*clip clop clip clop, clip clop clip*
Madhu cast another inquisitive glance at her beloved niece while embroidering a silken handkerchief. Megha was playing with a Ponn (gold coin) and seemed to be currently in the midst of brooding over something. Madhu then skeptical shifts her gaze to the last person traveling in their carriage.
Vanni also didn't look like her normal self at the moment her scrunched up eyebrows twitching toes as she busily looked into the scroll in her hand to explain anything. She didn't even seem to notice Madhu's discrete signals for the last couple of minutes.
'This two girls...' Madhu secretly shook her head and resisted the urge to directly wave her hand in front of the older teen's face to grab her attention. Madhu knew unlike Vaani, Megha wasn't daydreaming after opening up some scroll to not notice such an obvious action in the such carriage especially if the said carriage could only accommodate three people.
Madhu could tell at glance both of these kids had something on their mind as if deeply troubled by something and mulling over it. Since both of them kept this matter to themselves not to tell her or seek out Madhu for help she pretended to be oblivious to it at least for now.
Although she was kind of curious. Madhu didn't want to be seen as an invasive or demanding adult in their teenage life. She knows girls at this age were troublesome to deal with then when they were kids.
Besides, she didn't think it was anything important or worrying. What could possibly bother her niece and Vaani in their own sect, which was top tier one in the empire.
' Well... what trouble could these two little brats stir up in the sect grounds huh? There is nothing I can't handle ' she rhetorically thought to herself, as Madhu believes she herself already went through this in her teenage know generic mindset.
But her beautiful eyes once again subconsciously fell on Megha. This time there was this slight concern evident in them, despite her self encouraging talks Madhu still felt her worry spike up in her mind. It's not that she doubted the capability of the sect or all those dangerous arrays but her niece's physical and mental health.
Megha was by no means a sickly child, Her health wasn't currently very good not to mention she cooped up in that dusty and dingy building for almost the whole three weeks breathing in all that dust. She wasn't a powerful grandmaster.
Madhu realized Megha wasn't acting like her usual self this last six months. It's not only her, everyone close to Megha notices her rather eccentric actions and attitude. That doesn't mean she missed all the good changes in her niece, just that she kind of felt Megha was stressed.
It's true martial artists didn't get sick from just that. Megha's health wasn't great in the last six months. For Madhu to feel relief with just this even her eyes and observation tell her otherwise, call it her motherly instinct as she really brought up Megha as her own.
' Maybe I could subtly probe her whether she was feeling okay, she probably shouldn't even notice...then I could happily continue with this pretense ' Madhu nodded to herself as she decided on what to do ' and let them come to terms with whatever was bothering them. I'm sure they would seek out and tell me what's bothering them in their own time'
*Ahem!*
___ ___ ___
Hearing the sound of someone clearing throat , Megha looked up at her aunt. Confused expression was clear on her face to all but inwardly she was feeling quite frustrated with something else.
But seemed resigned herself to her aunt nagging, as if she partially expected something like this to happen sooner than later. For the reason why Megha readily agreed on attending this party was this could calm and relax her mind. She doesn't think staying in her manor does her any good.
What she wanted right now wasn't privacy and silence but rather something like this. After all, who wouldn't love to admire a garden full of fragrant exotic flowers, she likes flowers very much.
' Maybe this would really help me to clear up my mind. Help me think of a better plan perhaps' she mused but her mind was very clear about Madhu's gaze on her face.
"Aunt? " Megha looked at her aunt with question marks all over evident on her face and finally took her aunt's poker face a little seriously. ' Ah! this look.... I know what it means, she is up to something for sure ' Megha's mind churned like spin top as she had her guards up.
Megha was quite familiar with this face, as she got tricked or pranked by her own aunt back then. At that time it had never occurred to Megha that Madhu, her caring beloved aunt, had this mischievous and devious side to her.
Megha Unintentionally spilled like lot of her secrets, even the kind a kid should never told to their parents(Not that she cared or she had anything that serious and worth hide from her aunt)
Which became a blackmailing card in Madhu's hand Megha didn't dare to risk this secret reaching her father's ears back then whether her aunt was trustworthy or not doesn't matter because Megha cared too much about the consequences.
"Mmm" only to see her aunt smile innocently at her " What's the matter darling? " Madhu tilted her head to the side.
' Ah so you are really up to something aren't you? Look at that innocent face, I really have to give it to her. My aunt has thick skin... tsk tsk, tricking an innocent, trusty and cute girl like me ' Megha didn't so much blush either when she shamelessly praised herself.
Megha long acknowledged her narcissistic tendencies to herself and always firmly believed she had this right to brag however she wanted. In fact, it was true she didn't see anyone more beautiful than her even in the past but Megha long since curb and tone it down this Tendency but on rare occasions like this it would rear its head.
