Episode on Saturday, January 3, 2009

Prithvi faces the village folk of Gombligaon. Prithvi had requested the folks two days.
Mukhiya has discussed all the matters with his people. He agrees, okay Maharaj, you have two days with you, and if you are not able to prove she’s not a witch, then we will burn her alive!
The lady whom the villagers want to kill is afraid and clings to Sanyo, Prithvi comforts her, you don’t worry, I won’t let anything happen to you. Prithvi asks the men to show the lady’s home.
Come with us Maharaj.
You just trust me, I will not permit anything to happen to you he assures the lady before he leaves to see her house. He gestures Sanyo to look after her. Prithvi, Chand and the rest go to the village.

Jaichand’s forces travel to their destination.
Pundir and Arjun are also on the same path, it is night time. Pundir and Arjun with the army pass by a lake, they halt suddenly.
Jaichand is very near on the path, parallel to them.
Pundir says to Arjun, we will stop by this lake and rest for some time.
Arjun announces to the troops we will stop here and take some rest! Let the horses drink some water! Pundir and Arjun get off their horses and walk towards the lake.

Meanwhile Jaichand and his troops walk by the same path away from the lake.
Dhilli’s troops, Arjun and Pundir freshen up and wash by the lake.
A hill behind the lake blocks the view from the path, Jaichand and his army pass behind the hill, they do not notice the Dhilli forces near the lake and trek ahead. Jaichand on his horse and troops by foot advance swiftly they do not waste any time. Jaichand’s commander requests him, if the army can rest and get fresh by the lake?
Jaichand is angry and says no! We have to reach the border before Prithvi does. We will travel ahead nonstop. Come on let’s go! Jaichand’s army leave.

Arjun tells Pundir, let’s go we must leave now, they are by the lake. They are not aware of Jaichand’s forces who just passed behind them. Pundir agrees, he orders the troops to carry on.
Jaichand has left in one direction, while Pundir and Arjun with the army carry on their path.

At Gombligaon, Prithvi, Chand, Sanyo and the lady enter with the villagers in the lady’s house. Prithvi looks around to see if he can find any clue, he checks in a wardrobe. Sanyo holds on to the lady. Prithvi finds nothing inside and checks on top. Prithvi checks inside a trunk and moves the contents inside, Mukhiya watches. He finds nothing there also. I have not found anything in the house to be suspicious about her, Prithvi informs the Mukhiya. Now do you have anything to say about it? Or you still want to call her a witch with evil magical spells? Now you forget this nonsense and leave this lady alone.
No Maharaj, you are wrong, this woman is definitely a witch! Come with me I will show you the truth about this woman, come. Everybody is watching. Prithvi follows the Mukhiya outside the lady’s hut. They are all lead outside. On the ground they are shown 4 dead bodies covered with sheets. Everyone is shocked to see such a sight.
Mukhiya points see what that is. Have you seen it now? They are not only corpses but this witch’s prey! Mukhiya points at the woman.
The lady cries, Sanyo is next to her.
Some days ago when her husband died, he was taken for cremation, at that time some other women stayed at her house and drank the water from her. Two days later they all died also. One of them who died was my wife.
The woman weeps what are you saying? I didn’t do anything Maharaj. Really I didn’t do anything. Prithvi and Chand assess the situation.
One man in the crowd utters, its true she is a witch, kill her! Kill, kill, kill her, all shout at once continuously, the villagers shake their spears furiously.
Prithvi intervenes, stop this exhibition! I have already requested you all, that I need two days time.
But why Maharaj? What will you do special in 2 days? What new kind of truth will you discover? The Mukhiya taunts.
Prithvi requests the woman to give him some water to drink.
The woman is afraid and refuses to, no Maharaj no, I cannot do this job.
I told you go and bring some water for me, go! The lady goes to fetch some water for Prithvi.
Sanyo is irritated, what kind of craziness is this Prithvi? She doesn’t like the idea, I am getting afraid!
Prithvi doesn’t want any interference when he decides something its final, I told you Sanyo you just don’t worry.
But why are you doing this……….she stops talking, the woman has brought a cup of water for Prithvi, Sanyo watches in shock.
Prithvi happily takes the cup of water in front of everybody, even Mukhiya is watching. Prithvi puts the cup to his lips and drinks all the water, he gulps it all down. Chand watches his buddy, Sanyo stares at him wide-eyed she can’t believe what he is doing. Prithvi finishes the last drop of water without any worry. Prithvi informs the Mukhiya see, I have drunk a full cup of water from this woman. And if this lady is a witch, after two days I will not survive either. And if I do survive then my doubts are clear and everybody else’s beliefs are wrong, she is not a witch.
Everyone is shocked to hear Prithvi say those words it’s all a gamble with his life.

