95 Happy Deepavali

Danior Boswell was brought back to Vijayanagara as Vijay concluded his activities in Lanka. Vijay assigned Danior the task of sharing his shipbuilding knowledge with a group of students at the Bharatiya Military Sciences. Vijay aimed to have Danior train a batch of shipbuilders promptly to construct Vijayanagara's first indigenous vessel.

The Dutch maintenance personnel captured in Lanka were also transported to Vijayanagara to train another group of students, similar to Danior Boswell's cohort. These maintenance personnel possessed in-depth knowledge of ship structures and their critical points, making them essential for Vijay's plan to educate competent naval officers.

After the expedition, Vijay felt a bit homesick, having been away from his wife for the past month. It had been two years since their marriage. Reflecting on his wife turning 18 this year, Vijay grew excited and could not contain his anticipation.

In the heart of Vijayanagara, the grand capital city of Hampi, an enchanting celebration illuminated the landscape as Deepavali, the festival of lights, enveloped the entire region. The city came alive with the warm glow of countless oil lamps, adorning every nook and cranny. The air was filled with the sweet scent of incense, and the vibrant colours of traditional rangoli designs adorned the streets. As the sun dipped below the horizon, the radiant glow of lamps intensified, casting a magical aura over the historic city. Joyful laughter and the playful echoes of children reverberated through the air as they engaged in spirited games, embodying the spirit of camaraderie that defines the festival. The palpable festive atmosphere united the people of Hampi, creating a shared sense of joy and togetherness that transcended the boundaries of daily life.

Deepavali is celebrated to symbolize the triumph of light over darkness and good over evil. It is observed that this festival by lighting oil lamps, decorating homes, and exchanging gifts. It signifies the victory of Lord Rama over the demon king Ravana and the return of light and prosperity.

In the majestic setting of the royal castle, the Deepavali lights burned with a flash of unparalleled brilliance. Kavya, draped in a resplendent red saree, stood as the epitome of grace and devotion, performing the sacred Pooja to goddess Lakshmi. Surrounding her were the esteemed members of the Noble families, along with the beloved kin of Vijay, the ruler, and his closest subordinates. The golden radiance from the oil lamps bathed Kavya in a celestial glow, transforming her into a vision of divinity on Earth.

Despite the joyful ambience enveloping the festivities, Kavya couldn't shake off a tinge of melancholy that lingered within her. Vijay, her beloved, had been absent for a month, and though she had diligently read every letter he sent, assuring her of his well-being, the physical distance weighed heavily on her heart. The anticipation of celebrating their first Deepavali as a couple had filled her with excitement, yet the reality of his absence cast a shadow on her happiness. Last year's somberness, marked by the loss of her father and brother, had deprived them of any celebrations, making this year all the more significant for Kavya. She yearned to partake in the festivities with Vijay by her side, creating cherished memories as a couple. The emptiness of his absence dampened her spirits.

Following the completion of the Pooja, Kavya, true to the cherished tradition in Vijayanagar, graciously served everyone with obbattu and kajaya (food), spreading joy and goodwill. The gathering indulged in a delightful feast, savouring the flavours of the festive meal, and departed with smiles on their faces, each carrying the thoughtful gifts carefully packed by Kavya.

As Kavya bid farewell to her guests, her attention was abruptly seized by the arrival of a mysterious figure at the entrance of the royal palace. A sudden surge of emotion overwhelmed her, and tears welled up in her eyes the moment she laid eyes on this unexpected guest. 

The mystery figure at the door revealed himself to be none other than Vijay, the emperor of Vijayanagara and Kavya's husband. Overwhelmed with joy and relief, Kavya sprinted towards Vijay, leaping into his waiting arms.

"What took you so long, idiot?" she exclaimed, a blend of laughter and tears in her voice, as she nestled in the warmth of Vijay's embrace. Her words, laced with affection and playful scolding, echoed through the royal palace. As she clung to him, her tears flowed freely, dampening Vijay's shirt, a testament to the depth of her emotions and the longing that had marked their time apart. The joyous reunion amidst the Deepavali celebration became an intimate moment, as the couple embraced the precious togetherness they had missed during the festive season.

Vijay, witnessing her tears, experienced a twinge of guilt at seeing her so sorrowful. In a strange way, it also stirred a peculiar sense of pride within him.

"Don't worry, I am here now. Everything will be alright," Vijay said, stroking her head like a kitten in a soft voice.

Kavya had regained her composure, turning away and swaying her hips as she departed. Her parting words carried an air of arrogance.

"Mhm, Who was eagerly waiting for you? Go take a bath, you stinker."

Vijay "..."

Vijay was left speechless by her set of operations. He was stunned for a few moments. Vijay had noticed that this situation occurred quite a few times when he was with his wife. She always did something that was not logical, and he would always stand there dumbly falling for her traps.

A few moments later, he shook his head in amusement as he smiled and went into the palace to take a bath. Now that he thought of it, he had not taken a bath since he left Lanka. Perhaps everyone around him also smelled like him, so he did not notice. Now, as he smelled his armpit, it was unbearable.

Soon, he bathed, dressed up in a new outfit for the festival, and came out looking like a Disney Prince. Kavya, no worse for wear, had already changed her dress and appeared.

Vijay was mesmerized seeing her yellow saree; his breath quickened as he noticed her nape while her hair was draped forward and a slender navel covered by a shy cloth that barely did its job. He didn't know why, but he had a feeling that this goblin wore the saree more alluringly than before. He shook his head to wake himself up.

Kavya, who saw this scene, felt proud in her heart. She raised her head proudly like a peacock and took his hand to perform the pooja they had missed earlier.

A Few Hours Later...

After the pooja, Kavya was going back to attend to some other duties, but Vijay couldn't hold it in any longer, seeing her sway her hips like this and looking so alluring. Once again, considering her age, he decided not to hold back anymore.

He grabbed Kavya's hand as she was about to walk away and pulled her into his arms.

"Ah!"

Kavya was startled by the sudden jerk. Her hand was pulled into Vijay's arms.

"Bad guy, bad guy," she chided, her small fists lightly drumming on Vijay's chest. Before she could utter another word, a sudden, unexpected shift occurred as their lips met. The collision of their mouths caught her off guard, momentarily widening her eyes to the size of saucers.

As the kiss unfolded, the intensity of Kavya's hitting gradually waned, giving way to a more tender connection. Her small hands navigated from his chest, finding their way around Vijay's back. With a sudden burst of emotion, she held him into a tight embrace, the warmth of her touch conveying the depth of her feelings in a silent, intimate language.

"Mhm," a soft, almost imperceptible sound escaped her lips, capturing the essence of the moment. The kiss lingered, a sweet interlude that spoke volumes without the need for words. A small, barely audible moan followed, unintentionally voiced by Kavya in the throes of the intimate exchange. The sound hung in the air, a delicate echo of pleasure and connection.

As the kiss concluded, Kavya's visage transformed, a visible blush painting her cheeks a shade reminiscent of a ripe tomato. Her eyes, now visibly blurred with a mix of embarrassment and desire, told a tale of a woman caught in the whirlwind of a passionate reunion.

Vijay, looking at her like this, couldn't hold on any longer. He was overtaken by lust and swiftly carried her in his arms and went into their room.

Inside the room...

"Get out..."

( Looks like our writer is not allowed inside the room 🙈 🙉 🙊 )