"HE frustrates the plans of the crafty, so that it comes to no success. HE aborts the schemes of conniving crooks, so that none of their plots come to term."
The WORD
'The Show must go on...' Anonymous
"Lehiya lifted the object in her hand. The blow was supposed to be swift, blunt and deep. And if done as prescribed, it would look like a gash from a 'slip and fall'. The servants would attest to that scenario, when they found the body sprawled on the floor. Her hand froze mid-air, from the slight tap at the door. "Who is it ?!" She asked in an unfamiliar and quivering voice. "Its me, Cook Praya". Came the cheery reply. "I brought some 'nightcap', for you." Nightcap? Thought Lehiya in irritation. What in the world was that....?
As Bana excused himself from his father and stepped out of the room. He was immediately overcome from behind, as his head was violently snatched backwards. A cloth heavily saturated with a sedating potion, was forcefully pressed against his face. Minutes later, he lay on his bed motionless and out to the world as he knew it. At least for now he was.
Lehiya was shocked, at how quickly things were falling into place. How convenient and easy it was, to carry out evil. Half the people were just walking around, like 'zombies'. Their minds clueless and heads floating in the clouds. Undoubtedly oblivious, to the treacherous winds blowing all around. Plans had to change, because more effective doors were opening swiftly. Wow, this whole charade was meant to be indeed. And she (Lehiya) felt really elated, for the first time in her life. She scanned the room one more time, satisfied that nothing was abnormally out of place. The damage was not fatal and it probably would not be scarring. There was just too many interruptions, going on. Especially, from that restless cook Praya. She would make sure to get rid of her, when she got to her future destination and position.
The Princess scurried across the courtyard, to the waiting tram. Her veil, judiciously shielding her face. The prince from 'the kingdom across the hill', had asked for her suddenly. Said he had to show her some possessions, before the wedding. He had sent the servant/driver, to pick her up. She had prepared some homemade juices, for him. The very type, that the whole kingdom knew he liked. As they got to the palace grounds, she almost jumped and tumbled unto the curb. Long before the tram, came to a complete stop. The tram driver, stared in stunned silence. Princess Rahila, was known for her gentility, ladylike and gracious qualities. This was not an appropriate, display of them tonight.
She hurried past the main waiting room. Where the King and Queen usually sat in the evenings, to receive their guests. She would see them in a couple of hours anyway, so there was no need to waste precious time. The servant nodded his understanding. But was still in bewilderment, at this strange behavior from Princess Rahila. The absurdity of her being in this palace, at this late hour. Was adding to the pile of disturbing inconsistencies. He was also surprised, when Prince Bana asked him to go and pick up the princess. Another shocking request and a very un-royal act. However, he was just a servant and hired for that purpose. And serve he would. Adhering as best as
he could, to instructions and directions.
Prince Kana dropped the hand-brush and looked at his reflection, for the umpteenth time. He was an identical and spitting image, of his twin brother. Except, for one subtle and sometimes inconsequential detail. The way they combed their hair, was different. Even their own parents, got confused every now and then. If that personal style and preference, was not considered in identifying the twins. He thought he looked real good, even better than his brother. His life was shaping up as planned. He was going to be happy, after all.
The only thorn in his flesh, for so long. Had been the scrupulous and saintly Princess Rahila. The nerve of her, to spurn his abrasive suggestions and passive-aggressive assaults. He looked exactly like his brother. So why were his advances, rejected over and over again? Oh, thought the prince in festered and internalized indignation. How he hated that goody-two-shoes! He stepped back from his reflection, he had combed his hair just right. He then picked up the object he needed, from the dressing table and stepped out...
Lehiya fumed, at how much her dislike for Prince Bana had grown over the years. In fact, it could now officially be termed full blown hate. He shunned and rejected her many brazen advances and unabashed innuendos. And now, he would dare to be her brother-in-law! That splitting headache of hers, was coming on again. It usually came, when she thought about someone else other than herself.
The princess with her veil covering her face, just hours before the dawn of the wedding day. In the grounds other than her home, was sure to get tongues wagging. Or worse still, wake the whole empire. She stood behind the drapes in the room and waited, like the prince had instructed. She did not think she looked ridiculous, even with a pitcher of juice dripping into her clothes. And the veil, threatening to drink the 'special juice' too. After all, she was supposed to be a bride and she could start now to act like one. A song went of in her head; 'Here comes the bride....'
