2

"Some say love takes time, but the moment I saw you, I knew my heart had been waiting for you all along."

The man groaned, then straightened up and pulled back his hoodie to reveal his face. Avantika's eyes widened in disbelief.

"Abhimanyu Raichand?" she gasped, her voice barely above a whisper.

Abhimanyu winced but managed a small smile which is almost a blush.

"Ji."

Avantika blinked several times, trying to process what her eyes were seeing. Was it really him? The Abhimanyu Raichand standing in her room?

He froze for a second, noticing her stunned reaction, then snapped his fingures in front of her face. "Hello?"

She snapped out of it, her voice a little shaky. "How did you get here?"

Abhimanyu grinned, his eyes sparkling mischievously. "First I climbed a tree, jumped over your big palace wall, and here I am in your room."

Her jaw dropped. "You what?"

Ignoring her shock, he casually walked around, looking at the room's grand decor. "Wow, this place is fancy. Like, straight out of a movie."

"Why are you here?" she asked, still struggling to believe this was real.

"Oh, right!" He turned back to her, pulling a bouquet of flowers from behind his back. "I wanted to apologize. For, you know, hitting you with that ball."

She took the bouquet, her lips curling into a small smile. "Do you always show up like this to say sorry to people you injure?"

"Not to everyone," he said with a smirk. "Just to someone special."

Her cheeks flushed, but she quickly looked away.

He resumed walking around, glancing at everything with wide eyes. "I always thought royals were made-up characters for movies and books. But look at you an actual princess."

Avantika just stood there, unsure of what to say. He noticed her stunned expression and laughed. "Relax. I'm not here to rob you or anything."

She let out a nervous laugh, finally starting to feel less awkward.

His gaze fell on the faint bruise on her cheek, and he walked closer. "Can I...?"

"Can you what?"

"Touch it," he said, nodding toward her injury.

She hesitated but eventually nodded. "Okay."

He reached out gently, his fingers brushing against her cheek. The warmth of his touch sent a wave of butterflies through her stomach.

He tilted his head and smiled knowingly. "You are having butterflies."

Her eyes widened. "How do you know?"

He simply smirked, his hand lingering for just a moment longer before stepping back.

Avantika crossed her arms, trying to regain her composure. "Okay, you've apologized. Now what? Are you planning to climb back down the tree, or do I have to call security?"

Abhimanyu chuckled, sitting down onto the edge of her bed like he owned the place. "Relax, sahiba. I just got here. You're not kicking me out already, are you?"

Her brows shot up. "You broke into a palace! Do you realize how crazy that sounds?"

He leaned back on his hands, completely unbothered. "It's not breaking in, if the intention is pure. I didn't come to steal anything, I came to just to make sure you were okay."

She narrowed her eyes. "You could've sent someone. Or, I don't know, called?"

He shrugged. "Where's the fun in that? Besides, I'm not exactly sure your royal guards would've let me in. I don't even have your number to call. "

For a moment, there was silence between them. Abhimanyu's eyes softened as he looked at her. "Does it still hurt?"

She blinked, caught off guard by his sudden seriousness. "Not really. It's fine."

He tilted his head. "You're lying."

Her cheeks burned. "I'm not!"

"Acha, teek hai. Ek baat bolo, kya yeh Sahiba ke life mein koi Sahab hai?" Abhimanyu asked, his lips curling into a teasing smirk as he bit his lower lip.

(Okay, fine. Just tell me one thing does Sahiba have someone special in her life?)

Avanthika froze for a moment, her gaze unconsciously dropping to his lips. They seemed too... pulling her.

Abhimanyu noticed her staring and leaned in slightly. His voice was soft yet playful. "Arey yaar, you want to bite them too?"

(Oh, come on, do you want to bite them too?)

Her cheeks flushed a deep shade of crimson as she quickly shook her head and turned her face away, pretending to fix her dupatta.

He chuckled, looking at her shyness. "Tum ab tak mere sawaal ka jawaab nahi diya. Yeh koi Sahab?"

(You still haven't answered my question. Is there someone special?)

Avanthika cleared her throat, her voice barely above a whisper. "Nahi, koi nahi hai."

(No, there's no one.)

That was all Abhimanyu needed to hear. He jumped off the bed and started to spin and dance.

Avanthika stared at him, confused. "Aap kyun nach rahe ho?"

(Why are you dancing?)

"Nothing" he said stopping his dance.

"Aao, baito. Aapka hi kamra hey." Abhimanyu gestured towards the couch with a wide grin.

(Come, sit. It's your room only.)

Avantika hesitated for a moment but eventually sat down.

Abhimanyu leaned back, his arms sprawled across the top of the bed. "Kuch toh baat karo, yaar. Tab se main hi baat kar raha hoon."

(At least say something. I've been the only one talking since you got here.)

