It had been awkward after I had my meltdown on his shoulder.

After 20 minutes of sobbing pathetically, I finally got up wiping my tears off. The snot as well. Ew. Oh my god. I got another on a prince. I'm dumber than the dumbest woman alive.

" I am sorry for this. I am usually very composed. I apologize if I made you uncomfortable."I began, not knowing what else to say. Should I say thank you? I don't know.

He looked angry all of a sudden. Oh well. You managed to piss off a prince. Go me!

" Sagarika. If you apologize for expressing your pain, the world will be filled with apologies and crying men and women. If I had felt anything untoward, I would have told you. You need not worry. It gives me pleasure to know you trust me enough to cry in front of me. I understand the courage it takes to let the stream out. Believe me. I know. Each and every time my brother Suyodhan hurts my brothers, I have to stop my brothers from retaliation, for the sake of the kingdom, for the sake of mata's peace, for the sake of pitamah's peace. It is natural to cry devi and the more you hide it, the worse it becomes. Now, promise me, you will cry when you wish to, in front of me if need be. I will be here. If not me, you can imagine it is your friend. Ajatshatru. We have the same face. You may think you are talking to him. " He said, gritting his teeth at the last part.

I was beyond touched. I was shocked. I was purely certain I had to fight my own battles now that AJ was gone. I didn't know that people with similar faces had similar personalities.

I did the only thing that made sense to me. I hugged him.

Which was not the right call. He went stiff in my arms. " I'm
sorry. " I whispered, yet again realising that there was a boundary  between us. One that we cannot cross. I may have different ideas of friendship and physical contact, he was still living in the ages of the past.

As I did try to move away, relieving him of me and my craziness, I felt tentative hands on my head, holding me back.

" It's-it's alright. " He whispered back. Well, that was an instant change. He did not relax completely, but he did not push me off of him like I was a crazed fan jumping on an actor. I think we're good?

"Sagarika! " Dadi called yet again.

"Haan dadi! Padh rahi hoon. " I said, jumping apart.

" Haan. Padh le. Me and dada are going to walk. We'll be back soon. Close the doors. "

" Aai. " I said, now moving away.

I walked out of the room, unknown to the fact that the man in the room was following my steps, wistful.

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" Right. So they are gone. What do you want to do? "

" I don't know. What are you doing? "

" I will be studying for my exams. I have to get into a college. " I replied, absentminded. I was too busy trying to open my lecture on my tab.

" College? What is that. We only have gurukul and kanyakul. "

" Well. Its like senior school. So if I had gone to kanyakul, I would have stayed there till I was seventeen or so right? Learning the important kalas, studies and more. "

"Yes, but how does that relate to your college? "

" Well, when you finish a school, that is, in your words a kanyakul, you have the opportunity to learn more. Specific to a single topic. To become experts in that. Then you have levels, bachelor's, which is for four to five years, then masters and ultimately a PhD. It's the highest form of education the society offers. "

" That is quite interesting. But why would you want to learn so much? "

"Well, then you learn enough to choose your own job. "

" You can choose your own jobs? We were taught only specific things and as princes we are expected to fight, protect and run the kingdom. That is our job. Others may have choices. We don't. " He added . He was intellectual. History did not lie.

" Oh. Well what would you be if you had the chance to not be a warrior. I understand you might enjoy that. But what else? "

"If I had the chance, I would paint. It's one of the most peaceful things in my life. Painting. I enjoy it, a lot. "

" Oh. Then I have paint. Do you want to make paintings while I study? We can think about what Krishn wants us to do after that?"

" Oh yes. I would be much obliged. "

" Hold on then. " I stood up, going  into the cupboard for paints. I chose the normal tempora ones, with my thick artfile.

" Here you go. "

"What are these paints made of? They don't smell like plants or flowers. "

" That's because they're not made of flowers. They are chemically made. Rasayan shastr. It's quite interesting and one of my favourite subjects. I hope to study more on it actually. "

" That's fascinating. How far has humanity developed, moving from one place to another using energy, talking to people across the world.  It's revolutionary. " He said excited. It was cute. Wait. What?

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" Sagarika. I am done with my painting. Have you completed your studies? " He asked.

" No. But show me what you have painted. I would also see if prince Yudhishthir has any artistic talent . " I said coyly. In hindsight. I should not have done that. He is an extraordinary painter.

He made three paintings. Two he showed me, one he refused to. I don't take no for an answer. I snatched it out of his hands. It was hard. Give me some credit okay.

What I saw was answered my why. Why he wouldn't show it to me. It was a girl, sitting in front of a monitor, with the sun shining. He'd painted me.

The man in question had the most furious flush I had seen. His face was red. Blushing like a new bride. It was uncanny. A strong man like him.

" This is so beautiful. I will cherish it. I can never let this
go. " I told him warmly, all traces of play gone. He needs to know that I sincerely loved his work.

" I-I I am sorry I made this. I should have -"

" Did you not hear a word of what I said? I love it. It's beautiful. I will keep it. As a matter of fact. Hold on. " I said, bringing my phone.

I put it on selfie mode and pulled him over by his arms. He held one corner of the painting, I held the other. "Smile." I said, looking into the camera.

As I watched the photos, I saw. In neither of them was he looking at the camera. I thought I would have to explain that and so I did. We did it again. This time as well however he wasn't looking into the camera. He was looking somewhere else.

He was looking at me.

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" Ahem. So. I'll just finish my studying. Then we shall see what to do. Alright? " I asked, now unsure of what to feel.

" Oh yes. Of course. I won't trouble you. Please work hard for your dreams. You have the chance. " He said, walking up to me.

" I know. " I whispered.

We looked at each other. It was unusual, but not entirely unacceptable.

I cleared my head, walked to the table to get lost in the thoughts of benzene, while the man in the room was lost in his own thoughts.

Later I learnt what they were about......

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He either admires her, or is completely whipped. You choose.

I want the latter man.
Anyways, please share your opinions through votes and comments.

We crossed the 600 reads marks so quick. I don't even realise 😅

Thank you so much for your love and support. Truly. These would just remain ideas at 2 in the night if not for you guys.

Much love

Radhekrishn ❤