"By the way, what's your name, cutie pie...?" Kunwar teased, pulling her cheek playfully.
"Shrey... Shrey Thakur," she replied with a smile.
"But 'cutie pie' suits you better... So, can I call you that?" Kunwar said, stepping closer and gazing into her eyes.
Shrey froze for a moment. She didn't like people getting too close — emotionally or physically — and here this Kunwar was practically breathing down her neck.
She hastily stepped back and said,"No need... Call me Shrey."
And with that, she quickly turned and walked away.
Kunwar watched her walk off… then burst into laughter with a loud chuckle.
Mumbai International Airport
Journalists waited outside, cameras and mics ready in hand. Suddenly, a distinguished man in his mid-forties to fifties stepped out from the airport gates.
A wave of excitement swept through the crowd. All the media personnel rushed toward him.
But before they could reach him, a man in a black shirt, matching boots, and a face mask swiftly appeared in front of him — like a shield.
Other bodyguards formed an impenetrable circle around the man.
Just then, one of the reporters, facing the camera, said—
"Today, the King of Udaipur returns from Paris to Mumbai. Sources suggest he has been undergoing treatment abroad for a long-standing illness..."
The reporter was just about to move closer when one of the bodyguards lunged to stop him.
But the man in the black mask raised his hand, signaling them to hold back.
The media froze in place.
The masked man turned toward the king, bowed respectfully, and gestured toward the car.
The King didn't react. He simply walked ahead with slow, heavy steps. Despite his age, his aura still carried immense weight.
As soon as he sat in the car, the masked man got into the driver's seat and quietly drove away.
For some time, there was a heavy, unspoken silence in the car — no words, no movements.
Then the stillness was broken by the King's deep, weary voice—
"Prakhar..."
Prakhar looked through the rear-view mirror and replied politely,"Yes, Your Highness?"
The King paused for a moment, then asked softly—"Has Kunwar returned?"
Prakhar nodded slightly while driving,"Yes..."
The King turned his gaze to the window.
"You should return too, Prakhar..."he said, looking directly into Prakhar's eyes.
Prakhar's fingers gripped the steering wheel tighter."I'll come back once my punishment is over, Your Highness,"he responded calmly.
The King's face hardened."What punishment... for a crime you didn't even commit?"
Still looking at the road, Prakhar replied without emotion—"But it was proven against me..."
The King slowly bowed his head and then said—"And you think I'll just believe you when you say it was all your doing...? Is that it?"
Another long silence filled the car.
"Stop covering up Kunwar's mistakes, Prakhar..."the King's voice was low, but sharp."By doing this, you're only giving him more strength to repeat them..."
Prakhar briefly closed his eyes and then said—"But he's Kunwar, Your Highness... the future King..."His voice was accepting, not defiant."The King of Udaipur... He has every right to decide the fate of anyone's life... just as you do now."
The King remained silent for a few moments.
Prakhar dropped the King at his villa, where an important meeting awaited him. Prakhar stood by his side the entire time, like a loyal shield.
By evening, without telling anyone, he quietly walked out on foot.
He had taken off his coat, loosened his tie,and the breeze had tousled his hair just enough to make him look effortlessly charming.But there was a stillness in his walk, and exhaustion in his eyes.
He made his way through narrow lanes toward the bakeries.The road was lined with dense trees on both sides, and only a few people were around.A cool breeze rustled the leaves, accompanied by faint traffic sounds from afar.
Prakhar picked up "Diamond" from the bakery and got some pastries packed for Shrey too.The bakery was quite crowded, so the owner didn't get a chance to tease him — and seeing how worn out he looked, he even felt a bit sorry.
Dragging his tired feet, Prakhar reached home and rang the doorbell.Silence.
"Is he not back yet?" he muttered to himself.He reached into his pocket and sighed — he had forgotten the key.
Fatigue had now fully taken over his body.He sat down right by the door — after standing all day, he simply had no strength left.
Shrey came bouncing his ball and was shocked to see Prakhar sitting on the ground. He quickly rushed over.
"Hey Prakhar! What happened?"
Prakhar slowly opened his eyes and gestured toward the door.Shrey nodded, understanding, and rushed to open it, stealing glances at Prakhar all the while — concern and worry clearly written across his face.
"Come on, get inside..."Shrey tried to help him up, but Prakhar gently pushed him away and stood up on his own, albeit a bit unsteady. He made his way straight to the couch and collapsed.
Shrey followed him, then dashed into the kitchen to fetch water.Diamond sat loyally by Prakhar's feet.
Shrey handed him water and asked—"Are you okay? You're not sick, right? No pain or anything?"
Prakhar shook his head and after a pause, said softly—"I won't be able to cook… please order something."
Shrey frowned,"You think I'd let you cook in this condition? Do you really think I'm that heartless?"
A faint smile crept onto Prakhar's face.
"Not that I know how to cook," Shrey continued,"but I'll call my friend Pranay. He can come over and make something. Outside food won't be good for you right now."
"Let it be... I'm not even hungry. Just give Diamond his food. I brought pastries for you,"Prakhar said and headed to his room.
"What does he think he is... a machine? Not hungry, huh."Shrey muttered in annoyance.
He immediately called Pranay and invited him over. Then he set out Diamond's food — but Diamond turned his face away.
"Oh His Majesty! There's no one here today to pamper you... Eat what you're given!"Shrey scolded, hands on his hips.
Diamond looked at him and walked toward Prakhar's room.
"Like master, like dog..."Shrey grumbled and followed behind.
He saw Prakhar had simply collapsed on the bed — he hadn't even taken off his shoes.Diamond curled up beside him.
Shrey entered, took off his shoes, loosened his tie, unbuttoned the top two buttons of his shirt, tucked him in properly, and turned on the AC.
A while later, Pranay arrived. Together they cooked — although Shrey's contribution was mostly handing over things, as he didn't even know how to boil water.
Once the food was ready, Pranay spotted the pastries. He rushed over excitedly—"Yummy...!"
Shrey, who was setting the table, saw him and quickly darted over, snatching the pastry from him—"That's mine!"
"We're brothers, Shrey… what's mine is yours and vice versa! I'll get another one, but I really want this one now..."
"Nope! This one's mine and that's final. If you want, there's more in the fridge — go get it."
"But I want this one… strawberry!"
Shrey hid the pastry behind his back—"I said it's mine."
Pranay pouted—"Fine! Call Lord Sahib for dinner… clearly, I hold no value here!"
Shrey, mimicking his pout, walked off toward Prakhar's room.
To be continued...