The mixture of emotions was too much for me as nothing left from my mouth expect the gasps from the lack of oxygen. He suddenly narrowed his eyes, "Did papa scold you for anything or said anything?" he asked in a low tone. I shook my head indicating "no" and hugged my brother like my life depended on it. There was some shuffling and footsteps from behind my brother and peeked. It was my father. He walked out holding a book in his hands. When he saw I was there, his face flashed with concern before going back to the unreadable expression he always maintains.It happened in the split of the second that one wouldn"t have noticed if they didn"t pay much attention.He started wearing that expression since my mother"s death. That is since I was born. My brother told me he has trouble expressing his love. And no one knew how our mother married our father with that sense of ignorance.
I wiggled out of my brothers grip and slowly trudged over to my father. I took timid steps but my eyes were fixated on my fathers eyes. We shared the same pair of clue coloured eyes. I, for the first time noticed the concern for me in his eyes. He was taken aback by me approaching him first, especially in this disheveled state. When I was about arm length away from him, I launched myself into my father arms and he quickly caught me so that won"t fall. I buried my face into my fathers broad chest and let out all my tears.
"Papa....." I trailed off and continued to wail like a new born baby. Maybe I had cried like this in his when he first held me in his arms.
"Papa.." was all I could say. I felt his hand move on my head carresing it delicately as I was the most precious thing in this whole world. I could feel His arms wrap around me tightly but, not too tightly for me to breath. I smiled into his chest and looked up at his face. I saw tears in his eyes as he stared into my eyes with nothing but love and adoration.
"My daughter" he smiles at me and I smiled back at him. My father. Silence left our eyes and I felt another pair of arms around me. I knew this warmth well. My brother. I stayed in each others warmth for what felt like forever. But, I was happy that I was able to be in this new sweet memory. I slowly pushed back from the hug a little, still sniffling.
....
That evening---
Aeins.h.i.+a came back in time when she was thirteen years. For her everything was same here just like it was in her memory except that family bonding before.
"I am coming in", Felix, Aeins.h.i.+a"s brother, told that and came in without waiting for the response from other side. He realized his little sister was lost in her thoughts as she didn"t notice him coming in.
" What are you doing still sulking on the bed. why are you staring at the ceiling ?", he asked jolted her from the thinking. He adjusted himself beside her on the bed. His hands caressing her locks as he stared into her deep ocean eyes.
" Don"t you know you shouldn"t disturb someone when they are thinking? ", she retorted back . He pinched her cheeks hard enough for her to wince in pain while shaking her head vigourously. " And what could you be thinking in that little brain of yours? ", he asked.
" ouch.... You shouldn"t underestimate your little sister ",saying it she thought " I was mentally five years older than you".
" You want to come out in your night dress just like this morning. Shouldn"t you be already dolling up yourself to attend the party", he reminded her telling it was the return of Prince Evan and at the same time mocked her for her sudden disheveled appearance this morning.
" It"s not like you never saw me in my night dress", she said while pouting. It was the cutest expression of her which she only used for her brother .
"Well it"s not only our family. There are many officials too", he commented. To be precise sometimes he nags around just like an old hag saying "a girl should be gentle and need to watch her actions".
" It"s not like I care".Aeins.h.i.+a told her true opinion what she felt at that time.
"I know you won"t care. But we are living in a society where your small mistake affects your dignity and status. People only know to talk. They don"t care whether it is right or wrong. And since you are a high born, you are the public attention. They never leave a chance to ridicule you. They observe your every action".
Yes, he was true. So she decided to stay quite.Seeing her stay quite, he understood she got what he wanted to say.
"Now enough with the talks. Dad already left to the palace. Get up and get ready", he pulled her up the bed. She swayed to and fro for moment but steadied herself.
" I don"t want to brother. I want to rest today", she answered knowing she still had no courage to meet the prince.
"It"s already decided. Nke you don"t have a say. Uncle is waiting for you already".He kicked at the correct and weak spot of her. Never she can say no th her Royal uncle, the Emperor.
" s.h.i.+rley", he called the maid.
"Yes young master", she rushed in immediately as though she was standing right outside the room waiting for my brother to call her in.
I already rejected her thrice for getting ready. So she must have went to my brother. Only that reason seemed plausible to hear. otherwise,If not for her, Felix might have already tagged his father to the palace.
"Get her ready as good as you can.Of course she is already the prettiest from others. But remember to comb her hair well".
Aigo.... what a brother he is. Not leaving a chance to leave his sister off the hook.
Aeins.h.i.+a glared at him and was happy to see all this fun.
...
Aeins.h.i.+a:
I speed walked down the hallway which I raced down this morning. I chuckled at the memory. My new memory.
I was greeted by The royal Emperor and my father at the grand doors of the Palace. I immediately went into my uncles room and slipped into his arms.My uncle was taken aback for my sudden shower of love. But he immediately got over his shock and return backed my hug.
"Shall we move now? ", he whispered near my ears.
" Hmmm... ", I nodded leaving his embrace.
The Emperor beckoned to stand beside me while my father stood a step behind us looking sad for not getting a chance to stand beside me. All the officials of the royal court come to the side, making a way for us. We walked out through the starting of the staircase of the palace.
We stood their for half-an- hour alreadu bit I didn"t know how time pa.s.sed this soon as I non-stopedly spoke to my uncle.
Slowly we began to hear the hoods of horse running towards the palace. It echoed in the grounds which was filled with the people of the Seazle empire. Everyone present in the vicinity were eager to see the Prince of The Seazle Empire. Antic.i.p.ation was dripping from everyone"s eyes. Even though I knew how he looked, I felt my antic.i.p.ation rising as it was new.