Damn The Rules

Bianca

"Pumpkin… You're here…" I whispered, struggling out of my bed. One after the other, I lifted each foot, walking towards her. I ran my hands vigorously through my hair, dreading every step. What am I going to say to her?

"You will ruin your braids," she mouthed, still staring at me. She was watching my every step.

Wringing my hands, I towered over her. All that was in my head was how to turn down her offer.

"I did it!" She giggled.

"I told you, father can't turn me down!"

"Yes… You said you would get his permission," I said dryly and stood straight, looking at her. How do I turn down his damsel?

She noticed my coldness and her beautiful brows cringed up in a frown. "Don't tell me you are…"

"Pumpkin…" I called her solemnly and turned my back to her.

"No! Are you going to turn me down? No! We made a promise…"

Gosh! How do I tell a ten-year-old girl that I was not permitted around her? How do I tell her that I am bound by some rules and the last time I broke the rules, someone wa