Chapter 18

Shiv felt the vibrations beneath his feet in the dark cavernous surroundings before the tiger moved. He couldn’t believe his eyes as he watched the ground beneath him shift, and the rumbles echoed through the fort, the cacophony of the breeze adding to it. He barely managed to contain his balance.

What on Earth was happening?

The tiger shifted along with the idol of the Goddess, and he saw what looked like a trap door. He knew forts and palaces often had trap doors, but he hadn’t read anything about this one. Also, when he touched the handle, it didn’t appear rusted. So it meant…this was recent. Did the Queen build it, or was the Queen aware of this?

He tried to move the trap door and thought it would be difficult, but instead… it shook with a slight vibration and opened. He removed the lid and shone his torchlight into the cavity. It revealed a long bottomless cul-de-sac. He couldn’t see beyond that. There were stairs leading down into the darkness, and the cavity was huge enough for two well-built individuals to pass through. He touched the stair, and it looked sturdy, and like the lid, it wasn’t rusted.

He was now confident this was a recent make and wanted to learn more. But getting into uncharted territory would be dangerous. He had to come back prepared. He made a mental note to update his friend tomorrow.

As he was about to move and replace the lid, his eyes caught something shining on the stairs at a slightly lower level. A little climb down wouldn’t hurt, would it?

He got down, but immediately, the air pressure changed. The fetid air in the cavity made him gag. It was as if he was getting sucked inside. What kind of place was this? He tightened his grip on the railing and moved down; he heard something when his head was below the entrance. He thought it was some noise, like a broken or interrupted radio frequency. Finally, his curiosity got the better of him, and he moved a couple of steps lower, holding the torch in his mouth.

The walls seemed like he was in a dungeon, and they were overwhelming…

The dark walls close in on me….

And right then, as he thought of his father’s poetry, he heard the distinct noise… it wasn’t any radiofrequency. It was water… yes! He was sure it was water flowing with force. It couldn’t be the sea, because of the altitude…

The heavy gush pulls me

There was only one option, and Shiv was sure of it. The noise was from the waterfall…

He took a look at what had caught his eye. Then, holding the railing, he balanced himself while he picked the object. It was an anklet… not a regular one. He had seen this somewhere…

He put it in his pocket and climbed out, gasping for fresh air. He quickly replaced the lid and pressed the other eye of the tiger on impulse. He was right, though. The tiger and the massive idol moved back in place.

He hoped the loud rumblings hadn’t called for attention as he stealthily made his way out of the fort.

The following day he met up with Maanav. The guy was already into the element and disguised for the role.

“What’s up, Bullet, all OK? Though I am not complaining, why the long sabbatical?” Shiv was curious.

Maanav ‘Bullet’ Deshmukh, a man with few words, only looked around and sighed. Tallest among all of them, Maanav was often called the pillar… He was the best sniper in their unit and an ace with firearms. There wasn’t a gun he hadn’t laid his hands on. He was highly trained, and his observational powers were mind-blowing.

Shiv knew Maanav would open up whenever he was ready. The latter opened his bag and brought out a box.

“Here, Shadow, keep this one. Since you are going solo, you will need this. So consider it’s a retirement gift from all of us…” Maanav smiled for the first time in the past hour.

Shiv shook his head and opened the black box. It was filled with transmitters… in different forms. Earstuds, rings, tiny chips could be fitted into devises… etc. Each set had its recorder as well. A GPS signal dial transmitted inputs from all the transmitters in different windows for Shiv’s purpose.

“This is awesome, buddy..” Shiv exclaimed.

“And here is a message from Razor… he has the information you asked about that ring.” Maanav handed over a piece of paper on which information was scribbled in a unique script the friends had developed in Gurukul to communicate without the warden, Captain Rawat, or any other member knowing about it. The writing was part Morse code and part sketches. A few words had their spellings reversed. It wasn’t easy initially, but it was easy to decipher the letters once they knew each other well.

‘The ring was a gift to King Wamanrao Raje from the Turkish ambassador who had visited the province a few years ago. It was a customized product made by the best craftsman from Istanbul. The Turkish Prime Minister had commissioned it for King Wamanrao as a token of friendship. The words inscribed mean Trust the man who bears the ring.’

Shiv now understood why his father left the ring for him. It would be necessary to gain entry into the palace if needed. Shiv, however, hoped that he would never need it. He didn’t want to reveal his identity for as long as possible. At least not till he found out whatever sinister was happening.

He got back to Gurukul that night after he and Maanav separated with the promise of keeping in touch using the burners.

That night Shiv stared at the anklet. It was a unique pattern. It was silver make for sure but had blackened due to a long time in that godforsaken cavity from the looks of it. He didn’t know about jewellery… but something about this anklet felt familiar. He dozed off as the physical fatigue got the upper hand.

A couple of days later, Maanav informed him about the puja in the local Maa Bhavani Temple to be presided over by the princess and her ‘fiance.’ Though the news of the princess’s betrothal pierced his heart and pained him in a way that surprised him, Shiv recovered soon to note that the event was at night.

Though he was sure the King would arrange for protection, he wouldn’t take a chance. The part of the forest spread behind the temple made everyone in the temple vulnerable to attacks. Moreover, the King probably didn’t know about the princess’s rendezvous in the nightclub; else, he wouldn’t have allowed this outing at night.

As he made a hole in the wall of the temple perimeter from the forest side, he checked that the part was recently repaired. So it would make it easier to break.

The following night, he lay in wait, watching for unwanted elements. But it was tough, given the slopy terrain, and also everyone gathered had worn the royal uniform. And right then, he saw the princess walk around with her fiancé following her along with the bodyguards.

His heart skipped a beat watching her resplendent form in the beautiful saree… There was an air of supremacy in her looks. She seemed detached from her future husband, and that surprised him. How could that man just let her out of his sight, given the dangers she faced?

If she were his, Shiv would move mountains to protect her and engulf her in his cocoon… Freak… What was he thinking? He couldn’t… she didn’t deserve him.

A stray thought entered his mind. Princess Padma had kissed him barely a week ago… whom did she kiss since she was drugged? Was it the fiancé, or was it him?

The flicker of distraction cost him heavily, and he heard the click of the trigger before the bullet was fired. Instantly, he got down from the tree and ran towards the wall on red alert. There was a blackout, and he heard shots being fired. Oh No… the princess was in the line of fire, and any stray bullet could hit her.

He kicked the susceptible wall and rushed toward the princess, who had fallen to the ground. She looked scared, and Shiv’s heart went out to her. The sudden urge to protect her overcame everything else, and he didn’t think of anything else. He lifted her in a fireman’s carry and ran back towards the wall.

Crossing the thresholds, he ran into the forest like a man possessed. The princess initially protested but stopped flapping her hands and hitting him… as if she recognized him.

He stopped only when he was far away from the temple and was sure they weren’t being followed.

He had covered his head completely, and only his eyes were visible. His lungs were on fire given the intense run when covered, but it was also because his heart was beating hard.

She looked up at his face even as it began to pour heavily, as if heaven had decided to drench them together. What was it about the princess and the rain, he didn’t know…

Those beautiful eyes boring into his were free from fear, but he sensed recognition in them as she asked him if he was the one who had saved her the week earlier… She probably didn’t remember what had happened two years ago and that was a blessing in disguise. She had a lot on her plate as it is. Lightening pierced the canopy of the trees above and flashed on them, the staccato playing games with their visions.

The princess got closer, her wet lithe body causing his to go taught with arousal. He was on fire and hoped she didn’t sense it. But the moment was intense, and he thought he would kiss her when he heard footsteps. The pattern wasn’t threatening, and he knew it was the royal security who had come to look for her.

Thanking the stars for preventing him from almost making a mistake he would repent for; he left the place as swiftly as possible. He hadn’t spoken a word, so the princess would never know how he sounded.

That night he was sure the princess was in grave danger and hoped the King would now make sure her security was upped.

Almost a month later, Maanav got together with him and updated what he found from the locals.

The fort was a front for some sinister activities there, but no one had an inkling of it. Everyone was scared of checking it out. It happened on every full moon night and the innocent locals feared the wrath of the Goddess if they dared to check the fort. Maanav on deeper probing, found that many young girls from the ages of 16 to 25 went missing from Koini and the nearby provinces, but there were no records. A recruitment agency employed young women as housemaids or nannies in the city. The women who returned praised the agency and were cash-rich, luring other young girls and women to try their luck.

However, the agency was shut down in the last two years, and all the girls and women hired had mysteriously disappeared.

He found that the Queen had been diligently asking around and encouraging people to talk to the police, but there were no FIRs registered in the records.

Later that night, both Maanav and Shiv were called by their superiors to come together for a special mission for the government. Though Shiv had put in his papers, Captain Rawat requested so he couldn’t refuse. So he arranged for ‘eyes’ on the palace while he left for the mission to Kabul.

Almost a year into the mission, the princess was unharmed, mostly because she wasn’t venturing out of the palace. It was a relief for Shiv and a source of worry since the enemy was upping its ante.

Shiv was in Dhaka a month later when the pandemic struck, and the mission was aborted. He was relieved of duty, and he returned to the Gurukul.

The lockdown had caused a major uproar across the province, and Koini was no exception. Shiv spent his days tending to the groves and reviving them. He employed a supervisor and a few local lads. He didn’t personally meet them to prevent being exposed. He didn’t renovate the house, though… he couldn’t.

Three years passed since he had last seen the princess in the temple, and not a day went by when he hadn’t thought of her. As the situation limped back on track, he resolved to end it all this time and bring the culprits to justice. There was only one way to do it, use the princess as bait, and he had to be there by her side to protect her and catch the culprits.

