Time's Up: Every Moment Counts

by Vasu Velamur

  “Guys, what do you think about the royal dinner? Can we have lunch with them tomorrow also after the story?”

  “Vin, Can’t you think of anything outside of food?” a frustrated Vashist.

  “Why not, if we are going to go backward in time, why not use the best of what we currently have?”

  “Who told you we are going to go backward in time”

  “The device does not give us much leverage. Let us see how much we have left?”

  Ranga opened the device and found that data “14 hours remaining which is well within our limits. We still may have 1 hr of story time, I guess the king does not intend to waste his time. He is more interested in the solution”

  “Yes, I also think the same. He doesn’t look like a man of too many words. So his story would be short. Would give us more time for a solution” Vashist agreed with Ranga.

  “If you say so I am tired for the day and want to sleep” Vindhya suggested the guys move out. She wanted to change to her usual dress code of T-shirt and denim jeans, but the boys were reluctant.

  “Promise me you are going to wear the other dress too tomorrow, right?” Vashist in curiosity.

  “Yes,” shrugged Vindhya. “What choice do I have? This denim is not an option at all”

  Vashist jumped in pure joy. Vindhya saw Vashist perform a movement drill-like with his clenched fist and a run with full energy. While Ranga gave a wry smile at her and headed outside and closed the door. The boys wondered what the story would be and when they would be back in their real lifetime. They missed all the electronic gadgets and other distractions of modern life. Yet they showed contentment with the lifestyle that they experienced here.

  “Don’t you think that even we would have a happy life in this age with their limited technology” an insightful Ranga

  “I agree, but they have a far better environment to compensate for that” answered Vashist. “Look at the oxygen levels here. I can feel the freshness which is missing in our times”

  “Yeah, Now I understand when my father used to praise the olden times”

  “Same here, he used to snatch the PS4 remote from my hand and ask me to go out and enjoy nature”

  “What I wish you knew?”

  “What”

  “If we had this environment and our technology”

  “No Ranga, it needs to be where it is. Getting the best from both worlds will not look nice in reality”

  “Why do you say so?”

  “This environment cannot sustain with our technology. Nor will our technology be so advanced with the raw materials available here. So nature has its balance and we should not disturb it”

  When Ranga was about to ask the next question, they heard a big thundering sound. It was Vindhya who slammed the door behind her like she used to do in her house. Her house had stoppers which were absent here and hence the bang.

  “Come in boys, I am done and would like to hit the bed” said Vindhya

  Both the boys hurried into the room and got dressed in night suits and then welcomed Vindhya back. They all fell into their respective beds. None of them had any energy left, as it was a very eventful day for them. Another morning awaited them next.

  “Good night guys” greeted Vindhya “Wake me up by 8 AM. We need to be ready by 10. I need 2 hours to get into this bandhani saree which you have got for me.”

  “Why, what’s the problem with that one?”

  “Vashist, first there is no YouTube for me to learn. I need to try it many times before it stays on my body”

  “Don’t worry, Vin, I will send some helpers to you from the attendant’s group. Now have a peaceful sleep”

  “I can’t wait to see you in a saree” said Ranga and smiled at Vashist “imagine”

  “Stop it, I will get my chance before this adventure runs out”

  “OK guys, let’s hit the bed” said Vashist, blowing the lantern out and soon the room was devoid of light and sound. The slight sound that was present were from the snores of Ranga.

  Monday 08:09 AM

  There was a knock on the window next to Vashist, and it repeated many times. While he was deep in sleep, this sound woke him up. When he looked up, there was no one and yet the sound reoccurred. He felt disturbed and got up. By instinct he looked at the wall for a clock and he couldn’t find it. So he panicked and went to Ranga, who was in a much deeper sleep. Vashist was half in mind to do what he liked to do in this situation. Wake someone up who is in deep sleep but he knew the consequences too. Both Vindhya and Vashist looked up to Ranga to solve the problem this time and hence they thought he deserved the rest most.

  While he looked around for the source of the knock, he found the culprit. It was none other than the royal parrot. It searched for food in all the places. Vashist rushed to the window to pet the bird. The parrot flew when it saw Vashist rush towards it. He then opened the door to let some fresh air inside. The attendee reminded him “Dear guest, the time is 10 past 8”

  For a moment, Vashist could not figure out what the time was. He was never used to this British English system of the time. He nodded his head while the attendee remarked, “You have less than 2 hours to get ready. I will come to your room by half-past nine. Be ready since we need to go to a different lunchroom”

  Vashist, who was half awake, nodded and then looked out at the balcony. It had a wonderful view of the lake next to the palace and it was so serene. While he looked at the water, he realized what ten past 8 meant. It was 8:10 AM and then he sprung into action. Swiftly, he turned to find the attendee but he had vanished. He needed to catch someone to get help for Vindhya. She had to get dressed up, and she is usually very clumsy and requires time. While he searched around the corridor for help, the same attendee came back with a jar and big tumblers. It smelled nice and was a hot drink. When it approached him, he found the dish, masala chai.

