CHAPTER - 15 "Tu aur tere plans!" Ayesha fumed, jumping down from Rajeev's horse and walking a few feet ahead before turning and raising her arms sideways to show the empty streets. They had traveled at a grueling pace all day, waking up at dawn to cover the journey to the nearest village as quickly as possible, not even stopping anywhere for lunch in the belief that they would get food easily on reaching their destination.
"Dekh na, Neev, kitni hulchul hai na idhar?" she taunted, turning a full circle and then pointing towards a deserted market place. "Oh, udhar dekh, shayad uss market mein humein kuch khane ke liye mil jaye! Hmm, aur mil bhi jata…agar humne tere directions ko follow nahi kiya hota toh!"
Choosing to ignore her snide remarks, Neev got down from atop his horse, a puzzled look on his face as his eyes surveyed the silent village streets. Mirroring his expression, Rajeev brought his horse forward to stand near Ayesha, his amber eyes scanning the little huts for sign of life anywhere. "Where is everyone?"
"Kya hum galat jagah par aaye hain, Neev? Was this place supposed to be deserted?" Rajeev asked, getting down and walking towards one of the houses and looking in through one of the windows. "This house doesn't look like its been closed for ages. In fact it looks quite well kept."
Impatiently, Ayesha walked towards it and hammered on the door just to be sure that no one was inside. Then she turned to look at Neev who was peeking into another house. "Neev, darling!" she called out sweetly, pointing towards the door. "Would you like to do the honours?"
"Ayesha, no!" he told her firmly, wincing as the window he had been holding on to slammed back as he led it go. "We are Royalty, not thieves."
"As you wish." She turned to Rajeev, motioning for him to break the door down. With a resigned look at Neev, he did as she asked, slamming his shoulder into the wooden door until it opened. Smiling in triumph, she walked forward, heading straight towards the cooking area and opening a jar of home made biscuits lying on one of the shelves. Offering some to Rajeev, she collapsed tiredly onto a rickety chair, waiting for Neev to make his indignant appearance.
"Toh tum kabhi meri baat nahi manogi na?" he asked, his tone surprisingly mild, as he held out his hands for some of the biscuits. Grinning up at him in answer, she obligingly offered him some as he dusted the bedspread and sat down with a sigh.
Rajeev folded his arms as he leaned on the door he had just thrown open and closed his eyes. "Hum kahan hain, Neev? Have you got any idea?"
"Apparently not," he replied, yawning and lying down, a biscuit in his hand. "But a bit of rest wouldn't hurt. We can always camp down outside when night approaches and continue tom-."
"We will not do anything of that sort!" Ayesha interrupted. "I'm not going to take any more chances. Tumhe apne bhai ki koi fikar na ho, but mujhe meri behen ko dhundna hai, chahe kuch bhi ho jaye."
"Kya matlab hai tumhara?"
"Mera matlab saaf hai, Neev – Tere plans follow bauhaut kar liye, ab tu meri baat sunega."
"Like hell I will!" Neev burst out, sitting up to scowl at her. "Your reckless plans will land us in danger in no time."
"And where did your plans get us?"
"Atleast we are alive."
"And in the middle of nowhere!"
"Enough!" Rajeev called out sharply. "Save your bickering for the time we'll have to spend in the saddle. Ayesha is right, Neev. We cannot afford to lose much time."
Seeing the satisfied expression on her face, he told her smoothly, "But even Neev is right, Ayesha. We cannot follow your plans either."
Pouting to show her displeasure, she went back to eating the biscuit clutched in her hand. A bit distracted at the way she resembled a cute little girl at that moment, Rajeev cleared his throat. "And Neev will lead us. It's not his fault that the inhabitants have disappeared. Possibly humein thodi information next village mein mil jaye…and if our luck holds, the villagers might even make an appearance before we leave."
"But hum raat hone se pehle niklenge," Ayesha put in suddenly, her eyes challenging Neev to deny that.
"As you wish, vixen," both men spoke at once, earning them a glare which soon turned into laughter.
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"Do you always frown when you are thinking?" Prachi asked, stirring the soup she had tried to prepare from the spices provided to her by the tribals. They had left the settlement that morning itself and the Chief had made sure that their horses were packed with the essentials needed for traveling back to their Kingdom…in fact, he had been really very generous…and very apologetic. She smiled as she remembered the look Milind had sent the Chief when he had realized he was the one responsible for keeping them apart until today. It could have pulverized rock! And it had in fact reduced the poor man to stammering apologies and assurances that he would himself see that they had a comfortable journey.
Now they were safely hidden amidst the trees in a secluded portion near a lake, away from prying eyes. And it was such a romantic place! The lake stretched out in front of them as far they could see in the moonlight. A faint breeze spread the smell of flowers all around even as the rustle of leaves seemed to lend a musical quality to the otherwise silent night.
It was a night meant for lovers to find solace in each other as they lay in each other's arms counting the stars…a night made for love.
