Sunset, Same day, Lotus Kingdom.
Feeling a bit disturbed, Ashmita is standing at the top of the castle where she had conversations with Rishi. Fringes of hair moving to the faint breeze is just not calming her but only reminding of him more.
Two voices in her head start arguing. One says, "Should you really think of him? He is not clear about his own feelings. He is a coward to even admit them to himself. Just don't care thinking about him, when he doesn't care for you at all." The other says, "I think he likes you. Even if it's untrue, since you feel something whenever he is around and clearly when he is not here, you should go see him once." Ashmita wouldn't know whom to believe and suddenly someone disturbs.
"Ashmita..?"
Ashmita turned around and smiled, saying, "Sis, What are you doing here? Need anything?"
Maira walked to her and said, "Why? Can't I just come for some fresh air? Did I disturb you?"
"No sis, not like that. I was just thinking about something. Sure, you can come wherever you feel like," Ashmita said while holding her sister's hands.
Maira smiled and asked, "Haha, I was just playing with you. So, what is my little sis thinking about? She always seems lost in thoughts. She's surely unlike herself. Care to tell me what it is?"
"Huh.. It's nothing sis. Just about some random things and now war is up too. So just thinking about it," Ashmita said while looking around.
"Oh.. You are thinking about the war in the kingdom or any war going in your heart?" Maira asked while folding hands to her chest.
"Huh??" Ashmita is dumbfounded by Maira's question.
"Sis..That.."
"Ashmita. You know that you can share anything with me, right?" Maira asked seriously.
"Yes sis" Ashmita replied.
"Then tell me what is bothering you. Anything it is, am here for you." Maira asked while placing her hand on Ashmita's cheek.
Ashmita sighed and took a pause for a moment. She turned her eyes back to Maira and asked, "Sis.. Do you love Abhijit?"
Maira who is looking intently at Ashmita dumbfounded by her question and a blush crept over her face.
"Why.. Why are you asking this now?" Maira asked with confusion.
"Just want to know sis. Now tell me whatever is in your mind..," Ashmita asked.
Maira sighed and made Ashmita sit along with her. She said, "That.. I don't know but I really feel happy and safe when Abhi is around. No matter how hard the situation can be, with him by my side, I feel peaceful and courageous more than enough to face it calmly. Don't know if it's because we grew up together, Abhi always makes me feel at home. He's just so special."
Ashmita saw her sister's eyes chuckle every time she said his name out loud. That chuckling was so contagious that Ashmita's eyes gave out a big smile as Maira poured out her feelings.
"Sis you are completely in love," Ashmita exclaimed.
Maira's eyes widened and looked at Ashmita. She said, "No. I'm telling you, it's not like that. I don't deny I like him, but.."
"Haha, tell whatever you want. But it is written all over your face," Ashmita teased.
Maira sighed and raised her hands in surrender and said, "Yes. I love him but I'm not sure if he feels the same about me."
"All this time, that is what your concern is? Abhi is so in love with you. We all know that already. " Ashmita said.
"You are not playing with me, are you?" Maira asked.
"No sis, why would I lie to you? Even an 11 year old can tell that he loves you. Have you ever noticed the way he looks at you?" Ashmita asked.
Maira without thinking for a moment said, "Yeah, I know. It is the same way every girl wants to be looked at. But I cannot draw my conclusions from that. So I've planned something to make him confess his thoughts to me."
Ashmita gasped and asked, "You did? What is it ?"
"I am sure Abhi has feelings for me. So first I will make him realize and admit them to himself. But knowing him, I can say he wouldn't come out so easy. Then I will help him confess to his lady," Maira said with a smirk.
"Woah.. That sounds evil. Haha it's surely going to be so fun!" Ashmita exclaimed with happiness.
Maira joined her by throwing her head back along with Ashmita.
"Ok now, you tell me what's bothering you. Thought I'd forget?" Maira said, looking into Ashmita's eyes.
"Umm.. Sis that is.."
"Wait.. You're in love. My god this is big!" Maira gasped while covering her mouth with her hands.
"I don't know sis. I am confused," Ashmita said while looking down.
"Who can that person be? Hmm. Let me guess, the Prince of IRIS? What is his name again?" Maira started pretending to guess.
" Rishi sis," Ashmita said absent mindedly.
"Right! Prince Rishi who stole your heart. My guess is always correct," Maira giggled.
Ashmita widened her eyes and looked at Maira.
"Sis, I just told his name. That's it. I don't have any feelings for him," Ashmita said hurriedly.
"Haha. Yes. You just told his name. Then without me asking anything, you only said you don't have feelings which clearly means, you have feelings," Maira said teasingly.
Before Ashmita replied, Maira added, "See Ashmita, there is nothing wrong in loving someone. Just don't feel the burden by keeping it to yourself. If you want to clear things with him then you should do it. But just don't hang on to a thread. Talk with him and sort out your feelings."
"But sis, is it really ok to talk with him like that? What if he thinks of me badly? What if he thinks that I am throwing myself on him?" Ashmita asked.
"Ashmita there are so many 'ifs' in life. What if he accepts you? What if he also has feelings on you? So don't think much, think wisely and move," Maira said.
"You know that our grandfather also married for love right? And we already miss our parents' love for so many years. So don't shut yourself from this now," Maira said and patted her head. She left Ashmita alone to give her some time to think.
Ashmita stared into the sky for a long time and came to a conclusion.
"Pichu…" Ashmita shouted.
A cute and beautiful parrot came and settled on Ashmita's shoulder. Ashmita tamed her by patting her mane and kissed her on the top of head.
"Pichu.. I have a task for you," Ashmita said with a smile.
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