CHAPTER 66 Food, Puzzles, and the Return of Childhood
From the huge royal kitchen of Prakashgadh, such intoxicating aromas were rising today that they had turned the entire palace corridors into a fragrant feast invitation. After seven months of dry, tasteless food and the bitterness of medicines, today fragrant smoke of desi ghee was rising on the stoves. The smell of turmeric, cumin, coriander, and ginger garlic had mixed in the air so well that even the guards were getting restless at their posts. This aroma was not just of food. It was of life becoming normal again, of simple moments of happiness returning.
In the middle of the kitchen, there was a strange sight. Agni, who usually sat on the throne giving orders, today in a simple cotton dhoti, holding a box of chili in his hands, was tasting the lentil. In front of him stood Neer, who had taken off Varunya black cloak and put on his old white dhoti kurta. But the same mischief was in his eyes that had been driving Agni crazy since childhood.
No, absolutely not, Agni, Neer suddenly stretched his hand and snatched the ladle from Agni hand. I already said, turmeric is too much. Your eyes have still not recovered from the darkness of the void, have they? Look, how thick the color has become.
Agni stepped back in annoyance. He was holding the chili box as if it were a sword. Turmeric is not too much, Neer. The color is less. And you have no right to question my cooking skills. As Varunya, you fed me nothing but bitter decoctions, saltless khichdi, and boiled vegetables for seven months. Today I will decide the taste.
Eating food made by your hands means swallowing fireballs, Neer laughed, and gave Agni a gentle push. Remember that time when you cooked a feast in honor of the kingdom? Half the guests got stomach fire, and the other half ran toward the pond.
That was an accident, Agni growled, but the corners of his lips smiled. This fight, this banter, was making him feel alive.
At the huge kitchen door, two figures stood quietly watching this scene. Nirag eyes were wide, as if seeing a wonder. He had always seen his father Neer as a serious, thoughtful, and calm warrior. The person who weighed every word, every action. And Tauji Agni? He was the fierce emperor of Prakashgadh, whose one raised eyebrow made soldiers tremble.
But here? Here they both looked like two children fighting over a ladle.
Anvay bhaiya, Nirag whispered, a mix of disbelief and surprise in his voice, are. are these really the same great warriors? The same ones who defeated a powerful curse like Andhak Void? Whose heroic tales are sung throughout the kingdom?
Anvay smiled and placed his hand on Nirag shoulder. There was an old wisdom in his eyes, the knowledge that only those get who know their gurus very closely.
Nirag, Anvay said softly, these are warriors only on the battlefield. When swords come out, when the enemy is in front, then they become the same fierce and firm warriors you know. But inside the palace. Here they are just two friends. Two soul brothers incomplete without each other.
He smiled and continued, And believe me, getting involved in their fight is like risking your life. Once I tried. Both together threw me out of the kitchen.
Just then Agni eyes fell on the door. Hey. You two, spying there. Nirag, come here. Come and see how your father is determined to ruin a whole lentil.
Nirag entered hesitantly, with uncertain steps. The heat and aroma of the kitchen surrounded him. Neer saw him, and his eyes became soft. He called Nirag near, and took out a small piece of jaggery from his pocket and placed it in his hand.
Eat, my son, Neer said, the same affection in his voice that Nirag had been missing for months. And tell me honestly. Do you also think that Tauji words are as sharp as chili? That every word of his hides fire.
Nirag put the piece of jaggery in his mouth. The sweet taste spread on his tongue, and his lips smiled on their own. A simple smile, but in that one smile, seven months of pain, guilt, and loneliness seemed to melt away.
Evening came, and the four. Agni, Neer, Nirag, and Anvay. Walked toward the palace garden. This garden had also endured the horrors of war. Many trees had burned, flower beds trampled. But new shoots were sprouting, and gardeners were planting new plants.
While walking, Anvay heart was becoming heavy. Tomorrow morning he was leaving for Pawangadh. Toward his kingdom, toward his responsibility.
Acharya, Anvay suddenly stopped and said, his eyes fixed on Agni. After going to Pawangadh. Can I ever come back? I mean. Will you train me again? I feel I still have a lot to learn.
