Chapter 31 - TRIP(I)

Maira stopped at Ashmita's room and told Abhi good night and that she wants to talk with Ashmitha. Abhi understood the reason and left the place saying good night back to Maira.

Ashmita was standing near the window in her room, looking at the moonlit forest and being lost in her thoughts. Maira slowly moved towards Ashmita and sat on the bed near her.

"Forest looks so beautiful tonight, doesn't it?" Maira asked slowly.

Ashmita startled by the sudden voice but after seeing Maira, she said, "Oh my..! Hi Sis. What are you doing here?"

"Guess I can check on my beloved sis and spend some time with her?"

"Sure you can sister! Tell me.. You've asked something?"

"Hmm nothing.. You looked so lost before. Are you feeling alright?"

"Don't know Sis. Couldn't sleep well even though I tried.. But don't worry, guess I am good."

"I too was not able to sleep, so I have been hanging around in the palace. Listen.. I want to speak with you about something Ashmita. Come, sit here", Maira asked Ashmita.

"Sure sister, what's it about?", Ashmita asked as she walked to the bed and sat down.

Maira started talking, "Ash, I know it's very difficult for us to digest all that information that Oak gave us. It certainly will keep reminding us about the struggle our mom went through as a pregnant woman. But trust me dear, you are not alone but we all are in this together. So, we will just do whatever all we can to reunite with our parents."

Ashmita felt at ease after hearing Maira's words. She placed her head on Maira's lap and asked "Sis.. Do you think mom and dad know about us at all? Would they think about us?".

Maira smiled and caressed Ashmita's hair and said "Sure they know about us Ash and of course, they think of us all the time. My friend Faith informed our names to our parents and that we are coming for them."

"Faith.. Who's that?" Ashmita asked by tilting her head upwards to look at Maira's face.

Maira explained the whole incident of how she met Faith, rescuing her, Faith offering the boon and everything including Faith's an Unicorn.

"Uni.. Unicorn? You saw a unicorn..? So, they are real !! How did she look? Also you got a boon from her?" Ashmita jumped off from her position and sat there excited asking a number of questions without a gap.

Maira looked at Ashmita and said while laughing "Yes, yes, yes! She's more beautiful than you can ever imagine. And now, you just calm down."

"Sister! That's amazing." Ashmita looked at Maira with stars in her eyes.

"Yeah, now you tell me about your adventures. I'm sure there are many", Maira asked Ashmita.

Ashmita excitedly started talking about all her adventures with a child's excitement and Maira listened to everything, never getting bored.

Like that the sisters spent their entire night telling each other so many exciting moments, dangerous incidents, both happy and sad moments and everything that they missed doing together but did on their own.

Few hours after midnight, they both sank into deep sleep on Ashmita's bed itself.

Next day.

It was a beautiful morning in the kingdom as the sun rose in the horizon spreading his warmth all over the land, baby birds chirping in their nests, radiant green leaves and ripe fruits of large trees moving to the cool winds, the happy people of Jasmine Kingdom starting their busy day and the kids playing in the streets.

Rishi was waiting in the garden where he's supposed to meet Ashmita. He's been eagerly expecting to go on this trip around the Kingdom with Ashmita and Ashmita alone.

He's pacing back and forth thinking of what's taking this much time for Ashmita. Amidst his thoughts, he noticed the one whom he actually waited this long for. Then he smiled and he didn't know it. But suddenly his smile got replaced with a frown.

Rishi's crew observing him from afar, started discussing among themselves about the change in their prince's behaviour towards a girl. They followed his sight to understand what made him frown and what they just saw left their mouths wide open.

Maira and Ashmita are walking towards Rishi wearing the same dresses and it's just like an illusion for everybody there.

Maira and Ashmitha were wearing black trousers and white shirts with a long black coat. They both matched in everything like their earrings, swords, leather boots and even their way of walking.

They're dressed so as to be comfortable while travelling on horses. Since they wear soldier uniforms when they go on missions, it's only natural for them.

Rishi who has been around Ashmita for quite some time is in fact in a tough spot for identifying her.

