17
"Your highness, wear this today," Pallu said excitedly running towards me with a dress. I took a deep breath. This is not going to be easy.
"Pallu...this is very beautiful," I said carefully choosing my words, "but...I think I will choose my own dress from today."
"But...your highness...this will look really good on you," Pallu said in a sad voice.
"It will look good on you too," I said, "I think you should wear this."
"Really!?" Pallu said as her eyes beamed with joy.
"Pallu no," Sruthi oppossed. "Your highness, Pallu cannot wear your clothes," she said turning towards me, "People will talk."
"Even if I command it as a queen?" I asked calmly and I could see Sruthi's expression change from concern to genuine admiration.
"Hell no they would not," Pallu shouted in joy. "Can I try on the jwellery too, your highness, please," she asked.
"Of course, Pallu," I smiled, "Whatever you like."
I walked back to our chambers, proud and excited to show Adi the dress I selected. I expected him to be sleeping on the bed but he was no where to be found. I walked inside the huge room looking for him when I felt a hand pull me from behind.
It is Adi who decided to capture me with one of his arms around my waist.
"Vaishu, your defensive skills are in the negatives," he commented as he applied the sindhoor with his other arm.
"We can work on that," I said, "But first look at my dress."
Adi let go off me but held onto my hand as he took a step back.
"I made all the selections," I said excited, "Dress, jwellery, hairstyle...everything."
Adi looked from top to bottom smiling.
"Looks wonderful," he commented and stepped a little forward. "Except for this," he said and undid my braid with his hands.
"Why did you do that?" I said offended.
"To reinforce my lesson on anger," he replied. "So? What will you do now?"
"I will go get it braided again," I said and tried to leave but he held onto my hand.
"I will undo it again," he said and pulled me back.
"Then I will get it braided again," I said.
"I will undo it again. And again. And again," he stated, "until you do something different."
"Fine," I said, "Let go of my hand and I will do something different."
"Like running away?" he asked.
Yes that was the plan - to channel my inner Pallu.
"Leave me and you will find out," I said. Adi shook his head.
"Do something different and I will leave you," he said.
What different thing should I do? Reach for his unreachable hair and embarass myself? Use the little defensive skills that he himself taught me? Scream for help and get him killed by the general?
Or I could just...
I did not let my mind overthink this and simply reached out for the glass of water nearby with my free hand and threw it on him.
He immediately let go of my hand in surprise.
"I...am...sorry," I said immediately.
"Not going to work this time, Vaishu," he said wiping his face and immediately started to run after me.
It was fun as long as we were making circles around the room but I accidentally made the mistake of stepping out and immediately stopped when I saw the soldiers standing on guard and started stepping back until I hit Adi.
"What happened?" Adi asked confused.
"Your soldiers are outside," I said turning back to face him, "It is not a good look to have them see us running around."
"Right," Adi said and walked past me to step out. "Evacuate all corridors, now," he commanded. I could hear the footsteps of soldiers hurriedly leaving and within seconds there was absolute silence.
Adi looked at me and winked. He took a few steps back and signalled me to step out.
"I will count to 10," he said.
Vaishu started running the moment I started counting.
I will admit, I did slow down my pace on purpose to make the game fun, but Vaishu is a very decent runner.
There is a level of intellgence involved in her game play - purposefully opening side doors on her way to slow me down, going through narrow lanes, blocking paths with chairs and so on.
However it is, it has been a very long time since I enjoyed myself like a little kid and I am going to cherish every moment of it. I could sense that she is equally joyful, until....she suddenly stopped and turned back.
The joy in her face disappeared, replaced by a hint of worry.
"Vaishu, what happened?" I asked.
"I...I need to leave," she said nervously.
"Where? Why?" I asked confused.
"To my private chambers," she replied, "I will...see you later..."
"No wait," I said holding her hand, "You cannot just leave like that. Tell me what happened."
"I...I want to," she said, "but I do not know the right words.....I...I will write a letter."
"What?" I said frustrated, "Vaishu you cannot...."
"Please," she said and I could sense that she is uncomfortable. I immediately let go of her hand.
"I will ask Sruthi to come find you," I said.
"Thank you," she smiled.
"And I need that letter as soon as possible," I said before walking away.
"Your highness, I have a-"
"Letter from the queen?" I asked before the messenger could complete his sentence.
The messenger shook his head. "A gift from king Vishwanath, your highness," he replied hesitantly.
"Just keep it there," I said a little disappointed. The general noticed it.
"Leave me and the king alone," he commanded and soon everyone else in the room left.
"Everything okay between you and the queen, your highness?" he asked.
"It was...okay," I answered turning towards the window and staring at the sky, "Until it was not."
"You had a fight?" the genral asked.
I shook my head.
"We were having a good time," I said, "I was chasing her in the corridors."
I could hear the general slightly pull his sword up from his sheath.
I know I could word the statement differently but playing with the general's emotions is one of my favorite ways to relax.
"Why exactly were you doing that, your highness?" he asked.
"Because she is running away," I answered and I could hear the sword come up a little more.
Alright, time to take a step back. I do not killing or getting killed by my best friend.
"Put the sword back into the sheath general," I said turning back to face him, "I did not do anything to your precious queen. We were having fun. A concept you would be familiar with if you ever get married."
"Then why would she leave?" the general asked.
"I do not know," I signed.
"Stupid menstrual cycle," Vaishnavi sadly told Sruthi.