THE PRINCESS

Chapter 16

Karan drove his new jeep, Priya had gifted him. The night air played with his hairs. He looked through his mirror & saw Ruhaan relishing the scent of Fida's scarf which was flowing on his face.

Chuckling softly, he reminded his time with Preeta, how much he had relished her wild flower natural perfume. It was something he could never get enough of. He remembered them getting a lift, when they had gone in search of Prithvi. Her obsidian eyes twinkling which put shame to moon.

Karan looked next to him, Mahira was soundly asleep, so was Fida. Fida was sticking to the door not wanting to be anywhere near Ruhaan.

Roo had left with her friends to Harvard University. They had gone with Kiaan & his gang in Oberois private jet as Shivay's order. Roo was going to live in her dorm with her friends. She would start working with Glam there when she is settled with her classes.

The night air was soo soothing that it made Karan to close his eyes. There was something that made him feel at home. A familiarity he felt with Preeta.
Ruhaan jerked as he felt the jeep swirling a little. Looking at front, he saw Karan sleepily closing his eyes.

"Karann..Karann" He shook him.
"Chalo kahi side karo.. mein drive karti hoon" Ruhaan told him.

They swapped their seats & Ruhaan drove the jeep.

Karan & Mahira was woken up by the sounds of Azaan, the call for the prayer in islam.

"There..there.. There Its written place.. way for women to pray" Fida showed Ruhaan as he drove through the street, he parked the jeep & stepped out along her.

Karan came & sat on driving seat as he & Mahira waited.

"I love this quality of Ruhaan..Voh kabhi unki namaz miss nahin karti.. Jab hum chote thi.. voh Ammi se bohot peet kaayi hai namaz miss karne pe.... Lekin abb toh he had grown so much... He doesnt need anyone saying for him to pray" Karan told Mahira.

"Fida bhi aisi hai.. Watching them pray.. its beautiful.. She recite her holy Quran so beautifully. Hearing her its soothing" Mahira answered as she remembered how Fida always settled beside her reciting Surahs & dua while Mahira felt unsettled when she visited the village. She had got scary nightmares which all would end up with Karan & Preeta's image at last. She didint know what she had seen.. the only things she remembered was Preeta & Karan's face.

"Umm when did you guys swapped?" Mahira asked remembering Ruhaan was on the driving seat when she woke up.

"Middle of night..I had sleep drived a little i think" Karan said sheepishly.

Mahira glared at him & looked around.

"Look..there is a dhaba..Lets have some tea" Mahira told him.

"Hmm chalo" Karan said as he took his phone & crossed the door. They ordered tea & sat sipping them. A little while later Ruhaan & Fida joined them. The four sipped on their tea & looked at the activities going around. Truck with fruits, grains & vegetables came & the street was crowded. Ruhaan who saw hand gajra brought two & gave the girls.

"Ammi ko bohot pasand hai yeah" Ruhaan smiled remembering how his Abbu would buy one & romance with his Ammi.

Fida was a little startled seeing it as it often was given by lovers. But seeing Mahira also had got one she took it.

They four then drove to the village, where Karan's clients had arranged a wooden cabin house for them. Karan drove through the village. There was a lake going around, he followed it as his client has instructed. He parked his jeep when he saw the person whom he had been in contact with.