Chapter 3
The nobles and soldiers returned from the war front to the great delight of the people. They had stopped the dreaded Magadha Army in their tracks. There was celebrations all over Vaishali. The nobles assembled at Amba’s house in the garden to celebrate their victory and Amba tried to be as joyful as others but some how she could not. She allowed her girls to sing and dance with nobles. A lavish dinner was organised but Amba’s heart was not there. Even when she sang She felt it was all coming out flat with out any life. Why was her heart not so keen on celebrating this victory. She knew the answer but somehow she did not relish it. She felt ones victory is another man’s defeat and enjoying success meant hurting some one else. She brushed all such unsavoury thoughts out of her mind to join the celebrations showing some degree of enthusiasm. One of the nobles came up to her and asked if she was not so happy about the victory. She told him “Why Sir, I am as happy as any one else that Vaishali has been saved from a major war. I dread all sorts of war. So many youngsters in their prime get killed in war and that thought makes it difficult for me to really enjoy”
This victory was won by her. A gentleman was brave enough to swallow the defeat for her sake, respecting her independence and concern for the welfare of the city she loved. How many of these nobles knew about this. If they believed their strategy of defensive showdown had led to the victory they were right. But behind their action, was the stubborn spirit of a frail girl. She would not leave the garden house to enjoy pleasures of palaces of Magadha. She closed her eyes and thought about him She asked herself would he also be thinking about her. She retired to her room after the last of the revellers left, .She put her head to the pillow thinking about the king who had so suddenly invaded her heart and she threw him out so cruelly. Would he ever understand? A tear formed at the corner of eyes and as she tried to brush it away it came in torrents. She closed her eyes and forced her mind to think of some thing different and strangely she zeroed in on Buddha. In that thought she found peace.