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The Governor of The Whisper Valley led
the procession on horseback, preceded by the seven priests of the temple who
carried the goddess’s Utsava Vigraham (The special idol for procession) on a
palanquin adorned with exotic wild flowers. After him, walked Willow and the HBSV
commandos who were dressed like ordinary citizens, while the rest of the crowd
was yet to join at the main gate of the Valley- a gate that was built by Arnav
Simha’s ancestors proclaiming the territory of the deity to be the forests and
inviting her into the Valley.
As they started walking, a coach stopped
a short distance away and Lalitha Simha got down with her maid carrying
offerings to the goddess. She walked to the priests saluted them and the goddess,
and the Governor and joined the procession but stopped short of Willow…gasping
loudly!
“…And what do we have here? What is
happening here?” She was taken aback by Willow dressed in a traditional attire.
Kannamma cleverly draped the silk sari she bought over the long evening gown
that Willow’s father fetched in a hurry and adjusted it in a way that appeared
like a sari with both her legs covered by the overlapping wings of the sari.
She then plaited her hair and tied it into a knot and adorned it with jasmine
flowers and put vermilion mark on her forehead, apart from the head set of a
bride that she was gifted with, as it was a family heirloom. Willow looked at Lalitha
and smiled recollecting what the Governor had said to her when he saw her
walking into the sanctum sanctorum in the early hours of the dawn…
“Ahhh! You look like the exotic flower of
the Valley itself mydear!” He had said.
“Thank you sir!” She courteousied him…
Kannamma beamed at her proudly while the
Governor stepped infront of her and took her hand and said,” Lowey! I promise
you. I shall always try my best to be a good husband. However, I want you to
give me your word with regards to something.”
“Please order me my lord!” Willow said
tightening her hold on his hand.
“Well! Apart from being your man, I am
also the Governor of the Valley. Please understand that, in that context you
may have to be tolerant of other races and religions and sometimes, me being a
Hindu, you might have to respect the traditions of the land. You are free to
follow your religion, but you are hereby requested to acknowledge the land and
its laws…
“That I do any ways Governor coz the
Valley proclaims Free Citizenship and neutrality.” Willow said.
“Yes my dear! But now its uhhh…
complicated as it’s a patriarchal society, and the husband’s name takes
precedence and his religion. But my only request is be mindful of others and
remember from now on every action and word of yours would be taken as the voice
of the valley and that of the Governor! I request you to be careful in that
concern!” Arnav Simha cautioned her lovingly!
“I shall Governor! I shall never let you or the Valley down my Lord!” Willow said stoically and they had gone ahead and got married…
“I shall Governor! I shall never let you or the Valley down my Lord!” Willow said stoically and they had gone ahead and got married…
“You got married?” Lalitha almost
shrieked in shocked surprise. “I…just can’t believe this! So…You finally
succeeded in doing what you planned to ever since…Trap the Governor into a
marriage!” Lalitha Simha’s voice made Willow jerk back to reality as she saw
jealousy in the woman’s eyes for her.
“I suggest you talk with respect to the
first lady of the valley Lalitha!” Arnav Simha’s voice boomed through making
her turn towards him and demand,” How can this happen. She is a Christian and…”
“She is now my wife. Yes she would
continue to be a Christian. Any problem?” He countered Lalitha with narrowed
eyes…
“Problem? Me? No sir! You will encounter
it once you pass that entrance” Lalitah said looking at the huge gate to the
Valley. “The people would never accept a white woman as their ruler.”
“You don’t worry on that count. I shall
take care of that…” Arnav Simha said smugly.
“How could you? The bandits abducted her!
And you got married to such a woman?” Lalitha spat in spite!
“How do you know that?” Arnav’s cold
voice sent shivers down Willow’s spine making her to recollect the fact that,
Lalitha was there with the dacoits and she had forgotten to inform the Governor
about it…Good Lord! She would have to do
that at the first opportunity. She thought.
“Er… “Lalitha went pale only for a second
but recovered in a jiffy and said,” Everyone knows Goverrnor that the dacoits
had taken her a hostage. None would like a defiled woman as the First Lady of
the valley.”
“I caution you Lalitha to speak
respectfully to her highness! Do not forget that she is the First lady of the
valley and you shall be punished as per the law if you abuse her.” Arnav
growled as Willow grew tensed up.
“She can never be the First Lady of the
Valley.” Lalitha said in a gruff voice.
“Sorry my dear! She is already the First
Lady and after this procession, we shall be on a short pleasure trip, and I
shall present her to the Valley on the occasion of the Annual Valley Fair!”
Arnav quipped and saw Lalitha’s eyes spewing venom at him.
“Well that is very far Governor!” She
spat! “First you let her pass the gate and we shall see!Teh local population
would spurn her for sure!” She said challenging him openly.
“Are you challenging me?” He asked almost about to get down the horse when Narasimhan forbade him saying,” My Lord you shall not get down the horse till we take the procession round the Valley and comeback! It’s a bad omen!
“We already started on a bad omen that has joined the procession Simbu!”He said looking at Lalitha who snorted and said,” You will see who is a bad omen… me? or your darling new bride! Bloody governess who crept into your life”
“That she is… a darling!” Arnav Simha drawled much to Willow’s exasperation and said, “I want you to leave right now! As in right now!” He reiterated it.
Lalitha was taken aback!
“Are you challenging me?” He asked almost about to get down the horse when Narasimhan forbade him saying,” My Lord you shall not get down the horse till we take the procession round the Valley and comeback! It’s a bad omen!
“We already started on a bad omen that has joined the procession Simbu!”He said looking at Lalitha who snorted and said,” You will see who is a bad omen… me? or your darling new bride! Bloody governess who crept into your life”
“That she is… a darling!” Arnav Simha drawled much to Willow’s exasperation and said, “I want you to leave right now! As in right now!” He reiterated it.