  He ran towards the pot and drank a couple of cups before asking permission. Anyway, the attendee knew this was about to happen and had some extra as a backup. He asked “May I” and gestured that he kept the remaining inside the room.

  “Yes, Sir. Also, may I ask if you can get an assistant for my friend here?”

  “May I be of some use to her, Sir?”

  “No, she requires a female only. Needs help in dressing up with this sari” he showed the bandhani saree.

  “Ooh, In that case, I will send the head maid here in the next half an hour” and he shuts the door behind him. Vashist tried to wake her up. She looked not in the mood to get up. Then he did what he knew the best. He bent and whispered in her ears, “Jamuns have come, I’m going to finish it” and she got up the next instant.

  They all were busy gearing up for the most important one hour of their lives. They had to meet the Maharaja and get him to tell the story, solve the puzzle and head back to their period. So they got ready and did not disturb each other till the head maid came in. The guys walked out and waited to see their friend in the fabulous Rajasthani dress and it felt the wait was worth it.

  Vindhya looked fabulous, and the royal maid had dressed the sari best on her. It was for the first time that Ranga missed his camera. He always used to say that his mind is a better camera and can store much more than a DSLR. Today he deeply wanted some physical proof. Nothing happened till they reached the royal dining area. The friends were all quiet and very tense but it was the queen who made them relaxed.

  The previous meeting had got delayed and hence the King was running late. So the queen came and received the guests. She showed them into the dining area and made them comfortable with some appetizers. They received sumptuous Shahi-Raj-Kachori and a few Pithore (a healthy snack). Before they could finish it, the guards announced the king's presence soon. The heart pumped, and they were on the lookout for the king’s entry.

  The queen looked at the kids and asked, “Why are you all tense, was anything wrong with our hospitality?” The king entered at the exact moment when she finished the question.

  “Nothing l
ike that, queen mother” said Vindhya, but she did not convince the queen.

  “Let us relax since the king himself is under a lot of stress. I was expecting you to relieve him but looks like you need attention now”

  “It’s not like that, your majesty” said Vindhya “Once he starts, we will become normal. Watch it”

  The king was very agile for his age and he sat even before they could wish him. One could see that he was in a hurry and a little tense but held his fort like a brave king.

  “So how was your sleep last night?” started the king to converse and also signaled to start the lunch.

  “It was good, your highness. What have we to save about a royal guest room? It was grand and made us think if we ever deserved it?”

  “Why not, you have helped me and this is in return”

  “But your return is much greater than our help”

  The queen intervened, “You too will keep bouncing like this, let us get started”

  Vashist waited for his chance to get into the conversation before finally achieving it. Everyone had the churma and their mouths filled. Vashist sprang into action. “Your majesty, you were looking a little worried last night and even now you look the same. Can we know about it and how we can help”

  “Ooh, that one is troubling my mind” went on the king. “It is there and let me see how you can help. It’s about my brother’s daughter and she is creating some problems”

  “So it’s a royal problem and we cannot know more about it?”

  “Not like that child, I will tell you and see if you can clear our doubts”

  “Alright, your majesty,” said Vashist. He then looked at his friends “No more interruptions from us”

  The friends nodded and were into an attentive pose, ready for the story. The device clock ticked and only 1 hour remained for the counter to elapse. They were all pumped up for the king to start his story. Since he was not aware of the time problem, he was slow to start.

  The king started the story “You would know that my brother Madho Singh did not have a child for a long time. So we tried many religious poojas and treatments. Finally, his wife gave birth to a beautiful girl child. We named her Chanchal as she moved quickly as a baby. Although my brother was not so happy, he accepted her as a son.”

  “So he is unhappy that he does not have an heir to his throne?” interjected Vindhya

  “Not like that beti. Being an only child, Chanchal enjoyed a lot of freedom and was raised like a boy. She grew up clever not only in studies but in the bow's use, arrow, and sword fight. Apart from that, she also liked to play chess a lot. 15 years had gone, and she had reached the marriageable age. So Madho Singh looked for a suitable groom.”

  “So finding the groom is your problem?”

  “Beti, be a little patient” frowned the king “I’ll come to that part soon. Give me some time to set the context so that you can give the solution more clear”

  “Sorry, your majesty” said Vindhya while Ranga pinched her hands. His eyes showed her to keep quiet.

  “She rejected the idea at first, showed no interest in marriage at all. Then one day we went to her place and explained why she should get married. Why should she have her life settled soon. Finally she agreed, and we were all happy” stopped the king.

  After a momentary silence across the table, Vindhya opened up “So she agreed, and now what may be the problem?”

  “Beti, she said to me before leaving that she had a condition.”

  “What was it?”

  “She liked to have a suitable husband who had to defeat her in a game of chess. When reasoned she explained that in case their kingdom faced a crisis she wanted her husband to be an excellent strategist. The best way to test that skill was a game of chess.”

  “This means splendid news only” Vashist enjoyed since he was a total chess freak.

