"I don't think our lord Kunal ever helped anyone to feel welcome," Jayanta scoffed.
"Well, he was my father until I turned eighteen."
"And he's not anymore?"
"No. I discovered I'm not really his son. He told me so and then it was confirmed elsewhere. My name is Hemal."
"I thought you looked familiar!" Jayanta stared at him more closely. "Yes, you are definitely Jeevan's son!" He chuckled. "No wonder Kunal disowned you!"
"He hasn't yet, not officially. But I fear for my life now that he knows the truth."
"Yes, you did well to come here. I'll help you to avenge your parents." Jayanta slowly smiled. "It's time somebody gives a final lesson to Kunal!"
***
The messenger reached the king during a meal and handed over the message with a deep bow. Kunal unsealed the letter and scanned it, frowning more and more.
"What's going on?" Mitali asked as Mohan ignored his parents to grab another portion of his favorite dish.
Kunal handed her the letter as if it were burning. Puzzled, Mitali read it aloud.
"I am sorry to inform you that your son lost his life during a hunt. The weather did not allow transport of the body, thus he was buried in the main temple of Argantael." Mitali looked at Kunal, shocked. "What does this mean?"
"I don't know, maybe Kumar never forgave me for not listening to him," Kunal shrugged.
"Come on, he knew who Hemal was, he wouldn't have put him in danger on purpose!" she protested. "He even suggested Hemal could pick one of his daughters!"
"Possibly the dancer's, not his wife's," Kunal scoffed. "That would have suited Hemal indeed. Not a drop of royal blood in sight!"
Mitali was speechless with horror.
In the sudden silence Mohan spoke. "Does this mean Hemal is dead?"
Mitali sighed and pulled him to her bosom. "Yes, honey."
"So he won't come back?" Mohan sniffed.
"I'm afraid not."
Mohan freed himself from his mother's embrace and ran away.
"Mohan! Get back here now!" Kunal called after him.
"Leave him alone," Mitali said sharply. "Hemal loved him more than you ever did."
She left the table to console her son, wondering what had actually happened to Hemal.
***
Six years slowly went by. Then one day Kunal received a visit and thought it was a living ghost.
"Hello, Kunal." Even the voice was the same. A young, beautiful, breathing Jeevan had come back from the grave as if those twenty-four years never passed.
Kunal gasped for breath.
"Surprised to see me?" The vision smiled Jeevan's smile. "You were so sure you had killed me, huh? Well, I decided to come back from the dead."
"You can't be..." Kunal found it hard to breathe.
"Yes, I'm Jeevan Nagra. And I've come back. Where is Bindya?"
"She... she died." Kunal lowered his eyes. "She died in childbirth. She had a boy she called Hemal."
"And where is Hemal? Did you kill him when you discovered he's not your son?"
"How do you know he wasn't mine?" Kunal snapped.
"I came first, remember?" Jeevan smiled pleasantly.
"Son of a bitch."
"You've gotten old, Kunal, I don't think you're as swift with your scimitar as you used to. You don't even wear it anymore. Now tell me, where is Hemal?"
"He died," Kunal answered gloomily.
"Did you kill him? You got rid of him as well?"
"No, he died in a hunting accident in Rajendra. He's buried at Argantael."
"You lie, there's no such tomb at Argantael."
"I got a message from King Kumar. He told me of his death and burial."
"Hemal never reached the royal palace of Argantael," Jeevan replied. "And King Kumar doesn't know of his existence. What did you do to him, Kunal?"
"Gods!" Kunal started losing his temper. "He's dead in Rajendra! Why can't you believe me?"
"Because you're a liar. I will stay here until I find out the truth about my son. And don't try to kill me, or I'll come back again and this time take you with me to the underworld."
Jeevan turned around to leave the cabinet of the king and saw Mitali by the door. She must have heard Kunal's loud voice and was now staring in wonder at the visitor who bowed respectfully at her.
"You must be the new queen," Jeevan said. "My name is Jeevan and I will be your guest until I have settled a certain matter with King Kunal here..." He glanced at Kunal with a scoff. "I'd like to have my son's room. Can you show me the way, my lady?"