What have you done! Sanyo and Prithvi are alone in their quarters, for the night. You should have thought about drinking the water, imagine what could be the result! Sanyo is really angry she shouts at Prithvi. What if something happens to you? What can I do about it, didn’t you think about me?
Prithvi is cool and calm, Sanyo….He pulls her hand.
Shee! She gets up from the cot and moves away, Prithvi follows her in the room. I already know that you are the King, and all the civilians have full authority over you. Sanyo weeps more, but don’t I have any right over you? Is your duty only for the civilians and public only, not for me? Sanyo is irritated she grabs his arm and shakes it vigorously, I will not allow you to play around with your life like this Prithvi! Can you hear me? I will not permit you to do all these things! You cannot do this to me Prithvi! Sanyo grabs his arm tightly. You just can’t! Sanyo puts her head on his chest, she weeps bitterly, I cannot live without you Prithvi. Prithvi embraces her, I cannot live…. Prithvi puts his hand on her head, she cries some more.
Prithvi tries to console her, see Sanyo, he says softly, no use in crying, come with me. Prithvi takes her to the cot they both sit down, he gently wipes the tears off her face and takes her hand in his. He explains, I am absolutely sure that she is not witch.
Sanyo is not interested in listening to that nonsense.
Prithvi continues, just one time let these villagers of this place accept this fact, then everything will be alright, and you see nothing will happen to me because of this water, he smiles, Sanyo is still so upset. Prithvi suddenly starts to get a sensation in his head, he holds his head, he is getting dizzy. Sanyo turns to see his condition, Prithvi? Prithvi? Prithvi you are okay, aren’t you? Prithvi seems to be getting worse something is happening to him, you just rest, she requests him.
Sanyo helps Prithvi to lie in the cot, ahhh!
I will go and call someone!
No Sanyo, he pulls her arm, there is no need, see I am absolutely alright, you sit here too. (He is bluffing).
I cannot do that, she runs out of the hut to call someone.
Sanyo! Prithvi tries to stop her.
Sanyo stands outside and weeps, no.
Prithvi sits on the cot he seems to be getting dizzier. He glances at the earthen pot full of water in the room.
Sanyo is still crying outside.
Don’t worry nothing will happen to Prithvi, Chand assures her, he comes to their hut.
Maybe you know and understand your friend better, and I am not able to understand him till now.
Prithviraj Chauhan is Dhilli’s prestige. He is the lantern of trust, and no storm of the world can extinguish it.
With that a scream is heard, no! Sanyo and Chand are shocked to hear it the voice echoes, both rush back into the hut. Prithvi is found lying on the floor, Chand shouts Prithvi!
Sanyo too shouts Prithvi!
Chand bends down to revive him, get up Prithvi open your eyes, he says. They both carefully pull him upward and lay him onto the cot.
Open your eyes Prithvi, she shouts.
Prithvi open your eyes Chand requests his buddy, it’s no use he is unconscious.
The woman is in the room it’s all my mistake, she weeps. I have done all this, it’s all because of me to be blamed for. Those who drink water from me ends up dying, I am a snake, a murderer, what all the people claim about me is true, I am a witch, a witch, I have no right to live, no right at all.
Chand and Sanyo listen to her sobs, Prithvi isn’t coming back to consciousness. Sanyo looks at Prithvi and says, Chand you go and bring a ‘vaid’ fast, go.
Chand is uneasy with Prithvi’s condition, you look after him, he quickly goes out to find one.
The woman walks over to Prithvi’s feet and begs for forgiveness. Sanyo is mean and rude, she shoves her hands away, don’t even try to touch my Prithvi, she scolds her.
Mukhiya and some villagers enter the hut, they heard what she said, this was going to happen Maharani, he says. How much I tried to explain to Maharaj that she is a witch but he didn’t believe it.
Chand brings the “vaid” they come inside the room.
The Mukhiya continues to comment , now what will the “vaid” be able to do now? Till now nobody has been saved from this witch, so how will Maharaj survive!
The “vaid” quickly checks Prithvi’s pulse, he checks his temperature and eyes. Chand and Sanyo watch with worry and tension. He has examined Prithvi’s condition thoroughly, sorry, forgive me Maharaniji, I am not in a position to treat Maharaj. I don’t know what kind of poison has been given to Maharaj, it’s same like the others who had been diagnosed before. Till I cannot find out what kind of poison it is, till that time Maharaj’s treatment is not possible. Now Maharaj is a guest for two more days, says the “vaid”.