Captain Rawat helped him. The King was looking for a personal bodyguard for the princess who had to venture out for her studies. This was the moment Shiv was waiting for. He had to enter the palace in an official capacity. The King met with him and given his high credentials, he was employed in the princess’s service right after the coronation.

The princess’s 21^st birthday celebration was an occasion he would never forget. But, the huge pomp and splendour made him wonder what the King was thinking, putting his daughter in danger.

He hadn’t seen the princess yet. However, he met with the King a little before the ceremony.

“Your Highness, With due regards, it’s dangerous for the princess to be exposed to a crowd this big… it would be difficult to protect her.”

The King only stared at his hands.

“I know… I know it’s dangerous, but if we hide her, it would call for unwanted attention on an important day like this… Mr. Chouhan I trust your instincts, and I am sure you will be there for her…” the King had walked away, leaving Shiv flabbergasted.

He had been on high alert all evening, and when the princess made her entry, one look at her grandeur and all blood rushed south. He didn’t know how he would last next to her and control his raging libido…

The princess lifted her outfit to prevent tripping, and his eyes fell on her feet. Right then, realization struck.

That anklet he had found in the fort three years ago belonged to his mother…

©Priya Nayak-Gole

Chapter 16

Shiv didn’t smoke or do weed, but he could smell and identify their types from anywhere. The misty smoke-filled nightclub appeared notorious, and his heart paced with worry for Padma.

He had to spot her to keep an eye without her realizing it. What was the princess thinking? Coming to this shady outlet without security?

The cacophony of the blaring DJ accompanied by the incessant screams of the gathered crowd swelling every minute was getting on Shiv’s nerves. He was used to most chaotic situations, but he was never personally invested. Instead, his trained eyes darted across the room, taking in the exit points and checking out the silhouettes of the gathered people.

Right then, the hair on his neck stood and his heart raced. Something wasn’t right. Where the hell was the princess?

The music changed from brash to something slower, and many split from the dancing crowd to come for a drink, and…then… he saw her. Padma was drinking something with her friend. How could she throw caution to the wind? His blood boiled thinking of the worst-case scenarios, and right then, he saw her friend go back to the dance floor and disappear in the crowd. So why was Padma sitting alone?

The strobe ball above turned, and a myriad kaleidoscope of colors fell on her oval face. Despite the blast of AC she was sweating, and he was about eight feet away. Yet he could see the bead of sweat flow from her temple to the neck and disappear in the strap of whatever she was wearing. She bent slightly, and her outfit slipped a little lower to reveal her nape line.

Padma was perfect, but her chest was heavier, and the dress she had worn that night hugged her in the right manner. His blood gushed southward and an erection so painful than he had ever known strained against his boxers. He looked away and rubbed his face, berating himself to encourage such vile thoughts.

The feeling of unease returned, and he looked up to see… the princess was gone.

Did she get back to dancing? How could he look for her without revealing himself or making it obvious? But he had to find her… he didn’t like the scenario.

His eyes fell on a massive silhouette of a man limping slightly and making his drunk way beyond the drinks counter. Shiv had found there were rooms for the patrons lined at the back in case anyone wanted to make out with their partners or pass out drunk.

But this man… he knew from somewhere. He couldn’t make out in the dark, but something about that gait felt familiar. He moved in the direction wedging between people in the crowd. He could afford to be recognized. But the man suddenly disappeared as well. Was the floor opening up and swallowing everyone here? What on earth was happening?

Shiv cruised slowly and moved towards the back rooms. A couple of rooms gave out groans which weren’t unfamiliar as he realized those were the sounds of passion or whatever they called it. Then, he heard some muffled noise behind one of the closed doors. Now, that wasn’t passion at all…

He tried to move the door but it was locked. His gut instinct that had saved his life umpteen times rang an alarm and he kicked open the door.

Though the lights were dim, he saw the princess sprawled on the bed with her gown drawn down and the last scraps of her virtue up for takes. The man he had seen earlier was above her, smelling of booze. He didn’t think twice but his animal instincts took over and he pulled the man away from the princess. The man fell with a thud and was knocked off immediately. The princess was in a state of shock.

How could the princess be so reckless he wondered when he realized she was crying… silently unable to move or speak. Her eyes were out of focus and she was so disoriented. He bent closer to her and smelt alcohol. Oh goodness… the princess was roofied. She was probably given a date rape drug…

He was right all the while. The killer had made a move. No one would suspect him if the princess was violated and killed in this shady place.

He dressed the princess and lifted her in his arms without wasting another moment. He rushed out of the alternative exit meant for the staff he had marked earlier. It had a couple of employees smoking away to glory, but they didn’t notice him. He ran towards the car he had chosen earlier and picked the lock as he balanced the princess who rested on his body.

He opened the back passenger door and laid her on the seat, but she raised her chest upwards, her face coming close to his, and his breath stopped. Despite everything, he had a tough time controlling his raging libido as he held her lithe body close to his. And then… she kissed him. It was a touch of lips, his rough with her smooth, malleable ones. She hooked her soft hands around his neck pulling him close, and he lost it.

He heard some footsteps and instantly went on high alert. When she was about to move her tongue to part his lips, he released her, swearing at the turn of events and got into the driving seat. He had to rig the ignition but his training was apt. However, the adrenaline from all that transpired moments ago caused his heart to race rapidly, and there was a slight tremor in his fingers for the first time in his life.

The car zoomed away from the nightclub and he took a few detours before ditching the vehicle and stealing another one. He continued this a couple of times more and when he was sure the vehicle would be untraceable, he sped towards the mountain. He had to use the mountain pathway yet again.

For the second time in two years, he dropped the princess back on the same bench and disappeared before anyone could catch him. He dumped the car in a remote area and made his way towards the nearest tea stall even as tangerine skies showered the early morning glow.

He touched his chapped lips where the princess had kissed him barely hours ago and wished with everything he had that he could relive those moments again. But, despite the circumstances, they were the best moments of his life.

As he sipped his cutting chai, slipping into the shadows, there was a small gathering of men and he realised they were waiting for someone. Something told him he had to wait with them. What happened last night wasn’t a coincidence. There was something sinister going on and he had to find out about it. The drugging of the princess and the attempt to violate her… rage filled his body as he thought of how vulnerable the princess was.

An ambassador car halted a little away, and all the gathered men stood up to greet the person who alighted from the car. Shiv peered through the gaps in the tent of the makeshift tea stall and anger raced through his body. The man was none other than the asshole who had tried to force himself on the princess.

Shiv crushed the thermacol cup in his palm, unmindful of the residual tea seeping through his fingers. At that moment, he would give anything to wring that man’s neck. His hand touched his pocket where he had kept the man’s phone as he had lifted it from the scene. It was switched off, and he would soon take it to his tech friend to get it analyzed and delete any data pertaining to the princess that the pervert intended to use.

The men came closer to the stall, and in the new rays of the sun, Shiv could see the bastard as he flopped on the rickety chair. The bump on his forehead was a reminder of Shiv’s handiwork last night, which gave him some solace. He continued to eavesdrop…

“Get me a hot cup of tea…” The man groaned, holding his forehead and continued. “…Saheb is going to be mad. Don’t be surprised if you see my dead body tomorrow…”

“Why Bhau? What is the matter… didn’t things go as planned? We thought the bird was in our grasp,” One of the four men around him asked.

Shiv knew ‘bird’ meant the princess. He hoped this was a start to get to the crux of the plot.

“Everything was under control. Saheb could have achieved what he missed two years ago… Those two hid evidence very well. Still, if the only witness, our bird, is no more or loses credibility, then evidence be damned, Saheb remains untouched, and we can continue our business….” The man with the crooked nose continued holding his head with one hand and sipping tea.

“But Bhau… we had it all arranged, the room, the lights, the drink…” another lanky man spoke

“It was going great Ganpa… I had got pictures too… can you beat that? Value of those pictures in dollars? And the bird was untouched and given the blood in her veins, the auction could have fetched us all we wanted…” He groaned again and continued to talk. “…someone came in right then and took off with the bird.”

“Who was that Bhau?”

“Arre melya…” The man kicked the person who asked the question and spat on the muddy ground. “…if I had known, wouldn’t he be dead by now? The bastard took my phone along with him. If only I could lay my hands on him… I don’t know when we will get another chance… Saheb will have my hide…” the man rubbed his face and Shiv saw the sparkle of a signet ring on his stubby finger.

He had seen this man… yes. On a rainy night two years ago in that fort. This man was right behind the man in the raincoat. He couldn’t see the face then but he had seen the ring. He could recognize the ring anywhere in the world. It was his family heirloom… it was his father’s ring.

The bastard had killed his father and dared to keep the ring. Shiv’s blood boiled, and he wished nothing more than to take them all down, and he knew he could. But he also knew now wasn’t the time. Instead, he needed to get deeper to know what was in store and how his father was involved in the mess that caused his death and the Queen. First, he had to find out who the ‘Saheb’ was.

“Arre, where is that Baltya…?” The man looked around as if he had a gathering before him. “…we have to find out who knew about our plans. I have to answer Saheb. That man came out of nowhere. I asked security and checked the cameras, but I couldn’t spot him at all… Ask Baltya to ask around. I heard a car was stolen from the nightclub. Something tells me that man escaped in that car. Tell Baltya to check that as well… Kon aahe ha manus…?”

“Bhau did you get hurt as well…?” his right-hand man asked.

“Arre Ganpa, he kachich nahi…(this is nothing) think about what Saheb will do of we don’t give him the results….” The man sighed and looked at his henchman again. “….Ganpa ek kaam kar. Check out our latest consignment. And also check the waterfall area… sagla thik aahe na? (all’s fine ?)”

The men nodded, and soon they all left.

