The princess and the knight

Chapter 5: a handsome stranger and some horse riding

The next day the doctor came to check on Shahrukh. He suspected a tear in one of his rotator muscles and suggested minimal invasive surgery to repair the damage. But Shahrukh choose to finish the shooting of MNIK and postpone the surgery. With painkillers the discomfort was bearable and he did not want to cause delay for his friend's movie.

So they continued with their schedule. This evening they were better prepared for the cold weather situations in LA and finished the soccer field sequence without any problems. They even had time to enjoy a delicious evening meal with the whole gang. Kajol who had just received a phone call entered the dinner room beaming of joy.

"I have great news: Tish and Nyssa will be flying over tomorrow!" the actress happily announced.

"That really is lovely to hear," Karan said, he knew that Kajol's acting performance would increase even more when she had her daughter safely with her.

Everybody was happy for Kajol only one pair of eyes looked disappointed at the floor. It was Suhana she was enjoying the sleepover with aunty Kajol and of course she wanted to know how the bedtime story would end. Kajol's motherly instinct immediately noticed Suhana's discontent and reassured the young girl:

"Nyssa was really looking forward to play with you, and this hotel has big kingsize beds so I am sure the three of us will fit," she winked at Suhana.

The girl smiled: "Jeey, I can still sleep over!"

Gauri smiled gratefully at Kajol. She was amazed how her daughter had grown so fond of Shahrukh's co-star.

Soon dinner was over Aryan wanted to watch TV but unlike most children Suhana asked her parents if she could go to bed. Shahrukh and Gauri weren't surprised anymore, they knew their daughter wanted to hear the famous bedtime story.

"You must share your secret stories with me Kajol, it's a great way to get my daughter to bed early," Gauri winked at Kajol.

"Oh it really isn't a special story," Kajol quickly said.

Gauri didn't notice Kajol was reluctant to tell the content of her story.

In the room Suhana had already installed herself on soft pillows eagerly waiting for Kajol to continue the story.

"Where was I?" Kajol asked.

"The princess had discovered that the knight was already married and she is still waiting for someone special." Suhana quickly replied.

"Oh yes, I remember. One day the princess was reading a book at her favourite place, underneath an old oak tree on a green hill. She loved to read and to observe the people passing by. The princess was engrossed in her story when she suddenly heard a shrill scream for help. She instantly looked up and saw a frightened woman in a carriage yanking on the reins, trying desperately to halt the two galloping horses. But the horses didn't react, they were uncontrollable, blinded by fear, wanting only one thing: TO FLEE!"

"Why were the horses running?" Suhana enquired.

"Well horses are flight animals. To survive in the wild, it is of uttermost importance that they run at any sign of danger. Otherwise they could land in the belly of a predator. Unfortunately for humans the domesticated horses have kept their flight reflex intact. One of the carriage horses could have for example been stung by a bee and panicked." Kajol explained.

"Oh I understand," the girl nodded and Kajol continued her story.

"The princess saw the drama evolve with her own eyes; the horses still blinded with fear were heading right towards a canyon. They would fall 100 metres deep and the princess could do nothing to help the poor lady. She yelled: 'Jump out of the carriage, save yourself!' But the woman seemed determined to save the horses and kept pulling at the reins. Just when everything seemed lost a lone rider on a white stallion came galloping at high speed. He steered his faithful mount alongside the terrified horses. The man fluently stood on the saddle and jumped on one of the horses. He stroked its sweaty neck and murmured some comforting words but the horse was too frightened to react he kept galloping so the handsome stranger had one last chance. He bended forward took one rein and tugged a few times at the left rein making the horses turn just in time. The princess who had witnessed everything let out a sigh of relief. That brave man had saved the woman and her horses! The knight yelled ho and the white stallion immediately slowed down to a trot. The carriage horses seemed finally comforted by the presence of the other horse and also reduced their speed. A few moments later they all halted.

"Yeej, they are saved!" Suhana exclaimed joyously.

"Yes thanks to the knight's bravery and riding skills," Kajol explained.

"I also want to learn how to ride. I love horse," Suhana revealed.

"Well Nyssa and I have been taking some riding lessons if you have permission of your parents you can accompany us some time," Kajol suggested.

"That would be great!" the girl smiled and jumped out of bed.

"Where are you going?" Kajol asked.

"I am going to ask papa if I can go horse riding with you," sounded the reply.

A few minutes later Kajol who was reading a novel of Mills and Boon heard a girl laughing and a man making horse sounds.

"Aunty open the door I want to show you my new horse!"

Kajol opened the door and couldn't help but smile at the picture standing in front of her. Suhana was sitting proudly on her dad's back. She had made a bridle from her rope skipping cord. Poor Shahrukh, his face was entangled in the rope. She had also attached a cushion on his back as a makeshift saddle.

"I see you already have had your first riding lesson," Kajol laughed.

"Yes I had but Papa is a too slow horse, we will never be able to save people," Suhana stated earnestly.

"Hey, mind your tongue young lady or otherwise your trusty steed might want to buck and throw you out off the saddle," Shahrukh teased.

"Wow you have a talking horse, that's special too," Kajol said while she petted Shahrukh's hair as if he really was an animal.

Suhana dismounted and said: "Now it is your turn aunty Kajol, you must show me how to ride."

"No, that's not a good idea baby. You know I am used to bigger stronger horses to ride on," Kajol wanted to find an excuse.

But her comment bruised Shahrukh's male ego so he said: "Common princess I am strong enough to carry you back to Mumbai, I think you are afraid. I think you don't know how to ride a fiery stallion as myself."

"Go aunty, show him that you can ride!" Suhana cheered.

"To show you that I can easily handle fiery horses I will ride without bridle," Kajol announced and detached the rope receiving a grateful look of her friend.

"Are you ready?" Shahrukh asked.

"Are you?" came the reply and Kajol effortlessly jumped on his back. After a few rounds 'galloping' in the hallway Shahrukh was getting tired and decided it was time to loose his 'rider' so he ran next to the bed and wanted to throw Kajol on the bed. But Kajol wasn't giving up so easily she encircled her legs around his waist and took him down with her. The two friends landed softly on the bed.

Shahrukh looked in his co-star's eyes. They were beaming triumphanticly. For an instant he was mesmerised by her beauty. The moment was quickly broken by Suhana who jumped onto the bed laughing: "That was great, we must do it again."

"I think it is getting rather late, it is bedtime for you. Tomorrow I will tell how the princess and the knight first meeting goes." Kajol said.

"Okay, I will go to sleep," the girl reluctantly wished them goodnight.

Kajol and Shahrukh stayed with Suhana until they were sure the girl had entered dreamland then they went downstairs to discuss a scene with Karan.