Enchanted

CHAPTER 9

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Two years later...

I sat on the window ledge, staring out of the window. I was back in my kingdom with a tearful welcome from my family. It was tiring to meet all the hypocritical, judgemental people in the palace. They all smiled when I was in front of them but I heard the rumors being spread across the palace. After two years of simple life in the forest, the palace life felt suppressive.

"Princess?" Oorvi's polite voice cut through the air making me turn my head. 

"Yes, Oorvi." I responded.

"Are you okay?" she asked.

"Ofcourse, why not?" I frowned. 

"Oh. You did not hear the rumor about you?" She asked.

"Which one?" I asked as I cocked an eyebrow. "The one where I am a bad omen and was cursed or  the one where I am colluding with the enemy kingdom to conquer the throne." I conclude with a small laugh unable to help myself. The rumors ranged from silly to absurd stories.

Receiving no reply from Oorvi I turn to face her to see her staring at me with furrowed eyebrows. "What's the matter?" I question with a smile looking at her perplexed face.

"You have changed princess." Oorvi says looking doubtful.

"Of course I have Oorvi, after what I have experienced it would be strange if I didn't change." I reply smiling thinking back about myself two years ago, I was so very naive.

"I am not sure princess if I should be happy about it or not." She replies . " I don't want you to loose your good and kind nature or your ability to look at goot things in every situation, I just don't want you to loose you." She continues with a worried expression.

"Oh Oorvi, I definitely haven't changed in that aspect but I have matured. I have come to understand the world as it is, it has changed my perspective." I say with a grin.

"Oh, I didn't understand one bit of what you said but you sounded wise, so I am going to take it for now." She said scratching her head.

I laugh, she is so cute and simple.

Just then my mother entered the room with a worried frown. "Is everything okay, ma?" I ask standing up.

"I don't know child, no one is willing to get engage to you. I am worried, as your mother I want you to have the best husband." My  mother sat on the sofa leaning back and closing her eyes. I see Oorvi leaving from the corner of my eye.

I slide beside my mother and held her hand " Its okay ma dont worry , there will be someone. Even if there isn't , cant I just stay with you." I say.

"I would love to keep you by myself, but dear someday we will leave this world and you will be left alone. It would feel secure knowing that there is someone by your side, someone you can rely on." My mother explains looking at me.

"Alright ma, whatever you say." I concede understanding her perspective. " But regardless of my husband crisis I will only marry the one of my choice." I say.

"Of course no one is going to force you, especially regarding your life matters." My mom smiles, caressing my head." Anyway you haven't told me how was your life the past two years." she questions with a serious look.

"It was fine ma, not that tough." I say with a smile.

"I see....." my mom pauses. "So you have learnt to lie to your mother, huh?" she says looking at me with a smile.

"Uh no, of course not ma." I say nervously.

"My child don't hide things from me thinking I will feel sad. I know that you have faced enough hardship to change to a mature young lady. But dear I will always be your mother and I will guide you whenever you need me." my mother says with a somber look.

"I guess you know me too well ma. Honestly it was tough at the beginning but it became better later. So much better that I started to love that life and place." I say with a fond smile.

My mother and I chatted for hours until evening with me nestling against her. As my mom was leaving she turned back " Oh I almost forgot to inform you , your brothers completed their gurkul and are coming back next week. At that time it will be your sister Ishani's wedding." She dropped the bomb and left.

My brothers are coming next week they don't know about the whole fiasco that happened two years ago as they were in Gurukul. I can almost Imagine all my brothers anger on the news. I was not ready for it. I close my eyes and lean back on the headboard as I let out a sigh. I hope they don't blame anyone on the decisions I have taken and wont react too violent to the current rumors going on. And After I came back sister Navya has been ignoring me, I don't know what to do. Every time we make eye contact she averts her eyes.

After some time sister Anaya entered the room with a maid bringing two trays of food. " How about some sisters only time ??" She grins showing all her teeth and I grin back at her.

We sit on the ground eating as we talk about sister Ishani's upcoming wedding. How fast time flies, every one is getting married. Sister Ishani's husband is a son of a minister of our council. He was smart and a well behaved gentleman. 

Soon Ishani joined us after our dinner. Filling in on us about the details of her husband- to -be and how they hit off.

The rest of the night was spent in laughter and giggles. Being with my sisters mad me forget about everything and focus on the happiness  I have right now. Man it felt nice being back home.

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Hi Celestial readers,

What do you think of the chapter?

I absolutely love Arasi's relation with her mother, what about you?

Why do you think Navya is ignoring her sister?

Please vote and comment guys !

~Manvi