AgneeSakshi: Bound by the Holy Fire

Chapter 13: Vodka Pani Puri

This week has been very hectic. Ma took me shopping at every place she knew of. I am tired of carrying heavy bags and many of them are not even for me.

I don't know why I have to do this when there is Vivek and thousands of other helping hands around here.

We got off the car at a shop. It was crowded and there were people shouting at the top of their voices asking the price of clothes or bargaining with the shopkeeper.

As soon as one of the boys working at the shop saw ma, he looked a bit startled and flustered and ran inside to inform the owner of the shop about our presence. This is what I was not used to of and maybe was never going to get used to of. All this respect, mixed with wonder and horror in people's eyes as if we were not from the royal family but aliens.

Papa had always wanted me to have a normal childhood and that's why I had spent most of my life outside Aryapur or India, for that matter.

We entered the shop and were took to the VIP section. Yes, this shop had a VIP section for people like my ma who can throw any amount of money for fine clothes. Insert an eyeroll here.

The silver lining was that this section was much silent as compared to the other side. There was a young girl of my age who was accompanied by a few of her friends. My mom went ahead to check some sarees for herself as well as the guests, while I stood a bit away, casually scrolling through my phone.

That is when I heard giggles and looked up to find the girls looking at me and giggling. One of them was giving me coy looks. This wasn't new for me but I still felt shy. Yes, I had never been the confident one in matters like these. Also, usually when I was with Rishabh, he used to be the center of attention of the crowd. He had the charm to hold people and it was actually very hard to resist his charm.

On the other hand, I was more of a nerd in college with huge glasses covering my eyes and books in my hand. Yes, I did get female attention from time to time but I never really knew how to handle it.

I was drifted in my thoughts and didn't notice when a girl came to me from that group.

"Hi." She spoke coyly playing with a strand of her hair and I smiled inwardly.

"Hello."

"I am Nishtha." Her voice was very sugar sweet. Was she faking it?

"Agneesh."

"Cool name."

"Thanks."

"So Agneesh, we are new to this town and don't really know my way around here. Do you want to catch coffee or something and maybe show us a few places too?" I looked at her up and down and then settled at her face. She was new and that's why she didn't know who I was.

Ma was far away and couldn't help me at this moment. That girl opened her mouth to say something again when was cut off by someone, "Prince Agneesh... Coffee for you." A guy from the shop handed me a mug and I thanked him.

Expression on that girl had suddenly morphed into one of wonder.

"You are prince? Like a real prince?"

"Yes."

"Nice to meet you prince. So uh coffee or something? Or you can come to our show this Sunday. You know we are an all girls' band." She smiled at me again.

"Sorry, I will have to respectfully pass. I am getting married this Sunday. But all the best for your show." I gave a small nod to them and she turned.

"Ahh... One more handsome man taken down guys! At this rate, I am not sure we are ever going to find anyone." This girl spoke assuming she was out of my earshot, but I heard it and stifled a laugh.