Adi

After the hotel incident, something took over Veer. He turned too restless. We drove from the hotel to my Bungalow in Delhi. The incident was being reported to the cops. Being one of the influential crowd are we had the privileged to leave without much of the fuss. I didn't want Raksha's name being involved in any kind of legal matter.

As soon as we reached, Veer decided to leave. ''Bhai, you promised. You will leave after seeing me off to the airport.'' Raksha complained like a 4-year-old. I know she hates me being around her, but giving the situation her demand sounds idiotic to me.

Veer ignored Raksha's whining. ''Adi, I must leave. Bhai is already on trail of Brijesh, I am sure he will nail him. But I must go, I feel something is going to go wrong.'' He looked lost, desperate. I could feel a strange pain in his eyes. ''

''I will make arrangements. '' Veer nodded. After bidding us farewell Veer left.  I just hope all goes good. We stood there at the high porch watching Veer's vehicle vanished. I took a step in , but Raksha stood frozen staring at the cloud of dust ,which still filled the horizon. ''Its getting cold. You should move in. ''

''I don't want to. Is that a problem ?'' She spat . I stood staring at her for a second. Why does she have to be so rude every time. She still stood firm, her eyes staring at oblivion. ''Raksha, you aren't used to Delhi winters. I don't want you sick before dropping you off to London.''

''I am grateful Aditya Ranawat , for all the support and care. But get this straight, nothing will happen between us.'' She spoke pointing her forefinger at me. Her chest heaved in anger. I don't know what makes her this angry. Somehow, I found everything too funny. I took steps to her , she blinked stepping backwards. My legs kept moving forward with my eyes locked with hers. She stepped back as her back crash with the wall. Pinning her between my arms I leaned closer, staring down at her. With those 4 inches in her feet, she barely reaches my chin. She turned nervous as her body shivered and I enjoyed her discomfort, ''Whom are you explaining Princess, me or yourself?'' I whispered leaning down on her ear

''Y..you. I have my head clear.'' She shuddered. She was clearly affected with the closeness the way I was. But her childish ego would never let her accept that. I kept my eyes on her face, pink started creeping her pale skin. Her big thick lashed curtained the discomfort of her eyes. I have always loved her innocence. She would believe anything said with confidence. ''Why are you nervous Princess?''

''You smell bad, that's why.'' Throwing  my head back I laughed, she could be extremely funny. I couldn't control and kept laughing. ''Is smelling bad an achievement?'' She looked clearly annoyed with amused demure.

Holding my stomach I replied, ''yeah, it is . If it makes a Royal princess blush.'' She stomped and stood at my eye level. ''I am not blushing. My skin is just sensitive.'' She said folding her arms to chest , turning her eyes away from me.

''What makes you think something can happen between us Raksha?''

''It can't and that's what I have been warning you off. So don't even try.'' I stepped back lifting my arms in air. ''I won't, I have better things to do.'' She opened and closed her mouth like a fish. She couldn't think of any reply to my words. Her expressions made be chuckle, she stomped and marched in. I patted my back, ''mission accomplished.''

***

We were scheduled to leave that night. We drove to Airport in my car followed by her guards in the other vehicle. We were directed in through the private entrance. After completing the formalities, we got into another vehicle and it drove us to my aircraft. We were greeted in by Neha, she had been the part of my crew for past 6 years. ''Welcome aboard Sir, Ma'am'' She greeted us walking us to my cabin . Raksha looked around, I could see she looked impressed, ''Like it'' I asked to let the conversation go. She rolled her eyes slipping into her plush seat, ''Show off.'' Chuckling I took the one opposite to her. The pilots announced the departure and found Raksha fidgeting.

''The mighty Princess is scared. '' I teased.

''I am not, just worried. My family is in trouble and I am leaving everything behind when they need me.'' Her voice trembled with emotion

''Look at me Raksha.'' And she did, lifting her innocent brown eyes. ''Everything will be fine. Trust your brothers. '' She nodded. The aircraft roared moving on to the runway, as it picked the pace and Raksha gripped the arm rest hard. She was scared, yet she wouldn't accept. I smiled and just then she looked up. I quickly looked away, pretending to look out of the window. ''Are you mocking me?'' She warned.

''How can I ? Who could disrespect the Royal princess.'' I pretended being all scared. She narrowed her eyes, ''you are mocking my fear of flying, aren't you?''

''Are you?" I shot back. She quickly composed herself. Straightening her back, trying to look fearless, instead she looked cute. She crossed her legs trying to look regal. She cleared her throat to speak something and her leg on th top slipped of the other one clumsily. I chuckled, and she gritted her teeth.

