HE'S PRINCE

Pinakabagong kabanata

• RASGHADHAN   THE ASSEMBLY

  MHAT'S POV"Mhat!" Rina calls. I don't respond. I'm fully awake. Been awake since the cockcrow. Although I didn't hear a cock crow, I know I must have woken at that time. I always do. I've remained glued to my bed since then. I've never felt anything like it. It's like I'm floating on the clouds. The softness makes me wander how I ever slept on that mat. Two days ago, I had slept on the floor; I couldn't sleep on something so soft but now I know deep down inside me that here is where I want to be. On the clouds. Legs spread apart with a wide smile on my face, my limitless thoughts dancing to the rhythm of my heartfelt joy."MHAT!"My eyes snap open. "What?" I groan. She just ruined my fantasy. "We are going to be late....... Oh. Let me refrace that: you are going to be late if you don't get your lazy ass off that bed." Rina says, getting her uniform from the drawer. Rina and I are roomies. I was paired with her after the king announced my permanent s

• RASGHADHAN   HE'S PRINCE

  MHAT'S POVI stand by the door. Shivers constantly running through the veins in my fingers. My hands are cold but still sweaty. I remember the last time I felt like this. We were punished for checking in late to the kitchen. We hadn't eaten anything for a week. All we kept taking was the water in the drum our master had set with us in the locked room. Riah found a way out. I remember her running out of the dark room. The next day we were dragged out to witness Riah's hands get burned. She had been caught trying to steal some food for us. The way she screamed and wept sent fear into my soul. My hands were sweaty and cold at the same time. She didn't survive it because they didn't treat her wounds."What happened?" Felena, the slave nurse asks calmly."He's wounded Felena. Found him outside. I think it's a cut from the brush of an arrow." Runo, the old man who picked Ruben up, explained."You know I can't touch him Runo. He's not one

• RASGHADHAN   WIG OFF

  AIRLEN'S POV"I know what can cheer us up." Mhat joyfully speaks, grinning like a ten year old. "What?" I ask uninterested. After she pursued me with a stick, I need to be careful."Get up." She instructs with an outstretched arm."Why?""Just do it."I don't want to just do it. Just doing it means taking a risk and I don't feel like doing that. At least not with water."Urgh! Fine." I eventually agree. I stand up to my feet and take her hand in mine but I let her lead the way. I don't know why we have to hold hands but I'm not going to complain; I do love the feel of her small hand in mine. I am surprised when she starts entering the lake. The cold water welcomes my feet and my body shivers in greetings. What is she thinking? The water is so cold yet she wants to swim and she's doing so with her clothes on. We stop a little way into the lake. We are still close to the edge. I watch as she lets go of my hand and slowly sits

• RASGHADHAN   ROADS

  "Ma!" I call, standing a few feet away from the mat on which Zet and Hona lie. "Ma!" I call again, louder this time. I feel the need to apologise. I know she is not asleep cause she is lying on her side and she doesn't sleep without hiding her chest. "Zet!" I hear a faint hiss from her mouth and I know they are both just ignoring me. I walk out quietly, giving them the quiet they desire. My back and legs are aching. Today is one of the few days I'd love to sleep early but I doubt I can use the mat tonight. "Why do you do it?" I turn to Rate who is sitting on the wooden chair with her eyes fixed on me. I think for a while before replying "I feel sane out there." I answer, taking my seat on the floor. "And in here?" She asks in her usual meek and calm voice. "I don't know, I feel I don't belong here. I feel choked in here.""Mhat, no one feels good being a slave.""That's not what I mean Rate. It's not because I'm a slave. I've been a slave since forev....."

• RASGHADHAN   BROKEN

  MHAT'S POVI can't stop replaying what I just witnessed as I regretfully walk home. I walked hours just for this. To witness the shame in being a slave. I sniff, trying to stop my nose from running. Using my left hand to wipe my face, I walk back through the tunnel. After a few minutes, I'm back in the forest. I take some branches and cover as much evidence as I can to prevent someone from knowing the tunnel was used. I keep walking. My heart aching with every thought running through my mind. Would I have laughed along with them if I wasn't a slave? How would life had been if I wasn't a slave. The dance carried so much truth. We slaves are timid, weak, used and then we die and are thrown into a pile of dead bodies. I cry harder. All I've ever known is pain. Suffering, frustration, rejection. My life has no fulfillment. I have no self. I'm alive but not living. I can't do what I want. I can't be who I want to be. The worst, I can't change who I am. I am a slave. Dirt to Rasgha

• RASGHADHAN   THE DANCE COMPETITION

  AIRLEN'S POVI dip my hands for the third time into the bowl of cold water before splashing it against my face. Last week I was summoned by my father, to face judgement for looting the kingdoms funds. That's exactly how he put it. It was so easy for him to believe I stole the money. Why would I even want to do that? Wealth right now is the least on my mind. I angrily add more ice to the water, remembering the events of that day as I hit my face with another cold splash.I was brought before the council of elders to face condemnation and judgement. "Prince Airlen you have been accused of stealing public fund and as it is law to give the criminal a say before judgement, I ask that you speak up now or forever remain silent." The investigator boldly speaks. "I didn't do it." I boldly defend myself. I had nothing else to say. I had no proof of my innocence. Those who set me up did a perfect job. My signature was forged. They had fake recordings of my voice. I had no s