Sanyo cannot take it, no, she says, this cannot be! She cannot accept the fact. Chand is shocked also. They both look at Prithvi in disbelief. Sanyo turns and looks at the women angrily what kind of poison did you mix in the water, tell me!
I didn’t mix any poison in the water, the woman confesses, she cries, believe me.
Chand rushes to the “vaid’s” side, you really can’t do anything for him?
The “vaid” wishes to help, at the most I can only give him one last alternative medicine, by which Maharaj can avoid sleeping. But he warns, if Maharaj closes his eyes the second time, his eyes will never open again.
Chand requests the “vaid” to administer the medicine to Prithvi.
The “vaid” takes some powder out of his bag, in his hands and opens Prithvi’s mouth, he puts the medicine down his throat and taps his forehead. Now pray to God so that Maharaj doesn’t sleep again.
Sanyo kneels down by the side of the cot near Prithvi, she takes his hand in her hands and weeps, she prays for his life. Sanyo later does ’arthi’ in front of the Krishna idol, so that Prithvi recovers fast. She finishes ‘arthi’ and continues to pray before the idol. Prithvi still lays on the cot motionless.
Some time passes Prithvi moves and takes a deep breath he opens his mouth to talk, he calls, Sanyo. His eyes open.
Sanyo turns in surprise she stops praying and looks at him, Prithvi? She gets up and rushes to his side, she sees Prithvi is okay, Prithvi, come on now we will not stay here anymore.
Prithvi gets up, no Sanyo I ……
Shhhhhh! Absolutely quiet now, I will not listen to you anymore, nothing at all. I will find some big ‘vaid’ and get you treated. The people here were telling the truth the woman is really a witch. She mixed some kind of poison in your water, that doesn’t even have a name.
Prithvi tries to get up, he shrugs his shoulders and grins, no Sanyo, there is some other possibility of the poison, and I will not stop in proving it. The woman is innocent trust me.
Yes, she wipes her tears and gets up, oh yeah and I am an idiot and unnecessarily worry for nothing, all the time. We have enmity on that poor woman for nothing, all are innocent, I am the guilty one, Sanyo exclaims.
Prithvi listens to her, wildcat he calls her, you will never change, he tries to get up from the cot.
Sanyo stops him from doing so, lie down or you may become dizzy again, and the “vaid” has warned….
Prithvi ignores her warnings and gets up anyways, nothing will happen to me Sanyo, I will put an end to this false superstition, he leaves the hut and goes outside.
Prithvi sits with Chand while they question the woman who gave water to all the people. Prithvi tells her, you will have to help us and cooperate with us a bit in order for us to serve justice for you.
Whatever you say I am ready to do, says the woman.
Good then, tell me from where do you bring the drinking water to your house?
From a well.
Do all the other villagers bring the water from that well too?
No, the other people bring their water from a river far away.
Chand questions, why don’t the other villagers draw water from this well also?
Because, they do not know anything about this well in the first place. I and my husband recently found this well just few months ago, and if we had told everyone about this well, all the people would have taken water from it and the water would have been completely finished by now. And again I would have to go far and fetch the water as usual.
Prithvi gets up and looks beyond, I found the poison, where is the well, he asks the woman.
It is on the east side of the village next to the desert.

Prithvi and Chand rush to find the well. Chand is concerned about Prithvi’s health, instead of resting where are you going Prithvi?
To find the well, you just walk steadily and accompany me, Prithvi seems to be unwell again he may collapse once more.
Chand asks him, what is really in that well.
These problems of the water are linked with the well, Prithvi can barely walk properly, he stumbles to the ground.
Are you okay? Chand kneels down to help him, are you okay Prithvi, just rest for some time, I will go and check the well myself.
Prithvi is stubborn, no Chand, I myself will have to prove to the villagers here that the concept of witches doesn’t exist at all. It’s all just some superstition of theirs. And if I am not able to end this today, then people in the future even after many years, will continue to have such beliefs. And also to improve the future, it is necessary for us to sacrifice something today, even if it’s to the extent of sacrificing our own lives. Prithvi gives the whole lecture to Chand, he says come on lets go.
Chand assists Prithvi to stand up, they both walk in the direction of the well, they are closer to it now, Prithvi is not feeling well at all, he holds his head