Chapter 168 Marriage

Chapter 168 Marriage

Dakshin Bhartiya Empire, Hampi.

It has been a week since the land has been distributed to the workers of the new territories, and a lot of things have happened. First, the elites in the new region became more and more united. Their goal was still unknown, but Vijay ordered Roshan to keep watch. Also, within the week, the first naval confrontation of the Hampi class sloop with the Mughal Empire took place. Fortunately, the result was not disappointing, as the Hampi class sloop both outclassed and outmanoeuvred the old Mughal frigates. Due to this confrontation in the eastern Naval base, Gautam also became a household name among the naval officers.

One more surprising thing is that Hey Ram, who Vijay thought was a dense and rigid man, made a big move just after his visit to the Bhartiya Academy of Military Sciences. Hey Ram informed his relatives about Umashree. His relatives were very happy with this development and soon geared up and went to Umashree's house to talk with her father.

Fortunately, Umashree's father also wanted the same thing. So, both families called a priest to settle on a date for the couple's marriage. Surprisingly, the priest said the marriage should be completed within the month, and he also informed that the nearest Shuba dhina (Good day) for marriage is due in a week. So yes, Hey Ram's marriage will go according to tradition and not how Vijay got married hurriedly. Well, that was because Vijay's marriage took place in a time of war, so Vijay had no time to waste. Anyway, Vijay had informed Kavya to attend the marriage process, and he would join her on the final day.

Kavya got up this morning excited. Ever since becoming the queen of the Empire, she was not able to do many things. While Vijay is quite liberal in his ways, Kavya does not want her actions to affect his reputation. She does not want her husband to become Rama for her. So, she herself held back. But participating in a traditional event like this is very rare for her. Vijay's direct relatives are only the Shetty family, who do not have any children of marriageable age, nor do her direct relatives have any children of marriageable age; her nephew is still only 2 years old. Thinking about it, she becomes emotional. 'It has already been two years since the fall of home,' she thought. Although the region where her family originated, Maharashtra, was part of the Bharatiya Empire, she always felt that the place where she grew up was her home. But she soon lost her melancholy, thinking that Vijay would sooner or later take back what should belong to this nation.

Anyway, she excitedly dressed up in a beautiful green saree and left for the event.

The first event was Nichayathartham, an event similar to an engagement in Western culture.

She was warmly welcomed, and greeted by Hey Ram and his family. She was also given a separate chair that almost looked like a throne, and she sat down gracefully.

The musicians also started to beat the tabla loudly at this very moment. Umashree was in tears, and seeing this Kavya was also in tears. 'Why?' Well, Vijay would say he is a scientist, not a god. Finally, after tying the knot, the thing the people were waiting for was the reception. It was when both families of the bride and groom fed the people who entered to bless the marriage. Vijay and Kavya had the food separately served to them. Finally, after Hey Ram's marriage, Vijay and Kavya were planning to leave.

But some sort of commotion happened outside the temple. Vijay's asked, "What is happening?" The guard beside Vijay enquired about the news and answered, "Your Majesty, it seems that some goons wanted to extort money from a guest entering the marriage outside the temple."

Vijay frowned upon hearing this and asked a stern question, "Are events like this common?" If so, Vijay would be very angry with the local police. But fortunately, the guard soon answered, "It is not like that, Your Highness. It is said that the guest who was harassed owed a lot of money to this specific person and did not pay the money back. So, the person employed this gang to extort the money. This kind of thing is quite rare."

Vijay's tension eased slightly. While he was not condoning such behaviour, he understood that the absence of a proper financial regulation infrastructure contributed to such incidents. Witnessing this, he realized the need to expedite the establishment of such regulations.

"Okay, send these people to the police station and leave half of the guards in the temple to provide security for the people."

"But, Your Majesty, what about your security?"

"Don't worry about me. Out of my 500 guards, there will still be 200 by me, so you don't have to worry."

The guard hesitantly agreed and sent the orders to his deputy to stay in the temple. He led the 200 guards and followed Vijay out of the temple.

Inside the temple, as soon as Vijay left, a person among the guests dressed in white attire like a Brahmin saw this scene and muttered, "Alhamdulillah, this kafir's time has come." He turned around and signalled to a servant carrying flowers near the gate. The boy, as if waiting for the signal, soon climbed up a tree with the flowers and started to decorate the tree to reduce suspicion. But when he was on the tree, he sent a secret hand signal to a certain person standing in the crowd, watching the goons making trouble outside the temple premises. As soon as he saw the signal at the corner of his eye, he left the scene. "Allahu Akbar, the plan must succeed," he said as he disappeared into an alleyway.

P.S. Hey Ram, in real life, is one of my good friends, and we boys always tease him in class by calling this girl Umashree's name. He is kind of like the guy who mingles effortlessly between all the small groups in class. So, this marriage chapter is dedicated to him, and My blessing for it to happen in real life too. Hoping for my dear readers' blessings.