A promise is a vow for a lifetime.

Rudra's words made Amber think about his course of action. He knew the government of India desperately wanted the resources and riches of the only developed state of the Indian territory. The elections were close and the ruling government was pressurising him to use all tools to prove Swarnbhoomi was in trouble in the absence of a ruler. The inclusion of Swarnbhoomi as a state governed by the Indian government would mean...

"Amber, just relax. It's all sorted. The meta-issues can be analysed afterwards. Let's check up on Nimrit." Mention of Nimrit by Shakti grabbed Amber's attention and they headed towards the palace where Nimrit and Nivedya were sitting in oblivion holding their hands.

When Nimrit saw the elders coming towards them she said, "What happened to me was not your fault. I could see you were not happy and something was bothering you since the start. I tried to talk to..." Nimrit left her sentence incomplete because she did not want Nivedya to know about her efforts to cheer him up or talk to him. "I am sorry my curiosity made me land in trouble. You kept your promise of staying by my side always and look, you were the one to find me." Nimrit withdrew her hand from Nivedya's before anyone could see them. Void and cold was the state of their hearts in the absence of touch.

Amber asked Nimrit if she was fine and ready to go home. Nimrit got up to leave but imbalanced herself because her leg was hurt. Nivedya reacted promptly and caught her before she could grace the floor.

"I think she has sprained her leg," Shakti asserted looking at Nimrit.

Nivedya helped Nimrit to sit back on the chair making her heart thump inside the rib cage. She wasn't sure how Amber would react to the proximity between her and Nivedya.

"Eklavya bent and whispered in Amber's ears, "Time to show some royal protector skills." He ordered a rolling pin and a cotton cloth and asked Nimrit to sit on the floor.

Amber gestured Nimrit to do as told. His investigations had given him proof of the impeccable expertise of the protectors of the throne. Nimrit sat down and Eklavya tried an ancient yet effective process of treating the twisting of the leg. Nimrit shouted in pain and requested Eklavya to stop but he didn't because only pain can bring relief and it did. Nimrit could get up on her own and walked a little. She thanked Eklavya for his help and left with Amber without sparing a glance at Nivedya.

"I would not leave a chance to bow my head to the strongest and bravest boy I have met in my life." Eklavya bow his head in front of Nivedya making him confused, proud and happy. The man bowing in front of him was the ex-protector of the late queen of their state and he was also the man who relieved Nimrit's pain. So he also thanked Eklavya for helping his friend making Rudra chuckle at his boy's reaction.

He was proud of Nivedya and his selfless act but the scenario told him the affection, care and concern his son displayed was not just the friendship with Nimrit. It was more and the thought made him think if it was feasible? The differences between Amber and him will act as an obstacle on the road Nivedya wished to travel with Nimrit.

A story without twists, twirls, perils will be boring and plain. Rudra smiled at his thought and drove his son home.

The moment Nimrit stepped down from the car Reet engulfed her in a hug and sobbed. She kissed Nimrit all over her face and head several times to ensure herself she was safe. Amber took his wife in his arms and Reet hugged him tightly.

"I died several deaths in a span of few hours, Amber. Why does my baby have to suffer, always? What wrong have we done?" The waiting time at home for Reet since she came to know about Nimrit's missing was killing her bit by bit.

"Reet, just relax now. Chinni-Nimi is safe and with us. Let's go inside. The neighbours are watching us romance." Amber tried to lighten the mood.

Reet came out of the hug and remarked, "You have changed, Amber. You never bothered about the audience earlier and now an eighty-year-old neighbour bothers you?"

"Hello, parents, let's focus on this girl who has just come out of a nightmarish situation." Even if the end of the world was near, Nimrit would give her life to watch her parents happy than save herself. Nothing made her happier than the lovingly in love face of her parents, up until now, but her thoughts travelled to a boy who saved her not caring about his life.

Was her bookish fantasy coming true? She had several fantasies, though which ones she wanted to come true, she should be careful in praying for.

Nimrit took a shower to relax but the events of the day played on her mind. Nivedya's indifference, Ashwin cornering her, the masked man dragging her and holding her captive. Her falling off the balcony and Nivedya catching her just on time. Nimrit was still replaying the incidents when a warm liquid flowed through her thighs. She opened her eyes to see what it was and panicked at the sight of the water that turned red.

"Mummaaa..." Nimrit shouted and Reet who was sitting in Nimrit's room in case she needed help immediately came inside the bathroom. Nimrit was scared, horrified and on the verge of crying. Reet looked at her in sympathy. The day couldn't get any worse.

"Nimrit, it's okay. We are prepared for it, aren't we? It's just periods, they don't mean a period to life. They are a part of life, remember? Wait let me help you." Reet quickly grabbed a sanitary napkin from the cupboard and helped Nimrit use it. "Yes, that's like a smart girl. When I got my periods for the first time, I could not put it perfectly, as you did."

