SURVIVOR: written in blood

2. kampilya

i went down to the main chamber for dinner where my whole family gathered together after a long day, i saw my parents talking.....my aunt whispering in my uncle's ears, while my youngest sister bickers with our brother. my elder sister looking at some documents while talking to a mister...who might be our guest for today. my younger sister silently waiting for the food as usual. i take the chaotic scene in while smiling in the moonlight and flickering Diya's light (traditional lamps) 

i missed this so much, staying in the deserted palace....where i could not even see a living person, the only thing i could do was remember my family and wish good things for them...i desperately wanted someone that would eat together with me at that time. 

i took small steps in to the chamber trying to push my falling tears back, i sat down in my place while everyone greeted me

"good to see you princess" the minister sitting beside my elder sister amrita greeted me first

followed by my younger sister's "how are you feeling didi"......"ji, namaste" i replied to the minister and "i am feeling okay" to my sister

"did you sleep well beta?" my mother asked and i nodded "yes maa".

"didi beginners swimming is not done in that big of a pond" my youngest sister avni added sassily while my brother laughed.

"even if you feel okay, let's do a check up tomorrow" my elder sister amrita declared looking a me with worried eyes

"yes didi" i replied feeling warmth and care for the first time in years, yes this is how a family should be-i did not even have a person to take care of me, why did i even stay in that kingdom? why did i marry so early or why did i choose that man...

dinner started while i was immersed in my own thoughts, our fathers trusted servant and adoptee uttam came and sat down with us at the table at right time, maids served the food on small tables while we sat down on a lower table.

"amrita", my mother started

"yes maa..." she replied in her soft but stern tone , everyone looked at my mother and my elder sister.

"we are planning a swayamvar for you beta, what are your thoughts?" my mother asked

"we want to know your opinion beta", my father added

"marriage? now" my sister asked bewildered

"if you do not want a swayamvar we can cancel it...if you have someone in mind" my mother added.

my sister amrita shook her head blushing "there is no one like that"

"thank god, what would people say!" my aunt Tahiti said dramatically, my sister was bewildered and i glared at her, "also it is high time you marry, you also have three other sisters right?" she smirked at me.

"your marriage was discussed in the court today amrita beta" my uncle tried covering up for his wife and explaining why suddenly the marriage talk is happening.

"then? you want to bring someone in? ghar damad (stay at home son-in law)? or you want to marry out?" my father asked ignoring my aunt

i could see  nervousness in my sisters her face as she was pressing her lips together....."i don't know" papa she replied.

"don't tell me you thought of staying in kampilya forever" my aunt asked laughing tried to make it sound like a joke and my sister showed an embarrassing expression.

"if you want to continue performing your duties as the heir to kampilya- we can discuss that" my father replied

"what are you talking about? bhai saab, ladkiya paraye ghar ki dhan hoti hain and Dhruva is the heir right?" (girls are wealth of other houses not ours) she raised her voice sounding righteous.