It was grossly unfair and Mriga couldn't help but grumble about it. Her stamina had been really good these past few weeks due to the strenuous workout under Ramanujam's watchful eyes. But it seemed to be pitiful in front of her senior.
Whether it was because of her pleas or otherwise, Bela told them that they were done for the night. While Mriga flopped right there on the ground, Shaurya bowed to her and started gathering the equipment and mats which had been used by them.
Leaving the two of them in the courtyard, Bela went back to the house where Raghu awaited her. Bracing herself for another tirade from him, she picked up the bunch of bananas and peeled one for herself. She knew it was just the beginning and she needed to keep her energy levels up. The past two nights had been tough with her barely getting anytime to catch up on her sleep.
"Have you been pulled back in?" he asked her quietly.
Bela was startled to hear him say that. Even though they had never discussed it openly, she knew that he was aware of her having a different past than normal people.
"Only for a little while to… help out. It… it seems urgent," she didn't know what else to say.
Raghu nodded and replied, "I better draw a chart of balanced diet for all three of you. I can't tolerate sick people in my house."
Bela smiled while tears formed in her eyes at his unconditional love. She went and slid her arms through his waist, startling him. She believed that this seemingly timid and normally befuddled man was sent to her life as compensation for her unfulfilled dreams.
Sending a prayer of gratitude towards the heaven, she put her lips on his neck, which made his skin break into goosebumps. Bringing the woman into his arms, he didn't hesitate and pulled her in for a deep, passionate kiss. The familiar yet hot stirrings made them lose themselves into each other's embrace.
Shaurya held his breath in, lest he made the two of them become aware of his presence. He had walked in few seconds ago to the scene where Raghu was pulling Bela in his embrace and he never got a chance to announce his presence.
Averting his eyes from the flaming scene in front of him, he retraced his steps back to where Mriga still laid on the ground like dead fish.
He could feel his pulse race uncomfortably in his veins and looking at the flushed cheeked girl with hair plastered all over her face, it didn't make the matters any better. In the past few weeks, Mriga's body had started to undergo changes. Whether she realized it or not, Shaurya had been having a hard time ignoring those. He knew that henceforth she would never be able to pass off as a young boy, ever.
"How much longer do you intend to lay here? Am I supposed to be doing all the chores by myself?" he spoke in a harsh tone, bringing her attention towards him.
"Ah! You are back already? What did mother say about the equipment? Did you tell her that we should keep them out only since we are going to use them every night? Why to increase the workload when it is already unbearable?" she wailed.
"I don't think I have been taught to question my teacher's will or command. Apparently, you haven't learnt well despite being taught by the same set of teachers," the reprimand was clear in his voice.
Mriga sat up in confusion. Didn't he agree to her request sometime back and went looking for her mother? Then why was he suddenly saying these mean things to her? She was beginning to suspect that the poison had permanently affected his brain. He was experiencing weird mood swings and behaving in a contradictory manner every other minute.
Shoving the sweat laden hair back from her face, she scowled at him and got up. If he won't go talk to her, she would do it herself. Before Shaurya realised her intended target, she had already climbed the steps and walked in.
"Argh… do the both of you have no shame? Can you not restrain yourselves in the common areas of the house? Till when will you behave…" Shaurya couldn't hear any more of the high-pitched words from Mriga's mouth.
He grinned, imagining the expressions on her face right now.
Inside the house, Raghu had hastily put his palm over his impertinent daughter's mouth. Yes, their family was a forward thinking one and he never shied away from showcasing his affection for the two ladies in the house. But this was a bit much, even by his standard. Thank god, it wasn't that slick guy who had come in instead of his daughter.
While Bela stood rooted in the same spot, with a red face, Mriga's mile long grin could be seen peeping out through Raghu's fingers on her face.
Removing his hand, Mriga said, "Alright. No need to look so sad. I am going away to put everything back in the store room. It will take Veer and me at least twenty minutes to finish up. So… uh, you guys…"
Before either of her parents could chastisise her, she ran out with a gleeful shout. By the time she reached the courtyard, Shaurya had already cleared the entire place and was hanging the mats on the wall for them to dry once the sun rose.
"Oh! You wrapped up everything already? Umm, so, to show my gratitude, should I take you to the best scenic spot in the zilla?" she asked on an impulse.
She was mindful of trying to give some privacy to her parents.