ADITI ISHAN:Unexpected Love

3 ~Day when we met~

Aditi's POV

I could hardly hear and digest his words.It felt as if the entire world was trembling and had just paused.I went completely blank and empty.I instantly pushed him away and freed myself from his hold.I couldn't exactly process what he implied......

Unless my hearing has been impaired,what I could draw from his words is that Ishan is the Prince of the rival Chanver kingdom.It is also obvious that a secret attack has been planned this night and Chanvers conquered our Parvans.

Ishan,a person whom I assumed to be a true soldier....the person whom I trusted and exchanged ideas with....The man whom I took for a gifted friend......turned out to be my bitter rival??Ohh Godd!!What on earth is going on here!!Is this some kind of nightmare?If yes,please push me to my senses.

Just then I recollected that day when I first met him....as Ishan....

It was the day.......when I was on my undercover tour dressed in cast off clothes as a commoner.I love to interact with my people in disguise as they would be honest,fearless in conveying their opinion regarding the royal administration or any other underlying problems bothering them.I came to know that people were paying more taxes to the revenue than the authentic price decided by the Treasury.I decided to look into that matter once I reached the Palace.

Having these thoughts,I walked to the riverbed which is the place I often visit to uplift my mood after completing my trip.

The cool breeze was caressingly my cheeks,the trees around were tossing their tender leaflets as a sign to greet the light air.

As I was exploring further,I noticed a person standing on a high stone from where you could get a better view of the place.He turned towards me hearing my footsteps....

"Who are you?What do you want?" I asked him instantly unable to hold myself since it is not such a place which people visit often unless there is something to collect or look for.

"Who should I say I am?I am a slave captured by the virtues of a woman....And as to what I want,you cannot give me what I want,dear lady."he uttered with a silly grin.

"What??What's wrong with you?"I cleared.

"Nothing was wrong with me until a moment ago,dear lady.Your arrival makes me want to do something wrong."He replied stepping forward.

"Are you out of your mind?"I enquired,unable to connect his answers to my questions...

"I guess you are right...Ever since I was longing to meet someone special,my mind is out of my body and here I am.. left with my hungering heart alone...such a pity right!!"He exclaimed,stepping further.

"Are you in your senses?"I doubted.

"Yes..dear lady..Of late I have got to experience many such senses which sway me to swoon...."

I paused for a moment...what kind of answers is he giving?I couldn't acknowledge his motive.He cannot take advantage of my patience.I decided to give one last try.

"Look...This is the last chance...What's the reason which brings you here?"I warned.

"Do I need a reason to admire the beauty in front of my eyes?" he asked raising his one eyebrow but still playing innocent.

I couldn't take his words anymore.He has been answering in riddles,which I am least interested to unravel at the moment.As he was stepping much further,I decided to leave him to his fate and turned back to my way.

Just then,he grabbed my hand.I turned back to look at his hand which was encircling my wrist.Noticing my startled look,he let go of my hand saying, "I apologise for this.I didn't mean to offend you.I was being playful for a while.Please don't leave lady."His face showed such an expression which I have never encountered.He seemed as if he had known me for quite sometime and he didn't want to lose this chance to talk to me."I am Ishan,a soldier...What I meant earlier was that I was lost admiring the beauty of....this place...." he finally revealed.

I was new to such a situation.A stranger flirting around and grabbing my hand was so disapproving but I couldn't revolt and punish him for this...since I didn't want to reveal my identity.

I couldn't imagine what would common women do when exposed to a more worse scenario when they encounter men with such behaviour in a deserted place.The thought that they cannot help being helpless in such conditions is making me agitated and restless.I feel it as my duty to do something as soon as possible.

But at the moment,coming to my scenario,a man has never been this teasing in my presence.His eyes were complementing well with his speech and I didn't know what they mean.But the only thing I know now is that I am tinged with some unknown tension.

None dared to approach me in this manner in my entire life but his approach just reminded me that I AM A GIRL before being a Princess.....

"Dear lady,sorry for startling you.May I know the reason for your visit here?Is there some trouble?Am I of any help to you?"he asked with utmost concern in his eyes concealing that playful person whom I confronted a few moments ago.I could sense his sincerity.

"I am not obliged to tell you,am I?Try to behave yourself around women,especially when they are alone.That is the great help which you can offer."I taunted him inadvertently.I didn't knew I could also reply in such a way to someone who had been a stranger just a while ago.

"I promise I would do that but there is one person who needs exception...in front of whom I couldn't hold my mischief....."he said with a grin.

I didn't know but for some reason I felt like he was referring to me.....

That's how it started.....

.....as far as I could remember.....that was the first time I encountered him which later turned into a true friendship.

We shared common views regarding the progress of the kingdom and women.Unlike our first talk,his behaviour later was much more respectful yet outspoken.I liked meeting him since it felt like I have found a good friend.He was smart and sensible.He was too brave and bright to be a soldier.

I have never really had friends other than my cousin,Leela.But this time it was something different.He was a man.But I didn't see him as such.I took him as a mere friend and nothing more.What pulled me was that he wasn't dealing with me with the view of a Princess....rather I could feel that his words were constantly waking up that girlish side of mine which has been in slumber since so long .

But then again...I was not sure as to what happened a few days later.....when he stopped visiting the riverbed.It has been quite sometime since I met him......since I heard his heartfelt words and speaking eyes.....

And here he is in the middle of the night,dressed in warfare...entering my chamber disclosing his form of Rajnath Ishan Chanver not leaving this chance to horrify me.....