Shiv wondered what consignment they were talking about. Was it drugs? But he hadn’t heard any sordid tales from these regions regarding drug use. Nor did he hear of weapons. So there was only one way to start his investigation. He had to access his father’s locker, so he had to get back to Gurukul ASAP.

©priyagole

Chapter 15

Shiv stared at the crescent moon as he lay on the bunk bed in the gurukul. He hadn’t slept a wink for over 24 hours now, but sleep was miles away.

His heart was heavy. Emotions swirled inside, and suddenly, he jerked out of bed and rushed to the washroom. He hadn’t eaten for hours but dry heaved and sat in the lonely bathroom with his back against the tiles and the darkness for company. As the water drops from the tap made their way into the half-filled bucket, the sound, usually redundant, that night, got amplified in his head.

He grabbed his hair in his hands and wailed. He hadn’t cried after that bout in the groves when his mother had died. Even tonight, it wasn’t about his father’s death alone. Yes, he was upset and remorseful. What if he had reached early? Could he have saved his father and the Queen? In that case, maybe the princess would have been in danger.

Princess Padmavati….

The poor girl had seen her mother getting killed but was so shocked that she had moved everything back to her subconsciousness. He knew PTSD was a bitch and hoped that she could get the needed treatment, or at least no one would ever know what she had witnessed. He knew since the Queen was involved, there would be an investigation done.

He had two more years for his mandatory stint in the Army special unit, after which he could choose to continue or resign. He had always thought of serving the country in every capacity till his last breath. However, he was a goner ever since he laid his eyes on Padma and held her soft body in his contrasting hard muscular arms.

There was a huge protective instinct that refused to leave him ever since he saw the princess. For the first time in his life, he wanted to hang on to something. Rather… someone. He had long ago learned not to trust anyone to remain in his life. His father had actually left ages ago when he had abandoned them, and after his mother left too, Shiv hadn’t expected anything in life. But his friends in Gurukul and the Army changed that for him.

However, he longed for someone to call his own… and seeing the princess last night infused life into his heart’s dying embers. He wanted nothing more than to find the perpetrators responsible for his father’s and the Queen’s death. Through Captain Rawat’s connections, he had found out that the Queen was no more. The King had claimed both the bodies, and he knew his father would have wanted to keep their relationship a secret. Else the King would have called for him.

Shiv rubbed his face, his hand halting in his beard. Would the princess remember him? He wanted to rush back to the palace and check on her. He was attracted to her as well but reigned in those thoughts. His feelings for her were beyond physical… there was some soul connection. He had often thought he didn’t have a soul and was going through the motions of life without emotions.

Would he ever meet her again? He was to leave for duty tomorrow to someplace in Assam. The Army had been called to fend off the Ultras and protect the civilians from anticipated unrest. For the first time, he was worried that something happened to him. Who would protect his princess?

‘HIS…?’ Now, where did that thought come from? The princess did not belong to him. And why would she need his protection when she had a vast entourage protecting her? But, in that case, why did his father feel otherwise? There were too many questions and no answers.

He had to protect himself first and complete his tenure. Two years was long, and he wished they would pass soon.

He strutted back into the bed and called his friends. He knew ungodly hours didn’t matter to them. Finally, after an hour, it was settled. Each would take turns to arrange to watch over the palace in the upcoming two years. They had other contacts, too, who pledged to help if any of them had an emergency. It was decided, they wouldn’t act unless needed. Shiv decided, come what may, he would drop everything and reach the palace if the need arose.

In another hour, they arranged backups looping in their friends from the Army spread across the country. Once satisfied with the arrangements, Shiv released the breath he didn’t know he held. Gradually sleep claimed him.

The following two years couldn’t have passed slower.

Shiv was involved with classified missions and was without contact from his friends’ loop for days. But whenever possible, he made it a point to connect with them. The princess was safe, and things at the palace were uneventful so far. The King had converted the place into a fortress. Shiv was glad because it would keep the princess safe. He hoped that hole in the wall was sealed too. It was difficult for his ‘eyes’ to reach the spot, and he didn’t want to call for attention on his comrades and their associates.

Finally, at the end of two years, he called off the arrangements for keeping watch on the palace.

He now was on official leave and would take over the reins of watching over the princess on his own. But he also knew how to do it…

That night he lay on his bunk bed in the gurukul. He had just returned a couple of hours earlier and was to leave for the palace at dawn. Captain Rawat asked to meet him to discuss his father’s wishes, but Shiv wanted first to see the princess in person. He had to confirm for himself that she was safe.

He smiled. Tomorrow was her eighteenth birthday, exactly two years since he had last seen her, and he hoped he would see her in better circumstances.

He had also found that the Queen’s and his father’s murderers weren’t found as yet. Despite being a King the man couldn’t bring his wife’s killer to justice, which meant the plot was far more sinister than what he had thought. First, he had to find out what his father was up to. Only then could he work to keep the princess safe. He didn’t deserve her at all… but if the threat to her life was removed for good, he could rest assured.

The next day at dawn, Shiv dressed in his standard black overalls, figure-hugging clothes. He had to stick to his name ‘Shadow’. He sprinkled a tinge of the Vanilla hues. In his work line, it wasn’t allowed as it would give away his location, and he hadn’t bothered about vanity so far. But princess Padmavati brought out the zeal to live in him, and he felt a slight tinge wouldn’t matter. He was getting amidst civilians after all…

He realized he was smiling as his reflection in the tiny square mirror smiled back at him!

He was told there would be a bash in the palace today after two years, and the King was expected to make a special announcement.

Another aspect and worry plagued his conscience. He hadn’t figured out who that man in the raincoat was from two years ago. The fact that the man hadn’t made a move meant he didn’t get a chance so far, given the tight security. But Shiv’s gut feeling said, the man may make some attempt to harm the princess tonight. That’s how the criminal mind functioned. Besides, the princess had probably seen it better than Shiv, given her line of vision that night, but he wasn’t sure if she had revealed it all to anyone.

There was no uproar, but it put her in danger… grave danger.

He reached the foothills of the mountain later in the evening and soon blended into the overgrowth. It was dark by the time he reached the palace boundary, and as he expected, the hole in the wall still existed, though the location had moved. The princess was tenacious!

He could only conclude… the princess wasn’t aware of the danger she faced. She probably didn’t remember what she saw, maybe some sort of temporary amnesia.

He could hear the loud music and wondered how the King could let caution to air and invite such a crowd. But of course, he would have had security beefed up.

Shiv sat upon a nearby tree from where he could watch the west wing entrance through the high-focus binoculars. There was no movement which meant the princess must be in the venue.

He looked around the palace’s perimeter from his line of vision but couldn’t find anything amiss. He wondered if he should continue watching or leave for the night and come again… when he heard movement around the bushes near the opening.

Suddenly on high alert, he saw two women… WOMEN? Really?

Not just any woman… it was the princess with her friend. He hadn’t seen any pictures of the princess in recent times. Of course, he hadn’t allowed his friends and their men as well… to protect her privacy but what he saw now wasn’t something he had expected. The princess had grown into a woman… a beautiful woman, and in this attire that she wore, his heart skipped a beat, and his brain went mush.

The princess was accompanied by her close friend he only knew as ‘Aarti.’ They were running off somewhere. So what on earth was going on? He couldn’t reveal himself just then. It may result in him getting arrested for trespassing and endangering the royal family’s lives.

Right then, the princess halted and looked around as if she sensed his presence. Oh goodness… his vanilla tinge!!!

He stood still while the women made their escape. He soon followed them through the shadows and how the princess frequently looked in his direction as if sensing his movements, he felt like a fool…

The women reached the foot of the hill on the other side, and there was a …goddamn motorbike. Before he could get his bearings together, the women rode away….

He pinched himself to remind himself that he wasn’t dreaming. Without wasting a moment, he sprinted across the winding road towards the hutments at the foot of the hills. He stole a bicycle parked there and struggled to peddle the rickety thing down the remaining of winding road. Fortunately, he found a motorbike parked near a closed ‘dhaba’ and it was a child’s play for him to get it started. Before the owner could realize the bike missing, he was gone.

He sped for a considerable distance hoping and praying that the women wouldn’t do anything stupid. He hoped they had taken the same road spread ahead and not any detour.

He finally caught up and heaved a sigh of relief as he followed them at a distance. Then, finally, they reached a nightclub, and his head reeled at the thought of the princess exposing herself before the world where the danger lay with her name on it!

The place looked new but sent negative vibes, the scarlet hues from the lighting almost blinded him. This didn’t look good… at all.

He discarded the motorbike and took cognizance of the surroundings. Finally, he zeroed in on a vehicle he knew he would need if he had to make a quick escape.

He entered the nightclub…

©priyagole

Chapter 14

A huge ball of grief was stuck in his throat as he began to hyperventilate. He was frozen to the hard, jagged ground with the droplets of rainwater falling on him from the crevices of the ruin. He didn’t care anymore, and before he could gather himself, he saw some movement.

The thunder raged, muting the voices, but a huge man covered in a black raincoat walked near the Queen whose eyes stared daggers at the man. All happened in quick succession and before he realised the man in the raincoat dripping with water landed a blow on the Queen’s head.

By default, Shiv’s training set in and was on high alert. He had to save the Queen as his father would have wanted to. So he made a quick mental calculation. Six men, including their leader and he could manage to contain them. But before he could move, a soft gasp alerted him to his side.

Princess Padmavati…

He watched her with expressionless eyes and vain tears streaming down her cheeks, and his heart caught in his throat again. But why didn’t she scream or react, and what was she doing here instead of being in her birthday bash in the palace? He realized she was shocked and hoped she didn’t do anything that would put her life in jeopardy. From his experience on the field, he also knew it would be detrimental to try to shake her out of her trance. He decided to have a go at the hooligans first and try to save the Queen, though he knew it would be futile by its grotesque looks.

