Chapter 4
Kunwari Nandini was returning from Gurukal after whole 5 years. Maharaja, Maharani, Kunwar Kabir, Kunwari Mukti, and her friends were waiting for her. Maids were standing holding rose petals. The palanquin entered through the gates of the palace. It was placed on the floor. The girl put her feet out. She was wearing floral anklet. She came out. Air blew and hair covered her face. She removed hair from her face. She was wearing floral bangles. She was looking exquisite even in a simple cotton pink gown and floral jewellery.
She went to Maharaja and Maharani and took blessings by touching their feet. Her mother hugged her and the trio had tears in their eyes, tears of happiness of meeting their daughter after 5 years. It seemed to them as if they have not met her from ages.
She went to Kabir and hugged him.
Kabir: Nandini, aap ko Kunwar aadesh dete hai ki turant unke per chhukar unse aashirwaad le. (Suppressing his laughter)
She playfully hits him.
Kabir: Humne aapko aashirwaad lene ka aadesh diya tha ulta aapne to hume maar diya, Ab hum aapko nai chhodne wale. Sipahio pakdo Kunwari Nandini ko.
They both run, Kabir behind her. Meanwhile, Senapati Manik was coming. Senapati and Kunwari both collided. Nandini lost her balance and was about to full. But Manik caught her. They both shared intense eyelock, and were lost in each other.
Kabir came to them and caught Nandini and asked sepoys to throw her in prison.
All were laughing. Nandini acted as if she was crying.
Nandini: Bhai!!! Hum aapko chhodenge.
Kabir: Ha! Bilkul hume aap kis cheez me parajit karengi ha?
Nandini: Hum soch kar aapko bataaenge. Abhi hume baaki sab se milne dijiye.
Manik who was standing there was mesmerizing her beauty and was smiling at her innocence.
Nandini: Bhai ye to Manik he na? Kitne ho gaye ho? Pranam (to Manik)
Manik who was lost in her was brought out of trance by her Pranam.
Manik: Pranam ha hum Manik hai. Kya aapko hum yaad hai?
Kabir interrupted in between: Nandini ye humare rajya ke senapati hai, Senapati Manik, ye ek bahot hi honhaar yodhha hai. Inhe talwaar baazi me aajtak koi parajit nai paaya. Ye ek jaanbaaz yoddha hai.
Nandini got an idea: Kya aap hume talwaar baazi sikhaaenge.
Kabir: Kyu aapko yuddh ladne jaana hai kya?
Nandini: Nahi, humne sochliya hai hum aapko kisme parajit karenge. Talwaarbaazi me. Kyuki talwaarbaazi me aaj tak Manik ko koi parajit nai kar paye. To hum unse sikh kar aap ko parajir karenge. Aap sikhaaenge na hume.
Manik: Ha avashya.
Mukti: Talwaarbaazi sikh li ho to hum b yaha aapse milne ke liye aatur khade hai?
Nandini: Ji hum aapse baad me milte hai.
And she goes to meet Mukti.
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