Chapter 2: Memories Of A Dead Past
"Aditi, please, it's almost time for the angrezis to arrive at court", a frantic Sulekhadevi shouted through the closed doors of a Princess's chambers.
Aditi Verma, the Princess of Rangarh ,was trying to shut out the voices of her lady - in - waiting by stuffing her ears with a giant pillow. Sulekhadevi finally managed to pry the doors open and strode in with a frown marring her soft features.
" Rajkumari ji, what are you doing? The angrezis might arrive any time now and you're here throwing tantrums like a small child", she chided a woman in an elegant gold and black lehenga, seated on a corner of the bed.
" What a happy way to celebrate one's birthday. Those horrid angrezis are the perfect addition for my official arrival at the court", Aditi grumbled with a frown matching that of Sulekhadevi.
Sulekhadevi sighed as if she had heard this argument before and explained in a much softer tone then earlier.
" I understand your grievance , Aditi but what can we do? If we don't abide by their laws then our kingdom will fall into the same ill fate like Oudh, Chittor and those other fallen kingdoms. Only the gods will know the time when we'll attain azadi".
The doors again burst through only this time it was the Prince Of Rangarh himself, Rajkumar Neelsingh Verma.
" Is she content yet"? Neelsingh asked in a huff. Sulekhadevi bowed her head in his presence and replied, " No, Rajkumar ji. The Princess is reluctant in meeting the angrezis".
" Bhaiya, I don't crave to see their chalked up faces so you can tell father to proceed the meeting without my presence", Aditi snapped and crossed her arms over her chest.
" Aditi please listen! I am the future of Rangarh and if the angrezis find anything that might offend them then Rangarh is almost considered dead! They might augment the price of the taxes, besides it's said that the angrezi officer stationed hither is new to here and we might not but be on our best behaviour as we no nought of this officer. Anything might offend him " Neelsingh explained in an exasperated tone.
Aditi rolled her eyes and said, " That's Wonderful". At this Neelsingh and Sulekhadevi shook their heads at her adamant behaviour.
Neelsingh almost lost his cool at his younger sister's antics but calmed down after seeing Sulekhadevi's stern look.
" Please, at least for my sake or better yet...for Hindustan's sake, you must arrive at court. This is something you'll never hear me say .... I'm begging you"! Neelsingh clasped his hands into prayer position and pleaded with his sister in a mocking manner.
Aditi rolled her eyes whilst letting a small smile play on her thin lips, she agreed to come to grace the angrezis with her royal presence , as she proclaimed, just for her brother's sake.
The Royal Courtroom was decorated majestically for the arrival of the British battalion or, as Aditi liked to say, her official arrival at the courtroom. A Princess in Rangarh was allowed to be present at the courtroom during important events only when she attains the age of seventeen, while for a Prince, being ten years old was more then enough.
Aditi longed to be present at the courtroom ever since her brother was eleven, but she was denied every time by her father, Maharaj Aditya Verma. But now the situation that she was thrown in was not pleasant at all.
She hated the Britishers ever since her best friend Sulekhadevi's father was killed by a British soldier when he protested to pay taxes to the company. Sulekhadevi's mother died due to leprosy when Sulekha was just twelve, Sulekha was taken by the Royal family so that she could serve Aditi as her lady - in - waiting since the girl's father was in the Royal guard.
Though Sulekhadevi never admitted this in public due to fear, she hated the Britishers as much as Aditi did. One of the horrific things that she witnessed during a stroll through Surajgarg kingdom were the brutal shootings by some British red coats after a few remote villagers rebelled them. Stories of looting wealth from Hindustan were frequently recited by Sulekhadevi to Aditi and Neelsingh.
Queen Shanti rushed towards her daughter and fussed about the late appearance in the courtroom. " Where have you been? The angrezi officer was seen arriving through the streets with an entire army. He already terrorised some of our subjects while arriving," she hissed .
" I was a bit late in my dressing, mother", Aditi lied in order not to get any more negative attention from her mother. The king, Maharaj Aditya Verma cleared his throat loudly to interrupt the mother- daughter argument and signalled towards the court's entrance.
A blond man wearing a red coat marched in the courtroom with a strict posture and announced , " Captain Varian James Smith is arriving at court with his battalion."
Just as he announced an entire army of British people in red coats and white vests marched in. In the middle a young man with dark raven hair and intimidating cold hazel eyes marched forward to the Royal Family while the others stayed three steps back expect for the blond man who announced their arrival, stepped along with the dark haired British but stayed a step aback from him.
Aditi presumed that this was the new angrezi officer in charge of the administration in Rangarh, Captain Varian Smith.
King Aditya Verma, Queen Shanti, Prince Neelsingh and Sulekhadevi bowed their heads at his presence." Welcome, Captain Varian," Aditya Verma said in a begrudgingly tone. Varian gave a curt nod to him but fixed his gaze on Aditi who was the only one that didn't bow before him.
Varian expected her to bow in front of him but the Princess just held her gaze and looked straight in his eyes which made Varian to narrow his eyes at her. The king and queen noticed that their daughter wasn't bowing, this made them both to sweat profusely in front of twenty - six British soldiers and their entire court memebers.
