Chapter 28 The Loneliness and the Goodbye
Five days had passed In the palace of Prakashgadh the gentle morning sunlight slipped through the window and entered the chamber turning the dust particles golden Neer eyelids fluttered He slowly opened his eyes In the blurry vision he saw Agni figure before him sitting on a chair with his back straight but his head slightly bowed Agni eyes were closed but the lines of his face were tensed with deep exhaustion and worry
Neer whispered Agni
Hearing the voice Agni eyes opened He immediately got up and sat beside Neer and a faint wave of relief ran across his face Neer You are awake
Neer nodded yes and then turned his face away towards the window where the sun was rising
Agni looked at Neer and said and his voice carried a cautious tenderness What happened Neer Why did you turn your face away from me
Neer looked at Agni and his eyes held no questions only a deep aching pain Why Agni Why did you hide the truth of Andhak Void from me Tell me why
In his eyes along with the question a deep pain had emerged as if an old wound had become raw again
Agni said to Neer Neer Forgive me I did not want to hide the truth from you But I had to hide that truth for your sake
Neer said to Agni and his voice held a bitterness I told you Agni that if you are hiding something from me then tell me beforehand Before any misunderstanding arises between us
Agni lowered his gaze and the muscle of his jaw twitched Neer got up to leave Agni grabbed his hand Neer you should rest
Neer looked at Agni and pulled his hand free and walked away from there Agni closed his eyes and took a long breath and swallowed the bitter draught of pain
Neer was looking at the burned part of Prakashgadh from the balcony of his chamber which some soldiers were repairing The smoke had stopped rising now but the black stains and scorched walls still told the story of that terrible day Tears were streaming from Neer eyes He looked at the shred of Nirag clothes tied to his waist and his fingers caressed that soiled silk Nirag Son Where are you And he raised his eyes towards the sky where clouds were drifting slowly
Just then someone placed a hand on Neer shoulder Neer turned his neck to look back and saw Agni behind him
Agni said to Neer Calm down Neer
Neer looked ahead again and said Agni leave me alone I do not want to talk to you
Agni said to Neer But Neer
Neer cut him off and said Leave me alone
Agni removed his hand from Neer shoulder and began walking away He paused for a moment and looked at Neer and said Neer If possible forgive me And he walked away from there
Neer turned once to look at Agni and then looked at the sky A tear from his eyes rolled down his cheek and fell
The commander came to Neer A bandage was tied on his head He folded his hands and said Pranam Maharaj
Neer did not even look at him and said Go to Agni Leave me alone
The commander looked at Neer and lowered his gaze and said As you command Maharaj And he left from there
In his chamber Agni was sitting with his head resting against the bed as if lost in deep thought His eyes were closed but his brows were furrowed
The commander said from outside the chamber Pranam Maharaj
Agni looked at the commander and said Commander come inside
The commander entered and said Maharaj there is news that was very important to tell you That is why I had to come here
Agni said What is it commander Tell me what is the news
The commander took a long breath and came close to Agni and whispered something in his ear Hearing the commander words Agni eyes widened He said to the commander Is this true
The commander said Yes Maharaj
Agni said Alright You may go now
The commander bowed his head and folded his hands and said As you command Maharaj And he left from there
Agni looked at his sword Jwala which was hanging on the wall Then he picked it up and gripped it tightly in his fist He began walking out of his chamber and through the corridors of the palace he descended the stairs A soldier came running bringing a horse with him Agni mounted the horse and rode out through the main gate of the palace
And Neer watched Agni leave and then went inside his chamber and locked the door from inside
Agni was riding his horse somewhere and he said Neer I will return soon
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