SCENE (19) – TRIPURA AND PHULJANI – WHAT SURVIVES THE THRONE
Setting:
- An inner palace chamber at night.
- A single lamp. Heavy curtains. The city sounds are distant.
- TRIPURA stands near the window.
- PHULJANI sits quietly, composed, older in spirit.
- A long silence before anyone speaks.
TRIPURA
He is Hindu again.
PHULJANI
Yes.
TRIPURA
At least that wound is closed.
So why does this still feel unfinished?
PHULJANI
Because he is locked away.
TRIPURA
He has imprisoned his own son.
PHULJANI
Not imprisoned. Hidden.
TRIPURA
From whom?
PHULJANI
From everyone.
Outside the palace, he is a symbol.
Inside, a memory someone wants erased.
When a child survives a throne, danger follows.
TRIPURA
Then why does this feel cruel?
PHULJANI
Because safety rarely feels kind.
(Tripura sits, suddenly tired.)
TRIPURA
Every solution smells like a grave.
PHULJANI
That is the nature of crowns.
TRIPURA
Not love?
PHULJANI
Especially not.
TRIPURA
You speak as if you no longer believe in love.
PHULJANI
I believe in love deeply.
That is why I distrust it near power.
Love is human.
Near the throne, it is misused.
TRIPURA
You loved him.
PHULJANI
—before marriage, before ritual, before titles.
Yes.
TRIPURA
And now?
PHULJANI
Now I am wife to a king. That is not the same thing.
Love wrapped in imperial ritual ceases to belong to itself.
TRIPURA
Do you still love him?
PHULJANI
I love the man who no longer exists.
The king requires something else.
TRIPURA
You warn me—about Ganesh.
PHULJANI
About trusting a ruler without limits.
Power recognizes usefulness before affection.
TRIPURA
And you?
PHULJANI
I am useful. So are you.
It is survival.
(A long silence. They sit across from each other—no hostility.)
TRIPURA
We both married consequences.
PHULJANI
Yes. And neither of us is wrong.
TRIPURA
Just trapped. I do not hate you.
PHULJANI
I never thought you did.
TRIPURA
Then what are we now?
PHULJANI
Witnesses.
And guards—for ourselves.
(They exchange a long, understanding look.)
(The lamp flickers. Two women sit in silence—no rivalry, no illusion. Only clarity. Suddenly—)
SAFA (offstage, screaming)
Raja Ganesh is dead! The King is dead!
(Both women rise instantly.)
TRIPURA
What?
PHULJANI
Run.
(They rush out.)
Pages: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21