Avantika raised an eyebrow, her tone teasing. "Kya baat karoon? Waise, woh match ke beech mein jo main aayi thi, tum log jeet gaye?"

(What should I talk about? By the way, that match I came from earlier did you win?)

Abhimanyu's chest puffed with pride. "Haan, Sahiba ji, hum jeet gaye! Aur sirf jeete hi nahi, number one team bhi ban gaye."

(Yes, Sahiba! Not only did we win, but we also became the number one team)

Avantika offered a small smile. "Mubarak ho."

(Congratulations)

Abhimanyu frowned, leaning closer with a mock pout. "Aise kaun congratulate karta hai? Hug karke bhi bol sakti thi na."

(Who congratulates like this? You could've said it with a hug too)

She shot him a sharp side-eye, her expression enough to silence him instantly. He raised his hands, mumbling under his breath, "Theek hai, na karo hug."

(Fine, don't hug me)

After a moment of silence, Abhimanyu cleared his throat. "Main ek sawaal poochu?"

(Can I ask you something?)

She nodded. "Ji, poochiye."

(Yes, go ahead.)

Abhimanyu hesitated, then leaned forward with genuine curiosity. "Aap log ab bhi talwar lekar war karte ho kya?"

(Do you all still fight wars with swords?)

Avantika couldn't hold back her smile at his childlike question. "Nahi, hum ab nahi karte. Mere dadda karte the, lekin hum logon ne talwar uthana kab ka chhod diya."

(No, we don't anymore. My grand father used to, but we stopped carrying swords a long time ago.)

He leaned back, a mischievous glint in his eyes. "Acha, toh iska matlab talwar se toh maar nahi paogi... lekin tumhari baatein zaroor jaan le sakti hain."

(Oh, so you can't kill me with a sword... but your words might just do the job.)

Avantika rolled her eyes, trying to suppress a chuckle. This man knew how to mix charm with mischief in equal measure, leaving her unsure whether to laugh or scold him.

"Kya aapki royal family mehmaanon ko khaana nahi khilati kya?" Abhimanyu asked, tilting his head with a mock-serious expression.

(Does your royal family not serve food to its guests?)

Avantika frowned, her brows knitting together. "Matlab?"

(What do you mean?)

He grinned sheepishly. "I mean, match ke baad se kuch nahi khaya maine. Ab toh bhookh se jaan nikal rahi hai."

(I mean, I haven't eaten anything since the match ended. Now I'm starving.)

She laughed, shaking her head. "Main abhi leke aati hoon. Lekin yahin raho, okay? Bahar nikle toh kisi ne dekh liya toh?"

(I'll bring something. But stay right here, okay? If someone sees you outside, then?)

Abhimanyu smirked, leaning back casually. "Kya talwar se maar dalenge kya?"

(What, will they kill me with a sword?)

She couldn't help but laugh at his response, shaking her head as she left the room to bring food.

A few minutes later, Avantika returned, a plate of food balanced carefully in her hands. Abhimanyu's eyes lit up as he sat up straighter.

He took the plate and sniffed dramatically. "Wah, kya khushboo hai! Yeh tumne banaya?" he asked, taking a bite.

(Wow, what an aroma! Did you make this?)

Avantika folded her arms, a playful smirk on her lips. "Nahi, humare cook ne banaya hai."

(No, our cook made it.)

Abhimanyu chuckled, shaking his head. "Haan, haan, tum log toh royal ho na. Aap log cooking kaise karoge, aapke toh cooks honge hi."

(Yeah, yeah, you're royals, right? How would you cook when you have cooks to do it for you.)

She narrowed her eyes at him but couldn't hide her amusement. "Aur tum? Tumhare ghar mein kaun banata hai khaana?"

(And you? Who cooks in your house?)

He grinned between bites. "Kabhi kabhi main khud banata hoon. Shayad tumhe kabhi taste karna padega."

(Sometimes I cook for myself. Maybe you'll have to taste it someday.)

Avantika raised an eyebrow, a hint of intrigue in her expression. "Dekhte hain. Bas yeh mat sochna ki hum impressed ho jayenge."

(We'll see. Just don't think I'll be impressed.)

Abhimanyu smirked, leaning forward slightly. "Impress karne ka time abhi aage hai, Sahiba."

(There's still plenty of time to impress you, Sahiba.)

Abhimanyu was still engrossed in his food when Avantika broke the silence, her curiosity getting the better of her.

"Aapke ghar mein kaun-kaun rehte hain?" she asked, tilting her head slightly.

(Who all live in your house?)

He paused mid-bite, thinking for a second before answering. "Mere ghar mein? Main, Mamma-Pappa, aur mera chhota bhai. Lekin woh studies ke liye bahar hai, toh ghar mein nahi rehta."

