||RiKara FF - Saving A Princess|| Chapter 4 Page 7 (4/11/18) - Page 3

Chapter 3

Om always had trouble sleeping in an unfamiliar place and if he were to be honest with himself, the luxury of his room made him feel out of place. He was much more at home in his studio-cum-room with canvases, brushes, paint bottles and paint stained furniture than he was in this palace room with expensive artifacts, furniture with rich red velvet upholstery and golden rims. The one thing he did love about the palace room though, was the jharoka, with comfy cushions laid out to sit and watch the rising sun in all its glory. Like he was doing right now. The amber hues of the first rays of the sun crept up over the horizon, basking everything along its path in a golden hue. On an impulse, Om got up and walked out to the garden to capture the beauty unfolding before him in his memory so he could try and present it on canvas later.

He was about to take a seat near one of the palace fountains to watch the play of colors the morning was about unleash when he heard a faint humming. He knew without a shred of doubt who it came from and with a smile of excitement playing on his lips, he followed the sound of her voice.

As was her daily ritual, Gauri was up before anyone else in the palace. She had her bath and was now sitting at her favorite spot, near the pond in her own private garden, running her fingers through her still damp hair as she hummed a song in raag vibhas, the raaga of dawn. This was her private time. All to herself. Where she did not have to look or behave like a princess. Even Richa was not allowed to be with her at this time. And all the other maids, servants and guards knew that if there was a time Richa was not allowed to be with the princess, they couldn't be near her either. Gauri did not like having people at her beck and call to do anything for her. She preferred living a simple life and hence, the princess did not have a customary entourage of maids to give her her bath or get her ready or do her hair. And she always started her morning enjoying a few moments of peace before the duties of being a princess came calling with the break of dawn.

If her mother saw her now, she would definitely get a good scolding, Gauri thought smiling to herself as she continued humming. She wore minimal jewelry a simple gold chain that was her kamarbandh, the plainest anklets she had, petite jhumkas with their chains carelessly tucked into her hair. She had ditched her silk outfits for a simple plain, dark green cotton lehenga choli with golden borders. Her dupatta hung carelessly off her shoulder, and she made no efforts to try cover herself. Her long, damp hair was let loose and the gentle breeze played with it. Her eyes were kohl rimmed as always and she had a bindi on her forehead. That was it. She could pass off as a commoner if she wanted to, she thought. Just then, she heard a rustle in the bushes and turned her gaze in the direction.

Out of the bushes emerged the man who had tormented her dreams all night. The very same dreams she had been trying so hard to erase from her memories. He looked magnificent, she thought. His wavy mane let loose to catch the gentle morning breeze, his eyes glimmering with a certain excitement that she dared not think was because of her and his long purposeful strides bringing him closer to her. She drew in a deep breath as she willed her heart to calm down.

"These are my private gardens, she said, in a soft, challenging voice.

"Oh! I did not know that, he replied, sauntering towards her and sitting down next to her.

"Do they have a different meaning for the word private in Mumbai? she asked.

He met her gaze and laughed. Gauri could've sworn that her heart had somehow lodged itself in her throat at the sound of his laughter.

"No, they don't, he replied. "I guess I am just insolent.

She frowned for second when she heard his response, her lips curving into a perfectly kissable pout. Then looking at his cheeky grin, she couldn't help but smile and shake her head.

"I should warn you. You could be beheaded for your insolence, she commented, focusing her attention back from the gorgeousness of his face to the rising sun.

"As long as you are the last image I see before my eyes close, came his reply.

"Do these cheesy lines work on the women in Mumbai? she asked amused.

"Don't know. I haven't tried it anyone else before. When she raised an eyebrow in disbelief, he added, "You see, none of them have threatened to have me beheaded before.

"Ah! she laughed before she suddenly became conscious of the fact that she wasn't even covered properly for a princess. She reached to pull her dupatta properly into place but his warm clasped over hers, sending a jolt of electricity through her whole being. She met his gaze in surprise.

"Don't get uncomfortable on my account. I swear I mean no harm, he said gently, his warm hand still holding hers while his gaze held hers. She could read his sincerity in his eyes and knew what he said was true. She nodded her head slightly as she tore her gaze away from his.

He really did not want to let go of her hand. Her soft skin felt like moist clay, just perfect to be touched and sculpted. Without any conscious thought, his thumb began tracing lazy patterns against her wrist. He felt her pulse leap to life under his touch and loved the effect he was having on her.

She should pull her hand away from him. She should pull her hand away from him and call the guards to have him arrested for trespassing into her private garden, for touching her and causing her heart to leap out of her chest, for looking at her as if she was the most beautiful work of art he had ever seen, for invading her dreams and giving her sleepless nights, for arousing sinful desires in her inexperienced, untouched body with just a grazing of his fingers, for looking like every deep, dark, unknown fantasy of her come true. No! She had to get a grip on herself. She tugged her hand away from his grasp and clasped both her hands tightly together in her lap.

He could sense her nervousness, her hesitation, and very clearly, the way he unsettled her. And he took great primal male pleasure in the fact that she was as affected by him as he was by her. That whatever feelings and thoughts were overwhelming him about her, were clearly reciprocated. But what was this connection they shared? Was it just physical attraction? As soon as the thought popped in his head, he dismissed it. True, she was feminine perfection and no man in his right mind would be able to resist her. Even now, when she was dressed so simply, she looked so beautiful, she took his breath away. But it wasn't just that. If he were told that he could never lay a finger on her, he realized he would be content just watching her for the rest of his life.

"What are you doing here? she asked on a breathless whisper as his intense gaze made it difficult for her to breathe.

"I came to watch the sunrise. So that someday, I might be able to capture its beauty on canvas, he replied honestly.

She turned to look at him, and with a mischievous grin said, "Well then Oberoi Sahab, the sun isn't rising on my face. You are going to have to shift your gaze to the horizon.

"I found something way more beautiful than the sunrise, he commented, his gaze unwavering.

"Tere chehre ke noor ke aage,

Aaj suraj bhi pheeka lagtha hai.

Koi keh de jaake zamaane se,

Humne uparwaale ka meher dekh liya hai.

She raised her thick lashes to meet his gaze, "Aap shayari bhi karthe hain?

Om mock bowed as he said, "At your service, your Highness.

She chuckled and felt a wave of happiness rise from the deepest recess of her heart and spread through her body just as the rays of the rising sun caressed her skin in a golden hue.

He had never felt so strongly, so quickly, for any woman before. And yet, as he sat beside her, watching the rising sun wash her porcelain skin in a golden glow, all he could think of was to capture her lips in a kiss that would fuse their souls together. Then and there, he knew, someday, he would make love to her, right here, in this spot as they watched the sunrise together.

She watched as his eyes darkened in a telltale sign of his desire and she swallowed nervously. She was a princess. He was a stranger. Just sitting with him here was an unpardonable offense. If she gave into that deliciously sinful desire flaming in his eyes.. No.. She quickly got up and without another word, ran inside.

**