The Bandana Lovers

The Pashmina Veil

( flashback, inner thoughts, dreams etc will be in bold italics)

......

Two months passed by and Pete was still fighting his destiny. The love he got from Macau, Zara and Saksit and the advice Kamala kept on giving him, always refrained him from doing anything that could help him go back to Dominica. He didn't make any conscious choice but it was happening naturally. Sometimes he would get so indulged in talking with all these people, taking the state tour and involving in village school ceremonies that he would often forget that when he came to Alcazar his only goal was to return to Dominica as soon as possible. He wanted to avenge Vegas for marrying him for his own selfish motives but Vegas never created any opportunity where Pete could demean him or present him in a wrong picture. He would either stay away and do his work or he would be in the palace but would avoid every encounter with Pete and even if they met he would not cause any harm to him. Pete didn't get any weak points where he could blame Vegas for any exploitation and leave for Dominica as a consequence. Now he only waited for the time when the process for deciding the next king of Alcazar would start. That's the time when Pete will do everything to not let Vegas fulfill his dream, and Pete can then leave on the account of not wanting a husband who is a failure. Just as Kim Haan had suggested to him once. No one will be able to stop him then. Neither here nor in Dominica.

Pete was peacefully sleeping in his new room that was on the terrace of the queen's palace. His father in law kept his promise. Pete had never seen something so beautiful. Vegas's mother surely was a woman of taste. A big wooden door accompanied by the large glass windows with colorful curtains hanging on them. Queen size bed with silk sheets and half dipping mattress carried Pete's graceful figure so well in it. A sun shaped mirror and vanity table at one end with fine woodwork and curved stool to sit on. The glass made chandelier added to the beauty and its reflection on the colored marble floor spoke about the passion with which this room was designed. The only thing which was not to Pete's liking was the room just opposite of it. It blocked his view of the evening sun with the curtains that were that were always hanging on that large window same as Pete's room. But he compensated himself by watching the sun rise from the other window of this big hall-sized room.

Pete was lazy nowadays because he didn't have any work in this place so his early mornings were often missed. But today he was bombarded with knockings breaking his dream that was making him smile. He got up and opened the door. Macau , Zara and Kamala were standing with wide smiles on their faces. Pete rubbed his eyes and asked them while yawning.

"What's happening?"

"Phi, Father and Ma are coming here in a few days." Pete stilled for a moment.

"What , say it again Kamala."

"Yes, we got a letter from Dominica. They are on a cultural visit and they will be here in a few days."

Pete was feeling a lot of things. He was happy but was also getting reminded of the betrayal of his father. How he was not given any choice and disposed of like some liability. At the same time he wanted to see him and Kanlaya. He was worried for them and their health and also wanted to know about his mother Darha.

"Phi where are you lost? Let's celebrate" Macau said

"How?"

"Let's go for a picnic in the outskirts of the mountains." Zara suggested.

"Phi Saksit will easily come, phi Zara will convince phi Kim to come and Phi , you have to convince phi Vegas"

"What? Why me? He won't listen to me . Macau , you tell him. And do we really need him there? We all are good."