Third person POV-
A man was standing in the balcony of the royal chamber, staring at the purnima's moon. The wind ruffled his long, dense hair while his face was glowing by the grace of the moon. His face was holding a calm expression . He looked up at the night sky and said "Maa, apne lakshya k nikat aa gya hoon mai. Mere jeevan k ekmatra udeshya ki or aage badh rha hoon mai."( Maa, I have come close to my goal , I am approaching the only purpose of my life. ) He paused and took a deep breath, staring at the lotus garland which he was holding in his right hand he again spoke " kintu ab is yatra me mai akela nhi hoon maa , ek sehyatri bhi jud chuki hain ab mujhse. Ye Naya daitva kaise sambhal paunga mai?" ( But now , I am not alone in this journey, a new companion is attached to me, how will I handle this responsibility maa.)
His honey coloured eyes glistened.
" Pranipat Kumar, Maharaj aapse bhent krne ki ichcha rakhte hai."
( Greetings Kumar, king is willing to meet you .)
A guard announced. The man only nodded in response. Putting the lotus garland on the nearby table he composed himself.
" Kumar." King Subodh addressed him .
" Pranipat Maharaj" The young man greeted the king .
King Subodh eyed his to be son - in - law. His face was calm but his eyes were telling something else. The silk garments which were provided to him was lying idol on the table. The food and water was too untouched. Breaking the silence, king subodh spoke-
" Kumar , humne Rishi keerticharya ko amantran bheja hai , Mahamantri unhe le kr shigra ati shigra yahan pahunch jayenge. "
( Young man, I have sent an invitation to Rishi keerticharya, Mahamantri will reach here anytime with him.)
The young man joined his hand thanked the king. The king exchanged a look with Raj Guru and again spoke " Kumar , hamare aatithya me kya koi kami reh gai hai ? Aapne abhi tak bhojan bhi nhi kiya hai , n hi vastra badle hain. Yadi aapke kisi anya vastu ki avshakta hai to aap nihsankoch hamse kahiye. Aap hamare hone wale jamate hai, Maniprasth me aapka sukh sunishchit krna dharm hai hamara. "
( Kumar, is there any lack in our hospitality? You haven't eaten anything yet , you haven't changed your clothes too . If you need anything else then tell me without any hesitation. You are my would be son in law and taking care of your needs is my duty.)
The young bhikshuk smiled at kings words and spoke - " Maharaj! Balpan se hi maine kabhi aise aishwarya nhi dekhe Hain or aapne ye sab mujhe aaj diya hai to koi kami kaise ho sakti hai. Kintu Maharaj, mai abhi aapka jamata bana nhi hoon, isiliye inme se kisi vastu pr Mera koi adhikaar nhi hai. Gurudev aajaye uske paschat mai unka diya hua bhojan hi grahan karunga. Aasha hai aap meri baaton ko samjhenge Maharaj."
( Maharaj, since childhood I have never seen such luxuries and you provided me all these, so how can be there any insufficiency. But I am yet to be your son in law , so I have no right on these luxuries. Let, Gurudev come , whatever he will give me , I will eat. Hope you understand what I am trying to say.)
King Subodh was impressed with the bhikshuk's courtesy.
" Kintu Kumar , rishivar ko aane me to kal pratah Tak ka samay lagega. Tab tak aap bhukhe rahenge ye to thik baat nhi hai. Hamare jamata n sahi kintu hamare atithi ke roop me hi , kuch to bhojan grahan kijiye. "
( But Kumar , it will take until tomorrow morning for Rishi to arrive. You will stay hungry till then , it is not good. If not as a son in law then please accept our hospitality as a guest only. )
King subodh's concern filled words , warmed the bhikshuk's heart.
" Aap bade hi dayalu hain Maharaj"
( You are very kind , king.)
The bhikshuk spoke with a slight smile on his face to which the king only shook his head and said " Pita ko to santan ki chinta hoti hi hai putra, ab to Avni ke sath sath aap bhi mere santan hain."
( A father is always concerned about his child. And now you too are my child just as Avni.)
Hearing King's words the young man felt a pang in his heart. He had never experienced the love of his parents. His own father was the reason behind his sufferings but this unknown king was so much concerned about him. But here, he was lying to them , even if indirectly. Did he really deserve all these care and hospitality? The bhikshuk thought.
" Kumar , kuch pareshani hai?"
( Kumar, is there any difficulty? ) King Subodh's voice brought the young man back to the reality. He couldn't find words to answer so he just shook his head in response.
" Kumar, aap kon se kul se hai ? Gotra kya hai aapka ? Aapke mata pita kon hai ?"
The king began with his shower of questions.
Bhikshuk - " Mai kshtriya kul se hoon gurudev. Or n to Maine kabhi apni Mata ko dekha hai n to kabhi apne pita ko."
( I am from kshtriya clan , gurudev , and neither I have seen my father nor my mother.)
His words made the king of Maniprasth shocked.
King Subodh - " kintu aapne to kaha ki aap brahman ho."
( But you said the you are a Brahman.).
Bhikshuk- " Maine kab kaha ki mai brahman hoon Maharaj ? Ye to bas aap sab ne meri bhesh bhusha dekh kr swayam hi vichar kiya."
( When I said that I am a Brahmin? In fact you all thought so by judging my appearance.)
King Subodh - " or aapne apni Mata or apne pita ko kabhi nhi dekha?"
( Have you never seen your parents?)
Bhikshuk ( while shaking his head)- "Nhi, mujhe janm dene k kuch samay baad hi meri Mata mujhe chod k chali gai."
( No, my mother died after giving me birth )
King Subodh ( while patting the young man's arm)- "Aaj se hum hi aapka parivaar hai Kumar, aap hume apne pita hi samjhiye."
( From today onwards, we are your family Kumar , consider me like your father.)
The bhikshuk joined his hands and nodded . Taking a deep breath he spoke " Maharaj, ab iske atirikt aapke sab prashno ka uttar hum tabhi denge jab hum gurudev se milenge. Tab tak hum thoda samay ekaant me vayteet krna chahte hai."
( Maharaj, I will answer rest of your questions after the arrival of gurudev , till then I just want to spend some time alone.)
Bhikshuk carefully picked up the words not wanting to hurt king's sentiments.
" Haan nihsandeh Kumar , hame bhi dekhiye , Bina soche hi aapse itne prashn kr baithe, aap thake honge kuch samay vishram kr lijiye kintu usse purva yadi aap kuch kha len to Hume badi prassanta hogi. "
( Yes sure , Kumar , look I asked you so many questions without even thinking, you must be tired , you should take rest now but before that please eat something.")
Bhikshuk modestly bowed before the king and bidded him good bye after promising him that he will not sleep empty stomach.
The bhikshuk took out his angvatra and carefully spread it on the matted floor of the royal chamber, the picking up an apple from the big basket of fruits, he began to eat. After finishing the apple he laid down on the floor. His left arm under his head while right one on his chest , legs crossed over each other. He closed his eyes hoping to catch some sleep.
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Word count - 1300
Kumar - word to address young man
Jamata- son in law
Tadaaa!!!! How was this chapter? Don't forget to follow me on stck.me , udher alternate days pr update aate hai. And aaj kal mujhe thoda demotivated feel ho rha yaar kyuki mere exams chal rhe or likhne ka mann hi nhi ho rha to thoda vote n comment kr dena plz.
Har har Mahadev
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