Hi Hottie😍🔥

I was talking about this guy, sorry...

Back to the story️⬇️

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Recap:- Ishan doesn't find their names in the official register and suspects Abhishek (who is actually Shubman), therefore decides to accompany him in his ventures in Patliputra. Shubman agrees, feeling a magnetic pull towards Ishan.

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"So you're telling me that tomorrow, the prince himself wants to accompany us, but you still want me to stay back and you'll go alone with him."

With a pause, Shubman replied, "Yes."

"Why?"

Shubman shrugged, "I just want you to take a day off, get some extra sleep, because we've been working since the day we got here. That makes me a good friend, I think?"

"You don't understand, Shubman, what if you mess things up again?" Abhishek argued.

"Really, Abhishek? I think we have been in this disguise for a bit too long. So much that you forgot that I am the Prince of Indraprastha and I do have some training," Shubman replied, before removing his dagger from under his clothes as he settled down on his bed.

"Training. Yes, ofcourse. Which is why you blurted out my name out there, didn't you?"

"That was one mistake, Abhishek. Just the one."

Abhishek frowned, sensing something different in Shubman's demeanor. He just couldn't read his face. He asked, "Is there something else? Something personal....with Prince Ishan?"

Shubman, taken aback, snapped at him, "Wha....What does that mean? Why would I hide something? There's nothing personal! Come on Abhishek, I just care about you and you're doubting me?" Shubman's gaze turned accusing, like he was feeling offended. But internally, all he did was try to stop himself from sweating, like he was being caught. It took a few moments for him to fix his composure somehow.

Abhishek replied, "Alright, alright. I believe you.....But I need every single detail of your conversation with him."

"Definitely," Shubman said, his tone confident.

***

Shubman's steps quickened as he saw Ishan standing right outside the palace waiting for him. They smiled at each other.

"Greetings, Your Highness! I am very sorry to keep you waiting like this," Shubman bowed, apologizing, though he had a feeling that Ishan wouldn't be angry at all.

"It is completely fine, Abhishek. Where is your friend though? I would've liked to have his company too!"

"I apologize, Your Highness. Abhishek, he is, quite sick. You know...... indigestion."

Ishan slightly scrunched his nose, keeping it subtle, "Oh, that must be terrible. I hope he gets well soon," then he looked at Shubman as he squinted his eyes, "And will you stop apologizing?

"Oh, I am so sor─"

"Again!?"

Shubman laughed, "Okay, I shall not be apologetic in every single line. So would you like to travel to the southern part with me, like you suggested?"

Ishan replied, "Why not? I have a really good company," making Shubman's cheeks go red, unnoticed by Ishan.

They walked together, the silences between their chats felt strangely comfortable. Ishan turned towards Shubman whilst walking and said, "I don't know why I am letting you know this, but today is my birth anniversary."

"That's great, Your Highness. Congratulations! How old did you turn today, if you don't mind me asking you?" Shubman said, his face gleaming with true joy for the prince.

"Twenty six, this year. Thank you very much. Growing older every year, every day feels scary and exciting at the same time, doesn't it, Abhishek?"

"It does. What matters though, is the difference between the person you were a year ago and the person you are today," Shubman replied, repeating what once his mother had told him.

"Wow, those are the exact words my brother once told me."

"Really? That's......a good coincidence."

After miles of walking, Ishan sensed that his companion was getting exhausted. "Getting tired already, huh?" Shubman smirked responding to it. "With all due respect, Your Highness, you are sweating profusely!"

"Yes, I agree. Let us go to my favourite spot, there is a a river not far away from here," Ishan caught hold of Shubman's arm, as he turned right towards the direction of the river. The touch of his fingers against his elbow sent jolts of electricity through Shubman's body. The hold lasted not more than five seconds, but for Shubman, it was like his world turned upside down, and got back into it's original position immediately.

If anyone else had told him that they felt like this by a hold, Shubman would have laughed at them like a mad man. More than Ishan's touch, it was the mere unpredictability of it. On the other hand, Ishan tried to bring Shubman back to the real world.

