Chapter 27 Shakaditya's Fall

• 1st Century, 57 BCE: Shakaditya's secret chamber, Ujjain fort, Madhya Pradesh, India
• The first time Shakaditya set his eyes on Nandini he had been smitten by her beauty. Having heard about the wife of the governor of Malwa - once a territory of Shaka rule, Shakaditya died to catch a glimpse of her. Shakaditya had heard that Shankha despised her over his other wives, but even if it wasn't the case, he knew Shankha wouldn't object - so very ambitious he was of becoming a king and so worthless he was as a governor in his present role. A meeting was arranged through him. But as Indian women were not allowed to come outdoors and meet a male guest, except through a curtain placed between them - which offered restricted visibility, a new scheme was planned. It was decided that the visitor would be allowed to have a peek of the lady through the reflection in mirror, during the time she'd be taking her shower. A special location would be fixed for him in the royal mansion from where he'd have clear access to the interiors of her bathing chamber without her having an inkling of his presence. Shakaditya went in the guise of a Malaysian merchant taking a few bodyguards with him dressed as his associates. When he saw her wet and stark naked, he went mad with lust. The next day he had sent his proposal officially to Pataliputra.
• But now as he sat in his secret chamber, pondering; Shakaditya realised how much he loved Nandini. It was the first time any woman had made a place gracefully in his heart, otherwise his one command could fetch him the one he desired from any corner of the country. Even he could've easily laid siege on Pataliputra and taken her prisoner. He could've done anything with her he wanted. But he didn't want to make her a war trophy. He wanted to keep her in his palace under seclusion even from himself and to see to it that her modesty was not outraged and her dignity and respect were maintained - till she surrendered to him from her heart. He'd even started learning Sanskrit so that he could communicate directly with her without the need for an interpreter. He wanted to let her know the transformation she was making in him. Buddha's teachings meant so much to him now. Something was snapping inside him. He could feel the four hundred years' old values ingrained in his genes being suddenly invaded by newer ones. His heart was now flooded with the longing to hold her, care for her, bring down all the happiness of the world at her feet. His lust for power, political ambitions were all getting eroded by the deluge. But he had never imagined Shankha to be a traitor and such imbecility on his part had to be seen to be believed! The man had left him with no option now other than to lay siege on Pataliputra. It was a matter of prestige now. If he would've believed him, if only he had cooperated with him, he'd have been rewarded. If not with the crown of Pataliputra's king, at least with so much wealth which his seven generations would've found difficult to squander. But again one glimpse of Nandini's face was enough to break all his resolutions.