Safeena

gift

The next morning

Salim was about to leave and Agastya was saying goodbye.
" It was great being with you Salim."
" Me too Agastya"
" You finally get to meet your girl "
" Yeah , I don't know how she will react, I am a little concerned about that. I don't even know if she might be there or not."
" Don't think too much Salim "
" It can be , what if she is married to another man ?"
" Then you run away with her "
They both smiled.
" I just want to see her happy Agastya, that's it "
" Don't worry " he patted his back .
" Safeena ?"
" She will come "
" I noticed you brought her yesterday"
" Yeah I did "
" You are the first man to do that "
" Do what ?"
" Convince her "
Agastya gave a laugh
" Lookout for her Agastya "
" Sure "
" I know she is a lot mean to you , but just understand her. I am her only friend here and now I am leaving so she must be feeling alone "
" I will be there to fight with her everyday "
" Yeah "
" You said something about her birthday yesterday"
" Yes it's after 2 days "
" Oh "
Safeena arrived there.
" Hey Salim " she said it in a low voice.
" Hey "
" Good bye Salim, have a safe journey"
" Yes , good bye Safeena . Keep going on. "
" Yes "
Saying that he sat in his carriage and left for his home. Safeena kept looking at the moving carriage.
Agastya came near her . He was trying to give her a hug.  She shoved him away once
" What are you trying to do?!"
He spoke nothing and once again tried to hug her.
" Go away you idiot "
He still spoke nothing and tried getting her in his arms.
This time she tried to shove him but she actually didn't wanted to . She didn't use a lot of force to push him back . She let him in. He hugged her patiently. Her head rested on his chest just below his chin. He could smell her hair. She tried to hide her emotions from her face . She felt good in his hug but she didn't show that on her face .
He whispered,
" It's okay "

She moved out of his arms and walked away without saying anything.
" Princess!" He called out
" What ?!" She looked back at started talking,
" What ? I hugged you doesn't mean you have a chance okay? I still hate you got it ?! Look out for the words you use now "
" Breath ! Breath princess, atleast listen to me "
" What ?"
" I need some wood . Like a good one . The one which these statues are made up of ." He pointed a wooden statue behind her . " I don't think it's the wood which I can get in this forest "
" How do you know that ?"
" Touch it , they both are different. "
" What ?! Do you think I am your little servant?"
" No I just wanted to ask where can I get it ?"
" Why all of a sudden you need wood ?!"
" Helping me or not ?"
" No "
" Alright I will take it myself"
" Good " and then she left.

He asked for that wood to the people working in the palace. He finally received it from some kind worker .
He went to his room and started carving something from it .

After 2 days

Safeena came out of her room all dressed up. She dresses up like that just once a year, on her birthday. She wore a beautiful long anarkali with a big nose ring. Her hair was made up gracefully and Agastya was shocked from his core when he saw her. This was his first time seeing her in royal clothes.

" Oh my god ! Who is that ?" He said
" Haha very funny"
" No no I am very serious! Who are you again? I have never seen you before."
" Stop it "
" Alright jokes apart, you look --"
" Uncomfortable? Weird? Different?"
" Beautiful " he said looking at her .
" Thank you "
" What's the occasion?"
" It's my birthday "
" Today?"
She nodded a yes .

He took a pause , looked at her face  again intensely , and said,
" Happy Birthday "
" Thank you " she gazed at him and looked down immediately.
" The nose ring" Agastya said
" What about that?"
" It looks good on you "
" Thanks"

She then went to the royal court where her father and grandfather were waiting for her . They wished her and her father gave her present. The Grandfather came towards her and told her,
" I could have got you anything but I know it won't mean a lot to you than this " he brought her bow and arrow with him and gave it to her
" Here , this is your present today, you can start using this again and all weapons. "
" Thank you so much grandfather" she hugged him overwhelmed .
She was on the top of the world now. She was very happy after so long .
She immediately went towards her place and started aiming once again after this long.

It was evening and she was going back walking happily with the bow hanging on her shoulder.
" Princess!"
" Yes? I am happy don't spoil my mood"
" You look complete now "
She smiled
" Oh my god!"
" What happened?!"
" I am getting surprises one after the other today "
" What now?"
" Did I just see the grumpy rude mean princess Safeena smile at me ? Did I, the lair , some one she hates the most make her smile ?!"
She tried to hide her laugh
" Stop it " she smacked him.
" Alright alright. I am here to give you this , it's my present for you "

He gave her a small carved  wooden statue of herself holding the bow and arrow as she holds it while aiming.

" Did you make it ?!" She was amazed. It was so beautiful and so efficiently carved.
" Yes "
" For me?"
" Who is there other than you princess"
" Really?"
" Yes! You are always going to be the Archer. "
She looked at him surprised.
" But how ?  You asked me about my birthday today in the morning! How did you make this in one day?"
" I didn't"
She thought for a while as he smiled.
" You knew, didn't you?"
He gave a big smile.
" Yeah!"
" Thank you for this, it's beautiful "
He smiled and once again said
" Happy Birthday princess "
She smiled at him again.
" Your birthday is my lucky day it seems"
They both laughed.
" I will get going then " he said to her and walked away.
" Agastya!"
" Yeah?"
" You are not the person I hate the most"
" Good to hear."
" We can be friends if you want but in one condition."
" What?"
" You tell me your truth"
" It's okay if you still hate me "

They both continued walking in the opposite ways .

She went to her room , sat on her bed and looked at the gift he gave her .
It carved so beautifully she couldn't take her eyes off that. She smiled at the statue.

" If he could give me such a beautiful gift, I don't think he could be any danger to us . But knowing that he is hiding something is making me restless"
" Sister! How was your day?" Shaheen entered her room and jumped on her bed .
" Wonderful!" She said looking at the statue.
" Who gave you this ? It's so amazing!" She snatched that statue from her hands .
" Give it back !"
" Who gave you this?"
" Agastya"
" He gave you? I thought you hated him ."
" I do "
" I don't think so" she started laughing.
" Stop laughing"
" I want one too!"
" He carved it himself, go ask him."
" He made it? He is so talented!"
Safeena nodded.
" Why are looking at me like that ?"
" You know he said you are fun "
" So ?"
" Nothing just saying "
" I should go and meet this talented prince "
" Shaheen! "
Shaheen ran off before hearing the rest of the sentence.

" Prince ! Wait ! Wait !"
" Oh little princess you here ?"
" I saw the gift , it's wonderful!"
" Thank you "
" Can you make me one too ?"
" Sure , on your birthday "
" Thank you!"
" Yeah "
" I thought you hated my sister."
" I said that ?"
" Yes ! "
" I don't hate her "
" Then ?"
" Then what "
" Then " she was trying to hint something to him.
" Then nothing "
" God you both are dumb "
" Hey !"
" Listen if you need my help to win my sister, tell me I can give you tips."
He laughed loudly
" Sure!" He said sarcastically
" Yeah I can't guarantee you. She can change anytime though. So if it doesn't work don't blame me alright?"
" Alright "