INSEPARABLE I

XXXVIII

Over the next few days all plans were finalized and all strategies were established. Prem met Noor in her chambers every night. On the final night before the men would depart for the war, Prem sat holding Noor in complete peace under her satin quilt in their usual position on her bed.

"Noor..." he said, nuzzling her cheek.

"Yeah," Noor responded quietly.

"If I have a son, name him Zorawar Singh." He expressed, making an attempt to see the expression on her face from the limited side view he had. "And if I have a daughter, name her Mehar Kaur."

Noor angled her face towards him to reveal a sweet smile on her lips. "As you wish...Your Majesty." She whispered in acceptance.

Growing emotional, Prem found her lips at once, conveying his gratitude. "Thank you." He managed when they parted.

"Prem.." It was now Noor's turn to communicate her thoughts.

"Yeah," he replied in a warm tone.

"Don't..." Noor paused to deal with the lump that suddenly formed in her throat, "...don't," she sighed, hesitating yet again, having trouble saying the word, "die. Don't die in the war." She finally said.

Prem seemed to make an attempt to pull her further into himself in response. "I...will try not to."

"Don't try to be unnecessarily heroic, don't volunteer to sacrifice your life at every opportunity you get. You may not realize it but you are far more valuable alive than you will be dead." Noor preached holding back tears.

"Anything else, Your Highness?" He whispered, kissing her cheek affectionately.

Noor got out of his hold to face him, "just come back to me, alive and upright. It's an order." She demanded.

"I will. And you take care of yourself." Cupping her face, "I'm leaving behind 200 of my most ferocious men and 2 of my fastest messengers," he told her. "One message and I will turn my horse around mid-battle to come to you." He looked into her eyes.

Noor nodded, "I know."

"I love you." He whispered coming forward and kissing her hungry lips.

"I love you." Noor too told him when they parted.

"I know you will defend Doab with your life. And Dara Jarrakh may be the most ruthless man of our times but he does not know Chief Sandhu." Prem smiled proudly.

Unable to say anything else, Noor simply smiled angling her face and closing her eyes indicating another kiss be laid on her lips. He took the message and kissed her again.

The following morning, Noor stood holding Prem into a hug that seemed to have no end in sight. He had opened the closet door to step in when Noor had run into his arms. He had already hugged and kissed her goodbye more times than could be kept track of.

"I love you." He said kissing the top of her head.

Noor's heart thundered inside her chest as she clung to him. Something inside her forbade her from letting go of him. An unavoidable feeling originating deep within her seemed to warn her of something ominous getting ready to unfold. Tears rained down her cheeks as she made an attempt to deal with her inner turmoil and disguise it from Prem as well. He needed to be bid farewell in a smile, so he can leave in a clear mind and return victorious. She could not let her state of mind leak over into his. Little did she know that Prem had been feeling a dull ache in the center of his chest all morning himself. He shook it off as war anxiety but somewhere in his mind, he knew that wasn't it. He was feeling the impact of the upcoming events. This war had the capability of being more devastating any other wars fought in their lifetimes and they stood afraid of what all they might end up losing in it.