I exhaled sharply and glared up at the huge-board, tagged as 'Devi Ahiliya Airport Indore'. Finally, the day has come to leave the nest!
A neatly-dressed, huskily-built man was standing right next to me, with his hand on my-shoulder. Of course, only Chetan could dare to do that, he's my best friend anyway. As usual, I shrunk in my forever coyness and his dimples appeared, enjoying my nervousness. His deep-blue eyes peek into my light-brown ones and he exhaled with difficulty, I knew he wasn't ready for this farewell thing.
Chetan Bhargav happened to be the son of my dad's best friend Mr. Raghuveer Bhargav, which obviously made him a good friend of mine. Honestly, the only one I've ever had. I shamelessly admit that I'm socially awkward.
Me and my dad used to live in a rented house and he was the one who paid all the bills. Now that he was gone I became my own responsibility. I still survived there for a few months just because of my dad's habit of paying some rent in advance. But now there was no other way left, other than finding a new-shelter. I had a back-up plan too, as Chetan and his family have already offered me to shift with them.
But if you ask me it was actually a back-up plan...only. I didn't want to be surrounded by a crowd and then feel alone at heart. There I could be lonely but loneliness was never uncomfortable. This was the biggest reason I decided to move to Bhangarh.
We both captured the view and then stared at each other, deadpan. I gave a one-sided fake smile but his eyes bleak and mouth primmed up. I can see that he's very worried for me and not to mention he actually played more than 100 tricks to stop me here in Indore. Somewhere, he was also correct, as it was the first time I was going to travel through a plane. Precisely, it was the very first time I was going out of my city, as my dad wasn't a travel-lover, at all.
"Kavya, are you sure you will be fine alone?" Chetan broke his silence finally.
Can you answer that question honestly?
No.
"Yup, definitely..." My voice quavered.
Ask for help Kavya he's dying to help you, my brain screamed.
Yeah that's definitely happening and my heart blew it up in humor.
This is ME, forever stuck in the cat fight of my mind and heart.
"You really didn't want me to come and help you in settling down?" He was really good at catching lies, especially mine.
"No, trust me. There's no need of it, Chetan. I'll be fine there. May be you never know, it could be 'the place' where I actually belong."
Don't ask where that came from but his penetrating gaze caught me again.
Like always he seemed disappointed because I didn't ask for help when I needed it badly. But, he did what he always do, supporting me...no questions asked, no complaints, no demands. He knew what I wanted, and to stand on my feet I have to step out alone.
We shook hands, "Okay then, All the very best HP (yup HP, thats what he usually calls me, hmm long story behind that ). Call me if you need me, I mean my help...." He rolled his eyes and scratched the back of his head. I caught that, boy.
My lips curled into a tight-lip smile and I nodded, acceding. I knew, somewhere he always had a crush on me, which.. never ended. This was one of the reasons I didn't want to shift in his house.
He took out a dark red rose from his back pocket, kissed it then offered it to me. A pleasant smile touched my lips and I accepted it. Roses are my favorite, especially that one and he was well aware of the fact. Every time he comes to meet me, he never forgets to bring that one from his garden. He always says 'that rose' is as pure as my soul. I never got the meaning actually and never tried to find-it-out as well.
Never mind, at least it soothed me from the thought of leaving my own loving city. Oh, I would definitely miss being a proud Indori, though I hardly step-out of the house, still I'd surely miss the food.
He cuddled me one more time and I went inside dragging my luggage. I rubbernecked at him and waved a 'goodbye'. He blinked softly and reciprocated but with 0% interest. I know he never wants me to wander alone in "this cruel world", according to him. But sometimes you have to get beyond your comfort zone to achieve something irregular.
He stood there staring helplessly, moving a hand in his silky-hair but I took myself inside, mercilessly. I never wish to hurt anyone, especially Chetan, but I have to behave rude sometimes. He's a good man with almost everything that a girl wishes in a partner, but my problem is different, I haven't tasted this word 'Love' yet.
I took a corner seat in the waiting area and eyed at my first class ticket. It was going to take nearly 2 hours from here to Delhi. The remaining journey would be by road. From tomorrow, I'd be studying Arts in Bhangarh University. The Royal Rajputs offered a few free spots and this year I was one of those lucky ones. Free flight tickets were common to every selected student. But I got the first class, that was surprising. They also allowed me to stay in their house, Palace actually. Can you believe that a Palace!
