"Princess Fariha " my hand maiden came running to my camp . We were in the Battle field of Panipat. My brother reigning Sultan of Hind is having a battle with the Sultan of Dariabagh. And we are on the verge of losing.

" What's it ? " I asked preparing myself for the niws of another loss . We have lost a lot of brave soldiers in this Battle.

" Khanzada Shaheen girai is waiting for you near the lake. He said there is something important you need to know " Shaheen is one of the very close friends of my brother. We grew up together. He is two years older than me and is very loyal to my brother.

" Get me my cloak"

" Princess there is something else ." I gave her a side eye while wearing my cloak

" You know you can tell me anything Sana " I said with a sigh. She was my best friend. My mother used to say that In this palace you get loyal people by luck and if you get a friend who is loyal to you not the position you are in then Cherish him or her forever

Sana was a friend who was like a sister I never had. I was four when my father gifted her to me as a handmaiden but we became friends.

" Princess I saw some horse Riders from Dariabagh going in Sultan's room ." I frowned

"That's strange , I will talk to him once I come back "

______________

I felt his presence before I saw him

"Princess" he greeted

"Mehmet " I acknowledged him with a nod

" What being you here at this time of the day ? " Mehmet was Shaheen's younger brother. A person of his words . I admired him as a friend .

" I can ask you the same ? What brings you here when we have a war going on ? " I asked with a raised eyebrow

" I was here for a walk . Needed to think somethings. "

" What is it ? You can talk to me "

" If you have to choose between the person you love and your responsibility towards the country what will you choose Fariha?"

Fariha it's been long sinc someone called me by me name

" I will choose my country inn and heartbeat. " I replied truthfully

" That's what I thought " he smiled but his smile seemed sad

" Have you ever fallen in love Mehmet? " I don't know where this question came from .

" Yes! " I was not surprised.

" What does it feels like ? "

" To fall in love ? " I nodded

" It's like you are burning in a fire and still you don't want this to end. It's so painful that you want to die and it's so beautiful that you want to live forever knowing you see her smile for the rest of your life "

"Did she ..... You know ? " This felt like over stepping

" Does she what ? Loves me back ? " The smile on his face this time felt longing

"Yes ? " I was curious.

" No she didn't. She takes me as a good friend . " well that was unexpected

" I .... I am sorry ."

" Don't be ! It's not like we can force someone to love us back. I wonder if she even knows that I love her " he chuckled a sad one

" You deserve the best Mehmet , I will pray to Allah to grant you love " he eyed me for a moment and then noded

"Princess " Shaheen's voice broke our tarnce

" I will take my leave now " Mehmet said acknowledging me and his brother