When the seat belt off sign flashed Raina tapped on Abhedya's shoulder and said, "We are in the air now. High time you guys come out of each other's embrace."

Swarnima realised what she did. Her love never had the guts to hug the person she loved but her fear made her do that. Her senses actually showed no sense when Abhedya was around. She removed her hands from Abhedya's neck but Abhedya was still holding her tight and secure in his arms. Close to himself.
"I am fine now." Swarnima merely whispered.
"Huh? Yeah!" Abhedya pulled back his hands and instantly felt a void. The peace and warmth he felt minutes before was missing. His heart knew the answer to the vacant feeling, well.

"I am so proud of you Abhey. Your hugs are indeed magical. This girl was in such a sorry state but she seems fine now. Let's go back to our place. It's so uncomfortable out here." Raina was fuming from within. All her plans of getting cozy with Abhedya seemed to be going in vain.

"I am more than comfortable here. If you are not, you may go back." Abhedya was sure to not leave Swarnima, ever.

Swarnima rested her head on Abhedya's shoulder. She was asleep because of the medicines she took ad that gave Abhedya all the more reason to not leave his sleeping beauty.
Raina felt insulted and she left showing her middle finger. Abhedya laughed at the bimbo and concentrated on the girl beside him.

The flight attendants served the refreshments and were in awe of the Aurora and Prince Philip flying with them.
Landing of the flight was not an issue because Swarnima was still sleeping.
Abhedya tried to wake her up but she was in deep slumber. He sprinkled water but she just shut her eyes more tight.

Abhedya kissed her forehead and whispered, "Get up else my lips won't mind taking yours for a ride."
Swarnima squinted her eyes and tried getting up. She found Abhedya smiling and whispering 'chicken' in her ear. She couldn't stop the smile that made its way on her lips. Abhedya took her bag from the compartment above and headed out.

"You are lucky to get a boyfriend like him ma'am. All the best." The attendant told Swarnima and she nodded her head.
A strong shot of love dose was just taken, the duration of it's effect was yet to be decided.

The group checked out of the Delhi Airport from where a car was to escort them to their destination, Dehradun.

It was a six-seater car and Abhedya took the shotgun while the other three made themselves comfortable in the second row. It was a roughly five-hour journey.

Abhedya stopped the car at a hotel and they ordered refreshments. Swarnima went to the restroom and changed her t-shirt. She sniffed her previous t-shirt, hugged it tight and kissed it. It smelled of Abhedya and she did not want the fragrance to get lost. She safely kept it in her bag and came out.
The journey started again and general chit chat was going on between the boys. They were making the strategy of winning the competition.

"Swarnima Ma'am. You don't have suggestions?" Vayu asked.

"Vayu, please call me Swarnima. We are out of college and those rules don't apply now. I don't have any strategy. I have never really participated in any competitions, so, I don't really know." Swarnima replied honestly.

"But why Swarnima? You are so bright. Did your school never chose you for any competitions?" Vayu was intrigued to know the reason for Swarnima's non participation.

Abhedya's glared at Vayu. He did not like the friendliness between Swarnima and him. He did not like the idea of calling on a first name basis.

"I was not so confident. Probably that was the reason." Swarnima answered him and slept taking support of the window.

Abhedya asked the driver to stop the car and shifted Vayu to the front seat.
"I am feeling a bit sleepy. It's not safe to sleep in the front seat." Abhedya reasoned and sat next to Swarnima. Her head was only supposed to be rested on his shoulder.

They reached Dehradun around nine in the night absolutely tired and exhausted. The students of Dehradun college welcomed them and escorted them to a hostel where they will stay for the coming three days.
Mayur and Vayu were given one room and Abhedya and Swarnima were given one room.

"How can a girl and boy stay in one room?" Vayu questioned.

"Actually there's some confusion. We were told it's Swarnima and Abhedya, so, we thought it was two girls and two boys. So, we allotted the rooms accordingly." The student incharge told them.