Nimrit lie on her bed and Amber was ready with hot chicken soup and bread for her. He put a small bed-table for her and fed her with his hands.

"Papa, I am fine. I will have the soup on my own. You must be tired too. Change and relax. The soup is too delicious to not have." Nimrit took the spoon from Amber and he left patting her head with love.

Nimrit was feeling uncomfortable with a sanitary napkin so she kept adjusting her sitting position. Reet told Amber about Nimrit's periods and they decided to take her to a gynaecologist for a check-up. They spoke about it to Nimrit and she agreed to her parent's decision.

Nimrit couldn't walk much because of the sprain so, she was first taken to an orthopaedic surgeon who advised her to relax as much as possible and prescribed her medicines in case the pain intensifies.

"Hey, cute girl, what happened?" A female doctor asked Nimrit who was sitting in the waiting lounge outside the gynaec's room.

Reet told the female doctor, "Umm... She got her periods for the first time so we got her for a check-up."

The doctor observed the Khanna family for a few seconds and then said, "Come, I will check you. I am the head of the gynaecology department. I don't want this cute girl to wait for her turn with a bandaged leg."
Reet, Nimrit and Amber followed the doctor to her cabin. Amber read the doctors's name on the nameplate outside her cabin and smirked. The day may have been bad for them personally but professionally his hands were full of crucial information.

"So, what's your name and age, cute girl?"

"Nimrit Khanna, 14 years."

"Wow! Your name is as beautiful as you. Mrs Khanna, I must mention, I am very happy you decided to get your daughter for a checkup for her first menstruation. Most people just don't bother and try home remedies for soothing pain and other issues that arise." The doctor examined Nimrit and gave her a few tips to ease the pain and stay healthy. Her experience and expertise were visible in her examinations and suggestions.

While writing the prescription the doctor questioned Nimrit, "So, how did you sprain your leg?"

Before Nimrit could answer, Amber, revealed, "She was on her school field trip to the Swarnbhoomi Palace and was kidnapped."

The doctor's eyes shot up and she heard the story Amber narrated dramatically. He was observing the doctor's reactions intently. "Nivedya R. Singh, the boy who spotted Nimrit could have lost his life saving her. The kids were hanging from the balcony and trust me doctor, the sight was horrifying. Thank God, both the kids were safe."

The doctor drank water from the glass kept on her table in one go and calmed herself. "Thank God, the kids are safe. I-I... think you should head home and take some rest. If you have any problem, feel free to call." The jovial doctor seemed shaken up after Amber told her about the incident.

"Umm... Ma'am, please don't mention about it to anyone. You see, the reason Nimrit was held captive was because apparently the man just wanted to grab the attention of the heir of Swarnbhoomi and I am sure you must be knowing the issue is so sensitive. After all, you are the wife of Randeep Raichand, the head of defence of Swarnbhoomi. Anyways, thank you, Dr Pri Raichand for checking up our daughter. It means a lot to us." Amber shook hands with the doctor before leaving.

As soon as they were out of the doctor's chamber, Reet scolded Amber, "You can never just stop yourself, Amber. Dr Pri Raichand is Indian's finest gynaecologist. She examined our daughter out of kindness and you treat her like a suspect? I am so unhappy with you. For once, can you stop being a spy?"

"Sorry," Amber tried to act cute to get his apology accepted but Reet turned around and left with Nimrit.
"Reet, how do I make you understand, this was important. I know she helped our daughter but in Swarnbhoomi, no one does anything for free. Even Nivedya saving her will have a high price but I am ready to pay any price for my daughter's safety." Amber declared to himself and drove his family home.

At the Singh's mansion, Nandini caressed Nivedya's head with love and asserted, "I am just happy you both are safe."

"Nivi, that was a dangerous stunt you pulled out there. I would not call you brave but a fool. You should have called for help before jumping off the balcony. Instead of saving her life, you could have lost yours too. Be careful next time. We don't find cute kids like you in the dustbin just like that." Abhedya was scared for his brother's safety but to express his concern he teased him in the end.

Nivedya smiled and didn't counter the dustbin comment. "I just wanted her to be safe. When I saw the man pushing her off the balcony, I-I... felt lifeless. But you won't know how it feels to be protective about someone, just that someone, more than yourself." Nivedya taunted his brother's flirtatious nature.

"Nivi, you don't know me, so just don't comment. You think I go around with several girls, but my heart still beats for..." Abhedya left Nivedya's room when the memories of the girl, the only girl, Abhedya had ever cared for flashed in his mind.
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Dear Readers
Nivedya saved Nimrit and became her hero but how long will the daze of his heroism last?
Will his act change Amber's perception towards him or his family?
Who is the heartbeat of Abhedya? To know, read Twist Twirls Perils and Pearls, where you will also meet Nivedya and Nimrit.

Stay hooked
Lots of love