2. Run Manvi Run! Part-2

Hmm. I love mangoes. They are so delicious. Whether it is green or yellow/ red. Whether it is sour or sweet respectively. Thank God for letting me eat this beautiful fruit.

Now how I got here. Well….

Earlier that day…..

As I finished getting ready in my green full sleeve blouse and yellow floral long skirt and dupatta with simple necklace and earrings and mangtika as I don't like heavy jewelry, you don't know when you have to run, I got message from my dai ma (nursemaid) that my father has asked me to have breakfast with him. Now that's a turn of events, he never meets me at breakfast only at lunch and dinner. My dai ma whose name is Kumud is my second favourite women in the world. She always there to look after me. And sometime I think she dotes on me because she cared for my mother as not only a maid but as a very good friend. So back to the breakfast thing.

So it must be something. Let's see what is so important that he left his plans this morning which he never does.

Yes something is suspicious! My subconscious says.

Now who asked you. Even though she is not wrong. 

I go to a room where the food is usually served and see my father already sitting there. I raise my brows at that. He is busy talking to his chief advisor Dharma Singh. When I enter they both look at me and stop talking that's what makes me more suspicious. What is going on?

He looks at me and smiles. "Good Morning Father! What will you have for breakfast? Poha, Khaman and chutney, some milk maybe or…" I say

My father cuts in and says" Good Morning my little cub! Nothing dear! I already had some tumeric milk and thepla."

"Oh! You already ate without me! I thought you wanted to have breakfast with me. But that's ok I will eat with dai ma she is better company then you, atleast she listens to what I say!" I said.

My father smiles with love in his eyes. Ok now I am not gone wait. I ask," Father, what is this? I don't understand why are you behaving like this".

"Like what? I am always like this. Right Dharma?" He said.

"Yes! Nothing to be serious about" Dharma uncle says with little anger his eyes.

Yes, nothing suspicious at all.

" Oh stop fooling me you all. I know something is going on. First father asks me to have breakfast with him which by the way he never does as he spends his morning looking after his plan for the day with breakfast in his room. Second you both stop talking in front me which you never do even when you were talking about neighbouring states fights and all. Third father you smile like…like… I don't know but you never smile like that and Dharma uncle is trying contain anger in his eyes. And fourth…. and fourth…."

"What's fourth dear?" Dharma uncle asks.

I don't know actually as I was rambling on but that's doesn't mean they have to know about it.

" Forget the fourth just tell me what is the matter?" I ask.

" I will tell you dear. I promise. Just give me some time ok?" My father says.

I look at him for few mins when he doesn't answers ," Ok. But that doesn't mean I am not frustrated. I am going to woods to pick some herbs for kitchen and healer (doctor or vaidya) and flowers for my tomorrow's visit for temple. I guess I have to have fruits for breakfast today. So please don't stop me. And for goodness sake tell your guards that they atleast not bother while looking after me. I wish Bhima uncle was here. Bye".

Bhima uncle is the chief commander of our military. He is the nicest. Even though he is protective of me like my father atleast he doesn't stop me from having fun instead he helps me. He is my father's best friend including Dharma uncle. But he is the only one who spoils. But he is gone for some mission. I really miss him.

I storm out of the room before anyone says anything and take back gate for woods which is actually made for me after my last year stunt which kind of almost gave me broken arm. But that's the story for another time.

I take the basket which is always beside the gate which I make sure to be kept there in case the mood strikes me.

I wander around and pick some herbs for palace healer which also sometimes helps local if her apprentice needs help. She is good teacher. Well I am trying to learn about medicine. Just some basic knowledge. In case. I don't know what in case means but my instinct told so I am doing it. 

As I turn for the road that leads to the river stream to find some flowers. I see movement through my peripheral vision. Ofcourse my father's guards. Don't they know how to be a sneaker. But how can they be, they are big and brute. Nothing like me. Small and graceful. And taught by the best. The one and only my Bhima uncle.

I pick some flowers for my pooja (veneration). As I move forward to sit by river for sometime I see the a beautiful white lotus beside river where there is little muddy region. There very few of them. I think about taking two: one for temple and one for dai ma. She loves flowers. 

The stem of flower is very thick I take out my knife from basket and try to cut it. I cut the stem and as I go to put it my basket I hear a snap of twig breaking nearby. Thinking it were guards I stand up to confront them with flowers in one hand and knife in another and basket near my feet. But it wasn't father's guards it was a big black wild boar. I stay still as boar stands there, a little movement and I will become his focus for anger. 

As I was just thinking about where the guards are, one of the guard comes toward it. And I think, is he an idiot or new in this field. Instead coming towards boar he shoud climb on a tree and distract him so I can climb nearby tree and then catch him or scare him away by attacking him. But he is coming straight at him. It's like he wants to die. So to save him and me I do only thing I am good at.

Run.