Ghungru

Please Answer Me

The night sky was blessed with a full moon. Though the palace was well lit but Shana's room was kissed with the moonlight and filled with the presence of him. Her Ali Sahab's.

Sitting on the diwan with silence surrounding them but that silence said a million words. Ali was often looking at the moon and then stealing a glance at Shana. Maybe he was comparing who was more beautiful at that time- The moon with that calm silvery glow or Shana with glowing more with the moon's glow.

Ali was sitting with an appropriate distance from Shana. And that also for the first time. This made Shana more uncomfortable than the times when he gets all clingy with her.

Finally the silence was broken when Ali slowly asked,"How are you?" Shana with quite a shocked expression 'cause of that formality said,"U-Uh.. umm.. I-I am fine. How are you?..."

"I'm also fine. It was kinda stressful these days" he gave a small smile to her. That smile was warm but it wasn't like him. Shana with a bit more concerned again asked,"Are you really fine?" She looked seriously at him.

"Yes I'm" he said with a frown, "Why don't I look fine?!"

"Uhh no you look fine but you are acting a bit different...?" Shana hesitantly said.

"Ohh~ like?" He raised an eyebrow while smirking.

"Uhm.. l-like... like..."

"Like this distance dear?" He pulled her closer almost in a hug. "Sorry I was a bit shy after meeting you for such a long time but here I'm back to normal" he said this with his usual mischievous  grin.

This made Shana blush but gave her a relief that he is fine.

Time flew in a blink. And it was already midnight. So much to say but still it felt so less. And this beautiful moment was ruined with the devils of curiosity in her mind.

Suddenly there was again silence between them but this time it was an awkward silence.

After a brief moment, Ali asked her,"It seems like you want to ask something." Seeing the sudden curiosity in her eyes and behaviour made him ask this.

"Uhh.. yes, but will you answer me?" Shana asked in an absent minded tone.

Ali slowly took her hand and kissed her fingers softly. "You can ask me anything, dear" he again smiled his warm smile and properly turned towards her.

"Umm... who is that girl Shehzade Aman everyday visits to? I mean that sleeping girl. And why are the relations between you both so bad?..."

Ali remained silent. Though half of his handsome face was enlighten with the moonlight and half with the golden light of the burning candles in Shana's room but there was no life in it.

That warm smile was no more there, as if it was getting paler and paler and he went into a deep thought.

"A-Ali Sahab...?" Shana interrupted his thoughts.

"Huh ah? Uhm I'm having a bad headache... and it's quite late now, so good night Shana." He suddenly got up to leave.

Shana was quite shocked to see this behaviour of his. She wanted to know.. know more bout him, his past, everything. So she held his hand back and again asked,"Won't you... answer me...?"

Ali pulled his hand back,"Few questions are better not to be answered. Now go and sleep I'll see you around tomorrow."

All Shana could see was a beautiful broad back which was cold... which was keeping few secrets from her.

Shana couldn't believe this and again said in a louder voice,"Please answer me!"

Ali didn't turn around but just slowly uttered,"Good night Shana."

That sudden coldness in his voice made her feel more distant than the time when there was actual distance in between them. But she said nothing more. There was disappointment and sadness in her eyes which lit a small spark of fire.

To be Continued...

Author's note- What do you think will this spark of fire spread more? Let's see what happens