Abhedya picked up his phone after five back to back calls and shouted, "what?"
"Training time... please come out." Swarnima requested him.
Abhedya came out of his room.
"Please change we are going for a jog," Swarnima told him and he did as told. Swarnima was surprised how did the grumpy bull agree at once? Something is up with him... alert mode on.

Swarnima and Abhedya were on the jogging track behind the safe house. It was dusk and the sky had an orange hue. The breeze was pleasant and Swarnima's company was not that grumpy. Matching their jogging steps in silence Swarnima and Abhedya completed two rounds of 750meter track.
"Break. Two minutes please." Swarnima was huffing. Abhedya kept jogging in his place.

"Swarnima start now!!!" A voice boomed and Swarnima started jogging.

"Who is it?" Abhedya asked her.

"Eklavya. Guess he can see us." Swarnima informed him.

After two more rounds, Swarnima sat on the track and her breathing was heavy.
"Are you okay?" Abhedya was concerned.
She nodded.

Eklavya came on the field. He bow before Abhedya then screamed at Swarnima, "is this your stamina? What happened to you? how you will protect the king. Three rounds... now!!"

"Eklavya, just two minutes... please." Swarnima requested.

"Now!" Eklavya dismissed her request.

Swarnima gulped her saliva and started jogging. Her pace was slow. "Faster" Eklavya shouted and her pace increased.
When she reached where Abhedya was standing he caught her and stopped her.

"Enough! You will get an Asthama attack. Stop! Ignore him." Abhedya told her.

Eklavya caught her hand to separate her from Abhedya and she screamed "ahhhhh" and withdrew her hand from his grip.
Eklavya pulled her hand back and pushed her sleeve up. Blue and purple bruises graced on her wrist.

"How did this happen? Who did this?" Eklavya questioned.

"It was an accident. My hand came between the door while closing it." Swarnima lied on his face.

"I did it," Abhedya answered. Swarnima pleaded with her eyes to Abhedya to not say anything further.

"Those are beautiful drawings Kunwar sa. I am sure this girl must have done something really bad to deserve it. Otherwise, the kind-hearted his highness would never choose himself for punishing someone. Don't worry Kunwar sa, I will take care of her punishment." Eklavya glared at Swarnima and said, "you know the drill."

Swarnima pulled her sleeve down and nodded her head.
"What punishment? I decide what has to be done and what not. You don't interfere with me and her." Abhedya's eyes spitfire. He could not let anyone harm Swarnima.

"Kunwar sa, my stature is like an ant in front of your magnitude. But, this girl here has broken rules many times and when the matter concerns the protectors to the throne, it is and will always be me who decides the punishment for the violation of rules, till you claim the throne. Then you may lay new rules." Eklavya was rude to Swarnima but had his politest tone with Abhedya.

"I know what to do Eklavya. I am sorry. It won't happen again. Kunwar sa will not have any complains, I assure you." Swarnima lowered her head.

"That won't happen because from tomorrow all the training he has to take shall be done by different experts in the field. You have failed miserably." Eklavya declared.

"Eklavya please don't do that. You know I have worked all my life for it. Look I am already taking the punishment. I won't cheat I swear." Swarnima pleaded.

"Stop it Nim. Don't plead. I choose and I decide who trains me and grooms me. Listen Eklavya you will be the first person to be dismissed from duty, so, if you wish to save your ass just leave." Abhedya raged.

"Kunwar sa, my sincere apologies. You can terminate my services, give me death sentence everything is acceptable without any arguments but after your coronation. Kindly excuse my behaviour. If, you wish to release this girl from punishments then work hard and learn quickly under the guidance of best people." Eklavya bow again and left. He turned once again and showed his anger-filled eyes to Swarnima.

The night fell and the orange sky turned black. Swarnima was just standing there looking at the retreating back of Eklavya. He wasn't so bad... he wasn't bad at all in fact, what changed suddenly.

"I am sorry. I didn't know he would behave like that. Wait I will talk to dad he will set him straight." Abhedya took out his phone and dialled his father's number.

"Please don't. Chachu... I mean hukum can't do anything. In the absence of a king or queen, their protectors have the rights to decide the fate of the state and its people and never has a protector cheated or found disloyal. Eklavya might be correct. Probably I am not that efficient. Sorry. I will try to improve my skills." Swarnima was looking at a far end of the horizon.

