See this looks beautiful on you"

Said Arham as he plucked a yellow tulip and placed it on my braid

It was the morning that I woke up and things that happened at the previous day came back to me. I immediately got ready and went to the dining room where the breakfast was served. Interestingly Arham was reading the newspaper and having his breakfast.

"Aren't you the chef? Aren't you supposed to cook the breakfast?"

I couldn't help but ask him.

He laughed. "First of all tell me how are you?" He said gesturing me to sit next to him.

"I am feeling good how" I said referring to my periods.

"Did you sleep well?" He asked smirking. To which I blushed and looked away.

After a while I looked at him and he was still eating his breakfast calmly.

He looked at me and answered my unanswered question "I am supposed to cook only the lunch. Rest different chefs are hired to prepare breakfast and lunch"

"Okay. It's surprising how the Prince allows me and you to eat in this room. I thought it was meant only for him and his guests." I expressed my doubt.

He just smiled and continued reading newspaper. After sometime he got a call to while he just said "yes I am coming" and left the place.

Not before giving me a kiss on my cheek and saying "take care dear. I will be back soon" . I was so shocked that I forgot to ask him where he was going and why.

Anyways I was now confused. Does he like me? If yes then why isn't he confessing? What if he likes me? What if we date? But how? I mean it would be a long distance relationship right? And he seems to be a keeper. So he might also demand marriage if the relationship turns out to be serious. If I say yes to him, I can stay in this palace with him. He can be the Royal Chef and I can help the Royal family in conserving the museum. But then what if they know that I am Zeel and not Aanshi Singh?

Various thought came into my head. But I decided to shake them off. I have to first finish my work. It was my dream to engage into an archeological project which is as grand as this one. I have to complete it. Then I shall deal with this Arham guy. First I need to meet to the Prince. But he seems to be always out of the town.

It was at the noon time when I was busy examining the tulips at the flower garden of the Palace. It was made specially by cultivating all kinds of colourful flowers to create a certain horse like pattern (it represented the emblem of Ashwagadh Kingdom)

I was busy watching the tulips when I felt someone putting the tulip on my braid.

"See this looks beautiful on you"

I turned around to find Arham. He was smiling.

"We need to talk" I demanded.

"About what?" He asked giving me a knowing look.

"About us" I said pointing my index finger at both of us.

"What about is?" He grinned.

"I mean you and me... you know our relationship.... it's just that it's different" I tried to explain him.

"Different as in?" He asked innocently but there was a humour in his eyes.

" As in, as in you know we seem to connect... I mean last night you and me.... were kind of... you know what I am trying to say right?" I tried to speak but it was difficult as he was constantly staring at me. First my eyes and then my lips. Back and forth.

I started feeling that my cheeks were heating. With butterflies in stomach, I felt as if I was blushing. Unintentionally.

He smiled and said "I am sorry I am unable to understand what do you mean"

I felt frustrated. Why doesn't he understand?

"Do you like me?" I asked directly.

"What do YOU think?" He asked looking straight into my eyes.

"I think.... I think ... I think you like me" I finally said what I felt.

"But what's the use... you don't like me" he made a cute face.

"No no I like you"

I finally confessed in frustration. And realised.And then held my breath. Stupid stupid stupid. Now what if he rejects me? I should have shut my mouth.

"You like me?" I finally asked after sometime.

"Do you really wanna know what I feel about you?" He asked with such an intensity that my heart started beating faster.

"I I have to go" I Said suddenly feeling shy and awkward.

He pulled me by my hand and took me into his arms. And the next moment we fell with me falling on the top of him in midst of the flowers.