***
Mitali lead the visitor to Hemal's room in silence. Before opening the door to let him in, she turned to smile at him. "Welcome back, Hemal."
"I don't understand, my lady, I'm not Hemal," he protested.
"Yes you are," she chided. "I brought you up, I know you very well. I know you had plans for your stay in Rajendra, although I wasn't expecting you to fake your death. Have you spent all six years over there?"
"Yes, with Jayanta," he finally admitted. "He was the one who showed me the way. He even managed to find Ajay, Bindya's brother, who had spent years in prison but was eventually released and then moved out of Akkora. And Rajendra is the closest place to settle. So they told me about my father and taught me to behave like him. Jeevan's resurrection is the only way to truly hurt Kunal. Can you blame me, Mother?"
"No." Mitali sighed. "You must do what your heart tells you to do. Maybe I married Kunal for love, but after twenty years of cold shoulders my passion died out. I shall guard your secret closely. But tell me, that message from King Kumar announcing your death..."
"I told you, Jayanta grew up with him. He went to a scribe, then Kumar put his seal underneath. I don't think he bothered to know what he was signing anyway. And I knew Kunal wouldn't check. I'm sorry I wasn't able to warn you."
"I knew you were up to something. It was much worse for Mohan."
Hemal hesitated. "How is Mohan?"
"He's changed." She sighed. "You'll see. I better go now. Good luck, Hemal."
***
Nightmares filled Kunal's sleep. He saw himself young and in love with Bindya again. He was twenty-six and held her in his arms, smelling her and trying to make her smile. But she kept crying and refused to talk to him. Then Jeevan came and took her from him. And they smiled at each other and Kunal could only watch as they made love.
Then he was fifty again, but Jeevan was still twenty-four, strong and healthy and threatening. Past and present mixed in the dream, making him cry out in sorrow.
His scream awoke him and Mitali who slept by his side. He tried to steady his ragged breathing and calm his thundering heart.
"What's going on?" Mitali asked.
"A nightmare." He panted. "Sleep."
Mitali pulled herself up and tried to calm him with a massage.
He slowly relaxed and took a deep breath. "I must get rid of him," he muttered.
"Who?" she asked as he shrugged away her hands.
"Jeevan. He has no right to come back from the dead and haunt me after all these years."
"You killed him," she said.
"It was long ago! Why come back now?" His voice faltered and she hugged him. "I loved his betrothed," he whispered.
"So did he. And she loved him."
"Enough!" he snapped. "You don't know anything, you weren't there!"
"Can you at least admit you did them wrong?"
"No." His pride was still the strongest. "I'll find a way to get rid of Jeevan. Go back to sleep."
***
"Mind if I join you?" Jeevan entered the private living room of the royal family who was ready to start the midday meal.
"Yes," Kunal snapped. "I don't want you at my table."
"There's plenty of room," Jeevan shrugged, sitting down with a smile.
Kunal glared at him and averted his eyes. Jeevan smiled at Mitali who nodded trying not to smile back.
The part of him that was still Hemal glanced an
xiously at his younger half-brother who sat to his left. Mohan had lost all childhood traits and had become a handsome nineteen-year-old. He looked tough and a little wild, and there was probably not much left of the sweet child he had once been. That unknown young man ate in silence without looking at anyone.
Kunal frowned and decided to ignore the uninvited guest, but Hemal could feel his hateful stare on him from time to time. Nobody spoke during the meal.
"Who are you?" Mohan asked, staring at the intruder with mild curiosity as the servants took away the empty plates.
"I'm Jeevan, Hemal's father. Have you been told he's not really your half-brother?"
"Yes." Mohan slowly nodded, still staring at him. "I thought you were dead."
"I came back from the dead because I felt my son was in danger. Can you tell me where Hemal is?"
Mohan scoffed. "He's dead. You're too late."
"How did he die?" Hemal-Jeevan tried to keep his emotions in control. Mohan looked as heartless as Kunal now. Maybe he shouldn't have left him without news for so long.
"A hunting accident in Rajendra six years ago. You're way too late to protect him Jeevan, you better leave now."