Such favors to an ordinary girl that too by a Billionaire family, appeared intimidating to me. During the whole flight, I was lost in one question 'what they wanted?' as what could they get from me when I have nothing to offer myself.
However, I was really excited but the feeling of fear was accompanying it. As a matter of fact, Bhangarh is one of the most haunted places in Asia.
I reached Delhi. They have sent a car for me, another favor.
I don't have much idea about vehicles, still I can say it's a luxurious one, symbolizing royalty. Taking my permission the driver took the luggage and gently opened the car gate. And my Royal experience have started from here on.
"Please step inside, Miss." I hopped inside with a numb head. A man from a small ancient city, speaking English fluently. Wow!
Bhangarh comes under the Alwar district of Rajasthan and located somewhere between Jaipur and Delhi. It is utterly famous for its historical ruins, which I assume to be one of the reasons of its extremely less population.
While I was exploring the outside view, I saw some pictures of old Palace like buildings but poorly damaged. It was published on a magazine, which I luckily discovered lying in the corner. Questioning is like my most comfortable hobby, so I immediately asked the driver and he replied double quick, as if the answer was dancing on his lips, as if he was expecting the question.
"It's the very famous Bhangarh Fort, Miss."
"Famous for what?"
"For its historical haunted stories and believes." He said calmly but suddenly started sweating.
Marvelous! Just the name has this effect then how threatening would be that place itself. I better keep my mouth shut, he doesn't seem much comfortable to answer questions related to this topic.
Frankly, I don't want to ruin my night either, in a new place. I mean who needs the tale, the view itself frightens me enough to stay awake whole night.
I was sure there was something literally serious, as The Government has put a warning board outside of it 'no one was allowed to enter or wander in this place after sunset and before sunrise'. I swallowed hard just with the thought of spending nights in such a place. I wished I had a savior.
"How much time will it take?"
"Nearly 5 hours, Miss. But I assure that you'll be resting in your room in less than that."
That's somewhat relieving.
May be that's why, the selected students are given free flight tickets. As through any other medium, it's impossible to enter Bhangarh before sunset. Is it really that much to worry about? Well I'm not aware about the stories but I'm clouded by a pessimistic feeling...there is something wrong with this place, for sure. Something evil surely resides there.
Wow! It was just the beginning of my struggle and my mind was already scrimmaging with flooded questions.
The car stopped, the driver came out and opened the gate again.
What! We reached...but when...maybe my busy head protected me from the real world.
Ah! Oh my, my, how my stars brought me here...it appears just as some reflecting image of Disney's built fantasies.
I stood and sighed in exhilaration with the enchanting glance of this Royal mansion. I pinched myself, ouch! And it was real. I moved my neck from this end to that but there was still more...I gave up. It was literally as huge as it could be.
"Welcome Miss. 'Hokum' is waiting for you." A servant, wearing a pitch-black uniform with burgundy collars, sleeves and borders, gently took my baggage. Um...fine combination of gloomy-shades, impressive.
An emblem comprised of 'A' crowned with an infinity symbol over its head and a Nakshatra diamond like sign on the top of it, basically in the middle of that horizontal eight, was emblazoned on the front pocket and both sleeves of his livery. This Royal logo embroidered in golden thread, bluntly glittered over black. Double impressive.
"Hokum..?"
"Honorable Mr. Ridvik Rajput Agnivanshi, the owner of this Palace." He replied very respectfully.
OK. I believe, if a boss keeps his employees happy, then and only then he could receive such reverence even behind his back. "You mean the King, right."
"Yes, Miss." He proceeded and I followed.
Meeting a King, can it be any better than this...I don't think so. I've heard a lot about him, mostly good...also he's the person who selected and invited me here to study. I'm quite jumpy to meet such a rich yet generous man.
Just with a few steps forward, I found a row of 3-tier classic white marble fountains with basin, covered with greenery spread on both the sides of this cement-path-leading-inside.
