We sat at the bench again.But this time there was no wait because the car came soon.A black car again.But smaller than the previous one.

Mama and I settled into the clean car and just as soon we were going inside the huge gates.I looked at the huge man and stuck my tongue out at him.Stop us now.I laughed gleefully at his expression.

It felt like that car was taking us to the wonderland.There were so many flowers in the gardens that occupied both the sides of the pathway.The sun shone brightly and it added to the beauty of the gardens which had trees and flowers of all shades.I could see shadows of huge trees in the far back of the gardens.They were on both side.

We moved for some time and then it came in view.

Oh My god.So beautiful.A castle.I gasped and looked at mama."Are we going to the castle mama?Is there a fairy inside.?" I asked with stars in my eyes.I could not believe it.Mama smiled slightly.

How could she not be excited.We were going to meet a princess inside or may be Fairy Godmother.

Thank you Santa for making my wish come true.I will be a good girl this year too.I promise.I was so excited.I started bouncing."Thank you mama.."I said cheerfully as I kissed her cheek."It is the best gift ever for my birthday.You are the best."

The car came to stop and I got down as fast as I could.I couldn't wait."Come fast mama." I called out to her.She was slowing us down.

Mama came to me and bent down to my level "Now,.... you have to behave yourself.You are a good girl right.You are not to leave my hand at all.No playing.No talking.Nothing.Or else Mama will be very sad."

All excitement faded.I looked at mama.She meant business.If I misbehaved she will be very sad and won't talk to me.I knew it.

So I nodded my head at her.Princess and fairy godmothers can wait.Mama was the most important.If she is sad then I will be sad too.I promised mama as she let out her pinky finger to me.

"Good girl."She ruffled my hair and stood up.The driver had stopped at the door.Making sure we were following him,he walked inside.Mama pulled me with her.

The castle was very big.The ceiling so high.Pale colored walls had many paintings on them.Flower vases were kept everywhere with fresh flowers in them and it smelled so good in here.

I wanted to explore more but kept to my promise.I had to be with mama.We made two turns and stopped near a door.The driver knocked on the door.A muffled "come in" came from inside.The driver nodded to mama and went away.

Placing a hand on my shoulder mama guided me to the chair kept outside the room and settled me on it."Sit here and don't move.I'll be back in no time.OK.?"

I nodded my head at her again.She smiled ,fluffing her hair and checking her skirt  she went inside.I sat on the chair.My feet hung.Just like everything,the chair was also too high.My legs dangled .I looked here and there but found no one.

A loud crashing sounded.Something broke somewhere.I tried looking from my chair.I dare not climb down.Mama will be sad.I had promised her.I will not leave the chair.

Another crash.I shifted to the edge of the chair and looked in the lighted corridor again.Nobody.

Another one.This was the loudest.I saw a shadow moving towards me.

Someone was coming .I slouched back in the chair again.My eyes down.I looked sideways as the shadow came nearer and nearer.

I was scared.Mama.Come out fast.

I could hear the footsteps coming closer.My eyes remained on the ground.In no time two shoes came in my vision.I raised up my head and came face to face with a boy.

He appeared close to my age.He was pretty like the flower.My lips lifted into a smile.His short back hair was disheveled .I gasped at his eyes.He had different colored eyes.One amber, one blue.I kept on staring in shock.My mouth no doubt forming an O.He glared at me.A look of confusion crossed his face as fast replaced by a scowl.He didn't say a word.I could not keep my eyes on him longer and looked down again,feeling scared.How could it be possible?

He  stepped closer until there was only an inch distance between his legs and mine.And he just stood there. I could feel his eyes on me.His scary eyes.I feared to look up.Something told me I should not look up.I don't know why.I was frozen in my place.Not moving a muscle.

Mama.Come out fast so that we can go.Leave this place.

More disturbance came from the same side he had come from.I looked sideways as more people came from there.A lady was coming towards us frantically.Two more followed her.

"Young master,please come back." She stopped a far distance from him.I raised my eyes to his face again.May be  now he'll go.He was frightening me.His  eyes were trained on my face.I quickly looked away to the lady.Asking her silently to take this boy away from me.

She glanced my way once with haughtiness.As soon her attention was diverted to the boy in front of me."Young master ,we have to go.Your papa will not like this.You know it.Please come this way.We can find another one.I promise you.Please come here."

She cajoled the boy to move away from me.He didn't.

The door opened then.Mama.Forgetting my fear I pushed him away and jumped down running to mama.I didn't look back.I hid behind her legs.

"Roselle."

"Young master."

"I am so sorry.I don't know what came to her.?She never behaves this way. Forgive me. Rose say sorry right now." Mama chastised me as she tried tugging me away from her legs.I didn't budge.The boy scared me.I didn't want to look at him.

"Are you alright?" Mama was asking the boy.He didn't say anything.I peeked a glance at him and he was still looking.At me.

"I believe it's time you leave." The lady from before said angrily.

"I am sorry again.What's wrong with you today?Come on ,let's go.." Mama pulled me with her.I scurried past the boy hiding from his eyes.We made our way out.There was no way he could be following us.

I turned back to make sure and he was there.His eyes following us to the door.Following me to the door.

It was only when the door closed behind me that I sighed in relief.

There was no car waiting for us this time.Mama walked with me by her side.My hand in her light grip."Mama,I don't want to come to this place again."

Mama looked at me puzzled."But didn't you want to meet the fairy?"

I shook my head in no."I don't want to meet anyone.Please let's just go home."

Mama stopped suddenly and looked at me with concern."Roselle did something happen..?Did someone say something to you.?"I knew mama meant business when she called my full name.

"No. No one said anything." I said quietly.

"Then what's wrong.?"

"Nothing is wrong ,mama.Lets just go."Taking my word she nodded her head.We started walking again.It took time to reach the gate.Mama was silent the whole way and something had caught my tongue as well.For some reason I didn't want to tell her about the strange boy.

The guard opened the gate and we were out.

I hoped to never come back to this place .And never see the young prince again.