ENCHANTED - BY INNOCENCE (ongoing)

81

This chapter has 3200+ words and ends with a question make sure you read till the end ❤️

Target for next chapter: 1200 votes and 750 comments

*** Randheera ***

I walked into the living area of the chamber given to us and found the snake reading a book on nature. Without a second thought, I went over and snatched it from his hands.

"What the hell, Kheera?" the snake said, clearly annoyed.

"Stop hissing. It's for security reasons," I lied, settling down on the sofa and flipping the book open.

"Nature and the Divine" — now that was an interesting title.

"What threat could a book possibly pose?" he asked again, still irritated.

None! It posed no threat whatsoever. I just wanted to read it. Or rather... I wanted to annoy the snake.

"That's exactly what I'm trying to find out," I lied again. He rolled his eyes.

Just then, I heard footsteps approaching and immediately stood up when I saw Kusuma bhabhisa and Yashu walking in.

"General sir," Yashu began hesitantly, and I raised my eyebrows, almost amused at the irony.

She calls me "Abey Randheera" at home, argues with me, fights with me... but in public, I'm "General sir" and she's suddenly shy. My wife deserves the cuttlefish title more than I do.

"Don't be so hesitant, Yashu," the stupid snake encouraged. "You don't have to fear him. Be brave!"

Our head intellectual is an idiot.

Yashu nodded, 'gaining some courage,' before turning toward me.

"I made friends with some of the maids here and..." she began.

"Friends?" I asked, surprised. "My love, we've been here only a few hours. How did you make friends so quickly?"

"Oh, that's easy," she said with a smile. "I shared my jeleb—" she stopped.

"Jelebis?" I asked in disbelief. "Sweetheart, how on earth did you get jelebis here?"

We hadn't accepted any food from Taravalli for security reasons, and we brought our own supplies. I definitely didn't remember jelebis being part of the menu.

"Oh, please," the snake jumped to her rescue. "She's your wife. Stop scaring her."

"Scaring her?" I said, amused. "I'm the one who's scared of her."

"Lying doesn't suit a man of your stature," the snake countered immediately.

"Hissing doesn't suit a man of your stature either," I shot back, "yet I don't see you stopping."

"Oye, not a word against my—"

"Yashoda, take your husband's side," Kusuma bhabhisa interrupted.

Both Yashoda and the snake looked at her in surprise.

"Finally," I said in relief. "Someone to take my side. Thank you, bhabhisa."

Kusuma bhabhisa smiled. "You're welcome, General sir. But please don't say anything against my husband."

"Sure, bhabhisa," I surrendered instantly with a smile. "Anything for you."

"Hippo-bit," the snake muttered under his breath. I glared at him but kept my promise.

"Also... I was the one got the jelebis for Yashoda," Kusuma bhabhisa admitted slowly. "I apologize if that's not something I was supposed to do."

"There's absolutely no reason to apologize, bhabhisa," I assured her quickly. "You have every right. It's just... I'm concerned about her health given the excessive intake."