The Cursed Princess of Suryagarh: Book 1

25. Surprise

By the time Shreya descended the opulent staircase and arrived at the dining area, Adya had already ordered the kitchen staff to come up with their best cuisines to celebrate the guest's birthday and also to coax Aarush into forgiving the princess. So, the table was laid with glittering ceramic platters and silverware placed immaculately while Meethi was pouring a rare edition wine into wine glasses. Tapers were burning on the candelabra behind, their gentle aroma mingling with the sweet fragrance of the lavender mist that had been spritzed in the air. Adya had asked for the best dessert from the resort's bakery too, and the varied flavors of cupcakes and pies sat atop the glass table.

Adya was lighting up a candle behind the table when she heard Shreya walk up to her. "Hey," she glimpsed behind, "you look clean now. Why were you covered in muck and grime earlier?"

Shreya let out a nervous laugh while fiddling with her fingers. "Just... Suryagarh things."

Adya chuckled and turned around to take a good look at the girl, her gaze going to the exquisite earrings dangling from Shreya's earlobes. "That's pretty," she said, gesturing at the piece of jewelry. "I like it."

Shreya's eyes shone with jubilance. "I like it too. In fact, I love it." She tittered. "It's my favorite now. I am probably gonna wear it every day."

Adya giggled and was about to ask the girl to have a glass of wine when thudding footsteps resonated in the vast hall, and their focus was snapped towards the entrance chamber from where a very disgruntled and seemingly vexed Aarush appeared. There was an urgency in his gait, and the vein throbbing on his forehead narrated enough about the anger he was experiencing. He did not pay any attention to the girls loitering by the dining table and was in a hurry to rush up the stairs, but Adya hurried down the hall to grab hold of him.

"Bhai!"

He was almost at the base of the stairs when he heard the angst in her tone and the heaviness of her voice. She must have cried, and for a fleeting moment, he did hate himself for hurting her. However, he neither turned around nor did he say anything.

"I am sorry."

He took a deep breath. "Hmmm."

She allowed a feeble smile on her face. "I will never elope like that ever again. I am sorry."

"Hmmm."

She fiddled with her fingers. "Dinner? I am famished. And do you know? It's Shreya's birthday tomorrow, so we should celebrate it tonight."

"Hmmm."

"I have arranged for a royal feast today, and I have asked the chefs to prepare all your favorites. You always tell me how much you loved the Rajma Mumma made for you at times. Your favorite recipe is on the menu too. So are the French rolls you love so much."

"Hmmm."

She sighed. "Freshen up and join us. We are waiting."

A raspy breath slipped past his throat. "Don't wait for me. I am not in the mood for dinner." And he began ascending the stairs at an alarming pace.

She was muddled for a moment, unable to come up with a response, but the desperation to seek his forgiveness was a bit too sharp in her mind. "Bhai!"

He huffed and halted in his tracks.

"Are you still upset with me?"

He remained silent.

Her lips drooped, and tears welled in her eyes. "At least eat something. Meethi told me you didn't eat breakfast, and God knows if you had a morsel of food over lunch or not!"

He remained silent.

"Bhai..." Her voice cracked. "You don't want to eat with us?"

He remained silent.