Delphian

Curiosity leads to ambiguity.

"WELCOME TO RANAPUR FORT PALACE, MAM. HOW CAN I HELP YOU?"

A lady, in her early thirties, clad in a bright royal blue saree, with a dash of red lipstick and kohl layered eyes, a small bindi placed in between her eyebrows and her hair tied to a neat bun uttered the above words as she smiled sweetly at me. 

"I am Sangamitra. I had reserved a room for our stay here. This is the proof for my booking." I handed over the online payment slip.

"Kindly wait for a second mam. I will check." 

"Sangamitra Singhania. Right?" 

I felt weird to be addressed like that. This is the first time where someone is calling me by my surname. Newly added surname, to be precise. 

"Yes. That's me."

"Okay Mam. Here are your keys. Have a pleasant stay mam. We are always at your service." 

She smiled at me and handed over the keys.

"Thank you" I smiled back.

"Did you get the keys sangami?" Dad asked me as he came along with the luggage. I nodded. 

"Where's Abhi and Asha?" I asked.

"Abhi is parking the car. Asha is there with him. They will be coming soon."

"Here we are!" Chorused Abhi and Asha as they grinned widely.

"Dad, here is your room key. Asha, here is yours." I handed over the keys to dad and Asha.

"Okay then. Now we shall rest for sometime. We will go out in the evening." Abhi said.

"Okay. Let's go now." Asha chirped in. 

"Guys, see you soon." I said and we all left for our rooms.

We were at the Ranapur fort palace. After a hectic week consisting of my marriage and after marriage rituals, I am feeling good. This is the first trip after my marriage. This trip was actually planned all of a sudden. Abhimanyu aka Abhi, My husband, works in an MNC in Bangalore. His one of his paternal grand aunts, who lives in a remote village 12 kilometers away from Ranapur had wished to see us. She couldn't attend our wedding since she is too old to travel such a long distance. So, this trip to Ranapur was planned. Dad, Asha (Abhi's sister) also decided to accompany us as they too didn't meet her for long. While Abhi was unhappy about this, finally he gave in. I was excited to come here as I have never been to Rajasthan. I have always heard of its mind blowing palaces. We decided to stay in this fort-turned palace as her home is small for the four of us to stay. We have planned to visit his grand aunt day after tomorrow. Till then we have planned to explore this place. 

"Mitra..." Abhi whispered in my ears as he pulled me closer to him. I pushed him away.

"Abhi.. I am feeling tired. You must be tired as well due to continuous driving. So, go and rest now." I said while Abhi groaned.

I chuckled and hugged him. He hugged me back. Later, I fell on the bed and sleep engulfed me soon due to the long travel. 

************************************

"Dad, this palace is so beautiful!!" Asha squealed. 

It was evening and we were walking around the fort palace. A man from the hotel guided us and showed the palace to us. Asha was right. This palace is so beautiful with intricate designs and royal paintings.

"This is the famous painting which makes this fort-palace popular. It is believed that people could go inside the painting. Many don't believe in this. But it's said it is true. And there is another painting like this as well. It can be entered as well." The man said.