"You know you are a looser Nim. Nobody but you yourself give the power to the other to exercise control over you. It's your fault you gave him that power. Just answer him back. Fight for truth, fight for yourself." Abhedya turned her towards himself.

Swarnima looked at him and smiled. "We have another set of exercises let's do that. I am sorry I am unable to answer the encouraging words you said. Is a 'thank you' or 'I will try' appropriate?"

For a moment Abhedya forgot his hatred and just wanted to hug Swarnima. He kept looking at her till she put his hand down and ran on the track sideways left and right.

Abhedya shook his head in disapproval. Swarnima gave in to Eklavya's dominance and barbaric rules. Abhedya could surely pull her out of this quagmire provided she wanted to come out.

Abhedya helped Swarnima with diner even after she asked him not to. He also apologised for hurting her hand and insisted on putting an ointment but Swarnima just said she was fine and he should not bother.
She was back to normal self. Abhedya knew her well by now. She was a master in masking emotions.

Abhedya hated the fact that he loved her. He was right she was not his type. She was a liar, inexpressible, stubborn, hypocritical and all things that come under the category of a sorry person. She was not someone he saw as his future or present. She was his friend once upon a time and she betrayed him not once but twice. She kept hiding from him and when they met she lied about their identities. Will she ever be forgiven? She deserves this treatment she gets from everyone. This ridicule is what she deserves.

Abhedya was cursing her in his head but was loving the sight of the simple girl who stood in front of him. Who always forgave him for whatever wrong he did. He has hurt her physically and mentally. She never complained. She takes in all the bad and only gives the good to the world. She was that plant that gives oxygen at all times of the day. Will he be able to survive a day without seeing her beautiful face?

"Yes!" Abhedya shouted while having his diner.
Swarnima looked at him and he just nodded in a 'no nothing'.

Abhedya framed the perfect plan in his mind. Try to live a day or two without Swarnima. If he doesn't miss her he can survive without her. He needed distraction and the doorbell rang.

Swarnima quickly got up and opened the door.
"Oh, baby! I missed you so much... sorry I couldn't get you with me. I love you so much... come."

The plan to survive without the sunshine called Swarnima... in vain. Abhedya knew when he saw Swarnima hugging 'KAZU the dog.'
'She gives nice and tight hugs, he knew. The hug of fear she gave in their flight to Dehradun was magical. Hugging her is such a great feeling. Those soft hands that wrap around you. Those pairs of firm and supple bosom, how heavenly it would feel when they would touch my hard chest. I would surely press her hard inside myself and not leave for a second. This time the hug will be out of choice." Abhedya's thoughts were going wild.

"Hey, Abhey! How are you doing." Maan came and hugged him.

Abhedya gained his senses. "Fine! We just met yesterday."

"Angry?" Maan asked him.

"Give me a reason not to." Abhedya had a straight face.

"Can't give one. But, can't tolerate that anger and ignorance brother. Take your time but forgive me please." Maan had pleading eyes.

"Can't guarantee that. Not now!" Abhedya was sure. Maan was equally at fault.

"Hope is alive and so am I." Maan smiled.

Swarnima forgot the guests in her house. The unconditional love the street dog and Swarnima had for each other was undefined.

Maan and Abhedya spoke for a little while and discussed the unusual behaviour of Eklavya.

"Why did he do that? Swarnima is being trained since forever... no one but her could tell you about all these things in the best possible way. The council should not be suspicious that Swarnima was not the princess therefore she was trained like one. She has duped the council for three years after coming to Swarnbhoomi and before that her videos of excellence in various fields were sent to council so that they are proud and happy about their princess's growth. Abhey, I suggest learning from all but follow Nim."

"I am doing that only." Abhedya was still looking at Swarnima who was feeding Kazu.

Maan left and Abhedya and Swarnima also went to sleep. A message popped on their phone saying "MMA(mixed martial arts) training at 4 a.m. sharp."

"4? I am not getting up so early." Abhedya declared.

"You can sleep after that. It's important." Swarnima gave him an option.

"I feel very lazy early morning." Abhedya was not a morning person.

