Rudra
đź“Ť Airplane
Lucknow to Mussoorie
India.
The low rumble of the airplane engines blended with the muted chatter of passengers, creating a soothing backdrop as I settled into my seat. Glancing to my right, I found Avni staring out the window, her reflection shimmering against the clouds.
For a moment, I allowed myself to simply observe her—the way her brow furrowed slightly, lost in thought, or how the light caught her hair, making it glow like spun gold. There was a beauty in her stillness, but beneath it all, I sensed a restless spirit—an undercurrent of rebellion just waiting to surface.
I'd be lying if I said I wasn't keeping half an eye on her every movement.
It was my job, after all—though lately, it felt like more than just a duty. No matter how much she claimed she wouldn't make things easy for me, I couldn't help but be drawn to that fire in her eyes, even when I knew it spelled trouble.
Her earlier words still hung in the air, like a challenge thrown my way.
She didn't think I was up for it. That I couldn't handle her rebellious streak.
I almost laughed. She had no idea what she was dealing with.
I kept scanning every detail. The job wasn't just about keeping her safe-it was about being ahead of the game, anticipating every move, every threat, every possibility. And right now, even though we were heading to Mussoorie for a wedding, I wasn't letting my guard down for a second.
Especially not with Avni around.
My mind flashed back to the way she had looked at me when she realized I wasn't in the limo earlier. That flicker of panic in her eyes, followed by the stubborn resolve. She wasn't the type to admit she'd made a mistake, even though it was obvious she had forgotten me. But that's what made her who she was-a princess born into power, but with the heart of a fighter.
Still, forgetting her bodyguard wasn't something I was going to let slide.
I leaned back in my seat, my shoulder just brushing hers. She shifted slightly but didn't move away. There was something almost amusing about the way she tried to act unaffected by me. I wasn't naĂŻve. I'd seen how she looked at me sometimes-like I was both a nuisance and a puzzle she couldn't quite figure out.
Good. Let her wonder.
The silence in the plane stretched, but it wasn't uncomfortable. If anything, it felt charged, like the calm before a storm. Atharv and Ishani were talking quietly in the front, their voices muffled. Avni was still, her eyes focused on the view outside the window.
"Enjoying the view?" I asked, breaking the silence.
She turned her head, her expression shifting from contemplative to playful. "More like plotting my escape from my overprotective bodyguard."
I couldn't help but chuckle. "Plotting already? We haven't even landed."
"Just because I'm not physically escaping doesn't mean I'm not mentally preparing for it," she replied, a glint of mischief dancing in her eyes.
That defiance of hers was both exhilarating and exhausting. "You know, I'm actually pretty good at my job. It might be wise to let me do it without your constant efforts to sidetrack me."
"Where's the fun in that?" she shot back, a smile teasing her lips. "Besides, if I let you do your job too well, I might get bored."
"Boredom is not something I can allow, Princess," I said, leaning back in my seat, feigning a nonchalant posture while keeping my eyes on her. "That's exactly why you have me."
Her laughter was infectious, and for a brief moment, the tension of the last few weeks slipped away. It was easy to forget the chaos that lurked just beneath the surface when we were in these stolen moments together, even if the reality of my duty always loomed nearby.
As the airplane climbed higher, I shifted my focus. I scanned the cabin, observing the other passengers, maintaining my vigilance. Atharv and Ishani were seated a few rows ahead, their heads bent close together, sharing a quiet laugh. They seemed lost in their own world, a welcome distraction from the usual formality that surrounded us.
Behind them, Aksh and Ritvika were deep in conversation, although Ritvika's fatigue was evident. The remnants of a night filled with celebration still clung to her like a second skin. She leaned back in her seat, sunglasses perched atop her head, and her eyes were barely open as she fought off a yawn.
"You didn't answer my question earlier," I said, breaking the quiet.
She turned her head, her gaze meeting mine. "Which one?"
"When you left me behind," I clarified, watching her expression carefully. "Was that an accident? Or were you really trying to see what would happen?"
Her lips curved into a small, defiant smile, but she didn't answer right away. She was good at this game, I had to give her that.
"Does it matter?" she asked after a moment, her tone casual.
