Rakshash Aur Rajkumari (The Devil And The Princess)

18•गहन प्रेम

Rudraksha's eyes fluttered open, his vision slowly clearing as he awoke from a deep slumber. The first thing he saw was a pair of striking chocolate brown eyes, wide and alert, staring back at him with a curious intensity. They reminded him of an owl's gaze- curious, observant, and surprisingly penetrating.

As Rudraksha's senses awakened further, he realized the source of those captivating eyes. They belonged to Ambika, her tousled hair framed her face, adding to her mystique. He felt his large, heavy hands wrapped securely around her waist. Her chin rested comfortably on his broad chest, her warmth seeping into him.

For a moment, Rudraksha lay there, studying her features-the arch of her eyebrows, the soft curve of her lips, and the tan dusting her cheeks. The room was bathed in a soft morning light filtering through the curtains, casting a gentle glow over her features.

As Rudraksha slowly woke up, the first confused thought that crossed his mind was why he was sharing the bed with Ambika. His memory was hazy, but then last night's events came flooding back to him in vivid flashes.

After they had finished dinner together, as usual, Ambika had settled into bed, and Rudraksha had resigned himself to sleeping on the floor nearby, as was their routine. But then Ambika had declared she was too full of energy to sleep, disrupting their usual pattern.

A small disagreement had ensued as Rudraksha had insisted on sticking to their arrangement, while Ambika playfully argued against it. Eventually, in a moment of whimsy, Rudraksha had suggested telling her a bedtime story to help her drift off. Ambika, surprisingly intrigued by the idea, had agreed, and he found himself weaving a tale, improvising details and characters as he went along.

As the story unfolded, Rudraksha had noticed Ambika's eyes growing heavy, her breathing softening. Without thinking much of it, he had shifted to sit on the edge of the bed, continuing the story softly. Ambika, now fully relaxed, had nestled closer, her head resting against his shoulder. Before he knew it, they were both lying down together, their bodies close yet strangely comfortable.

Rudraksha stood up, feeling the need to get moving and start the day. "Let's go freshen up," he announced, stretching his arms above his head.

But Ambika, comfortably ensconced in the warmth of the duvet, simply murmured, "No," and burrowed deeper into the covers.

Rudraksha shot her a playful yet exasperated look, one eyebrow raised in response to her resistance. He moved around to her side of the bed, a mischievous glint in his eye. With swift determination, he pulled back the duvet, revealing Ambika's protesting form.

"Come on, Ambika. Enough with your drama," he teased, scooping her up effortlessly in his arms in a bridal-style carry.

Ambika let out a surprised squeal, laughing as she clung onto him. "Rudra, put me down!" she exclaimed, though her tone betrayed her amusement rather than genuine protest.

Ignoring her plea, Rudraksha strode purposefully towards the bathroom, his steps deliberate and confident. With a dramatic flair, he kicked open the door, revealing the bright and inviting space beyond.

"Time to wake up and face the day," Rudraksha declared, depositing Ambika gently on her feet inside the bathroom.

Rudraksha stood in the bathroom, toothbrush in hand, as he watched Ambika groggily accept the brush he had prepared for her with toothpaste. With a slight pout on her face, Ambika began brushing her teeth, her movements slow and still half-asleep.

Leaning against the wall, Rudraksha crossed his arms over his chest, his expression a mix of amusement and feigned disappointment. As he observed Ambika's sleepy efforts, a playful smile tugged at the corners of his lips.