Chapter 65

Though the first to reserve was our dearest green-hearted Farwa, I must congratulate Tanya who was the first to actually comment on the last update! *wink*After a long break, I see Kishmish has peeped into the Inn to tell me she is there and though she has lots to read, she did have the heart to tell me she was there for me and had not forgotten my humble tale entirely! Thankyou dear Kishmish! Arushi-now-LeenaRocks is yet to comment and Mav, the birthday girl, too, but I know she is busy with her college. Glad to know that you saw your name on the parchment, dear hellgirl. Also, I say this again, you are the only to other reader who fervently begins your wonderful comments with a happy "Rabba Ve!" And Artemis-now-SilverFairy, when you said you wanted your name on the Reader's List, did you mean the parchment? If you did, then I must tell you only those who took the oath which is mentioned in the First Reader Surprise page are entitled to being signed into the parchment, dear. So if you will take the pledged, your name will be whole-heartedly entered! Subiscs comments are all so heartwarming just as happy Harsh's, dear Torr's and sweet yush's are. Shijina, in her last comment, talked so much so unexpectedly that I fell in love with her childlike heart! Shamin's dedication to my tale overwhelms me and I really wish dear that you would come and make yourself available at the Cottage as well. Also, Vrinda dear. Your Inbox is full and hence I cannot send you any PMs. Sophie dear was facing this issue for a while but now it's cleared and I am so happy to have her back and oh so very happy to see her mingling in the Cottage as well. Someone I want to especially mention. Surya Ravi was a happy one-line commenter and I liked her being so, but I was totally taken aback when I saw her last comment. More than three lines are what she wrote for me owing the questionable mystery lady in the chapter! *chuckle* Thank you so much dear for getting so confused as to write that much!! Not that I want to see it everyday. I like one-line comments but I have come to notice that when people speak from the heart, they tend to write more. So those who give one lines are ones who are not confident, expressive or are the reserved sort. I understand and I respect your silences, dears! Love you all equally! Vidya, allzwell, dear darya, debby, russel, smartgirl, Esmeralda, bewuster, Sara, bea_rom, revathy, rockprincess, rockingSoni,Keerthi, kvarha, varshapan, Shikha, lovely Mxk, dearest Music……loved all your innocent, deep-hearted comments! Bablio dear with her wonderful thoughts for her AquiLINe. *wink* I would like to thank Bablio and Soul for loving my readers and being there for them in my absence. Especially you Soul. Not only in the Inn but also in the Cottage and in that last post of mine on the MainForum, you spread your love and your encouraging presence with your "likes." Nice to see selcouth is back again. Kalpana, your pink engravings are always missed and yet to see them one in a while in such a burst of warmth into this cold room in the Inn. Anusada dear! I missed your comments but I know you were busy with your camp at the village. Hope all went well and good. Waiting to hear more of it. Sammykins and Sush, you two have started talking gain. While the one had gone on a break the other was reluctant to express more and ofcourse had no time free and yet she is starting to talk triple the words she used to use in the past! Shows an increase in love for my tale, Sush! And Shas, your fall still makes me laugh and I did chuckle in the middle of a lecture when the picture crossed my mind! Sheesh! KP, Jammy, Hoopoe, soniachummu, darshi, Salsa, Jonashi, Shruti, Sia, ASRandKKGSRFan, missing you all a lot.

I want to mention the rest of you as well but if I thank everyone now, I don't think I can make time to post the update and I am sure you will not want a thank you note as an update! So the rest of you, remember, I value every comment and when I press the like on a comment, I mean it and know that I take it to my heart and love you first before pressing the like.

Welcoming new readers samarablog and lakshmin. Comrade Soul has been kind enough to welcome you two in my place on Page 43. And riti is here too!! Yay! Well I shall like to officially, on behalf of all my readers, Comrades and silent visitors, welcome you three to the land of Arhasia. Place an order of your favorite drinks with the InnKeeper before coming to hear the next narration, dears.

