"Silent Vision, Vocal Heart"
In the previous part:
The growing bond between Princess Suvarna and her companions has brightened the palace atmosphere. The Prince, disguised as Kusuma, is gradually trying to understand Suvarna’s nature and the world she lives in.
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One evening, the Princess expressed a desire to stroll with her companions in the private garden reserved for her within the palace.
Chanda immediately stepped forward, took the Princess's hand, and replied, "Tell me, friend!" (In the seclusion of the palace, the Princess had instructed her companions to address her as 'friend' instead of formal titles like 'Princess.' This gave her a sense of intimacy, and her friends happily complied for her joy.)
Holding Chanda's hand, the Princess said, "Friend! The chamber feels somewhat suffocating. I feel like spending some time under the open sky. Please send a message through someone to Mother that we are all heading towards the garden."
Chanda looked at Bhama, who promptly informed a guard-maid of this. Chanda then said to the Princess, "Friend, your idea is excellent. Let us go; a cool and gentle westerly breeze is blowing, which will bring great peace to the mind."
Meanwhile, Kusuma chirped in, "And friend! These days, the fragrance of Night-flowering Jasmine and Parijat is so scattered throughout the garden! Whenever I go there, I am completely enthralled."
All the friends set off toward the garden. Everyone was mindful of the blindfold over the Princess's eyes, so they moved forward with great care, guiding her. As they walked, Bhama spoke up excitedly, "Kusuma sister is right. Not only are the flowers in bloom, but your favorite deer, 'Muniya,' has given birth to a fawn. Its playfulness is so enchanting that when you see... Oh!" (Suddenly, Bhama remembered the Princess's blindfold and bit her finger in embarrassment.)
Chanda glared at her sideways, and Madhavi gave her a playful light nudge on the back.
Now they had reached the garden. The place was truly brimming with natural beauty. Flowers and vines were arranged with great elegance. The responsibility for this garden lay with the Princess's friend 'Pushpa,' the daughter of a skilled gardener and a dear friend of the Princess.
In the center of the garden was a beautiful pond where colorful fish were playing. This pond was the primary source for irrigation as well as for quenching the thirst of the animals and birds there. Stairs were built around the pond, and it was covered by the cool shade of dense trees like Mango, Sandalwood, and Peepal. For this reason, its water remained perpetually cool, and the breeze hitting it carried the coolness of sandalwood. Near the Peepal tree, an artistic platform was built around the trunk, and near the Sandalwood trees were carved marble seats. The Princess stopped there to rest with her companions.
Chanda urged the Princess to sit on a seat, but the Princess spoke in a soft voice, "No, friend! Today we shall sit right here on the green grass. Look how soft it is. Pushpa sister’s loving hard work feels very pleasant to my feet."
Sayng this, the Princess sat down on the velvet-like grass, and all her friends gathered around her.
The Princess spoke again, "You all believe that I cannot see, but I can feel, I can smell, and I can hear. The grass of this garden, this delicate fragrance dissolved in the air, the joyful chirping of birds... and then you all keep telling me how divinely our friend Pushpa has shaped this garden."
Pushpa replied somewhat shyly, "Friend! You are praising me so much that I feel as if I am climbing a mango tree. But I won't climb just yet, because not a single mango has grown on them yet." Everyone burst into laughter at her playfulness.
Chanda turned the conversation, saying, "Friend! Today we all wish to hear your sweet singing. Will you sing for us?"
Kusuma asked in wonder, "Does our friend sing as well?"
Another friend, Kamini, teased, "Why Kusuma, don't you sing?"
Kusuma pouted with a mock sadness, "Oh sister! The Creator has given me a voice just like my appearance."
The Princess consoled her, saying, "Friend! You feel small for no reason. In just a few days, you have become such a dear friend to all of us, something we hadn't even imagined in our dreams."
Kusuma said with a hint of pride, "That is true! Even I hadn't thought so. I came here only with the hope of making a living, but the joy I found in your small services was not even in my father's house. But yes, do not insist on me singing, otherwise, if I open my mouth to sing in excitement, all the birds in the garden will fly away in fear, then don't blame me!"
Everyone doubled over with laughter at Kusuma's witty remark. When the laughter subsided, Chanda took the Princess's hand and urged again, "Friend, now sing something, much time has passed."
The Princess began to hum in a low voice. it seemed as if the entire garden became absorbed and lost in that melody. Chanda joined in, and gradually, the combined singing of the other friends created a magical atmosphere. For a few moments, total silence descended. The Prince, disguised as Kusuma, was drinking in those nectar-like words, losing all sense of himself. The song ended, but the silence remained.
Just then, a Cuckoo perched on a tree broke the peace with its sharp cry of 'Pee-kahan, Pee-kahan.' Everyone smiled and expressed their joy with applause at Suvarna's sweet song.
'To be continue...'
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In the next part:
Will Suvarna's melodious song deepen the love hidden in the Prince's heart? And is there a new challenge knocking behind the peace of this garden? Read the next episode to find out!
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[Next Suggestion: Read my poem 'अनकहे शब्द और खुश्बुओं का मौन | Unspoken Words and the Silence of Fragrance' here. The poem is available in two languages, Hindi/English.]
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✍️From the pen by 'Nishabd'...🌷
🖌️ Images created with the assistance of Gemini, ChatGPT, & Copilot
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