"Ok. As you wish."
He quickly grabbed her hand and pulled her towards Agni. He hopped on and extend his hand towards her to help her get on.
When she was about to hold his hand and sit behind him, he spoke "Wait! Would you like to sit in front?"
She looked at him with a doubtful look. She know her husband will try to flirt with her if she sits in front. "Why? You asked me to sit behind, didn't you?"
"Yes, but i am scared, you may fall down. I don't want my wife to get hurt." He lied. He wanted to have a romantic ride with his wife. He want her to sit in front so that he can hug her throughout the ride.
Ira knew her husband's intentions very well but she didn't protest. She want to enjoy the ride with him as well.
"Ok." She replied and hopped on.
"Are you ready?"
"Yes."
After getting answer from her, he started their ride and Angi started running all over the field.
Sometimes Raksheet holds the bridle with both the hands and sometimes he hold it with one hand while his other hand is wrapped around Ira's waist pulling her closer.
Her silver hair waving in air as Raksheet speed up Agni. She can feel his hot breath on her neck as he was too close to her neck and that was giving her goosebumps. he rested his forehead on her head, his eyes were closed as if he trust Agni that he won't let them fall or get hurt.
She closed her eyes as well and held Raksheet's hand that was wrapped around her waist. The smooth breeze and warm hug from her husband was making her forget her past, present, everything. The only thing she want to know and feel is this moment for the rest of her life.
After riding for an hour, they finally decide to get off and let Agni rest.
Raksheet got off and helped Ira to get down. He held her waist. As soon as she jumped down, he pulled her close.
She gasped by his sudden action and held him tightly.
"Did you enjoyed the ride?" He whispered softly.
"Yes." She replied. She tried to free herself but he again pulled her closer. Even more closer.
"Don't i deserve a reward for giving you such a enjoyable moments?" He asked, staring into her silver eyes.
"W-What kind of reward?" She stuttered, knowing what kind of reward her husband want.
"You know very well." He replied, staring at her lips, pulling her even more closer.
She gulped and closed her eyes tightly, knowing she can't run away from her husband's grip and have to surrender this time.
Seeing his wife closing her eyes tightly as if she don't want him to kiss her, Raksheet's smile dropped. his expression turned bitter.
'Why you don't want me to touch you? I won't hurt you. You are like a rose of glass that I will never break, neither intentionally nor unintentionally.' He said in his mind, Even though he was saying this in his mind, his voice was gloomy.
Ira was waiting to feel Raksheet's lips on hers but instead of it, she felt him resting his forehead on hers.
She shot open her eyes and looked at him. His eyes were closed. Their lips were inches away but he didn't kissed her. She can feel his hot breath on her face.
"R-Raksheet..."
"Shh...don't speak. Stay like this for a while." He said, tightening his grip on her waist.
Ira was confused. Is this the reward Raksheet wanted? She looked at his face for a while. There was no expression on his face, as if he is lost somewhere in his mind and can't connect to the reality.
Ira closed her eyes as well and let Raksheet feel her presence as much he want. She placed her hands on his arm and slides it up and down slowly.
"Are you ok?" She whispered.
"Yes." He replied "You smell good."
She was speachless. She don't know how to respond to his complement. This man is indeed a straight forward person. He don't care where they are at the moment. What if someone heard him?
"Can we go back in? The incense is hot, temperature is increasing. And I am feeling a little weak." She asked.
Raksheet opened his eyes and broke the hug. He looked at her worriedly "You are not feeling well? Do you want me to summon the healer?"
She shook her head "No, let's just go inside. It's too hot here. I am not used to it. I will be fine if I take some rest and my medicine."
"Ok." He replied and held her hand, intertwining their fingers. "Let's go."
"Incense is rising, take all the horses inside. If they don't come, let them be. Place some water for them." He ordered to the caretaker of horse tribe before leaving.
The caretaker nod as he understood.
'He is a caring person, for animals too.' Ira thought, secretly smiling as she glanced at her husband.
"Ira, you go inside first. I will come later." Raksheet said, standing infront of the palace door.
He was about to leave when Ira grabbed his hand and stopped him.
"Where are you going?"
"To armoury. I have some work there." He replied, freeing his hand from her grip.
"Didn't you said you are free today?"
"Yes, i am free today. But i want to take a look at armoury. You go, i will come soon." He replied with a smile but as he turned around to leave, his smile dropped. Sadness and confusion was filled in his heart. Whenever he tries to get close to Ira, she pushes him away either physically or emotionally. Her body language tells everything that is in her heart.
She like him but why can't she let him touch her?
Instead of going to armoury, Raksheet went to garden. He sat down on the swing where he was lying with his head on Ira's lap a few moments ago. He placed his hand on the side where Ira was sitting before. 'Am i not good for you?' he asked in his mind, staring at that place.
He sighed roughly and looked up at the sky. His mind was filled with so many questions that there wasn't space for him to realise that his brother is sitting beside him.
Ahil was confused to see his brother looking up at the clear sky. It's not like it's night and he is watching starts, The sky is clear, with a bright sun that one cannot see with the naked eye.
'What is he doing? What is he watching up there? Is he watching sun?' Ahil widened his eyes as he thought the last sentence 'How can he see the sun with naked eyes for so long? Is he planning to go blind?'
"Brother...." Ahil said but Raksheet was so deep in his thoughts that he didn't heard him.
After getting no response from his brother, Ahil held Raksheet's shoulder and shook him "Brother!"
Raksheet jolt out of his thoughts and looked at his right. He found his brother looking at him with a weird look on his face.
He immediately straightened his posture and tried to look normal "Yes?"
"Are you ok?" Ahil asked concern.
"Y-Yes, i am fine." Raksheet replied. He looked away in nervousness to not make eye contact with Ahil.
Ahil raised his one eyebrow in suspicion "Then why are you stuttering?"
"Who is stuttering?! I told you, I am fine! What you want more? Huh?!" Raksheet tried to look confident but the way he was breathing heavily after lying and avoiding eye contact with Ahil, Ahil can easily guess his brother is lying.
"Why are you lying?" Ahil asked.
"Who is lying?! I am not lying. You are doubting on your elder brother? How dare you?!" Raksheet was trying hard to not express his true feelings, but Ahil is his brother. He have spent his most of the time with Raksheet than his parents. Both of them can easily read each other's expression and can catch their lie.
"Don't yell." Ahil moved away, resting his back on swing and slowly moving it. "I know you very well. You were looking disturbed when I came. Something happened? Tell me. I can help you."
Raksheet gulped. He know he can't hide anything from his brother. Even if he try, Ahil won't sit in quietism. He will find out the root of the problem that is plaguing his brother.
"Now tell me quickly. What's the matter?"
Raksheet glanced at Ahil and shook his head. He turned his gaze to the garden again. "You won't understand. Leave it. You can't help me. I have to find a solution for my problem by myself."
Ahil turned towards Raksheet with a serious look on his face. "Why? What is it about? Why can't I help you?"
"Because you are not married yet. You won't understand my problem." Raksheet replied without looking at him.
Ahil finally understood why his brother was lying. It's the problem between husband and wife so it could be personal. It's better not to interfere in a couple's relationship. But Ahil can't see his brother so disturbed and gloomy. Even if he can't interfere in his brother's married life, he can at least share his problem.
"At least tell me what happened. You can share your problems with me, you know. You can tell me if it's not too personal."