Time Tunnel Book
What Is Time?
When is now? When was then?” #10 The End
Previously Eka’s strives to weigh up the contrasting merits of Amritaya and Chaitya, and their jealousy over her becomes an issue. Amritaya may have found a way for Eka and Ronny to get home.
Ganga was breathless. She entered inside her house, where both Ronny and Eka were residing presently.
They stopped for a moment to glance at Ganga. A girl was behind her with a few women soldiers.
Eka was shocked and whispered to Ronny, “I’m doomed, She is the maid of concubine, Arya!”
The Maid greeted Eka with respect and informed, "Lady, the concubine Arya wants to spend some quality time with you.”
Many thoughts ran through Eka’s mind, making her confusion worsen. She thought the concubine had gotten news about her origin or her night in Chaitya’s house or Amritaya’s love towards her.
Ronny tried to balance the situation by saying, “I can’t believe that you are a maid. You are beautiful like a nobel woman.”
The Maid blushed. Eka said, “Yes she is a childhood friend of the concubine, so they both are charming.”
Eka accepted the invitation, and the maid departed to the palace along with Ganga.
Eka braced herself and decided to face the situation to stop the overthinking.
She warned Ronny, saying, “Don’t speak nonsense and don’t reveal secrets.”
Ronny was excited to see the concubine and her maids. He agreed to everything demanded by Eka.
At lunchtime, they reached the palace. Their eyes roamed around huge structures. It was a magnificent gigantic building divided into sections.
The Maid servant directed Eka to the concubine and said, “Men are not allowed to enter into this part of the palace.”
Ronny said, "Can you guide me to look around? So I won’t be entering the restricted areas.”
Two maids went with Ronny. He was on cloud nine, but Eka had to go alone. The thought of facing the mischievous concubine herself was scary enough to bring goosebumps on her body.
She reached a huge, beautiful garden, where she was relieved to encounter her dear friend. Eka waved and called his name, "Chaitya!”
He approached and seemed shocked, “Eka! Is that you? I didn’t expect to meet you.”
Eka smiled and replied, “Maybe your sister is curious about me.”
His expression changed quickly, and he became serious. Eka laughed and said, “Let’s go! Can you accompany me?”
Chaitya replied, “Don’t worry I’ll be with you, and I wanted to meet you too.”
Eka said, “it’s good we met today, I have to clear many things to you.”
Both bowed to the concubine Arya and others too. Eka felt nervous. She never liked to attend gatherings where women only gossiped about each other. She could hear the whispers of women, and she felt irritated.
Concubine said with a smile, “What an auspicious day, my lovely brother came to meet me too.”
Chaitya laughed awkwardly and replied, “Do I need to get permission to visit my own sister?”
Concubine said, “Eka, can you see his silliness? But he is as good as other Nayakas of this kingdom.”
Eka smiled and replied in a gentle tone, “He is brave and talented, so everyone admires him.”
Concubine smirked and said, "Eka, do you know? He is dumb while handling feelings and in matters of love, women, and marriage.”
Chaitya arched his eyebrows and said, “Sister! Don’t make fun of me.”
Eka knew concubine's intentions and replied, "All men are dumb when it comes to love.”
Concubine confided, “Eka, you’re a charming and naive girl, and I think my brother is fascinated by you.”
Chaitya kneeled and interrupted by saying, "Sister, don’t make things difficult for Eka.”
Concubine was angry and shouted, “I hate when people don’t listen to me.”
Eka was keen to pacify them both and said, “Chaitya and I are friends. You misunderstood us.”
Concubine said with a calmer tone, “ Eka, I asked the King to grant this marriage because I know my brother better than anyone else. Today, I invited you to inform you about the wedding ritual.”
Chaitya requested, “Sister, I want to know what Eka feels about me. Don’t rush things.”
Concubine replied coldly, “You don’t have time; firstly you take a woman inside your house at night and deny responsibility.”
Chaitya replied in anger, “Sister, I love her don’t say vulgar things about our relationship.”
Eka followed Chaitya out of the hall. Eka understood the concubine was trying to provoke him so he could open up his heart.
Chaitya spoke, holding her shoulders, “I’m in love Eka, at first sight I felt your pure and innocent heart, I want to know more about you, I want to spend precious time of my life with you.”
Chaitya continued to convince her he clutched Eka in his arms and whispered, “I didn’t want to rush, and nothing happened that night. I swear I didn’t take advantage of the situation.”
