The Strange Street to the Wrinkled Memories

Now that's easy.

Shravya couldn't scream for she looked into the bag. Adwait closed his eyes, while Shravya stared back at him. She whispered in anger as the student was still solving the question, royal mother was reading while the girl was observing the scenic views outside. Shravya questioned,"Why did you bring the original book with you? What if it get lost somewhere? I asked you when are you going to keep this back?"
Adwait calmed her, "Let me tell! I didn't feel the book would be safe in there, so I brought it alongwith me. I never hide that book anywhere away from me because I don't want this original one to be lost because we have to put it back in its place after the full moon night, which is after eight days from today. The next day after the full moon, I will go to meet the prince, for a made up reason of writing a book on his life, in such a way I would replace the book again. I had told you all the truth, even the cause of replacing the book was an honest one that intruders will be in the village during the full moon night for the book, whilst some will be there trying to kill the queen. The anonymous letter I got that day told me all this by the name of the prince and that he was going to Aahan Mitrapura for some reason so I had to protect the book"

Immediately, the train was pulled to a stop and Shravya looked out in a hurry. Adwait mentioned, "Pushpa Varsha." Shravya looked in as the Ridhi and Parnika stood up. Few guards entered in the train and took their luggages, Ridhi then blessed Adwait and Shravya and walked out with the guards. Parnika hugged Adwait and Shravya, then followed the royal mother. As the train was on the rails again, Shravya saw Ridhi and Parnika waving at them, so she waved back in return with a smile of hope.

For more than five minutes there was complete silence in the royal compartment as Shravya was looking outside and Harsh was trying to solve a question in his pamphlet. The warm couch and cool climate took Shravya to a dreamy nap and so she rested on Adwait's shoulder while he was planning up the things to be done in Ahaan Mitrapura.

Soon the train pulled a break and Adwait patted Shravya taking his bag, "It's Ahaan Mitrapura station." Shravya immediately got up, rubbed her eyes and stretched herself. She took her bag and stood up to walk out, but Adwait stopped infront of Harsh. The student looked at Adwait as he grabbed that boy's pamphlet and within seconds wrote down something. The boy stood astonished looking at the solved question that he had been trying on for so long.
Shravya marked, "Wow! That's pretty quick than Mr. Silent."
Harsh stared at Shravya then smiled as they put an end to the words battle and he was waving at them as they walked out of the train. Shravya stopped at the step as she had to jump down into the platform. Adwait took her bag and Shravya was about to jump when Adwait gave his hand.
Shravya smiled, "Now that's easy!"
She caught his hand and stepped down on the lower floor. Adwait smiled, "Welcome to Ahaan Mitrapura."
Shravya looked around as there were passengers getting in and stepping out of the train. Adwait marked, "Let's go!"
They walked straight outside the main arched exit gate.

There was another simple beautiful village. The shaped clouds softly moved on the peaceful blue sky. The birds flew chirping and the insects and animals played along. Squirrels ran down the trees and cows were taken to the farms. The green fields were ready for harvest and all the other flowers were blossomed. There was a slight outline of the far away hills on which situated the Arka hima village. The whole village was colourful as the sun shone brightly, above the heads. It was a warm temperature as the wind blew. There wasn't a sight of any big crowds rather than few villagers outside.

Adwait walked further as Shravya followed him. As he directed her to the right, they could see the traces of the palace covered in fog. There was a boy riding a cycle past them with few newspapers left over. Few house were near, while others faced opposite and some stood in rows. Adwait and Shravya observed their new surrounding and walked straight. They entered into the Ahaan Mitrapura market. They came across a coffee shop, tea stall, restaurant, tailor shop, salon, grocery, stores and dispensary. Still straight from the junction, they found a school, hospital, library with enough facilities and after it was a colony where palace staffs and workers lived. In regular distances, there were either tubewell, wells or river for water source.

They were walking into the main road to the palace when someone called them. There was a handsome lad, he was wearing a grey dhoti pant with a shirt whose sleeves were rolled up. There was a scroll peeping out of his pocket. There came his good low pitched voice, "Hey duo! Haven't seen this pair before." He said to his companion, who was much similar to his age. The lad continued, "Who are you? Why are you both going that way?"
Adwait looked at Shravya, searching for an answer to be said to them. Shravya blinked at him with a 'now that's easy' look and she answered, "Hello! We are tourists."
The young man asked, "Tourist? Why are you taking that way?"
Adwait spoke, "I am a royal scholar of Ahaan Mitrapura and she is my friend. We have to meet the highness."
The boy smiled, "Hey! I am Arth Jisan, the delivery boy, you know sending newspapers, messages, gifts, goods etc. This my cousin, Sooraj Vishay, a lecturer."
Adwait introduced, "I am a scholar and she is Shravya Aarushi."
Arth continued, "You maybe having some important matters to be dealt within the royal palace, but unfortunately the royal members aren't here. They have left for a festival to Pushpa Varsha. We arrived here early in the morning today from Arka hima village, day after tomorrow we will leave for Vidyalaya Ravikiran. Sooraj's sister teaches in that village."
Adwait asked, "So when will the king and queen return?"
Sooraj marked, "Actually we shouldn't be crowding outside as a protest is going on in here. It's better and safe to stay somewhere else."
Shravya turned to Adwait without knowing where would they stay until the royal members get back.

Arth concluded, "We have been living in an old lady's house, you can join us if its only for few days."
Shravya jumped on, "Now that's easy! Thank you."
Adwait and Shravya followed Arth and Sooraj; walking back to where they began from. They walked through the other part of the village, where there were field and farms, huts and houses and more.

Soon they ran down a valley to a lonely green land where stood a beautiful house.

They went above the walk bridge and reached infront of the main door. When Shravya was about to enter, Arth called, "Not there! Our door is in the side." Shravya walked behind the boys as Adwait laughed at her. There on a side was their residence.

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Surya_SK