Lust Or Love?

Chapter 14

Did she just committed the biggest mistake of her life?

She saved the man, who Is a threat to her family, her father!

No! This can't be true!

***

"We have once again gathered our lost army and king of jaitsalmeir has sent his army to help us as well! "

"Adding to this....there is a strange news....the day after we lost the war sher Khan is missing! "

Rajani saw the men talking, sitting in front of the bonfire.

"Firstly we thought that he went to Delhi to celebrate his success.....but. ....he's not there....right now his men are searching for him frantically. "

Kumar stated.

Surya grinned. "He isn't missing Kumar.....he is dead! " he pointed towards the girl sitting on the grass awkwardly.

Kumar looked at Surya and then at the girl. He could not see her face clearly in the darkness but it was clear that she is very young.

Kumar looked at Surya confusingly.

"I don't understand. "

"She killed him! "

AJMER

"Aah-" king Araman groaned aloud gripping his paining forehead with both his hands as he sat in the vast balcony of his chamber.

There was someone big behind it all, someone near to him!

But who? That was the question. And he'll soon know the answer.

"My lord....how could this slave serve you? "

A dark man bowed down in front of him, dressed a common clothing.

"Badal....I am confused! " the king stated truthfully. On one side his life, his dear daughter was missing! And on the other hand someone was trying to throw him down the the throne.

What should he do? Where should he focus?

"Could the slave help you somehow, my lord? " Badal asked.

"Yes...I have something for you to do. .......there's someone making rumors about the Royal family in the common public. " the king stated. "You have to go into the town and talk to them about it....why they are not happy with their king? ......what are the rumors they heard about royal family? .....and from whom? .....you have to find out. You will talk to them, but not as a royal agent ....as a commoner! Just like them! "

"As you wish! " he bowed down for the last time and left.

Left a miserable king behind, or a miserable father behind!

Who could he sent to Umarkot to find out about his daughter?

If he sent the army everybody will know that the princess is missing and the already increased political instability in his kingdom, will be higher. No he can't do that!

He realized a sigh and sat down back on his cushion- y chair. As he thought about his daughter Mallika. Where is she?

Day and night he just prayed that she is still breathing!

He could do nothing but wait for her to come back on her own.

What a pathetic excuse of a father he was! He thought as he gulped down a lump which was gathered in his throat.

***

NO ONE KNEW

A dark skinned man wearing old and worn out clothes walked into the town with a gun bag containing his few clothes. His blue shirt was worn out and a little dirty and his white pants had now it's color faded.

He walked in the town looking at people working, labors smeared in dirt and soil, women cooking food and children running on the streets bare foot.

There were a few elder men sitting under a large tree and talking. And it was a chance for him.

"Good morning bhai ji! " he greeted them with a smile. And instantly all five head turned towards him.

"Good morning. " one of them said, who have the whitest beard and mustache in all of them.

"Can you tell me the way to the village madgav? " he asked again.

"Of course! " said another one of them. "It is the next village.....You just have to walk straight! "

"You look tired. You could rest here for some time, if you like....madgav is not very far away. "

"Very thankful to you bhai ji! " He said as he sat down beside them.

"Where do you come from? You don't look native! " the first man with white beard asked again.

"Oh no! I don't live here.....my in-laws live in madgav! " he stated. And all of them nodded.

"I have heard a lot about king Araman. And his justice! " he said.

"Even we have! " said a old man and laughed. "But there is a lot of difference between what we hear and what the reality is! "

"What do you mean? " he asked with a confused look on his face.

"See there! " one of the men pointed towards a group of women walking away with earthen pots in their hands. "They have to walk miles to bring water! "

"But there are wells and ponds, aren't there? "

"Well and ponds? Huh?" He huffed in annoyance.

"Yes there are! But no water! "

"Have you complained about it in the royal court, yet? " the new man asked again.

"You think we are fool? " the men laughed. "That was the first thing we did, but who listens? " the first man moved his head in disapproval and the others looked angry.

"We were sent away from there! We weren't even allowed to see the king! "

"The guards told us that the king have more important matters to see and he cannot waste his time on something as rubbish as this. "

"Well, this was not the first time! " another man spoke up. "On the vasant panchami when we sent the invitation to the king for the carnival......we're thrown out of the palace! "

"And then! " said another man. "When the fire incident happened! ...........hundreds of houses were burnt into ashes! ......fields laden with crops were set on fire! "

"But no one came to help! ....not a single officer came. "

"Even the taxes were not lowered! ...........and when we went to beg for lowering the taxes in front of the king. ......as usual....we were thrown out! "

The problem was known! Someone was acting as a mediator between the king and the people. He was controlling the whole situation and with him was the whole ministry! Who didn't let a single word to reach the ears of the king.

There were conditions of drought in major part of Ajmer and the king didn't knew! The capital of Ajmer was set on fire and the king still did not have a clue.

People were not allowed to see the king and they were thrown out on the road.

Common peasants were beaten to death at places, if he is not capable of paying off his revenues and taxes even without the slightest knowledge of the king.

A dangerous and big plan was made, which was carried out with ease behind the back of the king.

And every single minister to scholar was involved in this dirty game of politics.

Now it was to see if King Araman could come out of this problem, without being harmed.