A Royal Accident

I Accept!

Ajab was startled by a knock. It was still dark outside, and the bedside clock read 5 AM. The knock repeated. She sat up in her pink pyjamas and t-shirt, her hair all over her face. " Come In! He entered in his black track pants and a white tee. " You?" She almost sprang up.

" Me. Get up!" He commanded.

" How did you...?" She looked confused and was suddenly aware of her messy look as she pulled the blanket closer.

" Hansa Mausi let me in. Get up." He commanded.

" Why?" She frowned. " It's 5 AM Princy!"

" You want that Gun lesson right? Then Jogging first." He said tapping at his watch.

" Haan, but it's midnight! Let me sleep." She pulled her blanket and lay down again. 

" Get Up!"

" Ohh No!" She jumped up and laid down again.

" Ohh Yes!" He pulled at her blanket and threw it on the floor. 

" What the hell Princy."

" Downstairs! In 5 minutes!" 

" Kharus!" She snapped.

" Kya Kaha??" he glanced over his shoulder as he was about to leave.

" Nothing." She gave a fake smile.

He was outside her main door when she came up behind him, all in pink like the day before, carrying her headphones and rubbing her eyes, her long hair all over her face.

" Oh My Gosh! Andhera. Sunsaan. Scary." She inhaled. "Crazy people walk at night." She eyed him.

" Jog, three rounds around the compound, then the gun room." He said as he walked past her.

He started jogging and went ahead as she walked behind him, selecting a playlist. He reached the Royal Garden soon enough to turn around and realise she was not behind him. In about a minute he saw a glimpse of her, panting and puffing, still walking behind him. She nodded " Aur can't" which he ignored as he walked up to her with the water sipper.

" Have some water," he ordered.

" Marne waale ko paani de rahe ho Princy!" She sat down on the stone-paved path. " Uff! Itna by God I never walked my whole life!" She inhaled.

" I thought I said Jogging." He sounded amused.

" Uff!!!!!" She snapped. He smiled as she got up, " Okay, let's walk." He said considerately. She narrowed her eyes at him and walked ahead.

"Ek lauta mera Dil tha, Bhola Bhala simple tha, Tujhse mein takraya Sarfira ho gaya... Locha e Ulfat Ho Gaya "

She was singing out loud and moving her hands as she walked. He smiled behind her thinking " Wow Ajabdeh Punwar Such an apt song!" 

" Kuch Kaha Tumne?" She turned back and glanced at him suspiciously.

" Nahi toh!" He wondered if he had thought aloud, or how she heard him.

They reached the spot where Ranima had her morning tea. Pratap's favourite juice and fruits were kept there. As he stopped to pick a glass he turned around hearing her murmur. Ajabdeh Punwar was lying on the grass, not caring if the dew made her clothes or hair dirty. She was looking up at the blue sky and saying,

" No more guns, I can punch and kick the men who eye me! No more jogging." He laughed as she looked at him.

" Hasoo Hasoo, this is what you wanted! Not to teach. Be happy. I quit!" She shook her hands in the air.