" Aunt, did you catch a cold or something...are you feeling alright aunt? You were unusually quiet today? " Megha played along on her own terms. She would be dumb if she fell in the pit her aunt dug for her jump in so Megha skillfully conjured up a bridge to walk past it.
Not expecting this Madhu froze with an awkward expression but she was as usual quick witted " Nothing serious " she waved her hand " How could I possibly got cold I'm perfectly alright, Am I whiny or something can't you see I was sewing " she retorted wanting come straight to the point no unnecessary nonsense.
How could Megha allow her aunt to gear up that easily, though she doesn't know what this is about? She wanted to make sure this develops into a headache today.
"Here, I still have some medicine with me.... they are not much of a use to me" she rolled her eyes with wry smile for Madhu to see " Teacher kept insisting on having it few on my person, he must be really think I was fragile and feint on my feet any given time"
Before she could probe her aunt further Vaani interjected " Aunt you should probably take the medicine....this must be the recent changes in the climate right? It got me few days ago as well nip it in the bud, you have little Madhan to take care" she looked quite concerned as she urged mash-up to take this medicine " Trust me, they are quite effective, she didn't need them for sometime anyway "
Madhu wanted to say something but stopped herself at the last second and stiffly took the medicine from Megha although looking a little annoyed she was secretly moved by these two brats' care and concern about her well-being.
" Thanks... for the medicine " but she carefully put it away " I heard, a few days ago you went to look for your grandpa. What is that all about? '' Madhu was quite relieved when she heard their assurance on Megha's ever improving health so changed the subject to something lighter and conversational.
But how could she know this question would put a visible scowl right back on megha's face. Let's not forget about Vaani's somewhat uneasy expression Madhu's intuition flickered there and then and now she can't continue with her pretense anymore.
' Oh God, what did she do, don't tell me she bicker with the old man ' Madhu was internally startled.
Madhu sat upright and her previous jovial face morphed into a stern and severe one. as she intimidatingly narrowed her eyes at the both of them scrutinizingly.
Madhu right away noticed Vaani was on the edge of breaking point, looking flustered and fidgeting. On the other hand she was also surprised to note that her beloved niece was faring a lot better in playing dumb hiding her emotions but Madhu was keen enough to notice something in the brat's eyes though.
' Hoh! is that defiance.... How cute' Madhu struggles to not crack up, seeing this strange yet familiar emotion in the little girl's eyes. It looks like this brat finally growing up huh? Look at that expression it's exactly like seeing Madhi back then '
But despite her humors and complicated fleeting thoughts she was far from feeling at ease about this matter. All her calmness and cool left her deserted her when she could remember very well when she had seen a similar expression on her sister's face before she ran out from her home foolishly.
This was something everyone goes through when they are in teenage years ' What's this called by her father.... ah rebellious streak... nah rebellious phase yeah that's the one ' including her everyone had go through a certain period of emotion and mental maturity in their teenage years.
It's more so for Martial artists who are refining their vitality. The overflowing energy and hormones make them feel like ants in the hot pan. Teachers paid great attention to their students in this time period of growth which was a golden period for molding teenagers into their philosophy and idol.
Madhu was half expecting and half dreading this same thing happening to her little cloud, she really considered Megha as her own so she wanted to help her make her understand certain things better make her realize the cause and effect on every action.
She couldn't allow Megha to grow up as an exotic caged bird or naive one. Unlike how her sister and herself go through these teenage years she could make it a lot better for Megha with her guidance now and then.
She was always kind of wondering if their mother was alive at that time. What would have happened, could she be able to stop her sister from running away like that? She knew it was very likely possible with a capable adult.
Although both of them didn't suffer anything during this short period of foolishness, one can't be ever so sure about what one's future stashed for them. So Madhu wanted to be there for her little cloud, so her departed sister Sted made sure Megha had no regrets about crying later in her life.
" Well!..." Madhu drawled at her niece " Brat how about you telling me what is this all about " she pointed the needle to Meagha "Just know that don't try to be crafty, if I find it myself you are not going to like the consequences am did you hear me? " she threatened Megha with a stern voice.
There and then she already decided that she wouldn't mind teaching lessons if needed. She would never allow Megha to end up doing anything foolish or dangerous, not to mention their families' centuries of dignity.
" How come everything immediately became my fault huh? " Megha retorted swiftly back "You didn't even know anything yet, you started to pick sides and blindly accuse me. you are no better than both of them " Megha's lowered lips quivered making her look like she had just suffered some great injustice.
Madhu startled for a second, it's indeed true she had assumed things and immediately taken sides and implying her as accused Megha right out of bat... but what else could she think, no matter how she analyzes the situation only one thing comes to her mind.
