19
Ludo - A game I love, a game that I always win. Yet never did I think playing ludo would be so horrifying.
"Your highness, why did you not kill the Queen's pawn?" the general asked the king.
"It is just not a part of my stratergy," the king replied.
"The stratergy to make the queen win?" the general questioned.
I seriously doubt where the he gets the courage to talk to the king like that. Despite her being the kindest, I would never be able to speak to the queen in such manner.
"No, of course not," the king lied.
"Your actions indicate otherwise," the general ranted like a little kid, "You and the queen are playing as a team......Ms. Sruthi is not killing anyone of you.....I am the only one who is getting cornored. This is unfair."
"It is just a game, general," the king said.
"Unethical game," the general corrected. "I am leaving," he said trying to get up.
"No general please," the queen consoled, "We are sorry." "How about we play as teams? You can team up with Sruthi," she suggested.
Oh god, why!
"Hmm not a bad idea," the general said.
He was wrong. It was a terrible idea ~ especially for me.
While the king and Queen played as a team, respecting each other's opinions and gracefully accepting instances of bad luck, the general and I were the complete opposite.
He took complete control of both my pawns and his, blamed me when the dice showed a lower number, and had an unhealthy obsession to win.
As expected, we lost!
"Let us play another round?" he suggested.
The queen looked at me and noticed my discomfort or rather the fact that I was on the verge of crying.
"Perhaps some other game, general?" she suggested.
"How about chess?" the general suggested excited.
"Perfect," the king supported, "Same teams?"
"No I cannot," I immediately said out loud and all eyes turned towards me. "Apologies, your highness," I said looking at the king, "I do not think I should be a part of any game." "I am, as what the general would describe," I said turning to the general, " too stupid."
The king and the general exchanged confused looks while I stood there awkwardly. I do not understand how they are both surprised that I was hurt by the general's actions and words.
"Sruthi, you are free to leave," the queen politely said and lightly smiled to show me her support and I immediately made my way out of that hell hole.
I was on my way out of the chambers, after serving tea to the king and queen, when I saw the general again. I was hoping to avoid having a conversation with him but he initiated talking.
"Where is the king?" he asked.
"He is with the queen," I answered.
"Playing chess, I assume," he asked. I nodded.
"If not for you, we would have been there too," he said frustrated.
"Is that your take away general?" I said surprised, "Do you still not realize what you did to me yesterday?"
"There is a reason why I had to take charge," the general argued, "You were very bad at the game."
"No, I was just scared," I oppossed, "I do not have the same rapport with the king as you do. I cannot all of a sudden play a game where I actively try to defeat him and his wife."
The general remained silent.
"We were in a team. You were supossed to assure me that it is okay," I added, "Instead you made me feel worthless and called me stupid."
"If you consider your worth to be dependant on other people's words, then perhaps it is a problem you should work on," he said after a moment of silence.
This only made me angrier.
"Would you call the Queen stupid and give her the same explanation?" I asked.
The general fell short of words.
"Guess your philosophy does not apply to everyone," I said and walked away completely content with my words.
I have been silent for way too long. Time to speak up and fight back!
"Pallu will be the Knight," Vaishu said arranging the chess pieces in the middle of the board, "Cause she is always running!"
I smiled. "The general will be the bishop," I said placing the other piece beside, "Because he never does anything straight."
Vaishu laughed.
"Can we sit on the chairs and continue the roleplay," she said after a while, "Sitting without support during menses is uncomfortable."
"I am comfortable here, you can sit on the chair," I suggested.
"I cannot sit on the chair if you are on the floor," Vaishu opossed.
"My power is not dependant on where I sit," I explained.
Vaishu stared at me for a few seconds before pulling a pillow from the chair. She placed it behind her for support and leaned back to the wall.
"Vaishu like I said...."
"My place is by your side," she interrupted me, "Be it on the floor or on the chair."
I smiled.
There is no winning with women!
"In that case, will you accompany me to the golden throne too?" I asked.
"Will you accompany me to the golden throne too?" he asked.
I imemdiately fell silent and slightly shook my head.
"Vaishu, my people are my only family," he said looking into my eyes, "Why do you not want to meet them?"
"I-I am scared," I replied.
"Of what?" he asked.
Of people recognizing me because of my sister, I immediately thought.
I should not have done that....because now all the memories started to flood by mind.
Her cries still ringing in my ears, the screams I heard from our house while I waited outside reading books.
The horrors that happened in the forest..
..the familiar fear in my heart returned.
I know how this ends. It starts with thoughts and I only have a few seconds to bring myself together before I completely loose my mind and get into a panic attack.
I do not need this. I do not want this.
I am having a happy life now, I want it to be like this.
I want to be happy. I need to stop this.
I need to stop this before it gets bad enough to not be hidden.
I need to distract myself. So I looked down, at the floor, at my hands, anything.
....just anything to distract myself....
anything to stop the memories....just anything. ...think Vaishu....think....
"Stop thinking, Vaishu," Adi said snapping his fingers, unintentionally pulling me out of the hell that my mind was about to drag me into.
"Should I wait for another letter that will come in 8 hours?" he joked and I smiled now completely back to being normal.
"I...need some time," I said.
"Okay, how long?" Adi asked, "2 days, 3 days?"
"A month," I answered.
"A month!" Adi exclaimed. I hesitantly nodded.
"Vaishu...I am your husband....and I will happily adhere myself to all your limitations," he said holding my hands, "But my people should not have such obligations." "You are their queen," he said patiently, "And they need to see you!"
That is convincing and is a very valid point!
"How about...20....days..." I still tried my luck.
"15," Adi bargained.
"But that is...."
"No Vaishu, no more bargaining," Adi interrupted me, "I am announcing today that the queen will make an appearance during the Vijayadasami celebrations."
I remained silent, still worried.
So around 2 weeks is all I got.
"I will not leave your hand, Vaishu," Adi said tilting his head a little to make direct eye contact, "All you have to do is walk with me. Can you do that?"
Perhaps the way he asked or the way he looked at me, I found myself nodding my head in agreement.