conti....

I turned and found a beautiful red-haired middle-aged elegant-lady wearing a royal blue one-piece dress with a latest limited edition LV in her hand. But the thing that attracted me, were those 'rajwadi rings' in her middle fingers. ('Rajwadi rings' are big traditional Indian rings) Perfect!

"Meet my beloved wife Mrs. Riana Rajput Agnivanshi. It was her idea to find out minor details to make it more comfortable for you to live with us." She hugged him and he reciprocated with a kiss on her cheek. I smiled.

Wow! modern outfit romantic gesture and I realize we're no longer bounded by that typical Indian culture of suppressing our emotions in public.

Hey wait.

Seriously! You people actually researched for an employee, who haven't even started working for you yet, but why?

"Yes, it was me." She settled close to me and beamed a cute smile. Oh she smells sweet too.

Are they really humans or I'm talking to robots? Means, it's 21st century right, how can they be so kind hearted?

"Thank you for thinking so much about me. I'm so touched."

"There is no need to thank us, dear. Feel like your own home if you really want to thank us." She was humble.

Though I smiled, but kept cogitating why they were behaving in this way to a stranger like me? I'm just an upcoming member-of-the-workforce.

"I must say that you're talented as well as beautiful, Kavya."

Yeah of course, look at this graceful lady's perfectly waxed-hands, well-manicured paws, cleanly plucked eyebrows and correctly bleached face, plus have a glimpse at mine, never manicured or waxed hands, forest eyebrows, braided hair and an average-body jumping inside a sag like fitting salwar-suit.

She's like a well maintained model and I'm like a grotesque-thing in front of her. Still she complimented me! 

I was sure she had vision issues.

"I'm nothing in front of you, Ma'am. You're way more beautiful than I ever could be."
"Call me Riana." She insisted.

Riana! Really! 
Am I capable of calling her that?

"It'll take some time for me to reach from 'Ma'am' to 'Riana'." Obviously, I don't meet Queens's everyday and then call them by their names. 
"It's fine. Take as much time as you want."
She's actually sweet.

Mr. Ridvik again got busy on a call.

"So, what do you like the most in my outfit?"
"I must say that you've a very good taste in every manner. But if I've to pick one, then 'those rajwadi rings' surely caught my eye." I prattled.
Why can't I keep my mouth shut?

"I had no idea that you too have a liking for such rings. If so, I'd have bought some rings for you too. But until I do that..." She pulled them out and offered them to me.

What!

"Oh! No, No. I didn't mean that, I don't want them. Please, I was just saying that they're beautiful." I almost stammered again.

"Please accept them. It's our tradition to present our guest with something of their own desire. I'm glad I've something you liked." 

"Okay. If it's a part of the tradition then I'll surely accept." They're beautiful. I wore them to thank her.

"You might be tired. Come, I'll show your room. Your baggage is already there." She got up and moved her supple-legs towards the stairs.

"Sure." I proceeded with her.

When I heard the tip-tap sound of her pointed stiletto, I stared at my decrepit, flat foot-wear and sighed in self-satisfaction. I'm glad I don't wear heels, as this super smooth marble flooring would make it hard for me to even stand without stumbling and I'm not joking at all. Seriously speaking, I can fall anywhere anytime. I'm like the brand ambassador of falling everywhere every-time.

"The picture on the side wall of the main hall, is your family portrait, isn't it?" I chattered on the way.

"Yes, you figured right."

"So, according to that including me, there would be 9 people in total in this Palace, right." 

She rubbernecked at me and chuckled. Did I say something wrong?

"No dear, actually our first son lives in New York with his wife and the second one lives in California with his wife. Our third son lives here with us." She revealed graciously.

OK I got it, they all are married.

"You mean lives here with his wife, right, because there were 4 couples in that picture." I sounded curious, I can bet on that.

She smiled again. "No, He's unmarried. The other couple is my daughter and her husband. They stay with us, sometimes."

"Okayyyyy", and I went in noticeable contemplation.

So don't they love their third son? Why he's not in that picture?
Should I ask?
Don't get too personal Kavya, she's your boss.

"You might be thinking why our third son is not there in that family portrait...right?"

She can read minds?

I nodded with clean embarrassment.

"He's not there because he was the one who made it. My third son is a very fine passionate artist." She said in adulation. "Each handmade painting you'll notice in this Palace is actually made by him." She added proudly.

So it's obvious, I'll never be able to find him in any of those paintings, I got it.
But there is an artist in this house, wow!
I was on my toes to meet him.

"He'll be studying with you." 

Holy Shiva! He's a student.

"He's an undergraduate too." I wanted confirmation. I didn't know the reason but I was feeling a sweet happiness just with 'his' mention.

"Yes." She smiled again, maybe she noticed my desperateness.

Floating into the thoughts of someone whom I hadn't even seen, we reached in front of the door of my new-royal-room.

Placing her hand on my head, she amiably said. "Have some rest, it's your first day in college tomorrow. Make yourself comfortable and come in the dining hall when you feel like having dinner. Don't worry about evening snacks, it'll be served in your room itself, just mention it to the chef whatever you desired to eat." Then she left.

Oh! I could feel that royal grace in every word she said. 

To be continued........

_________________________________________________

Author's message

**********Thank you so much for taking out your precious time and reading my words. I'm truly honored. *********

Do share your views about the story, characters and plot. Let me know if you want me to continue the story.....