Riya was partially awake from the uneven moments, Raghuveer was probably carrying her in his arms as he walked. Riya leaned her head on the curve of his neck and shoulder as she kept dwelling on her memories. She knows for sure that she doesn't belong here, her memories were flooding back every time she took a nap, and this time she was more than confused.

That night when Piyali attacked her she happened to slip off a cliff, but hold on, how come everything here is so different from where she grew up? Did she reach any other country somehow? Come on, which country still follows a monarchy system and that too, with infinite Indian vibes?

You have to guess Riya! Thinking, she made a check box in her brain. Pakistan? Bangladesh? No way, as far as she knows they don't have any monarchy system and ruling kings. Then, can it be Sri Lanka? Wait for a second, how can I fall down and reach another country? Or maybe there might be a whole different country under that hill, is that even possible?

Riya almost smacked her head as she gained her senses back, she cringed at the thought that she might be losing her brain by overthinking .

This is a reason that social studies are an important subject to study! But her stupid ass always focused on acting. Rolling her eyes in frustration she tightened her grip around his neck huffing loudly.

Should she get down now that she is no more drowsy? Nope, her brain poped the word secretly whispering to enjoy this moment.

"I know you are awake, so stop clinging on me like a lizard and step down." Raghuveer spoke as he controlled the urge to throw her down.

When the boat ride came to an end, Riya was still sleeping soundly. He couldn't get himself to break her peaceful sleep, she has been facing this constant headache so he let her sleep. However, her nap took no name to end. The bright moon which was at the east side was gradually dropping to the west indicating the arrival of the sun.

And the boat driver was losing his calm reminding Raghuveer that he had a family to attend. So he decided to carry her instead but shortly after that, he realised that Riya woke up yet she didn't comment anything but choose to be lost in the world of her thoughts.

"Um, I am comfortable like this, thank you Veeru." Hesitatingly Riya dogged his offer which riled up Raghuveer, "I gave you no choice! Step down this instant-"

"Ha! Yes, my bad! I should have considered your old age." Commenting slyly Riya slipped down his arms and walked forward.

Raghuveer was almost shocked hearing her words, "I am not old-"

"Oh yes, you are. Possibly, a little over forty or something?" Riya poked fun at Raghuveer as she put her hands behind her back, walking a quick pace.

"What! No, I am just twenty-seven and not-"

"No my old grandpa, you don't have to hide your age. For a fact, I should stop calling you Veeru now as you are older than me."

"What nonsense are you barking, woman? Have you lost your brain-" Raghuveer quickly-paced behind Riya as she carelessly walked along the forest path as if she retains some power over this forest. The sleek moonlight played no part to stop her fast walk.

"My bad, prince- I mean oldie Rajkumar." Riya twirled around, seldom teasing him as she enjoyed the red tint of anger on his face. Serves him right.

"Call me Veeru! Not that oldie-"

"Nah!" Riya twirled again in happiness. She just found a new leisure, teasing Veeru and so far she is enjoying this too much for her sanity.

"Stop twirling like a kid and call me-"

"No, no-" unfortunately this time while twirling her feet slipped on a pebble making her lose balance. Within a fraction of second, Riya was falling to the other side and right before she could hit the ground she felt Raghuveer's muscled arms snaking around waist yanking her towards him making her slam to his chest in force.

"I warned you! But no, you have to disobey my each and every word!" His blaming tone got Riya furious, but a small part in her tiny rational brain knew that he was not wrong. So she kept mum, relishing this closeness as she secretly ran the tips of her fingers over his chest. Now, you should never miss a God-given chance to explore, right?

Riya was expecting his rant to go on, and on. But she let out a squeal in surprise when Raghuveer picked her up in a bridal style.

He gave in? Now, this is what I call being a-good-boy, stuff.

"What! Put me down!" She dramatically complained but on the other hand, her grip tightened around his neck as she leaned her head on the crook of his neck.

"Just shut up for once, or else I will drop you-" Raghuveer warned her seriously, she was just about to fall down and hurt herself but look at her! So careless, so irresponsible, so-

"Oh really? I don't think you can-"

Raghuveer sharply flung Riya in his arms imitating a throw and Riya screamed loudly holding onto him as if her life was on the verge.

"Look at you!" He chuckled pulling her closer to him, "All scared like a rabbit."

Riya's chest filled with anger and embarrassment as she taunted him, "I am no rabbit and mostly your oldie of backbone must have stopped you from dropping me-"

Once again, Raghuveer mocked a throw tossing Riya a little high in his arms making her scream and this time he couldn't help but laugh loudly at Riya. How bravely she tires to seem powerful stunned him but she never gave up, she teases him and he keeps repeating his act yet, they never took the title to give up this childish game.

Shortly, their journey of the unknown game came to an end as they reached the entrance of his house. Raghuveer lowered Riya down to the ground before his security could notice them.

This closeness with Riya always startles him and just in case if any soldier got to see this view they might just faint, as it goes unsaid that Prince Raghuveer is only good to plants. The question of why he is so comfortable around her keeps eating his brain.

The large wooden gates had a sharp cone structured iron fixed to it. Even the opening of the gate was impossible to outsiders, and the tall walls are just out of question. They have sharp tridents at corners preventing any thieves and criminals from entering and among such high security, somehow the petite woman beside him managed to wake up in his garden.

The heavy gates of the house were pulled open and as usual, Raghuveer strode inside with Riya tailing behind him and right before he could walk towards his chambers Riya deterred him.

"Umm, Veeru. I-ug, can I get your night kurta?" She focused straight on his face and as expected a slow frown started creeping on his face and Riya immediately pipped in, "My head is still hurting and this half-saree is too stiff and-"

"Your head is still hurting?" He asked as his frown deepened. Long term headaches are real trouble, why is her headache not subsiding?

"Yeah." Saying Riya hit her head slowly, along with her everlasting memories came an ever lasting headache.

"Alright, you wait here." Saying he strode to his bedroom pulling out a white kurta from his almirah and examined it by turning it front and back, after being satisfied with its neatness he folded it and hung it on his shoulder as he took out a glass container from a table beside.

Riya's face illuminated with joy as her eyes got stuck on the white cotton kurta in his hand as walked towards her. Oh, that piece of cloth is heaven.

Almost snatching the kurta from his hand Riya was about to run to her room but Raghuveer stopped her as he forced a glass container in her hands.

"Here, take this with you. Before you go to bed apply this oil to your head and hair." He carefully instructed her and Riya like an animal, brought that jar close to nose smelling it and the immediate second she gaged at the strong smell.

"What the shit is this!"

"That is not shit, woman. This is hibiscus oil, it is good for hair growth and cools down your head. Massage this oil to your scalp, so that your headache can reduce and your grassy hair can get some life." Raghuveer preached the importance of it as he kept mocking her hair.

"Take it with you, I don't need it Veeru. Sleeping will definitely help or if you really insist, why don't you massage my head?" Riya wiggled her eyebrows playfully as she crossed her hands over her chest.

Raghuveer glared at her and his glares are said to make any person shiver in fear but somehow his glares and angry words made no effect on her.

"What? Oldie prince can't even massage my head?" Riya turned her palm behind placing it on her head as she dramatically fake cried, "Oh my poor soul! Is there nobody to help me? Where is my Dhruvan? My knight in shining-"

What? My Dhruvan? When did this happen? Raghuveer lifted his left eyebrow in shock.

"Stop calling me oldie, and give me that." Saying he quickly snatched the glass jar from her hands and strode towards her chamber and a surprised Riya stood shocked behind him.

Did he just agree with her? God, she was just joking and he took it serious! Now what!

***