The night is still young and the two friends were sharing drinks while talking about the years they missed in each others lives. Pratap asked his friend about the various countries he visited and about how their politics is, how their diplomacy works as well as the prosperity of the kingdoms. As a king, he always need to be updated with the knowledge about other kingdoms and kings. Although he has spies working for that, it doesn't harm to listen another perspective.

His friend was one kind of a talkative man, otherwise how could he have survived in different kingdoms with different languages and cultures. So he told whatever he knows to pratap who was his childhood friend from Gurukul(School) where they spent years away from their parents with only each other as best friends.

Pratap was shocked when his friend renounced his title of crown prince and gave away his rights to his younger brother so that he could go on travelling and do adventures. Since Pratap's marriage happened just few months ago for which his friend was invited, Anamika prepared for a feast to send off his friend for his adventures.

When pratap went on his war expedition, he didn't want to fight his friend's little brother, so he asked for their submission which they gave immediately. Now after all these years, here they are drinking together and sharing experiences.

That's when Pratap said, "Since it is night time, I will take you to my son tomorrow. After all, he is the main reason for you blessing us with a visit rather than attending your best friend's crowning ceremony." His friend laughed at that and said, "Sorry man. But yes I'm very eager to meet the Shezade".

"What does that mean? ", Pratap asked for which he replied, "Oh, I sometimes mix words of different languages. Shezade means Prince which is used by Turks. I came directly from there, so I got a slip of tongue". Pratap just laughed at his reply and they continued their talks.

Suddenly his friend said, "Pratap, I heard about the demise of your second wife just a few days ago. I extend my condolences to you for your loss." To which Pratap remained silent without giving a reply, so his friend questioned about that. "You may not know because we didn't let the news known to public. But none of our royal family members mourn for her because she committed treachery. That is the reason why we didn't postpone the ceremonies", Pratap replied.

His friend just looked at him for sometime and said, "Now spill." Pratap looked at him with a frown, to which his friend rolled his eyes and said, "I know that you want to say something or ask something. So just go ahead". Pratap let out a sigh and kept his drink down.

"I don't know how to put this question but what I want to know is how to identify love? How do I know that I love a person? Is it possible to love more than one person at the same time? Can a person forget about his love? I am totally confused right now", Pratap poured out his rant and took a deep breathe.

His friend looked at him seriously for sometime and then laughed while saying, "Pratap! You opposed my decision to be a bachelor all my life. Now you are asking me questions which you should have asked before you got married". Pratap just made a face due to his mocks and remained quiet.

His friend stopped laughing and asked, "Pratap, if you ask this questions even to great scholars, they wouldn't be able to answer this. And I'm just a mere human who never had a relationship with a girl. So if you just tell me the reason why you are asking all this, then I may give you my piece of knowledge."

Pratap knew that his friend is serious. So he told, "After my marriage with Anamika, we were both happy with each other. But after a few years, Anamika being not able to conceive a child became a huge issue which further led to my second marriage. Anamika, even though strongly believed in monogamy, accepted the situation just so the kingdom could get a heir. I didn't marry again for a wife but for just a child so I kept my distance from Saudamini. But then she became pregnant and I had to spend time with her as a duty. Gradually I started to split my time for both my wives. After my first child was born, I started my war expedition. But whenever I came back to the palace, I spent time with Saudamini and children. That's how we have six children now. But I totally forgot about my first wife. I wrote official letters to Anamika but didn't speak anything as a husband. And when I'm in palace for a few days in between the wars, I would see her at court but never on her chamber as a husband. And I didn't even realize all my deeds, till the prediction of Pandit ji about the heir came up. As per the prediction, Anamika is the only one who could give a heir for the kingdom. Now she thinks that I came back to her only for that. But that is not the truth. It's just that I realized my mistakes earlier due to that, otherwise I would have still come to her but just late."

Pratap proceeded to tell about the attacks, Saudamini's death and their first child being killed and everything. His friend listened to his talk and asked him, "How do you feel about Saudamini's death? ". Since he didn't know Saudamini, he never got to call or feel her as his bhabhisa.