Lalitha was taken aback!
“Me? How…dare you…” She growled…
“Yes I dare! Coz if anyone can dare in
this valley, that’s me. Remember how I dared to get you and my brother married?
Or have you forgotten it as well? I had
borne enough! Just leave else I will ask my soldiers to chuck you out! I would
have banished you from the Valley like your husband, but only because of my
child Suraj… I just let you be. But no more! Make arrangements to stay elsewhere
if you can’t respect my wife! Now… get lost!” He said making Lalitha to look
around and as everyone stared at her she left sobbing in embarrassment and Arnav
Simha turned his horse and said,” Let the procession begin!
The procession began and it went round
the valley. The people stared curiously at Willow, although out of respect for
their Governor they never said anything. Finally when the procession reached
the Governor’s residence, Willow was asked to welcome the goddess at the main
entrance and when she did that people cheered. The one gesture made Willow
popular as people expected her to be prejudiced and when she did not show any
such sign and blended into the local flavor, she was accepted. Suraj ran out
and clung to Willow, as they bid adieu to the procession as from there, the
Governor and the priests would continue and reach the temple, while Willow was
to remain at the Casa.
As she walked into the huge hallway, she
met a seething Lalitha who dragged Suraj away after glaring at Willow.
Willow was conducted to the Governor’s
chamber where she stood watching his portrait as it was all confusing to her
and she did not know what lay in store for her.
She was offered a refreshment and as she relaxed she heard Arnav
Simha come back and stood to receive him.
He entered his chamber and smiled at her
saying,” Mrs. Simha! How do you do?”
“Very well sir thank you” she blushed and
ran to him as he opened his arms to welcome her into his home and life.
“Lowey I am sorry there was no ceremonial
welcome for you at the Casa, but believe me you are more than welcome to my
heart and my home” he said affectionately.
“That’s all I want my Lord!” She said as
he held her to him.
“A sharp rap on the door and Simbu’s
voice boomed saying,” My apologies my lord! But something urgent has come up
can you step out for a moment!”
Arnav Simha groaned but gave a peck on
Willow’s chin, and said,” Just relax my love. I shall be back.” And was gone.
Willow sat down on a settee and as he
walked out heard Simbu saying,” the HBSV has news my Lord.”
The door didn’t close completely, and
Willow could not help hearing the conversation as Arnav Simha asked him,” What
now Simbu?”
“Er… The Thalaiwar has escaped, and lost
his henchmen- the major ones and he is seething in revenge. He shall strike
anytime.”
“I shall kill him this time Simbu! I give
you my word” Arnav Simha hissed in fury.
“True sir! But, this time it wont be a
war…they say…” Simbu paused…
“Then?” Arnav’s voice boomed in the
passage.
“Er… they are hinting at a …kind of…er…
some… plan is being hatched to dethrone you…” Simbu said agitatedly.
“Let them Simbu. Let me see how far the
Thalaiwar succeeds…Or do you doubt me?” He was asking Narasimhan.
“No my Lord! I may even not trust my own
shadow, but my faith in you and your leadership shall be undeterred till I
breathe my last…but…er… now you…have a wife to take care of… “he hesitated…
“I understand Simbu. But I am proud of
her. She is a gem of a person and a loyalist.
A lady of highest valour and integrity! She would put herself first in the path
of danger if need be… The Valley shall be proud of her!”
Willow’s eyes filled up at her husband’s
trust in her. She edged closer to the door as Simbu said, “ The Governing
Council has convened an emergency meeting in an hour as they say there is an
outrage in the Valley…er… after your wedding …”
“Oh! Let them do it Simbu. I shall be there
and we shall fight it out” Arnav Simha said non-challantly and added,” Simbu
day after tomorrow’s Ball…er… I want to make it special for her Highness…”
Willow smiled and blushed at his concern
for her…
“Sir please tell me what I should do…”
Simbu said as they walked away from the door, and Willow did a quick twirl in
the room and hugged a cushion on the settee and sighed deeply saying,” Oh!
Governor! I too shall make it memorable for you!”
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9 comments:
Yay me first.. lalitha has some guts to talk to Arnav like that .. I thought her husband died.. is he the thalaivar? After marriage Arnav too said the same words to khushi isn't it? So similar
Fabulous update.. happy to see Arnav showing lalitha her position and asking her to leave the procession.. lowey is so happy to hear her husband's trust on her.. well things looking quite difficult from here.. but Arnav is strong man and he knows how to rule.. loved the update..
woww....
very nice and eventful update dear...
glad that arnav stood by willow and showed lalitha her place....
hope there won't be any problems for newly weds...
eagerly waiting for u to continue....
The thalaiwar must be lalitha's husband ? Arnav's brother? Wonder what will happen next .. Waiting to see. Update was awesome and luvd it.
Awesome update....I've feeling that something terribly bad is going to happen at tha ball.....if I'm wrong....I'll b very happy....I don't want them to hurt Willow and arnav.....!!
Nice update. Though they are married now, it seems their are amidst lot of enemies around them. Lalitha, dacoits and what more... Hope they overcome all hurdles together. Eagerly Look forward to the Ball now.
Hey Anu,
That was an amazing update... I love this Arnav Simha, daring, decisive, determined warrior. He trust Willow's love for him and loyalty towards the Valley. Willow trust herself with him so much. I wish she will get the opportunity to share what and whom she heard whe she was captured with Arnav in time. I cannot wait to find out the reasons behind what Khushi experianced in the Valley.
daring simha..
finally they got married..
yippeee
loved it
finally they r married
so she had not told him abt lalitha
curious abt Arnav's brother
n who is that enemy
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