Sin and Innocence
Chapter 1
She had been running for some time now - the forest was so thick and dense all she wanted was to go home when she heard the men following her had caught up to her so she took off again in a different direction trying to protect herself. Ahead she could see fire and so she ran with all her might towards the light.
Kunwar Pratap along with his younger brother Shakti and friends was out for a border search mission. They had been informed that dacoits and foreign soldiers had been seen tress passing their borders in the nights and cases of theft had also being reported so the young prince had set off to observe the borders. Patrolling along with his brother who was dreaming about food and bed Pratap concentrated on his task when he heard noises - they were distinct sound of anklets and footsteps - as if someone was being chased. Shakti had also heard the commotion and together both the brothers went to investigate, they had just reached moved around 20 steps when a body collided with Pratap. It was a girl her arms were full of scratches from the branches, she also had a wound on her head and there was one on her hand that was bleeding and the state of her clothes screamed the fact that she had been running for quite some time now- she was scared by the way she clung to him, all she could do was point towards her back and hold him tight.
Calm down, it's alright. You are safe now, don't worry he soothed her and patted her hair. She looked so fragile he thought. The girl in question was happy to have found someone to protect her but the ordeal had left her exhausted so in a last attempt at survival she took all of her strength and said to the protector, "Help me please...save me they are coming for me" and with that she collapsed.
Pratap stared the unconscious girl in his arms in alarm, Shakti had already assessed the situation and said, Bhai there are around 6 of them and by the looks of it they seem to be dacoits. You go back to the tent and allow me to handle these goons besides last time you had all the fun by yourself.
Pratap was reluctant to leave his younger brother alone to face the troubles but it was too late the dacoits had spotted them and they were coming towards them so he laid down the girl by a tree and took out his sword and saw his brother ready as well.
One of the dacoits spoke up, Hand over the girl now and we will not hurt you but if you don't then be prepared to get seriously injured.
Pratap and Shakti shared an eye lock and then Shakti spoke up, I don't know about you Bhai but I think it's time to teach these goons a lesson in respecting women. Pratap responded with a smile and said six of them versus two of us I know it's not a fair fight but still... The three on the left are mine and the ones on the right are yours.
On hearing Pratap's words the dacoits attacked them all at once and the entire fight seemed like a blur - merely a few seconds had passed before all six men were lying on the ground either passed out or groaning in pain. Shakti picked up one of the goon by his collar and asked him the reason for chasing after the girl, the goon answered, our head wants to marry her and when she rejected his proposal he got angry...so angry that he went after her family and kidnapped her. Tonight she would have been forced to marry him or he would have taken her by force but she somehow managed escaped from our clutches and since then he has us running after her. More of our men will come looking for her- he will not stop unless he has her. That girl is nothing but trouble...she did not even live with her real family. She had been banished after she caused her brother's death.
Shakti looked at his brother who had gone back to the unconscious girl and realised that he had heard everything but there was something different about his brother. When Pratap lifted the girl and proceeded towards their camp Shakti came running after him and said, were you going to leave me behind brother? He teased but the serious look on Pratap's face had him worried, never in his life had his brother been so worried but why now? By the looks of it the girl was the reason and so silently both the brothers made their way back to the tent.
Chapter 2
Kunwar Pratap was agitated that could be seen by everyone in the tents including Rawatji, his friends, the soldiers and even Vaidji noticed his unusual behaviour. Rawatji who had been informed of the incident knew that the girl Pratap had rescued had somehow affected him deeply and so he decided to confront him about it.
Rawatji approached Pratap who was pacing outside the tent where the girl was being treated and on seeing Rawatji started asking questions
Pratap: Rawatji how is she doing? She is going to be fine right? I'm concerned about those wounds on her hand and head and ...
Rawatji: Calm down Kunwar Pratap, Vaidji is treating her. I'm sure she will be fine but you clearly are not. Never have I seen you this agitated and concerned over someone (other than your family) and besides you don't even know her so tell me what is bothering you?
Pratap looked at the elder man who in every sense was like a father figure to him and said, I don't know why but I feel highly protective of her. When she collapsed in my arms I felt terror seize my body and when that dacoit told me about his head who wanted her it took all of my self- control to not go after him myself and slaughter him.
Before Rawatji could respond Vaidji had come out the tent and went straight to Pratap to inform him of his ward's health, she needs to rest and then eat something. Poor child has not eaten anything from 3 days if I'm not mistaken - not even a drop of water had gone down her throat. I have prepared her medicinal concoction which she needs to have at least twice a day to help her recover her strength. If there is anything else please do let me know.
Pratap rushes inside the tent to see the girl who was sleeping peacefully, he wounds had been tended and her clothes had been changed. He sat by her bedside and noticed the frown on her face so he picked up her hand and started rubbing circles on them calming her down and making her go back to her sleep.
Chapter 3
The new day brought with it a new energy that could be felt all over the tent. Everyone was up and performing their tasks. Rawatji had gone had and sent troops to nearby villages to check them out and also had ordered for a palki for the girl who in all cases would be travelling back with them to Chittor.
The girl was up and staring at her surroundings she was well aware of them and had been in such tents when she was a kid to recognise that her protector was someone with royal blood. Royal thinking of this term reminded her of all the hypocrisy that existed - here she was under the protection of a royal who had saved her from another royal!
She tried getting up but a voice stopped her it was her protector. Pratap moved towards the girl who was now up and helped her sit up, "You are not supposed to move or make any sudden movements as it could hurt you. Please keep still and allow me to assist you. Anyways let me introduce myself I'm Kunwar Pratap Singh son of..."
The damsel in distress was stunned on seeing her protector up close - he was handsome and physically fit, she could make out the strength he had by the manner in which his kurta hugged him and he didn't have to wear those jewels she was sure that without them he would still shine bright as the sun, so engrossed she was in her staring that she could not hear him call her out and when she did she turned red and lowered her head and whispered softly, " Forgive me and Thank you for protecting me from those men and also for getting me treatment but if you'll allow me it is time I returned home as the people must be worried. Wait you are Kunwar Pratap of Mewar?" and with that she collapsed again.
Pure honey and musical were the two things he noticed about her voice, he wanted her to keep talking but she collapsed on hearing his name why?
Must be the stress or maybe she already knew about you and could not believe that Kunwar Pratap was her protector his friends along with his brother Shakti tried coming up with reasonable reasons for her second collapse but in vain. Shakti asked, "By the way brother what's the name?"
Pratap looked at his brother as if he had grown two heads overnight, "Name you know my name Bhai Shakti it is Pratap!"
Everyone tried very hard to control their laughter but one angry glance from the prince in question had them all covering it up with coughs. "I meant what is the name of the girl you rescued last night? You the one who is currently I a deep sleep and has you in a twist" Shakti asked him again but then looking at his brother realisation dawned upon him, "you did not ask her name did you?" Pratap nodded his head and went to sit beside the girl as she was stirring up again.
This time the girl in question was scared looking at the welcome committee and held onto Pratap's hand tightly, he assured her that she was not in any danger and was safe thus losing her grip on his hand but he kept holding on to hers.
"May we know your name" Rawatji enquired from the girl. She had recognised him as she had met him quite a few times as a child after all her father fought along with him and Rana Uday Singh but she knew she could not identify herself and told them the name she had been using for the past 5 years, "Janaki. My name is Janaki."