Kunti- A Novella

4.The Forest

Savitr was walking behind Kunti.

He couldn't help but notice Kunti's lithe figure walking ahead of him, teasing him.

He was attracted to her.

He knew she was attracted to him as well.

But he was a lowborn soldier and she a princess.

They were the typical star crossed lovers.

Time and again, Kunti would glance back at Savitr and find him looking at her.

On being found staring at Kunti, Savitr would avert his eyes.

This immensely pleased her.

Though a princess, she was still a young budding woman at heart who enjoyed the attention of a man she liked.

All along the journey, their eyes kept playing this game of hide-and-seek.

Soon they arrived at the temple.

And Kunti completed her prayers.

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This was probably the only time Kunti would get to put her plans into action.

On their return journey to the palace, she would be alone with Savitr and then she could finally tell him what she feels for him.

And she was sure Savitr would return her feelings.

So on their way back, Kunti made a stop at the edge of a river passing through the forests.

She sat at the edge with her legs slightly dipped in the water.

Savitr was standing guard at a distance.

Kunti was slightly miffed at Savitr for not taking advantage of her even under such favorable conditions.

She called Savitr.
He walked to the edge of the river.

"Why don't you too take some rest?"- Kunti asked.

"No princess. I am fine."- Savitr said.

"There is not even a single human being for a few kilometers around us. No one is going to hear you say my name."- Said Kunti.

"No princess."- Said Savitr.

"Why? Don't you like my name?"

"Of course I do. You have the name of our motherland. I will die for my motherland."

"Will you die for me as well?"

"Yes. You are our future Queen."

"What if I wasn't?"- said Kunti.

Savitr lost his composure for a second.
"If only you were not the future Queen."- he said.

"Savitr, I like you. I want you. May be even as my husband. Do you like me?"

"It is not good for a princess to fall for a servant."- he said.

"Don't teach me those rules of yours. I am the princess. I will make and break rules as I wish."

"Even you cannot change the most basic rules of our society princess."

"Let the society to go hell. Do you want me or not?"

A pained look crossed Savitr's eyes.

"I can't princess."

Frustrated, Kunti got up and walked to Savitr.
She held his hands and pulled him closer and went in for a kiss.

When her lips were just a wee bit away from his, Savitr pulled his face away from hers.

Kunti was shocked at him.

"Why are you doing this? Why are you denying me my chance at love?"

"You cannot love me princess. You have great things written for you in the sands of time. A mere man like me cannot do you justice."- saying this, Savitr walked away.

Kunti followed behind him a moment later.

Eyes wet, tears running down her cheeks!

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A/N: Hope you like the story so far!