Chapter 3

Veer Singh cursed himself mentally for the umpteenth time. He should have been more careful. He didn't understand where he had gone wrong. He had posted capable guards outside the princess's room. But the princess had managed to fool the whole lot. How foolish he was! He exclaimed berating himself for not anticipating her move. He recalled the moment he found that the princess had escaped.

Some time earlier...

"What are you doing here?" he shouted in fury at the maid who stood shivering in the center of the room.

"Rajkumari sa has ordered me to stay here till she comes back hukum." The servant maid stuttered while bowing respectfully.

Veer Singh clenched his teeth and his fist simultaneously. 'Stupid irresponsible girl,' he roared in his head. "From where did the princess get the clothes?" he questioned angrily.

"Rajkumari sa asked me to get the clothes for her in the morning," the maid replied.

Clever, very clever, Veer Singh agreed grudgingly. It was not surprising after all the princess was a Suryavanshi, and her ancestors were experts in Chanakyatantra.

The maid cleared her throat "Hukum," she said in fear.

"What?" Veer Singh thundered.

The servant took a step back but continued, "May I take your leave hukum?"

The glare that came from the opposite end almost turned the woman to ashes.

"You have been given a royal order. You will stay here till the Princess says otherwise," he ground out closing the door with a loud bang. Turning to the guards posted outside the door he hollered "Get out of my sight before I murder you two." The guards scrambled as quickly as they could.

As he hurried downstairs to the library, Veer Singh was in a dilemma. If he informed the Maharaj that the Princess had escaped, he could guess the former's reaction. He didn't want that. But if he didn't and the Maharaj got to know from some guard then he might think that he aided in the escape. Veer Singh shook his head at the ridiculous thought.

'Pft! No, the King would never believe that of him,' he said to himself. He slowed down his steps and frowned. Should he inform or should he not? The question kept hounding him.

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Nandini adjusted the satchel around her neck and quickly walked down the winding pathway. The continuous swishing of the long skirt she donned was irritating her. On top of that the cheap smell of detergent and the weight of the damn pallu was stalling her down. Though she had left the palace an hour ago, she needed to make sure that she wasn't being followed by the palace guards. She knew that Veer Singh would not sit quietly. He would definitely start searching for her and she needed to act before that. Not that he had the guts to take her by force but her father had, she mentally noted. She dug in her satchel and retrieved her cell phone. Stopping in her track she re read the message from her brother. Vikram had tried calling her many a time but as her phone was switched off he finally sent her a message.

- You are a force of nature that cannot be stopped. Get to the east of palace road and wait there. I have made arrangements. I take it you are not planning to walk to Vilaspore. One more important note if he is in residence you are to abort the hare brained idea immediately.

Nandini bit her lower lip at the last part of the message and started walking again. She had not thought of that scenario. She racked her brain trying to remember what the female said earlier that day. The Maharaj was in residence that's what she said, isn't it? Yes, that was it. There was no way the Prince would leave his colourful life in Mumbai and stay at Vilaspore. However a worm of worry started gnawing on one side of her head. She was so lost in thought that she didn't realize that she had reached the east road of the palace. Nandini slowed her steps and peered into the darkness. The road was deserted save for a sleek car.

A car, she noted suspiciously and gasped as it purred to life. Nandini felt a trickle of fear down her spine. Her body went rigid and cold sweat formed on her forehead. She turned and started walking hurriedly toward the lone streetlight near the bus stop. Behind her she could hear the racing of the accelerator. Oh God! she groaned as she walked even faster. Then like a flash of lightening the car sped toward her and slammed the brakes on reaching beside her.

Screech!!

Nandini let out a scream and jumped back. Her hand automatically reached her throat and it held there trying to calm her heart back into its place. The windows rolled down slowly and a voice spoke from inside.

"Well, well... look what the cat dragged out of the palace? Is that the new fashion in the US? Or is it 'wear your maid's dress day'? Nandini squinted her eyes trying to see the occupant and realizing who it was smiled warmly.

"What the hell are you doing here Uday? And why did you scare me like that?" Nandini said in mock irritation.

Uday cut the engine, got out of the car and leaned on the door. He ran his eye appreciatively over her from head to toe and let out a whistle. "The caterpillar has turned into a butterfly!" he exclaimed. Nandini rolled her eyes while crossing her arms.

"You didn't answer my question. What. Are. You. Doing. Here?" she started tapping her foot awaiting the answer. Uday smiled showing his pearly white teeth which glistened in the faint street light.

"Following orders Princess and I have a hidden agenda", he replied following her suit and crossing his hands. "Although I have to say I don't agree with your method."

"You don't have to agree and I don't need your help," said Nandini carelessly. "I don't need a MP's son as my chaperon."

Uday raised his eyebrows and shrugged, "You are planning on walking to Vilaspore? Or better yet hitch hike. I must say that is the best way and you will reach Vilaspore in about a week give or take. Or are you planning to escape to the US on foot too?"

