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In Search of Anjana
395
“What do you propose to do at the end ?” “At the end, I shall fall into fires."
"No, No! Prince! This should not take place under any circumstances. I shall never go away leaving you here." Prahasit began to weep bitterly. He embraced Pavananjay. His broad chest was drenched with tears. It was, indeed, a heartrending sight. Seeing that moving sight, even nature put on a gloomy look. The branches of trees and plants drooped. The sky looked bleak and blighted. The two friends sat there silently shedding tears.
"Prahasit! You know the state of my mind very well. I cannot live even for a moment, without seeing Anjana. For twenty two years, I rejected her and kept her away with contempt. I used to run away even from her shadow. Now, the hour has come for my making atonement for my sin. Please go to Adityapur and inform my parents of the situation here; so that they might not be expecting me back home."
Prahasit wept bitterly seeing his dear friend's miserable condition and the way in which cruel Destiny had trampled upon his aspirations and ambitions: and had crushed them to pieces under its iron heels. He despised the heartless and cruel sway of Destiny; but what could he do? He was completely unsuccessful in facing the cruel way of Destiny and time. Today he felt that his dear friend was moving away from him. He felt as though he was disappearing into some dense darkness bearing on his head the bundle of the ruins of all his dreams and aspirations. He tried his best to prevent Pavananjay from going away thus. But all his efforts were in vain. All his efforts were fruitless and futile. He could not at all agree to return to Adityapur leaving his friend to pursue his path beset with difficulties and dangers. His conscience did not permit him to do so. His heart experienced great anguish and seemed to be crying out.
"Dear friend, whatever you may say I will never go away leaving you alone here. I will unhesitatingly follow you on
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