Amarendra was lying on the bench in the royal kitchen of Kunthalam. He thought of the first time he met Yuvarani Devasena.
She was sitting demurely inside a palanquin and her people were standing around. The way she sat with her arms around her knees, he saw her through a screen that kept her away from his eyes. Never once he has cursed anything in his life like he cursed that screen that moment.
Suddenly the commotion of the bandits came and he saw all well dressed people of his princess turned soldiers. He understood that it was a set up to catch the bandits.
But what caught his attention was his princess. Who was diverting the bandits with the same screen that kept her away from his eyes.
He so wanted that screen to be torn. And his wish was granted. His princess tore the screen herself and, first her eyes came! Sharp as her sword. Then lips, and then..
Awww!
Was all he could do or say. Never once he has seen a woman handle sword so beautiful apart from his mother. Her every movement hit him hard. She was a pleasant change from all the damsels he has seen before. Her eyes had the fire while her face was so pleasant. She was looking so simple, but so elegantly carried herself even while fighting 5-10 goons.
But then duty calls, he had to fight some of the bandits himself as they were planning a hidden attack.
Oh how he wished to be with her as she fought!
But then, he thought may be he should do the opposite. What is the fun in impressing her with his speed and skills? She should see him who he is, not what he is.
And he smiled how he planned to act as Moddhu, thanks to his mama!
He chuckled even now thinking at her tone when she scolded them for hiding with women!
And he also noticed her checking him out. What did she say?
"Oddu podugu bagane unnadu.."
He smiled thinking of her smile as she moved on from there. He knew that she did not buy their story. He very well knew that she will not stay put until she found out about him. It was because of his little slips here and there.
Like he let his arm fly looking at her and forgot that he should be acting as Moddhu. Thank god his mama made that Kumara Varma as hero and saved him.
Again during that boar hunt, he was so eager to show his talents. She might be the best archer in Kunthalam. But he wanted her to see his talent. He did not know why. So hiding behind Kumara varma, he did hunt down all the boars.
But again, he got caught.
His Devasena was really smart. Just with his touch, she recognized him to be no Moddhu but a warrior. He smiled thinking how she very cleverly missed her step and fell for him to catch. His palms still tingled feeling her touch.
He smiled seeing the worry in her eyes as he got injured by her bull. He knew that she understood his little play. But he so wanted to see if she did have feelings for him. So he left the spear, but not before he looked at her once. And he saw, what he wanted to see.
And then when his Mama let him fall on her in this very kitchen after treatment, oh how he wanted to stay there forever and beyond.
He chuckled remembering how she glared at Mama for asking her to sing lullaby for him. He did not know why, but he so wanted her to sing for him. May be he was missing his mother. He shrugged.
He looked at his uncle who was still singing his lullaby for him and smiled thinking the disturbed glance Devasena threw at him before leaving for Krishna pooja. He looked at the band on his shoulder and removed it.
He was about to go and get something to eat, when he heard that.
"Muripala mukunda.."
Was Devasena singing really?
"Poda poda lona, Daagudumootalaapara.."
Amarendra smiled. He knew that she caught him.
"Kanna Nidurinchara.."
And, Amarendra looked up from the garden to the balcony where Devasena was. He saw through the gaps and saw her looking down at him as she sang. His smile grew wide. She was singing for him.
"Chaalu chaalu nee atamatalu
Pavalinchaka theeravu alasatalu"
Amarendra's face glowed as she asked him to sleep after all the games they played this day.
"Tadi tadi kannulatho nee pai vaali soli
Thamakamu thelipidine"
Amarendra grinned remembering her fall on him and then his fall on her.
"Naa mathi maali dosamu jerige
Oh vanamali eddhu ninnu podiche
Paapam anta naadenura"
Did she? Amarendra was taken aback. Did she really say sorry? For leaving basavanna on him? And what was in her voice? The shake, tremor?
Amarendra smiled. His Devasena, singing for him! It was so soothing. He chose a branch that could hold him and laid on it.
He slept off immediately with the same comfort while he slept on his Amma's lap.
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