"The Bride walked towards the groom, steps unsure. The tentativeness, was not as a result of 'Bridal jitters'. It was the leftover nerve, from some other emotion. A feeling akin to the type, that she was supposed to be experiencing now. Her gaze was intently searching his face, for what she did not quite know. She thought she saw a sneer, briefly glide over his expression. But that could not be. Since he was one of the most sincere and kindest person, that she had ever met..."
Princess Lehiya crumpled to the ground, like a deflated doll. The knife plunged into her chest, barely moving. As eternal and dark doors, beckoned with arms open wide. And her life ebbed and waned rapidly, her mind remained recalcitrant.
"... In that split second, her life flashed before her eyes. Each segment quickly overlapping, the previous ones. Like 'thumbnails', each piece aggressively toppling each other. In an urgent bid, for extended scrutiny. They would not stop. Each malicious word she uttered, deeply and clearly enunciated. Each action and attack she perpetrated, greatly felt..."
During her unceremonious descent to the ground, the veil had shifted from Lehiya's face. Kana looked in utter disbelief, at the revelation. The wrong princess, had showed up! The message specifically indicated, that princess Rahila was to come. He had signed his brother's name, because that was the only reason that would pull Princess Rahila from the palace house at that time. Considering the circumstances was not protocol and very much unethical. Now this girl, that he never even gave the time of day. Lay hopelessly and helplessly, in the pool of her own blood. Dying a death, deviously designed for another. What a mess!
"The prince stared at his hands and then the floor and back to his hands again. Everything was happening too fast, or was it even happening at all? How did one motive, multiply into so many deeds? How can just one thought, grow and bear so many just like it? As it continued to ricochet...."
He needed to sit and think for a minute, but could not find the chair. Each time he walked towards it, it appeared to have moved away. Was it the chair, or his mind playing tricks on him? Better still, was the room really spinning? Or was he playing the 'blind-folding games', of his childhood? He made one more attempt, towards the chair. But instead, lurched forward and fell. Crashing in head first, as the chair promptly dropped on his chest. The poison in the 'special juice', was quickly coursing through his veins. He would be dead in twenty minutes.
Their bodies were found at the crack of dawn, of the wedding day. No one could even begin to imagine the shock, dismay and absolute grief that gripped the palace.
Prince Kana had sent a message to princess Rahila (the bride), disguising himself as prince Bana (the groom). Princess Lehiya had planned to knock-out Princess Rahila, so that it looked like a ghastly fall and an accident. But the cook Praya, kept interrupting her attempts. Which was quite unlike the cook. So she (Lehiya), just knocked Rahila out cold. And then let her alone, to sleep. While she concentrated on getting, to prince Bana.
Faki had instructed her (Lehiya), to find a way to give Prince Bana the 'special juice'. So it seemed shocking to her, when everything had easily fallen into place. Interestingly, a message came in for princess Rahila. It was signed supposedly, and sent by prince Bana. An invitation, which she (Lehiya) gladly received. But never relayed, to the intended recipient Rahila. That was definitely a sign to Lehiya, that the 'gods' approved of this twisted odyssey. She then grabbed Rahila's veil, to disguise herself. And set out, to see prince Bana.
Kings Labey and Juba, both agreed that the wedding must go on as scheduled and planned. The next day they would quietly and inconspicuously (as it was a shameful story), bury their dead. 'A match devised in hell', had in no way been able to thwart nor stop; The match that was made in heaven.
Epilogue: Praya (the cook), helped princess Rahila arrange her hair. In such a way, that the slight bruising and bump from her sister's attack. Would not be visible no infected. They were just minutes away, from the start of the marriage ceremony. (The queen was now paralyzed, with grief and periodical hallucinations). She (Praya), was so happy this mission was finally accomplished and over. As she reflected on the past couple of days, a smile played on her lips and a twinkle lit her eye. Indeed, there was more to her
than just ladling soup into bowls. And baking wedding cakes of course.
Faki looked at the dead bodies and snorted in derision, at the two losers. They could not do a simple job right. Their tasks were as elementary, as it could have been. They both understood the consequences, of any 'mis-haps' occurring. Years of plotting, had been systematically washed down the drain now. Oh well, she would find another way another day....
THE END?