I chuckled softly. "To me? No. But you'll find out soon enough that I don't miss much."
She raised an eyebrow at that, intrigued. "Is that so?"
I leaned in slightly, keeping my voice low, just for her. "You can try to shake me off, Princess. But I'll always be two steps ahead."
Her eyes flashed, a mix of challenge and something else-something she wasn't quite ready to admit. "We'll see about that, dear bodyguard."
"Still can't believe you forgot your own bodyguard at home, Princess," I teased, recalling the earlier scene with the Corvette and how she almost left me behind.
Her head snapped back towards me, eyes narrowing in that fiery way she always did when challenged. "I didn't forget you! It was a test." She crossed her arms, turning slightly in her seat, giving me that rebellious look I had come to know all too well.
"A test, huh?" I smirked, leaning in just slightly, lowering my voice so that only she could hear. "Who would have protected you if I wasn't there? You'd really risk that?"
"Please, I can handle myself," she huffed. "Besides, I told you I wouldn't make it easy for you, and I meant it. So, dear bodyguard, be ready for more."
I couldn't help but chuckle at her defiance. Avni wasn't the typical royal, and that's what made my job both thrilling and maddening. "I love challenges, Princess. Keep them coming."
She muttered something under her breath, probably an insult, but I let it slide. The back-and-forth between us had become almost like second nature. I glanced around the cabin, making sure everything was in order. We were flying commercial this time, something I wasn't entirely comfortable with, but Aksh had assured me that the necessary security was in place. Still, my instinct never let me relax fully.
She didn't realize that protecting her wasn't just about keeping her physically safe. It was about understanding her, reading her every move, even the ones she didn't make.
The game had only just begun.
I noticed Atharv seated a few rows ahead, laughing quietly with Ishani. They seemed comfortable, heads close together as they shared something on his phone. It was good to see them relaxed after the chaos of last night. Behind them, Aksh and Ritvika were deep in conversation, though Ritvika's hangover was still evident in the way she leaned against the headrest, her eyes half-lidded, fighting off the remnants of last night's party.
"Ugh, remind me never to drink that much again," Ritvika groaned, pushing her sunglasses higher up her nose. "How do you even function this early, Aksh?"
He grinned at her. "I'm a man of many talents, Vikku. You'll learn someday."
She rolled her eyes. "Talents, my foot."
Avni caught my eye and we both shared a small laugh. The banter between everyone lightened the mood of the trip. Despite the fact that we were all heading to a wedding, this was also a break from the constant pressures of royal duties. For them, at least. I still had my job to do, ensuring Avni's safety at every turn, but even I could appreciate the change of pace.
Ashwin hadn't come with us this time-he needed to handle some last-minute inspections back at the palace. I trusted him to manage things there, though his absence was slightly felt. He was like family to the Raghuvanshis, and not having him around left a small gap in the dynamic.
I turned back to Avni, noticing how the sunlight framed her face through the window. There was something peaceful in her expression, even if I knew her mind was constantly working. Planning. Testing me, as she put it.
"You know," I said, breaking the silence between us, "I think you enjoy making things difficult for me."
She raised an eyebrow, a playful glint in her eye. "Maybe I do. Keeps you on your toes, doesn't it?"
"It does," I admitted. "But don't forget, I always win in the end."
She let out a soft laugh. "We'll see about that."
The announcement overhead indicated we were approaching our descent soon. I made a mental note to double-check everything once we landed in Mussoorie. The wedding was still a few days away, and while the others were looking forward to early celebrations, I knew my role wouldn't be any less demanding. Keeping Avni safe was the priority, no matter how many challenges she threw my way.
As the plane began its descent, I saw the excitement spark in everyone's eyes. Ishani and Atharv were already chatting about the resort and the activities planned for the next few days. Aksh and Ritvika were bickering about something related to the wedding. Avni stretched slightly in her seat, looking like she was gearing up for more mischief.
"Don't think you're off the hook, Princess," I said, leaning slightly toward her. "I'm watching you."
She gave me a side-glance, a smirk tugging at her lips. "I'd expect nothing less from my 'dear bodyguard.'"
And with that, we landed in Mussoorie.
✧｡✿｡✧