"Good morning, prince Rishi", both said at the same time made Rishi frown deeper.

"Good Morning, ladies", Rishi greeted with a weak smile.

"It seems prince Rishi is having a hard time identifying who Ashmita is. Isn't it?" again both of them asked in unison making Rishi frown deeper and deeper.

'It's clearly their plan. Well well.. It's time for you to shine Rishi. They have no idea about your amazing abilities. Go, Mesmerise them', Rishi thought to himself and a playful smile appeared on his lips. But before he spoke someone beat him.

"Maira, everything is ready. Shall we go?" Abhi informed Maira who is on the right to Rishi.

"How do you know she is Maira?" Ashmita asked curiously. Everyone who's there was also waiting to know the answer.

"Well.. Just like that. I see her and I know her. Simple as that. I think I can identify Maira even if there are 1000s of her look-alikes around" Abhi said proudly.

"Yeah, I get that. But how??" Ashmita asked, turning his answer down.

"I don't know Ashmita. I can just identify her..", Abhi said while scratching his head. He genuinely doesn't know the reason but it's his heart that does this.

Ashmitha rolled her eyes.

"Well.. I see. But you just spoiled our act", Maira said while pinching Abhi's waist.

"Ohh..." Abhi said.

Rishi sulked inwardly, like a kid, seeing how Abhi stole his chance of getting highlighted in front of Ashmita. But he consoled himself by saying there is still a whole day. Before he gets normal something hits him very badly like a storm.

"So, prince Rishi, would you mind my sis and Abhi coming with us along?", Ashmita asked while holding Maira's hand. She knows he can't deny it.

"What? Why? I mean.. Isn't it like we both are supposed to go considering I am the guest?" Rishi asked while faking a smile.

"Yes, but it's the first time for my sister and Abhi being here and I had already wanted to show Maira around here since the day she came. So this can be the opportunity. I hope you understand", Ashmita asked with a smile and clearly she played him.

'What first time? They both are twins already.. Then why the first time..? It seems I need to know a lot.' Rishi thought to himself, 'Anyways, with that lovely smile, you left me no choice Feisty.'

"Sure then. It would just be rude of me to say no. Also more the company, more will be the fun", Rishi said helplessly and he knows it's just some nonsense he just made up.

"That's so nice of you prince Rishi. I'm sure we'll all have a good time together on the trip", Maira said cheerfully.

"Yeah, I hope so too", Rishi said with a genuine smile, "And please call me Rishi, no need for the prince."

Maira nodded and smiled.

"Ok then. We are good to go. Now I am taking my handsome one on a trip after a long time. Come on KILLER!" Asmita shouted and whistled.

'Again?? Who is this killer? Ugh.. how many rivals are there in my story God?' Rishi is busy crying to God inside and then he hears a steady horse footsteps.

Rishi was in shock after seeing the charming black horse whose mane is shining under the sun. 'He is surely a killer,' he thought.

"Sis.. Why can't we take Veer with us? He can also enjoy this trip.." Ashmita suggested with enthusiasm.

Maira smiled and called "VEER" and whistled.

A white horse with great features came to Maira with his head up proudly and looking at everyone with his captive eyes.

'These sisters are surely one of a kind. They ride Camarillo and Thoroughbred horses. Great taste and interesting it is that my horse itself is a Thoroughbred' Rishi thought inwardly, feeling amazed.

Abhi who has been silently watching everything, felt like his peace disturbed after hearing Ashmita's suggestion of bringing Veer along. Veer and Maira grew together as best friends and as she can speak with animals, Abhi felt threatened by the thought that they would forget him, if Veer tags along.

'This horse.. Even with his charming looks, I hate Veer with my guts. He always steals my Maira away from me. Now he's coming too? This is not good', Abhi is sulking inwardly.

Rishi who smelled jealousy in the air looked towards Abhi and Abhi's hateful looks towards Veer made him understand the situation.

'Seems like, my brother is also in the same boat as me. hehehe', Rishi smiled inwardly.