But he had to do something for his father.

Before he could make his move Padma’s hand that had gripped the rusted bar on the window accidentally touched a loose stone that had been displaced, and the stone rolled down, landing next to the Queen, who was now gasping for breath. Shiv ducked instinctively and from the corner, watched in horror as the men looked towards the window. There was barely any light except for two flickering flames from the torches hooked in the walls.

The murky hues of mixed facial features danced before his eyes as Shiv tried to work around the mess just caused. He couldn’t immediately recognize them, but the raincoat man was very familiar. But there was no time for analysis. The princess was in danger. He didn’t know if they had recognized Padmavati.

His intuition weighed heavily, and he didn’t think anymore. He quickly pulled Padmavati away from the window, prying her hands away from the bars trying not to call for any more attention.

Instead of protesting, she lost consciousness, and he hoisted her lithe body on his shoulder. He moved away from the place even as he heard footsteps. It would take a while for them to reach him, so he carefully treaded on the slippery stones, his knee throbbing where it had hit him earlier.

He landed on the soft exit, his boots digging into the slush, pain shooting through his leg. But at that moment, nothing mattered. He had to get Padma to safety, and the only place where she would be safe was the palace. It was a long hike, and he didn’t know how to sustain it, given the erratic downpour and the darkness. His backpack was biting into his skin, but he couldn’t leave any traces behind though it didn’t contain anything that linked it to him.

He rushed through the trees, disappearing into the dense growth, tracing back how he had arrived. His lungs burned, and his knees screamed. Yet he continued his sojourn with the sole aim of getting the princess to safety. At the back of his head, he wondered about the funeral arrangements for his father, who was likely to be disowned, but his father wouldn’t have wanted him to shirk this responsibility.

He halted beneath a tree deep into the forest, the palace still a steep hike ahead. He had to gather his energies. Fortunately, the rainwater must have washed his footsteps. He knew by instinct that he wasn’t being followed anymore. He held Padma like a child in his arms as he slid down with his back against the tree trunk. It was pitch dark, and as he settled, he ignored his screaming muscles to turn around to release his backpack and take out the torch. He shone it upon Padma’s face as she lay lost to the world on his lap.

Her beautiful face was a blow to his solar plexus. She was only sixteen, but her beauty was unparalleled. He looked away, berating himself for having such thoughts. He had no right to do so. He reminded himself he was doing his duty towards his father.

Just then, Padma stirred and turned towards him. Her lids were still shut but there was a slight frown on her pale forehead.

“Aai…. Aaai….” She groaned, calling out to her mother.

He wondered how much she would remember. He was sure she wasn’t in her senses completely when she witnessed the gruesome event unfold. For someone who had always lived a sheltered life, this would have been a massive shock to her. She would probably face PTSD for a long time unknown to her.

He instinctively held her closer to comfort her but she snuggled into his broad chest and wrapped her thin arms around his shoulder. He held her further close not wanting to let her go. Though she was covered in mud and her clothes were soiled, her inherent sandalwood fragrance was intact. His heart raced as she dug her face deeper into his rib cage. He placed the torch back into the backpack and rubbed her head till she fell into a deep slumber.

After a few minutes, when he had gathered his wits, he stood up yet again, and unwrapping her hand, he hoisted her back on his shoulder. He was fiercely attracted to Padma and swore aloud at his indiscretion. She was only 16 for crying out loud and way beyond his league.

He had slept around to satiate his physical craving, but nothing satisfied him, so he had abstained from any such contacts for the past year. In addition, he was never emotionally involved with any woman he had slept with before.

He now confirmed his suspicions. He was always attracted strangely towards the princess ever since he had seen her eight years ago. She held a special place in his heart no one could replace.

Of course, it wasn’t physical attraction then. But tonight, as he traversed through the challenging terrain, he realized he was a goner. He didn’t know what love was but what he felt for the princess was something he had never felt for anyone else before.

It was barely dawn as he reached the perimeter and as expected, the palace hounds were not in place; else, there would have been loud barking by now. He strutted painfully towards the wall. The princess had to have found a way to escape the palace confines; otherwise, she wouldn’t have escaped given the tight security. The fact that the palace was still brightly lit meant no one knew the princess was missing.

He knew it was vital that remained like that and no one should know what she had witnessed. It would put her in danger if his father’s last call was to be believed. There was something sinister going on that had cost his father his life and probably the Queen’s too.

He found a hole in the wall part that was slightly zigzagged and instantly knew it was where the princess had her escapade. He dropped his backpack at the entrance and slowly squeezed the princess through the wall, and his heart skipped a beat as she fell with a slight thud. He quickly followed her though the hole wasn’t big enough for him.

Fortunately, Padma had fallen on the flower bed, and he gently lifted her as she remained asleep. As he walked towards the palace garden, he was on high alert. He had only known the princess lived with her parents in the east wing.

Shiv saw a thick flower garden close to a fountain and laid the princess gently on a stone bench nearby. He wanted to drop her into her room, but it would alert security.

As he straightened up, she stirred.

“No… don’t go… don’t leave me please…” she cried in her sleep, and a tear escaped her eye. He wanted nothing more than to take her into his arms, and the intensity of his feelings surprised him. Not wanting to do something he would regret forever he moved away, and eventually, as he squeezed out of the hole in the wall, he felt as if a large chunk of his heart was left behind in the place garden.

As he raced towards the foot of the mountain, he knew what his father meant. He would continue the crusade started by his father.

He couldn’t save the Queen, who didn’t stand a chance against the blow but he would protect the princess with his life till the danger passed. He would get to the bottom of the plot to find out who planned to harm the royal family and why.

No harm shall befall the princess; he promised as he walked towards the nearest bus station. He was already on the phone, finally getting a network. He placed a call to the police and ambulance. They had to know what transpired in the fort.

He blinked back tears and prayed for the departed souls as he walked along the stony path.

The dull cerulean canvas of his life

Never witnessed a moment of bloom

Would there be brightness, the slightest whiff?

Or was he destined to sink into fathomless grief?

©priyagole

Chapter 13

Five years ago

Shiv made it to Koini in the dead of night. He didn’t want anyone to know he was back. He had never seen the place after he had left with his father in a hurry. Eight years had flown in a jiffy…

He slowly made it to his old home that night laden with a backpack containing his meager belongings.

In place of his house stood a dilapidated structure screaming of neglect. The gossamer cobwebs’ silvery strands fluttered as he showed his flashlight around what was once his home. The place wasn’t visited by anyone, let alone claim the property. He knew the villagers were superstitious and didn’t want to visit, fearing his mother’s ghost. After all, she had killed herself. His mother in her death, had saved the house that she hated with every breath. But surprisingly, he didn’t hold a grudge against her. He was devoid of emotions…

The mango grove was no longer there and in place of the mulching carpets of foliage stood a colorless mass of dried and decayed nature, its malodor permeating the air from a distance. It was as if a missile struck the place. He teared up as he missed his grove. It held all his memories. He didn’t miss his parents as he missed his grove.

Immediately his thoughts were filled by his doe-eyed beauty. There was no mention of princess Padmavati anywhere online from the innumerable searches he had done all these years, and he knew it was to protect her from the world.

He sat on the broken steps in the darkness, effortlessly blending with the proliferating shadows in the half-moonlight. The gentle night breeze patted his head, and he began to devise a plan of action. First, he would meet his father the next day and gather information. Then, he could find a way to protect the Royals with his contacts.

He didn’t know the emotion he felt for his father, but a strong sense of duty engulfed him. He rested his back against the wall of his old house and stared at the landscape spread across his line of vision. Would the princess agree to meet him? How would she look now? Given that the Queen was a beautiful woman, the princess was probably good-looking. Would she remember him from years ago?

He woke up with a jerk at dawn, hearing the rooster. He had a fitful sleep with the usual monsters making their way into his grove, where he hid and ended with the vision of his mother hanging from the ceiling. He placed a hand on his chest to calm himself. He had to cool down. He had to focus on his work right now… yes this was work as well. He had been alone all his life, and even to meet his father now, he had to take up a journey.

Captain Rawat was the only one who knew about his decision.

“Are you sure, Shiv?” Captain Rawat had asked the earlier morning when Shiv was all set to leave the Gurukul.

Shiv had only nodded. He rarely spoke. Like his nickname, he preferred being in the shadows, unheard and unobtrusive.

“Shiv, here take this…” Captain Rawat handed a fat brown cover. “…its money. I know you don’t keep credit cards or even a phone, but you will need cash to sustain till you meet your father.”

“I can’t accept this, Captain…” Shiv had protested. But Captain Rawat had held up his hand to silence him.

“…This is a part of the money your father accumulated for you with me. There is a lot more, but the important details are in a locker, and the passcode for the bank deposit locker is with me. Whenever you need it, you can take it. And Shiv…” He patted Shiv’s shoulder. “…Don’t resent your father. Always remember, he has provided backup. ”

Shiv had stopped feeling emotions in the last few years, but his eyes had filled after a long time.

Hearing the birds chirping around him in his old home, Shiv drifted back to the present and patted the thick brown envelope in his backpack. It had 50000/-INR.

He walked for an hour towards the nearest town. The shops were closed as no one in the sleepy town woke up that early or stayed up beyond 8 PM.. He couldn’t afford to lose time anymore.

He walked towards a mobile phone store and picked up the shutter lock that had seen better days. It was a piece of cake for him. He had already checked and knew there were no CCTV cameras around. Technology was yet to influence this town.

Using his torch, he quickly scanned the place and picked up three old mobile phones. The smartphone influx hadn’t hit the town yet, though there were myriad options. He chose the ones which were kept post-repair. So he knew they were in working condition. The simple townfolk would take a while to register a missing complaint, or they would never do it. He just needed a day and hoped to meet his father at the end of it.