"Not until I learn the truth. Hemal never reached the Rajendra royal palace. Write to King Kumar and he wouldn't know who you're talking about. There is no tomb for a Prince Hemal at Argantael Temple. But there is a disgruntled king, here, who discovered his heir wasn't really born from his loins."
"Hemal is dead, and I don't care how." Mohan shrugged. "You better take your revenge somewhere else."
He rose and left without looking at anyone in particular. Kunal followed him with his eyes, a vague satisfied smile on his lips. Hemal-Jeevan glanced at Mitali who sighed and averted her eyes.
Mohan wasn't the sweet and innocent boy he used to be anymore. He was cold and ruthless like his father. Why did he change? Hemal had not time for that now. He must be Jeevan, avenge his parents, and then maybe go back to his own life. Or what was left of it.
It was easy enough for him to behave like Jeevan. Jayanta and Ajay had instructed him well and he could see how this upset Kunal who had no doubts about his identity. Mohan despised him, defending the father he must love in spite of everything and Hemal had to struggle with himself so as not to reveal who he really was. Mohan hated him, but Hemal knew that Mohan hated Jeevan, the living ghost haunting his father.
Mitali's encouraging words weren't always enough to keep him going while Hemal struggled with his double identity. The dangerous game was destroying him as well and sometimes he felt he could never fulfill his mother's request. He might look like Jeevan but he didn't have his strength. He might act like Jeevan, but more and more often he feared he would fail them both.
He had to do something about it. So when he found Mohan alone in the library, he decided he needed to talk. "Mohan."
"What do you want?" Mohan didn't bother looking up from the manuscript he was holding.
"I want to tell you the truth."
"I don't want to hear your truth."
"My truth is that I'm Hemal."
"Hemal is dead."
"Hemal is alive and talking to you right now. You're the one who is dead, Mohan. Your heart is dead. You remember that day we went to Akulina to see the ocean? You found the best shells and we built a castle in the sand."
Hemal closed his mouth. Mohan had turned around and was gaping at him. Hemal waited for him to recover from surprise.
"There were no servants around," Mohan said slowly. "And I told you..."
"Why don't we leave, Hemal? Let's take a ship and run away." Hemal smiled at the memory. "Mitali couldn't hear you as she sat on the beach further away and the sound of the waves covered your voice."
Mohan dropped the manuscript and went to hug him.
"Why did you leave, Hemal?" His voice sounded choked by tears. "Where have you been? And why did you fake your death? I cried every night for over a month when I was told..."
"I'm sorry." Hemal squeezed him in his arms, relieved to discover his brother's heart wasn't dead after all. "I had to."
Mohan pulled away from him and stared at him, worried. "Why this masquerade, Hemal? Why coming back with your father's name?"
"To avenge them. You have no idea what Kunal has done to my real parents. And I know he'd have gotten rid of me as well sooner or later."
"Mother told me there was evidence you were not his son. He sounded quite happy with your demise. But I want the whole story now!"
Hemal smiled. They sat together on a divan and he gave Mohan his mother's letter.
"Your mother found it and gave it to me on my birthday. She already knows everything, although I didn't tell her my plans either – because I had none when I left, but she recognized me when I came back."
Mohan nodded and read Bindya's letter, then asked more about the past six years.
"Now you know it all," Hemal concluded after a lengthy talk. "And I think I'm going to tell Kunal as well because I'm sick of pretending. I can't really hate the man who was my father for eighteen years, albeit a cold and imperious one. A father who never loved me, but still a father. So tonight I'll tell the truth."
"What will Jayanta and Ajay say?"
"They're in Rajendra, aren't they?" He shrugged. "And I want to be myself, I want my life back."
"I've changed, you know?" Mohan smiled. "I've become tough, mean and cold-hearted."
"You wear a mask too. I believe we should both take them off and be ourselves again."
"Thank you, Hemal."
"Tell me more about you, now. Are you betrothed yet?"
"No." Mohan smiled mischievously. "Want to meet my friends?"
"Uh... sure..."
"Come!" Mohan chuckled before springing up on his feet.
