Chapter 10
After meeting her, I returned to my chamber. I received an excellent opportunity to learn about Mehrangarh’s plans. However, one thing—only one thing—filled me with terror.
I glanced at Eklavya as he waited for me.
“How did it go?” he asked.
I frowned. “What?”
“The secret affair,” he teased, and I glared at him. Yet, I couldn’t help but share with him.
“She hates me,”
“Why?” He placed his hand on my shoulder.
I took a deep breath and looked in his direction. “Bad reputation,”
He smiled, “Interesting.”
I let out a deep sigh and mounted my horse. I didn’t mention this to anyone, but I felt I should share it with her.
“Are things getting spicier?” he inquired as he mounted his horse while I glanced his way.
“Can you tell me what spice is being cooked at Mehrangarh?” I redirected his question, and he chuckled. He had come here early in the morning to join our mission.
“Nothing, just the letter exchanges,” he informed.
We rode toward the famous Mehrangarh brothel. The night before, Eklavya had sent me a letter saying the head commander of Mehrangarh would arrive the following night. I had already sent a few of my spies there.
“Agastya,” Eklavya said, catching my attention, “I don’t understand why she’s marrying you. If she loves someone else, why can’t she be with him?”
“Because she has no options. She can’t tell anyone about her condition, and with men, she can’t trust anyone. However, she feels safe with me,” I answered.
He furrowed his brows. “What is her condition?”
I shook my head. “I promised her I wouldn’t tell anyone,”
“So, she knows you’re plotting against her kingdom?” he asked.
“No,” I answered. “She thinks I’m helping her with good intentions.”
He inhaled deeply. “You’re going to break a heart,”
I gulped, the old memories silently washing over me.
“This world is cruel,” I said. “It only cares about when you will break someone’s heart. No one cares when they’re tearing you to pieces,”
He raised his eyebrows and replied, “But I genuinely hope you provide her with something more meaningful than just a hollow relationship as a wife.”
I chuckled and glanced at him. “We can marry only once. There’s no chance.”
“You’re a gone game,” he laughed at me, and after a few moments of silence, he said, “You know, sometimes I think you went to kill her husband.”
I immediately looked in his direction. “Are you mad?” I asked, and he laughed slightly.
But God knew.
“She’s actually sweet,” I said, and he smiled.
“What else?”
I smiled, thinking about her. “She’s strong. Doesn’t care I’m a prince. If she has something to say, she’ll say it,”
“Oh,” he teased. “Strong, huh? Let’s see how strong she’ll be after learning your dirty games,”
My smile vanished. “She’ll never accept me, Eklavya,” I exclaimed. “She already sees me as disloyal, a playboy, and I know that if she ever finds out what things I’ve done, she’ll be disgusted by me.”
We both entered the forest.
“Don’t tell her then,” he suggested.
I shook my head. “I don’t know. I’m messed up and confused.
At some point, everyone will find out about us, and I know that after this thing with Mehrangarh, Rashmika will back out.
But I don’t want her to feel trapped with me just because we are bound.
For that, she has to know what she wants.
I’m just waiting for the right moment,” I explained.
“Agastya, ensure the right time arrives before you both fall hard for each other,” he warned. “Otherwise, it will hurt her immensely.”
“I know,”
The day ended as we talked about her and Mehrangarh, and we were just a few miles away from where we both needed to be.
“Do you know who he is?” I asked, looking at Eklavya.
He nodded. “But he might have seen me at Mehrangarh, so we both must stay away from him,”
I nodded. “Let’s stop here,” I said, pointing at a tree. We both dismounted our horses. After tying them up, we changed into plain black kurtas with Pathani26 bottoms and wrapped turbans around our heads, using the free ends to cover our faces, so they’d think we’re foreigners.
“Here, apply this,” he said, and I took the small box. As I opened it, I chuckled.
“You brought kohl,” I remarked, taking a bit on my finger, and applied it to my eyes.
He smudged his eyes with it, and we walked toward the brothel.
Nothing stupid, Agastya. You have a wife.
I reminded myself as we entered. Noticing the dim lighting and women in revealing clothes, I inhaled deeply. The smell of alcohol and smoke hung thick in the air. The deal felt substantial.
I signalled Eklavya, and we both went our separate ways as we entered. I scanned the area for a familiar face and spotted Kalsi, whom I had known for a long time. I walked toward her.
She was a formidable woman among men and could bring any man to his knees, but there was one issue: she didn’t accept money.
I inhaled deeply and walked over to her. She was sitting on a small couch.
Settling beside her, I asked, “How are you?”
She looked at me with a hint of surprise. But after a few moments, a broad smile spread across her face when she recognised me.
“Agastya,” She stood and took my hand, guiding us through the crowd into a quiet bedroom.
I glanced at the mattress lying on the floor in the dark room, lit only by a dim lamp hanging on the wall.
As I sat down, she asked, “Do you want something to drink?”
I shook my head in refusal. “I need you to do something for me,”
She smiled broadly and closed the door. My fist clenched as I watched her draw closer, settling beside me with her head propped on her elbow.
“Of course, where have you been for the last three years?” she asked.
“Busy,” I replied, ignoring her as she hiked her skirt up to her thighs.
