Maze of Lies- Lost Around Secrets

Chapter 1

~Amrita~

"It's beautiful, Amrita jiji!" Savitri exclaimed as she kept one glass of turmeric milk on the table beside me. She sat on the nearby mat and began drinking her own glass.

It is a kind of rule in our family, made by our grandfather, to drink milk mixed with turmeric powder at night. My grandfather who is a respected physician would always nag everyone for their health, especially us, his grandchildren who are still ‘kids’ according to him.

"It's not that much." I replied to Savitri's compliment, but continued filling in the colours of the painting.

"You are never satisfied with your paintings." She huffed, and I chuckled.

"It's not even complete yet."

"Still, it's beautiful," she insisted. "However, the painting you presented on the anniversary of His Majesty and Her Highness a year ago was the most remarkable."

That painting was not remarkable for me as I had to face so much trouble due to that painting. A similar painting, accompanied by an anonymous letter, was delivered in the palace, making me a suspect in the case. However, since His Majesty and the royal family are well-acquainted with and trust me and my family, I was released after some investigation.

"Thank you so much, Savitri." I continued to paint and she began talking about some other topic.

Savitri is my cousin—my elder maternal uncle's daughter. Although she is two years younger than me, we are more like friends than sisters.

She was rambling about a notorious thief who was stealing from moving people with ease, and then about an affair between a young couple in the village. She really could not stick to a single topic for more than a few minutes. She starts a conversation on one subject and gets deviated from it midway. Such a gossip cart she is.

I was focusing on completing my painting. It is a depiction of our nearby pond early in the morning. Birds are flying in the grey-blue sky, and the rays of the rising sun make the water sparkle like jewels. A few women are collecting water in pots near the pond, and two are carrying water-filled pots on their heads. Cows and sheep grazing on the soft grasses are also part of the scene. I was detailing the bells on the cows when Savitri asked me something.

"By the way, our Prince is returning in a few days, you know?"

"Hmm, I know. The preparations for the celebration are underway."

"Dev bhaiya will be returning with him. Did he send any letter to you?"

"Yes, a letter arrived a few days ago with the same news. He will probably first go to the palace, accompanying the Prince, and then visit us."

"I'm really excited!" she squealed. "There will be so many adventurous tales to hear and— Oh! Do you think he might bring some gifts for us?" She asked me with hopeful, childlike eyes.

"Well, he may." A wide smile appeared on her face, but it soon fell at my next words. "But do not get your hopes high. He might not have had time to buy any gifts."

"But we are his sisters, and moreover, you are his twin. He should surely bring something for you, if not for me."

"Okay, okay. He should and he may. Only time will tell. Now go and let me finish this painting."

She ran from the room after much grumbling, and I again focused on the colours and the canvas, but my mind was stuck on Dev. I prayed to Lord Mahadev for his well being and safe return.

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~Shaurya~