Raj called Ramcharan first thing in the morning as he came back to his room.
" Daddy I want you to meet Kenny and Gaurav her adoptive father. But as Mr. Oberoi not anyone else", he said.
" I would love to meet Kenny", said Ram.
"Then send me an official invite for lunch. I'll bring them both. It will be just five of us. I want you to get Mr. Mishra too. We both will remain cordial", he said.
" Very well", said Ram.
Raj got ready in simple Payajama kurta. He met Kanu. She was dressed in an organza pink saree. Hairs nicely plated, small bindi, bangles and sandals.
" Each day you turn more and more beautiful", he said.
She blushed and looked down.
" Can we start", she said.
" Sure", he replied.
His driver drove them to temple.
" Did I hurt you last night", he asked softly.
" No Raj it was mind blowing and soothing. I needed it. My emotions were all running array", she said.
" You feel too much beatiful", he said.
" Yeah", she smiled.
As they reached the temple they bought all the supplies and by mutual decision went to clean the abandoned idol.
As they cleaned and offered puja they heard a calm voice.
" Its pleasant to see you both back here. I hope you both sorted things out".
Yes it was pundit Agnisharma.
Kanu touched his feet followed by Raj.
" Pranam punditji", they said in unision.
" May Shiva bless you", he said. " I see that you both seek more answers."
" You are right as usual", said Raj.
" Then we all need to sit down", said Agni.
They got seated under the Banyan tree.
" May I suggest something ", said Agni.
" Yes Punditji ", said Raj.
"Are both of you sure of each other"?
" Yes", said Kanu. They both were confused.
" Then get married as soon as possible", said Agni leaving them both stunned.
" We", Kenny started but Raj said," I suppose you are telling me that our marriage is a necessity".
"You are a good observer and listener prince. Your marriage is crucial ", said Agni. " Shakti( female power) is essential for Shiva( God) to become the ultimate power.
" Are we a part of a chain of stories that did not reach the conclusion punditji", asked Kanu. " Will our fate be the same"?
" We all are part of a large story Shiva planned for us queen but our fate is always in our hands. Our choices shape them".
" So the sides which we choose in a war suppose is also our choice", asked Raj skeptically.
Agni smiled.
" Yes", he answered.
" WAR", Kanu was alarmed.
" Always exist", said Agni. " Between right and wrong. Good and evil. Righteous and those who are snared by kalipurush".
" So its a war of choices", asked Kanu.
" So far it is", replied Agni.
" But a real war will be coming our way", she asked.
" Yes my child", said Agni. " And remember one thing. When fighting on the side of Dharma ( Righteousness) no one who stands on other side is your father, brother, sister, mother teacher, friend or relatives. Or ones who grew up with you.They are just Adharmis( Non righteous) and need to be eliminated. Lord Krishna said this in Bhagvat Gita."
Kanu thought of Rahul and shivered. How can she hurt him?
" But will they get a right to choose a side too", asked Raj.
" All of us will", replied Agni.
" Who is Gunjan", Raj was succint.
Agni waited for some time. Then answered,
" An unfortunate girl who suffered the consequences of the wrong choices which the people related to her did."
" I dream of her death", said Raj. " Why"?
" Because she has a link to you from her world. And she suffers but others can't feel it and due to your link you can", replied Agni.
" So I have a link with prince Aditya", said Kanu.
Agni looked at her.
" You most certainly do young queen", he said.
" And the Oberois", said Kanu.
Agni nodded.
" I believe all these things will come to you my child", he said. " And you know why"?
" Because they are linked to us", said Raj.
" Yes but then you both are a continuation to them".
" Continuation", Kanu was confused.
" Rebirth", Raj queried as Kanu was stunned.
" Rebirth is a small word prince. The story is bigger than you think", said Agni.
" Will there be a real war? Can't we avoid it", asked Kanu.
She did not wish for Raj and Rahul to fight. She liked Rahul. He was her best friend. Growing up the four royal kids had only each other as their parents qere busy in conspiracies against Raj.
RAJ HER LOVE WAS ON OTHER SIDE.
How can she choose?
" You can try my child to avoid it. And I am sure you will. And I hope you succeed because only you can", said Agni sadly.
" But harden your hearts children. Uncovering bitter truths will hurt you both first than anyone else".
