Short Stories

CH 4 - Promise

Prudhvi's Pov :

" Has the queen not woken up yet ?" I ask the lady maid

" She has , your Majesty.... but she claims she has a headache. So she is taking rest " she says

" She has been taking rest for rather long time .." i mutter . I notice the maid averting her eyes in awkwardness.

" Very well . Tell her ,I hope she feels better soon and ask  might she wish to join her new family  for at least a dinner ." I tell her.

She bows and leaves the room .

I pour some  more neyyi ( ghee/ clarified butter) on my rice and mix brinjal curry and eat it.

She has not given an answer yet.

She hasn't even come out of that darn room

It has been 3 days !!

She is taking too long.

I hope she isn't thinking of backing out.

What I have decided, is good for both of us.

How is living like strangers good ??

I ignore my mind and pour some more neyyi.

" What happened between you two ?" Father asks across the table .

" Nothing . All is perfect. " I lie

" Then why haven't I seen my daughter in law till now  ?"

I stay mute . Focussing on my food.

" Did you say something to her?" He asks

" No." I lie, again

" Did you even talk to her ?"

'' Yes" now that was true.

" For god's sake !! Would you just look at me and answer!"  He says loudly

I drop the tumbler of water rather soundly on the table

" I do not know , alright? Maybe she is missing her home." I say

He ponders for sometime and opens his mouth but I get up from the table abruptly , leaving my food in between.

" Now, if you could excuse me, I have to attend a meeting with my court members . Please finish your meal father . " I say and exit the dining room.

  If she continues to be stubborn and stay in the room , I will have no choice but to meet her and put some sense into her .

Bhoomija's Pov :

" ( Yawns )"  I stretch my arms as i   wake up .

I  walk up towards the window and pull the covers and see it is already dark.

The end of yet another day,

Maybe a stroll alone with no peering eyes would do me good. I do wanted to explore the garden

It has become my routine for the past 3 days. I wake up, have breakfast in the  room, sleep again and won't be awake till it is dead of the night  , and then  end up thinking of my fate all night

I put on my robe ,exiting through the palace back doors  and quietly goes into the garden . I pluck a rose from the bushes , smelling it , my mind not entirely enjoying its fragrance.

The words spoken by him  have quiet put me in a tight corner.

On one hand , i should be relieved that a man , an eligible man in that  ,has accepted me and my flaw and would not burden me with any expectations of having a child right away.