THE SEEDS OF UPHEAVAL
-7. Aditi's Life Story

King Bhupendra was aghast to hear what his friend had just said.  He was too dumb-founded even to speak.  Dhuranjaya did not have the guts in him to witness the expression of shock and grief on the face of Bhupendra.  He looked at the floor till the time Bhupendra gave any response.  Finally, Bhupendra managed to break the silence and remarked, “B…But why?  Have we done any injustice to Aditi?  Have we failed in our duty?” 

“No!”  Dhuranjaya stoutly denied.  “This decision has nothing to do with that!  After Paramjeet met with this tragedy, both me and the Queen are getting this strong feeling that this happened because God is angry with us for parting away with our second child.  Therefore, he is punishing us by taking away even our elder son!  We want to make amends for our mistake, Bhupendra!  We believe that by taking back Aditi we would be able to appease the Lord who would, thereby, spare my son’s life!”  “Dhuranjaya, what you did is a supreme sacrifice which is very rare in this world!  You gave me your daughter for my happiness!  How can the Lord ever get angry at you for that?  Besides, we have thought Aditi as our daughter for the past ten years!  And you are now asking me to return her back to you!  How do I do that?”  Bhupendra bemoaned. 

“I know that this is going to be very difficult for you!  But then, this has to be done!  Years ago, I sacrificed my happiness for your sake!  Now I look upon you to do the same for me for the sake of my son!”  Dhuranjaya’s voice almost choked as he spoke these words. 

Bhupendra realised that it was futile to argue with his friend.  Overcome with grief at what his friend had asked him, Bhupendra wanted some moments in privacy.  He excused himself and went to the inner chambers where he wept silent tears.  The fear that was now lurking in Bhupendra’s heart of losing Aditi was too much for him to bear.  Then, he controlled his emotions realising that he had to tide over this situation bravely.  He wiped his tears, washed his face and then spent some time thinking deeply.  He, then met Dhuranjaya and told him that he was going to meet his Queen to discuss about this matter.  Asking his friend to wait for him, Bhupendra went to see Chandraki. 

From his eyes, Dhuranjaya could make out that Bhupendra had wept inside the chamber.  Although he felt bad about it, the words of his brother to bring back Aditi for the recovery of Paramjeet was constantly playing in his troubled mind and therefore he did not let his friend’s grief change his stand. 

Queen Chandraki was appalled to see the distraught face of the King.  “What happened, Maharaj?  Where is King Dhuranjaya?” 

Bhupendra first enquired about Aditi.  The Queen informed him that she was taking an evening stroll in the palace compound.  The King, then, made his wife sit on the bed and told her about his conversation with Dhuranjaya.  The Queen could not believe that Dhuranjaya could even think in these terms.  “Why didn’t you tell him that it is not possible for us to give him back Aditi?” she fumed. 

“If you adopt an aggressive stand, things would only worsen, Chandraki.  After all, Aditi is his daughter.    Do you remember that it was only a few days ago that we were talking about revealing the truth of Aditi’s origin to her?  The time has now come for that!  It is best that we place the facts before her and then see how she reacts.”  Bhupendra opined. 

“What if after hearing the truth she feels like going back to her real parents?”  Chandraki expressed her fears. 

“I know my daughter!  She will never do that!  Anyway, let’s think about all this later!  First we have to think of an appropriate way to tell her the truth that would cause her the least agony.”  Bhupendra pointed out. 

Chandraki hugged the King, sobbing at the unprecedented developments that had taken place.  Bhupendra, too, was overcome with sorrow but he did not express it.  He put up a brave face and urged his Queen to not lose her composure.  After some time, both of them decided upon a way to inform Aditi about the truth.

Bhupendra returned to his chambers and acquainted his friend about their future course of action.  Dhuranjaya duly agreed to it. 

In the night, while all of them were having food together in the dining hall alongwith Dhuranjaya, Bhupendra looked at Aditi, “After we have finished eating, I want to tell you a story, my child!  It is a good one and therefore it would be better if even your mother and my friend join us in my chamber.” 

Aditi’s face lit up as she heard this.  “Wow!  A story!  You know how much I love stories, father!  I can’t wait to listen to it.”  the little girl exclaimed innocently. 

The King and the others smiled at her enthusiasm although all of them were worried inside their hearts.

Soon, everyone assembled in Bhupendra’s chambers.  Aditi was flanked by her foster parents while Dhuranjaya sat on a throne facing them.   The King lovingly placed his hand on Aditi’s head, “My child, after a certain point I will stop the story and put some questions before you.  To answer those questions correctly, you would have to imagine yourself as one of the characters in the story.  Therefore, please listen to the story very carefully.  Alright?” 

Aditi readily agreed, with her interests aroused further to listen to the story which the King now narrated.