The request was so unusual that even the most noblest of the kings, one whose subjects praised him for maintaining peace and order throughout the kingdom and hailed him as the greatest ruler the country has ever seen or will see in the future, was caught in a dilemma. Yet, the woman standing in front of him was resolutely stoic and determined to have her request granted by the king.  The king was certain that he has never come across a woman as beautiful as her, nor a wish as weird as this. He was on his throne, sitting uneasily on his predicament and sought a retreat from her to meet with his ministers. He also invited all the sages whose advices and blessings have seen through generations of his ancestors, helping in carrying the legacy. 

The men assembled in the royal meeting room, debating on the issues of moral, ethical and legal implications of granting such a wish to a woman. They asked the king if he was certain he never saw her or met her and the king was certain that he never did. It is becoming increasingly clear for him that even the well-read, intelligent men around him have no clue as to how to deal with this precarious situation they found themselves in. The Raj Guru advised the king to go back to her and ask her to take back her request, however the king prided himself in giving to his people whatever they asked of him. Yet, this was a strange territory he was embarking on. 

The king also took a great pride in his benevolence and thought of asking her of any identification or proofs that he has given her that she can show him now. He was sure that, if he has met her he would have given something to her. The woman seemed to be hurt by his question, yet her eyes remained impassive, her stance firm and her voice stubborn yet sweet. This was not a woman who can hurt a fly, forget about even thinking of uttering a lie. She does not look like she was desperate, just hurt that it has all come to this. What she was asking could prove fatal to her very existence had the claim be found to be untrue. The kind dreaded the prospect. She was the one who is more certain. There is enormous love in her eyes, but the king was not sure if he deserved it. He would be lucky if he can have this woman with him throughout his life, yet he has to be certain about her claims for if he was not, he would be denying one of his subjects of his wife. 

Her denial to take her request back made sense. He went back to his ministers and carried the news. They gave a knowing smile. Though one of them suggested a trick by the woman to claim the throne by becoming his wife, the King and the other sages in the room dismissed it straight away. The King was also reminded of his other responsibilities, things that he has to attend to and can’t just keep them waiting, nor he can dismiss the woman without doing her the justice that his beloved ancestors, and his great land are believed and trusted to deliver.
   
The convocation with his men did not lead him to any solutions. The woman’s request was unprecedented and they had no reference point from which they can act upon. The king trusted his own judgment and went into the durbar. He told the woman that he grants her wish and would meet her in private in his Royal Bedroom. 

The woman tiptoed into the bedroom and for the first time looked at the king in all his domestic glory. It was a sight to behold. The King, free of the confines of the durbar, and of prying eyes of his ministers took in the beauty of the woman. He was astounded by his greed, which he never thought he was capable of. The woman uttered something inaudible, so the King moved closer towards her to hear her clearly. She looked as if she was waiting for it to happen for a long time and took a couple of steps towards him. The King sensed a spark within him and wished the woman’s claim to be true. He wanted to believe her and that he had indeed met her. There was only the conclusive proof that was eluding him. 

He took another step towards her and looked into her eyes. A gentle tear started to well up in her kohl lined eyes and he can hear her heart screaming loudly, urging him to recognize her. He contemplated taking a step back as he was unable to bear the intensity in her stare. He tries to avoid eye contact when she brought her hand behind his neck, catching him by surprise and holding his stare, intent on continuing it. The touch of her hand on the small of his back brought a jolt to his senses. It all came rushing towards him and the clouds over his memory were suddenly blown away. He cursed himself. How could he be so blind to her, caught up in his own responsibilities? How could he subject her to this humiliation in front of everyone? How could he forget this woman, the love of his life? How could he forget his Shakuntala?


*****


This Story is Written for Parachute Advanced Body Lotion Bring Back The Touch Campaign hosted by Indiblogger #BringBackTheTouch