Brihannala

Malini

As the first ray of sunlight hit Malini's face, it filled her with a warm feeling, she slowly opened her eyes to find the others sleeping while Brihi was on guard.

"Good morning" she said getting up from their makeshift bed. "Had a nice sleep" asked Brihi, eyes still on their small perimeter. They had made their beds last night in the forest, little away from the city wall. Granthik and Tantipal were sleeping on tree branches hidden behind leaves, basically camouflage, while Kanka, Vallaba and Brihi slept on the ground around her, taking turns to guard.

She was a warrior princess, technically married to all five of these brothers and in reality married to none, she had agreed to this pact for fulfilling her father's revenge.

But time is a cupid in it's own way, without her realizing it has done it's magic and she found herself falling for Brihi. There he was sitting in front of her bathing in the warm morning light, a golden glow around him with alert eagle like eyes. "Malini are you okay" asked Brihi breaking into her thoughts. " Yes, sorry I was admiring the beauty of the forest in morning light" she said recovering herself. "Yes it is beautiful " he said as others slowly woke up to the sounds of the forest waking up.

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Looks like the cosmos is helping us today she tought, as they were waiting for a group to pass by to slip in with them, they saw a marriage procession approaching, the twins and Malini slipped into the band, she joined the party of women who seem to be from the bridal side, Without a hitch they entered the city and made their way along with the bridal party. She saw the twins slip out to explore the city as soon as they cleared the security at the gate.

One of the ladies saw her looking at the city and asked, "Are you visiting the city first time" to which Malini nodded. So the lady started explaining, "This city is called Viratanagari, ruled by King Virat and Queen Sudeshna. The city is built in tiers, center and top most tier is where the palace is situated, followed by the second layer of all important government officials. Then the middle layer is where all the merchants had their shops and homes. The bottom layer has sheds for the cattle and the homes of cattle groomers and other working class."

Malini was surprised by the beautifully planned city and as Kanka told them, here in this city they mainly depended on the cattle and it made sense how the largest and bottom most layer was full of cattle, the smell of the fodder and dung is unmistakable, it reminded her of her childhood days where she played hide and seek with her brother and best friend in the stables back home.

As they reached the middle layer, Malini bid farewell to the ladies and wished the bride a happy married life and walked into the crowded streets. As she passed a couple of lanes admiring the merchandise on display she bumped into a lady carrying two big boxes. "I am sorry I didn't notice you" she apologized, "No no it's my fault, these boxes didn't let me see what's in the front" the girl with the boxes replied as she started to pick up the scattered things.

Malini bent down to help her, "Aren't these for make up, do you work in a beauty salon" she asked, "No I am the Queen's personal maid, since our last beautician quit, I had to take up even her job" she said with a sigh. An idea formed in Malini's mind, "You know in my last job I worked in a beauty salon, but the pay was not much so I moved to this city" she hinted, expecting the girl to catch on, and she saw the girl's face light up "Then you should apply for this job, there are interviews happening at the palace, why don't you come with me and by the way my name is Lalita" the girl spoke as they finished putting the last item in the box. "I am Malini and let me carry a box as you lead the way" said Malini with a sweet smile.