"I am Abhedya. Don't you know how to read? It's written there...
Name: Abhedya R. Singh
Age: 20
Sex: male
That's  utterly foolish on your part. How can you assume Abhedya will be a girl's name?" Abhedya sounded angry and irritated.

"Your name ended with an 'a' so, we assumed it's a girl. Sorry. Can we shift you three boys in one room. We will have a spare bed arranged. But, please don't complain. Our teacher incharge is very strict." The student requested Abhedya.

"Really? How could you..." Abhedya was arguing further but someone's laughter interrupted him.

Swarnima was laughing uncontrollably holding her stomach.
"What makes you laugh?" Abhedya questioned her with anger.

"They thought you were a girl. So, I just imagined how you would look like a girl." Swarnima started laughing again thinking of Abhedya as a girl

"Ha ha ha! Very funny you are finding it?"Abhedya was irritated with her laughing. So, it seemed.

"Sorry. Mr.Singh. Please co operate." The student requested, again.

"Fine! Get the bed arranged quickly. We are hell tired." Abhedya said heading towards their room. He picked up his bag and Vayu quickly picked up Swarnima's bag. Abhedya knew Vayu was trying to impress Swarnima which will land him in trouble because Swarnima only 'belonged' to him. Vayu's efforts will go into the trash bin.

Vayu, Mayur and Swarnima were still laughing with closed mouths. Abhedya turned around, glared at them and shouted, "What?"
All three nodded their head in negative and bit inside of their cheeks.

They came to their rooms and changed quickly for dinner.
Abhedya opened his bag and found a personalised T-shirt with his Nivi's picture and a card which read...
20days to your 21st!
Abhedya loved the cute t-shirt. His family was surely all set to make his 21st birthday memorable.

'Come for dinner quickly'. Abhedya messaged Swarnima and she came out of her room. The group reached the canteen and all eyes were on them.
Out of all the other things, natives of Swarnbhoomi were blessed with uncanny looks and genius brains.
It was a self service counter so, they picked up plates and served themselves. Abhedya was the eye candy and girls could not stop staring at him. Flirtatious glances and smiles were common for him but he was not really in a mood to reply to them, today.
Swarnima and Abhedya were sitting on the table waiting for Vayu and Mayur.

"What's wrong ? You look lost." Swarnima asked him with concern.

"Wow! You noticed. I am very angry. On This college and you. You were laughing at me infront of everyone." Abhedya sounded like a child complaining.

Swarnima was in awe of this child. "Sorry! You can punish me, captain."

"That you will be. Now eat. The food is not that bad." Abhedya scolded her while eating.
Food and Abhedya were best friends.

A group from Bangalore joined them. "Hello guys. Mind if we join you? We are from Bangalore."

"Sure, we are from Swarnbhoomi." Mayur answered the pretty girl from Bangalore and general Introductions were made.

"Swarnima, that is a very beautiful name just like you. No! I am not flirting. But, you have a very mysterious aura and I love solving mysteries." Daivik, a boy from Bangalore team remarked.

"Sorry. But she is here for the competition and not help people solve mysteries." Abhedya answered him with eyes that warned him to 'stay away!'

"Let her answer dude! I am a trophy which all girls want to win." Daivik replied in a very  seductive tone.

Abhedya was about to chop his head off. But, the reply from Swarnima shocked everyone and not just their table but the surrounding tables were rolling on the floor laughing.

"If you were the trophy, I'd rather not compete."  Swarnima replied as casually and calmly as she could.

Abhedya's heart did a happy dance. She was not just a tigress on the field but she could tackle morons like these.

"Challenge accepted Miss. Three days and you will be running behind me." Daivik left the table after the insult and Abhedya and his team also retired for their rooms after dinner.

