Raghuveer was looking at the moon. His body felt light. Hunger in his stomach, but regret inside.
Black clouds were covering the moon. But the moon was still casting its light on the ground. As if saying — these clouds cannot stop me or my light.
"You know… I always have to struggle to eat…" Raghuveer says. He speaks to the moon, which listens to everything in silence.
"Why? Why do I always have to struggle to eat?" Raghuveer asks. He asks the moon, which had seen everything happen.
*Raghuveer should not show mercy to anyone. Raghuveer tells himself.
Raghuveer sits on a stone by the roadside. He had clasped the fingers of both hands together and placed them on his knees. He was looking at the ground. Just looking at the ground. Without blinking. Cold wind was touching his cheeks and palms. Silence was everywhere. Only the sound of his breath could be heard.
....
He had been sitting there for a long time. Raghuveer was still looking at the ground. His eyes were red. He was feeling sleepy. But the hunger wouldn't let him sleep.
Raghuveer sees a shadow on the ground. He looks up. It was Ruhi's shadow.
"Good that I found you here… come with me…" Ruhi said. She extended her hand.
Her face was covered in sweat. As if she had come running.
Raghuveer looked at her. A moment of silence.
"Where?" Raghuveer asked. There was no expression on his face.
"To my home…" Ruhi said. Ruhi touched her lips with all five fingers of her right hand. It was a gesture for food.
Raghuveer slowly stood up.
"Let's go…" Raghuveer said.
"Hmm…" Ruhi nodded. The two of them started walking.
*
The two of them reached near Ruhi's house. No… not a house… it was a 'palace'. A beautiful palace.
"Are you a princess?" Raghuveer asked. His attention was on the palace.
"Yes… I'm sorry I didn't tell you earlier," Ruhi said, looking at Raghuveer.
Soldiers were guarding outside the palace. There was a garden on all four sides of the palace. The palace was richly decorated.
"Come… let's go inside…" Ruhi said.
The two of them reached the door and a maid opened it from inside. The two entered.
Raghuveer looked around. A chandelier was hanging above. In front was the dining table. Sagar and Priyanka saw Ruhi and ran to her.
"Ruhi, where did you go without telling us?" Sagar asked.
"I went to bring Raghuveer," Ruhi said. Sagar looked at Raghuveer.
*Him again… Sagar told himself. Raghuveer was looking at the dining table in front. Various dishes were placed on the table. Raghuveer's stomach growled again. He ran to the table and sat on the king's chair and started eating the dishes. On the table were deer meat, fruits. Raghuveer ate quickly. Everyone present started looking at Raghuveer. Their faces showed surprise. Ruhi smiled softly. Because until the king and queen arrived, no one was supposed to eat.
Sagar came near Raghuveer and was about to stop him, but just then Ruhi came near and placed her hand on Sagar's shoulder.
"No… don't say anything to him. Let him eat," Ruhi said.
Sagar nodded and went back to stand near the door. Ruhi sat beside Raghuveer.
At this table, the king, queen, Ruhi, and the commander would sit to eat.
"Maid… bring water for Raghuveer…" Ruhi said. The maid brought water in a pot.
Ruhi rested her chin on the table and looked at Raghuveer. He was eating quickly. Looking at him, it felt like he would eat everything.
There were four maids, Sagar and Priyanka, Ruhi and Raghuveer. Soldiers were guarding outside.
It was time for the king to arrive. After some time, the king, queen, and commander arrived.