Both of their eyes locked with eachother and their body still pressed. The touch of soft lips suddenly raised the sensation of emotions. Nandini's mind went blank. This was her first kiss to a man. A man which is her husband but this is not how she wanted it to happen. At least not as an accident. Manik's arms was about to circle around her small waist she gathered her sense and pulled away. Manik's hand stayed half reaching in the air.

Nandini quickly get up and fixed her cloth. Seeing her Manik forced his body up from the floor too. He stood beside her and gazed around the room. He don't know what to say to her. Their situation and interaction was always friendly but today, though it happened through an accident but what happened is already happened and this is not something changeable even if one want to.

Not knowing his words he caughed lightly then cleared his throat "um...next time be careful" he said.

"I will take care" Nandini replied not looking at him.

"Then I will leave first. You should rest" he uttered before finally taking his leave. In his hurry steps he did not noticed the pink stains covering Nandini's face.

Nandini turned her head and looked at his retreating figure. Her eyes held the sadness. Then she raised her hand and touched her lips. The feeling of warmness still lingered on it.

"It was my first kiss but it wasted like this" she mumbled "I never thought my first kiss will like this? without any emotions and intension. Totaly platonic" she walk towards the window and gazed outside "why it have to be like this?" Then she closed her eyes and sighed.

On the other side Manik looked at his hand. The feeling of holding her in his arms is still fresh. He frowned when he remembered how it felt. The touch, the feelings, and the reaction of bodies are really familiar like he has done it before. Strange to the point that, years ago he spent a night in cave with Aiyara. Besides her Captivating green eyes, her touch is also paralyzing. He could never forget the feeling but when he met Aiyara after so many years and even collide with her he did not felt this but today he suddenly felt the familiar feelings but why? Nandini is not Aiyara then why he felt this feeling? They are different from eachother. They how could it be possible?

He couldn't find the answer no matter how hard he thinks. Nandini and Aiyara are different people. They have different face, different backgrounds, different attitude. What similar between then is those green eyes. But Aiyara has light green while Nandini has dark green. Beside this they are totally different. He was so engrossed in this thought that he did not noticed the 3 people coming forward.

"Manik?" Chityakanta's voice suddenly brought him back to his sense. He looked forward only to find his mother accompanied by two other people standing before him.

"Mother" Manik tried to smile.

"What are you thinking about?" Chityakanta frowned "you have not even heard me calling fir several times"

"I apologise for that mother. I was thinking of some matters" Manik replied.

Chityakanta waved her hand carelessly "forget it. Let me introduce you to someone. Here, she is Sumeska, my playmate from maiden family and she is Lakshya, Sumeska's daughter"

Manik nodded "nice meet you" he said simply.

Sumeska nudged on Lakshya's arm. "His majesty is kind enough to see this ordinary woman so I do not dare to accept it"

"I don't like pastering titles here, this place is where God resides and I am playing a simple role ordinary man" Manik replied.

Hearing that Sumeska's eyes filled with hope. Since he is living as a low-key here then it will be more easier to deal with. Her daughter can take the chance easily without any hard work.

"Then apologize for thinking too much. I hope Lakhshya and I will not be a trouble to you for joining" Sumeska said.

"Of course not. Everyone is allowed here to visit for peace. Since there's nothing more I will leave first mother" Manik said and immediately left the place. Lakshya who did not said a work now looking back at his retreating figure. Her eyes filled with hope and anticipation.

Though she heard that the emperor of Samrat has great features and very talented but now seeing him personally suddenly raised her desire to get him. Even if she get as her master and serve him as a slave for whole life she will never regret it. Now that her mother is planning for her future, she needed to grab it no matter what. She want this man and she will get him.

Later at night Chityakanta invited the couple to join for dinner in her chamber. When the couple walked in they saw there are more of a guests present in the room. Sumeska saw the couple and smiled. She was glad that Chityakanta invited her and her daughter for dinner so she took the chance and urged to invite the couple as well.

"Oh, you two are here. Come, come join us" Chityakanta beamed as she saw Manik and Nandini.

After settling down to dine the dishes started to serve on the wooden table. As the temple is served vegetarian foods all the dishes are plain but healthy.

"Coming here to get peace was a good choice" Sumeska started "in this time I also get the chance to meet my old playmate"

Chityakanta nodded "I have wanted to come here for sometimes but because of matters in palace I never got the chance"

Sumeska laughed "you are empress dowager now, it's clear that there will be many thing that needed to be handled by you so not getting times for yourself is understandable" then she turned her head towards Manik who was quietly eating.

"Is your majesty find the veg foods edible?" She smiled.

Manik nodded slightly "it's not a problem. My wife lives a vegan life and I always joined her during meal so I find  this lights foods are more better than meats"

Sumeska's face stiffened. She never thought a king who lived a luxurious life and can eat anything he want will be find of plain and tasteless foods. Her eyes trailed towards the woman sitting beside him. She did not even mind and continued to eat her foods like she is the only one eating here.

Suddenly Lakshya grabbed a bowl and poured some congee and placed it before Manik "your majesty has a great taste. Since your majesty showed his kindness to us, I have made some vegetable rice congee, purely veg and request your majesty to accept this" saying this her face turned pink.

Everyone looked at her. Nandini raised her eyebrows while Manik looked confused and Sumeska was smiling brightly. She knew her daughter does not lack anything. This kind of gesture is what man love and his majesty is no exception. All man are same and like the tender, loving, gentle and beautiful woman.

But to her expectations the situation does not turn like that. Lakshya was waiting for Manik to accept the food she offered but even after waiting she did not find any movement from other side.

"Young lady Lakshya, there's nothing about being kindness. I have done nothing do I can't accept such offer" the rejection hit the sweetest point of mother and daughter pair. It was rejected like that?

They looked at Manik with wide eyes. No man would be able to resist such charm that her daughter has then why suddenly it did not worked at all?

Seeing their face Nandini caughed " Young lady, the thing you are offering couldn't be accepted. Since you wanted to show good gesture then using words will also be fine. There's no need for your lady to tire yourself for such small matter. Besides...." Nandini smiled "his majesty does not like congee so he couldn't not eat the food you made to return the gratitude. It's not like everything we think will happen the way we want"

Lakshya's face turned red because of embarrassment. She never thought her congee will be rejected directly yet it will be something that his majesty don't like to eat. How could she know what he likes or not. But she tried to give an impression but at the end it's like a bucket of cold water poured over her and her plan.

When Lakshya was thinking this, her mother was thinking otherwise. Sumeska's mind stuck on the last part of the line that Nandini said earlier it's not like everything we think will happen the way we want. Is the last part giving any hint to them? She looked at Nandini who was talking to Chityakanta. Did she found out what they are planing? But how could that be possible?

The dinner went awkward as how planned nothing happened as per their expectations. After the meal she pulled Lakshya's hand then hurriedly said her thanks before leaving. Her mind was still stuck on the words Nandini said. But that does not mean she will give up. She need to plan more carefully for next time. While engrossed in thought she did not realise a pair cold green eyes watching her every moment.

I want to thank you guys for giving my request honour. Thank you so much. Here is the second chapter of the day.

Enjoy reading.