Hide & Shadow

Chapter 6.

Rohan was breathless with wonder, The fort upfront was breathtaking in it's beauty. Standing few yards away from it he was able to see upfront just one part of it but that too had him stunned.

He had seen a lot of forts and palaces and was always intrigued by the. However this magnificent building tugged at his heart like no other had ever done.

The terracotta and slate exterior was well maintained as it was evident- other than the parts that had fallen down over the years, Work was to be done in these parts.

"So what will it be?"

A bored sounding voice disrupted his happy admiring dwelling of the fort and brought him back to the reason of his visit to the site today.

He was supposed to chose his mode of transport.

"Do you want horses or bullocks?"

"I have no clue." Rohan mumbled feeling lost.

"I suggest you chose the bulls."

Rohan turned around in and immediately a large smile found it's way on his face as he saw the face of the owner of the voice.

"Suhasini?"

"Hello Rohan" She smiled

Immediately his heart rate picked up, like it always did when she was in front of him. He had known hr for years and yet never hd mustered up the courage to take their friendship beyond the being cordial level.

Now that she was standing in front of him and giving him her beautiful smile, suddenly the thought of horses and bulls being his mode of transport did not bother him.

"What are you doing here in Shaktiganj?" Rohan managed to ask while his heart was leaping within his ribcage.

"I live here Rohan,"

"You are from Shaktiganj??"

Suhasini laughed "Don't make it sound like I am from another planet."

"No I-"Rohan went red in the face making Suhasini smile at him. "I am sorry I did not mean-"

"Don't worry I am only teasing you."

"You er- live nearby the fort?"

"Not really. I am running an errand for my mother, I came over to meet you when I saw you. I need to rush now, see you later." She smiled and with a wave of hand walked away before Rohan could make his tongue respond.

"I will walk you to the market." He somehow managed to say in a rush as Suhasini moved a few paces.

She stopped walking and turned to look and started shaking her head but Rohan quickly interjected.

"I inisist."Rohan said and added softly. "I want to."

"Okay then. Let's go." Suhasini said and stood in the side as Rohan confirmed on the bullock carriage as his mode of transport.

The man told him the carriage would be ready for him along woth a coachman in about thirty minutes and asked him to collect it then.

"What are you planning to buy from this small market?" Rohan asked her as he fell in pace with Suhasini and walked beside her.

"Mother buys some herbs for cooking that are found only in one of the shops in this market. You know local's often get things from the woods that are not available readily."

"That will not take long then. How will you go home after that?"

Suhasini sighed. "My carriage has gone for servicing as one of the wheels had gone loose, I will need to hire one from the market."