Chapter 3

ArYa/Ash

@Arya.100

"We'll be back" Raghu said sadly, I looked beyond the water to the city of Vardha that had been built over hundreds of years ago by our family from the boat. The city rose like a blinding white beacon, home to greatest minds of the world.

"I want to stay" I said.

"Kria, We'll make sure we return someday." Raghu said Hugging me sidewardly.

Adhvrushya took us to our cabin and like always we had to share the room as I, Raghu and Ishaan shared when we were in Vardha with our family. "This door should always remain open, Do not close it or lock it" he instructed. "Even when we sleep?" Raghu asked.

"Even then. If want anything you may ask me. If you are sick go to deck, but never disturb Mritunjay for anything." Raghu and I looked to Ishaan. How would a seven-year old child keep silent on two-weeks voyage? And we weren't even allowed to shut the door.

Reyaansh entered our cabin, his eyes lingered on mine for a moment. Then he turned and said pointedly "I'm simply warning the children that in Kalpi many things will be different. I think they'll understand my words."

Both of them left, Our cabin faced onto an open courtyard. I sat on one of the beds and pulled Ishaan onto my lap. "You are going to be very quiet on this ship. Do you understand?" He nodded and asked "Will Maa be coming?"

I looked at Raghu. "No, mother wont be coming. don't you remember Ishaan?" he said softly.

"She is with father in Vardha." Ishaan lied.

"That's right, Ishaan" I said. Raghu seated on the second bed, We avoided each-other's gaze.

__________________

It was our third day on boat. Reyaansh was standing outside our room with a canvas sheet, he beckoned to Raghu with his finger.

"Me?" Raghu asked.

Reyaansh nodded, and Raghu stood. "What are you doing?" I demanded. "Kria, He wants me to go", While he covered the short distance Ishaan cried "You're hurting me". I was holding him so tight that I almost crushed his chest.

"Tell me about your father" Reyaansh said. Raghu looked at me, wondering what kind of game Mritunjay was playing with us through Reyaansh.

"He loved our mother," Raghu replied.

"And horses?"

Raghu raised his chin, "Yes, He loved horses and races. He taught me to ride as soon as I could walk."

"People from Vardha said that your father held races everyday of week. Is that true?'. Raghu grinned "Yes, There was nothing he loved more than the races." Reyaansh eyes moved inside he room on me, "Did he teach your sister to ride as well?"

"Ya, she knows riding but she loves dance more than anything else" Raghu's voice was not so bright. "She Knows 6 styles of dance like Lavni, Grida, Koli, Kathak. She has even drawn Mudra's of these dance forms on Canvas" He explained.

"Can you bring one to me?" Reyaansh said. Raghu returned to our cabin. I shook my head angrily, "Never" I hissed. "Didn't you hear him. Kria, Please give na." but I sat back among the cushions and turned to other side.

"Kria, Please give him one of the your Mudra sketch Please. He is waiting, take this situation as our test." His thoughts are always practical one. Ishaan looked at me, I indicated him to get my book. He got my bag from the from the bed.

I took out the leather-bound book of my Mudra sketches, its title was clearly written with golden ink by Ira. Since I was three she had taught me the beauty of dance, every move Im able to do, she had passed her abilities on to me.

"Hurry" Raghu implored. I flipped through the page and took out a loose sheet. It was an image of Kathak Mudra's. Raghu took it from my hand and moved to sunny courtyard. Reyaansh saw it, he had fallen silent.

"Your sister dew this?" he asked few moments later looking at me.

"When she was nine, In Ganesha's temple"

He ran his fingers on my drawing, "Your sister has great talent, May I keep this?" he said. From the cabin I gave a little gasp, "NO!" They both turned to me. Raghu quickly said "She's talking to Ishaan. Of course you can keep this."

I pressed my nails into my palms, "What is the matter?" Ishaan asked.

"Our brother is giving away my things to Reyaansh"

Ishaan looked at me in confusion "But Kria di, we have already given all our things from palace" I turned to him, "NO! they were taken by him not given and now Reyaansh wants this as well."

When Raghu returned, I couldn't bear to look at him. "What's the matter with you both? We're not in Vardha anymore." he asked harshly. "Its not wrong with us its wrong with you Raghu, you are giving away my things to the one who murdered our family."

"You are very stubborn, Kria" he said.

"I dont believe you, How can you trust him?" I replied

"We dont have any other option."

"Stop it! Stop it" Ishaan cried, he kept his hands on his ears and Screeched "Stop fighting". "We are not fighting, Ishaan" I said comfortingly, but he had his put his head down on my pillow. I could see his pale skin was flushed.

I kept my hand on his cheek, "Raghu, He's hot."

"He probably needs sleep" Raghu said. "No, its isn't normal. he's having fever" I said. He slept till the time we were discussing about him. I took my sketch book and started making Mudra's sketch.

I was giving a deadly stare to Raghu in between. "What? Why are you staring at me like that?" he said. I glanced at Ishaan to make sure he was sleeping, then I moved to Raghu.

"What were you doing with Reyaansh? He is our enemy don't you understand."

"Kria, get one thing we need to adjust with it now and he was just asking about our family and Vardha."

"But Raghu you gave my sketch to him. What does Reyaansh know about sketching and painting?" I said with attitude. "Kria, he is a writer as well as a painter. He has already painted many canvas and written three books on history". My eyes almost popped out after listening to Raghu.

"At sixteen?" I challenged.

"He's seventeen"

"Then I guess Prince of Kalpi is a writer as well as a spy" I said. "Kria Shhh, Be quiet"

"What quiet Raghu, I know that Reyaansh is..." before I could speak Raghu Kept his hand on my mouth. I hit his stomach with my elbow. "Raghu, dont mess with me. This time it was my elbow next time it will be a kick, and not you alone Im gonna kick you and Reyaansh both" I said.

"Kria, No Baby No. Don't say anything, you might regret" He said and I punched him on his face. "Huh! I and regretting. No way" and started hitting him. "Enough Kria" he shouted, and a punch on his nose. While fighting we had reached the door of our cabin.

When I turned I understood Why He was again and again trying to stop me from saying anything against Reyaansh as he was standing on our cabin's door. I moved out of the room adjusting my hair. He just stared at me till I reached the deck.

"Hey are you Alright?" Reyaansh asked Raghu. "Ya, Im alright. ALMOST" he replied.

"I must say your sister seems innocent from her looks but in reality she is a wild cat"

"Huh! I know Reyaansh. she hits very hard, her punch can even make u unconscious"

"Hmm dikhta hai."

I heard their talks about me but pretended to be unaware.

Soo peoplee hwss it... accha laga to do hit lyk and comment...

K.R_ackraal2013-08-27 17:30:40