Chapter 9

"God my head" I blurted out. Sharon, Taani and Antra were there beside me "How are you feeling now?" Antra asked. It was feeling little heavier than usual, "Little heavy head. What had happened yesterday night? I heard Reyaansh shouting when we were back from the Shiva's temple."

"Nothing, he just called us to you room to change you outfit and for your wrist's dressing." Taani said, "But we had never expected this." Sharon continued, has he told everyone that I was trying to escape? "Yup, we had never expected high priest to do such a thing"

"Reyaansh told us that you went to make an offering in Temple and that priest attacked you for pearls" Antra said. It means he hasn't told anyone, only I and Reyaansh know about my trial to escape, I thought. Neha entered with a glass of juice.

"Have it u'll feel better."

I drank it, "You should take an off today from the Gurukul. Your hand is injured badly." Sharon said. I nodded and agreed to stay in Palace. After helping me in taking a bath girls left for Gurukul.

The day was boring alone in my room, I[look] had tried everything painting, sketching even tried to dance but it couldn't take away the boredom. I wasn't allowed to get up but still went out of my room towards the kitchen to see. What's cooking up?

I entered the kitchen, where Asva was busy instructing the cook about the lunch. "Kria, What are you doing here? You aren't allowed to move out of you room, baby."

"Asva Maa, I was getting bored so I came to see what's cooking? When everyone will return?" She smiled at my behavior, "Beta, few more hours and they'll be back, till the time you have rest. I'll send your food to your room."

"Make it little fast, Reyaansh is in Palace today for some work and any moment he can ask for lunch." She said to the cook and left. My eyes popped out, *Reyaansh is in palace, Oh Shivaa! I should better be in my room before we face each-other otherwise he'll undoubtedly shout at me*

I turned to leave and bumped into the cook. Floor and Curry in her hand spilled on the ground, "I'm sorry princess, you wait here I'll be back with some tissues." I stood at the kitchen door and saw Reyaansh coming towards the kitchen.

I turned to the other side, "What the hell, such a dirty kitchen. It cannot be of my Asva Maa." He shouted, "Oh wait a minute look who's here, Princess. Now I know the reason behind the dirty kitchen."

When I didn't say anything he asked "What are you doing here in kitchen? You know it very well you aren't allowed to move out of your room."

"Why are you so much bothered? It's none of your business."

"I was asking just for the sake of courtesy. You were hurt badly yesterday night so..."

"So? I had never asked you to come and help me, save me from those goons that day neither I asked you to protect me from that priest. Why are you concerned?" He pushed to the wall, crushing me between him and the wall. "I'm concerned because now you're a part of Kalpi."

I struggled to get out of his grip, the more I did the more he pressed himself on me. He further minimize the mere gap between them n captured my lips between in this while I tried to push him but failed as he was too strong. He further nuzzled in the crook of my neck.

"Mritunjay has taken over my homeland isn't it enough for you, now why do you want me and Raghu to stay with you in Kalpi? Can't you just kill us the way you killed my family." He left me in anger, "I too wished for the same at first but couldn't take away your life."

In evening, "Are you coming?' Swayam asked me, "To races, Yup. Give me few minutes I'll come with girls" I went to Antra's room where girls were getting ready, taking few minutes we dressed and came down. [Looks-Taani, Sharon, Anrta, Neha and Kria]

"Over here!" Swayam shouted to the bet maker, I wondered how can he could have such a stomach when his job demanded so much rigorous activity. Raghu, Antra and I bet on brown one, Swayam and Neha bet on red one.

Sharon and Taani just cheered, when the black one won Swayam clapped giving some curses, I laughed at him. "Aww, don't be sad." He got up, "Lets bet for another race"

My response was cut by sudden clamour of people below us. Hundreds on spectators were on their feet, looking in our diretion and pointing above us. "Kuru!" someone cried next to us cried, and when I looked up, I saw that the vast silver awning Scorpio(his symbol) that the slaves had fastened above the western end of the Race track.