Agni stopped. He looked at Anvay. The young man who had taken care of him for seven months, who had sacrificed his sleep and food both. Agni face became serious. He pointed at Neer.
Are you listening, Neer, Agni said, a strange emotion in his voice. This boy is still asking for training. While he has done the work of keeping me alive. He has taught me what patience is, what service is.
Agni stepped forward and took Anvay hand in his. His palms, which controlled fire, were gentle today.
Anvay, Agni said, thinking each word carefully, you are no longer a disciple. You have crossed that boundary. You are now the protector of Pawangadh, a prince, a future king.
Anvay eyes became moist. But Agni continued, and this time there was a light mischief in his voice. But yes. If ever you feel like someone should throw you down, or shatter your ego. Remember. The doors of Prakashgadh are always open for you. And I will always be ready to teach you the lesson you have forgotten.
Anvay squeezed his eyes to hold back tears. Then he bent and touched first Agni feet, then Neer. This was not a formal bow. It was gratitude, love, a sons farewell kiss.
Night dinner was a simple family meal. No royal grandeur, no formality. The four sat at a small table, and the food was what Agni and Neer had fought over. Taste? Nirag called it wonderful, Anvay called it memorable, while Agni and Neer kept making faces at each other preferences.
After dinner, when Neer and Agni went to talk alone for a while, Nirag and Anvay sat in a quiet corner of the garden. Moonlight was falling on them, and the sound of a distant fountain was coming.
Anvay bhaiya, Nirag asked softly, the same old fear returning to his voice. Will I ever get true forgiveness? What I did. With my own hands.
He looked at his hands. The hands that had struck his own father under the control of Andhak Void.
Anvay did not answer immediately. He looked at the sky, where stars were twinkling, like the sparkle after tears.
Nirag, Anvay finally said, his voice calm and grave. Think of a river. When it flows, it passes every stone, every obstacle in its path. It does not hate those stones, does not stop at them. It just keeps flowing toward its destination. Because flowing is the nature of the river.
He turned and looked at Nirag. Your father. His name itself is Neer. Water. He is a river, an ocean. He forgave you the moment you first came into his arms. When he first stroked your hair. For him, you have always been his child, no matter what you did.
Anvay placed his hand on Nirag shoulder. Now it is your turn, Nirag. Now you have to learn to forgive yourself. Because until you forgive yourself, you cannot move forward. And you must move forward. Prakashgadh needs you.
Meanwhile, on the same high rooftop of the palace, Agni and Neer stood again. But today the atmosphere was not like yesterday. A strange seriousness floated in the air.
Agni, Neer suddenly said, his voice so low that it mixed with the gusts of wind. That call of the void. It is getting stronger. Can you feel it? The sunlight. It no longer feels as warm as before. As if its heat is also decreasing.
Agni clenched his fist. He had also felt it. For the past few days, his internal fire was also feeling a strange dullness. As if someone was absorbing his energy.
Yes, Agni said, his voice harsh. As if something is drinking the light. But Neer. Not now. We have just started living. We have just found each other. Nirag is still healing. Anvay is leaving. Not now.
Neer looked at the moon, which seemed a little hazy today. As if a thin layer had formed on its moonlight.
Destiny does not see time, Agni, Neer said, a seer depth in his eyes. It just sees opportunity. When the void is empty, it is eager to fill itself. And we. We have seen the void. We have touched it. We know it.
He turned and looked at Agni. But you are right. As long as we are together, the void will have to wait. Because our unity is the power that can stop it.
Agni took a long breath. Then he placed his hand on Neer shoulder. A heavy, trusting hand.
Come, Agni said, his voice regaining the same old firmness. Tomorrow morning we have to teach Nirag the first lesson of the combined power of Agni and Neer. Teach him how fire and water together become steam. A power that can shake mountains.
Both smiled, and descended from the rooftop into the palace. Behind them, a strange coldness began to spread in the night air. A coldness that was not of the weather. It was the coldness that comes from the void, from that emptiness that was slowly taking shape, and waiting for its turn.
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