I think Ive read the same novel, it was set in the Scottish Highlands wasnt it?
I love the way youve adapted it to fit IPKKND. Im so excited to see whats coming ahead.Great chapter!
Originally posted by: shonagudia
Loved it... It's different...
continue soon and do keep me in your PM ...
Originally posted by: ..-Sanzz-..
Ohhh, Arnav Gonna Take Revenge For His Father's Death 😳
Originally posted by: cant.be.assed.
Haha i had to reply, yeah i am Zarqaa. You commented on my FF once right? 😛 I knew it wasn't your first time writing, you seem to write like you are used to it and not new to it all 😆
Originally posted by: ahenseven
Hey I enjoyed reading this one ! Something so different from the other fics I've read .. Would love to read more of it .. Do pm me when you update .. Thanks 😃
Originally posted by: Arhi-Sarun
wow, this is too good...I love the concept...so different and interesting...
can't wait to read more...please pm me when you continue
Thanks a million for all those amazing comments! 🤗 I'm honored. . .😳
And this chapter is dedicated to Aanya. .. for being such a sweetheart and sending out PMs on my behalf! I love you Aanu! 🤗
In this chapter. .. I'll be introducing Khushi and her family. . . Hope you like this one as well! 😆 I haven't proof read the chapter... so please excuse the errors and typos if any!
Please comment and let me know how you like it. . and silent readers hit the 'like' tab!! And Please add WIFY_PMacct to your friend lists.. to receive PMs
Chapter - 2
Udaipur, 1820
A plump woman walked around the back garden muttering to herself. . she seemed agitated and in search of someone or something and was so busy scanning the grounds around her for it, that she didn't notice a stone near her foot and almost tripped over it.
This was too much for the nine year old girl who sat hiding in the bushes and she let out a low giggle; but it was enough to capture the attention of the woman who came striding towards her.
She parted the bushes and was appalled by the sight before her.
Rajkumari Khushi sat in between the plantations; her face smeared with mud. . her hands and feet extremely dirty and her hair all out of place.
Madhumati let out a gasp; and dragged Khushi out of the bushes and behind her. . .
"Rajkumari, you should not dirty yourself in such a manner; and you should go playing around the grounds all day! " she said in an angry tone.
Khushi tried to ease of her hold. . .
"Quit your squirming, Rajkumari. I'm stronger than you are, and I'm not about to let go. You've lost your bangles again, haven't you? And don't dare lie to me. I can see your duppata is torn at several places. Why are you always like this?"
Khushi lifted her shoulders in a shrug.
"Drop it this minute. You're always forgetting, and do you know why?"
"I don't pay attention to what I'm doing, like you tell me to, Dai maa."
"You don't pay attention to anything I tell you, and that's a fact. You're more trouble than all the others put together. Your older brothers and sisters have never given me a moment's worry. Even your baby sister knows how to behave herself, and she's still sucking on her fingers and wetting herself. I'm warning you, Rajkumari, if you don't change your ways and give your parents a little peace, Nandakishore himself will have to stop His important work and come down here to talk to you. Just how are you going to feel about that? You don't like it much when your papa has to sit you down on his knee and talk to you about your shameful behavior, now do you?"
"No, Dai maa. I surely don't like it. I try to behave. I really do."
"Don't you bat those big baby brown eyes at me, young lady. I don't believe you're the least bit sincere. Lord,but you smell. What have you gotten into?"
Khushi lowered her head and kept quiet. She had come out of the fort on hearing there was a puppy in the stables; but had fallen into a mud pit on her way and she liked the mud immensely and had sat making mud pies in the sun till she had heard Dai maa's booming voice over the grounds calling out for her.
Madhumathi or Dai maa as the kids called her was an escort of Rani Devyani and had stayed behind with her and she had brought up all the kids and groomed them to what they were today. Khushi was her favourite; but she was also the one who drove her insane with her acts!
Even before Khushi could comprehend she was bathed and dressed up and was made presentable. Dai maa led her to the family dining area in the fort where Rani was sat discussing the dinner arrangements for the guests who were coming.
"I don't want to meet no company today, Maa. It's sorely wearisome for me."
Madhumati came up behind her and poked her in the shoulder. "Hush now. You mustn't complain. Nandakishore doesn't like women who complain."
"Papa complains all the time and Nandakishore likes him just fine," Khushi announced. "That's why Papa's so big.
Only Bhagwan ji is bigger than he is."
"Where did you hear such nonsense?"
