CHANGE

"you're late today" Anugraha was waiting for her since ten minutes.

"I'm sorry"

"Let's get started then" Anugraha started walking towards the training ground.

"Wait!" Abhitha yelled and Anugraha turned around.

"What?"

"How about we go around the city today? You haven't been out for a while now" Anugraha was so into training that he hadn't been out of the palace for weeks now, Abhitha knew he loved wandering around so she thought he needs a well deserved day off so he could go around the streets of Mudita.

"Huh? We don't have time for ideal activities, let us go to the training ground" Anugraha said dismissively.

"Rich coming from a someone as lazy as you" a voice from behind spoke, both Anugraha and Abhitha turned around to look who it was and it was no surprise to Anugraha that it was none other than his sister, Maitreyi.

"Your highness" Abhitha immediately bowed to greet her.

"If he doesn't want to come, I can accompany you though I doubt I'll be able to show you the city as good as him, right brother?" she looked at Anugraha with a sly expression.

Anugraha rolled his eyes at Maitreyi, clearly understanding her ulterior motives. Since Abhitha arrived in Mudita, she had been pestering him about 'how she'd love to have someone like her as her sister in law' and 'how she was able to fix someone as lazy as himself '.

"You'll end up getting lost and I'll have to eventually come to find you. Abhitha, if you want to see around the city, I'll take you" he said

"You should accompany us, your highness" Abhitha suggested to Maitreyi.

"Spare me for today, I've a few things to do. You two have fun" she again looked at Anugraha with a teasing expression.

"You don't have to tell us" He replied.

.

Both of them were walking on the street aimlessly. While they were at it, Anugraha recieved countless greetings- it seemed like everyone knew him. Suddenly it seemed that Anugraha had remembered something, his eyes lit up and he looked at Abhitha gleaming. Abhitha just returned a puzzled look. Anugraha began speaking,

"I want to show you something" he said as he held Abhitha's hand and began dragging her through the crowd. Abhitha could almost feel her heart stopping at that moment but she held herself together and asked,

"Where are you taking me?"

"Somewhere wonderfull! just wait, you won't regret, I promise"

"You can atleast tell"

"Be patient "

Soon it wasn't as crowded as before and the trees grew thicker. Soon they were out of the main city and the houses were a lot more scattered now and the surroundings were alot more greener. The wood grew thicker and thicker and all Abhitha could think of was 'What if a beasts attacks us?'

Anugraha pushed back the branches blocking their way and then they were met with a large pond, embraced by thick vegetation which seemed to isolate it from the rest of the world.

"Here it is" Anugraha said letting go of her hand.

She felt a pang of disappointment by the loss of touch but she quickly recovered. She looked around, taking in the environment and spoke,

"A pond?" In an immensely unenthusiastic voice.

She couldn't be blamed for the lack of excitement since, Raktapadma had abundant such ponds and it wasn't something out of ordinary for her.

"It didn't impress you, it seems" Anugraha spoke a little dejected. "Well that is expected since you don't have any memories attached to this place" he added further with a bitter laugh.

Abhitha felt a pang of guilt when she heard him laugh so dejectedly. She indeed was insensitive considering how Anugraha rushed here to show this place.

"No! Your highness, actually it is indeed really beautiful but my hometown has many similar lakes, actually we're known for our lakes and ponds. But I'm sure this place must be a lot more interesting since you've created some memories here!! Would you like to share them to me?" She said to correct her previous mistake and she was also curious of what memories of his highness were connected to this place.

Anugraha let out a chuckle "I wasn't that sad" he said at Abhitha's agressive response. He stepped forward and took out his footwear and sat on the edge letting his feet swing in the cold clear water. He turned towards Abhitha and patted the ground beside him, gesturing her to sit. As told she sat beside him and let her feet away in the water as well. The water was so clear and one could see all the colourfull stones and pebbles at the bed and the tiny fished swimming around.

"Are you really curious or are you just saying that to make me feel better?" Anugraha asked.

"No! I'm genuinely curious, I want to know" she answered which came out a little too excited for her liking.

Anugraha giggled again and spoke

"Did you eat something funny this morning? You are actually showing emotions other than annoyance"

To this Abhitha's eyebrows twitched a little but she didn't let it ruin the moment and if she was being completely honest, she really was acting out of character since morning. Taking the prince for a stroll, feeling guilty after seeing how his expressions changed and the unusual curiosity to know about the prince's previous activities. Everything she was doing was out of character.

"So you're telling or not?" She said, turning back to the stoic demeanor.

"Fine fine, I'll tell you but don't go back to that" he protested.