Adiya's (Diya's) POV

My heart was beating faster as I approached the waterfall. I saw a figure, sitting on a rock, staring at the waterfall, deep into his thoughts. His eyes shined as he looked at me.

"Diya! There you are! I was waiting for you!" He welcomed me warmly! And I almost heaved a sigh of relief. Good! He hasn't figured out about my identity yet! Or maybe he has!

"I apologise for being late. It's tough to sneak out of the palace." I Said while removing the turban. For some reason he looked at my black horse and then stared at my turban for longer than a necessary time period. Lost in his own thoughts!

We sat next to each other while I tried to think of creative ideas about how to extract information from him.

Suddenly I saw him making a figure on the sand using his index finger. He would scribble his name and then draw a rising sun as per his old habit. And the same thing happened. However since it was a common habit of his, he didn't notice it. He was lost into his own thoughts. The symbol was exactly same as that of Surya Kingdom.

Today the atmosphere felt a little bit eerie. I mean usually when we both meet, we are immersed into each other. So much that we don't even have time to notice the other things.

And now, it was as if an invisible wall had been erected between us.

"Hey, I brought this for you!" He opened an earthen container and it was "kheer"

"Like I had told you before, the kheer (pudding) made by my mum is my favourite! This one is her special recipe. She has also added saffron and cinnamon in it! Try!" He turned into an excited boy from a serious man. As if showing his playmate a new toy!

I wondered if I must taste it. What if he had figured it out that we both were enemies! What if it was poisoned? Then I felt irritated for having such thoughts! He was my love!Why would he kill me?

"Why are you lost in some thoughts! As if I am your enemy!" He laughed. "Don't worry I haven't poisoned it!" He winked. And I panicked! He KNOWS!

However I decided to be practical rather than brave! I mean I couldn't afford to die and leave the responsibility of both the kingdoms on my parents' and grandparents' shoulders.

"Why don't you eat first? It's your favourite right?" I Said sweetly. He gave me a knowing look and ate it. Safe. I thought. And then he put his hand close to my mouth, in order to feed me with his hand.

I opened my mouth and accepted it. Suddenly I was reminded that I had brought something for him. But couldn't find it! I tried to search it in the hidden pocket of my clothes!

I could see a faint panic in his eye!

"Don't worry! I am not searching for a dagger! As if I am your enemy! I won't kill you." It was my turn to enjoy his terror!

Finally I found what I was looking for!

"Put your hands in front of me!" I commanded and he obeyed!

"What is this?" He asked.

"It belongs to my great great grandfather! He was a great person! It was passed to me as an inheritance. But I don't think I deserve it! You have all the qualities which he had! So I thought that you deserved it! Besides it's very close to my heart! Please take Care if it!" I Said as I handled him my great great grandfather's bracelet!

It was embedded with real rubies. However I made a small change. I plucked a bead from my necklace and attached it in the middle of that bracelet! To remind him that he had a lover. Whether or not he was King Dhruv, I wanted him to have it. He had the qualities of my great grandfather. He was the founder of Kshitij Kingdom. And he was known for his calm exterior. Just like Sahil had!

He wore it and again we both were surrounded by the blanket of awkward silence and doubts!

"So how's your chess game going on? Did you win against him?" I asked him trying to sound as nonchalant as possible.

"Turns our that she is very clever! Manages to read my mind. Every time I try a new way to trap her, every time she replies back with equal gusto!" He replied looking at me with an appreciation.

He knows that I am the Princess!

"Well you are no less!" I replied back and smiled at him with the memory of him failing my plans!

I continued before he could speak anything.  "You too are good at reading mind and destroying the plans! I am sure that she had a tough time playing against you!" I smiled.

He laughed freely and suddenly the tension between us evaporated!

"What about your responsibilities? When will they get over?" He asked. Trying to decipher my reaction.

"Well turns out that they will be over soon! Once I solve a small problem." I told him, looking towards him.

"I hope it gets over soon! I am feeling restless since a last couple of days!" He admitted and sighed out of exhaustion.

I decided to trust him a little and put my head on his shoulders. He gently kissed my forehead and again the silence prevailed!

"What is more important to you? Love for your loved ones or love for your motherland?" He asked me suddenly.

It took me no time to reply. I had been very clear about this.

"My motherland is above all the relations of mine! I exist because of her!" I replied staring straight into his eyes. And he fell sad.

I couldn't stop the war. No I couldn't. Because everyone in my Kingdom had high hopes for me! If I manage to beat Surya Kingdom, then we would be the most powerful and prosperous Kingdom!

Every time I meet him, I get recalled by the fact that there is a probability of war so I feel that it's my last meeting with him. But turns out that we will meet at some other place too! It's called battleground! Maybe that would be our last time!