Part 1

Everything is funny as long as it is happening to someone else.

-will Rogers

Part 1

Scorching hot wind blew from the south. The sun was still not up and he was already sweating amidst the empty palace grounds.

He did not stop once in his rigours exercise as the first sweet ray of sun shone through the dark sky. Not even when the most beautiful shade of rogue spread across the vast ocean above him, did he stop to pay any attention to the mother nature at her best.

Perhaps because he was used to such views every morning.

Birds chirped and flew with regale over him, when suddenly his head reeled back.

No! The birds weren't the subject of his surprise.

Sitting up from the ground, he looked around hurriedly. His eyes scrutinizing every corner of the desertic land. Because if he isn't wrong, his sisters were HERE!

And that means nothing but trouble!

Dusting his hands from the sand. He swiped his forehead to get rid of the dribbling droplets of sweat.

Wondering what the twins must be doing....up so early in the morning.

'This doesn't mean well.'

The unsuspecting little white pigeon was suddenly caught in a wide fishing web. It's harsh ends cutting through it's wings as it fluttered and thrashed while being pulled down.

"Are you sure it won't make sound and wake everyone up?"one of the two petite figures near the bushes spoke as they together manhandled the bird.

"It can't make a sound even if it wants silly. "The other girl giggled like she had won a prize as she took the note that was attached on the foot of the pigeon. And let her sister hold it.

"Read it!"

"I could never truly tell you my love that how dear you are to me because I have neither the imagery not the words to express that. But I want to let you know Devika how this distance and secrecy about us, about our love is eating away a part of me. I do not spend a single moment in the day without thinking of you. That YOU ARE a integral part of it now. And I could not wait for the day when you would be here with me....to make every living moment of my life a beautiful memory.

-love

Arjun"

They giggle together as they tossed the letter away. "Naughty boy and a bad handwriting is a disastrous combination. "One of the twins laughed producing a pen, an inkpot and a piece of parchment out of nowhere.

"Mother would have told him....'how, disgusting. " the other twin snorted mimicking the posture of their mother with her nose scrunched up high.

"And father would have slapped him senseless. "The other one added bursting in laughter.

"Ok-now write fast. "

"Dear Devika,

I love you no doubt and would have married you instantly but as you know fate have cruel ways to play games with me.

It wasn't until the last time we met...that I noticed how crooked your nose actually is. So much so that some times it looks like a crooked brinjal hanging low amidst your little face.

But it is not your fault after all. And not once had I blamed you for it. Having a father who look like yours...it's still no less than a miracle to produce a daughter like you. Would write to you again when I feel better. Am still reeling from the nightmare I  just had!

-truly

Arjun

The letter was then hurriedly patched and sealed to the leg of the pigeon and was let to fly away with the wind.

"Devika? Isn't she the daughter of the diamond business man? "

"Indeed! "The other one spoke as they waited for a reply to come flying back from the other end of the town.

Time....that felt like eons...later the pigeon was back in the sky. And their eyes sparkled in mischief. "I wouldn't have been surprised to see no more letters! "

"But it is here! "

so much without a frown the twins once again fished back the pigeon from the sky. The letter unfurled.

"Whoever the hell it is....back off! Fibbing with Arjun's name! I am no fool to believe that he would write it.

-don't you dare again to meddle with someone else's letter. "

"Upps looks like we're caught, sister!"

"Ha! I knew your way of writing is too good to pass it as his!"

"Like what we would call...disgoosting."

"But we aren't going to fail just like that. "

"We could then break the wall from the other side. "

"Dear Arjun,

I am afraid to let you know that your marriage to me is nothing but a dream that could never come true. You are....who would be in future nothing but a snobby, pot-bellied courtier of royality......"The parchment was suddenly out of their reach. Hanging a feet above their heads, the eldest prince read it all.

"Hadn't anyone told you, not to read letters that belongs to someone else? "He clucked his tongue. Glaring at the most troublesome pair he ever knew.

"Mind your own business! "Maya glared back.

"Yes, we weren't reading your letters after all!"Mohini added.

"You have no right to...."

"Goodness!"The barrel of maids parted as they looked back. Where the royal queen stood in all her glory. Her eyebrow raised, as she silently queried. "May I know what is matter for such an early meeting at the most hindered part of the palace? "

It wasn't a blink before the twins stood at their mother's side. Their heads bowed low as they curtised. "Good morning mother."

'As if they are the most obedient girls in the history of mankind. 'Nair thought in disdain.

"Good morning my dear girls."their mother smiled at the duo lovingly.

And while the eldest prince was planing on how to break their not so gracious act this morning. He was beaten to it.

He stood agape as the twins executed their plan in the smoothest way possible.

"Please forgive us mother...we lost our composure when we-we......"Their excellency in dramatics reached higher and higher as they acted like two very upset innocent maidens.

"Mother I-"once again he was beaten to it.

"He-he was reading Arjun's...uh......ahem very personal letters.."Mohini spoke her gaze down like the shyest princess.

"What?"it wasn't a simple 'what' It was the loud blare that resounds through the battlefield before the army clashes.

"Mother No-"Alas, his strong manly voice that intimidates thousands of soldiers everyday was now left with no heed in front of his sisters and mother.

'It was a pity indeed! '

"Love letters to be exact! "Maya, playing the audacious princess in the play announced her verdict in front of the most dangerous crowd itself.

'The maids!'

"Here! "The queen was then handed over the one un-edited version of original letter that belonged to the yonger prince.

Arjun.

The profuse romanticism and unbashed expression of 'love' in that letter was enough to paint the pair of cold cheeks of the queen with layers and layers of bright red hue.

Now if it was embarrassment or anger was yet to be known. But Nair was now sure of one thing. 'That the storm had passed over him.'so he stayed put, where he was and glared vehemently at his sisters rather than trying to explain himself anymore.

"I hadn't expected such shameful behavior from you Nair."Queen panna hissed through her teeth. "The future king is sneaking....going through love letters of his own younger brother. What could be more shameful than this? "

Nair visibly stiffening. Around thirty pair of ears were perked up in the air, like those wild rabbits. Trying to catch every single syllable and imprint it in their memory for ever. So that they could recite it to every other fellow being in the palace.

He could bet this news will move faster than fire.

"Would you believe me if I say that it wasn't me but your two lovely daughters doing the deed?" He held his head high. "Surely No? Then I would walk away from here and save both of us from uninteresting and non-requiring explanation that....you wouldn't belive."

"I will talk about this scandal later...son! "She glared back. "With your father....but for right now, I need to talk to Arjun about this disgrace he has been putting on himself and on...us."the paper was crunched within the queen's palm as she turned around and started to walk.

The skirts swished around together and then slowly the flurry of colours disappeared around the corner in the old palace.

Except the two most mischievous duo in the whole of Gujarat. With the characteristic twinkle in their eyes, they together grinned at Nair.

"We hope you hadn't forgotten about the saurashtrian fair next week?"Maya baited him but he was too angry to speak and kept on glaring at them vehemently.

"Yes, and about your promise to take us there."Mohini added.

"I am not taking you both anywhere with me! "He blared, his eyes spitting fire. After all the things they just did, they have the nerve to remind him of that darned promise?

"Well if you won't take us then we would take you with us instead. "Mohini clucked her tongue.

"To hell! "Maya added and left him cursing his fate in peace.