  “Yes, after that meeting Madho agreed to conduct a swayamvar with chess as its success criteria. The place identified was in Udaipur. Madho and his wife were happy and proud of their daughter with her thought process”

  “How was the response to the competition?” There was a want in Vashist to be in that competition which reflected in his eyes.

  “We had many suitors who came forward. Many felt that since she was a girl, it would be an easy win for them. They did not know what was to come”.

  “When did this event happen?”

  “Last Thursday, my dear son”

  “Ooh no,” whispered Vashist to Vindhya, “if I am to stay here might as well come here last Thursday. I would have won the tournament and settled down here.” She pinched him on his thigh and told him to keep quiet.

  “What was it, beta?” asked the king

  “Nothing, your majesty” said Vindhya, and tried to manage the show. Before anyone else opened up she started, “They want to know what the problem is. The chess tournament is over and we must have one winner, right?”

  “Yes beti, but please listen to the full story” countered the queen to keep the story tempo up. She understood the king was not an astute storyteller.

  “When the suitors met Chanchal face to face, they realized how hard it was to defeat her. Every one of them got crushed by her, and they had to return disappointed. She took on the suitors one after another and we got down to the last seven. One of them was Uday, the prince of Ramnagar”.

  “So did he win the competition?” asked Vashist

  “Wait, son. This boy Uday came up to Madho and asked permission to be the last suitor in the tournament. He requested us to have him as the last. When Madho said what happens if anyone else before him was victorious? He said it was not possible, but he accepted the risk”

  “Why did he want to go last?” asked Vashist. This time he moved a bit towards the king to avoid his thigh being pinched by Vindhya.

  “We also did not know the reason, but he used to be present at each of the matches every day. He would note down the entire match in his notebook. This meant that he was reading each of her moves. In the 5th match by mistake, he shouted once ‘Bale Saba brilliant move’. Chanchal, who used to concentrate only on the board, looked up and got a glimpse of him in the crowd. She then frowned and went back into concentration mode” went on the king. “Later that night she wondered who this guy always seated in the 3rd row and read all her intricate moves”

  “This is an accepted practice only right, your majesty”

  “Yes, that is why we also did not complain. By this time all the others got defeated and it was only Uday who remained. Could he win or do we need to arrange another competition? The next day the entire village was present and there were a lot of expectations from this match.” The king stopped for some water and then started again "The match was not a failure”.

  He continued after a short stammer, “it was a tough match and each of them matched the other. There was nothing to separate them for a novice in chess”

  “So the match ended in a draw and that is your concern?”

  “No beta, Chanchal tried all her moves that she had mastered and Uday was there inch for inch. After around 35 moves Chanchal realized she couldn’t conquer him, and accepted her defeat. Cheers went around the auditorium for Uday. It also thrilled Madho since Uday was a handsome and intelligent man and was worthy to rule Madho’s kingdom. So the stage set and the gift and garlands were all arranged. They invited Chanchal and Uday to the center”

  “Both of them came up and looked at each other for the first time outside the chessboard. Chanchal went up to her father and asked if she could have a private chat with Uday. Madho said fine, and they both went backstage”

  “So this is where Chanchal says that she has someone else in her life” said Vashist with his film logic.

  “How did you guess that” asked the queen immediately “I also had the same thought”

  “Have you not seen any of the Hindi movies?”

  “What? Hindi movies. We know nothing like that”

  “Sorry your majesty”
came Vindhya to the help “he is a little out of his senses because of this food. Leave him alone”

  “It wasn’t like that. She went to him and asked if he was present in any of the previous games that she played. He confessed he was not there once but in each of her games. So Chanchal had figured out how Uday matched her moves.”

  “So what, the rule does not disallow him to watch. He is the legitimate winner”.

  “The rule doesn’t say that beta but our Chanchal said that she is not willing to marry him”

  “What did she say?” asked Vindhya to probe more about her feelings.

  “She said yes. I agreed to marry the person who wins me over in the game of chess. Uday has won it fair and square. Yet I cannot accept him as my husband. She then looked at Uday and said you can find the answer yourself. Uday thought for a few minutes and he also agreed that he should not marry her and he left”

  “Hmm, so something happened in backstage”

  “No, our Chanchal said nothing like what you are thinking beti” said the king. He looked at them for some solution. “All my family says is that Chanchal is arrogant. She wants to waste all our time but I am sure she has done everything by the book”

  “I also do not see what the reason for this sudden change of decision was”

  “We are all surprised” said the queen “she at first refused marriage completely. Then the king spoke to her and she agreed, we had the competition. This guy Uday wins it in a fair method and now she rejects him. He also accepted the decision without hesitancy and walked away. What is the real reason?”

  “Your highness gives us some time. Say 5 minutes we will be back and make it clear to you” said Vindhya and then looked at the device. The counter was down for the last 2 minutes.

  They went into a huddle, but Vindhya came back to her seat at the lunch table. The boys listed down the facts and tried to look at the reasons for her refusal to the marriage. Vindhya did not like logic and so she came back to talk with the host while they figured out the logical answer. Anyway, there were only 120 seconds, then off they went on another journey in time. The only thing they did not know was, is it backward or forward in time?