She really didn't believe Megha's father or Grandpa would ever bully the girl. It's no secret everyone in their family loves Megha and showers her with adoration and spoils her, including Thuruva who shows his care in a twisted kind of way.
So she was correct in assuming it's more likely Megha did something out of bound getting scolded or punished by either of the two she couldn't think anything else Madhu after carefully sizing up the suspicious brat turned to look at Vaani.
Who currently had an obvious sneer on her pale face as she looked at Megha with annoyance. she then immediately turned to her niece with narrowed eyes as if she finally caught up with something.
"Oh yeah... then why don't you tell aunt, your account of what happened in your grandpa's place huh? then I'll decide on whether you were wrong in this, how about that? " Madhu eased up her expression and craftily sizing up Megha " Aunt would surely take your side, if this was not really your fault you know that right? mind you I'll be cross checking with your grandpa "
" Of course! Why should I be afraid of telling you? I know for sure aunt definitely would take my side in the end " Megha said, puffing up her cheeks acting all cute in front of Madhu.
From the corner of her eyes Madhu noticed Vanni looked like she wanted to say something but held it in at the last second. " Okay now what exactly happened there? "
As she listens to Megha about what exactly happened Madhu's expression constantly changes from puzzled expression from amusement then irritation which finally settles on anger by the end of the retelling Madhu struggle to put up a calm facade.
" Aunt, Now you tell me, How exactly did I do anything wrong? don't you think they are being dramatic " Megha looked at her aunt with hopeful eyes "It's all because father. being unreasonable and annoyance for the stunts I pulled on him"
Megha looked at her aunt with puppy eyes " Aunt please you had to speak up for me and tell uncle to come as well they were just being busybodies don't you think?"
Madhu had an interesting expression on her face as she looked at her stubborn and idiotic niece and impassively said " You really dare to ask and do whatever you want aren't you?"
Her face broke into ugly smile but her anger was evident in her eyes " Here I thought for a second the old man being biased and unreasonable-"
"Aunt-"
" That's enough, if you except any sort of help from me then kept dreaming-"
"But Aunt i-"
" Little Cloud don't be foolish, you really expect me or anyone in our family to agree with this kind of Tomfoolery.... what a mess-"
"AUNT! "
" Shh! Enough with your whining, are you going to keep shouting like this? this kind of nonsense aren't even funny don't bring this up again "
" I wouldn't listen, I wouldn't listen to your unreasonable conditions. I can do whatever I want to. I'm not a child anymore so don't treat me like a one " Megha fumed childishly.
" Oh it looks like I have been too soft on you didn't I? " Madhu reached out and pinched Megha's cheeks a little tightly.
*Ouch* " Vit hurs lel gop me " Megha slurred at the sudden violence and tried to get out of her aunt's vice like grip for no while.
" Do you really think I wouldn't teach you a lesson? Go on cry and roll all you want, I like to see what are you going to do about it "
Megha finally able to get rid off those pincers and glared her aunt with teary eyes " Bulls*** everyone try out sect mission all year why wouldn't you guys put all kind of restrictions on me "
" At least tell me why you are not allowing me, I have proved to father and grandpa I'm quite capable alright and...and already bragged big sister Maya I will be taking a mission this following month. Can you expect me to get embarrassed in front of everyone, are you?"
" That's not true. I know for a fact big sister Maya already returned to sect half way for some reason so she or anyone in their group had no position to point their fingers at you " Vaani interjected yearning hot glare from Megha.
" Big sister you have changed, why are you going against me in this you know that I have long planned to take this mission " Megha had a tinge of sorrow and mellowness in her voice.
Madhu rolled her eyes at seeing this drama "Okay listen I'm not going to be unreasonable with this let's hear why we didn't allowing you to going out on mission any time soon "
She held up her hands for the teens to stop their bickering " Usually I wouldn't against such a thing, in fact it was a good opportunity for you to see outside world learn a thing or two but not with the current situation "
" Even if we arranged martial arts Masters to protect you there is no guarantee you will be safe out there so don't be stubborn let things cool down for a while we will see whether I can send you out on a mission in a year perhaps " Madhu spoke up explaining little bit.
There was an odd look on Megha's face, unlike what Madhu initially expected Megha didn't throw a tantrum or kept pestering her but fell silent.
' What is she talking about 'situation' what kind of situation is she talking about? ' Megha thought to herself she cast a glance at Vaani who had this same puzzled look on her face. As if her thoughts were heard by her aunt, Madhu speaks up.
"There was huge chaos brewing out there, a couple of weeks ago there was even an attack on our sect" Madhu's face looking grim " Do you think we were just playing with you? three core disciples got attacked on their way to sect if it's not for the elders following them none of them might return alive, why one of our elder taken severe damage in this sudden ambush "
"WHAT! '' the two teens stimulatingly exclaimed with different emotion but megha's expression undergone another change.