Lovely! I'm quite a plant lover myself, so it quickly caught my gaze and held it tightly, as other than the prefect sheet of grass, the ground was fully covered with several breeds of flowers, especially the Rose ones. Honestly, I had never seen such a wide variety of Roses, ever, together.
The view paralyzed me and I dropped all my wishes of entering into the Palace. But sad...lastly I had to.
'Big and beautiful' were the only two words dancing inside my head with the clean view of inside. My medium-sized eyes converted into extra-large ones, after witnessing several sections in just one hall. But the most attractive one, was the long-wide stairs separating this big room from the middle and leading to the floor-of-rooms. I'd need a whole day to go from this side to that side. It's fixed I'd never ever wander alone.
Everything seemed too perfect to be real. But I was sure, it wasn't a dream.
I moved my dawdling-gaze and saw a well-dressed fair-fit middle-aged man, standing in the right section, living room probably, holding his unbeatable grace. Only a King could carry arrogance so comfortably.
Oh crap! I got too busy exploring this beautiful building and completely forget that such a busy person was wasting his valuable-minutes for me. I stepped towards him and with a gentle smile on his face he outstretched his hand, which I accepted without a thought. I'm chuffed with the fact that my hands didn't fumble this time. Hehehe!
"Welcome Kavya, I'm Ridvik Rajput Agnivanshi, the owner of Rajwadi Publications, I guess you know that. I've been waiting for you since the morning, as I really wanted to meet the person whose short story won this year's yearly competition, with the highest number of positive reviews online." He said in a cultured tone. Oh my God, he's very polite. I've to keep my words in check.
Before I could have plotted a perfect sentence in my mind and push it out as a reply, he waved me to sit. He gracefully settled himself on the sofa, crossing his legs, placing his hands on both the sides. Obeying him, I also huddled opposite to him, pressing my legs together, pulling my shoulders straight, still not a trace close to his elegance. Then, I placed my one hand over the other and tried my best to be presentable.
"It was just an ordinary story. I had no idea it could get such amazing response." I tried to be formal but couldn't stop myself from scratching my fingers, in nervousness.
"Modesty is one of the symbols of talented people. You expressed your short story through a marvelous poem that's enough to prove your skills." He smiled gently at me and I smiled back with a full intention of suppressing my rising panic, but.... uniformly failed.
Though the sofa was more than cozy but that pointed courtesy in his plain words, took all my comfort. Suddenly his phone rang and he excused.
Thank God! My subconscious almost burst into laughter when he referred me as 'talented people'.
Rajwadi Publication is one of the most famous ones I've ever heard. Publishing fictional stories, especially in romance category, is their USB. Each romantic novel published by them, becomes the best seller in every market around the world. Writers can throw anything to work with them. So, to get new talented writers, from this pile of wordsmiths, they organize some writing competitions every year, globally.
They select some extra student entries, other than the winners and offer them sponsored studies with the promise of future employment with them. But this year, they were amazed to see an undergraduate student wining that competition, Me.
That's how this journey of surprises started in my life, when I came to know that my simple poem actually won that global short story competition. For me, it was more of a fluke but I grabbed it as an opportunity. As I was the first student 'ever' who won this competition, so they not only sponsored my studies, but also offered me to live here as a 'future employee under training'. Cheery on the top!
Somewhere, I was very much thankful to them because I neither had any money to pay my college fees nor I could afford any place to live. At present without them I'd be a jobless homeless ghost of a girl.
He was still busy on his call, so I pulled my gaze to the walls and discovered some utterly eye-catching portraits stuck into gold-designed frames. Then, I realized that almost everything around me was worth stealing, not just because it was highly precious but equally breath-taking, the vase, the showpiece, the long candle-stands and so much more. And these flailing chiffon-curtains oh my, my, are so surpassing and not to mention so romantic.
Kavya, don't land over there now. Don't forget we're here to talk professional, OK.
"I'm so sorry for the interruption." He returned back.
"It's okay, really don't bother." I was comfortable alone.
Then he clapped and the servant came with some covered plates.
"Have some of your favorite sweets."
My mouth dropped open when they actually offered me Kaju-Katli.
"How did you know sir...?" I almost stammered.
"You're the future of our publication so you're really precious for us. It's our responsibility to take care of your predilections." A female voice came from the back.
To be continued........
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