THE GIRL I LOVE

Meera stepped closer.

Not slow. Not fast. Like she had already decided. Like her body knew before her mind did.

She kissed him.

Harshal's eyes opened.

Not wide. Not scared. Just... open. Like a door he forgot he had.

She stepped back. Looked down. Her face was red. Her lips were wet. She didn't speak.

Harshal stepped forward.

She didn't move.

He touched her chin. Lifted her face. Gentle. Like she was something fragile. Something he had never held before.

Then he kissed her.

Not soft. Not like before.

With something behind it. Something that had been sleeping.

Her eyes widened.

She didn't pull back. Didn't push him away. Her hands stayed at her sides.

The youngest maiden watched. The others watched.

No one moved. No one spoke.

Harshal pulled back. Just enough to look at her.

Her eyes were still wide. Her lips were red.

He didn't say anything.

Neither did she.

The door slammed.

Chitralekha stood in the doorway. Her face was stone. Her eyes were fire.

"Is this what you do after your so-called training?"

Her voice was low. Not loud. Loud would have been kinder.

"In which you almost kill half of the army?"

Harshal didn't move. His hand was still on Meera's chin. Her eyes were still wide.

He let go. Slow. Like he was putting down something fragile.

Meera stepped back. Her face was red. Her hands were shaking.

Chitralekha looked at her. Then at Harshal.

"Half the army, little brother. Half. Broken. Not dead. You made sure of that."

Harshal said nothing.

"Was that mercy? Or was that a message?"

Still nothing.

Meera stepped closer. Her voice was low. Almost a whisper.

"You have a guest."

Harshal didn't turn. His thumb moved across her lip. Slow. Wiping blood that wasn't hers. Blood that had splattered from somewhere else.

She didn't flinch.

He pulled his hand back. Looked at the red on his thumb. Then at her.

"Stay here," he said.

She didn't nod. Didn't speak. Just stood there. Watching him leave.

Chitralekha stood by the window. Her back was to him. Her arms were crossed.

Harshal stopped at the door. Didn't cross the threshold.

"Sister."

She didn't turn.

"I never wanted to kill any."

Silence.

"If I have done anything wrong from my own will, I shall be punished."

Chitralekha turned. Her face was not stone. It was fire. Controlled. Barely.

"You didn't want to."

Her voice was low. Shaking at the edges.

"You didn't want to. Sure. You didn't want to. But you did."

Harshal said nothing.

"You destroy—" She stopped. Corrected herself. "Sorry. Obliterate. Half of my kingdom's army."

She took a step toward him.

"And then you kiss my maiden."

Another step.

"And after all this, I am controlling myself. Because you are my brother."

Her jaw tightened.

"And for your knowledge—" She paused. "If you can't control your power, you shouldn't have it."

The king straightened his crown. His hands still shook, but his voice did not.

"Okay then. We will make him our friend. Provide him with his every need."

The ministers exhaled. Some in relief. Some in defeat.

The oldest minister nodded. "That is a good decision, my lord."

He paused. Let the silence sit.

"And I have heard he has some liking to one of our maidens. Perhaps we can offer her to him."

The doors opened.

Harshal walked in. Chitralekha followed.

Harshal stopped in the center of the court.

"Speaking of the devil," Harshal said. "But the god is here."

"You," Harshal said. "Oldest minister. What is your name?"

"I am Kumbhanda. Father of Chitralekha."

"Ah. Yes. The strongest. Who fought against Krishna. I would love to duel with you."

Chitralekha stared at him.

"I won't kill your father, sister."

His voice was devious. Low. Almost a whisper. Almost a promise.

She didn't speak.

Harshal turned to the king. The king sat straight. His crown was still crooked. His hands were still. His eyes were calm.

Harshal bowed.

Not a nod. Not a tilt of his head. A bow. Deep. Slow.

The room held its breath.

"I don't bow down to anyone," Harshal said. His voice was flat. Not humble. Not proud. Just stating a fact.

"But I did some damage to your kingdom. And I am ready to accept your offer."

He straightened.

"Mr. Kumbhanda."

The old man's eyes narrowed.

Harshal turned to him. "Yes. Sorry. I am not good with names."

He paused.

"And if you think a girl which I am in love with can control me... you are obviously right."

Kumbhanda said nothing.

"But don't try anything fishy."

The room was silent.

The king did not move. The ministers did not breathe. Chitralekha stood like stone.

Harshal stood in the center of the court. His head was high. His hands were at his sides. His face was calm.

He had bowed. He had accepted. He had warned.

Now he waited.