"Sarcasm doesn't suit you Uday," countered Nandini.

"Stupidity doesn't suit you Nandini." Uday reached out and engulfed her in a bear hug. Nandini grinned and returned the hug with equal fervor. After few moments they broke apart. Uday looked from side to side

"Get in the car, if we have to reach Vilaspore by day break then we need to get going," he spoke seriously.

Nandini shook her head "I don't want to trouble you Uday and, I don't want you to fall into trouble."

Uday laughed looking at Nandini's worried countenance "Trouble and I are age old buddies darling. You need not worry about me. Look, even if Vikram wouldn't have asked me I would have come. You are planning to enter forbidden territory Nandini and you need all the support you can garner."

Nandini sighed and looked around the darkness that surrounded them. Overhead the streetlight flickered a few times. "Isn't it strange Uday, the forbidden territory that you are speaking of is where I am going to be sold to?"

Uday cocked his head and stared at Nandini. "Wooh...your words are scalding. Sold? Is that how you see it? Why don't you cut your father some slack? Uncle Virendra might not have envisioned that his daughter's would be fiancé would turn out to be so...so....different," he finished.

Nandini started to object but Uday held up his hand stopping her. "Look we have time to talk in the car. We need to get going now. Come on," he opened the driver's side door getting inside.

Nandini stood thinking for a second then finally walked over to the passenger seat and got in. Uday glanced at her passive expression. "Lets go?" he questioned. Nandini nodded an affirmative as Uday started the engine of the car.

"Nice wheels,"  she spoke at last breaking the silence. Uday ran his hand lovingly on the steering wheel and the Mercedes logo on it. "Got it delivered yesterday. Perks of being the only son of a minister."

"More like perks of being an only spoilt brat," she added wryly to which Uday guffawed and pressed his foot on the accelerator. When they moved to some distance Nandini took her cell phone and dialed a number.

"Khamma Khani Veer Singh ji,"  she spoke sweetly. Uday looked at her in surprise while Nandini continued. "I know you are standing outside the library deliberating whether to go in or not. I want to make things simple for you. Don't interrupt me please. I will be back at Jaypore palace by tomorrow night. As far as you know I am in my quarters refusing to meet anyone. Replace the guards by the door and keep sending meals to the room. By doing this you will ease my father's anxious heart and you will also gain my respect. If you disagree you will earn my father's ire in being irresponsible and well other repercussions too. So choice is up to you. I know that you will choose well," she waited for a response. There was a muffled response from the other end and by Nandini's magnificent smile Uday understood what would have been the answer.

"I knew you would choose correctly," she praised him. "Oh and one more thing please dismiss the maid from my room before you post the guards," she said  wishing him a good night.

"Vixen," said Uday looking straight at the road ahead. "Me likey," he smiled.

"Perks of being a Princess," Nandini shrugged.

"Touchè . . . now get some rest. We have a long way to go," he said seeing her suppress a yawn.

"I am not sleepy. I want you to tell me what happened after I left Jaypore. I mean you guys were best of friends. You went to Ajmer together, hell, you did all things together. What happened between you guys?" she questioned turning toward Uday in anticipation.

Uday cleared his throat and gulped, "Now is not the time Nandini. You just sleep now and I will tell you everything you want to know on our return journey." Nandini eyes drooped even though she tried to fight against it. The jet lag and time difference were getting to her. Finally she gave in and drifted off to sleep.

Back at the bus stop the lone streetlight flickered one last time before engulfing the region in complete darkness.

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Veer Singh Chauhan stared at the phone in his hand. Did he just hear what he did? That slip of a young girl was giving him orders!! Him, Thakur Veer Singh Chauhan of the nobility. How dare she? He took two steps to the library to inform the King, but stopped abruptly when he remembered the subtle warning she issued.

But she can, can't she? After all she was a Princess. The guard posted near the library door looked at him in confusion. Does he want to go in? Doesn't he want to go in? Veer Singh looked up and saw the confusion in the guard's face.

"What are you staring at?" he shouted.

"Nothing hukum," the guard replied bowing even more confused.

"Get out of here," he shouted but decided against it. There were few things that needed be done, as per the princess's orders. "Wait," he spoke "wait here till I come back understood." The guard bowed again and took his former position by the library door.

'How did she know I was standing by the library door?' he wondered if she knew voodoo as well as he traced his steps to the east wing quarters. The Princess was courageous he admitted to himself and foolish too he added after some thought. As he made his way up the stairs he was immediately reminded of another woman who displayed the same traits. He stopped in front of the large hand painted portrait of the deceased Queen. Like mother like daughter, he mused as he respectfully folded his hands in front of the portrait.

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*Rajkumari - princess

Pallu  -  stole

Thakur  - lord

Suryavanshi - a royal clan

Chanakyatantra - use of intrigue