Eka glanced at Chaitya and asked, "Really! We didn’t have sex? We only kissed? I’m a fool, I was drunk and ignored your emotions.”
Chaitya gulped and stared at her face saying, “Eka, don’t use immoral words. You are making me uncomfortable.”
Eka replied, “ I’m sorry, but Chaitya, that night I couldn’t control my desire, I provoked you by initiating the kiss. You are too sweet and caring.”
In the evening, both Ronny and Eka were near the mysterious temple. Ganga whispered to Eka, “How do you manage to control these two furious men?”
Eka didn’t know how to react. She inhaled deeply to calm down.
Ronny glanced to his right and smiled to Amritaya, stared at his left, and bowed to Chaitya.
Amritaya and Chaitya were here to escort Eka and Ronny to their future era. They didn’t waste their time quarreling. Instead, they focused on spending more time with Eka as it was her last day.
They reached the temple and saw deep construction in a round pattern. The Sun’s Rays were slowly fading.
Eka held the book in her hand and said, “I will stand in the middle immediately after reading from the book, the portal will activate automatically.”
Amritaya informed her, “Eka,You missed the importance of the green stone attached to it.”
Ronny screamed in excitement, "So it was the stone that led us to past.”
Eka replied, "The Stone was hidden in the middle of the book.”
Chaitya said with a sad face, “Eka, you can have whatever you want, don’t leave us!”
Amritaya was also studying her, “Why can’t you stay here? What’s so important in that era?”
Eka replied, “Chaitya and Amritaya, you both are flawless, but I do have my own future, dreams, goals to achieve.”
Ronny advised Eka, “As far as I heard, you are an orphan, don’t feel hurt, but I think people here care and love you more, nobody is waiting for you in the future.”
Eka was crying, her tears rolled down, but she smiled and replied, “My dream is to show everyone women are stronger than they know. Is it possible to do it here? Will They look down upon me? I have suffered enough humiliation in my life.”
Chaitya said happily, “This is your motherland too. Maybe the past needs you more than the future to make women know their worth.”
Amritaya said in excitement, “You are intelligent and strong, and I think you can do anything!”
Amritaya and Chaitya both spoke simultaneously, “We can discuss the wedding afterward, don’t worry.”
Everybody started laughing, including Eka, and she replied, “Okay! I am going to live in my favorite time.”
Ronny happily said, “Goodbye. If it’s possible, I really want to know whom you want to marry in the future.”
In the palace, a nobel man announced, “After 4 years of struggle, a female administrator is capable of serving the great kingdom.”
Everyone, including the King and Queen, was curious to see her. She arrived, crushing the male ego below her feet. She bowed to the King, but he was filled with pride, like her father.
That was the day she dreamed of living. Her own legacy, success after struggle, to become the first woman to serve the motherland and break the historical norms.
King announced, “Eka, you will be appointed as agriculture minister of the kingdom.”
Everybody was shocked by this proclamation. A woman is offered great responsibility. Eka thanked the King for trusting her.
Eka said to Queen, “I have a request. Other women in society should get equal chances to men.”
Queen was shocked by her demand, but she was satisfied to have chosen the right woman.
Queen asked, glancing at King, “Eka, what about your marriage? Amritaya matches your status.”
Concubine rushed to speak, “I consider Chaitya is most suitable for Eka. What do you say, Lord?”
An astrologer came forward to speak and asked permission to put his thoughts, “Eka either can marry both the Nayaka’s or none, it’s up to you to decide my Lord. If she marries one of them, the other Nayaka would retaliate against King.”
Eka kneeled and replied, “I admire them equally. Both supported me in this journey but….”
Concubine Arya said, “Lord, in my kingdom, one woman is allowed to marry two brothers. It’s the way to prevent the divide of power.”
Queen suggested saying, "The moral conduct of society is concerned, but if you grant the marriage, the subjects of your kingdom are bound to your order lord.”
Amritaya and Chaitya argued, “Only I want to marry her, I love Eka.”
King silenced everybody and asked, “Eka, speak your mind. Whom do you want to marry?”
Eka inhaled deeply she knew many eyes were on her, and she replied, “I’m willing to marry Amritaya… and Chaitya… if both are ready to accept each other as brother.”
Amritaya said, “I want you in my life, I can treat him as my brother.”
Chaitya smiled and said, “I fell in love with you all over again, I am happy to grant your demand.”
