CHAPTER 73 The Last Feast and the Celebration of Sobs
The words of Margdarshak Vishrayan were still echoing off the walls of the palace, like an old mantra stuck in the air. But the order had been given. The last night would be a celebration. Not sorrow. Not farewell. But a celebration of life.
The palace of Prakashgadh was bathed in such light that night that it seemed as if the moon wanted to pour all its glow here. Every spire, every window, every edge of every door had oil lamps burning. Orange flames dancing in the air, writing stories on the stones with their shadows. Garlands of flowers. Jasmine, roses, night blooming jasmine. Hanging from the walls, their fragrance so dense that the mind would fill with just one breath. The aroma of saffron and cardamom was floating in the air, coming from the kitchen where the finest dishes were being prepared.
From the outside, it seemed as if some great victory had been won in the kingdom. Rows of lamps, a blanket of flowers, the soft echo of music. But those inside the palace knew that this light was a torch of farewell, this fragrance was of immersion flowers, and this music was a melody whose lyrics only the heart could understand.
Laughter, Jokes, and Old Stories
The large hall of the palace, where royal courts used to be held, had a different form today. The royal seats were empty. Carved in gold, covered with velvet. In their place were simple carpets spread on the floor, on which everyone sat. Agni, Neer, Anvay, Akshansh, Vedika, Aksh, Kalpit, and in the middle, Nirag, who was still weak but awake.
Plates were placed in front. Not silver. Clay. The food was simple but made with love. Lentils, rice, vegetables, and for sweets, ladoos with saffron lines shining like gold.
Anvay, just taste this, Agni said, picking up a big ladoo with his hand and placing it in Anvay plate. His hands were trembling. Not from weakness, but from the weight on his shoulders. In Pawangadh, you probably only get to eat air. Here enjoy real sweetness. Sweetness that melts in your mouth, reaches your heart.
Anvay looked at the ladoo. Round, golden, like a small sun. He tried to smile. His lips lifted, but there was no spark in that smile. It did not reach his eyes. Tauji, even the air of Pawangadh carries the warmth of your stories. Sitting there, when I listen to your words, it feels as if you are sitting next to me.
Agni eyes became moist. He quickly lowered his head, stroking his beard. Good that you remember.
Nearby, Akshansh and Vedika sat holding each other hands. So tight that it seemed if they let go, they would lose each other. Vedika eyes kept going to Neer, who was very calmly feeding Nirag. Neer fingers were slowly taking the spoon to Nirag mouth. Slowly, gently, as if touching a delicate flower.
Eat, my son, Neer whispered, the same cool sweetness in his voice that Nirag had heard since childhood. You will be fine. Everything will be alright.
Nirag blinked. He took a bite. The rice was warm, comforting his tongue.
Remember, Aksh, Kalpit suddenly raised his voice, as if wanting to break this heavy silence. When we first went for war practice, Agni Tauji made us stand in the sun for a whole day. A whole day. Because we had held our swords upside down. Held the blade instead of the handle.
Aksh laughed loudly. A loud, echoing laugh that bounced off the ceiling and came back. Yes. And Kalpit was so scared that he started crying. Kept saying, Tauji, forgive me, I will never make a mistake again.
Everyone laughed. Akshansh laugh had a strain, Vedika laugh was small, Anvay laugh was fake, but it was laughter. For a few moments, it seemed as if the threat of the void was a distant dream, as if the wheel of time had stopped here, in this moment.
Agni began telling stories in his heavy voice. You all know how we were as children. We used to run away from Margdarshak Vishrayan cottage and go swimming in the river. I would just jump into the water, but Neer. Neer would first touch the water, talk to it, then slowly step in.
He looked at Neer, a crooked smile. And then he would always hide underwater. I would search, get frustrated, shout, Neer, Neer. And he would keep laughing underwater, blowing bubbles.
Neer smiled, his eyes sparkling. You were always in a hurry, Agni. Water has to be understood, its flow has to be felt.
And you were always slow, Agni replied, softness in his voice. But when you came, everything became calm.
The Last Touch of the Father
The meal was over. Plates were removed, but no one got up. Everyone stayed sitting, as if they wanted to stop time. Just then Neer slowly got up and took out a small flute from his waist.
That flute was ordinary. Made of bamboo, no carving, no color. But it was the same flute Neer used to play when he was in the form of Varunya, serving Agni. When nights were long and wounds painful, this flute used to apply balm on those pains.
Neer put the flute to his lips. The first note came out. Thin, trembling, like the first drop of the first rain. Then the tune formed. Neither a lament, nor a farewell song. It was a song of gratitude. For the sky, for the earth, for this life, and for this moment that was still with them.
The notes floated in the air. They hit the walls, rolled on the floor, bounced off the ceiling. Anvay closed his eyes. Akshansh held Vedika hand tighter. Aksh and Kalpit bowed their heads.
Nirag, who was now feeling much better, lay with his head in Agni lap. His eyes were closed, but he was listening. Every note was entering his ears, storing in his memory.
