"Ira, what happened? Where are you lost?"
Ira came to her sence and blinked several times.
"I am so sorry. I was thinking about something? I am really sorry."
"No no, it's fine. It happens sometimes. By the way, what were you thinking about?"
Ira thought for a while. She was arguing with herself, should she ask or not. Is it inappropriate to ask? But she is a family member now, she should know everything about her family.
Gathering her whole courage, she finally spoke "Mother, grandmother, i wanted to ask you something, if you don't mind."
"Yeah sure, you can ask anything you want." Neisha replied.
"I am sorry if i am being impolite but....may i know more about everyone? I know a little about raks-, i meant to say his high-"
"You can call him Raksheet. After all, he is your husband now. You don't have to be so formal infront of family members." Avanya said, giving her daughter-in-law permission to call her son by his name.
"Yes, you can call your husband by his name. We also call our husbands by their name when we are alone. And about being impolite, you are not impolite at all. You want to know about your family members, it's normal and appreciable. Wanting to know more about your family members means you care for them. To live with someone, we should know about them first." Neisha explained.
Ira nod. She felt relieved. she thought her in-laws will not allow her to call her husband by his name, especially Avanya. How would a mother allows her daughter-in-law to call her son by his name? But she was wrong. Her in-laws are totally different than she expected. They are kind, loving and humble.
"let me tell you about us all. Your father-in-law is the only child of his parents. Which means I was the only daughter-in-law of Kumar family, till now. But now, you are the new daughter-in-law of Kumar family. Raksheet is my elder son and Ahil is four years younger than him. Raksheet is so calm and caring person but Ahil, he is totally opposite to him. And about mother.." Avanya looked at Neisha to let her continue and tell about herself.
"My maternal house in Ranyav. I have a brother and he is king of Ranyav. He have a son and two grandsons, just like me." Neisha spoke.
Ira was listening to them carefully and when she heard about Ranyav, she got more curious and asked.
"Ranyav? Where is it? I am sorry I don't know much about kingdoms."
"It's ok." Neisha replied. "It's in North. My kingdom is femous for its nature. It have lots of waterfalls and forests. After getting married, I came to Jwalana. Unlike my kingdom, Jwalana is more hot. It have forests too but the temperature here is mostly high. I used to often fall sick. Your grandfather used to worry a lot for me. He used to stay with me all the time. Taking care of me and making sure I don't feel uncomfortable in his palace was his first priority. But soon he got one more reason to worry about."
"What?" Ira asked curiously.
Neisha chuckled "My pregnancy. I was pregnant but because of my health, my pregnancy was complicated."
"Was it safe for you?" Ira asked worriedly.
"Not really." Neisha replied "I was fine at first three months but later, I started to feel weak and my pregnancy complications increased. He used to stay with me all the time. He didn't wanted to leave me at least for a moment. He tried his best to find a best healer and the best medicines that can help me during pregnancy."
"So, did he found any medicine or healer?"
"Yes, he did. He send his soldiers to search for a unique fruit that can be found only in a forest filled with wild animals and reptiles . He himself wanted to go to search that fruit but he didn't wanted to leave me alone." Neisha replied.
"What kind of fruit it is?" Ira asked.
"Prakast fruit. It is a green fruit. It taste too bitter but it is useful. It is good for health, specially for a pregnant woman. I didn't like to eat it. But he used to force me to eat it. He used to stay by my side and make sure that I finish the fruit right infront of his eyes. I had to eat it everyday. Prakast fruit and his love and care for me helped me alot. I was lucky back then to survive with my child. Now see, that child of mine is ruling the entire Kingdom." Neisha explained with a proud smile.
Ira smiled in response and again went in deep thoughts. Doesn't matter even if there are so many ways to give birth to a strong kid, the question is till the same.
But it is easy for others to read her expressions and notice her true feelings.
"Ira..." Neisha held Ira's hand on the table "Don't worry. Everything will be fine. We trust in you."
Ira snapped out of her thoughts and nod with a bitter smile, thinking that their trust should not brake "Thank you grandmother. But what if....."
"Don't think much. Everything is fine. We just wanted a loving and caring life partner for Raksheet, a kind and responsible daughter-in-law. You have this all. And about your future, your kids, at least trust your husband. He is the most powerful prince among the surrounding kingdoms. I am sure, you will give birth to a strong prince or princess. By the way, when i would get to see my grandchildrens?" Avanya's sudden question made Ira wide her eyes in shock.
Her cheeks started to tint red with the warm burning sensation. she didn't expected her mother-in-law to be so much open minded and bold to ask her for kids just after her marriage. She was trying hard not to blush but her cheeks are already red.
"Avanya, don't tease her." Neisha slightly slapped Avanya's shoulder. "How can you ask such question directly? Look, she is already blushing. Don't make her uncomfortable. Let her get used to new atmosphere, new family first."
"Ok, i won't ask about it again." Avanya replied "But i am waiting to see my grandchildrens." She added, making Ira blush even harder. Now Ira understood from where her husband got such a straight forward nature. He don't think twice before saying anything and same goes to Avanya. Both mother and son are the same.
"Avanya!" Neisha again tried to stop her daughter-in-law from teasing Ira. "Come on, let's go. Let her take some rest. She must be tired because of your teasing."
They were about to leave the chamber when Ira suddenly spoke.
"Grandmother....."
Avanya and Neisha stopped on their place and turned around to face Ira.
"Yes?" Neisha asked
"Why did you choose me for Raksheet?" She asked. She wanted to know what they saw in her and chose her for Raksheet. Even if they want the relations of Aaro and Jwalana to be good, they won't marry their future king to a sick princess who can't give them a perfect heir. No one will put their future at risk just for good relations with someone.
Neisha passed a gentle smile to Ira "Because you are special." She replied and left the chamber with Avanya.
Ira was confused by Neisha's answer. what does she mean by 'you are special'? Since Ira was a kid, no one treated her like she is special, except her grandfather. Everyone treated her like she is a unwanted child who destroyed the happiness of the house. But for her grandfather, she is the only happiness of his life. Nothing makes him happy like a smile from Ira.
Shrugging off her thoughts, she sighed in relief. She touched her cheeks, it's warm. She looked at mirror. Her face was red because of blushing, she facepalmed in embarrassment, thinking 'what would they be thinking of me?'
When she was tired of being in her chamber for whole day, she thought to go out and look around the palace. After roaming some time in the palace, she came infront of library. The door was closed but someone's voice can be faintly heard.
At first, she tried to hear it closely but in curiosity, she tried to peek inside. She slightly opened the door and peeked in.
When she saw the person inside the library, her eyes widened in wonder.
"You can come inside."