..In An Unknown Era.. Part 5 Pg.77 - Page 8

A beautiful morning had brightened up the sky, as well as the faces of a chirpy group of youngsters. A group of three young people had come on a tour to Agra.

Well, Agra is not quite the place for enthusiastic youngsters like these. But the entire group was persuaded by Radhika, the naughtiest of the lot. She was eager to visit this place, being interested in history and all. Being the drama queen that she was, she had somehow brought along her friends, by throwing all kinds of childish tantrums.

The 16-year-olds had agreed, mostly because Agra was quite near to Delhi. Moreover, her friends did not consider themselves capable enough to be able to bear the 'krodh' of Radhika. So they had reluctantly obeyed to this wish of hers. Well...there was another reason, too. Despite everything, her friends loved her.

The group, led by Radhika, had already completed most of Agra. They had left the Agra Fort for the last, as Radhika considered it to be the most special.

As they were roaming around in the fort, the tired Natasha spoke up, " Radhika, What have you got us into? I am hell tired now. You all continue guys. I'll stay here. "

Instead of Radhika, Kashish spoke in reply, " Natz, I never knew you were such an oldie. Com'on girl. After all, this palce is not that boring right? Its kinda romantic, I would say. "

Natasha as irritated as ever, retorted, " What? Are you all right Kash? These plain red walls seem romantic to you? Oh My god!

Radhika became the peace-maker here. " Leave it girls! Let Natz rest here. Kash you come with me. "

For history enthusiasts like Radhika, Agra Fort and its rich history was a sight to behold. She studied every single detail of every single rock, making the guide all the more queasy. He was tired of explaining the minutest details to this eager, young girl.

Even Kashish seemed to enjoy now. The beautiful buildings had captivated her. From the Diwaan-E-Khaas & the Diwaan-E-Aam to the various private hojras...everything seemed amazing. As she was busy staring at the beautiful Meena Bazaar...she heard Radhika calling her.

"Hey Kash..just see this. Isn't this incredible?"

As Kashish came running, she saw her friend gazing at something, lost in some other world. " Oh My God Kash! See this." Said, Radhika.

Kashish followed her friends gaze. There, on the red marble floor, was a built- in seat. In front of the seat, on the floor, was engraved a game of chausar. ( It is a board-game, played using pawns and dice. ) But she couldn't understand the reason of her friends dreaminess. Nothing was so great about that sight.

She asked, " But Radzy, what is so great about this?"

"Oh Kash, you know what, this is the same place where the emperor and empress used to sit together and play the game. " That dreamy look was back on her chubby face. " Isn't it dreamy, that we're here standing on the same place, where centuries ago, they would've stood. "

Kashish was on the verge of going and banging her head somewhere. This friend of hers was really impossible.

" Dear Radzy, are you okay? I hope you're back in this world." Kash chuckled.

"Oh please. Stop that, okay. I don't know how people don't get that. Don't you think that it is fascinating to be standing at the same place, where kings and queens would have been years and years ago. " Radhika retorted, making a straight face.

"Buddy, it surely is. But I don't think anyone would be as crazy about is as you are." She said, almost laughing. "I wonder how you were born in this era. I guess God is late by almost five centuries. "

" Accha...then how would you have got a cool friend like me, Kash?" Radz said...with a pouty face.

" Wait...who the hell said that you are cool? " Kashish replied, with a slight naughty smirk. ( You can all imagine Jalal. )

" Whaaat? Kaashhh...wait...I'll see you..."

As the girls started with their mini cat-&-mouse game, the guide stood there, visibly flabbergasted. These girls were irritating him to the core.

They stopped as they noticed the guide watching them. As evening was falling, they decided to return now. They paid off the guide, much to his relief.

As the girls turned to go back, where Natasha was waiting for them, Radhika changed her plans.

She told Kashish, " Kash, you go back to Natz. I ll be there soon. "

Kashish was shocked at her friends words. " What? We've already gone through the whole place at least twice. What is left now? "

" Remember what the guide told us? He said that there are few places which don't come under his package. We would've have to go check them out on our own, the more isolated ones. We completely forgot about them. "

Kashish was now a bit angry. It was evening already, and her friend was still not satisfied. " Listen Radz, the fort is about to close yr...We better leave now. And we've to call our parents too na. " She tried her best to persuade Radhika.

But Radhika is Radhika. She won't budge. " We still have about an hour Kash. I'll just go and come. You two wait for me at the entrance only. Don't worry yr...I'll be there soon. "

Reluctantly, Kashish returned to Natasha. She had a strong feeling that Radhika's decision was wrong. The only thing that she didn't know was, she was going to be proved right.

Meanwhile, Radhika found her way to the backside of the fort. A region, which most of the tourists overlooked.

...

Thanks a lot for reading. 😃