And now, regarding the last update and the disclaimer I gave. There are three kinds of readers for a fanfiction like there are three kinds of viewers for a show. Some take an episode or chapter for what it is, and as and how it exists. Some fall for an episode or chapter and recollect it in various instances of their day and are brought to think of it when they hear or see something in daily life that reminds them of the episode or chapter. But there are some, very few actually, who think into an episode or chapter, and see themselves and all their life and learning in it. It begins as a conscious process for them but slowly they do it without knowing. They do not merely take what they read or saw as it comes to them, they do not merely love a show or story…….they let it live in them.

Nothing more shall I speak of this cause. Nothing more should I say. But I will tell you this for I have said this once before: you already know the story of Arhasia but do not know that you know it. I am only helping you to uncover the story that already lives in you. I am proud of you, my readers, all of you. You are all unique in your own ways……and I believe that it is those who have the most questions and are the most confused by the tale who will relish the chapters and its mysteries more than the others………..

Chapter One Hundred Twenty Five: Revisiting the Castle

Rahim Chacha opened the door and his formal expression turned to one of fatherly delight, "My dear Kushibitya! You're here!!"

And with an eager smile, the young girl stepped in and placing the basket of homely gifts on the floor, embraced the elderly man.

"We missed you so much," said the butler, pressing his cheek against the side of her head, his arms holding her to his heart.

"I missed you all too," said Kushi, her voice teary, and then they stepped back and the butler led her to Lady Anjali's room, saying, "She insisted on having you brought here the very day we got the news."

On reaching the destined door, the butler knocked and, on receiving a muffled response from within, he swung the door open for Kushi to walk in.

Kushi stood at the doorway and beheld the radiant woman sitting on the bed, pillows propped up behind her against the headboard. The sunlight from the window cast its gentle caress on her sweet face and her sad smiling eyes looked up to see the young girl at the door.

"Kushiji!" Lady Anjali's eyes sparkled and she made a move to rise from the bed but Kushi was soon beside Lady Anjali, pressing a hand on her shoulder, making her remain in bed, "Lady Anjali, you are unwell in health. You need your rest before you can step out and be with us like you always used to be. At least for the child's sake……."

Lady Anjali leaned her head towards Kushi's arm the hand of which was on her shoulder, "Miss Kushi, I am so glad you are back!"

Kushi sat on the bed next to her and smiled, "I missed you all so terribly. Only when I stayed for a prolonged few days at my home did I realize how special this place had become to me."

Lady Anjali cupped Kushi's chin with one hand, "You are special to all of us. And especially to me."

Kushi frowned comically, "Now, why would I be especially dear to you?"

Lady Anjali winked, "A younger sister is what I always wanted and look: I've finally found one!"

Kushi embraced Lady Anjali and the woman placed her hand on the back of Kushi's head, gently pressing her close to her, "I cannot ask you to stay here like how you used to, with no reason to bind my wish, but I plead you to come visit me every day."

Kushi released from her embrace, looked apologetically at Lady Anjali, "I would love to give you and Nani and Lady Lavanya company every single day of my existence but-"

"No, I shall have no counter statements!" said Lady Anjali, firmly, "You will come and you will bring your dear sister along. I have not yet gotten a chance to converse well with Miss Payal. How is her leg now?"

"All healed, my lady," said Kushi, which was when she remembered the gifts in the basket, "Jiji and Amma made some special homemade vittles for you……"

Kushi had bent down to pick up the basket, when Lady Lavanya walked into the room and exclaimed, "Kushi!"

Kushi stood up and Lady Anjali watched delightfully as Kushi and Lady Lavanya. How much these two were fond of each other? And to think Lady La will soon bed farewell…………Lady Anjali sighed, and then smiled, "If the greeting between you two are over, pray pour some attention on this helpless mother-to-be!"

