Chapter 91

[MEMBERSONLY]

Rabba Ve, everyone!!

(Yup! All ready with my sack of goods to leave la-la land for the temporary break-wa.)

I mean like SERIOUSLY: You thought I would go without saying goodbye?

Okay wait. Now, one thing I will tell you: I don't want any crying and hugging when I am about to leave. I like it all happy and smiley and sunshiney and party-like…….

Wasn't planning on giving you any chapter when I came today. But couldn't leave with just a tiny goodbye. So well…..the following chapter may not go well with many who seek ArShi alone in my FF. But it is when I write chapters like the ones below that I feel I am on the right track. Infact, when I re-read the chapter before posting it, I was amazed at myself. The clues and hints I hide in the not-so-obvious way………I am a genius! *chuckle*

Chapter One Hundred Fifty Nine: Trying to Make Things Aright

Later that night, in the dimness of her room, Lady Mother Deviyani sat in her armchair, leaning back and rocking to and fro, her eyes closed in thoughts.

Fortune sat perched on the arm of her chair, his eyelids drowsy with the rhythmic rocking of the chair. The nightly silence in the room lulled him even more.

Suddenly the rocking stopped and Fortune was all alert. He looked up at Nani who was now sitting up.

In the glimmer of the moonlight flitting through the curtains, the parrot saw that the old woman was smiling.

The parrot nibbled at his wing-feather not knowing what to make of her late night smiles when she should be sleeping.

"You know what, Fortune?" Nani began, "I think our Chotey has finally found his girl."

Fortune blinked and sat still.

"You see," Nani leaned back in her armchair and spoke matter-of-factly, "Everything they do around each other seem to show how drawn they are to the other, don't you think? I always knew she was the one I had been looking for."

"Green Heart!" cried Fortune.

"Hush!" Nani frowned at the bird, "Its past midnight. You'll wake the whole house with your excitement."

The parrot blinked obliviously, neither excited nor bored. He blinked again. He was sleepy. If only the old woman would also retire to her bed…….

"But there is a problem," Nani said thoughtfully to the window, "I know my grandson very well. He will never, NEVER, admit that he has feelings for anyone other than his sister." She frowned dissatisfiedly.

And then her face lit up with a realization, "Of course! That is it, Fortune. He won't listen to me but he will definitely listen to Anjalibitiya. I'll make him realize his feelings through her. But I think its best I work on that after Akashbitwa's wedding. I can't handle the romances of two couples at a time."

Nani nodded to herself, a pleased smile on her face, "Am I not the cleverest grandmother there is to exist in Arhasia, Fortune?" She looked towards her parrot but Fortune was fast asleep, his head drooping down against his warm chest.

"You sleepy head!" Nani rolled her eyes, and leaned back in her chair, whispering, "Why would you care about joining Chotey and Kushibitiya!"

In the bedroom below Nani's room, Lady Anjali was sitting up in her bed, dressed in her night gown, watching her husband dress into his night robe in the darkness.

She waited a few seconds more and then felt the weight of his presence on the bed beside her.

He lay down and was still. She didn't move either and waited in the darkness, listening to his breathing.

"Why don't you sleep?" her husband's voice reached out to her and she felt his hand on her shoulder, wanting her lie down beside him.

She curled up next to him, her arm sliding across his bare chest.

"I remember what you told me…….." she said.

He didn't answer immediately but after a whole minute had passed, he asked, "What about?"

"About why you would transform again."

She noticed the change in his breathing. Was he angry or annoyed that she had brought it up? Or simply not in the mood to listen?

"I want to help you," said Lady Anjali gently, her hand caressing his hair, "tell me what I have to do."

"Don't do anything," said the General, "That is all I want you to do."

"What must you actually do to get cured?" asked Lady Anjali hopefully, "Is it something you have to do? Some words you must utter?" She paused, "Or someone you must meet?"

"Go to sleep," grunted her husband into the pillow, "I am tired and you are carrying."

"This is important for me," said Lady Anjali determinedly, "I am your wife and I want to help you."

"You can't help me," the General turned his head to look at her, "No one can help me."

There was a sad look in his eyes and Lady Anjali felt tears chocking in her throat. She caressed his cheek, "I can try. Tell me what I have to do. I am ready to do anything for you."

"You really want to help me?" the General looked at her lovingly.

She nodded, tears glistening in her eyes.

"Then take care of yourself," said the General, "And stop worrying about me."

Lady Anjali sighed. She knew her husband would not accept any kind of help from her. Why did he have to be so stubborn? Just like Chotey! She frowned, no, wait. Chotey is worse!

She leaned her head against his chest and after another pause, she whispered, "I love you."

But he had had a troublesome night and was fast asleep.

It's a good thing I gave you an ArShi-less chapter. Makes the break seem less painful. Told ya, I know what I am doing. Because a good Writer must first be a good Reader. Hence, I know the pulse of the reading population. My philosophy.

Anyways, time for us to bite reality. I am going back to my BREAK. Can't say how long the remaining break is to be. All in the hands of GOD. You will all pray for me, I am hoping…..

Goodbye for now, Comrades, Readers, Friends, Stalkers, kind MODs, Plagiarizers, Silent Readers and Likers. Will miss you all but my love will always be there…...lingering in the land I created…...our Arhasia.

Take care of yourself, everyone. Brush your teeth twice everyday, don't talk to strangers and Rabba ve with every blessing God gives you…….LOVE YOU ALL!!!

And remember, I may be leaving now, but I WILL BE BACK.

Oh. Oh. Oh. And one more thing: every Saturday look towards Aura's post on the first page of this Thread. (https://www.indiaforums.com/forum/post/80331866�) When she gets time, she will pass any needed messages to you all. But even if one Saturday disappoints you with no message, break not your heart. She must be busy studying as well.

Like this:

Okay, time's up. Done enough chattering for the day! *sigh* So, until we meet again, Storyteller flying out for the Adventure called LIFE.