Looking at the stars shining in the darkness of night, Raghuveer was falling asleep. He was dozing off, but he wasn't letting himself sleep. The fire was slowly dying out. The sound of water could be heard. At night, the forest felt like a terrifying dream, because everything looked dark.
But the moon was casting its light into the water and was keeping Raghuveer company in the darkness.
Raghuveer, while dozing, finally fell asleep. The exhaustion of the day was beginning to fade.
The light breeze made the leaves of the trees rustle. The cold air touched his skin. Because of the cold, he fell into a deep sleep. His sword was gleaming in the moonlight, showing that it was his true companion. With this sword, he had taken many lives. His sword was a partner in his sins. This sword had given him strength. It had made him powerful. This sword had shaped Raghuveer. It became his first companion. Even in difficult times, it never left his side. That's why Raghuveer cherished it more than his own life. His sword was like a second heart to him.
There was deep silence in the forest. So quiet that even the sound of his breath could be clearly heard.
He was wearing the clothes given by the king. Even they were now covered in dust and dirt. His tied-up hair made him look like a sage, but his character made him a demon. Now the burning fire had gone out.
But someone couldn't tolerate his sleep.
Voices began to come from the forest.
"Help… help…"
A girl's voice was reaching Raghuveer's ears. That scream broke his sleep.
Raghuveer opened his eyes. But he didn't do anything.
I had fallen asleep… he told himself.
The voice was now coming closer.
"Help… someone… help me…"
Still, Raghuveer didn't pay attention. It didn't matter to him. He had no desire to become a hero by saving someone.
But then he heard the roar of a lion, and he became alert. The sound was close.
Raghuveer picked up his sword and ran in the direction of the sound. He ran through trees and bushes, getting closer to the voice.
He saw… the girl was Pratiksha. She was holding a sword in her hand, but it was broken. Her hand was wounded — clawed by the lion. The lion was approaching her, and she had no space left to run.
She stood bravely in front of the lion. The lion had already broken her sword. Raghuveer stood watching.
She thought she wouldn't survive now. Because she had nowhere to run, and no one was coming to save her.
The lion lunged at her. She closed her eyes. Dropped her sword. In her mind, she thought — Now I will die.
Fear silenced her voice, and she sat down on the ground. She brought her hands in front of her face. The lion lunged at her — but just then, Raghuveer sliced open the lion's belly and killed it on the spot.
The lion's blood splashed onto Pratiksha. Her eyes were still closed. She thought the lion had torn her stomach — that the blood was hers. She touched her stomach. Nothing had happened to her.
She slowly opened her eyes. As soon as she did, she saw Raghuveer in front of her. Even in the darkness, she could clearly see him.
There was no expression on Raghuveer's face. He placed his sword back into its sheath.
He recognized her, but said nothing. Pratiksha looked at her dress. They were soaked in blood. Her face too was covered in blood. Red… red Pratiksha.
She looked at the lion. Its insides had spilled out. The ground beneath it was soaked in blood.
"Is there water nearby? I want to wash my face," Pratiksha said. Raghuveer looked at her wounded hand.
Raghuveer nodded and started walking toward the river. Pratiksha stood up and began walking behind him. The cold wind was making her wound sting. Raghuveer could see her pain, but he remained silent.
After some time, they reached the river. Raghuveer went near the water, took out his sword from the sheath, and washed it — because it was covered in blood.
Pratiksha also went near the water, knelt down, and washed her face. Wherever blood had splashed on her dress, she sprinkled water.
Raghuveer returned to the bent tree and lay down. He placed his sword beside him. Pratiksha dipped her wounded hand into the water. After keeping it there for a while, she took it out and came near Raghuveer.
"Thank you… for saving my life," she said.
Raghuveer said nothing. He closed his eyes — showing that he was about to sleep.
After some time, he fell asleep. Pratiksha sat beside him. Her wound was hurting a lot. She tore a piece of her dress and tried to tie it around the wound. She couldn't do it properly. But she kept trying, and finally managed to tie it.
After a while, she too fell asleep right there — as if she had always meant to stay there.