So far!
Meera had reached heaven through a magical book to save Kaveri and others trapped in hell. To aid her, the gods sent five women to assist her in this mission.
Now!
After the women introduced themselves to Meera, Vanathi asked, "Yes, what's your name?"
"My name is Meera," she replied with a smile.
"That's a nice name," said Chitrani with a smile.
"Thank you, thank you. So… won't you all speak like me?" Meera asked, confused, raising her eyebrows while looking at the five women.
"What do you mean by 'like you'... we don't quite understand," asked Rooba Naayagi, also confused.
"I mean... won't you speak in the casual English I'm using? Because speaking the pure English you all use is really hard for me," Meera said, looking embarrassed.
Kannagi, smiling at Meera's gesture, said, "Yes, speaking like you is hard for us too, but dear friend, you've come to our place, alive no less. So, it's best for you to learn to speak like us."
"Why? What if you all spoke like me instead?" Meera asked, still confused.
Vanathi placed her hand on Meera's shoulder and said with a smile, "Everyone here speaks like us. Besides, no one except us knows where you came from or why you're here."
"And it's not just about that. It's our duty to protect you and your secret, but it's also your duty. Only if you do so can you stay here," added Shanthini, placing her hand on Meera's other shoulder.
All of them then said with a loud, teasing smile, "So, it's best if you learn to speak like us."
"Oh, all this just because I asked you to speak like me?" Meera sighed, and the five women burst into laughter, and Meera laughed along with them. As the six of them started walking together, Meera asked, "So, where are we going now?"
"We're on the way. You'll find out when we get there," Shanthini said.
Meera continued walking with them, thinking, "Maybe we're going to a palace."
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At that moment, Meera saw an enormous, majestic palace, adorned with colorful gems, surrounded by water, and filled with the soothing sound of waterfalls and the melodious chirping of birds. The sight left her wide-eyed in wonder.
"Oh my goodness, how beautiful! Is that a palace?" Meera asked, unable to take her eyes off it.
"Yes, Meera," Rooba said, but as she looked at Meera's attire, she smacked her forehead and said to the others, "Oh no! We completely forgot. Look at this, girls," she pointed to Meera's clothes with her eyes. The others understood, and all five of them stood in a circle around Meera, mumbling something under their breath.
"Hey! What are you all doing?" Meera asked in fear and confusion, but before she could finish, the six of them disappeared from the spot.
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At the college!
Some students were boarding the college bus, while a student standing at the door was checking if everyone was aboard. Arunachalam, a professor, called out to him, "Jagan, come here."
Jagan ran to him, and the professor said, "Make sure everyone's accounted for. Also, be alert during the research. All the best."
"Okay, sir," Jagan replied.
"And don't forget the important thing," reminded Jennifer, another professor. Her sudden statement confused Jagan.
"What important thing, mam?" he asked, bewildered.
"What do you mean, 'what thing'? If anyone asks about Meera and Kaveri, especially if their parents ask, remember to say that they've already gone there. Didn't we tell you this earlier? Did you forget?" Jennifer asked, a bit annoyed.
"Oh no, mam! I was just a little confused. That's all. Bye, mam! Bye, sir," Jagan said hastily, relieved, as he quickly ran onto the bus and sat down.
Watching him rush off, both professors laughed and stood there until the bus disappeared from view, after which they let out a sigh of relief and headed back into the college.
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In Heaven!
The six of them, who had disappeared, reappeared in a beautifully decorated room. The room was adorned with dark blue walls, with golden and silver stones embedded in them, giving it a grand and elegant look.
"What is this place?" Meera asked, looking around in confusion.
"This is our secret chamber, Meera. Here, take this attire," Kannagi said, handing Meera a beautiful dark blue saree, embedded with white diamonds.
"A saree? Why do I need to wear it?" Meera asked.
"Just wear it. Don't ask questions," Chitrani said, annoyed.
"Do I not even have the right to ask questions here in heaven? Fine, give it to me," Meera said grumpily. She took the saree and put it on, and the five women made her look as beautiful as them.
"Now you look as lovely as one of the heavenly maidens," Shanthini said with a smile.
"Is it?" Meera asked, looking at herself. When she saw her reflection in the mirror, even she was amazed at how beautiful she looked.
"Hey, I look beautiful!" she said, touching her cheeks and smiling, while the others gave her a soft smile.
"Alright, let's go. We're already running late," Vanathi said, urging everyone. She reached out her hand to Shanthini, who held it, and then the rest joined hands, forming a circle. They mumbled something under their breath, and before Meera could understand what was happening, they disappeared and reappeared in front of the same palace.