" And if there is a war then there will be two sides GOOD AND EVIL", said Raj. " And TWO LEADERS leading those forces".
" Yes", said Agni.
Kanu's head started to hurt. She said slowly,
" Its inevitable isn't it"?
Agni shook his head.
" Nothing is written with stone queen Kanupriya ", said Agni.
" Just Kanu is fine punditji", she said with embarrassment.
" No child you should not be embarassed of what you are doing. For you are doing your duty bravely. You did not show your back to anyone. You take care of your people. That is what a ruler should do", said Agni.
" Who killed Aditya", asked Raj.
Agni looked at him and smiled.
" You want all the answers from me haan prince", he said.
" You do know the answers", said Raj.
" I DO", Agni said looking in his eyes.
" But you won't tell me", said Raj.
"I can tell you but that would be my perspective. Since you need to take a decision on this you need to look at this story from your perspective. "
" But isn't truth one and the same", said Kenny.
" Truth is one but its not same for all. If two brave soldiers fight a war both are brave and fighting for their countries but for citizens of first country his soldier is hero and another is enemy. The perspective change fpr the citizen of another country", said Agni.
" Can you at least let us know something", said Raj.
" Gautam Pundit did not kill Aditya. Kanu is related to Gautam. Gunjan was exploited by the one she married and Vikram made an ultimate sacrifice that allowed the world a strong weapon that will be used to vanquish the evil."
" Where is this weapon", asked Raj.
Agni was now serious.
" As a Kshatriya( Indian varna system) it is your job to find and wield a weapon prince Rajeev. I am an ascetic and Shiva's priest. I was supposed to guide you. And I did that. Go . For your destiny is calling you".
Raj remained still for a few minutes. Then he touched Agni's feet.
" May Shiva bless you", said Agni.
With Agni's direction and Kenny by his side Raj was ready to uncover all the truths related to him and her.
But he did not know that Manav Deshmukh would provide the first one....
Parry was having tea with Myra and her parents.
" You got a great house Mr. Deshmukh", said Parry. " Where did you buy it"?
" I was left this house in a will", said Manav sadly.
" Really by whom"? Parry guessed his deep misery. He held Manav's hand.
" By my sister's friend who was an unfortunate girl", said Manav.
" You have a sister", Parry was surprised.
" Had", said Manav as tears flew from his eyes remembring Riya.
" I am sorry Mr. Deshmukh if I touched a erong nerve", said Parry.
" You didn't", said Sonia as she sat with her husband. " Riya was our baby. Vicky and Riya well an evil eye hit them".
" Riya Oberoi", said Parry completely stunned.
" You know about her", Manav was surprised.
" Not much. Mr. Oberoi is a shareholder in Bhishma. We visited him with prince", replied Parry. " Just heard about his son and daughter-in-law. My job. I am prince's assistant."
" Baba what about her friend; the one who owned this house before you", asked Myra.
" A brave girl. Her circumstances forced her in a disrespectful profession. I and Sharman saved her once from 4 thugs. She fought them bravely. Riya met her while she was researching on her PHD." Manav sighed.
" Baba how did she die", Myra was crying.
" Snake bite", said Manav. " She turned ascetic afterwards and helped the poor leaving everything she had to me. I couldn't save Riya or her.".
Manav broke down.
" Baba", Myra hugged him.
" Manav Shalini is at peace. If Riya is with Vicky she is happy too. Forget the past", said Sonia. " Look Meenu is our present. And she got herself a fine man".
" HIM", screamed Myra pointing to Parry.
" The best you can get", Parry boasted.
" Really", she hit him as he ran. " Joker you are not my boyfriend".
" See aunty she calls me joker", said Parry running.
Manav and Sonia laughed.
Later.
" You won't believe", said Parry to Raj. " Riya Oberoi was Manav's sister. And she did a historical research on that ancient palace".
" The same palace which is mentioned in memoir", said Raj.
" Yep".
" Okay".
Raj now was ready to get another information.
" Solly see if you can get whatever on Riya Oberoi. I will talk to daddy".
" What about Manav Deshmukh ", asked Parry. " Do you want me to....?
" No it will be Kenny asking him", said Raj.
" All the truths will come to light soon", said Raj.