A faint smell of mp oil emancipated through the hallways. The holy Agni1Sanskrit for fire on several bronze torches lined up high on the walls lit the rather simple food hall, into an exquisite golden room. There were neatly arranged tables set in uniform patterns of squares. Servants in their well-maintained grey shirts, Soldiers adorned with honorary swords to the waist, Guards, fmboyantly dressed and poised egoistic presence of the Chiefs and Ministers. Everyone had a pce irrespective of their position on a table, though it looked like they preferred not to mix.

  Unlike several established elegant royal courts out there in the world, the Virata pace didn’t follow practices of distinguishing between csses and castes. There had been multiple cshes and riots by the uppercssmen of Virata because of this sole reason, but only someone as patient and understanding as King Bhrigunanand could solve them and still maintain the integrity of their country.

  Nandini didn't t know all of these…… not until now atleast. The walls of Dining hall carved the stories of Virata and it’s history in wood, mural paintings depicting the valorous feats and dispys of weaponry used by the martyrs who gave their blood for the nd.

  Nandini walked further, to the left; kitchen. Four people. Only four people in the kitchen to serve a thousand, if not more. An old man carrying a heavy pot across the hall gave a smile that must’ve meant, ‘Hi!’. She was pleased…… and as she looked back she realized everyone she met today either bowed respectfully or smiled at her; of respect. It felt as if everyone loved her here. This is new. Recognition. Love. Smiles. Respect. New.

  It was rush hour. The pace rushed in and out of the hall with metal ptes and jolly ughter cshing. So many stomachs were filled, and so were their hearts. The great white door of Suvarna Ghata, with each entrance and exit of people, looked like the divine rge hands of goddess Annapurneshwari 2goddess of food in Hinduism. Some traced fingers on the door’s picturesque engravements; each touch a ‘thank you’ for serving them god’s greatest wealth- good food, and water.

  Nandini was way too impatient to wait for any other etiquette. Next to the kitchen was a man, dles in both his hands, serving dishes to the crowd lined up. She picked up a pte and cup from the stock and melted into the queue.

  One by one the people in front of Nandini vanished. The food smelled way too good to be true. What was it even?!! Good food is first recognized by good smell. Nandini couldn’t help but wiggle and shimmy a small dance out of all that excitement. This was her first food in the new world!!! Except for the herbal medicine……

  A turn backward, the giant white marble doors and it’s two golden handles pushed the crowd away; Nandini saw a light, a light strong enough to blind the fuck out of her eyes. It was the royal trio walking in- Advaitha, Varuna, and Anuvrata. The overflowing charisma, like a light saber spping on everyone’s faces.

  “Heyyyy…!!!!”, Varuna, screamed across the hall and her arm waved big ‘rainbows’, all aimed at her, and her only. She could see them advance towards her amidst the crowds.

  She doesn’t know where the frustration originated, but it’s certainly there.

  Fuck!

  Whooosssshhh! fell all of Nandini’s dreams to eating like a pig’s fill now, The lost “noble dy” etiquettes and poise are to be picked off from the floor, right where Nandini left it at.

  Closer and closer they got, the more and more Nandini felt the va pour out of her skull. Fshing her teeth, a strained smile; that was the best she could give just now. It’s not like you all gleam like a bulb when someone interrupts your hunger….

  God give me strength…..* sighs*

  Nandini definitely didn’t fake excim, “Haha! Coincidence! we are here at the same time!!!!……..hehehe……..”

  The prince questioned, “But we always eat together….?”

  “aahahahahaaa….. ofcourse….. I know that…. how could I forget that?!….”

  Nandini’s gaze swayed to the sole grey figure, whose eyes were….. on the ground. Her right foot tracing tired semicircles on the floor, bored, probably starving too. Though her stance was bold and grounded, her droopy face gave way to the exhaustion.

  Is it that hard being a military general? She is just weak……. *internal eye rolling pro max*

  Advaitha rushingly said, “Let’s go sit, yeah?! They’ll bring the food to us…….”

  The four of them sat down at a quiet spot. Nandini had wanted to sit next to Advaitha and hence had walked right next to him. Upon reaching the table though, Advaitha jumped himself into a seat beside Anuvrata. Nandini had no choice and reluctantly sat next to Varuna.

  The cleaners, after noticing them four quickly came with towels and ptes, followed by the servants, serving dishes one after another.

  “So how are you doing now?”, asked Advaitha pouring water into his copper cup.