The flute kept playing. And just then Akshansh got up, slowly went to Neer. He knelt down, like a disciple in front of his guru.
Tauji, Akshansh voice was broken. Is there no other way. We all. We all are ready to give half our age. Ready to give our lives. Just stop. You and Agni Tauji. Just stop.
Neer stopped the flute. He placed his hand on Akshansh head. His hand was cold, but there was a maternal warmth in that touch.
Akshansh, Neer said softly, a warrior never asks for his age. He does not even ask for his life. He only asks for one thing. His legacy. His memory. His name that lives after him.
He looked at Akshansh, then at Anvay, then at Nirag. You three. And you two, Aksh and Kalpit. Are our greatest legacy. You will carry our name forward. Do you want us to leave you a world full of fear instead of a safe world. Do you want Nirag to live in a future where there is fear of the void every moment.
A tear fell from Akshansh eyes. Heavy, hot, drawing a line on his cheek and falling down. He said nothing. He could not speak. He just pressed Neer hand to his forehead, touched it, felt it. Perhaps for the last time.
Agni Resolve
The tune of the flute started again, but now it was softer, more painful. Agni slowly lifted Nirag. Nirag eyes opened. He was not sleeping, just had his eyes closed.
Anvay, Agni said.
Anvay came forward. Agni handed Nirag to him. Slowly, carefully, as if handing over a priceless treasure. Nirag was light, but Anvay felt as if he had lifted the weight of the entire universe.
Anvay, Agni said again, a strange softness in his voice. Now enduring this boy mischief is your responsibility. Hearing his laughter, understanding his pain, telling him who his fathers were.
He looked at Nirag, who was now in Anvay hands. And Nirag, listen, son. You will not cry. You are a part of Agneer. Fire flows in your veins, the calm of water is in your heart. Whenever you are scared, whenever you feel lonely. Just place your hand on your chest. There you will find my fire beating. There you will find Neer calm flowing. We are with you, always.
Nirag blinked. He did not understand what was happening. He was just listening to Agni voice. The same heavy, warm voice that had been putting him to sleep since childhood.
Agni looked at Vedika, who was standing in a corner. Her eyes were red, she had stopped her sobs, but her body was trembling slightly. Agni called her near.
Vedika came. Agni placed his hand on her head, then bent and kissed her forehead. Our daughter. You held Akshansh when he was broken. You held this house. Now hold this entire family. You are the real light of this house. Without you, this palace would be dark.
Vedika closed her eyes. Two tears slipped from her lashes onto her cheeks. She said nothing. There were no words to say.
Aksh and Kalpit also came near. Agni pressed their shoulders with his strong hands. A warriors pressure, a fathers touch. You two left weapons and took up scriptures. You chose peace after war. But remember. Sometimes to protect peace, one has to fight too. Be ready. Always be ready.
The Last Watch of the Night
As the night passed, the echo of the celebration slowly faded. Laughter had now turned into sobs. Conversations into silence. The lamps flames had begun to dim. Some had gone out, some flames were flickering.
One by one, everyone fell asleep. Not from tiredness, but from the burden of emotions, from the pain that was gripping their hearts. Akshansh and Vedika slept curled up together. Aksh and Kalpit lay nearby, eyes closed but sleep not coming. Anvay sat holding Nirag in his lap. Nirag had fallen asleep, but Anvay was awake, eyes open, remembering every moment.
Margdarshak Vishrayan stood at a distance watching this scene. He was in the shadow of a pillar, his face hidden in darkness, but his eyes were shining. A painful spark. They knew that time had come. The last watch of the night had begun.
And only two people were still awake.
Agni and Neer.
Both stood at the other end of the hall, near the window, from where the sky was visible. In the sky, that divine ray of light had now become brighter. A golden white light cutting through the clouds and descending.
Ready, Neer, Agni asked. There was no fear in his voice, no regret. Just a strange peace, as if someone had reached home after a long journey.
Neer smiled. The same calm, cool smile Agni had seen for the first time. Always ready, Agni. Always.
He stretched his hand. Agni took it. Their hands met. One warm, one cold. One palm had lines of fire, the other the moisture of water. But today those lines and that moisture were one. One feeling, one resolve.
Come, Agni, Neer whispered. Beyond the universe, a new beginning awaits us.
They both slowly turned. Looked back once. At the hall where their family was sleeping. Anvay holding Nirag. Akshansh and Vedika wrapped in each other. Aksh and Kalpit lying peacefully.
Then they moved forward.
Slowly, without a sound, as if dissolving into the air. They moved toward the direction where that divine ray of light was, where the entrance to the void was about to open, where their new journey was to begin.
Behind them, the sleeping family did not know that when they opened their eyes, the morning sun would rise, birds would chirp, and the world would be safe.
But their Agneer would have become part of this blue sky.
Dissolved in the air.
Flowing in the water.
Forever.
© 2026 Aaryaveda All rights reserved
Do not copy or repost without permission