The Nizam of Hyderabad had refused to join India, and had chosen Pakistan instead. The landlocked princely state in the heart of the Indian subcontinent wanted to join with a Muslim-dominated landmass that lay 2,000 kilometres away from its borders – something the Indian government just couldn’t accept. Why not? asked the Hyderabadi leaders. Why should they sacrifice the reality of Hyderabad for the idea of India? Vihaan agreed. Ranakpour had been ruled by the family for centuries, he argued – monarchy must work if it lasted that long. We must join the other states, he implored. The idea of India’s Independence didn’t take hold in one fell swoop in 1947. The idea was being challenged and reinforced on the streets as well as in secret cabinets throughout the past year. The British had left the country, but dozens of deep state actors had poured in their own ideas along with guns to fill the vacuum. Lancaster Bombers loaded with arms flew into the holdouts – Hyderabad, Kashmir and other lesser-known princely states. When overpowered by the Indian Army, the same bombers carried the royals to safety in the dark of night – to England, the Middle East and wherever else they could seek refuge – leaving behind their kingdoms and their idyllic lifestyles. They left behind their world and their homes – centuries-old paintings hanging over ornate walls, collections of classic literature from all over the globe, Persian cats and so much more. All left behind in pristine condition while the idea of independence ensnared them whole.

The mess of Independent India he had left behind came back in a swirl along with Vihaan. Abhimanyu had been far away from that tinderbox, undergoing rehabilitation and therapy for his injuries, and he had no intention of getting even remotely involved in the affairs of the royal family and Ranakpour at the time. All he longed for was some quiet time to mourn his broken dreams.