The Capital

Ahanlem and Tomba instantly froze on the spot. The shadows that came out, however appeared oddly familiar, turns out they were the old woman and the middle aged man from the previous day.

Both of them exhaled in relief as they calmed their hearts. The old lady and her son seemed surprised to see them, they looked relieved likewise.

"Eh, it's you guys? What are you doing?" Tomba blurted out.

He saw that the man was carrying the once mad woman on his back. He hesitated before he finally answered, "We are going back home to our village."

The old lady piped in, "Yes, yes. Your chief is such a man of benevolent character. He let us go."

"Truly. He permitted us to return home and said he didn't want any more blood spilt unnecessarily." The man added.

Ahanlem and Tomba agreed.

Although they have never interacted with their town chief, he was known to be kind, compassionate and to solve matters of troubles impeccably with the least violence as much as possible. He probably let them go while the people where intoxicated happily with food and wine.

After all, this family of the mad woman were as much victims as them in this whole affair.

"It will be late. Take care on the journey, Abok." Ahanlem said.

"We pray you will get home safe and sound." Tomba added.

"Thank you." the man said smiling.

The old lady looked down as if she wanted to say something. She slowly uttered, "My child, I wanted to thank you for stopping them from beating up my son. I'm most grateful for that."

Her frail hands where joined in gratitude. But Ahanlem immediately grabbed hold to stop her as she said, "No need, no need. It was nothing."

She glanced at the bruised and unconscious woman on the man's back and said, "Um, just take care of her. It was not her fault. She is an unlucky victim too. But now it will be alright."

The old woman seemed sad looking at her daughter-in-law. She uttered weakly, "Yes unlucky indeed..."

Tomba and Ahanlem finally saw them off and went home after the long day.

--

Few days passed by after the ghost incident, life was peaceful and mundane in the town once again.

Underneath the green gooseberry tree bearing juicy fruits in the small courtyard, Ahanlem was picking on rice grains leisurely. It was early morning, the March sky was in exuberant blue and the spring breeze warmly brushed past her reddened cheeks.

She raised her head to look at Tomba who had just come back from the small field pulling his reluctant bull Sana back to its stable. The red bull and a white cow were the only domestic animals in his possession he got after saving money for a long time. He named them Sana and Lembi affectionately.

Tomba approached her and grinned. He said,

"What dish are you gonna cook today? I picked some cucumber to make Chamfut. Here, take it."

And handed over two big fresh cucumbers to Ahanlem.

"I'm not sure. Maybe some Eromba and Kangou? I think I'll make the Chamfut at dinner instead."

Tomba's silly grin got wider as he said, "Alright."

As they were talking they heard a familiar voice called them out. Both turned to find Chaoba and Naoba entering through the bamboo fence.

"What brings you two so early?" Tomba inquired.

"This is early? The sun is already high in the sky. We are not late risers like you guys." Chaoba joked.

"Ah, shut up. Don't exaggerate."

"Anyway, tomorrow we are going to the capital to help with our father's business. We came to invite you two." Naoba said.

"What about your father? Is he coming too?" Tomba asked.

"Our old man won't join us. He is busy here. It will only be the four of us." Chaoba answered.

"It will be just the four of us. It's gonna be so much fun! I want to see the beautiful girls of the capital!" Naoba cried excitedly.

The three boys were already thrilled at the mention of pretty girls and gushing about seeing them soon.

However at the moment, Ahanlem grimace secretly. She was invited but didn't feel like going. Why? Because of various reasons but the number one being she was actually a girl in disguise. And to travel on the road with three grown boys, a lot of things will be inconvenient for her. She have to be careful every moment to not get exposed otherwise she could already foresee a lot of problems cropping up.

So she told them she will think about it.

And she did all night without getting a wink of sleep.

By morning, she finished packing up along with Tomba for the journey. In the end, she decided to go because the very idea of staying all alone in the house in this unfamiliar world scared her.

In her real world, she was home alone most of the time while her grandmother and her little brother were out often for occasions. She was never scared because her house was secure with bolted doors and a sturdy gate. Also, it was a very safe neighbourhood. Unlike here where the house is located amidst a wide open space with other houses far off from each others. In addition, the gate was nothing but bamboo fences and wooden doors could be easily knocked down.

Not to mention, the recent ghost incident. Who knows if it will happen a second time? She shivered at the very thought as she walked alongside Naoba who was still chattering eagerly about the capital girls.

