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Gangaputra saw to all the arrangements. He looked out of the window to see the position of sun. It seems that the one prahar(3 hrs) had finally ended. How could it be that he has been waiting eagerly for it. Now he has to hurry up.
He knew if he didn't get right now to Shikha, then that silly girl will definitely do as she said and go alone.
He was going when Satyavati came suddenly.
Satyavati- Bheeshma, All's done? Good. Now let's go.. the Royal chef is asking for what would be the menu next.
Gangaputra couldn't go now. There's no way he could let her(Shikha) go away. If he was late, she will try to do things in utter defiance. He knew her so well.
Gangaputra- Maata ... You should decide on it .
Satyavati- But...
Gangaputra- Take help from Putri Gandhari and Kunti and both sister-in-law. Please you should all decide on it.
Satyavati- Alright.
Gangaputra- Now I may take your leave.
He started to go, when Satyavati asked.
Satyavati- Are you going anywhere???
Gangaputra- Yes.
Satyavati- Where?!
As he has never told a lie in his life, he told her.
Gangaputra- I'm taking Shikha for a ride.
Satyavati was stunned.
Yesterday, both of them behaved like sworn enemies and now he was taking her for a ride. And Shikha! Really. No princess. No Shikhandini but Shikha. Not bad, Bheeshma.
A mischievous thought came to her mind. She has seen that when the kids are said not to do anything like don't climb up on the tree, they will definitely do it.
Satyavati tried to speak in a very concerned tone.
Satyavati- Shikha?! The Panchal princess???
Gangaputra- Yes Maata. The same.
Satyavati (deliberately)- I wouldn't suggest you to associate with her. She is cleverer than her age.
Gangaputra's jaw clenched. But he said coolly.
Gangaputra- I would like to call her smart. She is not like other girls.
Satyavati- How would you know?! You have never ever known any girl???
Gangaputra- Maata... What's your real concern?
Satyavati- I admit she is smart and witty and humorous, and the novelty and freshness of hers is attractive but...
Gangaputra- But what???
Satyavati- She is a force, Bheeshma. A force even you couldn't handle. As she has the power to hurt you and I don't want to see you hurted.
Stubbornly, Gangaputra replied.
Gangaputra- If she hurts me, then she hurts me. Nothing big deal. No one should be invincible. And if anyone who could handle her in this world is no one but me. Stop overthinking. We are just friends.
Saying that, he left.
Satyavati smiled broadly and heartily. Thank God for his stubbornness this time. It's really needed. Finally, Gangaputra Bheeshma was coming out from his protective shell.
***
Oh god! How could I forgot! The sun is almost up. She has to go, thought Shikha.
She was busy talking with Urvi that the girls have filled her hands with Henna.
Shikha- That's enough. I have an urgent work. You guys enjoy yourself.
She left abruptly without glancing back.
Gosh! Gangaputra would be looking for her. How could she have forgotten?!
But when she saw him from very far away, she hides.
She looked at her hands. If he sees her like this, he wouldn't lose the chance to tease her. And she couldn't go out now with her hands full of Mehendi.
Gangaputra searced for her in the whole palace. Where is she?! Is he late? No. He's on time. But where is she?!
When he turned, thankfully he saw her.
Shikha immediately hides her hands behind her.
Gangaputra walked to her.
Gangaputra- Where were you?! I have been looking for you.
Shikha couldn't utter a word. She also couldn't find a way to run from him.
Gangaputra- I have readied the horses. Let's go.
Shikha took a step back and said hesitantly.
Shikha- No, Gangaputra. Not now.
Gangaputra was stunned. She couldn't back out now when he has been readying everything for their outing. And waited for such a long time.
Gangaputra- Let's go, Shikha. Everything is ready.
Shikha was going to take a step back when he snatched her arm behind her.
Something wet felt on his palm. He snatched back his hand.
Gangaputra and Shikha (in unison)- God!
Shikha put her hands on her front and screamed.
Shikha- God! You ruined it. You idiot Gangaputra!!!
Gangaputra looked at his hand. Mehendi! Seriously!
Gangaputra- What the hell! Why didn't you tell me you have applied henna paste all over your hand, you silly girl???
Shikha- I have to sit still for hours... And now you have ruined it.