Kushi and Lady Lavanya ended their embrace and then walked to Lady Anjali's bed.

Kushi sat on the bed next to Lady Anjali and Lady Lavanya sat on the armchair that was positioned very close to bed.

"So, mother-to-be," said Kushi, teasingly, "What is it that you wish to obtain from your Genies?"

Lady Anjali giggled, "Would you grant me anything?"

"Anything Arhasia can offer," said Lady Lavanya, winking at Kushi.

"Well," Lady Anjali began, her eyes glinting mischievously, "I know my brother would not permit this but I so want to do it."

"What is it?" asked Lady Lavanya and then she frowned, "Has this got something to do with the surprise you told me you have thought up?"

Lady Anjali nodded eagerly, and then addressed them as though she were about to reveal her biggest secret, "I want a ball."

"A what?"

"A ball? As in the dancing fest of the elite?"

Lady Anjali nodded, smiling, "An evening ball! And not just a ball but a real masquerade. Our ballroom has not been used ever and I want to celebrate this happy occasion of my life in the most wondrous way possible." She placed a hand absent-mindedly on her womb.

"But why would ASR be against this wish of yours?" Lady Lavanya asked

"He hates entertaining guests into the Castle and he detests celebrations and dancings," said Lady Anjali, frowning at the door, "Arrogant Little One!"

Kushi was thoughtful, "I don't know if we must go against his wishes, then. Isn't he the Master of this Castle?"

Lady Lavanya snorted, "Oh, Kushi! Where has your hatred for him gone? I say this ball must be done for he can't always have things his own way." And when she said this her heart sank, and she spoke as though to herself, "He always does things his way, uncaring of whom he hurts."

Kushi and Lady Anjali looked at Lady Lavanya. Kushi was nearest to Lady Lavanya and she placed a hand on her friend's lap and their gazes met, "He never deserved you, my lady. You are too precious to be married off to a hurtful man like him."

Lady Lavanya smiled, "You are the sweetest friend a woman could ever come across."

Lady Anjali nodded, "Miss Kushi Kumari Gupta, the friend of all."

Kushi blushed and then, to alter the topic, she asked about the plans for the ball. For the next few minutes they talked over all the things they would have to do and the preparations they needed to chart out to make it the most famous masquerade in all of Arhasia.

"I am so excited after all this planning," said Lady Anjali, "I believe my illness has faded already with this joy in the air!"

And she once again made to get out of the bed when Kushi and Lady Lavanya enforced her to the bed, "No excuses, excited mother-to-be," said Kushi, "You are still having a slight temperature and we shouldn't have kept you up so long. You must be so drained in energy."

"Nani advised us that Lady Anjali must be fed fruits," said Lady Lavanya.

Kushi looked at Lady Lavanya, "Then we'll go enquire in the kitchen if they have a supply of fresh fruits there. On the way, we can pay a visit to Nani too."

And so, bidding temporary farewell to Lady Anjali, they left the room.

Hm. I've checked it. Yes, the next update is longer than this one for known reasons! *evil smile* And to help ease your excitement, I can tell you when I shall update next. Like I always say: Look to the Index! *points finger to the first page of the Thread*

INDEX

Before I go, I must ask you to watch this Video if you can. It's not related to the show. It's the Diwali Celebration of the Star Paarivar with some of Barun's amusing shots. If you don't have time to watch the entire video, at least watch from 1.42. Or better yet, catch Barun's expression at 2.28. *guffaw* Oh my! That Barun boy really makes my day!!!

[YOUTUBE]https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=7ay_RnQNDF8[/YOUTUBE]

Oh, and the new thread of the Cottage has been opened. Third Thread actually, thanks to dear Farwa. The Cottage near the Inn, remember? Everyone of my readers are always welcome to join in the feasting and happy conversations happening there. I will join you guys at the Cottage when I can. And in case you don't know your way to the Cottage, here is the key and there is the door:

Door to the Third Room of the Cottage