The Truth

(First of all, I would like to apologize to my readers, I'm very very sorry but I cannot update because our country is on lockdown because of the virus and somehow my network in my state is so poor and terrible that I could not update it. Honestly, this pandemic has us all suffering. Hope everyone will get through this. Once again, I'm so sorry!)

In accordance to the sudden royal order, Tomba was pulled up from his kneeling position and dragged all the way to the palace by the court officials. Ahanlem immediately followed him inside the palace gate. She, with the rest of the others from Chengmei were allowed into the trial room.

In the centre of the spacious room, a robust man of average built sat in the judgement seat. He was dressed in a rich dark furit and khamentchapta pheijom. He also wore a turban adorned with gold ornaments and a pure white chura. He looked calm and composed as he sat valiantly on the humble seat with an undeniable noble aura. He was none other than the benign king of the land.

Besides him stood the chief justice with a dismal but thoughtful expression on his wrinkled face. As soon as everyone was inside the room, they bowed and greeted in unison,

"Your Majesty!"

The king nodded to the bow and commanded slowly, "Bring them in now."

At his order, one of the officials opened another door situated at the left side of the room and a group of four entered the trial room.

Two of the men who were officials, harshly pushed down the other two in the middle of the room.

The person made to kneel on the floor was none other than the Sandrembi actor, Aheiba. And besides him was a younger boy, barely fifteen years of age.

Everyone was utterly shocked when they saw the actor.

What is the meaning of this?

Ahanlem already had an inkling suspicion of what was happening right now, but as if she wasn't shock enough, the door of the main entrance swung opened and two men entered inside the room. Everyone turned to see the noble and handsome persona of Prince Lamyanba and behind him stood a dark clad man.

"Your Majesty, pardon my late entrance. I was held up on the way by my father." The prince apologized while discreetly combing through his wind swept messy hair.

"Forgiven." The king said. "Well, then let us began the trial." He added in a serious tone.

In response to the order, the chief justice turned his head politely towards the prince and spoke,

"You may begin your counsel, your Highness."

The prince cleared his throat and said in an even, pleasing tone,

"Your Majesty and to the audience present," the prince greeted as he continued evenly, "likewise as you all, I heard of the news that the venerable troupe master of Nongbal Shumang Leela Lup was murdered in Chengmei. I was quite appalled that it was a sudden and gruesome murder too and not to mention, he was murdered by a random local boy over a really petty but common act. I also heard that all the evidences pointed to him were exclusive and solid. So it was no surprise when his guilty verdict was announced."

"But I had some of my own doubts about it, still I didn't mind pay much on the matter. However, by coincidence, I bumped into a poor boy at the market place." he said as he gestured towards Ahanlem who stood still, looking confused and shocked.

The prince continued, "He turned out to be a local from Chengmei. He was looking distressed and troubled. As a person who came from the place where the crime took place, I got curious and asked him about how it all happened..."

Ahanlem got more confused at his words. It was partly true but why was the prince making some changes to the story?

The prince who had the entire attention of the people in the room continued diligently,

"The boy told me his brother was in trouble, I was very concerned but suspicious, so I pressed him further then he finally burst out crying and told me the entire truth that it was his brother who was accused of the crime. I asked him more questions and then as he answered them all, I became more convinced that his brother was innocent and the real criminals were on the loose somewhere.

From his narrative I was wholly suspicious of one person, the renowned actor Aheiba, who had gone with his companion to the nearest village to the north, right after the final verdict was announced. I became engrossed on the whole affair, as well as felt pity for the poor brother of the accused. So, I set out to Kongthal, along with my servant, where I found the actor and the boy in a food stall. I interrogated them lightly about the incident and caught on the lies in their words. I confronted about it and finally Aheiba confessed to committing the whole murder act."

The prince concluded, turned around and looked down at the silent suspects below who were hanging their heads in shame.

The chief justice with a serious face, asked in an authoritative tone,

"In accordance with the prince's words, are you guilty of the murder of your troupe master, Asem Aheiba?"

Aheiba didn't answer and still hung his head down but everyone in the room could see that he was shaking like a leaf in fear.

The chief repeated the question, this time in a harsher tone, "Aheiba! You are in the presence of your King! Answer the question!"

"Y-yes, my lord! I confess to the crime!" the actor answered hurriedly. Both his body and voice were trembling terribly.

"And boy, are you an accomplice to the act?" The chief justice asked the young lad.

"Yes, m-my lord." The boy answered, looking small and shaky.

Truth be told, Ahanlem had been relieved the moment Tomba's execution was called off. But now seeing the both of them, forcefully kneeled down in shame, shuddering with fear in the centre of the room, she couldn't help but feel bad and secretly wished it had been anyone but them.

Tomba who was chained and stood a little away from the two suspects looked just as shocked and confused as the others.

