Once there was a king 17 December 2021: Raaj Mata says to Yashoda- the maid that time has changed her son a lot. Yashoda says he is tired, Raaj Mata says she recognizes the look on his face. She gave him permission to go to war only to divert his attention, but he hasn’t moved on. She has lost her son somewhere.Rana ji was moving with his guard when he stops in the corridor, peeks through the door of a hall and recalls his past with a lady. He orders the guard to leave and opens the door to a bed room-well decorated. He shuts and bolts it again and leaves.
Gayatri asks Bhabi for her books, she denies she doesn’t have them. Both laugh telling her to find them herself. The younger bhabi says they aren’t here, but Gayatri finds them anyway. Bhabi runs with them saying her mother will scold her again. Her bhabi asks her for a price of the books. Gayatri says she is the only daughter of Seth Govind Lal, she can do anything for her books.Seth ji arrive at home with his son, Gayatri stops his way and asks what urgency he has, and she wants his Naig (gift).
He smiles and asks what she wants. She asks if he loves her. He says more than anything. She says she needs any money he has in pocket. He says they are really big in number, she asks if they are larger than his love for her. He says no, they aren’t and puts all the money into her dupatta. His brother asks what she will do for the books. Gyatri gives all the books to bhabis. They are shocked and asks what is there in the books. She says her life is caught in them.Seth ji is shocked to hear the news that the soldiers of Rana ji came to his home for search.
He warns him that this will adversely influence his reputation and hard earned respect. He questions Kaka if he knew this, he is a big business man and has 500 shops in Kolkatta working with him. He says he will see how they get along with this.Raaj Mata is told by his servant that they have a debt of Govind Seth. Raaj Mata isn’t ready to accept, she says the traditions of Royalty are inherited and can never be earned with money.Kaka (Munshi) tells Seth ji that they are the Royal family, but Seth ji says this is all fake, times are changing, and inherited legacies are having a downfall in this era now. They depend on us for money.
Rana ji comes to the room, Bhanu Mati asks him which book is this. Rana ji says this book contains dreams which we view. Bhanu says it must be good then, dreams are sweet. Rana ji says the dreams that are filled with gloom can be painful beyond one’s thinking. He envies the ones who dreams sweet.Gaytri reads the book filled with sweet dreams and words. Rana ji also reads the same book. Rana ji shuts the book saying the bookish things only appears good, this is all lie and meaningless. Gayatri hugs the book saying such sweet words as if they have come directly from heart.
It was morning, Gayatri was praying singing Bhajan. She looks at the window upstairs and is worried that her Bauji is still awake. She opens the door, Seth ji was asleep on his chair. She asks if he didn’t sleep, he says he wake up listening to her singing. She says she knows he was awake and must be worried that what will people think about them about the soldiers coming to their house, she asks why he kept on working with all these registers. Seth ji says there is nothing like that, she says he can’t lie. Seth ji says he got to know about her bravery yesterday, she says her mother scolded her for that. He says she was right that a girl must not get into these things. She asks what he says. Seth ji says that he is really proud of her, had she been a son he would name all his business for her.
Rana ji speaked to his father’s photo, he said that the people still remembers him respectfully, will he be ever able to take his place or handle it like him. Raaj Mata comes there, she says he must not lose confidence but also not forget that his father was very much strict about trusting others. Rana Ji asks if she suspects anyone, she says it can be his step uncle Kunwar Chatravatan, he has been really close to British officers. Rana ji says he is here now, he will take care of her. He offers her breakfast, holds her hand and in the way he says he wants to meet this new British resident officer. He stops at once at the specific door again, tells her mother to go to breakfast table and he will just follow. She looks at him painfully as he enters the room, then leaves.
Rana ji looks at a painting and thinks everything is incomplete without you Sona. He recalls calling Sona in the room, then asked a maid who told him she isn’t home and she doesn’t know where she went. He had followed her vigorously and found out that her car had a devastating accident. A guard comes to inform Rana ji that Raaj Mata has arranged a dinner with Resident officer today.Gayatri was rubbing turmeric on her Bhabi’s feet. She speaked about Rana ji’s wife’s death. Bhabi’s still taunts about her being unmarried till yet. Gayatri says she dreams only because everyone says she can’t get anything.
Seth ji talked to his wife that their Gayatri loves dreams. Maa was worried that Gayatri is still dreaming for what has been impossible until today.Raaj Mata speaks to her maid that her son lost his lively hood and smile and has been haunted by the accident till today.Gayatri’s mother says that her Gayatri’s fate changed the day her fiancé died. There has been no hope till today. Seth ji says he is sure their Gayatri’s luck will change soon.Gay atri played with kids when they hear chaos from Royal Palace. The kids ask how a party at the Palace is, they believe she reads a lot of books and must know about it.
