"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."
Raksheet looked at Ahil, thinking should he tell him or not. He can tell him his problem but only if he won't make fun of him and won't tell anyone anything about it.
"I will tell you, but don't tell anyone." He warned.
Ahil nod obediently and leaned forward to hear his problem carefully.
Raksheet looked down at his hands "I think....Ira don't like me." He closed his eyes as he completed the sentence, he didn't wanted to think something like this but the way Ira is avoiding his closeness, he can't stop himself from thinking this way.
Ahil widened his eyes in shock "What? She don't like you?" He was unable to understand what Raksheet is saying. Seeing them together, it doesn't seem like Ira doesn't like him. They always looks happy. Why did she marry him if she don't like him?
"Why do you think she don't like you?" Ahil asked to gather more information.
"It's obvious." Raksheet glanced at him and again looked forward "She don't like it whenever I try to come closer to her. She either tries to run away or makes some excuse. If she likes me, why don't she let me come close to her. She doesn't allow me to hug her, nor does she hug me herself." He looked at Ahil with a hesitant look. "Don't tell anyone, on the first night of our marriage, I slept in my personal chamber."
"What?!" Ahil shouted in disbelief. Raksheet quickly covered his mouth to prevent him from shouting. They glanced arround to see if anyone heard them or not. Luckily, no one was arround.
Raksheet sighed in relief and removed his hand from Ahil's mouth and said to keep his voice low.
"Don't shout, what if someone hear us?" He warned.
"Ok ok, sorry. But why did you slept in your personal chamber? Did she asked you to sleep in other chamber?" Ahil asked in low voice.
"No, she didn't." Raksheet replied "I went by myself."
"Why?"
"It was my fault. I thought she need some time to adjust and feel comfortable so I slept in my chamber and let her sleep alone." Raksheet looked down, regretting his decision
"The next day she told me that she got scared that night. The chamber was too dark and silent that scared her and the weather wasn't so good either."
"Wasn't so good? It wasn't good at all!" Ahil complained, thinking how dumb his brother is to let his newly married wife sleep alone on their first night. "Even the window of my chamber broke because of the wind. I had it fixed yesterday."
"What? Did you got hurt?" Raksheet asked worriedly.
"No, I am fine. But how can you leave your newly married wife alone on your first night?" Ahil was disappointed by his brother's antics on the first night of his marriage. "First night is the most important thing of a happy married life. Mother and grandmother must have made so many preparations for your first night, you ruined their hard work." He can't believe that his brother can be so dumb in the matter of love and romance.
Raksheet sighed heavily, cursing himself in his mind.
"Wait! Where did you slept last night?" He inquired to make sure that his brother didn't made the same mistake again.
"Don't worry, I slept with her last night." He reassured him.
"Thank you!" Ahil sighed in relief, taunting Raksheet.
Seeing Raksheet's expression, Ahil clicked his tongue in annoyance. He was angry on his brother but can't blame him for his behaviour. Raksheet was always busy with his work and responsibilities so he didn't payed attention to any girl. He don't know much about romance. Even if he do poetry for his wife, it's still hard to express it to her. At least he is trying to be romantic with his wife.
Ahil looked at Raksheet and sighed "Do you need my help? If you want, I can help you in getting close to sister Ira."
"No, thanks. I can manage." He replied.
"How will you manage? You can't even hug her yet. How will you make her fall for you. You indeed need my help-"
"I told you, no need." Raksheet interrupted Ahil, he wasn't in the mood to discuss about it anymore. "Anyways, tomorrow, Ira's grandfather is coming. So let her spend some time with her grandfather."
Ahil furrowed his eyebrows "Tomorrow? No no, he is coming after 2 days." He tried to correct his brother but may be he himself is the one who is wrong.
Raksheet chuckled "Yes, He was supposed to come after two days but there has been a slight change in his plan. He is coming tomorrow."
"Why?"
Raksheet breathed before answering Ahil's question "In such a short time, we all have become so attached to Ira so imagine how much affection and love her grandfather have for her. How difficult it would be for him, and for Ira too, to stay away from him for so long, who has been pampered her since childhood, who did not let her out of his sight even for a moment. Her grandfather must be desperate to see her so it's obvious that he is coming before he planned to come."
"Ira doesn't express it but she must be missing her grandfather. In a new family, new atmosphere, it's hard for her to adjust. And if in this way, she meets her grandfather then it will be good for her. She would feel more comfortable and familiar with us."
"What do you mean by in this way?"
Raksheet looked at Ahil and smile. "Surprise"
Ahil narrowed his eyes "Surprise?"
Raksheet nod "Yes, surprise. Ira don't know that her grandfather is coming to meet her. It's a surprise for her." He turned towards Ahil to face him and adjusted Ahil's collar and shirt "So, my dear brother, if you don't want to practice in armoury all day and clean horse tribe for a whole week, don't ruin this surprise. Keep your mouth shut, ok?" There was a sweet smile on Raksheet's face but the threat was clear in his voice that gave shiver down Ahil's spine.
He gulped after hearing his brother's words and immediately nod. If he don't want to bear the punishment Raksheet just mentioned, he have to be careful not to ruin the surprise for Ira.
In Aaro kingdom, Viraaj was packing up to leave for Jwalana. He was smiling brightly and his face was shining like a moon. Happiness was seen on his face. The only thought of meeting Ira was bringing a big smile on his lips. How will she react? He can imagine Ira's surprised face when she will see her grandfather.
'My child.' he thought.
He was busy thinking about Ira's reaction and packing up when suddenly someone knocked on door.
He turned around and found Daksha standing at the door.
"Why are you standing there? Come inside." He said and again continued packing.
Daksha stepped inside and went towards him. She stood next to him and asked "Have you made all the preparations to go, your majesty?"
Viraaj turned towards her "Yes. Everything is done. I will leave tomorrow morning ." He replied "I am eager to see her reaction." He was talking about Ira.
A smile appeared on Daksha's face when Viraaj mentioned Ira.
"How will she react? I want to see her surprised face."
"Me too." Daksha whispered as a tear roll down on her cheeks but it was enough for Viraaj to hear. He didn't said anything, knowing she is sad. She want to meet her daughter too but her husband and other kids won't let her go. She is helpless. She just want to see her daughter once after her marriage to make sure that she is happy with her new family but she cannot fulfill even this small wish of hers.
She quickly wiped the tear from her cheeks and extended a small bundle bag towards Viraaj.
He looked at the bag in confusion "What is it?" He asked.