"Ohh" I feigned innocence.

"There is no way out of this jungle I am searching for days but can't find one yet. We are stuck here forever." I continued with tears in my eyes presenting myself as really sad.

I guess it's my sadness since childhood after I lost my parents and yearning for affection that made my acting natural and real. Demon, Human or any sort of living creature will crave some real affection and love in their entire existence. I am no exception. I also want a remedy for my pain and a way to soothe my aching heart. A real person who can love and care for me and fill the emptiness of my soul to an extent with his affection. Watching this family in front of me just increase my loneliness and made me feel more alone.

"Putri you also come with us. My sons will protect and care for you. Together we will find a way out of this forest. Once we will out of here you can go wherever you want to go. We won't stop you." Their mother told me affectionately.

"Yes, Devi it's not safe here also you are alone. Come with us you will be much safer." This time it was their elder brother.

"Well thank you for your offer. I would feel happy to come with you but only because I want to come. Not because I need any kind of protection. I am fully capable of doing it. I am here for a long time and till now I took care of myself pretty well." I replied they smiling confidently. I hate when anyone thought that I need any kind of protection just because I am a woman.

"I want care and affection not pity or sympathy and about safety, I am fully capable of doing so." I was thinking this before his mocking voice reached my ears.

"Looks like Devi you are fortunate enough to not encounter any real trouble till now. If you encounter any demon and any evil forces then this whole self-esteem will disappear. This is an illusionary forest no your garden where you roam with so much confidence." He answered scoffing.

Looks like they haven't encountered any strong warrior woman yet. Aren't royal lady or women outside are that much confidence. If yes then why they got so offended on something so trivial? It's not that I tried to insult or demean them I just stated the fact.

"Bheem" the eldest one of them interrupted."Jyeshta Bharata bheem is saying right. I know his way of saying this is not right but leaving a lady behind in this forest like this is not a good idea. It's our duty to protect her." The guy with the silver complexion says with politeness. Seems like he is a guy of ethics and morals.

"What wrong I said Jyesht and Arjun this is the most polite way I can talk to such a rude person. This lady whoever she is so full of herself. We are offering her help and she is showing us attitude. Looks like she lives in a bubble."

"Really but more than help it felt like you are doing a favor on me and I don't take favors. Sometimes we have to lose everything in order to pay for a favor. Favors bind us with the inevitable conditions which usually turned unexpectedly disastrous resulting in complete destruction."

"Look that's what I am saying she has too much attitude. Did you know what a real problem is? Have you encountered any trouble yet? Here in living in this beautiful secretly, eating berries and dancing madly in rain isn't what life is. Heck, you can't even face on of us and you are talking about protection" My cheeks have a faint blush but this comment made me enraged.

"I am not full of myself I am just confident. You haven't come face to face with a strong lady yet but that is not my problem. About protection, I may be weak physically but not mentally. Instead of just a working mouth, I am rewarded with a working brain too. Just because I am a woman you think I need protection well then I am trained well for combat especially wielding blades (swords). My father was an ardent believer of mata Prakriti and he taught me since childhood that she never needed a man to protect herself neither do I. Ma kali never need Mahadev for her safety. We all are her daughters born with a part of her who just needs to revoke that. I may not win from you in a dual physical but I can bring you on your knees with my brain. I can make the entire mankind kneel in front of me solely with my capabilities and this is not my ego but confidence. Remember one thing always it's great to protect and ensure the safety of a woman but never underestimate her as weak. Not every woman requires your protection." I replied seriously and walk towards their mother. He was stunned with my reply while others looked at me with a sense of admiration.

"It would be fun now. This journey is going to be interesting and memorable too." The best looking of them spoke to others while the other looked at me with a very painful gaze. His eyes held a weird kind of pain which caught a twist in my stomach making me uncomfortable.