Gayatri tells them that there must be a great hall, people dressed up in colorful clothes and jewelry and Rana ji must also be there.In the party, Rana ji was being asked by a foreigner if he liked living broad? He says he was away from his own state, how could he be happy. He nods at a question that if the queen herself put on badge on his chest. Rana ji comes to Raaj Mata who introduces him with the Resident British Officer. The officer says this is really hot here. Rana ji says that this is their country, its temperature must really be hot for them; that is why he tell them to do their business and let them do the governance.
Raaj Mata tells Rana ji to tell them about his London’s experience when at once the crackers are thrown in the air. Rana ji remembers some war scenes, he leaves the palace while Bhanu Mati keeps on stopping him. There kids ask Gayatri to see the fireworks, Gayatri gets into the car with Kaka and kids and drives herself. Bhanu Mati was trying to stop Rana ji drive rash and fast, Gayatri comes on their way and stops the car at once shutting her eyes. Bhanu Mati scolds Kaka why he wasn’t watching, does he know it is Rana ji’s car. Gayatri is excited and tries to look at Rana ji’s face which he didn’t turn.
Gayatri is excited to see the face of Rana ji, as she hears Bhanu Mati say that this is Rana Ji’s car. He warns Kaka that he can ban his licence fot this irresponsibility. Rana Ji asks who permit a girl to drive a girl. Kaka apologizes but Gaytri forbids him to do so and asks for a pen. She writes something, then hands a letter to them. Rana ji reads the note that atleast he should appreciate that the women of this state are learning to drive. He hands it back to Kaka and tells Bhanu Mati to get back in car. Gayatri reads his reply that foreseeing her attempt, he should ban every licence owned by a lady in this state. Gayatri says that she was wrong in all her perceptions about Rana ji.
A secretary brings Raaj Mata to a side and tries to tell her that Govind Seth sent a letter. Raan Mata doesn’t want to speak about him. The British Officers talk to Raaj Mata in isolation about a profit. He offers that the government is in debt, they must increase the taxation on cultivation. 20% of the earned income will go to India government and the rest of 80% to British Queen. They tell Raaj Mata that the government share would be 50 lac per year. Raaj Mata says she will discuss it with Rana Ji. Rana Ji comes there and asks if British really want their well-being? The officer says Raaj Mata will discuss the proposal with you.
At Gayatri’s place, Seth ji was having dinner. Bhabi’s tell him about Gayatri’s encounter. Kids disclose the whole event in excitement. Kids say Gayatri has been talking about Rana ji since he returned. Gayatri covers that she was impressed by his six horse cart. Maa tells Seth ji not to say now that he will get one for Gayatri as well. Seth ji says he will, he can get anything for her.The librarian tells Gayatri that Rana Ji is in parade. He shows it to her through a window. They appreciate all the army men in uniform including Rana ji as well. Rana ji leaves the parade and moves towards library.
Gayatri watches him come towards it. The guards bring a soldier to library inspite of his resistance. Rana ji asks the guard to leave, he then asks the soldier why is he sad even after getting so much. He says they had fought together in the war, then why doesn’t he still trust his own mates. He even recognizes the soldier with his own name Ran Vihar hearing which Raj Vihar gets impressed. He tells Rana ji that when he was away for war, his family starved for food and in the quest his son lost his life. Rana ji asks doesn’t he belong to a farming family. He agrees, but tells Rana ji that the royal family and the British have put restrictions of their cultivation; how can be happy in such a situation even after getting a medal. Gayatri heard all this conversation in the library. Rana ji promises Raj Vihar that he will come to his village tomorrow, will look into the matter and help him.
This is a promise of a soldier with a soldier. Ranj Vihar leaves, Rana Ji moves towards the rack from where Gayatri also appears and was about to fell down, Rana ji holds her in arms and both share eye lock moments. Rana ji abruptly makes her straight, she was panting. He asks if she is alright and leaves when she nods.At night, Gayatri sat thinking about her encounter with Rana ji. Kaka asks Gayatri if she is still dreaming again. Gayatri asks if she doesn’t have a right to dream. He says everyone has this right, he tells his daughter to dream well, these dreams are the only things that leave a reason to their life.
Gayatri asks about his daughter, Kaka says since her in laws sent her home she remains ill. He says to Gayatri he wanted to go for her treatment but there is a lot of work here. Gayatri says she will get him a leave but she also wants to go with him. She asks Kaka’s village name which was Rupera, she recalls it was the same village Rana ji was about to come to. She thinks why is her fate confronting her to Rana ji again and again.
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