Page 220 of A King's Oath

“Why did you not say anything?” Was her only question.

“There was nothing to say after I threw her out of our palace.”

“When Papa came back safe and sound, Samarth!”

“He wanted me as the Rawal.”

Silence.

“And I understood his need to see me as the Rawal. I did,” he continued. “And then… I did not know what the future would hold for me. If a time like that came again, I would still be needed back in Nawanagar. Where would it leave us then?”

“That was not for you to think and stew in alone. Why didn’t you say anything to Papa? You told him everything!”

“I don’t know! I was so ashamed after sending her away that even if I had, there was no way I could face her again. I just moved on and lived, hoping she would finally move on with somebody and spend her life detesting me.”

“Is she? With somebody?”

“No. Not in the sense that he could be Brahmi’s father…” Samarth’s lightened chest swelled with pride. “Her name is Brahmi, Rajmata.”

Her eyes widened. And then her lips stretched, opening in awe.

“Brahmi?” She pronounced.

“Brahmi.”

Her incredulous smile was so, so full. Then she shook her head — “Papa needs to know this. He will go crazy…”

“No, no, please. Wait.”

“Why?”

“I haven’t even spoken to Ava. Today it was so awkward. Like a creep I kept sitting outside her house. I didn’t know what to say, what to do. Still don’t.”

“What do you mean you don’t?” Her voice hardened. “Don’t you dare tell me you will say goodbye and come back to sit quietly here!”

“I am not sure what I can offer them. Nawanagar is still there…”

“Ok, stop.” She sat up. “What do you mean ‘Nawanagar is still there?’ Nawanagar will always be there. You will get Nawanagar’s Maarani and Kumari home. That’s what you will do. Or do you not love her anymore?”

He remained silent. He hadn’t told her that he never intended to keep the throne. How would he manoeuvre his life now that he had a daughter, an heir? He would have to take her away, build his family away like he had once planned, and then hope for the best.

“You don’t love Ava, Samarth?”

He startled. That’s what she had surmised from his silence?

“Samarth, I am asking you something.”

“I have loved nobody but her since I was in 7th standard.”

She smiled — “Then I think now you have two girls you love that you need to win and bring back.”

“I should, right?”

“Why not?”

“Because I do not have the strength to look into Ava’s eyes.”

Rajmata’s own eyes lowered. Then came back up and met his through the camera.

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