Helena! Helena!”
Helena didn’t respond.
“Helena dear! What are you obsessed with?”
Helena had hardly gave any reply.
Salukis, the Greek commander-in-chief touched on the back of Helena who had ben immersed in studying books in her study.
‘Look! I’ve brought a guest into our house.”
Salukis pointed out Chandragupta to Helena.
Helena rose at once. She was surprised to see the handsome and brave young man standing before her. He , in turn, looked at the most beautiful girl before her with affection. Helena was al cordiality. Their hearts mingled and bloomed at first sight!
“Prince! She’s my only daughter Helena who constitutes my entire family and friends” Salukis introduced his daughter to the prince.
“Helena! This is the prince of Magadha! He would be here as my student and your friend for some time. You have to take responsibility for his comfortable stay here.” the commander-in- chief told his daughter.
Helena gave her salutes to Chandra with a smiling face and impressed by her manners he reciprocated.
‘ See prince! Helena has boundless affection for your India, its culture and traditions. You books alone are her friends here !”, the commander-in-chief explained his daughter’s temperament.
Helena intervened with pretended anger. “ Do you continue your introductory lecture like this? Let our guest take his rest.”
“The heart of my mother is butter but her words are rather harsh” said salukis laughingly.”
Chandra replied with a smile, “Yes! She’s a child.”
“Yes! Mine is childishness1 but you’re an old man!” spoke Helena rather fiercely and went inside.
Both the men laughed loudly.
***
The friendship of Helena and Chandragupta had grown day by day. Familiarity led to closeness. She followed him as his prop and shadow in dining and their outings. Gradually their mutual affection became stronger. Salukis was too bus in performing his duties. Chandra , during his leisure time introduced the great works of India n culture and literature to Helena. The latter revealed the intricacies of the Greek culture to him. Both had become well versed in both philosophies. In a short span of time, their friendship bloomed into love.
Chandragupta learned the art of the Greek warfare from Salukis.at his behest, he moved freely in the army tents and grasped their military methods. He also understood their military strategies, making of different weapons and their skill in using them. He became masterful in the warfare of Indian as well as the Greek. His long standing desire had come true.
***
Now he felt it easier to visit Magadha and Chanakya as advised by Panini. He also had to win over other kings to get back his kingdom. But his heart became heavy with the possibility of separation from Helena. The inevitable disturbed him deeply but his sense of duty remained firm. Meanwhile Alexander was ready to beat a retreat in the face of opposition from his soldiers longing to go back to their homeland. Helena had also been profoundly sad at unavoidable parting. Salukis asked why she had been so unhappy.
Helena, with tearful eyes said, “Nothing father! I’m feeling sorry to leave this country and this beautiful nature.”
The commander-in-chief failed to read her heart. “ How delicate are you! Have you developed so much affection for this counter in such a short span? God willing, we might comeback to this country again! Now get up and make arrangements for our departure.”
Chandra understood correctly and he looked at Helena who turned her tearful face.
Chandra heaved a sigh, toughened his heart and rose to go. He expressed his gratitude to Salukis who wished him all the best in his future endeavour and left for Greece along with his daughter. Chandra took the road to Magadha to visit Chanakya and to write a new chapter in the history of India.
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