Page 94 - Lavender-B-8

‘Look!’ cried a man who had noticed him in the distance. ‘What news can he be bringing?’
he asked Tanaji’s servant who was near him. Before the servant could reply, the rider came
to a stop in front of them. He leapt off his horse and said, ‘Where is Tanaji? I must see him

at once.’

‘In the house Sir,’ answered the servant. He had recognised the rider. ‘I’ll take you to him.’

‘Sire,’ the servant called out.

Tanaji and his wife were busy selecting and packing clothes and ornaments for the bride
and the groom.

‘Who is there?’ he asked.

‘Suryaji,’ replied the servant.

Tanaji put aside the jewel-case he was holding and stepped forward. ‘Come in, Suryaji’.
Suryaji entered and bowed to Tanaji and his wife.

‘Welcome, my friend. What brings you here?’ he asked. His wife, too, stopped inspecting

the sari she had in her hand.

‘Raje wants you at Raigarh
2
immediately,’ replied Suryaji.

Tanaji knew at once that it
was something serious. He
turned swiftly to his wife and
put his hand affectionately

on her shoulder. ‘My dear,’ he
said, ‘you know I have to go.
Postpone the wedding. My first
duty is to my leader and my
land. Come, smile and bid me
farewell. Do not worry. Suryaji

and my men will be with me.’

Tanaji’s wife was stunned. She
held back her tears.

‘Please wait,’ she said and went
in to prepare the tilak and arti
4
3
for the farewell.

affectionately: with love
2 his majesty
3 vermillion mark on forehead stunned: so shocked that one is
temporarily unable to react
4 moving a lighted lamp round a soldier before he goes to the battle
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