16.Meeting

"O my lady, o mine please stand up, I'll help you", said Hassan. Ragini stood up and started crying, " Me and my brother is kidnapped, we ran away from the cottage, my brother is unconscious still now, the goons are searching for us please help us being safe". "I will protect you my lady, get inside my cottage ". " ok" saying so Ragini and Hasini entered the cottage.

Hasini's mother was shocked to see the condition of Ragini and her brother, she ran to help them, Ragini was almost about to collapse but Hassan held her from her back, Hasini's mother took her brother from her back and laid him on the bed, sprinkled water on his face to gain him consciousness. After few minutes he regained consciousness but was weak to walk.

Ragini was in awe with Hassan's gentleness and handsomeness, she have met many princes before but not such a gentle man like him. She never thought she could recieve help and protection form poor village people. Hassan ran to bring the pot of boiled water and clean clothes to tend Ragini's wounds. Ragini's heart fluttered suddenly, she couldn't look at his handsome face and kept her head down in shyness. "Why are the goons after you? Who are you and what have you done", Hassan asked suddenly tending her injured leg. Ragini didn't expect such question suddenly and she haven't thought of an answer. "They want to blackmail my rich dad for money by kidnapping us, my dad is a rich business man", Ragini said. "Please send us to Irawati city, my father will pay you handsomely". "No need, you both stay with us safely, tomorrow morning we will head to the city ", said Hassan

Suddenly there was a loud bang on the door." Open the door, open it ". Hassan ran to open the door. "What is it?", said Hassan to the two men dressed in black. "We are looking for a lady and a child, they are prisoners of the king and have run away, have you seen them?" "Yes I have. I have seen you two coming and banging my door, not any lady or child", replied Hassan irritably. "Sorry then, we will be going", said those men and went away. After the men in black went away Ragini with his brother who were hiding below the bed came out. "You saved us gentleman, I have no words to thank you", said Ragini. Hassan turned to Ragini frowning "What have you done so that the kind king have to imprison a high status beautiful lady?" "Nothing gentleman, they are lying, please take me to Iravati city tomorrow and you will understand everything", said Ragini