enjoying it!”  replied Aditi excitedly. 

Thereby, Bhupendra asked Aditi to go to her chambers under the pretext of discussing some kingdom affairs with Dhuranjaya.  Aditi obliged instantly and went away.  Bhupendra and the Queen enquired about the health of Paramjeet.  As they asked the purpose of his visit, Dhuranjaya sought a private audience with his friend.  The Queen consented and departed. 

“Tell me, my friend!  What is it?”  Bhupendra prodded. 

Again, that feeling of uneasiness and hesitation returned to Dhuranjaya’s face which Bhupendra recognised immediately.  “No!  Not again!  Why are you hesitating like this, Dhuranjaya?  Just tell me what is in your mind!  I told you that I am always there to help and support you!  Why waver like this before me?”  Bhupendra protested.  Dhuranjaya took a deep breath and then looked at his friend straight in the eyes.  “I know that what I am now going to ask you would cause you immense sorrow but I am helpless!  O Bhupendra!  Please give back to me my daughter, Aditi!”