" Aditi, bow", Queen Shanti and her husband hissed at her but Aditi refused.
" hehe, the Princess is very naïve ,sire. She doesn't know that one must bow their heads before Lord Varian," the blond announcer chuckled.
Though Varian wasn't amused but still gave the Princess a strained smile, " No matter how naïve she is, everyone must bow before Captain Varian. Tell her to bow". He gritted.
" No." Aditi replied firmly and took a step towards Varian, " This head will not bow before anyone nor will it be lifted up in vain."
Varian scoffed and looked at her in a menacing stare equally as she did, "I never forget those arrogant eyes that challenge me."
" I assure you, Princess. This head will bow to me one day. Hmph, this fear that your subjects and your family have, is the one thing that's ruling over Rangarh"! Variant's deep voice sneered at her and turned towards the King and Queen with contempt laced in his eyes.
The entire court, British and Indian were all looking quite shaken up at the heated interaction between Captain Varian and Princess Aditi. Never in their lives have they seen such disobedience or defiance against the British by a Royal member from the very place they have indirect control.
Aditya Verma gestured for a servant to bring forth a huge trunk filled with gold coins for paying away the tributes. Varian however still had his eyes over Aditi that were filled with anger, humility and curiosity that someone had dared to question his authority, much less a women.
Instead of receiving it by himself, Varian ordered the blond man from before to collect it from the servant much to Aditi's annoyance. Once handed over Varian turned his back in a swift move and barked out his orders in a strapping tone, " BATTALION MOVE".
Aditi glared at his retreating back but inside she felt a burning desire to drive a sword through his body. The court members shook their heads and dispersed after witnessing the bone chilling event between their Princess and the British Official.
Aditya Verma turned towards her and glowered, " You do realise what you did, do you?...to do something like this? You're lucky that you're still even alive after what you did"!
" I'm not frightened of him"! She glared back at her father. Aditya could only sigh, " Rebelling against the angrezis would only result in carnage and the loss of our Kingdom in the hands of those vile firangis. A member of a Royal family must always put the welfare of their Kingdom before their own ego. Understand that".
" How? By living in fear and mercy of those firangis who don't even belong to this soil," Aditi defiantly asked narrowing her eyes at him.
Aditya Verma trembled with rage and walked off with Shantidevi following his lead before throwing her daughter a disappointed look. Neelsingh opened his mouth to say something but shut it off instantly and followed his parents out.
" Join on, let's go to your chambers," Sulekhadevi ushered Aditi out quietly with a neutral look on her face. On reaching the Royal chambers she slammed the door which made Aditi flinch.
" Hear me, Sulekha I'm so-", Aditi started off but Sulekhadevi stopped her , " Are you kidding me? THAT. WAS. AWESOME!" She jumped excitedly and hugged Aditi.
" You should have seen that angrezi's face! He was absolutely baffled at your reply! Hey Krishna, your mouth could land you in a great trouble do you know that"? Sulekhadevi's faced morphed into that of annoyance after praising her for the first two seconds.
" Oh my,thanks", Aditi said sarcastically. Her lady- in - waiting shook her head and opened her hand to reveal a small envelope that had a red seal on it. Aditi looked at it and raised her eyebrow at her friend.
" Oh it's your letter! It's from Laxmibai"! Sulekhadevi exclaimed as if it was the most obvious thing.
Aditi's eyes widened, " Give give give. Oh dear, Laxmi didn't write to me for a longtime". She took the letter from Sulekhadevi's hand and sat on her bed leisurely opening the letter and reading it's contents.
Dear Aditi,
It's been a long time since I've wrote to you and I have a perfect reason for it. The angrezis have been eyeing Jhansi for a longtime and I had to manage things in my kingdom for a while.
Gangadhar had been sick and everywhere it's chaos. I don't mean to worry you with the matters of my Kingdom so let's get to your birthday. First of all, many many happy wishes for your special day in your special life and I hope that you have many joyous years to come by and a long life to live.
Hope you are alright and so is everyone in Rangarh. Are the firangis bothering you in any way? If so do let me know and I'll always be there for you. I've sent your birthday gift to Sulekhadevi and I'm sure you will love it. Be safe and strong ,my dear Aditi I know you will. Do send me your reply as soon as possible through letter and I hope we will meet someday.
With love,
Laxmibai
" Read your letter? Here's your gift from the lady", Sulekhadevi brought in a small silver box and handed it to her.
On opening it ,Aditi found a beautiful ruby and gold necklace given by her friend, the Queen of Jhansi, Rani Laxmibai.
" It's beautiful", She cooed. " I'll send her a letter but I'll do it after I clear my mind of that awful incident. It was my first time at Court and it turned into a disaster."
Sulekha nodded in agreement her face made it clear that she didn't want to talk about anything that happened a few minutes ago.
"I'll sneak out my horse for awhile. Don't let anyone know I'm out", Aditi ordered her and strode out of the Gulab Mahal.
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