The chandelier hanging above was gently swaying. Its light was falling on the dining table.
Raghuveer was eating. Ruhi was watching him.
*He'll eat everything… that food is for the king and queen… not for a beggar like him… Sagar told himself. He was looking at Raghuveer. He was very angry with Raghuveer. Sagar clenched his fist tightly. His fist was trembling. He was staring at Raghuveer. His anger was justified. Because someone… whose clothes were stained with blood and dust… suddenly comes and devours the king's meal. Forget Sagar… even the maids were looking at him angrily. They were whispering.
"Look how he's eating… as if it was made just for him," one maid said to another.
"Yes… and the princess isn't even saying anything to him…" the second maid said.
"That's the king's food. Why is he devouring it?" the third maid said.
"Look at his clothes… blood stains," the first maid said.
The maids were talking like this. They were looking down on Raghuveer. Why? Because he wasn't a king? Because he wasn't a prince? Because his clothes were dusty? Because he saved Ruhi? Why were they looking down on him? Priyanka was standing silently and watching Raghuveer.
Ruhi poured water into a glass for him. Because he was pounding his chest. He was eating so fast… the food had gotten stuck in his throat.
"Here, take water…" Ruhi handed him the glass. Raghuveer took the glass and drank the water.
Seeing this, Sagar got even angrier. He clenched his fist tighter.
*Why is Ruhi serving him so much? Sagar told himself. He gritted his teeth.
Raghuveer finished all the food. Now his hunger was calm. Raghuveer brought the glass forward to Ruhi.
"Give more water…" Raghuveer said. Ruhi poured water into the glass. Raghuveer drank the water and again…
"One more…" he asked for more water. Ruhi poured water into the glass again. Raghuveer drank the water and gave a loud burp.
"Thank you…" Raghuveer said softly. There was joy on Ruhi's face.
"Do you want to eat more?" she asked politely.
Raghuveer nodded. That meant no. All the maids were watching this. Sagar's face had turned very red. Priyanka was silent.
*This princess doesn't even dress herself… and today she's giving water to a beggar. one maid said. Yes, it was true. All of Ruhi's work was done by her maids. She didn't even dress herself. A maid was needed to dress her. Even her maid poured water into her glass.
"Maid… clean all this…" Ruhi said.
"Yes… princess…" all the maids said and started cleaning the table. That means they started picking up the leftover plates from the table. Raghuveer got up from the chair.
"Thank you for the meal… I'll leave now…" Raghuveer said. He pushed the chair back and started to leave. But Ruhi held his hand and stopped him. For a moment, Raghuveer remembered Pratiksha. Because she had held his hand just like this.
*This beggar… I'm so angry at him… Sagar told himself. His fist was trembling.
Raghuveer looked at her.
"Stay… for a while… meet my father before you go…" Ruhi said. She looked into his eyes.
"Why?" he asked. Ruhi let go of his hand.
"I'll tell you when father arrives…" Ruhi said.
*Raghuveer saved my life. I'll appoint him to a high position… and he fights well too. Ruhi told herself.
*Why is she stopping me..? Raghuveer asked himself.
"Alright…" Raghuveer sat back on the chair.
"You're a very good warrior…" Ruhi said. Raghuveer was happy. Because now his stomach was full.
"Thank you…" he said. The maids finished cleaning and went back to stand near the door.
"Who taught you sword fighting?" Ruhi asked. For a moment, Raghuveer saw his guru's face in front of his eyes. For a moment, sadness appeared on his face.
"What happened, Raghuveer..?" Raghuveer brought a smile to his face.
"Nothing… Raghuveer taught me sword fighting…" Raghuveer said. Ruhi smiled softly. Raghuveer had learned sword fighting from his guru. But he didn't want to say that.
Raghuveer spread both his hands on the table and rested his head on the table.
"I'm feeling sleepy… if your father arrives… wake me up..!" Raghuveer said.
"Alright…" Ruhi said.
A soldier came inside.
"The king and the commander have arrived…" the soldier said. The king arrived.