Chapter 3: The Fledgling’s Lesson

I could climb trees too.

But I’d never taken a bird’s nest.

The birds were raising their chicks just fine—why break up a family?

I would be head of the family one day; I must have a benevolent heart.

But I smiled gently. "Kabir—what was your name again?"

They jumped in fright and quickly folded their hands. "Namaste, Didi! I am Kabir Singh."

Kabir looked up at me. "Didi, you want to come? It’s fun."

I smiled slightly. "All right."

One of them, the eldest grandson of the Mehra family, looked at me coolly. "Didi is the heir—this is beneath you."

I asked kindly, "And you are?"

He pressed his fingertips to his forehead. "Pranaam, Didi. I am Arjun Mehra."

I nodded. "Then you should come too."

He was unwilling, but since I’d spoken, he dared not refuse.

So a group of us marched grandly to the park. I watched as Kabir shed his kurta and nimbly climbed a tree like a monkey. He shouted in excitement and brought down a nest. Inside was a fledgling. "Didi, this is for you."

I smiled. "What would I do with it?"

He blurted, "Roast it, or play with it."

I nodded. "Very well."

Arjun watched coldly, saying nothing.

I turned to my attendants. "Since Young Kabir suggests it, don’t let him go home for a few days. Let him stay in the cowshed—he can feed the cows or chickens."

Kabir was dumbfounded. "Didi, why—"

I said seriously, "Kabir, if you compare the bird’s age to a human’s, it’s about the same as you. If you can separate it from its parents, why shouldn’t you experience the same?"

I sighed. "Colonel Singh is famed for strict discipline—even when handing over his post, he keeps order for the people’s sake. But, Kabir, what crime did this fledgling commit?"

Kabir was already kneeling. Arjun’s expression softened; he simply stared at me.

I said, "Take Kabir away."

After the others left, Arjun touched his fingertips to his forehead in respect. "I failed to appreciate your wisdom and dared to speak rashly. You are truly benevolent—I was arrogant and presumptuous."

I helped him up personally. "With your counsel, I can keep my heart as clear as a mirror."

Arjun Mehra, eldest grandson of the Mehra family, had been brilliant since childhood, always by his grandfather’s side—a sign of his family’s favour.

The Mehra family is the mouthpiece of all scholars. If I want them to support me, the next family head must be loyal to me.

In the end, everything in the world comes down to people.

Today’s performance was all for Arjun.

Arjun’s eyes shone with a new respect, and I caught the faintest hint of a smile playing at his lips. Somewhere in the distance, a koel called. Our shadows, long and golden in the late afternoon, mingled on the dusty ground of the park. I tucked a stray strand of hair behind my ear and gave Arjun a nod. If he was my rival, he would now become my strength.