Aniruddha

She's beautiful. She's extraordinary. She's strong. She's pretty. She's everything a goddess has.

But me? What am I? Just a pawn in God's plans. I feel like I'm invisible. Yeah okay not invisible. I am too handsome to be invisible, but she doesn't look at me like she looks at Abhaya. Her eyes screams irritation when she looks at me.

What do I do? Should I just ask her? Or should I keep trying? What if my feelings aren't even real and just attractions? Yeah no, it's not an attraction. Our heart doesn't go out of control if it's just a mere attraction, does it? Our eyes don't always find them if it's just a mere attraction, does it? It doesn't feel like death when they go missing, does it?

"Snap out of it, Aniruddha." I say aloud, to myself. "We have a lot of work to do."

Yeah A LOT of work. I am basically in charge of ensuring that HER SWAYAMVAR is held smoothly. Wait. I'm in charge of HER swayamvar. Yes. So, with that excuse itself I can spend some time with her. Well done Aniruddha.

•

"You can take care of that. I don't have any particular requirements or needs for it." Damn okay. That's what Aparajita straight up told me.

She was with Abhaya. Again. Well I guess I AM the extra character. I have to be the one who supports the main characters. That's your plan Lord Vishnu?

"What are you thinking, Prince?" I hear a husky voice beside me. Didn't notice someone approaching OR sitting beside me.

It's Rishabha. Oh well okay. But how did he come out of his chamber? Wasn't he like, chamber arrested?

"What are you doing here?" I ask raising my eyebrows and side-eying his arm on my shoulder.

He withdraws his arm immediately. " Oh well I guess you didn't know I am no longer confided in my chamber. I can move freely. Thanks to Aparajita."

Aparajita again. Why does that woman have to care about everyone but me? Am I ugly or something? Nah, not possible. Maybe she has an eye defect.

"Didn't answer me." Rishabha says staring into my soul. God! What's wrong with him? Then again everyone in this palace is insane. God placed me with a bunch of defective humans.

"Don't wanna answer." I say turning my gaze.

"You don't have friends in this palace, do you?" He says mocking me.

"And what does that have to do with you?" I say crossing my arms.

"Well I thought you're the only one in this palace who doesn't HATE me. So we'd make good friends."

"Good friends?" I scoff. Good friends with my competitor? No thanks.

"Yeah! Come oooonnnn. Don't be grumpy." He says.

What's wrong with him? Why is he so weird? Wait. I think a woman's ghost possessed him. Yeah. That's the only explanation. Why else would he act like this?

"Shoooo... Go away from Rishabha. I know you like me woman, but you can't possess a man's body to fulfil your unholy desires. Go away, or else I will have to summon lord Hanuman." I say standing up from the jhula.

Rishabha stares at me for a few seconds. I think it worked.

"What's wrong with you?" He says with a straight face and then bursts into laughter.

"What?" I ask him.

"You're funny, Aniruddha." He says between his ugly laughs.

I roll my eyes. Today's day is weird. Very weird. Let's just go in my chamber and sleep. Hope dreams would not be weird.

I start walking towards the palace. Rishabha starts following me. I look after every few steps, he's following me. I start jogging, he too starts jogging. Gosh! I think the ghost didn't leave him. He follows me all the way towards my chamber. I reached my chamber and quickly closed the doors on his face. Thank god! He banged the door and kept talking for a few minutes, then left.

Now I can sleep peacefully. I lay on my bed, staring at the roof for an hour or two before my eyelids got heavy and I drift in the sleep.

•
•
•

*Bang*

Something drops. Pulling me back into reality. It's still bright outside. I must've slept for 30 minutes or so.

I scan my surroundings to see what had dropped. Nothing. I get up from my bed to check the balcony.

As soon as I enter the balcony, an 'ahhh~' escapes my mouth. Standing there was Rishabha. He had dropped a flower pot. What is with him? Is he my stalker or something?

"What do you want?" I say, surprisingly calm.

"Let's just be friends, please." He says with an awkward smile.

"Fine. We're friends. Okay? Now leave me alone. Get out of my room." I say massaging my temple.

"Great! See you at dinner, FRIEND!" He says in annoyingly excited voice.

What a weirdo. He leaves, through the door this time. And now I am fidgeting with my Kada. (thick bangle-like ornament)

*Knock*

Hai Ram! Now who is it?

***

Hey everyone! Extremely sorry for updating after almost a month and a half. I was busy with some stuff and couldn't write during that. Once again I am sorry.
Anyways, do let me know how did you like today's chapter. New POV. And some laughter I believe. I've purposely kept this chapter short because the next one is very long. Let me know in comments and leave a like. Also, I am going to publish one more book so for updates, do follow me. Till then take care. XO.

~Rose