THE MINI ADVENTURES OF SHRUTI

CHAPTER 7

The next morning, Shruti had woken up ten minutes earlier than her usual time. She was able to finish everything ten minutes early that day. She wore a red dress and got ready in her usual kind of style. She then went to court. Ashok and Avatar were already there. She greeted them and they greeted her. She sat in her place and there was silence in the court for a while, till Mahesh entered. He didn't bother himself to look at anyone. He briskly walked up to his seat, the closest to the throne on the right. Shruti didn't look at him, and nobody else did.

Shruti had her own problems to think about before the court began. You might know what that problem is. She was pressing her fingers with her eyes glued to the floor. She felt a bit less nervous, but she still was. After a while, Roshan too came along. He was followed by Jayant and Vijay. Nanda was the last to come. When he arrived Mahesh chuckled. "Late Nanda?"

Nanda took his seat to the right of Shruti. "My chariot's wheel was stuck in the mud, that's why I'm a bit late."

A song struck Shruti's mind and she sang it in her mind.

Mahesh had smirked at Nanda's reason for being late. Nanda did not like it but remained silent and turned away. Just then, the trumpets sounded and royals arrived. Things happened very quickly after that. In no time, two cases were solved by the king. The third case took a little longer than usual to be solved. A few people came crying and complained of their children being kidnapped. They said that they suspected a few ascetics who lived near the country side. They said that after visiting them with their children, they had vanished within a week. Ram said to them, "Your children will be found soon." He turned to Mahesh and Nanda. "I want the both of you to investigate into this matter."

Both of them bowed to him and the people went away. The fourth case came in. It was a problem brought by a spy, who had been sent to the neighbouring kingdom. He said that a few spies from that kingdom had managed to enter the city. They had to be caught immediately. Ram ordered that soldiers be sent in all parts of the city and catch the spies as soon as possible.

Mahesh got up as soon as he gave his order. "Your majesty, one of the spies is present right here."

"Who?"

Mahesh angrily pointed towards Shruti. "She is the spy!"

Shruti had a frown on her face when she heard Mahesh's words.

Wow! I never knew this about myself. He knows me better than I do.

Vijay said "What are you saying? She is just a girl. How can you say that she is a spy?"

"That's the plot of the enemy Vijay. He sent her as a spy so that everyone will pity her to be a little girl and she can spy on us without any problem."

Shruti shook her head. "That's not true. I don't even know who that king is, who has sent his spies into the city."

"You're lying. You are a spy!"

Jayant said to Mahesh, "What is the proof that she is a spy?"

Mahesh was even more furious. "Don't you see? She has come from a place nobody ever heard of, and has no parents, she is the only foreigner here. How can you say she is not a spy?"

Ram said, "Silence! Whatever views anyone has, must prove his point. If there is no proof, it can't be believed. You all have two weeks to prove yourselves."

Shruti felt a heart attack coming.

How do I prove it? The only way is to catch the real spies. But how do I do it?

Whoever got up, sat down. Mahesh looked angrily at Shruti and nodded slightly. Shruti pressed her fingers yet again. After a little while, the court was over for the day and Shruti headed to her room. She was welcomed by Hiraman with a lot of questions. Shruti told him whatever happened in court sadly. She then began walking around in circles, while thinking of how to prove her innocence.