What if some cricket couples could be some 'Regal Couple' ?
The story is same like the title itself. Main characters are in cover. Read first chapter for more info.
When Mayank left the dance room leaving the shy teacher behind, first person he met was Sam; standing midway, lowering head. He does it whenever needed to ask something to his master instead of direct questioning.
"Chhup chhup ke dekhna galat baat hai baby" - Mayank said holding his jaw. The feathery touch made the slave's voice muffled next moment — "apology rajkumar! But I never knew that prince of Ratnagiri bends over common people's feet!"
"Who is common people babyboy ? Dance teacher ?"
"Most probably not. As I never seen my master bending over prostitutes or slaves, not even me..."
Mayank chuckled. His grip tightened on Sam's white skin while saying — "you must have seen the picture lord Krishna bending in front of Radha, touching her feet. But ever you saw him touching any servant's feet ?"
Oops! This image does not follow our content guidelines. To continue publishing, please remove it or upload a different image.
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Next morning Shivam was chopping large woods into pieces, behind their camp. Things are going well for him now, brother became calm in those days, even he seems happy and smiled once or twice which was enough to make Shivam shocked. Though he also become so happy for the brother he couldn't remember when smiled last time. Only one thing is swinging his mind.
"Shivam bhaiyaaa...."
Oh! The cheerful soul Abhishek, Ratnagiri's angel. The most rude person of the world couldn't resist the cutely run and smile of the boy, how could Shivam ? He put the axe aside and greeted the li'l brother with wide smile.
"Kya baat hai Abhi ? Tu yahan ?"
"Nhi aa sakta ? Shall I be afraid of my robber brothers ?"
Both laughed for a moment, Shivam pulled him in hug and sat on a log with him.
"Yaar tu angel hai Ratnagiri ka, you cane here at morning it means we will have heavy income today"
After another session of laugh Shivam asked, "why aren't you coming in temple ? Dance chhod diya kya ?"
"Hmmm...aa gye na mudde pe ? Haha... Main to isiliye aaya hun"
With a cute grin Abhishek took out a folded chit from his kurta's pocket.
"Ye kya hai ?" Shivam asked.
"Uska khat"
"Kiska ?"
"Stop acting innocent! Chhote rajkumar ka"
"Dikha..."
Abhishek quickly jumped up and moved aside as Shivam went to take the chit. Making him disappointed the cute one grinned. "Not such easily bhaiya"
"You want bribe ?"
The grin didn't close. Noughty eyes went at the top of mango tree. Shivam shook head and came within few minutes with some green mangoes. Still didn't get his goal as Abhi raised his eyebrows; "salt and spices ?"
"Main kahanse launga ?"
Shivam's annoyance melted in Abhi's pout. He took out some coins from cottony waistband. "Buy from market"
The boy ran out like he came running few minutes ago. Didn't forget to throw the chit at Shivam. Butterflies were already tickling in Shivam's stomach to unfold the letter. Sitting on the same log he read the first greeting from younger rajkumar — "Namaste"
Shivam paid a huge re-greeting in mind as this word was too much unexpected for a robber's brother from a prince. After that the reason of not coming in Trimbakeshwar temple was briefly described. Where the clarification ended, the next lines made Shivam's heart run like an express train.
"Neither we talked nor met before, still my soul felt a deep connection with you. I'm gonna visit Shivalaya today afternoon, may I expect you there once again ?"
At a glance Shivam's face glittered with smile, he stood up and looked at the sun clock. "Sun god, please set early today" — he prayed. Soothed, adored the chit, folded as it was and turned back to go in camp but -------- his brother was standing just a few feet away, looking at him with satire.
"Mohabbat ?"
Young brother couldn't find words for elder brother's question, he himself isn't sure, is it love or not. He just touched hairs and smiled like weirdo. Ruturaj came closer till then. "Mohabbat ka swad kaisa hota hai re ? Meko to naseeb na hoyega, tu hi bata de"
"Haha... aisa k...kuch nhi hai bhaiya"
"Idhar laa" — Rutu's spread arm pushed Shivam in dilemma. Surely he's asking for the letter. How can Shivam give it to him ?
"K--kya bhaiya ?" His muffled question helped nothing but heated Ruturaj's stare not moving his spread arm a bit. Getting no way, Shivam gave up. Stood looking down handing over the chit. A huge grief engulfed him to pass something too personal but his brother didn't unfolded or read that. Just took two stones, twisted them and burnt the letter into ashes.
"Admit that you hate brother, but always remember parents' slayers. No snuggle with that family"
"Chhote rajkumar aisa nhi hain bhaiya"
"Snake's children are always snakes! Mind it, don't leave camp without my permission"
No one knew Ruturaj more than his younger brother. With a heavy burden of sadness he felt his brother is also carrying same grief and apologising in mind while going into the camp.
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
The Sun is about to set. Arrangements of mangal arati in Trimbakeshwar temple has begun. Rachin is sitting on the stair from hours, looking at the tiny way of captain's camp. It's dark, empty, no one is coming.
A servant of royal family bowed in front of him — "Rajkumar, Varanasi's landlord Deepak Singh just came in palace. Maharaja is expecting you as soon as possible to host him"
Rachin stood up like a robot. Who knew, childish younger rajkumar who cries out just for a kite, can gulp the tears of big disappointment ? In small steps he started going back followed by the servant. Behind them, under a large tree a Vaishnava lady was singing -----
Sakhi chira abhagini hum
Baithe ekakini pohanu rajani tobu naa aailo shyam
Sakhi chira abhagini hum
Krishna kajal pighal sajal nayaner nir dhare
Eka khina patha britha manarathabifalaavisaare
Sakhi hum, kabhu naa avisaare jaaon
Dukh laaj etath sah nahi paahon
[Meaning : I am very unlucky …
I sat alone for the whole night, yet Shyam hasn’t come
I am really unlucky …
The black kohl is flowing down along with the tears …
Due to this thin little chance but failed meeting …
