Chapter 312

The king said, "You have won the hand of the Princess. You shall marry her as per the law." The king was very happy that there was a brave and smart man who has met the conditions and was extremely delighted that his daughter was finally getting married. Turandot turned towards her father,” No. I will not. I do not want to marry him father." The king said,” He risked his life and met your conditions. He has answered all the riddles correctly. As per your wish it has been made law that who ever answer your questions shall marry you. So you will marry him." She walked towards Calaf and stood before him and asked "Will you marry me against my wishes?" Calaf looked into her eyes and said, "Princess I shall not marry you against your wishes. I answered all your three riddles correctly. You asked "What is born each night and dies each dawn?" I answered "Hope" and I have hope that I can change your mind. Then you asked "What flickers red and warm like a flame, but is not fire?" I answered "Blood" and now my blood is burning with passion for you. You last riddle was "What is like ice, but burns like fire?" The answer I gave you is "Turandot!". "My lips and my heart murmur your name and the blood that flows through my body is kept warm by your thoughts and I have hope that I will win your heart. So I again tell you Princess that I shall not marry you against your wish."

But I have only one question for you to answer. If you answer it, you are free to do as you please. I shall walk away and never come back again." Turandot look at him. She hesitated for a minute and then nodded in agreement. The king was worried. He knew his daughter so well. Calaf said, "I will be back here tomorrow at dawn and all you have to do is find out who I am, tell me my name and you are free to do as you wish. I shall never bother you again." She stood there watching him leave. The room was filled with silence just as Turandot stood there in silence. Her expression was priceless conveying her confusion, defeat and admiration for the stranger. Diya was leaning on Akshar and had her fingers interlocked on his hand that was around her waist. The screens changed and it was dawn. Calaf was standing in front of the Princess. She looked at him, now her face looked different, not ice cold, but beautiful, just simple delicately beautiful. She looked at Calaf and said,” I knew you were different than the others. Stranger please give me my freedom and tell me who you are." Calaf looked at her with hope in his eyes that were slowly dissipating. "I will tell you who I am. What you choose to do is your choice Princess. You can make a heaven out of it or you can condemn and destroy us both." He paused for a minute and said, "I am Calaf, son of King Timur. Now without a kingdom." He stood there with his face down. Trumpets screamed and the King and his men came in. The king sat on his throne and said, "Turandot. Do you know this stranger's name?"

Turandot stood there in silence and then spoke with tears in her eyes. His name is "LOVE" and ran towards Calaf holding her long robes in her hand. She tripped and when she was about to fall on the floor, Calaf caught her in his arms. Akshar gently kissed Diya's forehead. She looked up starring into his eyes. There was so much intensity in both their eyes. He gently kissed her on her lips. He kissed her again on her lips. She closed her eyes. He delicately and gently grabbed her lower lip within his and closed his eyes.