𝑰𝒍𝒍 𝑭𝒂𝒕𝒆𝒅 (previously Vaidehi) ✎

Prologue

Seven years ago

"And then the prince and the princess lived happily ever after. " Pitaji narrates, concluding the story with a soft smile.

The words ring in my head and I sigh wistfully. "I wish I was a princess too. "

That catches his attention and he quirks his eyebrow. "And why is that so? "

I close my eyes imagining the words as I speak, "Princesses are so lucky! They get to have all the pretty clothes and get to live in castles. Who doesn't want that? "

Pitaji laughs, "Oh but you are a princess. You're my princess, my doll, my everything."

I blush and roll my eyes, "But being an actual princess is cooler."

He acts mock offended. Stretching his feet in front of himself he leans back on the bed and pins me with a shocked expression, "You would choose to be an actual princess over being your daddy's princess, really?" He says the word actual princess as if it were a low life job.

"Your so dramatic. " I comment, giggling.

"Oh is it? I am dramatic huh? " With that he starts tickling me. I try to run before he can get to me but he catches me before I can jump off the bed and starts tickling me viciously. I squirm on the bed, laughing uncontrollably. "Please, Pitaji stop. Stop. Please stop! " My pleadings fall on deaf ears though, he continues tormenting me.

Before I could again plead him to stop between my maniac laughs, maa's voice bursts through the door. "Hey bhagwan! You both stop now!"

One order from her and both of us sit straight in an instant. "Its so late in the night and instead of sleeping this is what you are doing? " Maa scolds, "Come on now sleep. We have to wake up early for Ganesh Puja tomorrow. "

"Jaisa aap kahen Rani saiba. " Pitaji teases maa. Something passes in her eyes after listening to that word but it vanishes so quick I almost feel like I imagined it.
Before I could ask her any question about it, my father tucks me under the blanket.

"Goodnight, princess." He mutters quietly and brushes a kiss into my hair. My mother does the same before they both start to leave my room.

"Pitaji!" I say suddenly, stopping them both. "Can you please stay longer. Please. Just stay back for tomorrow also? " I request. Since my father is a trader he is always travelling for work and only manages to come home for a few days every two months or so. He came back day before yesterday and is leaving early tomorrow morning for another business trip but I really want him to stay for the Ganesh Puja.

"I wish I could stay, but I have important work right. Sorry bete. Next time when I come I'll try to stay longer. "

"Promise? " I ask hopefully.
He nods, "Promise."

"Okay! Goodnight! "

They both shoot me a smile and turn to each other, passing an understanding look between them before they exit my room drawing the curtain as they go.

I really wish I was Princess. Then I could live in my big castle with my parents and pitaji wouldn't have to stay away from me for long.