Frustration surged through Mrityunjay as the knock echoed through the room, shattering the delicate moment he was about to share with his wife. He looked at Katha, surprise mirrored in both their eyes.
Taking a deep breath, Mrityunjay’s voice rang out with a touch of frustration as he asked, “Kon hai?“
“Who is it?”. He stood his ground, unwilling to move from his place.
The reply came from the other side of the door, and it was Ratan’s voice, saying, “Hum hain Bhai-sa.“
“It’s me, Bhai-sa”. Mrityunjay inhaled sharply, feeling his patience waning.
“Hum abhi vyast hain. Thodi der pashchaat ya behtar hoga kal pratah aana.“
“I am busy right now. Come later, or better yet, in the morning,” he responded, his tone laced with irritation.
Ratan’s voice held a mischievous edge as he replied, “Humein pata hai ki aap vyast hain. Hum aapki awaaz se hi bata sakte hain. Parantu ek mahatvapoorn karya karna hai aur aapki upastithi ki avashyakta sabha mein hai.“
“I know you’re busy. I could tell from your tone. But this is an urgent matter, and your presence is required at court.“
There was a hint of a teasing smile in his words as if he relished the opportunity to disrupt the intimate moment between Mrityunjay and Katha.
With another deep breath, Mrityunjay stepped back from Katha, his frustration evident in his long strides as he approached the door. Katha, aware of the presence of Mrityunjay’s brother, quickly adorned her head with her dupatta, adhering to the customary gesture.
Mrityunjay swung open the door, his eyes shooting daggers at Ratan for intruding upon their private time. However, as Ratan spoke, “Agar awashyak nhi hota toh hum aapko pareshaan nhi karte.”
“I wouldn’t have disturbed you if it wasn’t urgent,” with a teasing smile momentarily.
Mrityunjay’s death stare softened, replaced by understanding.
“Tum jao, hum aate hain.“
“You go. I will be there,” he responded, his voice now calmer.
Ratan nodded, his gaze shifting to Katha, who was standing with her head low and face red as a tomato, which didn’t go unnoticed by Ratan before he turned and walked away.
Mrityunjay turned and offered Katha a final smile, which contained a hint of apology for being disturbed, and told her, “Humne jo karya adhoora chhoda tha use wapas aane par avashya poora karenge“.
“I will complete the matter I left incomplete when I return.“
Katha smiled back, her eyes filled with understanding and shyness, and nodded in agreement. As Mrityunjay left for the court, he adjusted his clothes with a sense of purpose, determined to attend to the urgent matter while longing to return to the embrace of his wife.
In the court
Mrityunjay entered the room, his expression serious and concerned. He looked at Ratan expectantly, waiting for an update on the urgent matter.
“Bhai-sa, humare aur Kundangarh ke beech mein vyapaar ko lekar kuch pareshani hai.“
“Bhai-sa, there have been ongoing trade problems between our kingdom and Kundangarh,” Ratan began.
“Raja Abhay ne aarthik samasyaon ke chalte kuch samay ke liye vyapaar karne se mana kar diya hai.“
“King Abhay has agreed to continue the trade for some time due to the financial challenges they are facing.“
Mrityunjay frowned, realizing the potential implications of this. Before he could voice his concerns, the inventory minister said,
“Maharaj, yadi daalon ka vyapaar kam hua toh hamein agle aath mahino mein tangi ho jayegi. Isse humare rajya ka bahot nuksaan hoga.“
“Maharaj, with the decrease in trade, particularly pulses, we will face a shortage in the next eight months. It will pose a significant problem for our kingdom.“
The gravity of the situation weighed heavily on Mrityunjay. He looked at other ministers, seeking their opinion.