Tomorrow he would be in the palace if all went well. Today was princess Padmavati’s sixteenth birthday, and he hoped to catch a glimpse of his savior all those years ago along with the Queen who had been responsible for his presence on earth!

He quickly made a smooth exit from the store, shutting the half-lifted shutter behind him, and stealthily made it towards the nearest bus station. The place had started to fill, and milk and vegetable vendors were ready to board the earliest bus to the closest city to sell their wares. There were a couple of men with huge baskets filled with live poultry.

He had to get down at the third town and take other vehicles in the direction of the royal province.

The state transport bus rattled on the rugged, craggy state highway making Shiv even winder of the government knew the meaning of the word ‘highway’. Despite his experience of living in substandard places, this was back-breaking. He thought he could have run and reached faster. But he had to save all his energy since he had to trek through the dense woods to reach the palace unseen. He would then analyze the situation and ask for his father. He had memorized the map, and all he had to do was behave according to his nickname.

As per plans, he alighted the bus and covered his face to prevent the accompanying duft of mud from entering his nostrils. He quickly walked towards the diagonally opposite pavement and hitch-hiked a couple of tempos and a truck until he reached the mountain’s foothills, which hoisted the palace.

His heart raced in anticipation of meeting his father and… the princess as he cut through the wild foliage. He began his ascent late afternoon, hoping his attire camouflaged him well. The arboreal breeze whispered the directions he had to take as his training came into use. He could sense the direction of the winds and take the paths with his eyes shut, without banging into any solid objects, a skill he had mastered in childhood. The canopied bouquets of denseness grew in proportion as he scaled the heights literally.

It was dusk when he reached the area directly below the outer perimeter of the palace, and he knew they would be well guarded. He could blend and hide from everyone but the palace hounds and their strong sense of smell.

He looked around, and on a nearby hill, he could see the fort’s dilapidated but proud outer ruins. It started to drizzle, and he knew that it would pour heavily from the petrichor earthy fragrance. These regions received rainfall suddenly, and before the arrangements were made to arrange cover, the sun would smile brightly once again.

He decided to take a detour to the fort and wait for the grand celebrations in the palace to be over, following which the security would be weaned a bit. Then, his father too would retire for the night, and his chances of meeting up with his old man would be greater.

He was soaked to the skin by the time he reached the approach road to the fort. It was dark and he liked it like that. He thought of resting and munching the last of his energy bars. The rainwater had refreshed him and he was glad he had a waterproof backpack to keep his contents dry. He would change into one of the two pairs of additional clothing he had got along.

He used his pen torch to see the pathway. The fort screamed of neglect, and the dense growth around wasn’t a surprise. He didn’t want to be surprised by nocturnal attacks whatsoever and was trying to look around when his eyes fell on something peeping out of the nearby bushes.

Curiosity got the better of him as he crouched ahead and it was… a car. An ambassador model with a blue beacon. There was a Maa Bhavani sticker on the rear window, which meant only one thing. It belonged to the Royal family. But what was the car doing here? He touched it, and it was warm and dirty, which meant it was recently placed here and dirtied by the slush.

Innumerable possibilities gathered in his mind as he made his way towards the fort entrance. He had to be careful because of the loose stones that could result in him falling and breaking his neck, and no one would know about him.

Right then it began to pour again, and he saw yet another something in white. Was that a cloth? He couldn’t make out in the blurring vision. Except that ‘something’ was moving inside the fort. It was then he realized there was a slight glow coming from the depths of the fort.

He was on high alert as he crouched ahead. It was then he heard some noises. As if people were moving together. Who would be visiting this wreck in this downpour?

Something was just not right. His leg hit a jutting rock, and the mother of all pains seared through his body. Holding back a whimper, he made it up to the level from where he thought he heard the noises.

He thought he was dreaming but there stood a shivering Padmavati dressed in a white silk gown ruined by slush and torn.

Despite everything, she was breathtakingly beautiful, but at the moment, the look on her face was as if she had seen a ghost. He moved closer, but she seemed lost to the world as she stared wide-eyed through an arched window.

He closed the distance and peeped from the next window only to see a group of men gathered around a woman bound and lying on the floor. She was injured… she was… the Queen. And right across he saw another battered human tied and the man’s limbs were bent at weird angles. From what he knew, that would have to pain like hell but that man lay still.

His heart skipped a beat as he realized the man was dead…and recognition dawned in slowly.

It was his father.

©priyagole

Chapter 12

Shiv was woken from a fitful sleep by a shove the following morning, making him fall off the cot on the hard floor. Then, before he could get his bearings, he was jerked upright.

“Come on, pack up whatever you want. We have to move in ten minutes…” His father’s gruff voice echoed in the sparsely furnished room. The outer door was shut, and the room was dimly lit. Shiv was disoriented. Was he still dreaming? No, the burning bruise on his knees where he had just fallen was proof that he wasn’t.

He was stunned into silence and only glared at his father, who strew around the meagre stuff lying in the house. Then, he picked up Shiv’s school bag, the only sturdy material in the house, and filled it with his few clothes.

Before Shiv could even fathom what was going on or ask his father, the latter dragged him by the arm outside to a waiting car. His father threw his bag into the back seat. Then shoving Shiv in the passenger seat, he got into the driver’s seat and swerved the car away. Shiv only stared at the blowing dust in the side mirror while the only house he had ever known became a speck till it completely disappeared.

“Pa.. papa.. where are you taking me?” He finally managed to utter.

His father maintained a stoic silence but kept driving, his eyes not wavering from the road ahead. The man looked tired as well. In the two years that Shiv hadn’t seen him, his father had aged. The greys in his temple, the additional wrinkles on his face, and wait… Shiv saw scratches on his father’s hands where the shirt sleeves were rolled up, and Shiv’s keen eyes didn’t miss the slight purplish tinge on the knuckles.

His father just handed over a chocolate bar, and Shiv ate it, not realizing he was voraciously hungry. He knew his father would speak whenever the time was right, and he had no option but to wait. He rested his head back on the seat as sleep claimed his tired body.

He woke up when the car came to a halt. They were outside a large gate. It was a school… an army prep school of some sort. His father got out and took his bag from the back seat where he had thrown it earlier. Shiv realized they had been on the road for the last eight hours. His stomach growled in hunger. He hadn’t eaten for a long time now. And it was dusk…

The gates opened when his father spoke something on the attached security system, and the duo walked inside. Shiv was transported to an all-new world. In the sanguine halo of the evening light, the bushes filled with varieties of flowers glowed, reflecting a strange aura of freshness, and the trees swayed gently in the breeze. Groups of children across age groups were running around, adding to the cacophony of the avian mates flying back to their nests. Shiva loved this scenario as it reminded him of his favorite mango grove. His eyes filled thinking about the neglect of his grove….

A loud metallic bong sounded, and the children rushed to one of the many cottage-like structures. His father led the way to an adjoining building, one of the two three-storeyed buildings.

They entered an office, and Shiv read, it was a residential school belonging to the Army Welfare Association, and he was somewhere near the Matheran hills. To his surprise, he was relieved to escape the rut back home.

He waited outside the office till his father spoke with the concerned authorities. He looked at the spotless white walls on the ground level, occasionally interrupted by paintings involving children in various physical activities. There was a wall filled with affirmations.

A moment later, Shiv was called inside the office. A tall, middle-aged man with broad shoulders dressed in a white full-sleeved shirt and crisp black trousers was standing next to his father. His fitness screamed from the contouring within the clothes. He walked towards Shiva and placed his hand on his head.

“Welcome to the Sainik gurukul Shiv. I hope you learn and grow to become a responsible citizen of the country….” The deep voice vibrated through his lean body, and Shiv only stared at the man in amazement as he continued. “…Your dorm shall be allotted to you, and you shall start schooling from Monday. Take a day to get acclimatized with the rules here.”

Shiv nodded, and his father signed some papers.

He walked out with his father, and something told him this was the last time he saw his old man.

His father placed a hand on his thin shoulders.

“My child, I am sorry that your mother and I haven’t been the best of parents to you. I hope someday you will be able to forgive us. But, son, don’t keep hatred in your heart; it will only weigh you down. The world is now open to you. I hope you fulfil your dreams, and this place here is the first step. There is only one thing I would wish you keep in mind….”

His father sighed and looked at the now dark sky filled with stars spread like diamonds glittering in pride. Then, he looked back at Shiv with moisture shining in his eyes, for the first time since Shiv had known.

“My dear son, you are my pride. I could never have a better son than you… It’s just that I have bequeathed my life to the royal family. Particularly the Queen. The King and the Queen helped me complete my studies, and when I ran from home, they supported my decisions. Whatever I have achieved is because of them. I would have been dead in the garb of honour if not for their indirect interference. You don’t know, but your mother had a tough time during labour and the Queen, a doctor, saved her. You were born premature and had slim chances of survival. Your mother was fragile and malnourished as well… But the Queen saved you both. The great woman sat through nights and took care of you in particular. She knew my reasons for staying away from the family and respected it though she wanted you to live in the quarters. I am currently on a vital mission for the Queen, and it’s dangerous. That is the reason I have been hiding you and your mother. Shiv, I want you to stay hidden and achieve your dreams. My life’s mission is to protect the Queena and the little princess. I shall send money to the principal, Captain Rawat whom we just met… May Lord Shiva and Maa Bhavani bless you, my child…” His father gripped his shoulders and suddenly dropped his hands, walking away in long strides.

Shiva stared at his father’s retreating back as tears rolled down his cheeks, instantly chilling him in the evening breeze as he watched the car fade away into the distance.

He felt a hand on his shoulder.