(In my house? Me, my mom, dad, and my younger brother. But he's away for studies, so he doesn't stay at home.)

Avantika leaned forward a bit, her voice teasing. "Aur aapki girlfriend?"

(And your girlfriend?)

Abhimanyu tsked, shaking his head dismissively as he took another bite.

Avantika raised an eyebrow, her playful tone unrelenting. "Aap toh country ke most handsome ho, most eligible bachelor ho, aur Indian team ke captain bhi ho. Phir bhi aapko koi girlfriend nahi hai?"

(You're the most handsome guy in the country, the most eligible bachelor, and the captain of the Indian team. Yet you don't have a girlfriend)

He smiled faintly but didn't look up. Instead, he continued eating. "Main yeh sab dating-vating mein believe nahi karta hoon."

(I don't believe in all this dating stuff.)

Avantika blinked in surprise. "Matlab?"

(What do you mean?)

Abhimanyu finally looked at her, his eyes steady and serious. "I mean, agar mujhe koi ladki pasand aayi, toh main uske saath kuch din travel karunga. Agar sab kuch acha lage, toh shaadi kar lunga. Main ek 'one-woman man' hoon. Jo ladki se pyaar hoga, ussi se shaadi karunga."

(I mean, if I like a girl, I'd spend some time traveling with her. If everything feels right, I'd marry her. I'm a one-woman man. The girl I fall in love with will be the one I marry.)

■

Abhimanyu wiped his hands with a napkin, leaning back against the bed with a satisfied sigh. "Wah, kya khaana tha! Tumhare cook ko shukriya bol dena meri taraf se."

(Wow, what a meal! Thank your cook on my behalf.)

As she stood up to take the plate away, Abhimanyu grabbed her wrist gently, stopping her mid-step. "Ek minute, Avantika."

(One minute, Avantika.)

She turned to look at him, puzzled. "Kya hua?"

(What happened?)

He smirked playfully. "Yeh tumhara rule hai kya? Har baar bas uth ke chali jao aur mujhe akela chhod do?"

(Is this your rule? To just get up and leave me alone every time?)

Avantika rolled her eyes, tugging her hand free. "Main sirf plate rakhne ja rahi hoon, akela chhodne ka iraada nahi hai."

(I'm just going to put the plate away, not planning to leave you alone.)

He chuckled. "Acha theek hai, magar jaldi wapas aao. Tumhare bina ye royal mahal kaafi boring lagta hai."

(Alright, fine, but come back quickly. This royal palace feels pretty boring without you.)

She didn't respond, but her lips twitched into a faint smile as she walked out of the room.

When she returned, she found him sleeping on the bed, flipping through an old photo album he found on a nearby table.

"Yeh tumhara bachpan ka photo hai?" he asked, holding up a picture of a little girl dressed in traditional royal attire.

(Is this your childhood picture?)

Avantika's cheeks flushed as she rushed forward, snatching the album from his hands. "Aap bina pooche mere cheezein kyun dekh rahe ho?"

(Why are you looking through my things without asking?)

He leaned back, laughing. "Arey, bas dekh raha tha ki tum tab bhi itni hi serious lagti thi jitni ab lagti ho."

(Hey, I was just checking to see if you looked as serious back then as you do now.)

She glared at him, clutching the album to her chest. "Main serious nahi hoon."

(I'm not serious.)

He then looked at other side of bed. He smirked and raised an eyebrow, holding the book just out of reach.. "Oh, toh sach mein smut hai? Kaunsi wali? 'Fifty Shades' ya kuch aur dhamakedaar?"

(Oh, so it really is smut? Which type? 'Fifty Shades' or something even more explosive?)

Her cheeks flushed crimson as she lunged for it again. "Book do, warna--"

(Give me the book, or else)

"Warna kya? Mujhe sunna hai," he teased, flipping it open dramatically. "Arre waah, yeh toh bada interesting hai!"

(Or else, or else what? I want to hear. Wow, this looks so interesting)

"Abhimanyu!" she shrieked, trying to snatch it back, but he dodged easily, laughing.

"Achha baba, le lo." He handed it over but couldn't resist one last comment. "Bas ek baat hai-next time mujhe bhi suggest karna."

(Ok fine take it. Just one thing, next time suggest me also)

She glared at him, clutching the book to her chest. "Tumhare saath toh koi baat hi karna bekaar hai!"

(Talking to you is just pointless!)

■

The room was filled with the quiet hum of their shared laughter. It had been hours since they first started talking, but neither seemed to notice the time slipping away.

Abhimanyu glanced at his watch. "Oh, shit! Tumse baat karte-karte teen ghante ho gaye! Ab mujhe jaana hoga."

(Oh, shit! Talking to you, it's already been three hours! I have to leave now.)

Avantika's smile faltered, her voice soft with disappointment. "Ab ja rahe ho aap?"