***
"Where are we?" Hemal stopped in front of the door of the two-story house in the city. Mohan had led him out of the royal palace and into the streets of the capital without giving any explanations.
"Welcome to Madam Jaya's," Mohan said solemnly.
"Is she a friend of yours?"
Mohan chuckled. "It's also called a brothel," he answered with a mischievous smile. "Will you come in or not?"
"But..." Still puzzled, Hemal could only follow him inside. The courtyard had a portico where a dozen women sat, scantly clothed.
"Meet my friends," Mohan said slumping between two half-naked beauties who welcomed him with bright smiles. "If I were you, I'd choose Deepika, she's the best." He pointed with his chin at a brown-haired woman who sat on a cushion, fanning herself.
Hemal was speechless and very embarrassed.
"Who is your friend?" Deepika asked putting down the fan as she looked at Hemal from head to toe.
"Ladies, please welcome long lost Prince Hemal," Mohan said teasingly. "Be nice to him, as I consider him my blood brother."
"And has your brother ever known a woman?" Deepika asked rising and slowly walking to the still standing Hemal.
"I don't know. Have you, Hemal?"
Hemal lowered his eyes, too embarrassed to look at anyone. He had been busy with revenge plans, he hadn't had time to think about women. Even if he had left the palace with the excuse of finding a bride, he hadn't actually been looking.
"I'd say no," Deepika said, stopping in front of him. "Come, my prince, I'll take care of it."
She took his hand and he followed her, unsure of what he should do. To fulfill Jayanta's plan he had forgotten himself, and his body was reminding him he was young and alive and needed women in his life.
"How old are you?" she asked after they locked themselves in a first floor room.
"Twenty-four."
"And where have you been, on a desert island?" she teased.
"No, I was busy, I needed to get ready..."
"Are you not interested in women?"
"I am, but like I said I didn't have time for them."
"Keep your secrets, my prince." She put her arms around his neck and pulled him closer.
"It doesn't matter, as long as you want to be here now."
He gulped down his emotions and nodded, too embarrassed to speak. She smiled and kissed him, sending shivers of pleasure down his spine.
Her hands and lips made his head spin, but a part of him couldn't relax.
"No," he whispered pulling away from her.
"What is it, you don't like it?" she asked with a frown.
"I like it, but I don't want it to happen like this. I don't even know you."
"My name is Deepika and I'm a whore. You don't need to know anything else to have sex with me."
"Well, I don't want sex. I want love." He ran away from the brothel, leaving her too stunned to object.
***
Hemal glanced at Mohan who nodded his approval. They sat with Kunal and Mitali after dinner and the king's eyes were staring at Hemal with the usual mix of anger, fear and incredulity.
"I'm Hemal."
Kunal gasped and Mitali looked up, surprised.
"You're so upset that you're blind," Hemal continued. "I'm twenty-four, the same age my father was when you killed him. I looked like him at eighteen, imagine now with the help of someone who knew him well..."
"Who?" Kunal's voice was strangled by a mounting fury.
"Ajay, Bindya's brother, and Jeevan's cousin whom you let go at the border with Rajendra when you captured the runaways. I spent six years with them at Argantael while you thought I was dead. I came back to avenge my parents, but I'm tired of this game. I forgive you, Kunal, and I hope we can live in peace now."
Mitali smiled, relieved, and Mohan nodded again.
"You... you forgive me?" Kunal exploded. "But I do not forgive you, you bastard! Your ghostly trick almost killed me! No, I will not forgive you, Hemal, I will never forgive you this... game and the fact that you're not my son!"
"But I..."
"Shut up!" Kunal hit him with a fist so charged with hatred and rage that Hemal was thrown against the wall. "I'm the king! You don't scare me anymore, neither you nor your wretched father! And if you think I'll let you back in the family, you're sorely mistaken!"
"Father..." Mohan tried to calm him.
"Shut up, Mohan! I bet he let you in his game as well!"
"No, I thought he was dead six years ago!"
"Then shut up and stay out of it! Hemal, from now on you're the last of my slaves!"
Tales of the Southern Kingdoms (One Volume Edition) Page 17