Page 207 of A King's Oath
“February.”
“That was a trip for your match. Before that?”
Samarth thought. He came up with three places he had travelled to last year but they were all trips to play. He didn’t play as often now. He had transitioned into a more of a managerial role for the Gir Zephyrs.
“Your immunity is compromised,” she spelled out. “It’s due to lots of factors, but the major factor is this overworking. Papa used to de-stress every day with his cricket, take off for his research trips. You have been at it continuously for the last 4 years. You are hence taking a vacation the moment you recover completely.”
“Alone?”
“You want the family to come along?”
“Harsh is fine,” he joked. “And where am I going, since you have it all planned.”
“Loire Valley.”
Samarth had thrown that out as a joke. She was serious? He sat up.
“Rajmata, I was joking. It’s going to be Diwali in a month. Dussehra is coming…”
“Papa can handle everything here. And you will come back before Diwali.There, that’s your incentive to recover quickly now. Go on a vacation. No thoughts of the kingdom, or court or the problems of Nawanagar. It’s a beautiful place, very close to Paris. You will enjoy the quiet.”
“You have been to Loire?” He looked between his parents. Papa shook his head.
“Hukum just returned from there. He has great things to say about it.”
Hukum nodded — “It’s a peace paradise. What a place to recuperate! It’s autumn, the air is cool but not cold. And I have a bunch of hotel and sightseeing recommendations for a solo trip. I went alone.”
“I don’t think I am up for a vacation currently. I’ll take it after Diwali.”
“Look what you have done!” Rajmata accused Papa. “You promised him that you would shoulder the load, let him travel for his polo…”
“But I did shoulder it.Hestopped traveling for polo regularly!” Papa defended. “Samarth. Please.”
“He is right, Rajmata. I like working here.”
“And that’s catching up with your health. A boy as healthy and fit as you couldn’t stand straight in dengue.Sharanwas out in his garden by Day 2. No. We are getting you started on iron and vitamins as soon as you are done with your treatment course and you ARE going on a vacation. If not Loire then somewhere else. Wherever you want. Somewhere not adventurous or sporty. Relaxing. If you don’t want to go alone then take your friends. We can also tag along…”
“Ok, Tara, he is not a baby,” Hukum laughed. “But Samarth, she is right. If not Loire then pick your place. Though Loire has some really good vineyards and this mountain polo resort. It’s your kind of holiday destination.”
Samarth glanced at his father.
“Go, beta. Take a break. Rajmata is right. You have been working nonstop for years. This break will be good for you.”
“Baker Hughes Drilling is coming for a sit-down at the end of this month…”
“I’ll chair it. Send me everything and ask Vishwajeet to brief me.”
Samarth pursed his lips. Then glanced at Rajmata. She gave him a look. A look that was coddling and commanding all at the same time. He shut his eyes.
“Let me see.”
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His throat burned and he coughed out. That went out of control. Samarth sat up, gasping, his chest feeling like it was made of paper and not bones. His hand reached for water but Rajmata was already by his side, holding his shoulder and pushing the glass to his mouth.
“That is why I am still sleeping on your couch,” she reminded him tartly after the rant he had sung last night to get her back to Papa. Even in this coughing feat he laughed.
“I can drink water on my own,” he fought back, suddenly enjoying the banter. This was new, and she matched him word for word. This time she only held his wrist up. His hand was shaking. Samarth finished half a glass and pushed back, leaning on the headrest and looking at Rajmata. Even in the dark he could make out her features. He didn’t remember what his own mother had looked like once. He knew what she looked like now. But he had no memory of how she had looked when he was a child. Only how her saree had been. Stiff and tight always, in place, her hair poker straight and some perfume trailing behind her wherever she went.
