A treat for you, because I am happy and this is written.
Happy Reading!!
**********
Oops! This image does not follow our content guidelines. To continue publishing, please remove it or upload a different image.
Karn POV
"Aise hi aate rehna, Putri." (Come like this only, daughter) Mata requests Ananya.
"Koshish toh rahegi, Kaki." (I will try, aunt.) Ananya relents. "Par main toh bandhi hui huna, Kaki." (But I am tied, aunt.)
"Are Putra, Tum ise lekar anna." (Aye son, you must bring her) Mother orders me, in a stern voice. Who will fight her? Indirectly dis- respect her?
I nod in agreement, "Jab mouka milega." (Whenever I will get time.)
Bidding mother good bye, we start for our return journey to the palace. This time she leans, on to me as we settle down. Her head is against my shoulder.
"Kya Hua?" (What happened?) I question.
"Main thak gayi hun." (I am tired.) She mumbles.
"Kshama karo, main tumhe yahan le aaya." (Pardon me, I bought you here.) I ask for her forgiveness.
"Aye! Aapne Kaki se milne se kaise rok saktein hai aap?" (Aye! You think you can stop me from meeting my aunt?) she scolds me, pulling away from my shoulder. I raise my hand partially, showing my defeat. She giggles, looking back ahead.
It takes us some time to reach the Mahal, and when we do, the sun has set. We leave the horse with the care taker and walk towards Kaki Gandhari's chambers. Ma and Kaki must be there only.
"Aagaye mere bachche wapas?" (My kids have returned?) Ma asks, once we enter the room.
"Ji Bua." (Yes, aunt.) Ananya answers, as she sits on the bed leaning against the head board.
"Kya Hua, Putri?" (What happened, daughter?) Kaki Gandhari asks.
"Kya kahun Bua, Kaki Radha ne kuch zyada hi khila diya." (What should I say aunt, aunt Radha fed me too much.) Ananya moans.
"Hey Surya dev! Aur yeh ladki Hume Zyada Khanna ka bata kartin hai." (Hey Surya Dev! And this girl questions my eating habits?) I say appalled.
"Roz, nahi kahti hun na itna." (I don't have so much food, every day, right?) She fights back.
