SCENE (11) – PHULJANI MEETS TRIPURA AFTER THE MARRIAGE
Setting:
- An inner palace chamber. Dawn light through latticed windows.
- The city outside still smolders.
- (TRIPURA SUNDARI DEVI stands at a table, reviewing petitions—unread.)
(PHULJANI enters, newly crowned queen-consort, dressed simply. No jewelry.)
TRIPURA
You are early.
PHULJANI
Sleep avoids rooms with smoke.
TRIPURA
The city is being stabilized.
PHULJANI
Carefully worded.
TRIPURA
You also sit beside him now.
PHULJANI
I stand where he needs distraction.
TRIPURA
Do not diminish yourself.
PHULJANI
I am naming my function.
TRIPURA
Do you regret marrying him?
PHULJANI
I was chosen as proof.
I regret believing marriage could soften the cruelty.
TRIPURA
You could have refused.
You think you are protecting the citizens.
PHULJANI
I am delaying their erasure.
TRIPURA
You believe love still matters.
PHULJANI
Proximity does.
TRIPURA
Say what you came to say.
PHULJANI
The persecutions must slow.
TRIPURA
That is not your domain.
PHULJANI
It is my consequence.
TRIPURA
The clerics demand reassurance.
PHULJANI
And the mothers demand sons.
TRIPURA
You speak dangerously.
PHULJANI
I speak maternally.
TRIPURA
If the violence continues—
PHULJANI
—it will outgrow both of us.
TRIPURA
And if we restrain it?
PHULJANI
Then history may forgive intention.
TRIPURA
What happens when he no longer listens?
PHULJANI
We will be footnotes.
TRIPURA
If I fall—
PHULJANI
—you will not fall alone.
(They look at each other—no warmth, no hatred. Only recognition.)
(Outside, a distant chant rises—then fades.)
PHULJANI
The fire still listens.
TRIPURA
We must choose our outcomes.
Even if we disagree on method.
PHULJANI
As always.
(They turn away from each other—not enemies, not allies.)
BLACKOUT.
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