I sat down. I am so tired. Today has been such an odd day for me. I do not know how worried Father, Mother, and Hridi would have been about locating me. I do not think they will let me go without a struggle. But I have to get out of here. I will have to fight too.
The following morning I woke very early. A hand touched my shoulder from behind. I guessed that it might be Zara, and I turned around and was smiling. But it wasn't Zara behind me — it was the commander.
Commander: "Sir, training time. Come along, have some breakfast and we'll get going."Me: "Yes, let's go."
Hmm. I followed the commander. He took hold of my hand and led me off. I had last night's food in my room, but where were they taking me today?
The commander brought me to the large dining table. One of the sides had a queen occupying it, and the commander directed me to sit on the other side. It had everything there — the food. How do you consume food that's floating in water? The plates floated above the table.
Queen: "Begin, Sir."Me: "It's a bit strange, eating in this way."Commander: "You'll experience no difficulty. You can eat as we do."Me: "Yes, Queen Mother, I wanted to speak to you about something."
I breathed in and spoke.
Queen: "Mm-hmm, speak, Sir."Me: "First of all, I'm not your king yet. Stop addressing me as 'Sir.' I do have a name, and it is not 'Sir.' And secondly, I'm not ready for all this."Queen: "No one is ever ready. Time and circumstance make people ready."Me: "But my time isn't here yet. I am not disobeying — I will accept the condition my parents laid down when they were enraged — but I am scared. I wish to spend a little more time with my family one more time."Queen: "That is impossible."Me: "If you wish, it's possible. All people have conditions. I'm also imposing one. I require some time. I wish to pass it with family, after which I'll go."Queen: "After you ascend to the throne you may leave at any time. It will not be fitting to send you away in this manner now."Me: "Send your best troops with me for safety then. I'm making my condition known. You must grant me some time."Queen: "Okay. Your coronation was to be due in 15 days, now it will be due in two months. I wanted you to remain a secret to everybody. You will still be a secret in your own world."Me: "Then send a few soldiers to guard me."Rani: "No soldiers will be needed. Riani, fetch the princess."Me: "You'll send the princess with me?"Rani: "Yes. The princess was very stubborn — we tried to bring her back but could not. She alone can handle all your security."Me: "Okay, okay, fine. Thank you for the nicety."Rani: "I didn't give you time as a queen. I gave it to you as a mother, understanding the agony of a son. Perhaps after this you will not oppose anything."Me: "Hmm, thank you, Rani amma."Rani: "Commander, get Princess Ziarnia and the king out at once."Commander: "Yes, Rani amma."Jara: "Rani amma has called for me?"Rani: "Hmm. Get ready. You're going to your future husband's home."Jara: "But amma..."Rani: "Your dream of a lifetime is coming true. You'll be staying there for two whole months. You'll be with him all the time. Don't speak a word to him."Jara: "Rani amma, don't worry. I'll take charge of everything."Rani: "Then go now. Commander, take them there."Commander: "Yes, Rani amma."
We had finished eating. Jara dragged me out by the hand.
Jara: "I don't believe amma let you go."Me: "Why would she not? How was I supposed to say no when I did?"Jara: "Hmm. Then let's go together."Me: "But why did she have you bring me for protection?"Jara: "Oh, hello. Do you think less of me? I'm Julpur's finest warrior, don't you recall? Oh, apologies — the waterfolk's finest."Me: "Do you think a girl can guard me? I don't think so."Jara: "Why not? I'll show you. Just watch."Me: "You can turn invisible, can't you? Then be invisible with me everywhere."Jara: "What, are you crazy? I won't do it. I'm going to be your wife in the future — introduce me as your wife."Me: "I cannot."Zara: "You can't means, you are going to marry me. And you will not be able to introduce me as your wife?"Me: "I can, but what am I supposed to tell them at home all of a sudden?"Zara: "Don't worry in the least. I'll take care of all this."Me: "What are you going to do?"Zara: "You don't have to know. Come on, let's go now."Me: "How are we going to go? By swimming?"Zara: "Oh, you fool. Which crazy person is going to swim that distance?"Me: "Then?"Zara: "We'll go by our ship."Me: "Oh."Zara: "Then let's go."Commander: "Sir, if you face any problem, keep this phone. It's the phone to our water-world. This number belongs to me. Call me if any problem occurs."Me: "Hmm, okay. Take care."Commander: "Hmm, you too be careful."
We got onto the small boat. The commander took us through a cave. I didn't know where we were. But when we emerged into open water, I knew where I was — it was the small river behind my house. But I didn't know how we got there, from the sea directly into a small pond, and still at the back of my house. It was dark now. I have no idea how we got here, but we were stuck. I bid farewell to the commander.
Zara: "So we've come to your world."Me: "Yes. So will you go with me like this?"Zara: "No, you don't have to worry. I'll treat you to a surprise, you'll see."Me: "Then how can I leave you alone?"Zara: "Where would you leave me alone? I'll remain with you all the time. You go home, it's late."
Zara started conversing with me while walking. I went home and rang the doorbell. Hridoy opened the door and hugged me tightly when he saw me.
Hridoy: "Brother, where did you go leaving us? Mom, Dad, look, Hridoy has come!"Mom: "Where, where? Dad, you've come! We were so frightened."Me: "Oh, do not cry. I slept during the night and then I woke up and I was lying in the forest. Then I woke up and came back home. I have no idea what happened to me at all," I said, weeping.Dad: "Nothing happened, son. Come inside. Hridoy, you take Hridoy to the room. Close all the windows and doors."Hridoy: "Alright, Dad, I'm going."
I turned around and couldn't find Zara — she was gone. Hridi came into the room with me. I feel better now. It feels special to be in my own room; I know that now. I need to come up with a new plan for how I can stay here for the rest of my life. No matter what happens to everyone else, I want to stay with my family.