She looked down at her smudged arm. He also peeked at it.
Their bickering started.
Gangaputra- Okay stop screaming. It's not completely ruined. Just through the end.
Shikha- why couldn't have you stayed in your place?! This is all your fault.
Gangaputra- My fault. Why didn't you say, you have applied it. And now look it's on my hand too. And it feels slimy and grimy. What should I do?!
Shikha- Slimy and grimy. You're a complete idiot.
Gangaputra- It's all because of you. Now where should I wipe it?
She took another step back.
Shikha- Not on me!
Ofcourse he wouldn't do that.
Gangaputra lifted the hem of his Angavastra with his other hand to wipe the henna.
Shikha stopped him.
Shikha- No don't!
Gangaputra- Why???
Shikha- It will dirty your pristine white robe. Let it dry for a moment and then scrub it.
He waited.
Gangaputra(grumbled)- It's not drying.
Shikha- Stop complaining Gangaputra. Even Radheya has been better than you with it.
He looked grumpily at her.
Gangaputra- Stop comparing!
Shikha- Then stop behaving like a child.
He is never going to talk to her again.
Shikha gazed at him in awe. How could he look grumpy and cute at the same time.
Shikha- Show me your hand. And let me fix it.
Gangaputra- Nope!
Shikha- Okay sorry. Now let me.
Reluctantly, he did. Because she said sorry. And he's a gentleman.
She blows air on it with her mouth. The smudge is on half of his palm but just a little bit. Finally after some time it was dried enough to be scraped.
Shikha- See. You can scrap it now.
He scraped the henna clump from his palm but it has retained an orange colour on his hand.
Gangaputra- That damned thing has left it's colour.
Shikha(chuckled)- Language, Gangaputra.
He was not in the mood for good humour. He's been waiting for her and now she has applied Mehendi and they couldn't go. He felt like betrayed. She has asked herself and He had planned a surprise for her too but all in vain.
Gangaputra- So you have got an excuse now?!
Shikha- Excuse?!
He nodded towards her hands.
Gangaputra- You like to play with someone else's fe... (Feelings) free time, No?!
Shikha has no idea why he was grumpy.
Shikha- Playing... Radheya so sweetly insisted me on it .. and I couldn't deny him.
What could he says to her. She thinks about everyone. Just not him.
Gangaputra- We have a deal.
Shikha- Deal??? What deal?!
Gangaputra was really, really, really annoyed. She couldn't help but laugh.
Shikha- I'm so sorry Gangaputra. We couldn't have our outing today.
She lifted her hands and showed it to him.
Shikha- You have ruined it. Now I have to ask someone to fix it.
Gangaputra saw a girl passing by with a platter full of henna bowls. He lifted it deftly from it.
He repeated what she said to him.
Gangaputra- Show me your hand. And let me fix it.
Shikha looked at him astounded.
Shikha- What! You are going to fix it. Impossible. You can't.
Gangaputra grunted.
Gangaputra- Ofcourse I can. Show me.
She maybe be fantasizing but his intense voice melted her inside.
She stretched her hand towards him. He cleaned the smudged area with his thumb.
Shikha felt a spark by his touch. Today she was in his arms but didn't feel like what she is feeling now.
Focus.
She couldn't help but complaint like a child.
Shikha- Gangaputra. You let it be. Someone else will fix it.
Gangaputra- Shhh. Keep quiet.
She complied. He said in an authoritative and dominating voice that she blinked.
He concentrated on the design made on her hand and tried to imitate it.
Shikha chuckled. It didn't felt ticklish earlier when some girl made it, but now certainly.
Shikha- Gosh Gangaputra! You are ruining it more. Stop please.
Gangaputra- It's better than the previous work.
Shikha- It's awful.
Gangaputra- Quiet little girl. It's beautiful.
Now it's Shikha's turn to make mock puffy angry face. He made her feel like a little girl indeed.
After an eternity.
Gangaputra- Done. See.
Shikha- Thank you so much. I'm hundred years old now.
Gangaputra- Such a smart mouth you have! Now that it's fixed, we are going.
Shikha- Where?!
Gangaputra- Do you want to go or not?! Your choice.
♥️♥️♥️