37 Stubbornness
Part 36 Stubbornness
"From here on, I want my SON to take the Kumba," Arvind said, confusing everyone.
Everyone was stunned when Arvind said,
"Arnav... come to the stage..."
Khushi was awestruck. Her eyes automatically read the faces of the palace people, who were all together. Except for Madhavi, all of them were shocked, which alerted Khushi. The palace people thought Arvind was going to adopt Arnav, who advanced the stage.
"I'm not going to hide the truth from any of you. Arnav is my son. His mother Amrita is my first wife. After our marriage, my father forcefully brought me here after throwing Amrita in the river. I thought she and the child in her womb were dead but no. She didn't die but raised my son all alone without disturbing me. Finally, he reached our village. He was supposed to go to Pancha Nandhi, but fate brought him to the place where he belonged. I recently learned that he is my son. You people knew no one could enter our village with bad intention. As the Prince of my empire is back, I want him to take over all the responsibilities. Come on Arnav..."
Arvind took him to the temple, clutching his hand. Arvind looked at the Pandit and gestured for him something. The Pandit brought the Kumba. Taking it from him, Arvind handed it to Arnav. Arnav took it, smiling at Khushi who was reading Madhavi's expression. Arnav looked in the direction and saw Madhavi smirking. The Pandit put a garland on Arnav's neck and tied a turban on his head with a silk cloth.
People showered him with sacred rice. He read the shocked faces of the Murthy brothers. A Palace servant took the Kumba from Arnav. In no time, Arvind hugged him emotionally.
"Welcome to our family..."
Arnav smiled.
"Let's go..."
Arvind brought him to the car. Arnav stopped and looked for Khushi. Madhavi rushed to him and held his hand for a shake.
"Congratulations, Arnav. Didn't I say you are someone special? See, where you are now! We became relatives. I have all the rights on you. I can even marry you..." She said excitedly.
"Excuse me..." Arnav walked to Khushi, who was standing near a pillar and looking at him. Arnav held her hand and walked to the car.
"Sit..." he said.
"Arnav sir, you go. I will come later."
"Why?"
"I have some work"
"I know what work you have. Someone will take care of it. Sit in the car."
"Arnav, she has many responsibilities on her shoulders. Let her do it." Madhavi said.
Before Arnav replied to her,
"Khushi, you too come with us" Arvind said, shutting her mouth.
"No, uncle..."
Cutting her,
"I said sit..." Arvind ordered.
Without a choice, Khushi sat in the front seat not wanting to sit with Arnav. Arnav rolled his eyes and sat in the back seat.
The driver started the car, after Arvind sat. Madhavi stood fuming. She thought that after the declaration, she could use their relationship in her favour, but this Arvind was acting like an idiot.
On the other side, the Murthy brothers stood like statues, not understanding anything. How could they know anything when their plan was something?
"What's this? What are we going to do now?"
"I can't understand anything. he came suddenly and took the Palace's responsibility. Arvind danced with him, and now, he announced he was his son. What will we do now? What about our plan?"
"I too don't know. We thought we could get the property as this is the heirless empire. From where did Arnav come?"
"Let's go and watch the remaining drama, " they headed to the palace.
Arnav saw Khushi silently sitting and looking outside.
"I would like to tell you something", Arnav said, that made her look at him from the corner of her eyes.
"Tell me, Arnav"
"I don't want any changes in my lifestyle. I want to lead my life."
Arvind sighed.
"Just because I suddenly became a prince, I can't live a robotic life."
"You can live however you want, but don't forget you are a powerful person in the Palace, just like me. You can make any decision, but please ensure you make it twice before making a decision, who it will affect"
Arnav nodded, looking at Khushi. She understood what he meant. She was scared because she knew the Murthy brothers would not be quiet. They would try to get Arnav under their control, showing how powerful they were. She squeezed her hands nervously.
They reached the palace. The servant who took the Kumba from Arnav came with that and handed it to Arvind. Arvind again gave it to Arnav who looked at him questioningly.
"As you received it from the Pandit, you are the one who should keep it in the Pooja room."
Arnav nodded and took it in his hands. A few elderly women were ready to welcome the NEW Prince by circling the plate. Keeping vermillion on Arnav's forehead, they asked him to enter. Arnav stepped in as a Prince of the Palace authentically. He looked at Khushi, who was nervous like hell.
By now, the Murthy brothers also reached the Palace.
"Arnav, come and keep the Kumba in the pooja room" Arvind said.
