Ep 4
Darkness has covered the entire Palace of MahendraDwar. Everywhere only silence prevails. Only an owl hoots on the branch of the old banyan tree in the Royal Garden.
A room at the far end of the Outer Palace. The sound of rhythmic footsteps and jingling of ankle-bells coming from inside.
Savi
*sitting on the floor observing the dancer's footsteps*
Madhav
*stops and looks down at Savi*
What do you think?
Savi
*smiling*
Perfect.
*joining her palms together with a soft slap*
Madhav
*tilting head*
You always say that...
Savi
cus, your steps are always flawless.
*stands up*
Madhav
*smiling*
Fine. Check the next one...
*takes the initial pose*
Savi
No! *playfully glaring*
No more tonight. We'll perform tomorrow. Anymore and you'll get a sore leg.
Madhav
But-
*about to protest*
Savi
Mmm... No means No. Now let's go and sleep. The others are halfway through their sleep. Do you even realize how late it is?
*heading to the door*
Madhav
Fine...Fine...
*smiling, follows after Savi*
both walk out of the room and head to a different room across the outer hallway
Madhav
*gaze falls upon the moon*
Madhav
Waa...the moon is so beautiful tonight....
Savi
Isn't the moon always beautiful...
*glances back*
Madhav
That she is...but...just look at her...tonight she looks so mesmerising...
Savi
*halts and looks at the moon for a moment*
Haaah...maybe it's because we're in MahendraDwar. Maybe the moon shines differently here.
Madhav
hmm? Hahaha...maybe. Savi, you always say such weird things...
Savi
Shut it...I'm still your senior.
*reprimanding but in a playful tone*
both take a turn and proceed through the hallway, further inside the outer palace*
Madhav
But I must say, MahendraDwar is so different from all the other palaces we've been to.
Savi
Huh? What's so different? It's all the same. Same gardens, halls, lights, glamour and chandeliers...
Madhav
*suddenly pacing faster stands infront of Savi, smiling gleefully. Eyes full of excitement.*
Savi
What's got you so excited?
*playfully frowning*
Madhav
*in a low whisper*
There's a library...
Savi
What!? You went to the Inner Palace ???
*almost speaks out loud, eyes widening with shock*
Madhav
*muffles Savi's mouth*
Sshhh!! Don't shout!
Savi
*controlling her astonishment, pulls away*
Why did you go there?? Nobody saw you, right?
Madhav
I-.... Actually....
Savi
*her eyes widen a bit as she realises*
Don't tell me someone saw you!!
Madhav
*grabs Savi's arm*
Tch. First, let's go to the room.
*pulls Savi's arm and drags her to the room*
They reach the room and stepping inside, close the door behind them. The room is dimly lit with a single lamp. There are several other women already sleeping in the room.
Savi
*pulls away her arm*
Now tell me, what happened there?
Madhav
*guiltily*
I was in the library... reading a book.
Madhav
*before Savi could scold again*
Th-There was no one around! Plus, I was hiding in a corner.
Savi
.... ...
Why did you even go there?
Madhav
....
*sadly looking at the ground with a downcast gaze*
Savi
... *sigh*
Fine, no need to look so sad. I understand, you were lured in by the books, right...
Madhav
*guilty, but looks at Savi playfully*
yeah...
Savi
What about the one who found you?
Madhav
Right...I think he was someone from the royal guests. I couldn't see him properly, because I was running away.
Madhav
No, I was covering my face. Ah, there was a woman with him too. Maybe they were out for a little rendezvous...fufu...
*smiles playfully*
Savi
*rolls her eyes and laughs*
Hahaha...could be...But you should be grateful to God that they didn't see your face. We could have gotten severely punished if they had seen your face.
Madhav
.... I know...I'm sorry...
Savi
*sigh*
Just go to sleep. We have to get up early tomorrow. And don't wander off from now on.
Madhav
Yes, yes, Savi...I promise...
*holds her hands*
Madhav
*lets go of Savi and moves to one of the vacant beds. Slowly takes off the ankle-bells. Then lying on the bed.*
Goodnight, Savi...
Savi
*sitting on another bed, blows out the lamp*
Goodnight.
Madhav
*pulls a shawl over head and lays on side*
Madhav
*the window right beside the bed is wide open*
Madhav
*looking at the moon, smiles slightly with a sigh*
Madhav
Goodnight....
*in a soft whisper*
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