ENCHANTED - BY INNOCENCE (ongoing)

57

This chapter has almost 4000 words and ends with a question. Make sure you read till the end ❤️.

Target for next chapter : 1400 votes and 750 comments

*** Yashoda ***

KNOCK KNOCK

I went to the door and opened it to find General Sir standing at the doorstep. As per my brother's suggestion, I kept a stoic face, resisting the urge to greet him with a cheerful smile.

The General looked at me, momentarily taken aback by the lack of warmth in my expression, but he maintained his composure nonetheless.

"Good morning, my love," he greeted with a smile, stepping inside and heading straight to the temple area to seek blessings.

"You need to shower before you—"

"I showered just now," he interrupted, bowing before the idol with his usual reverence. He touched God's feet and murmured a prayer before stepping out of the temple room to meet me in the hall.

"What's with the serious expression?" he asked, noticing my continued stoic demeanor. "Are you worried I'll take your place as God's favorite child?"

"Did you drink last night?" I asked, ignoring his question. For a brief moment, I caught a flicker of confusion on his face, but it was quickly replaced by an expression of mock shock and offense.

"Is that what you think of me, Yashu?" he asked, sounding genuinely hurt—almost enough to make me rethink my strategy. But Vishnu Anna's words echoed in my mind.

"Get an answer, and then let him melt your heart."

"I need a yes or no answer, Dheeru," I said softly but firmly, sticking to my resolve.

"You really think your husband would drink?" he repeated, his tone laden with feigned offense.

"Yes or no?" I insisted.

"Did the snake spill this poison?" he asked pointedly.

"Oye, not a word against my—" I began but stopped, realizing he was deliberately trying to divert the conversation into an irrelevant argument. "Yes or no?" I demanded again, regaining focus.

"I just remembered I have a lot of pending work to do," he said, turning to leave. "I can't afford to entertain the shenanigans of the snake."

But my frustration boiled over. I grabbed his collar and pulled him back.

"Yes or no?" I asked angrily, locking eyes with him.

He froze, genuinely surprised this time, his gaze shifting to my hand clutching his collar.

Oh my God.

OH MY GOD!

WHAT DID I JUST DO?

How dare I act so disrespectfully to the General of the Five Kingdoms?! This isn't me. This should not be me. I overstepped the line.

I immediately released his collar and stepped back.

"I... I'm sorry," I stammered, fear creeping into my voice. I turned to walk away, but he caught my hand.

I turned back, my heart pounding. After a brief moment to collect himself, he spoke.

"I'd rather have my wife angry at me than afraid of me," he said softly. Then, looking down and away, he added, "Yes, I was drinking last night."

"So, was the drinking session your plan?" I asked.