I. (Cont.)
Vanumoti began working the chandan again and whispered, "If you don't take me with you today, I won't embark on the pyre with you..".
Birchandra turned distracted for a moment. As if he looked within, felt every organ to its end. He sighed, "Vanu, you spoke of my death on this day?"
Vanumoti answered at once, "No, not at all. I won't go to the pyre because I will be long dead before that. Trust me, I will!"
Smiling mildly with a raised brow, the king said, "What in the world?!! Don't you know how much virtue you could get from being a Sati? Dhanyamanikya's archqueen Kamala gets worshipped in every household. You are my archqueen, only you have the fortune to go into death with me. No other queen has that".
Vanumoti replied, "I don't need that fortune. I will die before that, I must! That owl-faced, spited, ill-born Rajeshwari; that witch, that bastard, husband killing Rajeshwari can burn in your pyre, I'll watch from heaven!"
Birchandra bursted out in a laughter this time.
Birchandra knows that it is not surprising that wives will have a relation of aggression, jealousy and spite amongst themselves. There was even a prior incident of one queen poisoning another, in this very palace. But no queen dares to reveal animosity towards another in front of the king. Krishnakishor Manikya, father of Birchandra, had banished a queen for her insolent mannerisms during his reign. Birchandra too does not bother himself about the queens' internal unrest whatsoever, it is outright forbidden to even bring up such matters before him. But Vanumoti's words are autonomous, she's his adolescent sweetheart after all! It does not make sense to govern her.
Still caught in a near-frenzy of laughter, he said, "Husband killing bastard! Such uncivil words! Do you know what the people think? That everyone in the palace speaks in standard language. Does not bring swearwords to their mouths at all. I can't with you anymore, Vanu! You know, by now, any other queen would have payed with their heads for uttering this kind of words to me!"
Vanumoti arose and quickly brought a sword from around the corner. Wrapped in a jewelled sheath, this sword is called Nimcha. It is said that Birchandra's ancestor King Gavindamanikya was gifted this sword by Sultan Suja, son of Delhi's emperor Shahjahan. Even though the kings of this dominion only dresses in plain cotton clothing on the Hasham Feast, it is obligatory to take this sword with them.
Vanumoti unsheathed the majestic blade, "Go ahead, kill me right now. I will get rid of all the distress finally, then. You are going to announce Radhu as the crown prince today, aren't you?"
The jestfulness on Birchandra's face was replaced by annoyance this time. Is there no way to keep secrets anymore?!! That he will announce Radhakishor, eldest son of his second wife Rajeshwari, as the crown prince should be known by only two person, according to his knowlesge. Even Rajeshwari herself does not know about it. How has this news even reached Vanumoti?
Birchandra said, in a serious tone, "Your son too will be the grand Thakur. I have broken a law just to please you!"
"I don't want that, No, I don't. I will send Samar to Kolkata—"
Both of them were cut off by a sudden sound, which forced their eyes towards the door.
Cuntitled #39
In memoriam Vern Rumsey & For Justin Trosper and Sara Lund II / All Souls Day