I opened my eyes and he said, "Princess."
He kissed me again, and I smiled shyly, he came down to my face again and kissed. We kissed again, every time we kissed, we didn't want to leave each other's embrace. I withdrew myself after some more sessions of kissing, cuddling and love making and again dosed off to sleep. I woke up after a while and when I searched for him, he was no were to be found, I felt scared, real scared and that's when I realized what mistake I have done and what trouble I have got myself into. I got up, wore my clothes back, ran throughout the palace, couldn't find any way out, neither could find any person to ask for help. I wished to run out, and I went each way was confusing.
After running a while, I bumped onto him, he held me and asked, "What happened? Why do you look so scared?"
I just smiled and said, "I thought I lost you again. "
He held me in his arms and said," That will never happen again." Just as he said that, there was loud noise, and we could see some figure, but couldn't really figure out who it was, it came near to us, taking shape of woman.
She stood in front of us, and started laughing, she came close to me, and when she did he held me even closer.
She came forward and said laughing, "Love birds, why, how dare you, what does she have that I don't have, didn't I love you?"
He looked at me and said, "I didn't say that you lacked anything."
She took a close look on us and started doing something with her hands which I didn't understand. It was like a battle of wind. So much wind and dust flew. He asked me to move back, he was fighting and protecting me at the same time. The fight went on, he in the end had to put the sword in her head. The enemy was finally dead. He came and cupped my face and said, "Half of our work is over."
I didn't understand what he was saying or what was actually happening, was I alive or dead? He led me to another door way, there were large windows, I could see the it was autumn season, one of the most beautiful seasons. I had so many questions, but I really didn't know where to start.
After walking a while, in order to get hold of the situation, asked him, "Can we go out for some time, just get some fresh air?"
He didn't respond, just walked, and I walked behind him, after a while, he said, "Close your eyes princess." I closed my eyes, I could feel gentle breeze touching me, and in a while, he wrapped me again in his arms, and said, "Now slowly open your eyes." I opened my eyes, capturing the beauty, it was so beautiful, and it just seemed as if another scenery had really become alive.
I was so lost in the beauty, we stood there still for some time. After a while I said, "Why don't we go out, just take a walk."
He withdrew himself and said, "Okay, as you command my princess."
I didn't like why he called me princess all the time. I do have a name. I was so confused, I felt as if my brain would burst any minute. One end I was Aisha, who was his lover, one end I was Maya, the numb girl. I had lost my identity. I didn't hate Maya but I didn't love her either, maybe it is for the best. We went outside, it was just so beautiful. There were huge trees, and in between fallen leaves. The way leaves moved in the ground, with music of wind, it seemed as if it was dance. We went towards bench and sat there. I could always catch him looking at me stealing glances on which I would smile. It seemed as if I was acting in some old movie. I wanted to know more, so I decided I should frame questions in a way he wouldn't feel bad. He started humming some strange song to which birds came and even birds started to sing in that tune.
After that, I asked him, "Why have I never read or heard your name in history or any other books?"
He laughed and said, "There are many stories which were never told by anyone, are you having doubts now? What happened?"
I felt bad, maybe I had hurt him who I didn't want so I said, "No it isn't that, am quite confused, past and present is driving me nuts. I don't understand to where I belong, what am I doing, where am going to, what is this whole about. I don't really understand and am really going crazy."
He took my hands and kissed my palm and held it tight and said, "Be it past or present, you belong to me, and this is about just you and me, it has been and it will always be."
It felt nice hearing those words, but I was getting concerned now, what was actually happening to me, I couldn't control it I said, " I know, it feels nice, I can speak now, I have voice, I can sing and I am in love but can you please tell me what is going to happen next? Will we be just here? Why aren't there any people here? "
He looked down and said, "I can't tell you the whole story of the curse, remember this though that I will never let anything happen to you, we are in I guess Kashmir as it is known now, and in present context you are no longer in India, you will return soon back to your place in some time, there aren't people here because we are not visible to anyone, neither can we see them." I felt more confused hearing it, and bit scared as well. Where are we in real, I couldn't imagine me being in other side. I felt really nervous now. I needed a way out.
I started crying, I had made love to a ghost. What would Jai think of me when he comes to know that I had slept with someone else? I was no longer a virgin. I had made a mistake. I started panicking. How did I believe this person, for what reasons did I think he was telling the truth.
He came near me, I got up and said, "Who do you think you are? How dare you do all this to me?"
He was looking at me in confusion, I said, "You think all this magic stories I will believe? It is all non-sense. You lied to me."
He was still calm, he said, "I can understand but tell me then how did you draw me? Check your sketches, you had drawn this castle before also. "
I say, "It was from imagination."
He smiles and says, "This is also imagination then."
I look at him with confusion, he says, "I was being nice with you, and this is how you behave with me? Who told you to draw me? I was happy in my world."