The chief justice continued gravely, "Aheiba, as you have pleaded guilty, you may confess to the motive of your crime. You should have known the sin of such an atrocious act of dishonour towards one's master is not lenient in the kingdom."

Aheiba finally looked up. His pale, delicate face tilted to gaze at the king, as well as the others in front of him. Then, in a tone that implies none of the weakness his physical form showed, he said,

"To the venerable Majesty and the lords of today, I agreeably confessed to my criminal act! But I dare say that the late master of mine was nothing more than an unruly scum undeserving of the honour and respect I bestowed on him all these years!"

His words shocked everyone. He continued, "Flames cannot be left hidden under a poor cover of a cloth, but it could only set it ablaze! So today, to all the witnesses present before me, I want to bring to your knowledge the sins of my master which affected me so immensely that I killed him with all my burning hate and resentment! Allow me, Your Grace!"

The king looked intriguingly at the young man who had raised his voice aloud for everyone in the room to hear. Then he nodded his head and said, "Of course, you may do so, Aheiba."

At his words, Aheiba bowed repeatedly as he said his thanks, then with difficulty while fighting his tears, he began his story,

"Decades before I became an artist, back when I was just a young kid lost in the street after being orphaned, I happened to make the acquaintance of a girl two years older than me. Her name was Chumbi, she was an orphaned too but she knew better and protected me from the bullies. We both lived like stray cats fighting for nothing but food for almost half a year but until one day the master discovered us while we were being beaten by a vendor for stealing some food. Back then he had just started his troupe and he was still struggling but he took us in and promised us to give better lives.

He fed us, clothed and sheltered us both. We were given chores and errands to do but still both of us were both happy and thankful, we didn't have to worry about our daily meals or sleeping in the cold ground anymore. We were content just the way it was. We spent our days like that, we were even allowed to watch the drama rehearsals. Unlike Chumbi, I was entirely fascinated and watched with attention and enacted the acts myself when we were alone. And master saw me one day and excitedly told me I was very good. After that, he taught me acting, I was thrilled and even happier when master and Chumbi praised my skills. Those were my happiest days..."

"As we grew up together, we fell a bit apart, I started learning acting wholly for profession while Chumbi was busy with the usual chores. I still helped her out in my free time and we were closed as any real siblings. But as times went on, I got worried about her. Chumbi was not a pretty girl but she was pure and charming. And she was the only girl in a troupe full of men and occasionally I caught the older boys staring at her, so I consulted the master about the matter one day. But the master laughed and told me there was nothing to worry about as long as he was there, I was so relieved and grateful to him that time. But who knew I was wrong to trust him."

"As years went on, my hard work paid off and it was time to make my official debut on stage as an actor. I was very excited and went to share my excitement to my sister the night before the debut but to my surprise I found her crying in her room. I was even more shocked when I saw bruises on her neck and face. I was angry and asked her what happened and who did this to her immediately, however she repeatedly told me it was nothing and she got hurt because of her own mistake. While I was pressing on her to tell the truth suddenly the master who heard the noises came inside the room and I noticed Chumbi suddenly stiffened her body. At that time, I didn't think much about it as master scolded me for barging inside a lady's room carelessly and he told me I was to take rest in preparation for my debut. So, I left and it was a long while until I saw her again, as it became harder to see her as we were both busy with our own duties. Still, I couldn't help worry and every little chance I saw her I asked about her health but she only smiled at me sweetly and told me everything was alright.

But one winter day, master came to see me and told me Chumbi was very sick. I was terrified and cried at the news but master consoled me saying that Chumbi will be getting married to a good man he was acquainted with. I was sad but a little happy at the same time, I really trusted my master enough that I had faith in the man he knows that my sister will be taken very good care of.

The next chance I got to see her, she was frail looking as ever but her eyes lit up when she greeted me. I asked about her health as well as told about the marriage affair as I congratulated her heartily. However, when I told her about it, she seemed a bit shocked, I was confused and I asked her if she didn't know about it. But Chumbi didn't answer my question, she smiled at me anyway and accepted my well wishes.

And in a few days thereafter, Chumbi, dressed in a new attire and looking lovely, was prepared with her belongings packed, ready to go to her husband's place. The wedding was to take place in a week or so master said. As she was getting ready to board the palanquin, I excitedly told her I'll get her the finest bridal gifts I could find. But Chumbi laughed at me in her usual mirth and said,

"The only wish I have in my heart is that you'll become a successful artist and live a very happy and fulfil life for me, Aheiba."

I joked at her saying not to behave like it's the last time we will see each other, to which she laughed with dewy eyes and bid me farewell.

But who knew it was actually the last time I saw of her or even talk to her?

Because on the day of the occasion, I heard the news that my sister had fallen gravely ill so the wedding will not take place. I begged my master to let me go see her but he told me there was no need as she was being well taken by her fiancé.

But not more than a month later, I heard that she succumbed to her sudden, strange illness and died."