Warrior Princess; Her Quest to the throne

Prithvi didn't have even a single minute to waste. There were too many things which needed to be done and time was of critical essence. He had asked the rag-pickers to inform the police at a specific time and there were few tasks which needed to be put into action before that.     

A stone-faced Ramanujam stood in the room, still reeling under the revelations. Who could have known that meeting that traitor spy in the Chandragarh annual fair had been the starting point of this chain of events. Shaurya's identity had been compromised that night, due to him.     

Northern Zilla     

Mriga had come awake by the loud shouts of the boatmen who were communicating with each other about nearing the riverside. Guiltily she moved away from Shaurya's shoulder.     

So much for taking care of him!     

Instead of looking after his welfare, she had fallen asleep on him. Thankfully, he was sleeping as well and didn't realise the mishap. She would have been mortified to face him otherwise. Shaurya could sense her agitation and continued to keep his eyes shut till the boat didn't hit the riverbank.     

"Let me help the children alight from all the boats. I will come back for you. Till then, no heroic deeds," she whispered to him and waited till he gave a small nod.     

It was early morning and the sky was tinged pink, waiting for the sun to make its appearance.     

Bela had decided to come and pick her daughter this time before leaving for her shift. Raghu was home, cooking happily and waiting for his favourite person to arrive.     

"It would be more efficient if I went to pick her up and you finished the chores. This way both of us will get enough time with her," she had told her husband.     

Mriga, on the other hand, had been wondering how to explain to her mother and father about Shaurya. She was relieved to see only one parent at this moment and had her excuse ready but her mother didn't ask anything. In fact, she walked upto the boat and helped Shaurya alight.     

With a straight face, she said, "It would be easier and faster if both of us support him from each side while walking back home. But before going ahead, let's stop at the closest well to remove his make-up."     

Mriga and Shaurya looked at Bela with identical, surprised expressions.     

She shrugged her shoulders and said, "Someone wrote to me explaining the situation. I have identified a place for you to stay in. Till you don't recuperate, stay there. Once you are better, come and apply for apprenticeship with my husband to work in the field."     

Both the youngsters struggled to take in the instructions. It seemed that Bela knew much more than either of them did and had already made provisions for the near future.     

"Thank you! I am really grateful for the help and I apologise for troubling you in the future," Shaurya said humbly.     

Mriga's eyes turned into huge round saucepans. This was the first time she had heard him use such a tone with someone. Even while speaking with Guruji, he was never this polite.     

Bela gave him a warm smile in response.     

The journey to Mriga's home was completed in near silence. The minute their footsteps touched the courtyard though, the door was opened and Raghu stepped out with a wide grin.     

"How is my favourite… uh, we have a guest?" his eyebrows puckered in surprised confusion.     

"This is my friend's son, Veer from the capital city. My friend heard about your successful breakthroughs in the agricultural field and was very impressed. Veer is really interested in becoming a farmer and wants to study under you for a few days. She requested me for the same and I accepted on your behalf, knowing your generous nature. Unfortunately, before coming here, Veer was attacked by a wild boar. So, I told my friend to send him here with Mriga to help him recuperate and then learn from you, later. I am sorry, I forgot to tell you about it. Due to the increased work at the station, it completely slipped my mind," Bela spoke in a cajoling tone.     

It was a day full of surprises. First Shaurya and now her mother???     

In her fifteen years of existence, Mriga had never heard her mother use such a coquettish tone with her father. It seemed that Raghu was equally befuddled by it.     

Using his confusion as his agreement, Bela came forward and said, "Thank you, darling. I knew that you would be cool about this."     

DARLING!     

She had actually addressed him as darling? Mriga secretly bit her finger to check if she was stuck in a weird dream.     

Shaurya grinned when he saw the father-daughter duo wearing dazed expressions. Using surprise element to subdue the enemy was a good tactic but not many could execute it successfully.     

Mriga's mother was awesome. Maybe he will actually learn something during his stay here!     

Raghu stared at his wife in dismay. She had put him in an awkward position. First, she brought a strange boy in the house without consulting him and then she behaved like a flirt in front of the kids, stupefying him into silence. Now, how was he supposed to say no?     

Raghu's father used to run a dispensary which eventually was given away to another medical practitioner after his death since Raghu wasn't interested in learning medicine. But the premise still belonged to him. Behind the clinic, was a small room which is where Raghu's father used to live during his last days. The room was bare except for a sleeping cot and a stool. That was where Bela intended Shaurya to stay during the coming few weeks.