Immediately, Neha rose to her feet. "Lets go!" she shouted and then we were moving. "What about the bets?" Swayam said, Taani spun around. "Bhai, Mritunjay is watching the races right now from the other side with Reyaansh, Adhvrushya and Maa. He'll not like if we stayed here for long"

"But how did he do it?" I asked, "He must have come during the night" Sharon said.

Taani held my arm as we descended into the chaos. Men and women with the seat were rushing toward the gates before they could be accused of bearing witness to treachery. But the slaves were taking up tht chant of "Kuru"

In the streets, we could finally breathe, a crowd was gathering around the doors. Another message scroll from Kuru was tied up there but we couldn't stop. "Hurry, before there's a riot and we cant get out" Antra shouted.

Everyone was whispering in the palace while we were in the hall, the message scroll was handed to Mritunjay, "He wants to free the slaves in Kalpi to be freed." Adhvrushya read the message aloud from the scroll.

If you so worried that Kalpi's culture will change, the stop living off the backs of your slaves, and start doing work for youself. The slavery will soon come to an end, today's riot was the beginning of the battle against slavery.

A soldier appered from behind. "There's a news, A stockpile of weapons have been discovered." Reyaansh frowned, "What kind of weapons?"

"Javelins, Swords, Draggers, Bows, Arrows." Mritunjay looked from soldier to Reyaansh, "They are planning a rebellion."

"A caravan on the way from eastern Kalpi was attacked, The gold must have been used to buy weapons." Mritunjay rubbed his forehead, He rose up from his couch. Everyone began to leave for their room. Asva had called Swayam to room next to ours.

We were listening their talk, "I promise you, Maa. I'm not Kuru." Asva's reply wasn't soft, "Then why were you near the Race track yesretday night. If Mritunjay suspects that it was you there would no mercy."

"I knoe nothing about this, all I did was go for a walk."

"Then that was your last walk alone at night." She said darkly. We heard the door open and scrambled away from the wall. I looked at everyone, "Do you really think it could be Swayam?" though I knew the reply, "He cant be Kuru." Sharon said sharply. I sat against the back of my couch and drew up my knees, "Its late, We'll see you in morning."

The next morning, I watched Neha as she carefully laid out a fresh dress on my couch. "Get ready Kria, Mandira is waiting for you." I wondered why? Gurukul is having some time without asking any question I dressed up.

I moved down, "Why I've been called?" Neha didn't said anything, It was Taani who spoke. "You were a dance student in Vardha, So you want to continue it in Kalpi right?" I nodded. "So Mandira wants you to be her student."

I was great news for me, "Wait a minute." I rushed to my room to take my dance sketch book. Mandira was waiting for me in the dinning room, Taani and Neha wished me luck. I went inside and greeted her, Stammering I offered my sketch book.

"I don't need that Kria, I've already seen your sketches."

"How ? I mean when?"

"Few days ago, Reyaansh showed me your sketch that your brother had given him on the ship. I was really impressed by your work, so I would like to share my knowledge with you." I jumped in happiness, "Thank uh, Thank uh, Thank uh sooo much"

"Don't thank me it was Reyaansh's request. In morning before Gurukul u'll have your class with me."

I hurt Reyaansh without using my brain, he saved me twice and this time helped me to pursue my passion again. I need to thank him, "Where is Reyaansh?" I asked Sharon. "He's must busy with his sword practice."

I moved to the practice room, he stood there blind folded with his sword. "What Have I done now? another complain from me?" he said mockingly. I took off the fold. "How do you know its me?"

"Your Bangles."

"Oh!"

"So what is it? Wasn't that enough what you said yesterday." He kept his sword near me throat. I pushed his sword aside "I know you wont use this sword against me."

"How can you say that?" He pulled me closer placing some kisses along my jaw line. "Reyaansh, please forgive. I never wanted to hurt you." He tightened his grip more and planted kisses on my shoulder "But still you did?"

"I'm sorry." He slowly placed kisses in the crook of my neck, moving up he aimed at my lips. I moved little back, he pulled my face and crushed his lips on mine.

"Kria where are you? We are leaving for Gurukul." Neha said from outside the room. After a long time he left my lips, "You go, I'll join you all in some time."

So hwss it... do tell by ur lykes n reviews...

and a special thanxx to my dear sheherwali *RIYA*