004

THE door closed behind and Raghav dropped the magazine and sat up. He thought of the lady that just left his room and sighed, what was really wrong with her?

Was she really thinking he loved her? Like he was gonna really take her with him to Shimla Kingdom?

He scoffed and gave a dry laugh, she must be dreaming.

He has no emotions, he doesn't think he can even fall in love for anyone.

Bella was just his… he never would say girlfriend, Bella was just a bedmate throughout his stay in the states.

Not for the eight years though, as they had met roughly three years ago. She was just only used to satisfy the need of a woman on bed, and damn! She was readily available. Readily available to make his bed warm.

Though he treated her like every other person, he never treated her special, she still sees herself as number one in his life.

But it wasn't so. He got up and strode towards the bar section of the room, behind the dining.

He got to the shelf and took out a bottle of half drunk Hennessy.

Singling out a wine tumbler from the rack, he poured himself some wine. He dropped the bottle and began sipping wine.

Suddenly, one of the three phones lying on the side table beside the couch he had been sitting on buzzed.

He glanced at it and continued sipping, ignoring it. It stopped and began ringing again, and that was when he went for it.

Whoever was calling must have an important message for him, hence the second call. Everyone who had deals with him knew, including his family members.

You dare not call more than once, except you have a very important message for him. A very important one.

He transferred the wine tumbler which was in his right hand to the left, and then with the right hand, he picked up the buzzing phone. He peeked into it, it was his father. He sighed and answered.

"Hello Dad. May you live long Maharajah," he cleared his throat.

"The great prince of Shimla Kingdom," King Neel hailed, "how are you doing my son?" He asked.

Raghav sighed as he began walking toward the bar section.

"Very good dad. How is everyone?" His voice was deep, sounding coarse like that of a lion's low growl.

"We are good, only just patiently waiting for you, everyone I mean, including the people of the Kingdom… your subjects, our subjects."

He sipped some wine.

“I see,” he shortly replied.

"When exactly would you be coming Raghav? It is now taking longer than we expected."

He kept mute for a while, so long that his father had to speak up.

"Are you there son?" He asked.

"What do you want me to reply Father? The people waiting should keep on waiting till I return when I want to… if they wish," he added.

He heard his father sighed.

"Son you are becoming difficult. What is still keeping you hostage over there? What is really enticing you out there? Is it women? There are a lot of maidens over here, you can have as much as you want. Is it the deve—"

"Just a little business Father," he interrupted.

"Sorry for cutting you short," he added licking his lips.

"Like what?" He blurted.

Raghav took another sip.

"I still have unfinished business with some associates down here, I need to get it done and dusted before coming over."

"Raghav," his father called.

Raghav scoffed, he knew his father had become angry, he could sense it.

"Was this why you called Dad?" He asked.

Neel hesitated for a while, obviously pissed off by his son.

"Well, hell no. Called to tell you of a welcome party we are planning for you."

The glass tumbler left his hand and shattered on the tiled floor. What? Welcome party? For who?

Neel seemed to have heard the crashing noise of the glass tumbler.

"What is that?" He asked.

"What is a welcome party gonna do for me?" Blurted Raghav, ignoring his father's question, "I don't need that," he added.

"It is normal tradition son, this is where the people get to see and meet their Prince, there would even be a parade for the daughters of the kingdom, you can actually pick up choices, I hope you get?"

Raghav gave a short mocking laugh.

"That is useless, I need no welcome party," he stated.

"You aren't gonna stop this from me this time, we holding a party for you, get informed."

Raghav smirked, he could see his father wasn't ready to relent, he had to do something. What does he need that shit party for?

"Okay fine. Then consider not seeing me again for the rest of your life," he heard him gasp, "consider not seeing me step my feet into that kingdom," he reeled out.

"Son," he stressed.

"Yes dad," he walked to the dining and sat on one of the chairs.

"Fine, party cancelled. We want you home like now," he gave in.

"Good dad, no party and see me soon," and he ended the call.

Dropping the phone on the table, he pressed a little button on the wall and the door opened minutes later. A maid came in.

"Maharana," she bowed.

He pointed to the pieces of broken glass on the floor.

"Take care of that," and he walked back to the bar section, took out another tumbler and continued with his wine.

***

The reminder for the lunch break hour rang, and Zaina banged the desk.

"Yo girl, what's up?" Rina asked wide eyed.

"I'm famished, aren't you?" She smiled peevishly.

Rina looked at her and laughed.

"Foodie," she blurted out and began packing up her books.

"That is actually my third name you know," she winked.

Rina laughed.

"Sure… I do."

"Yo, the lessons were damn boring, I really need to stretch these little legs of mine," she looked out the window.

Rina couldn't help laughing at her jokes, one of the reasons she liked her, she had great sense of humor.

"Little legged girl, get up now let's go, before those little legs of yours breaks into pieces," she said laughing at her own joke.

"I don't blame you, I'm gonna get scissors and prim this red hair of yours," she said looking all over her hair.

"I knew you would talk about it".

"Who wouldn't? They are damn beautiful, natural, not the fake ones must of the students carry. And you know what?" She lowered her voice.

"What?"

"This is the reason you are exceptional among others, that is why most of the students hates you, you are naturally endowed... naturally."

The smiles on Rina's face broadened, another reason she loves Zaina, she knows how to appreciate God's work of beauty in her.

"Thanks Zaina, there you go again," she said unzipping her bag.

"I can't really wait anymore second," she got up.

Rina laughed, she was done putting her books into her school bag, then she got up as well.

Zaina ransacked her bag for her phone, brought it out and then they both walked out.

They laughed and chatted all their way downstairs.

Getting to the almond tree beside their block, normally a cool sit out for the students, a group of students had already formed there.

Vidya, their classmate's voice could be heard as she overshadowed others.

"No one dares talk about the Prince like that when I'm here," she said, "I mean why should you?"

"Why shouldn't we?" A girl in the group asked.

"He is taken, no need for bride pick," she said as she tucked her hair behind her ear. They all made a face.

"Wait… wait, is this...?" Another student said, laughing.

"The Prince can't marry you", she added.

Vidya turned to her.

"Seems you don't have an idea who my mom is," she blurted.

"Your mom is your mom and not the Prince," the girl came again.

"That your mom is a best friend to the Queen doesn't mean you gonna be his bride, never yet," another student joined.

"You heard that?" Zaina asked Rina. They had purposely been walking slowly just to listen to the conversations.

"Well yes," Rina sighed, obviously getting pissed off.

"Hey girl, hold your peace. You know neither my mom nor the Queen. All I want you to know is that the Royal Prince is mine."

Holy moly! What confidence.

Rina dragged her friend’s right hand and began pushing her toward the cafeteria.

"We need to leave here Zaina, we can't stand listening to such blabbing," she said.

Zaina laughed and they walked away.