Ahanlem knows that for better or worse, Tomba was the safety net for her in this world. His presence was assuring regardless of his lacking courage or masculinity. Ahanlem sigh, he is just a boy too after all, even younger than her.

--

After almost a day's journey, riding on bullock carts, they finally arrived at the capital Imphal. And since the sky had already darkened they decided to stay at a small inn nearby.

It was run by an old man, his wife along with their two teenage daughters. They were the only guests for the night but the kind old man prepared a generous meal and satisfying accommodation for the night. They decided to stay here while they were in the capital.

Much to Ahanlem's relief, there was a tiny one bedroom in the corner which she hastily took. Naoba and Chaoba were dumbfounded, they wanted all of them to be in the same room but Tomba explained to them that Ahanlem was a light sleeper and wakes up at the slightest noise which was true. In Tomba's house, she slept separately on a small bed in the kitchen room at her request.

Tomba was quite the simpleton and was never suspicious about it for which she was very grateful. If it was anyone else her secret would have been long exposed.

Early next morning, they set to the liveliest place in the capital which was the market. It was huge, stretching a long mile but several hundreds of shop and stalls brimming with people.

The market was divided into two sections, one was run by your usual owners, men or women or both while the other consist exclusively of women vendors of all ages. They sell from clothes, sheets, crafts, vegetables, fruits, pots, fishes, food, and too many other varieties to keep count.

Naoba and Chaoba's family stall was on the regular side. Their father was talented blacksmith who made exceptional swords for martial artists. He used to live and work in the capital but he had to return home to take care of his mother after his father passed away. And since then, he only opened shops once every month. His business didn't flourish but he gets by enough this way.

Ahanlem and Tomba helped the twins to open shop in the small area of the market. The day had just begun but the whole place was already teeming with people. Their shop attracted quite a number of customers too, especially men.

"Eh, is this Thangjam Ibomcha's work?"

"I knew it. It is his engravings. Magnificient as always!"

"These pieces are even better than last time!"

"I'll take it!"

"Me too!"

"Are you boys his sons? I think I've seen you before..."

"How is your father doing?"

And just like that, the glistening blade pieces for the day were all sold out by noonday. Ahanlem was amazed by the twins' father reputation in the capital.

While closing up shop, the vendor next to them turned to them and said, "Tomorrow is the Flower Garland Offering Ceremony. It will be held for the first time before the people, right in front of the palace. So, tomorrow most of us will be setting up shops late after the event. What about you guys?"

"Will there be pretty girls?" Naoba asked.

"You foolish boy, it's exclusively for the maidens! It is the event held especially to introduce and showcase the Crown Princess's beauty and talent. Other princesses from all noble houses will participate too! It will be the most beautiful and fragrant event of this year!" another man piped in enthusiastically.

"Don't mind him. He is an ignorant country bumpkin! Tell us more!" Chaoba said his eyes gleaming.

Ahanlem glanced to see Naoba and Tomba's faces were already flushed with excitement.

Well, she was a little curious too.

--

Early the next day, the four of them set out to the heart of the capital to see the ceremony. According to the highly informed shop owners, the event was to be held right in front of the palace before the new luxurious Vaishnav temple.

At present, the kingdom of Kangleibak has two religions, the ancient religion of Meiteism and the new one, Vaishnavism from the far west. Which was exactly the same situation as Ahanlem's real world or timeline, she noted. The only difference was that it was not yet heavily integrated in every household.

They finally arrived to witness numerous straw mats being laid out in straight lines opposite a grand temple. The temple was intricately designed and had two big pillars. The mats were about twenty in numbers and three large tents were raised to shield the harsh sunlight. The participants had yet to arrive but there was already a large crowd gathering around on all two sides, eagerly waiting.

Suddenly, the blessed Moibung sounded. Everyone raised their heads to see many palanquins coming out from the direction of the palace.

The most grandiose looking palanquin led the others towards the sacred ground. Finally, the men carrying the palanquin came to a stop as they slowly put it down gently on the ground.

The thin gold curtains of the leading palanquin were lifted by the attendant to reveal a slender maiden. She was dressed in beautifully embroidered garbs of phanek and innaphi.

She had a pretty face and a most pleasing smile as she came out of the palanquin gracefully.

She was the beloved Crown Princess of the kingdom.