"Papa told me so. I want to go outside now. I won't run after the pups again. I promise."
"You're staying right where I can keep my eye on you. You're going to behave yourself today. If you don't, you know what will happen to you, don't you?"
Khushi pointed to the ground. "Devi maiyya will make sure I go down there." She dutifully repeated the threat she'd heard over and over again.
The little girl didn't have any idea what was'down there,' she only knew it was awful and she didn't want to go there. According to Madhumathi, if Khushi didn't change her sorry ways, she was never going to get into heaven, and just about everyone, including her family, wanted to go there.
She knew exactly where heaven was, because her papa had given her exact directions. It was right on the other side of the sky.
She thought she might like it, but really didn't care. Only one thing was important to her now. She wasn't about to be left behind again. She still had nightmares at least once a week over what her mama referred to as "the unfortunate incidents," because the terrifying memories were still lurking in the back of her mind, where everyone knew all little girls tucked away their worries, just waiting for the right opportunity to jump out in the dark and scare her. Her screams would wake her sister, of course. While Madhumathi was busy soothing baby Lavanya, Khushi would drag her blanket to her parents' chamber. When her papa was away from home doing important work he had as a King and a leader of the province, she'd sneak into the big bed and cuddle up next to her mama, and when her papa was home, she'd sleep hugging him; his mother always swore he loved Khushi the most.
She felt safest when her papa was there, because his loud snores always lulled her back to sleep. Demons didn't try to crawl in through the window, and nightmares about being left behind didn't visit her when she was with her parents. They wouldn't dare.
"Please tell Khushi to keep her mouth shut when company arrives, Maa." Mihir requested.
"She shouts every word. She does it on purpose. When will she stop?"
"Soon, dear, soon," his mother replied almost absentmindedly.
Khushi moved away from her brother. Mihir was bossy by nature and he was in one of his foul moods today and it would be best if she maintained distance from him.
Khushi's shoulders slumped. "Mama, I'm weary of everybody telling me what to do all the time. Doesn't anybody like me?"
Her mother wasn't in the mood to placate her daughter.
"Khushi, do not say another word until you are given permission to speak."
Madhumathi moved forward to offer her opinion. " It is my fear you'll never catch a husband for that one, Rani ji."
Khushi put her hands over her ears and ran across the room. She hated it when Dai maa referred to her as "that one." She wasn't one of the pups, after all.
"I'll catch a husband by myself!" Khushi shouted.
Anjali walked into the hall in time to hear her sister's boast.
"What have you done this time, Khushi?"
"Nothing."
"Tell me what you've done. I promise I won't lecture you."
"I sassed Mama. Did Papa catch your husband for you, Jiji?"
"Catch a husband?" she asked. She didn't laugh, because she knew she'd injure Khushi's tender feelings, but she couldn't stop herself from smiling.
"I suppose he did," Anjali admitted.
"Did you help?
"No. I'll meet my husband on the day I marry him."
"Aren't you scared he's ugly?"
"What he looks like won't matter. Papa assures me it's a strong alliance."
"Is that good?"
"Oh, yes. Once the King has given his approval; it is."
"Dai maa says Papa won't ever find anyone for me. She says Papa's too busy for the likes of me. I have to catch one by myself. Will you help me?"
Anjali smiled. "I can see this is worrying you. I'll be happy to help."
"How do I get one?" Khushi whispered.
Anjali pretended to consider the matter for a long minute before she answered.
"I imagine you select the man you want and then you ask him to marry you. If he lives far away, you must send a messenger to him. Yes, that would be how you would do it. Why are we whispering?"
"Mama told me not to talk."
Anjali burst into laughter. The noise alerted Madhumathi, who immediately rushed over.
"Please don't encourage her, Rajkumari Anjali. Rajkumari Khushi, you were told to keep quiet. Doesn't that mouth of yours ever rest?"
"I'm sorry, Dai maa."
******
Madhumati finally left her alone. Khushi fell asleep waiting for company to arrive. Her sister Anjali shook her awake and pulled her along to stand with her older sisters. Khushi hid behind Anjali until her name was called and she was dragged out for display.
She was suddenly feeling too shy to look up at the company, and as soon as her papa finished bragging about her,she moved behind her sister again.
None of the strangers paid any attention to her, so she decided to sneak out of the hall while she could. She turned around, took one step towards the entrance, and then came to a quick stop.
There he stood. . . towering over most others including her own father. . .
__________________________________________________________________
Don't forget to comment! 😛
PMs will be sent later!. . . I'm off to college now!
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