"Wait, Appa..." Arnav looked at Khushi and said,
"Khushi... you too come with us"
Khushi looked at him perplexed.
"A servant should not accompany a Prince", came from Chandra Murthy.
"Until an hour ago, I was also a servant. Who knows, when and how our status changes? Come with us, Khushi," Arnav said.
"Arnav..." Krishna Murthy tried to say something,
"It's my ORDER..." Arnav said making them stunned.
Arnav looked at Khushi and said,
"I hope you obey my order"
Khushi rushed to him and stood next to him, bowing down. Arnav headed to the Pooja room, and Khushi walked in parallel with him.
After coming to the Pooja room, Arnav gave the Kumba to Khushi.
"Keep it there"
Khushi looked at Arvind hesitatingly.
"Obey the Prince's order, Khushi." Arvind smiled.
Taking the Kumba from him carefully, Khushi placed it in the Pooja room and prayed, closing her eyes.
They came out and heard,
"Changing the custom of the Palace is not right, Mama" Krishna Murthy said.
"Yes, don't question the King and change the custom of the palace..." Arvind lashed him.
Krishna Murthy stood wordless.
"I'm going to my room, Appa", Arnav walked to his room and stopped hearing,
"You are not a servant now. Being a prince, how could you stay at the servant's room?" Chandra Murthy asked.
"It's my wish..." Arnav said.
"We are not talking about your wish. You are going to be the King of this Palace. Making you stay in the common room doesn't make sense"
"I already told the King I will lead a simple life."
"You can lead a simple life, staying in the Prince's room too. It's a custom."
Arvind was about to say something,
"Mama, what's the harm if he stays in the Prince room? Why would he fear?"
"Why would I fear?"
"Then, what's the problem in staying in the luxurious room?"
"It's because it's unnecessary"
"Mama, is it not necessary for the Prince of this Palace to stay in the luxurious room? People may think you accepted him as your son half-heartedly"
"Arnav, you can live as you wish but please change the room..." Arvind pleaded.
"I hope it will stop only with the room"
Arvind nodded. Arnav went to his room.
"What's all this Mama?"
"Whatever I said is true. Arnav is my son..." Arvind said and went to his room.
Murthy brothers looked at each other.
"What's next? He started ORDERING us..."
"There is no change in our plan. We are going to finish both of them," Krishna Murthy said.
"It will not seem our plan but an accident."
"I will take care of it"
"Be careful..."
Krishna Murthy nodded.
"What about the medicine? Are we going to give it to Ratna?"
"No way. Didn't you hear what the doctor said? She should not touch tamarind, tomatoes, or non-vegetarian foods."
"Are we going to make her eat them?"
"Exactly. No one can blame us. After all, she is mad"
"Add them in her food gradually. We can't take the risk"
"Don't worry. I will do that. Thank God, Madhavi took the responsibility of giving her medicine."
"Yeah... slowly, everything will come under our control"
Krishna Murthy called a few servants.
"change the Prince's room..."
"Yes, sir..."
They went to Arnav's room. Arnav saw them and raised his brows.
"Your highness, we are here to change your room"
"No need... I will do it"
The servants looked at one another and stood not moving.
"Didn't you hear what I said?"
They nodded and left. Krishna Murthy saw them not doing what he said.
"Why don't you do what I said?"
"The Prince didn't allow us."
"Means?"
"He said, he would do that"
"Whaaaat? HE (stressing) will do that?"
The servants nodded. Krishna Murthy rolled his eyes irritatingly.
'What kind of Prince he is...! This is why the Royal is severely following the custom. This is what happens if a beggar became a King.' He murmured irritatingly.
###
Khushi stood up from the bed and saw Arnav leaning on the door smilingly. She gulped down.
"What happened to you? Why are you looking nervous?"
"No...thing... your highness..." She stammered.
Arnav gritted his teeth. Taking a few long steps, he reached her and held her hand.
"What did you say? Highness? Really?"
"Are you not?"
"Not for you"
"When you said you were the Prince, I was glad about it, but now, after seeing you get honoured, something hit my mind. Your life will be like this..."
Cutting her,
"No, my life will be like how I want it"
"Arnav sir, try to understand..."
"Wait... what are you trying to say?"
Khushi bowed down. Arnav lifted her chin and made her look into his eyes.
"No matter how my life will be, you will be a part of it and no one can change it. If this Royal custom and bloody Prince position tried to change it, I wouldn't mind throwing it away because my PRIORITY will never change." Arnav said, meeting her eyes and making Khushi bewildered.
To be continued...
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