Chapter 3 Play on Roles

"Ouch," she screams out rubbing the side of her head with her palm. "Can't you look where you are going?" she screams out again at the smiling creature in front of her. He had his hair all coiled up, dyed in gold, matching the vest he was wearing.

"Excuse you, you weren't looking your way not me," he said straightening his face.

"Just move away, I don't have time for this," Amsah replied pushing her way out but he held her back.

"Pretty little angry bird! Care to introduce yourself? I'm Norwaya." He said and his antennae lit up. Amsah then realized he must be a visitor from a neighboring hub world.

Amsah hissed loudly pushing him away with both hands. He gave in to her resistance, watching her walk away with lustful eyes.

She was now searching busily for Shanmala but it seemed she was no where around the lounge. Doubling her steps, she rushed to her chamber pushing the door open.

"Can't you knock?" Shanmala screamed as she caught sight of Amsah starring at her in confusion.

"I'm sorry but what in the world have you been doing? We are late! Look I'm not going to let you tarnish my reputation before Madam Lavoti. I can not afford to have my pay slashed. Go get ready, I'm giving you five minutes."

"Hey! Hey!! Watch it and don't scream at me okay. I can pay you from my allowance, double the amount Madam Lavoti offers you monthly. By the way, I'm the reason you work here so get your priorities straight," Shanmala replied in a surprisingly calm tone.

"You may be the reason I work here but why do you have to be such a pain? I have tried my best to understand you but all my efforts have been futile. What do you want?" Amsah screamed.

"I'm sorry okay. The whole tradition and responsibility thing is just pissing me off. At tonight's dinner, I'm to meet a prince from Fananala. I'm not ready to get hooked with any Tanti yet. Just cause I'm princess, I'm not allowed to have a life or do things my own way."

"If you ask me, I would say you're only being ungrateful. Look at your chamber. All you have. Any girl in Santala will kill for such a shot at life. You get everything you ever want, money, clothes, maids of any number. I fail to see what you mean by 'I'm not allowed to have a life'. What kind of life do you want?"

"Can you do me a favor? Just one time? Tonight?" Shanmala asked ignoring all she had said previously.

"I'm not breaking the rules for you this time if that's what you want from me."

"No, it's not breaking the rules. We both will be satisfied. We will get what me want."

"I'm listening," Amsah replied her face lighting up with interest.

"I want you to wear my clothes and act as Princess Shanmala while I wear yours and be the maid for tonight's dinner."

"What in the hub world? Tonight I'm convinced you have gone nuts" Amsah replied turning her back and walking to the sofa. She sat on the sofa staring in an opposite direction.

"Amsah please. Just tonight. You will have fun too," Shanmala said walking to the sofa where she sat.

Amsah was not yielding to her plea. She had gotten into trouble several times because of Shanmala.

"Okay, I will give you one tenth of my allowance by the end of the month. That's like twenty times the pay you get from Madam Lavoti." She paused noticing Amsah's facial expression. She was easing into the suggestion slowly. "I will also give you five ball gowns from my most recent collection. Please?"

Now, it seemed like a fair negotiation. Even if they got caught, Amsah had nothing to lose. She could not deny the fact that she would also love to act like the Princess for a while and dine with the other royalties.

"You have been with me for close to a year now. You can act like me. Right?" Shanmala asked trying to see if her bargain has gotten to her heart.

"Right! I can fill in for you for tonight."

"Thank you Amsah, I owe you a lot. Common go take off your clothes. I have pulled own a light green gown, it's designed with fuchsia pink flowers. It will look good on you. Then, you give me your clothes."

They both walked into the dressing room to change into garments of mischief. In a few minutes, they rushed back out, trying to put on jewelry that supported their garments.

"Wait! My face. They will know it's not you. What do we do?" Amsah asked a little worried

"Oh my! I didn't think of this!"

"What do we do now? We are already too late for dinner. I knew this was a bad idea," Amsah put in.

"No, don't worry. You will use the Queen regalia. No one will know."

"Queen regalia? What's Queen regalia?" Amsah asked folding the skin around her forehead.

"Laws of Santala demand that when the crowned Princess goes on the first dinner with her Tanti, she puts on the regalia. It is an extra head covering that you extends to the shoulder area. We can have it cover your face," Shanmala said.

"Great thinking. And while my face is covered, wouldn't the others recognize you?"

"No they won't. The chief maid must dress in a similar fashion to the Princess to show respect to her Tanti. So tonight, the traditions will dance to our tunes," said Shanmala.

"My God, you are the Queen of mischief," Amsah replied giggling.

"Give me a minute. I will go get the regalia," Shanmala said walking into the dressing room.

Amsah turned to the mirror adjusting her gown. She was looking really beautiful with her slim figure. The darts and seams of the gown fitted around her curves making it look like a perfect fit.

"I am indeed prettier than the princess," she thought to herself.

Shanmala returned, holding the regalia. A bright pink cotton material laced with heavy dangling jewels. The other material was linen, brown with a touch of black and grey colored jewels.

"Come over, I will help you place them," she said gesturing to Amsah. Amsah walked to where she was standing and Shanmala placed the regalia on her head. Amsah moved back to the mirror to adjust the regalia as it covered her whole face. Shanmala placed the brown linen over her head and moved to the mirror to adjust it. She was now looking in the mirror but it felt odd all of a sudden. She could not recognize the image in the mirror. She looked so different even to herself. Yes, she was happy she would not have to talk to the Prince of Fananala and she would be free from the traditions for a night but she still was not satisfied.

Amsah on the other hand was excited. It seemed like a once in a lifetime opportunity. She turned left and right in front of the mirror amazed at the beauty she saw. She could feel her acting skills warming up for the big event. It all felt like her life long fantasy coming to life.

"We are running late Amsah, let's go," Shanmala said. "Yes, " Amsah replied. She held the ends of her gown up walking stylishly. Shanmala walked behind her closing the door after her. She began to feel butterflies grow in her tummy but she knew her anxiety would not get the chance to embarrass her at dinner. At least not now that she has succeeded in morphing into someone else, a maid.

They walked out of the lounge straight to the dinner hall. The lounge was empty and quiet this time except for the creek-creek of Amsah's steps as she struggled to walk with the heels.