(You're leaving now?)

He sighed, running a hand through his hair. "Jana hi padega, Sahiba ji. Agar coach ko pata chal gaya, toh kal punishment milega. Mujhe jaana hoga."

(I have to go, Sahiba. If the coach finds out, I'll get punished tomorrow. I really need to leave.)

As he walked toward the window, preparing to climb down the way he had come, Avantika couldn't help but call out. "Agla kab milenge?"

(When will we meet next?)

Abhimanyu paused, a playful smirk tugging at his lips. He turned to face her, his eyes sparkling with mischief. "Tumhare lipstick ka thoda galat istemal karke, tumhare mirror par apna number likh diya hai."

(I used your lipstick a little creatively and wrote my number on your mirror.)

Avantika gasped, half amused and half shocked. "Meri lipstick kharaab kar di?"

(You ruined my lipstick?)

He chuckled, leaning slightly out of the window. "Sorry, Sahiba ji, lekin lipstick toh ek din khatam ho hi jaati hai. Mera number zyada kaam ka hai. Bas call karna, hazir ho jaunga."

(Sorry, Sahiba, but lipsticks eventually run out. My number is much more useful. Just call me, and I'll be there.)

A smile crept onto her face despite herself. His charm was impossible to resist.

"Climb safely," she said, her voice laced with both worry and fondness.

Abhimanyu grinned. "Tumhari dua ho toh kuch galat kaise hoga?"

(With your blessings, how can anything go wrong?)

With that, he climbed out the window, giving her one last wave before disappearing into the night. Avantika stood there, her heart unexpectedly lighter. She turned to the mirror and saw the smudged letters of her lipstick, spelling out his phone number.

Her fingers brushed over the numbers as a soft laugh escaped her lips. "Pagal."

(Crazy)

■

After a week

The grand dining table was bustling with noise-clinking cutlery, murmured conversations, and laughter. But Avanthika sat silent, staring at her untouched plate.

"Avanthika, kya hua? Tum khana kyun nahi kha rahi?" her father asked.

(Avanthika, what happened? Why aren't you eating?)

"Kuch nahi," she replied, forcing a small smile. She picked up her spoon and began eating, though the lump in her throat made every bite feel heavier.

(Nothing)

The moment dinner ended, Avanthika rushed to her room, shutting the door behind her. Her heart raced as she sat on the bed, staring at her phone. She typed Abhimanyu's number but hesitated. Her thumb hovered over the call button.

"Should I call him? Maybe not," she whispered to herself. But a deep sigh later, she gathered courage and pressed the button.

The phone rang twice before his voice came through, smooth and familiar.

"Hello?"

Avanthika froze. Her breath hitched at the sound of him after so long. His voice gave her a comfort she needed.

"Hello?" he repeated, his tone curious now. "Kaun hai?"

(Who is this?)

"Ji... main" she stammered.

(It's me)

There was a pause, then a sudden warmth in his voice.

"Sahiba, aap?"

"Ji," she whispered, a shy smile tugging at her lips.

(Yes)

"Aapne mujhe call kiya? Wow. Kya hua?" he asked, his excitement evident.

(You called me? Wow. What happened?)

"Kuch nahi... bas..." She hesitated, fumbling for words. "Do din se aap bahut yaad aa rahe the. Aaj raat milne chalein?"

(Nothing just, I've been missing you a lot for two days. Can we meet tonight?)

There was a pause. Then, his voice softened, laced with regret.

"Avanthika, yaar... main Jaipur mein nahi hoon."

(Avanthika, I'm not in Jaipur.)

Her smile vanished. "Kya?"

(What?)

"Main abhi Indore mein hoon," he explained. "Team selections chal rahe hain. Ab mein meeting mein hu, agla matches ke liye selections ho raha hai."

(I'm in indore right now. Team selections are happening. I am in a meeting right now. For next matches selections are going on)

She tried to hide her disappointment, her voice barely a whisper. "Toh... Jaipur kab aa rahe ho?"

(So... when are you coming to Jaipur?)

He sighed. "Filhal toh koi plan nahi hai."

(As of now, I don't have any plans.)

"T-theek hai... Bye." She hung up before he could say anything else.

(Okay, bye)

Throwing her phone onto the bed, she sat in silence, staring at the floor. Her chest felt heavy, her mind swirling with unspoken words. Why did it hurt so much? And why did she feel like a part of her had left with him?

■

After few hours, avanthika stirred in her sleep as a strange sound reached her ears. She groggily opened her eyes, not sure if it was her imagination. Just then, her phone buzzed.

She answered the call, her voice soft and sleepy. "Hello?"

On the other end, Abhimanyu's voice was calm yet urgent. "Kidki toh kolo sahiba, andhar ana hey."

(Open the window, madam. I need to come inside)

To be continued

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