❝The only kind of love I want is one where even if it is just for a short moment, it feels like I have lived a lifetime in that moment with that person. ❞ - Jhanvi Raichand.
**You CANNOT read this as standalone. Read Dare to Be before reading this...
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2.43 Echoes of Life
I groan as my back hits the mat for the nth time. My entire body is going to be sore for days. "Have you no mercy?!" I snap at the younger Prince, Randeep.
He laughs down at me, offering his hand to pull me up. "It's not my fault you have terribly slow reflexes."
With a huff, I bounce back on my feet and stretch my neck. For the last hour, he has been 'teaching' me self-defense skills but if I am to be honest, he is really just looking for any excuse to drop me on the mat every five seconds. "I'm not terrible. You're just... good." I can't even turn a blind eye to the fact - as much as I might be irritated with it. "You know, the only reason I chose you and not Vikas or Mohit is because..."
He doesn't let me finish, already catching on. "You underestimated me, babe. It's alright, no offense taken. Besides, I am better than good. Bhai sa himself trained me. Now, come on. Again."
I frown but get in the stance he's taught me. I've perfected atleast that, if not the actual punch. "Would have been nice to know before." It's a good thing Aarush isn't around to see me embarrass myself... unless his eyes are glued to CCTV screens again. Then he might have a front row seat to my humiliation. "Where is he, anyway?"
"In a meeting with the minister." He informs taking a swing at my face and I lean to the side at the very last fraction of a second to avoid getting hit.
"Hey!" I warn, "Not the face." He smirks at my expense. "Minister, huh?" It dawns on me that his title isn't just a title. He actually does have influence else why would the Minister be talking to him, right?
""Probably discussing course of action over last night's riots." Randeep casually says as if it isn't a cause of concern. Or, it just could be that things like this have happened in the past - causing them to be habituated with it. Not that getting used to it is a good thing in general. But I suppose it leaves an impression of just how common it is in these parts. To be honest, it's sad. And yet, a reality that cannot be denied.
The way politics affects a common man... living in Australia, it was a side of my life I was never bothered with. Most of the time, I was not even aware of it because it didn't have any direct influence in my life. I would wake up, work, eat, sleep, and repeat. I voted. I watched the news every now and then But, hardly any of my day-to-day decisions were impacted by the changes in political affairs of the country.
My line of thought is broken when my back hits the mat once again and an oomph escapes my lungs. "Dude!" I yell at his laughing face while he straddles me, keeping my hands pinned at either side of my face.
"Focus," he chides. "Instead of getting mad at me, take this seriously. I convinced him to let us all help but he won't let you be anywhere near if you can't take care of yourself."