"Initially I felt pity since she was attacked by her own father but after the truth about my child, I don't feel pity or remorse anymore. While doing the funeral, I was sad because she, as a mother lost the opportunity to see our daughters life. But then again what you do, comes back. I felt guilty that I married her and that's why she had this end, which is somewhat the easy way out. It was like, by marrying her I gave what they wanted after killing my child. It was injustice to my unborn child. If only I hadn't married her, they would have lived with the pain and frustration of their plans not working out. But I had to be a fool and agree with the decisions", Pratap completed his thoughts.

Now his friend continued, "So now it has been few days since her death and you are living with your first wife and children, may be not happily but still. Just imagine how would you be living, if Anamika bhabhisa was the one to die instead of Saudamini". As soon as he finished, Pratap said standing up, "No! I cannot live for a second with the thought that she is not breathing. I couldn't live with that. Even if I have responsibilities towards my son, I don't know how long I could survive with that kind of pain. Please don't utter words like that".

His friend also stood up and calmed him down and made him take his seat and said, "I think now you got your answers for your earlier questions." Pratap looked at him for sometime and realized what he meant. He just lived a moment that he never thought of, even in his nightmares. The day Anamika laid unconscious due to the attack was the day, he prayed on his knees. "I accept your point but I don't get that how come I neglected Anamika for ten years if I love her truly. How come I chose Saudamini over Anamika if I love Anamika more? I have hurt Anamika more than I could think of. In fact, If you are saying I'm in love with Anamika even after whatever I have done, then Anamika always loved me ten times more than me. I could never make up for my sins", Pratap said.

His friend said, "Pratap, I know you are confused. But once again your answer lies in what you have already said. You never checked on Anamika because may be you are assured that she is there in your palace safe and sound."

"But even at that time, I spent my nights with Saudamini. Was it lust with Saudamini, all the time? And as my wife, Anamika definitely would have expectations from me either spending day time or nights. But I never thought about it in those years. If I had loved her more, wouldn't I thought about her needs? ", Pratap questioned, more like himself.

"Love and lust always go hand in hand. There no love without lust and no lust without love. If you love a person, you would have atleast a slightest bit of lust for their body. Likewise, even if you say that you just succumbed to your lust, there is bit of love for their body. And for your question regarding neglecting your wife's needs, you just put your needs above hers. It's not like you were satisfying your second wife's needs, it was just your needs that got satisfied with your second wife before you could think of your first wife. But that's how men are", his friend finished.

"For a man staying away from women, you know quite well about love", Pratap smiled at his friend. His friend looked at his full smile and said, "So now all confusions cleared? "

Pratap said, "Yes. Now I feel light hearted. I know what I'm going to do now. Thanks to you." Saying so Pratap hugged his friend who said, "Remember Pratap, Death is the biggest life lesson. That's an irony, I know. But that gives answers to many questions. I have travelled to many places but one thing won't change in all those places. That is, Life in this world is always limited. So even if your amends are not worthy enough to be accepted, just do it. May be it will wash off your sins from your soul after death, if not in this world. So always have hope".

Pratap looked at his friend with tears in his eyes. Till now he gave answers to the questions he asked. But now, he said something for his unasked question. After his talk with Anamika before the day of naming ceremony, Pratap lost his hope and his way. But now, his friend gave him the much needed boost. So he will try till his last breathe, to make amends.

Pratap smiled and said, "You live upto your name, man. Showing me the way when I'm lost, just like lord Krishna."

"Of course, KrishnaRaj Chauhan is like a lighthouse at the harbour, guiding others to the shore", Krishna laughed along with Pratap. Both of them retired for the night.

-----------------------------------------------------------

Precap : Anamika and Pratap talk before the naming ceremony. What happened to Saudamini's mother?

Guys, I'm not an expert in love advice so please bear with this chapter. Originally, Krishna character was created only for this chapter. I don't know if this chapter is upto the mark.

If you like the chapter, do vote and comment.

Thanks,

SM.