“Iss samasya se nikalne ka koi upaaye?“
“What options do we have to resolve this?“
A courtier replied in affirmative, “Maharaj, iss samasya se nikalne ke do upaaye hain. Pehla, hum anya rajyon se baat cheet kar sakte hain vyapaar ke vishay mein parantu koi rajya aisa nahin hai jo zyada vyapaar karne yogya ho, iss samay kewal Jaladharnagar se vyapaar ho raha hai parantu woh hamare rajya ke liye paritript nahin hai.“
“Maharaj, to come out of this situation, we see two options. First, we make trade relationships with other kingdoms, but other kingdoms are not efficient enough to be able to have proper trade relations with. At this moment, only the trade with Jaladharnagar is in play, but that is not efficient for our kingdom.“
Mrityunjay nodded, considering the option. “And the other option?” he inquired, his curiosity piqued.
The courtier cleared his throat, aware of the delicate nature of the suggestion he was about to make, “Doosara upaaye yah hai ki Raja Abhay ko yah yaad dilaaya jaye ki unki behan ab aapki patni hain aur isi rajya mein aapke saath rehti hain. Iraada unhein apane rukh par punarvichaar karane ke liye majboor karana hoga, yah jaante hue ki hum Maharani-sa ko nuksaan pahuncha sakte hain, ve vichaar avashya karenge aur kheti mein apatti hone ke pashchaat bhi vyapaar se mana nahin karenge.“
“The second option is to manipulate King Abhay by subtly reminding him that his sister is here as your wife. The intention would be to make him reconsider his stance, knowing that any harm to her would devastate her; this way, he will be forced to reconsider even if they face crop production troubles.“
Mrityunjay’s eyes narrowed at the suggestion. He clenched his fists in anger. “Apni zabaan sambhal ke.“
“Mind your words,” he warned, his voice firm and commanding.
“Hum aisi ran-neeti ka sahaara nahin lenge. Maharanisa ki suraksha aur bhalayi hamare liye atyant mahatvapoorn hai, aur ham ek aisa samaadhaan dhoondhenge jo hamaari garima aur siddhaanton ko barakaraar rakhega.“
“We will not resort to such tactics. Maharanisa’s safety and well-being are of utmost importance to me, and we shall find a solution that upholds our dignity and principles.” The courtier bowed his head, acknowledging Mrityunjay’s rebuke.
“Kshama kareIn, Maharaj. Humne keval vichaar ke liye sabhi sambhaavit vikalp prastut kiye hain.“
“Apologies, Ranaji. I merely presented all possible options for consideration.“
Realizing the need for further discussion and exploration of alternatives, Mrityunjay continued, “Aap sabhi ke vichaar prakat karne ke liye dhanyawaad. Hum naye upaay talaashane ke liye subah phir se milenge aur ek yojana taiyaar karenge jo Kundangarh ke saath shaanti aur sadbhaavana banaye rakhte hue hamare rajya ki samrddhi sunishchit kare.“
“Thank you for your insights. We shall reconvene early in the morning to explore new avenues and devise a plan that ensures the prosperity of our kingdom while maintaining peace and goodwill with Kundangarh.“
With a nod of agreement, the courtiers took their leave.
With a heavy heart, he wished Ratan a good night and went towards his chambers. Suddenly, the memory of continuing what he had left came to his mind.
A smile appeared on Mrityunjay’s face with the mere thought of it, and he proceeded further to open the door of the room, only to find Katha sleeping in a seating position with her back resting against the headboard.
He went near her and gently touched her cheek, causing her to jolt awake. He calmed her down, and she sighed seeing him.
“Aap aa gaye Hukum. Kuch pareshani thi sabha mein?”
“You came back, Hukum. Any problem in the court?”
He sighed and smiled, “Just some crop trade problems with Kundangarh, nothing that can’t be sorted.”
Katha frowned at this and asked, “When did the crop trade problems arise? I thought everything was fine, as Bhai-sa told me during our wedding rituals.”
Mrityunjay smiled and said, “He might not have told you because he might not have wanted to give you tension at your own wedding, it’s okay. Nothing to worry much about.”
Katha smiled, and Mrityunjay pecked her cheek, making her close her eyes. He backed away and went to freshen up and change his clothes.
He came back after a while and sat on the bed beside Katha,
“Adhoora karya poorn karlein?”
“Can I complete the incomplete task?”