"Hey! We're back in front of the palace again. How did that happen?" Meera asked excitedly.
"It's just how things are. Come, let's go inside," Kannagi said, leading the way into the palace.
"Wow! This place is amazing. What is this place?" Meera asked in awe.
"Can't you tell, Meera? It's a palace," Vanathi replied sarcastically.
"I know that! Why did you bring me here?" Meera asked with a slight pout.
"You're new to our place, aren't you? We have to inform our leader about you. That's why we're here," Shanthini explained with a smile.
"Leader? Doesn't that mean we're going to meet the king?" Meera wondered aloud, then asked, "Does that mean we're going to see Indra?"
"Indra? Who told you that?" Roopa Naayagi asked, shocked.
"You just said we're going to meet the leader, right? A leader means a king. So, isn't Indra the king here?" Meera asked, confused.
"Indra is the king of Deva Loka. This is Swarga Loka, not Deva Loka. Indra doesn't reside here," Chitrani clarified.
"Oh... then who are we going to meet?" Meera asked, puzzled.
"Can you stop asking questions for a while? You're driving me crazy with your endless questions!" Rooba Naayagi snapped, unable to handle Meera's curiosity.
"Hmph, I won't say anything. I'll just come along quietly," Meera said, pretending to be offended, turning her face away and walking ahead.
Seeing this, the five women laughed, while Vanathi ran up to her, saying, "Come on, don't be mad. Let's go inside. You'll get all your answers there." Smiling, she held Meera's hand and led her inside, with the others following.
As they approached the royal court, two guards stopped them.
"Who are you? Why have you come here?" one guard asked.
"We've come to meet the queen. We need to inform her about the new arrival to our place," Shanthini calmly replied.
"That's fine, but you haven't told us who you are yet," the other guard asked.
"Do you really not know who we are?" Kannagi asked, raising an eyebrow. The guards shook their heads, and just then, a third guard rushed out from inside, seeing the five women.
"Princesses! Is it you? My apologies. Please, come in," he said respectfully, inviting them in, but they remained standing, staring at the other two guards.
Understanding their silent gaze, the third guard said, "Forgive us, princesses! These guards are new to the job. Also, since you've come dressed so simply, they failed to recognize you."
Vanathi replied, "It's alright. They were just doing their duty. We're not upset."
The guards, relieved by her words, stepped aside, allowing all six of them to enter the court.
"Wow, they're princesses?" Meera thought in shock as she followed them inside.
Upon entering, they saw a regal figure seated on the throne with a scepter in hand. She looked like a celestial beauty.
"We greet you, Queen Rukmini!" the five women bowed, and Meera followed suit.
"May you be well. Welcome, princesses. We're delighted by your visit. Are you all well?" Queen Rukmini asked with a smile.
"Under your reign, we are well, O Queen. Many thanks," said Santhini respectfully. The Queen, Rukmini, offering a faint smile, then looked at Meera, who was standing nearby, and asked in confusion, "Who is she?"
Vaanathi politely replied, "She is our friend, a new arrival from the heavens. The gods have instructed us to bring her to you so she can join our army."
"Oh.. is that so? Did the gods tell you to enlist her in the army on her very first day? Is she that skilled? Let's put her to the test..." the Queen said, as she signaled toward something on her left. Suddenly, an arrow came flying toward Meera, without any warning. Meera, to everyone's surprise, caught the arrow perfectly.
Seeing this, the Queen exclaimed, "Excellent! Impressive. Yes, what is your name?" she asked with a smile.
Meera, thinking to herself, "Oh no! How did I catch that?!" replied in shock, "My name is Meera."
"What?!" the Queen asked, raising her eyebrows and tightening her voice in surprise.
"Uh... Your Highness! Her name is Amara. That's what she softly said..." Santhini quickly intervened.
"What?! When did this happen without my knowledge?" Meera muttered in shock as she looked at Santhini.
"Is that so? A wonderful name," the Queen said with a smile.
"Thank you, Your Highness," Meera said, still taken aback, as the Queen laughed.
Realizing that staying any longer might not be wise, Kannagi said, "We take our leave, Your Highness," respectfully.
"Very well, you may go," the Queen responded, sending them off while gazing at them with a mysterious smile.
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Outside!
"Hey! When did my name become Amara?" Meera asked in shock.
"Just then. Did you notice the Queen's facial expression when she heard your name? That's why I changed it to Amara," Santhini replied with a laugh.
(Why did Queen Rukmini give them that mysterious smile? What lies ahead for their journey? To find out, kindly continue reading!)
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(Don't forget to leave your thoughts and feedback about this chapter, dear readers 🥰 We'll meet again in the next chapter 😊 Tata 👋🏻)