Warrior Princess; Her Quest to the throne

"Nothing…I mean, yes, it was good to go back home," Yash finished.     

"So...err, I will see you at ground tomorrow morning," referring to the sports stadium where they had to assemble for yoga and prayers every day.     

She nodded her head and sent him off with a smile. She saw him walk away. Still in his fourteenth year, Yash had become taller since she last saw him a month ago. She had wanted to tell him that but as always, she found herself too nervous to be her usual outgoing self in such moments.     

She could see a nice tan on his limbs which he may have acquired walking through those tea and coffee plantations located near his house. From what he had described during earlier conversations, it seemed that his parents were far above hers, financially.     

"Stop thinking about non-relevant things. How does it matter if his parents are rich? Am I getting married to him tomorrow?" she scolded herself and then blushed the very next minute.     

The next morning marked the beginning of the most important semester in the lives of the fourteen years' old. Before leaving for the vacations, everyone had sent applications to various departments, stating their chosen course of apprenticeship and the reasons for the same. During the next four months, nearly two hundred children would train under the department of their choice and put their knowledge to test.     

As per precedence, most of the students ended up in the same field as their apprenticed one, later in their careers. The headmistress had advised the students to recognise their individual strengths and areas of interests before filling in the applications.     

Today was the day when the segregation took place.     

"I still don't understand why you chose to apply to the Administrative department. There couldn't possibly be anyone else who has done that," Ishani shook her head in bewilderment at Mriga.     

Ishani had requested to be put in the prestigious Engineering arm of the Science department and had been accepted on the basis of her academic grades.     

"You are wrong. There are five of us who have been selected for the Admin department. I had been worried since I never got a letter from them, unlike everyone else. But this morning, there was a list put up at the dormitory notice board. I am the only girl on the list though," Mriga explained.     

"I am shocked that there are others as well who want to join that department. Have you taken a minute to consider your future? Do you want to become a paper stamping officer who sits at the desk from morning to evening submerged in the files? I mean what skills could you possibly pick up by joining them?" Ishani persisted with her argument.     

"I just want to lead a peaceful and carefree life. After passing out from the Gurukul, I would probably go back home and help dad with farming. Did you know that the Admin department's main function is to deliver all sorts of communication from one place to the other? This way I shall get enough practice to improve my athletic skills before the next sports meet also," Mriga explained with a twinkle in her eye.     

Ishani shook her head at her friend's logic, "never mind. I am happy if you are happy. Now, I am going to run and change before reporting to the Engineering department.     

Mriga went to change as well, her thoughts on the conversation with her mother during the previous semester break.     

"Where are you thinking of applying in the next semester?" Bela had asked.     

"Either the finance department or sports, I haven't decided yet. What do you think I should do?" Mriga had wanted her mother's council.     

"If you are not particularly attached to either of these, then may I suggest you consider applying to the Administrative department," her mother had said in all seriousness.     

Mriga had looked at her mother in surprise but waited respectfully for her to continue.     

"I am well aware of your capabilities and based on that I think you are best suited for the Admin team. I will leave the decision in your hands though. You know you have my support in whatever you choose to do," Bela had finished cryptically.     

Coming back to the present, Mriga surveyed her appearance in the mirror. As per the notice, she was to report in civilian clothes and not the school uniform. After much deliberation in her head, she had decided to go with her mother's advice simply because she felt that her mother wouldn't guide her wrong. So before leaving for this semester break, she had applied to the Admin department.     

"Good morning, my name is Mrignayani. I was asked to report here," she panted.     

It had taken her more than half hour to find the building. No one seemed to know exactly where the Admin office was located. She had run from one end to the other before finally stumbling upon a non-descript opening to this rundown building.     

"You are late by five minutes. Kindly ensure this is never repeated. Everyone has assembled in the room to your left. Go in quickly," the receptionist said sternly.     

She was a tiny woman with a fierce expression.     

Bobbing her head in apology, Mriga hurried to open the door.     

It was a cramped room with minimum lighting and papers stacked up everywhere. Five pairs of eyes looked up at her from the table located at the centre of the room.     

"You are late. Come in and shut the door securely behind you," said a voice.     

Mriga followed the sound to discover the person who had just stepped out from the farthest end of the room. Everyone sitting at the table stood up to greet him.