Swarnima was in her bed when someone knocked her door. She wore her specs and opened the door. She was pushed to a side and the door was locked. Her mouth was covered with a hand before she screamed. Abhedya was standing face to face with her. The night was still. Swarnima widened her eyes and jerked Abhedya's hand.

"What are you doing here?" Swarnima whispered. The rooms in the hostel were close to each other.

Abhedya sat on her bed and declared, "I am sleeping here. That Vayu is snoring and farting at the same time. I just can't stay in that room."

Swarnima's eyes popped out. "You... you... can't sleep here. There's just one bed. No couch,  nothing."

"Just keep quiet and sleep here. As if, we haven't slept together before. I am tired. And I am not dying to touch you. And you, don't even have the guts to touch me. So, it's safe." Abhedya made himself comfortable on the bed and something squeaked. "Oh! Ho ho! Look who we have here? Oh shit! You still have it?"

Swarnima snatched her soft toy and slept on the edge of the bed. She knew there was no point arguing with Abhedya.

'Great progress Nim!! From hug in the morning to sleeping in the same bed in the night!Remember to thank your stars.' Swarnima had shy smile on her lips thinking about her progress. 'The rules? What about them? Go to hell! Wait till they know. Who will tell?' Swarnima put aside those thoughts and decided to enjoy the night with the boy of her dreams.

Abhedya did behave like a gentleman and didn't even touch her finger. Even though he could swear he saw the sexiest butt in his life but could not touch it. Abhedya also turned his back. It was best because he did not trust himself when Swarnima was around.

In the morning, Abhedya opened his eyes and saw Swarnima was sleeping holding his thumb and his hand was in her hair. He moved his hands on her hair. They were still as soft as feather.
'Open up Nim! I miss you. I miss us. I hate being this jerk to you. Sorry! For what I told you that day. I was happy till you came but I am happiest since you are back.' Abhedya was thinking and admiring the beautiful princess he slept with. Swarnima moved a bit and he shut his eyes.
Swarnima opened her eyes and knew it would be a good day. Abhedya was the first thing she saw. She left his thumb quickly and entered the bathroom.

Abhedya laughed, went towards the bathroom door and teased, "Chicken, My thumb is swollen! Did you by any chance..."

"Noooo! Just go..." Swarnima shouted and he left her room laughing. What a happy morning.
Abhedya entered his room, went to the bathroom and almost puked. "God! The room stinks!!"

"Don't ask sir. How I survived." Mayur said fanning with his hand.

"Hats off to you dude." Abhedya gave a mock salute to him.

Everyone got ready and went for breakfast. Dressed in the college uniform they looked super smart. Daivik on purpose stood next to Swarnima in line. He was sure to put his plan in action.

Students from all the colleges gathered and were taken in a bus to the main college where the competition was being held.

The students were given their identity cards and Mayur asked Abhedya with sincerity, "I hope it marks you 'MALE'."
Swarnima and Vayu laughed at the joke and Abhedya glared at his teammates. However, he could not stop smiling himself and walked ahead.

DAY 1: multiple choice questions.
The students who got maximum marks will be chosen for next round.
The examination hall was quiet. All the students were busy ticking the questions. Ten minutes before, Swarnima finished her set and submitted her sheet to the examiner and went out.

Dehradun is located in the Doon Valley on the foothills of the Himalayas nestled between the river Ganges on the east and the river Yamuna on the west. The city is noted for its picturesque landscape and Swarnima fell in love with the city immediately.
She was inhaling the fresh air when a hand tapped on her shoulder and asked,
"Princess SWARNIMA?"
Swarnima froze on her spot. No one knew who she was. She was in grave trouble.
'Help me dear God!' She prayed and turned around.

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Dear Readers
Dehradun is also referred to as 'city of love' sometimes. Will this city bring about a change in the relation of Swarnima and Abhedya?
The question however is.. who knows Swarnima in a totally different city.. but the bigger question is .. who knows she is the future empress?

Stay Hooked!
Lots of love