Time flew like a wind as Ashmita waited for her messenger's arrival. She was lying on her bed after freshening up and her wet hair's drinking air, spreading over the bed. Staring at the ceiling, she kept thinking about random things.
She suddenly heard a fluttering of wings at the window and got up. As Ashmita ran to the window, Pichu came inside and settled down on her shoulder. Taming her, took her to the bed.
Ashmita placed a plate of well ripe fruits and water before Pichu, expecting her to be starving. Like she did, Pichu enjoyed the meal.
"My Master is the best!," Pichu sang with her cute voice.
Ashmita smiled and kissed Pichu. "So is my lovely messenger. Did you meet him Pichu?" she asked curiously.
"Yes...!"
"How is he doing?"
"Doing gooood..!"
"So how did he respond to my query there?"
"Hmm.. At first, he stammered a bit. He managed to go with the flow later on. You know, 'cause I can tell.. He seemed like lying, but he was very cuuute!"
"Really? Looks like someone's found an apple!"
"Well master.. Job first.. Apple later. Hmmm."
"Haha relax. So what did he tell?"
Pichu repeated, " Ah.. he's not a trustworthy prince. He is already having so many affairs and changes girls like clothes. And his skills are too weak to even handle his sword right. He is an alcohol addict, so don't keep more expectations on him. That's all I know about him."
"These were the exact words from Prince Rishi. Master! there's one more line.. Well it was..." Pichu informed and was trying to remember, walking on the bed.
Ashmita is already grinning from ear to ear. She felt very happy about his response and a small hope started to blossom in her heart.
"Ah.. here it is! He said that it's better to marry someone who's more capable like him than that ugly prince."
Listening to that, Ashmita's heart started dancing with joy. Maira's piece of information worked like an arrow. A man grows jealous and may even cry when the girl he has feelings on, shows a little interest in any other men.
'My sister was right! It worked.. I know the Prince of Cosmos. He's a nice person. Who can think that Rishi would make him a bad guy in an instant. Ah.. It's so not like him at all..!' Ashmita thought to herself and smiled.
"Master..! Why're you smiling?" Pichu curiously asked, expecting the reason for her smiling, foolishly.
"*Ahem* Nothing. You may take your leave Pichu. Take care!" Ashmita said while hiding her smile.
"Sure will, master. Thank you!" Pichu said and flew towards the window, then stopped suddenly and turned back to Ashmita.
"Master.. He asked me how you are doing?"
"What??"
"Yes master, he asked about you. But I replied to him saying I was not his messenger and to send his own messenger to find out. Was I being rude? Hmm.. regretted it a little later.."
'My pet, indeed..' Ashmita sighed.
"It's alright. You did great. Now go enjoy yourself in the garden, it's all yours." Ashmita said and kissed her goodbye.
"Thanks master!" Pichu beamed and flew away.
Ashmita lies on her stomach on the bed and thinks about Rishi. She imagined how he'd reacted upon hearing the question and how gloomy and desperate he was, while lying about the Prince of Cosmos.
'Ahh.. He's jealous!' Ashmita thought and buried her face in the pillows.
"Achoo!!"
Rishi rubs his nose and thinks that someone's thinking about him. Rishi and Raj almost reached his father's chamber to talk about Ashmita.
They're trying to meet his father from the past 2 days but couldn't as he was not in the right mood to talk.
Today they've received a message from his father to meet. So they've decided to tell him now.
"Greetings Father. Greetings Mother." they wished.
"You are here. Come, sit down. Have some tea." Queen Sumitra invited them.
They both took seats in front of their parents.
"Father, how are you feeling now?" Rishi asked.
"I am good. Tell me. Wanted to see me for something?" King Chakravarthi asked.
"Yes father. We've been trying to discuss a very important thing with you, lately" Raj exclaimed.
"Oh! If Raj says it's important then I must listen. What is it Rishi?" Sumitra asked lovingly.
Before Rishi replied, "Wait, Mom and dad.. after listening to the news you both have to give me something! like money, gold, gems, diamonds. Some cute valuables as gifts." Raj shamelessly asked for gifts.
The couple laughed and nodded in approval. "Sure"
Raj beamed with joy and gestured to Rishi to continue. He sighed and looked at his parents.
"Father, Mother, I am here to ask you to make a Marriage alliance for me," Rishi said straightly.
*Cough* *Cough*
They both choked on their tea and coughed violently. Sumitra hurriedly placed the cup down and went towards his son.
"Son, are you alright? Are you not feeling well??" Sumitra asked by checking his forehead.
Rishi calmly took his mother's hand and said, "No Mother, I am perfectly fine. I am serious about this. I want a marriage. See, just because of me, Raj is still not married and he will become old like that if we delay anymore. Later no one would take his hand."
"Pfft..." Raj spat out the tea, listening to him. Rishi glared at him to shut down.
Raj sulked and sat there silently. He wanted to refuse his words but Rishi's gaze eventually did its work. 'Fine. I leave you this time. Consider this as your wedding gift' Raj thought to himself and calmed his heart down.
"Seriously? This is great! Did you hear that dear? Our son wants to get married," Sumitra exclaimed with joy.
The King smiled seeing his wife's happy face. He looked at Rishi calmly and asked.
"Marriage Alliance with which kingdom?" King Chakravarthi asked calmly.
Rishi looked at his father and said with a smile "Lotus Kingdom. Princess Ashmita"
King Chakravarthi paused in his actions and his face became cold. "NO!" he thundered.
Everyone froze and looked at the King with shock and confusion.
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