  Nandini scanned through each dish. The fragrance of chilies, cinnamon cloves, and coriander in the mb chops hovered over her nose. The onions caramelized and melt into a thick spicy brown gravy, along with tomatoes and mint sprinkled over it. Steam rose from the fluffy white rice. And there were sweet and spicy long beans, green and fresh. If you aren’t feeling your mouth water from this, it’s probably your fault, not Nandini’s.

  “Nandini… Are you deaf too?!", Varuna questioned.

  Nandini suddenly lifted her face at Varuna, “eh..?”

  Advaitha chuckled, frosty hands covering his smile. “I was wondering if you were okay….but it seems like you’ll eat entire Virata if I served it on a pte for you now”

  embarassinggggggggggg………….

  What are you supposed to do? Smile awkwardly? That’s what Nandini did too.

  Varuna gnced at Nandini, “While you were sick, there were many suitors who came for you.”

  “Came for me? What ‘came’ for me?”

  “Marriage dumbfuck!!”

  “Ahhhh!” Nandini winced.

  Advaitha said, “You know there were several Kings, Prices and renowned Kshatriyan warriors who sent letters and gifts and what not......”

  A scoff was let by someone else, and all three snapped heads towards Anuvratha.

  Advaitha chuckled again, “Don’t ugh at her”

  “Why are you ughing at me?!” Nandini asked, slightly pissed off from the insult.

  Anuvrata continued picking her veggies and putting them into her mouth, like not even wind had passed since they sat here.

  “Why are you ignoring me?!” Nandini was offended again.

  “I am focusing on eating.”

  seriously dude??……. wtf is wrong with this brat?!! doesn’t she know how to respect other people? …….

  maybe I should kill her…… for my peace.

  Varuna was already done with her first portion. She waved an ‘excuse me’ to the old man at the serving station. He quickly got another serving of rice and mb for Varuna, Advaitha and Nandini too.

  The food was great, the atmosphere was good, the only thing that’s bad here is Anuvrata. But sadly enough this bad object isn’t something Nandini can throw away or repce.

  “Wait…. you don’t need another serving General?”, looked the prince. “Do you want me to ask them for you?”

  “No.”

  Advaitha’s face grew with concern, “General you’ve been working all day, don’t you need strength?”

  “I’m full”, Anuvrata replied not taking her eyes off the pte.

  “Then…..” Advaitha picked a rge piece of mb from his portion and pced it in Anuvrata’s pte, “Eat this…”

  Anuvratha stared at the Prince bnkly, no words, no actions, no expressions.

  “Eat it”, Advaitha said again as he reached out his left hand to ruffle Anuvrata’s hair…..

  Anuvrata looked down back into her pte and took a bite out of the mb. She felt Advaitha smile gently beside her gaze. Warm and fuzzy.

  Nandini couldn’t help doom think this,

  Does he like her?!!!! But why though? I like him and he likes me right? I’m the protagonist right?….what is she doing then??!! Maybe I should really kill this bitch……

  Varuna teased, “ Only brother would even try to touch stone-vrata and succeed”

  Advaitha ughed, “I’d prefer it to stay that way….” His eyes still at Anuvrata, and her hands picking at the meat……

  Pure hot steam aired out of Nandini’s head. This wasn’t the fucking pn….

  Now what will I do?…… I like him…..right??…… GOOOODD GODDDDDD!!!!!!! FUCKING HELLLL AARRGGHHHHH!!!!!!!!!

  “Guys I think I need more rest…..My head is paining very bad…… I think I’ll get going yeah?”

  Varuna nods, “okay”.

  Advaitha suddenly stands up from his seat worryingly…. “Do you want me to walk you to your room?”

  “uhmm….no Advaitha….I’m fine” Nandini smiles pleasantly, as if she’s fallen for his fake caring.

  Scammer! Fraud! You cheater!!

  “Don't lose your memory again please….”, Varuna sneers.

  “Hehe no no Princess….. I am so fucking done….never going back there…”

  Varuna is confused, “Where?!”

  Fuck. “Hehe nowhere….. I was just saying I wouldn't go back to….. back to a memory loss stage in my life…..”

  Varuna nods agreeingly. Nandini is safe. For now.

  Advaitha took Nandini’s hand, locking their fingers, “Are you sure you'll be fine Nandini?!”

  His eyes shined in the torch light. They looked so tensed for Nandini. Like a puppy who'll be anytime soon left alone by his owner…..

  What was she afterall other than a normal girl in love with her crush….?

  Nandini smiled assuring, ”Yes…. I'll see you tomorrow….ok?”

  Advaitha nods in agreement, “Take care.”

  Anuvrata who was back from washing her hands asked, “You're going?”

  “Yeah.”

  “Come for practice tomorrow.”

  Shameless slut….!!

  .

  .

  .

  .

  .