"I wouldn't know…mujhe kabhi kisi ne bataya hi nahi," came her husband's voice from behind her as he bent over the pot, taking in the aroma. She couldn't help the smile that came onto her face as his face relaxed with pleasure. "It smells delicious! Prachi, jaldi kar na, bauhaut bhookh lagi hai!" She laughed, shaking her head. He sounded so much like a little boy!
"Bas thodi der aur," she told him, gently pushing him back to stir the soup again. "Tab tak aap sheets bicha dijiye."
"Bichana padega? Mujh mein zara bhi taqat nahi."
She turned to see him lying down on the soft grass, his head on his hands and feet crossed as he looked at her mischievously.
"Aapko khana chahiye ya nahi?"
She grinned as he sprang up quickly and after ensuring that the horses were protected from the cold, came back to spread the sheets along with the blankets, all the while mumbling about "bossy women who made their husbands do all the work."
Laughing to herself, she poured some of the soup into two bowls only to have them taken away immediately by her impatient husband. She followed him to sit beside him as they rested their backs against the trunk of a tree, facing the lake. Both were silent as they slowly drank up the hot soup, their eyes going over the breathtaking view in front of them with the moon's reflection shining brightly in the dark waters.
"Maine tujhe bauhaut tang kiya na?"
She turned her head to find him looking at her intently. "Itna nahi…jitna maine aapko kiya hoga."
"Woh toh hai," he agreed playfully, his eyes turning back to the view in front of them. "Tujhe dhundhte dhundhte meri toh vat hi lag gayi. Arre woh toh kismat acchi thi ki jisne tujhe uss gaon tak pahaunchaya, usne mujhe bhi baccha liya warna kahan kahan bhatakna padhta apni gumshuda biwi ke liye."
"Serves you right!" she declared, taking a sip of the soup. "Aapne jitna mujhe pareshaan kiya hai na ussi ka badla liya hai maine."
"Bauhaut maza aa raha hai na meri takleef ke baare mein sunke?" Milind observed, flashing her one of his lazy smiles as he put one arm behind his head for support. "Sheh, meri toh koi izzat hi nahi rahi meri biwi ke saamne."
"Bauhaut izzat hai, Milind. Mere dil mein aap ke liye…bauhaut izzat hai."
The words, softly uttered made him look at her in surprise as a hush descended around them. He stared at her wordlessly for endless moments while his eyes scanned hers, finding only naked truth shining in their melting depths. Feeling unaccountably shy, she lowered them, strangely feeling as if it were his hands and not his eyes which were caressing her face so intimately.
Then the moment was shattered as a bird shot out of a tree screeching madly, making them both jump. They stared after it as it disappeared in the darkness and then at each other, before their eyes slid away again self consciously. Placing a lock of her hair behind her ears, she asked tentatively, "Main aapse kabse poochna chahti thi…Aapne mujhe itni jaldi kaise dhund liya?"
Visibly relieved to break the uncomfortable silence, he told her as he handed her the bowl she held her hand out for. Sauntering towards the fireplace she put both the bowls down where they were clearly noticeable, making a mental note to clean them first thing in the morning. Then she froze as what he had said became clear in her mind. She turned around swiftly, her hair coming to rest on her shoulder owing to the swift motion.
"Aap…aapne mere liye uss river mein jump kiya?" she asked stunned. But he had hated her at that time, so much so that he hadn't even wanted to be near her. Then… why?
She voiced her question now, searching his face intently. "Par kyun, Milind?"
"Because you are my wife," he answered shrugging. He got up, lazily stretching as he made his way towards his 'bed' on the floor. Yawning, he lay down, covered himself with his blanket and closed his eyes. He opened them again after a few moments to look questioningly at her as she stood motionless, her eyes reflecting her confusion.
"Tujhe neend nahi aati kya?" he inquired drowsily as she continued to stare at him. "I know I'm good looking but now you will make me blush."
A picture of Milind blushing entered her mind and she couldn't stop the smile that came to her lips. He looked so boyish gazing at her with those sleep filled dark eyes that she had an incredible urge to smooth the curls off his head. Shaking her head at the stupidity of such notions, she walked towards her place a few feet away from him. He was all man, her husband, she thought tenderly. Even now there seemed to be hard strength written all over his body, his arms well muscled as he used them for his makeshift cushion.
"Goodnight, Princess," he said sleepily, his eyes already closed. "You cook well…"
She swallowed back a laugh at that. He was half way into dream land and still managed to pay her a compliment! The man would really never cease to amaze her! Leaning over, she pulled the blanket upto his chin, gazing tenderly down at his face. She had never seen him looking so peaceful before and… so endearing!
Lying back down on her sheet, she raised her shining eyes towards the stars strewn sky. And he had called her his wife! His wife! She hugged her blanket closer to her as she smiled dazzlingly up at whoever was showering her with joy, her eyes closing in silent gratitude.
well i really tried to make it longer this time........ hope i didnt disappoint anyone 😉. and i have my skool from mrw so hols. over i guess 😒 but ill try to update every week! thank u soo much for ur lovely comments, they really motivate me to continue. love ya all!
Edited by gurl.enchanted - 17 years ago
Anupamaa