"Where are you lost? Abhishek?" Ishan snapped his fingers in front of him.

Shubman took a quick sigh, "Oh yes. I am okay, I am fine...just fine."

Ishan, still concerned, held his shoulder, "Are you sure?"

Shubman visibly shuddered at the touch, "Oh my God! Yes, I am." Ishan immediately took his hand back, "Alright, alright, let's walk to the river."

***

On the other hand, Abhishek was at the inn sitting all alone. So he decided to utilize his time. He took some of his and Shubman's used clothes to wash near the well, where he ended up finding a group of ladies doing the same.

"Oh, not these ladies again! Run, Abhishek..." But before he could turn back and walk on the way he came from, he was called out by one of the woman, "Hey, it is alright. You are allowed to rinse your clothes here," changing her tone to a gentle whisper, she said, ".....handsome." That last word went unheard by Abhishek thankfully.

Abhishek walked back towards the well, with a wide grin on his face. "Thank you, for giving me the space. I hope you are not uncomfortable with my presence."

"Look at him, talking like those royal men," another woman commented, at which Abhishek only smirked. The girls around giggled. Abhishek said, "I don't think your fathers would like me here."

"Oh really? Well what they do not know, will not hurt them, will it?" The girls giggled at that. Abhishek, his eyes widening, replied, "Wow! The women of this Kingdom are truly vivacious!"

That's when one of the girls, Veena noticed Meera walking towards the well, with a bunch of her clothes. "Not everyone is, Sir," she said, her eyes piercing Meera's presence. Meera did not say anything in response to it. She simply tied the pot to the pulley, as she went ahead to fill it up with water.

Abhishek took some time, but then it hit him, "Meera! How have you been?"

Meera startled by the voice, turned towards Abhishek. She hadn't noticed a male presence yet. "You!" She exclaimed. That was loudest she had been around those ladies.

"It's alright, Meera, I am just washing my clothes. Is that a crime in your state?" Abhishek asked, feigning innocence, "because I know other crimes, like..... stealing."

She nervously replied, her voice barely above a whisper, "N...no, it's not. Ofcourse it's not." Abhishek, noticing a sense of fear in her eyes, tried to lighten the mood, "So we meet again, huh?" He walked closer to her, washing his clothes right beside hers. Meera hummed and looked up at him for a second, as the slightest smile appeared on her face before it dropped and she was focussing back on her clothes.

"Where did you meet this dumbo before?" A woman shouted, followed by a bunch of chuckles from the others. Someone taunted, "Maybe in an asylum. A special asylum for highly dumb people!"

Abhishek felt offended on her behalf, but he didn't know if taking a stand for her would be even appreciated by Meera because she on the other hand tried to ignore them, her eyes down at her clothes, as her hands worked on cleansing them aggressively.

Abhishek held her hand without thinking much of it, wanting her to slow down, he spoke in a lower voice, "Hey, calm down, tigress! What wrong have these clothes done to you?"

Meera immediately pulled her hand back, "Don't touch me. And please don't talk to me, sir." Abhishek smiled, "Why not? Oh my God, is your father or brother around!? I should probably run, then!"

At the mention of her father and brother, she paused, closed her eyes for a few moments and then said, her trembling voice loud but not loud enough for others to hear, "They aren't here."

Abhishek didn't get the meaning of that tone somehow. Meera continued, her voice too low,"I....I don't like t...to interact much, with people." Abhishek deduced Meera definitely needed some privacy, therefore he stopped talking and continued with his work.

Finally, as he was almost done with his clothes, he brought the courage in himself to say, "I apologize for my highly inappropriate behaviour that night."

"What night?"

***

Yayyy...10 followers....
What? I am celebrating an achievement here 😂
Cuz I can only think of having 10 friends IRL!

Love you honey❤️
Thanks for reading and for that follow💖

Imagine Ishan opens his eyes rn and finds Shubman looking at him like that.