“Come on, my boy; you must be hungry. Join us for dinner.” Captain Rawat smiled and led him to the mess.

Later that night, as he lay in his dorm, he shared with two other boys of his age; he couldn’t sleep despite being deprived for long. His life to date flashed before his eyes. He realized he didn’t have much to miss in his old life, except for his mango groves and the little girl with the most beautiful expressive eyes brimming with innocence. Would he ever meet her again? Would his father be meeting her in his line of work?

He reminisced his father’s departing words, and realization dawned. The Queen may have saved him during birth but the little princess, in her innocence, saved him from taking extreme steps or drowning in grief.

The next few years were spent completing his studies, and after his twelfth grade, he enlisted for training while simultaneously completing his graduation. His roommates and now his best friends Avinash Thakur and Maanav Deshmukh followed suit. Along with Avinash’s twin sister Anandi, they were directly recruited for ground duty after graduation. They made it a point to meet in the Sainik Gurukul whenever they took a break.

A couple of years later, the trio was selected for special missions based on their unique skills. All three were well versed in combat, but Shiv was an expert in ‘shadowing’ and got the nickname ‘Shadow’ for his missions. Avinash was a martial arts expert with razor speed moves and received the nickname ‘Razor’. At the same time, Maanav specialized in firearms and received the nickname ‘Bullet.’ Anandi was a femme fatale but lethal with combat and got the nickname ‘Lolita’.

Their initial training, along with other selected candidates, mirrored the US SEALS. 90% of the recruits gave up in the first couple of months. But the four of them persisted and were now established in their area of expertise. Though they were placed in different missions and once in a while together, they often kept in touch via specialized untraceable accounts, and each knew the other had their back.

As ‘Shadow’ he conducted stealth operations and spied for the government where regular legal channels didn’t tread. He soon polished his skills, and since there was nowhere he could return during holidays, he worked throughout the year. He had fulfilled his dream, rather a part of it. Most of the time, he was engaged in combat or planning as per instructions from his superiors. Still, occasionally, when he was idle during the slack period, he remembered his angel…

When he was around 23 years old, his father called him one day to the Sainik Gurukul where he had gone to visit. Though he regularly received money from his father, the man had never spoken to him. Shiv’s instincts screamed at something amiss…

“Shiv, my child…” He felt his father panting. “… something is wrong… drastically wrong. I think I made a grave mistake… an error of judgment.”

“Calm down, papa… tell me what happened.” Shiv tried to find out.

“…My child, the royal family, mainly the Queen and the princess, are in danger… I will lay down my life to protect them, but I think it’s not enough.” He had never heard his father being more frantic.

“But papa, don’t the royals have more manpower?”

“My child, there is something that the Queen has to protect with her life for the princess, and can’t involve outsiders… I can’t tell you everything… but… but promise me something.” His father was now breathing heavily, and for once, he worried about the man.

“What is it?”

“Promise me that whatever happens, you will protect the princess….”

“But papa, even if I go there, why will they recruit me? No one knows about me, do they?”

“My son, I have made the arrangements years ago… in case of my untimely demise, I had thought it would take care of you. But you never needed anything to date… My son, I am proud of you. I know I can trust you… but if you don’t want the responsibility, I will understand. It’s just for some time till the princess is safe… you are free to lead your life. I know I don’t have the right to ask you…”

“…I will do it, papa.” Shiv interrupted. “…I hope you never need me for the reasons mentioned, but I will do it.” He didn’t know why but the urge to protect the princess came up strongly, and the thought tightened in his chest.

“Son…” his father’s voice cracked. “…if something happens, meet up with Captain Rawat. He will guide you on how to reach inside the palace…”

After the call ended, Shiv ran till he was exhausted and fell on the hard mud ground. Something told him he had to be at the royal province. He had to meet his father at least once. Find out what was going on.

He researched a bit and found out it was princess Padmavati’s 16^th birthday bash coming up soon, and he had heard it was an occasion of celebration in the palace. So he was sure this was an excellent opportunity to meet his father.

As he typed his request for a vacation to his reporting officer, he realized meeting his father was an excuse.

He wanted to see princess Padmavati…

©priyagole

Chapter 11

At fourteen years of age, Shiv knew about the birds and the bees, what was going on, and where the new items at home and those that adorned his mother’s body arrived. It wasn’t rocket science for a guy as intelligent and perceptive as himself.

However, if he pretended to turn a blind eye, the gossip around where he worked part-time or in the fields didn’t let him forget. As a result, his mother was labelled characterless, and the villagers often pitied him. His heart fell at the jibes thrown at his mother, more so in his presence, but there was nothing he could do. However, his mother was the only constant in his life, and he couldn’t afford to antagonize and lose her.

But he knew his mother didn’t sleep around, as was claimed. She wasn’t loyal to her marital vows, but Mujumdar was the only person she had been with. Shiv was sure. But the gossip mill kept going, and he turned a recluse. He gradually lost the minuscule friends he had.

He didn’t eat well enough, and around the same time, his father’s calls to him grew lesser. Then, finally, his father had stopped visiting altogether. Everything took a toll on him, and he was now skinny, and depression engulfed him in its folds.

He had stopped talking to his mother for months now; he came home only to sleep at night and left early the following day. He barely made any money and spent the evenings working in the mango grove. Trees gave him immense satisfaction, and he loved to get lost among them. He loved turning into a shadow and only wished he could stay in the shadows permanently to escape from his problems.

Almost a year later, he was once busy in the mangrove when he heard faint noises in the usually calm environs. So he stayed in the shadows and watched through a gap in the outer perimeter.

His mother stood shaking in anger with a hand on her hip and her hair messed up. She was facing a tall man with his back towards Shiv. But Shiv was sure it was Majumdar.

“How can you just shirk off responsibility like this?” His mother screamed, a rare occurrence when his father wasn’t around.

The man only shrugged and didn’t say anything angering his mother further.

“You son of a bitch, you dare to tell me to get rid of this…?” His mother spoke, touching her belly. “…I ignored all the insults and jibes thrown at me because I thought you reciprocated my feelings. I stayed in the dark because you were married, and your career couldn’t tolerate slanders. But I have had enough…”

“You bitch… I haven’t taken anything for free… On the contrary, I showered you with wealth. Don’t forget you have a husband too.” Majumdar’s deep voice roared, and Shiv shivered in a combination of fear and anger.

“What do you mean? Did you think I was a prostitute? I loved you, goddamn it… I could never love my husband despite having a son from him, and all you can do is shrug when I need you the most?” She was panting now.

“Have you lost it, woman? Do you expect me to leave my family and stay with you? Or take you and that bastard of yours to my bungalow? Are you mad? Stay within your limits. The entire village and the Koini province know the likes of you. How can you even say this is mine?” He bellowed, pointing towards her belly

Shiv had enough. He scrubbed his tears and tiptoed his way back into the central clearing, his perennial hideout till it became dark. The voices continued for a while, waxing and waning, providing him with the staccato of audio he wanted to shut off. He placed his palms on his ears and lay on the muddy ground. The rustle of the trees piercing his senses through his palms lulled him to sleep.

He woke up with a start and realized it was well into the night. His father had warned him never to get close to trees in the dark. So he gathered the mangoes dropped around earlier in the evening into his basket and covered it with straws so they could ripen. He would sell it tomorrow in the village market and get him food for a couple of days. From what he had witnessed, his mother would not be in a mood to cook anyway.

Stretching his lean body, he walked outside the grove towards his house. The grandfather’s clock that was forever on the uneven outside wall chimed 3 AM. Something felt odd…

His mother didn’t call out to him even though it was so late. Despite everything, she was always keen on getting him inside the house and shutting the main door every night. Not that they had anything valuable to steal, but she was particular about shutting the door at night.

Tonight she hadn’t come looking for him; neither was the door closed. But, though the outside lights were switched on, something didn’t sit right. So he sauntered towards the house and crossed its thresholds. The light inside was switched off. Was his mother sleeping already?

Impossible…

His hand touched the adjacent wall as he tried to feel the switchboard. Finding it, he switched on the light bulb even as the room was lit up in the yellow glow of the bulb, blinding him with its hues. He shut his lids and slowly opened his eyes… only to see his mother hanging from the ceiling, her saree tied like a noose around her neck.

The grotesque image before him stunned him to the core. He screamed as he tried to grab her legs, but nothing happened. He ran out screaming hoarse into the village and banged the doors. Some sympathetic villagers soon accompanied him along with the village doctor, irritated at being woken up at the ungodly hour.

His mother was taken down and made to lie on the floor. Then, after the doctor certified her dead and the lone police constable in the dead of night cleared it as a case of suicide, the couple of women covered his mother’s body.

Despite all that transpired, young Shiv didn’t shed tears. He didn’t know what he felt. He went through the motions on autopilot.

Slowly the other villagers gathered in the little courtyard where the body was placed on a hearse and his mother’s face; the only body part visible was smeared with ‘Sindoor.’ He realized his mother was so beautiful… but tears refused to flow.

He only wished his father could come… to perform the rituals as some villagers spoke. He wanted someone other than him to do the honours. He couldn’t get himself to cremate his mother.

But still, tears didn’t fall. Had his heart turned into a stone? It probably had. He was emotionless… there was no guilt, too, now that the initial shock had waned.

He was a horrible son, not good enough for his mother or father. While his father had left him earlier, his mother needed others in her life for a void he couldn’t fill. Was it all his fault?

His mother had once said she was stuck in the marriage with his father because Shiv existed. Though she later hugged him and prepared his favourite food, her words never left his mind. In the wee hours of the morning, as he sat staring at his mother’s mortal remains, the white cloth covering her cascading with ripples in the early morning breeze, he wondered if he was indeed cursed.

There were hushed whispers about him being the curse of his family. Did calamity befall on anyone he was associated with?

