His cat, her monkey
A loud thud from behind made her jump on her place in surprise. And there he was, Vikram Abhishek, the favourite and personal spy of the new king, Raksheet Kumar. He jumped down from the tree where he sat watching her tend to the roses in garden.
A laugh escaped his lips after seeing her startled reaction. He shook his head while still laughing
"Scaredy cat." He commented
She stood up, hands covered in soil, holding a new plant of rose. She looked at him irritated and spoke back "And what are you?! A monkey?! Hanging from tree branches!"
He finally stopped laughing, a smirk tugging at his lips "Monkey? Me?"
He stepped forward, puffing out his chest proudly "I am the favourite and personal spy of King Raksheet Kumar. You dare call me monkey?"
But she is not one of those to step back just because he is hiding behind his position. "I know who you are and what you do. Don't you have any job? Any mission other than spying on me? You sit there on tree whole day. What you get paid for? For sitting on trees to fill the space of a monkey?"
His eyes narrowed at her insult as he stepped forward "I get paid for keeping an eye on everything that is happening in this palace. On every gate, every window, every person, every guest and servant. And that include you too, Ms. Adity Mahar."
Her lips curved in a sarcastic smile and eyes narrowed in annoyance as she stepped forward as well. "Then keep your eyes on others too. Why are they always stuck on me? There are so many people in palace. Go and stare at them. Leave me alone."
She turned away sharply and went back to planting the rose.
He watched her few seconds. Watching as she tends to the rose plant with such care and gentle hands. The gentleness she never shows him.
"You want me to keep my eyes on someone else?" He asked suddenly, already glancing around to find a new target. "Fine. May be that new maid in kitchen will appreciate my attention than other people here."
He didn't wait for her reply, already walking away, trying to suppress his smile. Knowing what the consequence of his words will be.
She looked up sharply, watching him walk toward kitchen. How dare he? After following her for years like a lost puppy, he is going to replace her so easily?
"VIKRAM!!!" she called in annoyance and slight panic. "Don't you dare!" she immediately washed her hands and ran after him.
He didn't glance back. Just started running to escape her wrath.
From his study window, King Raksheet watched everything with a slight smile, shaking his head good naturally. He is just crowned yesterday. His in-laws are still in palace because his grandfather-in-law is sick and Raksheet's wife Ira is taking care of him.
After running away from her for twenty minutes, Vikram finally stopped. She stopped few feet away, breathing heavily. "You monkey, why are you so fast?" She asked, falling to the ground, sitting there and catching her breath.
He smirked, stepping towards her. "Because I am a spy. I have to be fast. So that I can catch the enemy or escape easily." He crouched in front of her, watching her catch her breath.
She looked at him. Her expressions unreadable. Pity? Worry? Annoyance? What is it exactly?
"Why you do it? Risking your life for people who don't care about you and your hard work?"
He just watched her.
The silent fell for a few seconds. His hand reached towards her face, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear "Because I like it. My father wanted me to join army, but my teacher trusted I can be more than just a soldier. He trained me since childhood."
He stopped and glanced up at a window. "And who said no one care about my hard work? There are people who know how hard I worked to be here."
He looked back at her, pulling her ear playfully but gently. "Are you worried for me, Little cat?"
The nickname only made her narrow her eyes in annoyance and pull back. She stood up, dusting her clothes "Monkey!"
She turned to leave but he caught her wrist to stop her. He stood up slowly. "Where are you going? Back to planting rose?" He looked at the skin of her hand "Your skin is getting darker by working in that garden. Do you want me to talk to his majesty and give you work inside the palace?"
She pulled her hand back, rolling her eyes. "My skin is already brown? You think brown skin tone is bad?" She Accused, making him flinch slightly and step back.
