The blazing sun was now calm and serene, drawing itself into the mountains, calling it a day. The sky transited into a shade darker, lost in eternity of time. The water in the river was tranquil, the aquatic residents tired and rested. The summer breeze blew softly, weaving into the matter of truth, calming every soul in its way.
It was an ordinary evening, yet there was an unusual feeling that perked up Kumud's senses. She was sitting on one of very few rocks by the bank of the river. Her knees were perched up and her hands wounded around them as she leaned back, starring at the sunset. It was one place that was connected to her heart, curtaining her thoughts and rejoicing her soul. It never let her succumb to sadness, or anger.
Kumud sighed, smiling slightly as the sun's rays bid their final good bye. She rolled her eyes up to find the crescent moon smiling down at her. She swung her feet, climbing down. Her silver anklets chimed as she jumped from the low plat form that the rock created. She needed to get back home before it turns too dark.
Ajmerat was a small city that stretched out quarter way along the Kiranposhi Mountains. It was a well-developed area which was divided into it's own regions. It was a peaceful community, from middle class to high-class societal people. The University of Ajmerat ' Science and Technology was high ranked and well known too, attracting students from surrounding areas.
The society where Kumud lived was aligned with houses in rows. The streets looked crammed with cars, but fortunately for Kumud, her house was in the last row where very few houses were constructed in last few decades. Their house was in line with mostly empty houses, waiting for the new fill-ins. Instead of buying houses here, people mostly rent them, so that it's easier to leave after college is over. Most students however, lived in the society near the university.
Kumud's house was a three-story building with a terrace. The house was built about twenty-five years ago, but it still stood strong. The walls were painted white, and there was a square platform outside the door that stood as courtyard with white marble tops, covered with ceiling of a balcony of one of the closed bedrooms. The ground floor had kitchen, living room, one bathroom and a storeroom. All the bedrooms were upstairs, with bathrooms in each room and one closed storeroom. There were four bedrooms in total, but only two were used currently.
Kumud took off her shoes and tried to step in the house as silently as possible. Moving her feet as slowly as she could to avoid the sound of anklets.
"You're back, your highness!" Kumud's shoulder's fell immediately at Krittika's welcome.
"Krittika, please don't call me that!" Kumud said with a resigned effort, knowing it was going to make no difference. "What if someone hears you say that, do you have any idea how much trouble I could get it in?"
"I am sorry, your highness." Krittika said with a smile. "But you know I won't make such a mistake."
Kumud rolled her eyes and went towards the kitchen. She had known Krittika for as long as she remembers. After her parent's decease, Krittika had taken care of her. The old lady was as good as her mother. For Kumud's sake, she didn't even marry anyone, and killed almost all her desires. Now that Kumud has grown up in to a young, fine lady, she has grown even more concerned.
"You must be hungry." Krittika smiled and took out food for Kumud who sat down at the head of dinning table with a grin on her face. Food was always the best thing of the day.
"A message was sent today." Krittika said after a while. Kumud didn't look up, and kept eating as if she cannot hear a word, but Krittika knew she was listening, so she went on. "Someone is going to come to live with us." At this, Kumud looked up. "He will stay here until his mission is over."
"What mission?" Kumud dropped the spoon, unable to eat anymore.
"It is kept a secret, your highness. They didn't tell me." Krittika said slowly. "All I know is he is important."
"Important?" Kumud clenched her teeth. "Everything and everybody is important, but me!"
"That's not true, your highness." Krittika tried, "They care about you too!"
"I have been kept here for ten years now, I will never forgive them for this isolation!"
"But you highness,"
"I will practice archery in half an hour," Kumud said, and Krittika knew it was an order to shut up.
"Yes, your highness."
The backyard was usually lush green and bright in the morning light. Smiling flowers and breathing plants greeted their guests with warmness that emitted from them like divine. But tonight, it was covered in shadows due to the tube light that focused only on the target in one corner. A figure was standing in the shadows shooting arrows inside an arrow, splitting the former in two.
The music from the iPod played loud in her ears. Her mind wandered off in thought while her eyes stayed on its target.
Why would they choose this house for him? There were many residences kept empty for guests in many other cities. Why choose this place? For years this place has been ignored, forgotten. Why now? Ever since her parents' death, she was sent to live alone with a maid and a well-furnished house. They made sure she was alive. It was as if her existence didn't even matter, just her name did.
To run away from her identity and from what she was. She despised the title she was born with. The family filled with selfishness and irresponsible family repelled her. The life that people would die to live was nothing but filled with filth. If it were in her hands, she would take birth under a beggar's roof.
If this man, whoever it was, was important to her family, then he sure as hell is unimportant to her. She will not endure this additional idiot.
She let go of the last arrow before retreating back in the house, determined to tarnish the stranger's mission.
Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi 2
Debate Mansion
Parineeti
Chakravarti Samrat Prithviraj Chauhan