He sat still on the hard ground with a few villagers watching over his mother even as people trickled in and left after paying their respects, more curious about the outcast woman who had killed herself. People talked about the funeral, and he couldn’t hold it anymore. He ran into the grove, and the clearing sucked him into its bosom as he sat holding his folded legs close to his body, hunger and thirst forgotten. He stared at the mango basket. What would happen to him? What would happen to this grove?

Suddenly the emotions that were held at bay surfaced upwards… he was officially all alone in this world. He craved company and only lost everyone in his life. Maybe he was destined to be alone.

He began to sob but soon recovered when he realized he wasn’t crying for his dead mother. How could he be so selfish and only be bothered by his loneliness when his mother lay dead waiting to begin her final journey?

Right then, little Padma had stepped into the clearing, and her kiddish banter had made its way into his heart. Something about the cherubic angel with missing upper incisors brought out an emotion he didn’t know existed in his heart. It was as if the stone within began to melt. Someone had shown him genuine kindness for the first time.

He later found out the Queen had come, and she had made the funeral arrangements through the NGO she ran. He was glad he didn’t have to go through the motions.

He spent a night in his house on the rickety charpoy, unable to shut the doors and staring at the oil lamp lit in memory of his mother. Some villagers had sent him food that remained untouched in a corner. He had only eaten a couple of mangoes, and his mother’s blurring face in his mind was soon replaced by the angelic face of the little girl who sought his sorry self… till sleep claimed him.

The gleaming sparkle of her eyes cleared the darkness that bequeathed me

The shower of blessings drove away emotional drought making my heart tidy….

©priyagole

Chapter 10

After shutting the door, Shiv Ranjan Chouhan, alias ‘Shadow’, walked out of the infirmary and took his place right outside. He let go of the breath he didn’t know he was holding. The beautiful, inquisitive doe eyes belonging to the only woman who had stolen his heart had hunted his dreams. And he had to be face to face with her… He didn’t know it would be so difficult for him, the mighty Shadow known for his self-control.

He didn’t know he had a heart until he was fourteen and till little Padma had innocently made her foray into its chambers. He still remembered the day in the mango grove as clear as yesterday.

Born to an absentee father, he had craved his father’s attention growing up. His father Abir Kumar Chauhan had migrated to Koini and settled on a piece of land bordering Koini and the province ruled by King WamanRao Raje. He had barely been a baby then. His father had run away from Lucknow to escape the Zamindar system he belonged to. Abir Chauhan considered himself a warrior and wanted to serve the royals. He was well-versed in the use of firearms and a top-notch fighter. He was trained briefly along with Waman Rao Raje and had since sworn loyalty to the would-be King.

Once he settled in Koini, Abir Chauhan soon got a call and joined the security detail of the palace. He prevented a major tragedy involving the little princess a few years later and further caught the eye of the King, who trusted him more than life itself and was soon promoted to serve in the security detail of the King’s unit. The following year he was transferred to serve the Queen and was quickly her driver cum personal bodyguard.

While this promotion brought in a lot of fame and money to the Chauhan, Shiv Ranjan missed his father. The man was rarely home and held his money with a tight fist.

His father’s memories were of a bearded man who played with him whenever he came home in his childhood.

Shiv often heard his parents fight whenever his father visited them. Initially, he couldn’t figure out the reason for the fights, but later on, he realized it was all about money and a little more….

“Why don’t you give me more money…?” His mother would ask.

“Rati, I am saving it all for our Shiv and his future…” his father would argue.

“Then, what about my life? Don’t I have any needs? Because of your job with the royals, we live in this secluded location. We can’t go to the province as you don’t want anyone to know about us…”

“…that will put you and Shiv in danger, and I have to do my work as a bodyguard diligently without worrying about you two. It’s a dangerous world out there, Rati.” His father explained.

“Why don’t I move back to Ghaziabad? With my parents? At least I won’t have to be lonely.”

“Rati, you knew this is what I wanted even before we eloped. I had warned you about this life… My position in the Royal household is of utmost importance. I am constantly on the move. Only the Queen knows about your existence. If anyone else gets wind of you two… your relationship with me, they may use it as leverage against me, which may cost the Royal family their lives. I can’t take the risk, nor can I put you both in danger…”

“Then let loose your purse strings. I want to live a life of luxury. I want to dress well, dress up Shiv, send him to the best school…”

“I am saving money for Shiv… But, given my line of work, it won’t be long before I have to retire, if not lose my life in the line of duty. What will happen to Shiv, then? So, I am saving up, so he receives a good education and a good and comfortable life.”

His mother would only sulk till his father left again,

His father taught him martial arts and fighting techniques, but the best gift he got from his father was the technique to blend well in his surroundings without anyone knowing about his existence. His father taught him the importance of staying low and observing every detail in his surroundings.

You will be consumed by your light and glow

Provided you self-search and nurture your shadow…

Little Shiv had always wanted to grow up and join the Army, a dream that his mother hated but his father encouraged.

“You have something unique about you, Shiv; you are born to achieve greater heights. You are Lord Mahadev’s blessing to us all.” His father would always say.

His mother loved him in her own way. She didn’t talk much, just went about the daily chores at home while he attended the local Gram Panchayat school. The school was in name only and attended by only those who couldn’t afford schooling. She didn’t cook much, but whatever she did, he would wait for her to pamper him and coax him to eat. He loved Diwali for the brightness and because his mother would often dress well and dress him up in his favourite blue Kurta; his papa had got him once.

He remembered a particular Diwali where she had got him sparklers, which was the first and the last Diwali he had celebrated with his mother. For years after that, he had longed to celebrate the festival but didn’t bother to ask his parents about it. Instead, he joined his school friends in lighting oil lamps and an occasional firework donated by some or the other political bigwig…

The mid-day meal scheme offered by the government was a significant attraction to those who attended the small school. Though his mother prepared something every day, Shiv loved to eat in school and in the company of his friends. Moreover, most children were sons of local labourers or farmers, primarily daily wagers. So no one bothered about why such a well-built kid attended a school with a building with a roof that leaked torrentially along with the rain every monsoon.

His dark skin tone and simple clothes didn’t make him stand apart eventually, and he was glad because his father would approve of it.

One day, when he was around twelve, he came home early from school in the afternoon since he was down with a fever, a rare occurrence. The entrance to his house was open, and he was surprised. His mother usually had her nap in the afternoon. His house wasn’t very big or attractive as per his father’s wishes, so it didn’t call for attention n. It was on a tiny hill away from the nearest village, and the land was barren.

His father had somehow managed to get them a constant water supply through his contacts and influence in the palace via the government scheme. They initially had a small mango grove, but Shiv had taken over the care of the place, and the grove had grown. He often got his school friends who weren’t working in the fields, and they worked on the grove. Some trees had yielded fruit recently, and he had distributed most of the fruit to his friends.

That afternoon he walked into a silent home. Where was his mother? He was burning with fever, and his head pounded. The only place that gave him solace was the mango grove. He walked in there, hoping to lie in the shade when he heard some chuckles and giggles.

Keeping up with his training in stealth, he walked without a sound to a clearing in the middle of the grove and was shocked to the core. His mother lay on a thatched mat with another man. Her saree was strewn at the side while she held the man’s face, constantly kissing him. With his paunch hanging out of his briefs, the man hugged her too, digging his head into her shoulder.

Shiv lost focus given his health, and at the sound of the twig cracking, the couple moved apart. His mother was wide-eyed, and she rushed to cover herself with the discarded saree. The man sat up too and pulled his clothes together.

His mother rushed to him and held his shoulders.

“What are you doing here, Shiv?” She asked, still panting.

Shiv was a child, but he knew whatever was happening wasn’t right. He didn’t say a word.

The man stood up and rubbed his huge belly. As he dressed, his handlebar moustache struck Shiv along with the red tilak on his sweaty forehead. Who was this man? He looked familiar.

“Shiv…” his mother spoke. “… touch Saheb’s feet and take his blessings.” She indicated to the large man while still adjusting the saree she had worn hurriedly.

Shiv stood still, glaring at the man, anger rising in his little body.

“Rati, your son is very stubborn. It would help if you taught him some manners.” He dusted his clothes and walked out of the grove.

His mother dragged him out of the grove to their house and pushed him to the bed. Then, placing her hands on her hips, she stared at him, fire blazing in her eyes.

“Do you know who that man was?” She asked, clenching her teeth.

“No maa… But he wasn’t papa.” Shiv back answered for the first time. The slap across his face caused him to fall back on the bed with a thud.

“How dare you say that, Shiv? You know nothing about all this. I have given up so much for you and your father; you will never understand. You are just like your father. If you ever say a word about this to your father, I shall leave you forever.” His mother threatened him.

That was Shiv’s greatest fear. While all his friends feared drought, hunger, and poverty, he feared loneliness. He couldn’t lose his mother… So, he would keep his silence. He went to bed hungry that night, and miraculously, his fever had broken.

He was a changed boy from that day on and decided not to rely on his mother anymore.

Shiv often returned home to find the same man leaving the house. At times the man patted his head or pretended Shiv didn’t exist. While, his mother wore beautiful sarees and got new clothes for him too, something about that man, didn’t feel right.

Two years passed, and Shiv now knew what happened in the grove that day and now blatantly in his house. However, he didn’t hold it against his mother since she was happy, which meant she wouldn’t need him around or keep tabs on him, not that she did anyway. He was glad to be left alone.

It was a summer when he had just turned fourteen, and the school grounds were abuzz with something they all called an election rally. He was one of the volunteers. He had lost weight and had become skinny and lean. He stayed away from home as much as possible, helping around the fields with his friends. The hard labour made him strong, and he kept up with his martial arts practice from whatever his father had taught him.