I give him a disgusted look and walk away, he comes behind me and holds my hand. He says, "You think you can leave this place?"
I had made a huge mistake and I have no idea how I am going to correct it. He says, "Look I have nothing against you, but you know you released me, but still I can't let you go so easily. "
He was just murmuring words, I realized there is something wrong with him. I go near him and say, "You can share if there is something bothering you. Maybe I can help you out."
He looks at me and says, "I wish so."
I ask, "What do you mean?" He takes a sigh and says, "I am sorry I had lied to you, it wasn't my story. It is something different. You are nice person and I don't cause harm to people with good heart."
I was blushing hearing this, I said, "So if that is not your story then what your story is, maybe I can help."
He looks outside the window and says, "I don't know, it isn't that easy as you think. I have been cursed. I am very lusty person. I desire to be in bed all the time. I was born as a prince, and everyone hated me here because I was all the time in brothels. For me it was like if I wanted someone I got that person. No one ever objected because I would shower them with money or jewellery or whatever they asked. It is in that time when I was out for hunting I came across this beautiful lady, she was not like the normal ladies. She was practising with her sword and in those times it is not allowed for women to fight. She removed her shawl slowly from her eyes. I was awestruck with her beauty. She had sharp eyes, she started singing. I was in total love with her voice. I came back every day to see her. I had lost interest in other women, for she ruled my brain all the time. I had given my word to a lady named Sana that I will be here forever, she was my favourite in the brothel. I was sure that she would never like a person like me even if I am prince. I didn't hold a good name. I was always under the influence of alcohol or drugs. I had slowly stopped that, I got myself in the track of good. Everyone was confused. Even my family members started respecting me a bit for it was good change. I told my father that I wanted to marry her, he didn't say anything , maybe he knew no one would give me there daughter. He told me that if they agree you can. I went and asked her father, he didn't agree. But she did, she liked me I don't know why. I got married to her and I had changed more, she was my inspiration. I had become king in all ways. Sana on the other hand was furious. She took help of black magic to control her anger to both of us. She tried her best to bring me back to my old ways, but I wouldn't go. Even if she made me do things, in the last moment I would just go from there. She went and took resort of black magician. Aisha had a very kind heart, she would always help anyone. One day one of servants gave a drink, it was told to her that it is juice, she drank it and within some time she lost her voice. Slowly, she started losing everything, her hair, eye sight, she was bed ridden. One day, she passed away. I could never accept it that she was no more. I went to depression and I was more into all these than before. Sana was happy, I told her she would be my queen now. One day one of the girls told me that it was all her doing to be the queen. I got furious and I went to her, she tried to calm me down but it didn't happen. She applied something on my head, it made me turn into a lustful beast. I would just be behind every woman in kingdom. My family was really fed up with me by now. They called someone to get me in control. He tied me with ropes and all and applied something in my head. I felt really heavy, I felt dizzy and I fainted. After that I was kept in bottle. My family members were sad yet they were relieved. After some time, I would turn out to be a pen that is the second part of the curse which she had cast. When the pen comes to the rightful hand I shall be free. I shall be free from the curse."
I look at him, he was telling the truth I felt so. I say, "So you mean now you are free? "
He smiles and says, "Yes, somewhat I am free, I just told you two parts of the curse, there is a third part as well. I need to make love to you for seven nights, this will make me and Aisha free from the spell."
I became numb. I didn't know what to tell him, I just looked at him, and I felt like I would vomit any moment. He gave me water to drink. I drank it in one go.
After calming myself down, I said, "Are you even aware of what you just told, look everything is fine but the last one I can't accept it, what would become of me then? I don't want to make out with you at least. What would happen to me after that you even thought of it?"
He took a sigh and said, "You came here trusting me right? Trust me for little more time, I promise nothing will happen to you. I will make sure of that you return home safe and you will be with the person you love. This will be forgotten with time."
I don't know for what stupid reason but I still trusted this person.
I ask, "Promise?"
He smiled and nodded. I asked, "What are we supposed to do then? Just this?"
He laughs and says, "No obviously not. Come here, let's go have some food first."
We went towards the hall way, there were too many people waiting for us. All were smiling and waving at us. I felt like I was in some sort of fairy tale movie. We went to have food, it was too good. I have never tasted such delicious food ever in my life. He had made sure it is all vegetables. I felt bit nervous of what was to follow. This would be our first night. I don't know if what happened previously would be counted. I was introduced to many people. All of them addressed me as Aisha. After the gathering, I was taken to another room. It had huge bed, it seemed old though. I was looking all around, it felt as if it was one of the rooms in museums.
I ask him, "Why haven't I heard about this anywhere till now."
He gave a naughty smile and said, "There is things in history like that which no one knows. The people whom you met where your parents, centuries ago. The moment you released me this palace became alive again. This would go when you leave. The whole place."
I looked at him, and said, "Isn't this Kashmir?"