"I will make coffee for you, to refresh you." Swarnima bribed him.

Abhedya felt like a child and loved Swarnima's treats. "Fine! But make it strong." Abhedya instructed her. He was anyways getting up but everyone likes to be pampered.

At 4 am sharp Abhedya was out of his room fresh and shining. He looked like a morning delight in the sportswear Swarnima gifted him. Kazu pulled his shorts and got him to the breakfast table. A cup of steaming hot coffee with a 'thumbs up' made from coffee powder lighted up Abhedya's mood. Abhedya sipped the coffee and the last bit of sleep vanished from his body. His eyes searched for Swarnima and she came out of the room in her black tank top and knee-length shorts.

'Why do you even plan to distance? The gorgeous as hell damsel is worth all the drama she has around her.' Abhedya was sipping his coffee and eyeing her up and down.

Swarnima drank a glass of plain milk, rinsed her mouth and said, "let's go."
Abhedya followed her to an underground ring. The safe house was built after a lot of planning.

A coach waited for them and they greeted him.
"Good morning Kunwar sa, Swarnima. We will do basic warm-up exercises then begin with training."

As decided Abhedya and Swarnima were now each other's opponents in the ring.
Abhedya's 6feet 2inches was dwarfed in front of Swarnima's 5feet 4inches. Her speed, agility and moves could not be countered by Abhedya.

Coach appreciated Swarnima and explained to Abhedya how to counter the moves. While explaining one move Abhedya had to hold Swarnima from behind. He did. The touch of Swarnima's back to the front of Abhedya gave him immense pleasure. He caught her tight just like the coach told him or like he imagined last night, he didn't know. But he was holding her tight and the position of his hands were inappropriate and Swarnima was not comfortable. Abhedya took extra time to do the move and his hands travelled more than required at a slower pace. The coach was happy he taught Abhedya a new move and Abhedya couldn't have a happier morning. His dream was fulfilled in a fighting ring.
Normal was never a word in their relation. Everything happened at the least unexpected places.

The coach ended their session and after thanking him they came back to their house. Once inside, Swarnima grabbed Abhedya's collar and warned him, "Kunwar sa, this was the first and last time your hands travelled to places not meant for them. It was an utterly inappropriate and unacceptable behaviour. I may be your protector but I am a protector of my rights as women first. Be extra careful in the future." Swarnima's expression told Abhedya 'don't mess with me'.

Abhedya twisted both her hands behind her back and said, "what do you think of yourself? You are not even my type. I am not dying to touch you. I was only learning the move, if you are so uncomfortable then I will hire someone who does not find my touch inappropriate or unacceptable.
Where was your discomfort when we were on the flight and you hugged me tightly? Where did your women rights go when we danced in rain close, leave that... when we walked in the same hoodie and your hands travelled on my bare chest. Did that not make you uncomfortable? I guess not. Cause I could see how much you were enjoying it. So, stop this fake cry of protecting the woman inside you, coz if it's not mutual I would never touch a girl."Abhedya left Swarnima's hand with a jerk.
Their eye lock was intense, but today there was no attraction or affection only acquisition.

"In that case, I am sorry Kunwar sa. I trust you more than myself. Sincere apologies for misjudging and misinterpreting your actions." Swarnima folded her hands in apology, bow her head and waited for Abhedya to accept her apology. Abhedya didn't say a word and left from there.

Abhedya was burning in anger. He knew in his heart he was wrong but the justification he gave Swarnima outside satisfied his self of his act. He loved the feel of the parts he touched. The sparks and exhilaration he had touching Swarnima were undeniably one of its kind. 'Never touch a girl against her will or in a way that is inappropriate.' Abhedya has always been taught that and never has he crossed his line.

He did that with Swarnima today. He did. Guilt was killing him but ego in the way acceptance of his fault was higher than the guilt.

Ego and love walk hand in hand. If love wins you apologise even if you know you are not at fault and if ego wins you don't apologise even if you know you are at fault.

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Dear Readers
Abhedya and Swarnima are sailing on a boat of love which has two oars. One, ego. second, misunderstanding. Fighting with its own oars, will Swarnima and Abhedya reach the shore or will their boat sink.
Stay hooked!
Lots of love