Chapter 17: A troublesome girl
The sky was dark . Dark grey clouds were spotted here and there . It was a full moon night and Alisha enjoyed the soft cool breeze sitting next to the large window . The soft rustle of leaves was melodious to her ears .
" I am an idiot ! I guess they are right I'm not fit to be for Zen . He is so perfect obviously he will need someone of his level but then again I can't give up on him after I came this far . Yes ! I'll go and start practicing and show that prideful lady what I truly am " Saying that she takes a recorder and goes to the terrace . Her long floral gown fluttered with the wind . She took a lock of hair in her finger and placed them behind her ear as she began to dance. Zen silently came and stood behind her without her notice and watched her dance . Since the coffee was getting cold he decided to make his presence felt .
"Are you imagining me dancing with you ?" He smirked and Alisha froze . She turned off the recorder and stood aside .
"Oh that was some good music ! Here I brought you some coffee it's really good . You must be exhausted I'm sure this will refresh you " He said approaching her . She turned to face him .
"How did you know that I was here ?" She asked taking the coffee mug .
"Instincts I guess " He replied shrugging nonchalantly.
"Huh like I would believe ! "She rolled her eyes .
"Is something bothering you ? You have been acting weird lately plus you refuse to eat weren't you the one who wanted to spend time with me and stuff ?"
"I would if you give me a little bit of importance atleast, you only have time for her and when I ask you something you just avoid me saying I'm a busy man I'm not like you and bla bla bla ... why don't you show some business to her as well ! I think it's true I'm an outsider after all I was indeed foolish to have expectations I should have known but then. ..." Alisha continues to talk as Zen stares at her. He stops her holding her shoulders .
"Alright wait go slow why are you so hyper ? Anyways with what you just told I believe you have been suffering from what people call jealousy right ? And the her you are referring to is Zenia correct ?" She remains silent looking aside on the floor as Zen bursts out in a laughter .
"It's not at all funny !" She remarked .
"Ah sure it isn't but it is . So all this time you were bothered by us that's strange I thought you won't be affected by such things as I forced you into this marriage. "
"You are wrong ! I know you forced me . I never knew you . I know I had no choice but still I came here to marry you ! And that's not a joke to me . It's a serious matter of life I was taught to respect the person and family I become a part of but ... things went completely different for me here but I realised I couldn't run from my fate anymore so I .. I thought I would accept you and yearn for a happy living but lately I realised that I don't meet the expectations of tge royal members and I'm not really accepted in this family . I don't even have any talents .. I can't really cook ..I'm bad at my studies , I'm clumsy ... why do I feel I'm not fit to be your wife ? And the more I watch Zenia the more I understand My weaknesses .. I don't know anymore ! I don't really think I can win against her she may really be helpful to you and also a good partner . ....may be ...." She breaks down into tears as she speaks . Zen's eyes soften and he presses his lips together .
"Come on now ! You can't give up so easily . The Alisha I knew was strong who would jump out of the window to sneak out and climb on a tree like a pro , who would boss around the king and her future husband. ... Ain't I right ?" He says lifting her chain .
"You saw all that . Were you following me that day ?" She was shocked he never a spoke about it before . Her Emarald blue eyes shined as the water sparkled in her eyes.
" Yes kinda .. My god your tears don't cease at all . Here take this tissue paper . Damn I never knew you were so bothered by Zenia and all that stuff you spoke I have never seen you like this . So you also cry haan ? "
"Shut up ! It's nothing like that . I just wanted to know if I mean anything at all to you . If you have plans marrying your cousin then why bring me here in the first place I'll do anything you want in exchange or I'll runaway but I will never accept the position of a concubine I do have some self respect and out of family honour I refuse to do anything that hinders my land's honour ."
"Wait wait wait ! Hang on ! When did I ever say such a thing ? And besides I don't intend to marry Zenia she is just my cousin who is an year younger to me that's all . The adults in the family sure wanted it but I believe at the end of the day it's my choice who I choose to be with . So don't let any of such thoughts disturb you Alisha . You must understand that she is my sister and you are my going to be wife obviously I won't treat you like a sister and Zenia as a wife . Anyways are you really that desperate for me ? " Her checks turn pink and she avoids his gaze .
"Nnn...no that's not what I .." She stammered and Zen flicked her forehead .
"Listen I don't want you to pay attention to what commoners or outsiders say . Don't care about them just the way I do . Things like that would take no time to weaken relationships . You are here to marry me and that's all there is to it besides you don't lack talents but you are full of them . You are just not aware of what you are capable of . Only you can give me what I want ! dancing and singing and other stuff are least of my worries I don't give a damn about it . Oh our coffees are getting cold !" He exclaims taking a sip of it . Alisha looks at him in surprise amd smiles to herself . Zen notices her smile and believes he managed to comfort her . He never felt this lively before . He never spoke so much with anyone before. Deep in his heart he knew that he was living his life because of Alisha . She added essence to his mundane and dark life . She taught him to ease up a little and as a matter of fact he was enjoying. He liked her company so obviously he wouldn't want to let her go . Her happiness was his concern now it was a great feat for a person who never cared about anyone's emotions .
"Thank you Zen ! " She smiled and Zen's eyes widen . He was elated and overjoyed .
"Good job ! I like it now . Now as a gift for your achievement to call my name I'll teach you how to dance " He said keeping his mug aside trying to hide his grin .
"Really ? That's fantastic !" She said . The music started and they both begin to dance .
"Don't step on me ! First of all go with the music don't be in a hurry ! Jeez you are worst than I thought in this "
"Haan ? What do you expect I have never done this stuff before . "
"Alright ! Don't shout ... " He replied . Zenia who came in search of Zen stood at the entrance speechless . Her breath was taken away , tears started wetting her face . She clenched her fist around her side .
"Why ? Why do you look so contented ? The honest smile I tried to bring from past so many years why am I seeing it now ? With her ? Why Zen ? " She cried . She was sad , her heart ached she indeed loved him , he was the one she looked up to to all through her life and that man was in love with someone else , who was a stranger , who was an outsider , who lacked most of the things . Why ? Why is fate playing such a cruel role with me ?" She said biting her lower lip and went out to her room .
"You know what ? I'm stunned to see this side of you . I never thought you would care so much ."
"Wait what exactly do you think of me ? " She let out a chuckle . Her eyelids lowered .
"Thank you Zen ! I'm so happy ..." She said and fell asleep on him .
"Hey cut it out ! You can't fall asleep just like that " He shouted but she gave no response. She was tired , overly worked . Not to mention she stopped eating proper meals . It was strange how she was in deep sleep since he couldn't wake her up he hefted her and took her to her room .
"Such a troublesome girl ! " He murmurs and switches off the lights .
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