Just a year more, and he could escape this place. His father had arranged everything for him. At times he wondered if his father knew about his mother’s indiscretions. But his father too rarely came home. Shiv counted three times in the last two years.

Instead, his father called him occasionally at school or whenever he volunteered at the post office.

That evening the dignitaries sat on the dais, and the Sarpanch announced.

“We welcome the young and dynamic leader of the Kalyankar party, the son of this soil, and future MLA, Shri Rajendrabhau Majumdar. Everyone, please give him a round of applause…”

Shiv pried away from his eyes from the swelling crowd and looked upon the dais. His heart skipped a beat.. The man being honored was the one who frequented his home… the one who had an affair with his mother.

©priyagole

Chapter 9

The solid antiseptic redolence wafted through her olfactories, jarring her from the deep sleep she had after ages. Padma stirred and tried to open her heavy lids. Her left shoulder throbbed, and the excruciation reminded her of what transpired.

Her coronation, the sense of being watched, the hit on her shoulder, followed by being carried away, all rushed back to her. She finally opened her eyes to the pristine white ceiling. She knew she was in the palace infirmary. She looked around the movement of her neck causing pain, and she gasped. There was movement and Aarti rushed towards her.

“Padma… oh my God… Are you alright? We were so scared… all that blood, noise…”

“Padma, is it paining?” Keshav spoke on her other side.

Where was her father?

Aarti helped her sit up a bit on the inclined bed while the royal physician checked her vitals. Padma looked towards the door to see two security guards standing outside, and by the murmurs, she knew there were more. Her room would now be a fortress, she sighed, thinking about the new sanctions on her freedom. Frustration caused her eyes to fill. She had enough… who wanted her dead? And why?

Aarti held her as she cried. Keshav patted her head, and she was grateful for these blessings. At least she had these two with her, the only constants in her life. Her father stayed away whenever she was hurt or needed him ever since her mother had passed.

Suddenly there was some movement outside, and a guard whom she knew to be her father’s closest security personnel walked in, indicating everyone else to clear the room. Aarti, Keshav, Padma’s special attendant Seema, assigned to her a couple of years ago all left the room with the doctor and the nurses.

Within a minute, the King entered the room. Her heart fell, as she saw his haggard profile. It looked like he had aged even more in a day. He was still in the special robes he had worn for her coronation. The beautiful silk was now creased, and she even saw a tear at the seams. What was he doing? Padma felt remorse creep up her spine as she wondered about the multitude of duties her father had to perform while she constantly expected his attention.

His guards left the room, shutting the door, and they were alone.

“Baba…?” She wondered what was happening.

Her father held up his hand, and she could see the tremors in them. He must have been so worried…

“Padma, my child…” He began, fatigue evident in his voice. “…Given the dire circumstances. I have decided something for you.”

“Baba… what is it? Did you catch the shooter? It was a gunshot, right?” She was desperate for answers fiddling with the green hospital gown she was wearing.

The King sighed as he sat on the chair next to her bed. He held her hand that didn’t have the IV.

“Padma, your life is something I cannot compromise anything with. You… my child, are far too important to me than anything else. Be it this legacy or wealth… everything pales in comparison…” She heard his voice crack even as emotions engulfed her. “…Padma, my child, my angel, you are my everything. Just remember, whatever I have decided is for your good… So please trust me, OK?”

“What is going on, baba? You are scaring me…” She tried

He stood and walked towards the lone window of the room. She saw his clothes were loose-fitting. When had he lost so much weight?

He put his hand in his trouser pocket and removed a plastic ziplock pouch. It held a crumpled letter. Bringing it closer, he held it up in her view.

Her heart stilled as a chill crept up her spine.

‘THE NEXT BULLET WILL NOT MISS THE HEART. GIVE UP THE CROWN.’

The alphabets were distorted and not from the same typewriter. Instead, they were cut from different places and clubbed together to form a sentence like a linear collage.

Padma stared at it, both angry and filled with fear. She barely had powers as a queen even when she took over the reins, and there was still time. So why was the person after her life? She had to talk to Keshav and get to the bottom of this, whether her father liked it or not.

As if hearing her thoughts, her father spoke.

“I am not taking any more chances…”

“…So now what? A house arrest?” She knew she sounded sarcastic and rude. But the throbbing in her shoulder, accompanied by frustration surrounding everything that had transpired in the past five years, was getting to her.

Her father stared at her.

“Padma, don’t think I don’t know about your… activities. I am not a King just in name. I am a warrior before everything else and have a keen foresight. Just because I haven’t been there in person doesn’t mean I don’t know what’s up with you.” His stern voice was back.

Padma’s heart raced… did he know about her night rendezvous?

“Padma, my child, I will be… gone away often from now on. I have to work on stuff… Not many know about the plans. A handful of select ministers from the royal cabinet and Keshav’s father Devraj Chitnis from the treasury will be in charge of the administrative duties till then. Keshav will be going about his duties as well. I have been training him to be along your side when you become the queen. He will be a strong support to you Padma…” Her father looked away and sighed.

What on earth was he talking about? She was stunned to silence.

“Padma…” He continued. “…there is one more thing. I have assigned a… bodyguard for you.”

“But … I already have so many guards around me…”

“…Listen to me, child…” Her father held up his hand, irritated at being interrupted. “… I am not arguing on this point. This guard will stay with you 24/7 and accompany you on all your… er… adventures. I am not restricting anything, but until I get the perps responsible for the dishevel in our lives, I can’t let my guard down.”

Oh no… this wasn’t good news. Padma shook her head….

“This bodyguard…” her father continued. “…is a special one. He came well recommended, and I trust him with you. He is here right now…”

“…but baba…” She tried to speak, ignoring the pain in her shoulder.

“…he will be your Shadow, and you won’t even know he is there. Only Seema and Aarti will be allowed into your room to accompany you anywhere you wish to go. I am aware you want to pursue your B.Ed program and for that, you will have to visit schools too. But a large group of guards will call for attention, so it’s just this person. He is equivalent to many and very good at his work. He saved you last night….”

The rest of his words faded away, and Padma’s heart fluttered. She wanted to scream and make it known that it probably wasn’t the first time that man had saved her… But at that moment, she only had to get control over her breathing. Instead, a gush of emotions threatened to drown her into their depths.

Her father walked to the door and rapped upon it. The doors opened, and she felt him before she looked up.

A tall, dark, well-built, muscular guy in a hoodie walked in and bowed to her father. Her father nodded and gestured towards her.

“Padma, meet ‘shadow’ your new bodyguard.”

The man turned towards her, and her heart stopped a beat. The black orbs that had inhabited her dreams, that had been the source of her strength and calm stared right back at her.

The world faded away as a soft tuft of vanilla fragrance made its gentle way into her nostrils, and she had to grip her bedsheet to get a hold of her emotions. He was far more handsome and rugged with his beard and slightly dishevelled look. Her heart picked up a pace she couldn’t control.

He bowed before her.

“It’s a pleasure to meet you, princess. ‘Shadow’ at your service.” The baritone sent shivers down her spine, and she only slightly nodded as she looked down at her bedsheet.

Her father came towards her.

“Padma, I probably won’t be seeing you for a while, so please listen to ‘Shadow’ and do as he says. I trust his judgment when it comes to your safety….” He then looked at ‘Shadow’ and continued. “…and ‘Shadow,’ I leave her in your able hands. I… I …” he looked away, and Padma thought she saw the moisture in his eyes. She hadn’t seen him cry even when the queen had passed.

“Don’t worry, your Highness…” Shadow spoke. “…I shall protect the princess with my life if necessary…”

The King turned towards the man and held his shoulders. The King was a tall man, but Shadow was taller, so his hands were raised, covering Shadow’s broad shoulders.

“I trust you, my man, but you have to be alive to protect her. So, stay well so she will live too…” the King spoke, and Padma blinked back tears. Why did it feel that this was some farewell?

Shadow nodded, and the King walked away without a backward glance.

Shadow walked around the room, checked the walls, and touched the switches as if he were investigating her surroundings. Padma saw he was dressed in a figure-hugging black T-shirt that left nothing to the imagination about what was underneath. The trousers too fluttered loosely close to his toned glutes, occasionally as a second skin, and Padma looked away as she felt heat rise up her cheeks.

She mentally scolded herself… her life was in danger, and all she was interested in was how hot her bodyguard looked.

“Princess, tomorrow morning, you will move back to your room. I have checked it already, and it’s clear. Seema will bring you everything you need for a week till you recuperate. After that, you can venture anywhere you want, and I shall accompany you. Here…” he handed her a phone… wait, it was her phone. How did he have it? “…This phone now has a tracker so I would know where you are at any given time. I can monitor your calls…”

“…Wait, hold on…” She interrupted him. “…why? Isn’t this a breach of privacy? Can’t I even speak to anyone without you hovering over my head…?”

“With due respect, princess, your life is in danger, and I promise you I will never invade your space. True to my name, I will remain in the shadows, and you wouldn’t even know. Is there anything you would like to ask? Otherwise I shall take your leave. I will be right outside…”

“…Just one question.” She said softly and looked up at him. “…it was you, wasn’t it?”

“I beg your pardon, princess?” His solid rectangular face with a well-set jaw held no expression. If he was perturbed, he didn’t show it.

“Three years ago… on my 18^th birthday night at that club and later at the temple… you saved me, didn’t you?”

Shadow didn’t answer. Instead, he nodded to her.

“I will be right outside, princess, and your new watch has a tiny sensor. If you press on the dial, I will be alerted of danger. Also, your phone has me on speed dial number 1….” He nodded again and walked out of the door.

It was then Padma released the breath she had been holding, and she looked at the watch she didn’t know rested on her wrist!

©priyagole