Chapter 10

10 months later...

In the Theatre, stage was filled with dancers. Two men appeared in long beard and mask, audience was already laughing. One pranced and other skipped, and a third masked man entered with the bow and arrow. The first person began to recite lines, and third man pointed his arrow towards the audience.

I realized what was happening. "Mritunjay" I screamed before I push him away I don't know from where Reyansh jumped and pushed both of us on ground. The actor's arrow whistled through the air, shattering as it struck the stone bench where Mritunjay was sitting.

"In the name of Kuru!" the masked bowman shouted. Then crowd broke out. Soldiers rushed the stage but the actor was already gone, and people began fleeing from their seats.

"How did you know?" Antra took my arm. "I saw him nock the arrow"

"but he was just an actor." There was the panic in the air. We came back to palace, "This Kuru is now a assasin" Mritunjay said breaking the silence. I left Adhvrushya, Mritunjay and Reyaansh in hall with soldiers to discuss.

I[look] walked to my room where Swayam and Sharon were busy and I immediately closed my eyes "I'm sorry guys, plz carry on." Then I went to Taani's room where Raghu was busy with Antra. I turned away, "Guys at least shut the door properly."

"Taani, Neha... where are you girls?...Neha... Taani..." I said aloud in corridors. "Is any non-lover alive?" Asva Maa came out of her room, "Asva Maa, have you seen Neha and Taani?"

"No.. I guess they must be any of the rooms."

"Okay" as I moved to go she held me back with her hand. "Thank you... You saved Mritunjay tonight from that bowman." She said. "I didn't do anything. Its was Reyaansh." Her eyes searched mine in torch lit atrium. "Why?"

I knew what she was asking . Why had I called Mritunjay's name when his assasination could have meant my freedom? What had changed between now and then? I pressed my lips together and considered my answer before speaking. "Because Kalpi needs him." I said carefully.

"Im thankful to the gods for you, Kria." I flushed. "Will you do a work for me?"

"Of course." She took took out the scroll and gave it my hand. "This scroll was written by Reyaansh's father, King Dhaumya to him when he was alive. I want you to take this to Reyaansh." My heart sank, I would have happily gone anywhere but why to Reyaansh's room. "Okhay, I'll give it to him."

"And Kria don't fight with him today please, it's a request." I nodded. "Yes, Maa. I'll give it to him without creating an argument."

When I knocked on the door of Reyaansh's room, Adhvrushya opened the door. 'Yes?' He demanded. "I'm here with something for Reyaansh." I said. "He does not wish to see anyone right now."

"But Im here for Asva and I'll not go till Im over with my task." I cranned my neck to see inside. Suddenly Reyaansh appeared behind him. "She will not listen and Im not surprised she rarely listens to anyone" He said.

Adhvrushya shook his head in frustration, "Listen both of you, I don't want any argument or noise. Whenever you are around each other there is always a mess in the palace. I don't want any noise at this time of night. Everyone will wake up so Dare you both fight." He said and left closing the door.

I purposely stepped around him and raised my chin. "I have come with a gift"

He moved his hand from my shoulder to hands taking the scroll out of them. "So I see. And who am I to thank for this?" he said passing it carefully into the drawer. "Asva Maa and she did not give this lightly. Aren't you even going to open it?"

He slid his hands on my waist. "I know it's a scroll from my father to me." I looked across the room to the small library in the left of his room I could see few sketches on tables. "What are those?" I whispered . His face had grown little pale.

He held me more close. His lips lingered from my forehead to chin planting feather light kisses over my face. "What are you hiding?" He left me. "Wait. Lets hear you first, you think I'm hiding something?" I nodded raising my brow.

"Look, I've promised Adhvrushya I'll not fight with you so all yours. Go and check it out." I looked around the library, and could feel his brown eyes piercingly glaring my back. There were few sketches drawn by him and between them I found one where I was there in kathak mudra.

"You found something interesting?" he chuckled. "Yup" I lifted up that sketch then gave a proper look to it and smiled. He moved aside the hair on my shoulder placing kisses on my neck. "So what you found?" I kept the sketch back on the table.

"Myself" I turned. He gave a look which was full of questions, "What?" I moved my head in negation which meant nothing. He lifted me up and placed on the table. I closed my eyes. He placed a kiss on my temple, on cheek then on my nape.

He gripped my waist, I felt his cold palms on my back falling back on table. He nibbled near my neck. My hands were around his neck holding him tight. Moving upwards he placed his lips on mine, and lifted me up. I paused for moment.

He lay me on his bed removing the dupatta and kissed fiercely, I fell asleep soon. In early morning when sun wasn't out I got up, I was lying on his chest. In deep sleep also his hands were holding me tight as if I would run while he is sleeping. Carefully, not disturbing him I came out of his grip.

I noticed the threads of my choli were open. Tying them I moved out and walked to my room. In these 10 months this wasn't the first time we had shared an intimate moment. This time it had gone a bit far but still I couldn't decide my relation with Reyaansh.

In my room Raghu was sleeping on his couch. I went to the washroom and saw myself in the mirror but couldn't find a single mark on my face, neck or shoulders. Then turned around and kept my hair infront, the skin was mark free on my back also. This proved he didn't cross his limits or hurt me a bit in my sleep.

Before sun had fully risen above the hills, I dressed up my self in a light dress and came out of the washroom. "I don't know why you're doing this. Its still dark outside." Raghu said and groaned into his pillow. "Raghu, I cant tell you everyday that Im learning dance from Mandira early morning."

"Oh! Where were you yesterday night? I was looking for you?" he asked. I turned towards the mirror, "I was in Neha's room while you were were busy with Antra. I slept there." I combed my wet hair and shut the door with more force then intended.

I made my way into the atrium where Mandira tought me. The sun was almost out till I practiced, taking a last spin I paused when I saw Reyaansh passing by. Our eyes met for a second. "That's enough for today Kria." Mandira said.

"Good morning Mandira" He walked into the hall. "Good morning, I'll see you both in Gurukul." Saying this Mandira left. He pulled me behind a pillar, "Good Morning, Reyaansh." He pecked my lips, "Now its really a good one. I hope I didn't hurt you yesterday."

"No, there wasn't any mark." He kept the hair behind my ear which fell on my face. "I meant emotionally?" I simply hugged him tight as I wished to do it. When my eyes went up to staircase I saw Sharon coming down. "What the hell? Early morning your face, Gawd my day started off with a worst sign.." I said aloud.

"Oh hello! My day will also not be so great after seeing your face. Huh what was the need to come out of your room?" Reyaansh replied seeing Sharon coming. "I can say the same, why uh needed to come out."

"I was here for sword practice"

" and I was here for dance practice."

"What going on guys? Early morning started off with your fight?" Sharon said. "Sharon you tell your Errr Frrriend. She started it"

"Sharon ask your brother Now he wants to end it?"

"Stop it, both of you. Ek doosre ki shakal dekhi nahi ki shuru ho gaye, grow up. You go Reyaansh and Kria you come with me." Sharon hugged me sideward while walking, "Kria, Kya ho jata hai tum dono ek doosre ko dekhte hi? Suddenly normal to fight mode? Why you fight so much with each other."

"I don't know. Whenever I see him I feel like." I turned back to see him. He gave a flying kiss, I glared at him giving an angry look indicating not to do. "Feel like what Kria?" She asked. "I feel like slapping him as I want to do now."

"Kria, calm down"

That was all... Thank uh for ur lykes n comments..

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