We were being served dinner. I had taken care to get food of her choice. She smiled broadly looking at the tray. '' I hope you like it. Ranvijay made me aware of your choices.'' She lifted her eyes, they glistening with emotions. ''Bhai never forgets of my likings. I am going to miss him.'' A tear rolled down her eyes and I quickly jumped on the seat next to her. ''because they love you Raksha. Make them proud.'' She nodded sniffing. I lifted the spoon to her lips, she hesitated but then opened her beautiful lips. ''You can sleep in there'' I pointed in the direction of the bedroom. "I will wake you once we land''

We ate our dinner in silence. She excused herself to move into the bedroom . ''Don't take any of it to be me softening towards you.'' She spoke standing at the edge of the bedroom.

''Rest assured princess, I know you aren't intelligent enough to have feelings for me. '' I heard her gasp and then she let out a irritated groan. I heard the fainting sound of her stomping feet and then the bagging of door. I smiled shaking my head. I am going to have the best 2 years of my life. Leaning on the headrest I closed my eyes.

***

We were welcomed by a chilled and wet London. Raksha shivered as we stepped out. I offered her my jacket but she refused. She looked around amazed as we were being enclosed into a protective circle of my guards. James, my head of security smiled getting out of the vehicle. ''Welcome back Adi, London missed you.'' I smiled pulling him into a hug. He escorted us to my Lamborghini and I pulled open the door for Raksha , she got in rolling her eyes. ''You won't stop showing off , Right?''

''Please, don't get impressed. I have a reputation to maintain in London. So forget I am trying to impress you.'' She kept huffing like a angry bird before turning her eyes to the passing roads. In 30 minutes we drove in the drive way of my mansion. ''Is this Bhai's house.'' She asked with child like excitement.

''No , this is mine. Yours will be ready by evening, till then enjoy my hospitality your highness. '' My words turned her mood sour. ''But I don't want to be here''

''Its just the matter of few hours Raksha. I am not going to bite you.''

''You are doing this intentionally right. The more we spend time The more are the chances of me falling for you . Am I right.'' She sneered. Some other day I would have replied with equal temper, but I am too happy to have her with me''

''No, the motive is to make my heart realise that you don't worth my attention. The more you stay around me , the more you will spit the venom and the more I will be convinced that you don't deserve me.'' Nothing came from her after that.

''Adi'' a small squeal echoed the grand hall as a tiny pair of feet ran in my direction with arms stretched wide , welcoming me in the best possible way. I lifted her up hugging her tightly and was awarded with too wet sloppy pecks on my cheeks, ''How is my buddy. ''

''Not good. Mommy scolded me for having chocolate.'' She curled her lip looking down. I tickled her tummy and she giggled. ''Don't fall for those crocodile tears Adi." Came the voice of my best friend and my manger Anjali. She gave me an arm hug and lightly slapped her 4 year old daughter Anika. Anjali is a single mother, her husband was a total loser. He had made her life hell. His philandering ways broke her heart. I offered her job as I knew  she is talented. She graduated the same year from the Business school as I did. We have been friends for years and felt it to be my duty to help her. After lot of persuasion she agreed, and I can say I don't regret my decision.

Raksha cleared her throat feeling ignored. ''Welcome your highness. I am Anjali, Adi's manager PA and friend. Please make yourself comfortable.''

''You can call me Raksha, I would prefer that.'' Anjali nodded taking Raksha along. ''Who is she?'' Anika asked innocently

''My friend, just like you. '' I replied tickling her.

''Is she as good like me.Will you only play with her'' She asked with a dull face. I pecked her forehead, ''You are my best Friend and we are chocolate buddies. Right '' She nodded vigorously Hugging her once, I placed her on the floor as she ran out to her favourite place , the lawn in the mansion.

I decided to check on Raksha once, she is my guest and its my duty to make her comfortable. Moving to the first floor I walked down the lobby towards her room. Yes, her room. I have had got it done according to her liking. She loves feminine colours and softness. I have made sure to use soft colours and curtains.

I softly knocked on the door and heard a faint reply. Moving in I looked around and found Raksha overlooking the massive balcony. ''Hope you like the room''

''I did.'' She smiled , shocking me . ''You and Anjali seemed to be close.'' I heard hesitation and curiosity in her voice.

''Yes , we have been friends for years. We graduated from same Business school.''

''Dose she live here.?'' She shot the next one

''Yes, she does. She takes care of my Mansion and my business. She has a small girl to take care of . I suggested her to move in the mansion so that my staff could take care of Anika when she was busy. Plus, I didn't wanted her loser husband trouble her.''

''Aren't you too considerate about your employees.'' That sounded more like a sarcasm

''Is there something wrong about it.'' I retorted.

She shrugged her shoulders moving in. ''I am no one to comment on that.''

''Good. You shouldn't . Take rest and I will plan for your transfers.'' I didn't appreciate her tone about Anjali.

''Looks like you are in a hurry to chuck me out .Am I invading your privacy Adi.'' She smirked and I couldn't understand what she wanted.

''No Princess, its not mine but your privacy which is getting invaded . You wanted out immediately, I will make sure it happens in an hour.'' I didn't give her a chance to retort and walked out. I need rest but before that I will have a game of football with my best buddy Anika to calm my nerves.

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