His mother also supported him, "He is right Raghav, and even I want a daughter. You know dear, it's our family tradition that an unmarried prince cannot become the king, because a queen is as important for the kingdom as the king."
"I know it. Just do one thing, search a princess for me, but she should be beautiful inside out."
"I knew you will never disobey your mother. Krishna! Get ready to welcome your sister-in-law. She will love to have a sweet brother like you and a caring husband like Raghav", Kaushiki said smiling from ear to ear.
"Let's see who the lucky girl is", Krishna said playfully while nudging Raghav.
Raghav just smiled and thought, 'I am waiting for you, the Queen of my Heart'.
Shashi's POV
"Sis, should we buy some flowers for offering to the deity?"
"Fine, let me see how many coins I have", I said while counting the coins in my purse.
"We have fifty coins", I said.
"Yay! Then we can buy lots of flowers", Radha said excitedly.
We went to an old lady who was sitting outside the temple and selling flowers.
I asked her, "How much for this garland?"
"Twenty coins."
"Ten coins are enough. It's a very small garland."
"No, I can't sell it in ten coins."
I started walking away from there. Radha asked, "Why didn't you buy it? I want to offer that garland, please".
"Stop making that puppy faces Radha, it's expensive."
"What!! You are so much worried for ten coins. It's such a small amount", Radha said irritatingly.
"No means no", I said in an authoritative voice.
Radha said while stomping her foot, "You are a miser".
"Yes, of course", I replied.
We were entering the temple when I heard that same old woman praying to God, "Oh God! I haven't eaten anything since yesterday, I am very hungry."
I can't resist my urge to help her after listening to her prayers. I immediately turned back and went to a nearby shop to buy some food for her.
I came out with some eatables and an empty purse in my hands.
I gave it to the old lady and she started crying out of happiness. I got showered by so many blessings. She offered me some flowers in return but I declined saying that her blessings are enough for me.
I felt like I got my birthday gift and turned around to see Radha with an 'are-you-crazy' look on her face.
"You were arguing with that lady for twenty coins but now you have spent fifty coins on her, and that too without taking anything in return."
"Radha, I may be a miser for myself but not for helping others. That time, I was doing business with her but now, I was helping her. There is no kindness in business, and no business in kindness."
Radha smiled and said, "I also want to become mature like you."
"No one is born mature, Radha. Situations make you mature. When you were small, I have seen mom and dad struggling hard to feed us. But now, by god's grace, our condition is much better. So, we should help others who are in that same situation. Come, let's go and thank god for whatever he has given us."
Radha nodded and went inside the temple. I was also about to enter when suddenly my sixth sense told me that someone is watching me. I turned my head to see an elderly man, standing few feet away from me and staring in my direction. His face was not clearly visible as he had covered it with a cloth. I ignored him and went inside.
After praying, we came out and I saw the same man staring me again. I thought he is some kind of creep who is sitting here just to stare at the ladies visiting the temple. We started walking towards our house and to my horror, he also started following us.
I was scared would be an understatement.
'What if he is a thief? Well, I don't have anything which he can steal, but still he can harm me and Radha. I don't even have any weapon for self-defense. What will I do now? Aaaaaaaa'
Stop screaming, inner voice. Let me think what I should do. I can't tell Radha otherwise she will start panicking.
"We have to turn from here", Radha's voice broke my chain of thoughts.
"No, we will go this way."
"But this is the shortcut."
"This way is longer but there are more people on this way. It is safer", I tried to explain her.
"But..."
"Stop arguing and come with me" I held Radha's wrist tightly and started walking as fast as possible.
Radha asked so many questions but I preferred to stay silent and maintained my almost-running speed. That strange man also quickened his pace.
When we finally reached home, I quickly took Radha inside and closed the door immediately. Then, I peeped from the window to see that man standing outside my house and writing something on his hand.
Radha told everything to Mom, and I was bombarded with a hell lot of questions. Typical Indian mothers!
I narrated the whole incident to Mom. She quickly picked up a thick wooden stick and went outside to beat the man. But he was nowhere to be seen.
His bones were lucky because no one can escape my mother's beating.
In the palace…..
"Call our head detective", King Vishnuvardhan commanded. An attendee quickly went and called him.
"Victory to the king. Order me, Your Majesty!" the detective said in a low voice.
The king showed him his palm and said, "Copy down this address. I want full details of the family which lives here."
"I will try my best and inform you in two days", he said and left.
After Two Days,
"Your Highness! I have found all the details of that family."
"Tell me fast", the king said anxiously.
"They are simple, middle-class people; husband, wife and two daughters. The husband has a small shop of medicines, while his wife is a homemaker. They live in a small but beautiful house. Their neighbors say that they are nice people, always ready to help anyone. Even though they are not very rich, still they are content with whatever they have."
"What about the daughters?"
"Sir, the elder one is Shashi. She is just like her parents. A sweet and caring girl, her parents' pride is the most important thing in her life. The younger one is Radha. She is two years younger than Shashi. While Shashi is obedient and sweet, Radha is mischievous and practical. Both girls are good in their own places. I have written the detailed information about their family in this scroll."
"Fine, you may leave now."
He left while King Vishnuvardhan opened the scroll and read about them.