“Then, put your right foot on the footrest and climb,” he said. I gulped nervously as I placed my foot on it. It was taller than I. My legs seemed too short, and I couldn’t reach them.
He chuckled softly and muttered,“Bas ek hi swapna tha humaara ki ladki lambi honi chahiye... ab wo bhi paani me gaya,”“I only had one dream that the girl should be tall… but that too went down the drain.”
I shot him a glare, and he chuckled, holding my waist and lifting me to climb onto the horse.
I felt butterflies in my stomach as the horse’s back shivered and it neighed. I thought I might fall, but he quickly mounted and wrapped his arm around me.
I swallowed hard, a broad, involuntary smile spreading across my face.
I’d never been out with a man, not definitely like this.
Retrieving a shawl from his little jute bag, he pulled me closer.
My back pressed against his chest as he wrapped the shawl around, enveloping us both. My head rested on his shoulder while he gently rested his chin on me.
“So, where should we head first?” He asked, and I tilted my head sideways to look at him.
“I don’t know. Wherever you want.” I said.
He pulled the horse’s reins, bringing Ashwait into motion. I clasped his wrist as we moved forward.
And suddenly, it ran.
My heart sank deeper into my guts. The world shook as he sprinted toward the main entrance. The doors were closed, and the soldiers noticed us.
They quickly got into action and opened the door. For a moment, I thought we would crash against it, causing me to close my eyes in fear. I tried not to scream with all my might, as I couldn’t draw attention to my girlish voice. But the door opened with a loud, thunderous noise just in time, and we passed through.
He laughed, kissing my cheek. A frigid wind chilled my face, reminding me of a frozen pond I’d seen long ago.
I giggled and closed my eyes for a moment. I felt free; the weight on my shoulder disappeared.
My fingers trembled as I gripped his wrist, a feeling of both restriction and liberation washed over me, as if I had finally found what I’d been searching for my whole life.
He kissed me again on the cheek, deeper and longer, and muttered,“This night is yours. Ask for whatever you want; all your wishes will be granted,” he said, making a bright smile cross my lips.
I glanced at the dark path ahead, feeling soothed by the sparkling moonlight.
We were riding on a slight incline, and I felt his weight shift on my back. Ashwait picked up speed as we raced down the slope, veering onto an empty, sandy path. The rhythm of the horse’s hooves hitting the ground, our bouncing together on its back, and the icy air hitting my face sent goosebumps across my skin.
“Tell me, Suman, where do you want to spend the night?” he inquired. I bit my lower lip briefly before softly replying,“To the cottage where we spent our first night.” I spoke with apprehension, and he leaned toward my ear.
“Are you sure?” he asked, slowing Ashwait as we neared the edge of a dense forest. I nodded slowly, my fingertips numbing from the cold.
As we entered the woods, the moonlight faded, and he drew me close, whispering,“So, are you happy with me?” His gentle voice made me raise my brows playfully.
“Am I with you?” His chuckle reached my ears as he softly kissed my ear.
“You’re not with me?” he countered.
My lashes grew heavy as I spoke with his tender murmurs and feathery kisses.“Not yet. The world doesn’t know we’re together,” I replied slowly as he leaned again.
“I’ve never grasped the need for societal validation. Why does the world need to know when two people share a connection? Their empty blessings don’t matter,” he said, and I inhaled deeply.
“It's not about validation; it’s about claiming your territory and being responsible for one another,” I explained, receiving another gentle kiss from him.
“What do you mean?” he asked while I gazed at the breathtaking scenery.
“It means asserting that this person is yours, that no one else may harbour romantic feelings for him. It’s also about accountability. Animals do the same; they mark their territory and claim their mates,” I described, and he inhaled sharply close to my ear.
