THE ROYAL MISFIT

Ch4: Its not a mistake

CHANDRALEKHA'S POV:

Its been 3 days since I have been back from Udaigarh.

The thought of that weird man doesn't seem to leave my mind. I don't know why but his smiling face keeps popping up in my head.

My thoughts were broken by a loud thump on my desk.

I looked up to see Soniya smirking at me.

"Whatsup baby?"

I shook my head at her while she sat down and touched my forehead with her hand.

"You're burning up. How many times have I told you to not work so much? Pagal aurat!(Mad woman)."

She clasped my laptop shut as she pressed a hand on my forehead again.

"You know, you really should take a break. You've not taken a break since you started working."

"But I have things to do-"

She cut me off by holding her hand up.

"No buts! I know you have a lot of things to take care off. Don't worry. Chhaya and I'll manage aunty and uncle's finances for few days. You need to take a vacation."

I sighed loudly. I know they can handle it but that's not what I'm worried about.

Also where do I even go for a vacation?

Then I remembered the letter.

But Udaigarh is a bad idea, especially after what has been happening with me every time I go there.

That man!

Yeah, I'm definitely not going there! Deep down I also felt bad for leaving abruptly but the thought of meeting him again, frightened me some how. I didn't want to have an awkward meeting again.

Thinking just that, I brushed the idea away from my head.

When I came back home, Ma had the weirdest smile plastered over her face.

I kept my bag on the bed and took off my shoes when my mom came in.

She handed me a glass of water which I hesitantly took after the creepy smile that was still stuck on her face.

"Ma you're giving me the creeps. Stop smiling like that."

"I don't know what you're talking about. I always smile like this."

And then she sat down and cleared her throat. For one brief second, JUST ONE! she actually stopped smiling.

"Chanda... Regarding that letter..."

I just hummed in response.

"I talked to Soniya. She said you wanted to take a break. So..."

Uh-Oh. I really don't like where this is going.

"What did you do Ma!!?"

I jumped to my feet when I realized what she might be up to.

"I told them you were coming!"

I ran a hand through my hair.

How does every person in my life decide something for me without even asking me?

First, Soniya and now Ma.

Does nobody think I can control my own life?

"Ma, I'm really sorry for my language, but have you lost it?"