Adil-e-Chand, the ashes of desire

9. IS IT YOU?

CHANDRIKA

"Ab tum hi btao mene kuch galat kaha kya?" Chetna asked munching on her apple, I shook my head at her casual attitude towards the situation.

(now you tell me, did i say something wrong?)

"We are kidnapped, and you aren't even worried? we are kidnapped Chetna KIDNAPPED. but what are you doing, huh? sitting here eating an apple and bitching about a guy-"

"But I'm not bitching, apparently what I'm telling you feels like bitching because his actions were bitchy" she huffed and kept the half-eaten apple on the table, "and about getting kidnapped I don't think we should worry about that; they provided us with a meal for six and just look around this chamber; it's twice the size of your room. Who would treat captives so luxuriously? I kind of like it here more"

That is what scares me-why would someone do that, especially when I don't even know them?

I sighed, my thoughts returning to the way his facial expression shifted when I questioned him in anguish.

but I was right, it was my right to know about my whereabouts. Still, I shouldn't have mentioned anything about using women.

I looked at the food kept in front of us which can feed at least 6-7 people."These apples are juicier than the ones in our kingdom" Chetna exclaimed leaning in to get another one.

"kitna khati ho tum"
(how much do you eat)

I glanced back at a guard whose appearance was too striking for the typical image of a guard.

"Tum?" Chetna yelled, unfortunately too close to my ears, "Tum phir aa gaye? Maine bola tha na, main tumhe pasand nahi karti." I looked at both of them, dumbfounded.

(You? again? Didn't I make myself clear? I don't like you)

"shukar hai, mujhe Pehle hi bohot ladkia pasand krti hai unhe sambhalna hi bohot mushkil hai" he rolled his eyes and folded his hands. I cleared my throat to get some attention, "oh Chandrika he is the guy I was talking about" I narrowed my eyes.

(Thank goodness, I already have many girls who like me; managing them is quite difficult)

he smiled looking at me, "bha- princess, I'm Ameer- the head commander". Well, that explains his shredded physique, he gave a slight bow and approached me.

"I have been sent by the Sultan to disclose everything to you." I nodded, finding it odd that for a kidnapper, he was quite warming.my frown was still plastered on my face as he sat in front on me, "it's all a plan" he said.

I waited for him to elaborate, but he simply sat there, smiling at Chetna while she glared at him with intense disapproval.

"that's it?" I asked, "if you are not forgotten princess, you are kidnapped so we aren't obliged to explain. Everything here is related to politics, half of which might be complex to grasp. Besides that, we will cater to all your needs. There are clothes in your dressing room, and a separate kitchen has been designated to prepare only vegetarian dishes. Is there anything else you require?"

As I stood up to respond, Chetna, perched atop the table, grabbed his collar, towering over him.

"What do you mean she can't understand politics, huh? she is highly educated, and you better respect my princess or else it won't take me a second to slice down your throat" she threatened, bringing the knife she had used to cut her apple close to his throat, the sharp edge aimed directly at his Adam's apple.

"Chetna" I shouted, goshh this girl," leave him and step down" I said grabbing her by the hand. the guy cleared his throat and stepped back.

"By the way, princess, you're in the Himayat Sultanate, and you don't have to worry about us harming you," he said, casting a sarcastic glance at Chetna for an uncomfortably long moment before leaving.