“What do you mean? I heard your brother is now the king of Suryagarh. That makes you a prince,” she said, and I looked at her with a fixed smile.
“It’s just Agastya for you, and I’m in a bit of a hurry,” I said as she stepped closer.
“What's the hurry? Kunwar Aga—”
“Shh...” I quickly hushed her, not wanting her to finish. I wished to relish those two words just from one person.
Her expression changed. “What’s happening?” she inquired.
I bit my lip. “The head commander of Mehrangarh is visiting this place. I want you to know how he plans to use that grey powder,” I said, and she furrowed her brow.
“Elaborate,” she requested.
I explained, “They’re making grey powder, and I suspect they intend to use it in a war against Suryagarh. Therefore, I want you to find out how they will use it.”
She nodded. “Okay, consider it done,” she agreed. “But what about my prize?”
Her tone made me gulp, and I attempted to negotiate: “Any amount.”
Chuckling softly, she shook her head. “I have plenty of that,” Her eyes stared intensely into mine. “How about a night?”
I knew this would happen, so I just smiled and shook my head. “No, I’m swamped right now,” I said.
She cupped my cheek, making me look at her. “In what?” Her tone was brutal. “Fucking your wife? Are you married now?” Rage and jealousy dripped from her tongue.
I shook my head. “No, are you mad?” I forced a grin. “Not this time, but maybe another time,” I proposed.
She clenched her jaw, yet smiled, luring me with her hand to my waist. “What about your dagger? I'm sure it’s not tired.”
“I lost it,” I replied, and she gritted her teeth.
“You lost your dagger? How is that even possible?” she asked.
I tried to avoid upsetting her, knowing she was the only one who could resolve this without complicating it.
“Umm, I need your help.”
“Of course,” she replied, standing up.
“Just wait here. Is he tall, rugged, one with the long beard?” She asked, and I nodded.
“Yes, that’s him,”
She walked out the door, and I immediately palmed my face.
I promise, this is the last time I will visit this place
After some time, she returned. I observed her entering with two glasses in her hands. Sitting down, she passed me a glass.
I tried denying it, shaking my head.
“It’s fruit juice,” she said, and I took it.
“What did he say?” I asked, and she sipped to rinse her mouth before me.
After spitting into the corner, she spoke. “That bastard came into my mouth.”
Because of my mother, I have always had a soft spot for women in this business.
“I’m sorry about that,”
“Don’t apologise,” she said, “but you can stay tonight.” Her voice held intense sensuality.
I chuckled, saying, “Maybe another time.” I didn’t want to upset her, as she had quite a temper.
“What did he say?” I asked again, sipping my juice.
“Um…” she smiled. “He said he’d use that for explosions. Like it would be filled with balls, and when fired, they explode and kill over a massive range.”
I took another sip. “How do I fire them?” I asked.
She shook her head. “He’s smart. He didn’t explain much, but mentioned something huge, as large as an elephant. However, he said that no one understands the design… yes, something like that,” she explained.
I took another sip, nodding. “Okay, thank you so much,” I said, placing a pouch filled with gold coins before her.
Just as I was about to stand up, I felt hot.
“Um-um. I told you, a night is all I need,” she said, and I immediately gazed at the glass.
“What was in the drink?” My voice came out loud and enraged.
She touched my cheek. “Nothing you can’t handle.”
I tossed it aside and glared at her. “Are you out of your mind?” I felt the heat in my body escalate, and sweat beads formed on my forehead.
“Come on, don’t act like a coward. You are no saint,” she yelled, and anger filled me. I quickly grabbed her neck and pushed her beneath me.
“Exactly,” I roared. “I’m not a saint, nor am I that old Agastya. You stupid woman.”
Standing up immediately, I intended to head home. I needed to be close to her, not anyone else.
While rushing out on my way, I could see blurry visions of naked women and could hear their sensual voices. I covered my ears, trying to focus on breathing, and rushed toward my horse. It was extremely painful.
As I mounted, I kicked him twice, gesturing to him to speed up and take me home. Removing my turban, I allowed the cool air to soothe my head and calm my nerves.
Her vision clouded my sight, and I shook my head.
“No, not like this,” I cursed and rode back home.
It was past midnight when I arrived. I quickly dismounted my horse and rushed into my chamber.
As soon as I walked in, I took off my kurta. The heat overwhelmed me. My veins bulged out more prominently on my skin, and it felt as if I was going to explode. My eyes felt itchy and hot.
Suddenly, my gaze fell on her as she entered my chamber, staring at me with worry and confusion.
“Kunwar-sa, what happened?” she asked, and I stumbled back a few steps from her.
“Not now…not now,”
Her frightened expression grew more pronounced as she peered at my face.
“Go back,”
“But what happened? Are you okay? Are you not feeling well?” she asked.
I couldn’t help but raise my voice. “I said, go back.”
She visibly shivered at my tone, and I noticed a tear slipping down her cheek.
“Please, go back,” I requested in a low voice, already feeling my control slipping out. My fists clenched as she ran away, and I fell to my knees.
The cold floor soothed me as I lay on my bare back, trying to calm my breathing, but it didn’t work.
Finally, I rose to my feet in haste, undid my pants, and walked into my bathroom. I sat in the pool until the last ounce of heat left my body.
?????