When he winked at her, Ashmita's heart beat increased and Rishi felt the racing heart beat from the way he was holding her in his arms. But she composed herself and came out of his embrace. She had a feeling that she just left the safest place on the planet.
Meanwhile mesmerized by seeing the flawless beauty of Ashmita so close, Rishi was left in daze for a few moments until Ashmita came back to her senses and left his brace. At that moment, he understood there is something missing in his life and felt a major void in his soul. However Ashmita's flushed face made him worry about nothing but brought a smile to his lips and glow in his eyes.
"People. please take a breath or else.." Rishi commented with a gentle chuckle.
Everyone released their breath when they heard Rishi's words and everyone was in a dilemma whether what they saw was for real or a dream.
Pratap was the one who came to Ashmita and asked,"Hey Ash.. Are you ok?"
When Ashmita nodded her head, he looked towards Rishi and said angrily, "You! What do you think of yourself?, raising the sword, "How dare you touch Ash?"
Rishi didn't like somebody calling Ashmita with a nickname. He became cold and asked, "Who are you?"
Pratap sensed the authority in Rishi's voice and before he replied Ashmita interrupted.
"I am fine Pratap. Don't worry and lay down your sword", Ashmita said to Pratap. She looked at rishi and said, "And you don't dare to speak with my friend like that".
Before Rishi replied, "Everyone! Move back.. we need to reach the village and complete our mission. Let's get it over with quick." Ashmita said to her team.
Everyone started moving to their horses.
Rishi then understood clearly what happened there and guessed that Ashmita might be the crew leader. It increased his curiosity about her identity and made him want to know everything about her.
"There is no need of going to that village feisty" Rishi calmly said by folding his hands.
"What do you mean?" Shilpa asked.
"I mean, I already solved the problem in that village", Rishi said by simply shrugging his shoulders.
"What? How??" Ashmita asked.
"Well.. It's simple. When we reached that village yesterday, I saw someone trying to kidnap a child. I rescued him and killed those kidnappers." Rishi said that as if he just bought a loaf of bread from a shop.
"Really??" Shilpa asked.
"Yes!! Yesterday we solved the problem and it was the villagers who told us the way to the King's palace", one of the members in the Rishi team said.
After looking at their serious expressions Ashmita believed their words and for a safer side she sent her people to go check the situation and find if they're facing any other problems.
"Thank you for saving the people and apologies for the earlier act" Ashmita said with a bow and everyone slightly leaned forward.
"Well.. We accepted your apology and gratitude", Rishi said and bowed along with his team.
"Since the problem is solved, why can't you take us to the king?" Rishi asked.
"Sure, Whenever you're ready." Ashmita said by hovering the horse in a swift motion.
"I am ready", said Rishi adding to himself, 'the moment I saw you, feisty..!' and hovered upon his horse. Everyone in his team followed him and started their journey towards the kingdom.
At the Palace
"How did he know about me and Ashmita?" Maira asked seriously.
"His messenger Dega informed him about you. But he doesn't know about your identity so we are safe now" Abhi said.
"But we need to be careful Abhi," Maira said with a low voice facing down.
"Maira! What happened? You seem to be sad?" Abhijit asked while lifting her head by her chin and looking into her eyes.
"It's nothing Abhi," Maira said with a fake smile.
"Ohh.. Since when did My Beauty start keeping secrets from me? Huh?", Abhi asked while pretending to think.
"Abhi.. Don't you call me that again? And yeah! You dare to say those words to the guard? It seems you have a death wish, don't you??" Maira said while placing her both hands on her waist.
"Well.. What should I've done then? They didn't let me inside here, so I needed to prove them I am someone whom you dearly know. Also you know how much I'd want to meet you, how could I go back..?" Abhi said with puppy eyes.
Maira rolled her eyes and sighed, folding her hands.
"Ok Ok Please forgive me this one time My Beauty" Abhi said with a smile.
"You..." before Maira strangled him Abhi signalled by sealing his mouth with his hand.
"Okay.. Come let's go meet my grandfather and others" Maira said by pulling him along with her.
"Maira you haven't answered my question yet" Abhi halted and asked.
Maira sighed. She knew she can't hide anything from him so she took a deep breath and informed him the things she got to know from Oak.
Abhi listened to everything carefully and remained silent, he slowly moved towards her, hugged her tightly and Maira silently started sobbing. He knew how she was feeling right then but kept calm and hugged her tighter. He thought 'sometimes we don't need to say anything, just a simple action will make others feel comfortable'.
After sometime when Maira started to feel better, she wiped her tears, looked up at Abhi's face and smiled.
"Feeling better right..? Go wash your face, we shall go and meet your family" Abhi said while looking at her eyes which are swollen red from crying.
Maira nodded and after cleaning, the both started to walk up to the king's chamber.