𝐑𝐞𝐢𝐠𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐇𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐬 | 18+

Chapter-29: Ranthambore

Meera

Kahaan lekar ja rahe hain aap hamein, if not home? I questioned him for the second time since we boarded the jet but this one heck of a stubborn guy.

We're about to reach in a few minutes, you'll see then, he replied. I closed my eyes and took a few deep breathes. I had a talk with Chhoti too, this morning.

She seemed quite happy with her friends in Amsterdam. She's ready to come back in a week, she said she wants to sort things out with Maa and Baba and everyone.

I've still not talked to anyone at home, though I know they're not doing well but, whatever. Ranthambore, yeah the arrival announcement said that. We landed safely and then came a rather unpleasant sight. The paparazzi, I hate it.

We got to our car and the chauffeur opened the door for Yash after he did it for me. The journey was a long one, it took us one and half hour to reach what looks like a Palace.

That's our Palace in Ranthambore, Yash informed me and I nodded. We got off the car as it pulled into the driveway.

Namaste Rana Sa Hukum, Rani Sa Hukum, aaiye. The guards greeted Yash and me respectively. He replied in a curt nod and I passed a small smile.

Okay, the palace looks quite functional. Like more of a fort than a palace. We entered from the front yard, there stood tall the big metal doors. They opened to reveal a gazebo standing on sixteen pillars, four in each corner.

The living room had an ancient touch to it. The maroon and gold colour scheme complemented the yellow sandstone exterior pretty well.

You wanna take some rest? Yash asked me to which I shook my head negatively. We had a good nap in the flight. Then come, let me show you something. He seemed excited about it.

Taking a hold of my hand, he walked into the backyard and out of the main palace premises now. We entered into what seemed like a bio reserve, interesting.

This is the Rathore's personal bio reserve. The animals that are rescued near this region are brought here under direct care of the royal family's officials, he chimed in.

I could see a couple of baby alligators in a lake. We walked for a couple of minutes and came to a stable of horses. Ah, my favourite. There was also a white Albino horse, just like mine back home.

Let's take you to meet my babies, he muttered. I chuckled at his excitement but followed him. We stood in front of a cage, where two tigers were roaming. He gripped my hand tightly and said, 'you don't need to be scared. They're my babies.'

Does he think I am scared of tigers when I myself have rescued numerous lions in Gir. We entered the cage and both the tigers plunged onto him making him stumble. I held him and he regained his balance in a minute.

The tigers were glaring at me when I held his hand. He was caressing them gently and them stood straight. Hovering around me they sniffed and examined me for a while. Yash was calm and had a smile playing on his lips, I was amused too.

I gently caressed both their heads, they seemed a bit startled at first but then warmed up to my touch.

What are their names? I asked Yash.