CHAPTER 27: HELP FROM A FOE

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"My help?" Ram asked surprised. He wasn't expecting something like that coming from Yashasvini.

"Yes." Yashasvini replied shortly.

"What do you want help with?" Ram asked with a slight frown on his face that showed his seriousness.

"Can you take me along with you guys until we start again tonight?" Yashasvini asked.

Ramachandra was confused with her odd request. Was she seeking protection? It didn't seem so to him.

"Why'd I do that for you?" Ram asked.

"Please, I saved your life." Yashasvini requested.

"I already payed back by saving you from that man who tried to harass you. We're even now. I have no reason to help you." Ram said sternly.

"Please. I really need help. It's not like I want to ask you for help, it's because I don't have a choice. Just until today night. I'll make sure to pay back." Yashasvini insisted.

Ram thought for a few minutes. He didn't trust Yashasvini, but she was smart. And she was talented in thieving. Ram felt that he could use that skill in his journey.

"Okay then. I'll help you. But I'll need you to pay me back as you said by doing something for me." Ram replied.

"Okay. I'll do what I can." Yashasvini replied. She definitely wasn't happy about it. She had to do something to stay safe. Ram seemed like person skilled in fighting so she needed him till that night.

The two went inside the medical shop first. The injured man had just regained consciousness.

Dhrithiman helped the man sit up.

"Thank you for helping me, my child." The man said as he looked at Yashasvini.

Yashasvini smiled and bowed slightly at the man's words.

"By the way, how were you hurt sir?" Ramachandra asked, who was now standing right beside Yashasvini.

"Oh lord! I am the king's official potter. The king of Viratnagar, Janathan, has great interest in pottery. He punished me by whipping me a 100 times with a whip full of thorns for not bringing his pottery on time and that he didn't like what I made. When I reasoned, he got furious. I ran from the palace, unable to bear the pain of each whip." The man said as he cried.

Yashasvini, Ram, and Dhirthiman looked at each other in sorrow as they saw the man cry.

"I'm sorry that I can't do anything for you." Ram replied.

Yashasvini was surprised by Ram's sympathetic reply.

"You've already done so much for me. She saved me from dying. Both of you together saved me from the soldier. I'm very grateful for that. Thank you." The man replied.

The two smiled.

"By the way, are you husband and wife really as you claimed outside?" The man asked.

"NO!" Both Yashasvini and Ram shouted at the same time.

"We just lied outside to help you. We are not even friends." Ram replied.

"Yes, we aren't even friends." Yashasvini agreed.

Ram glanced at Yashasvini. For a moment, Ram forgot that she was his enemy. He wondered; Are we really not even friends?

He immediately snapped out of the thought. It wasn't the time for him to think about this. He had to plan strategies to invade Satavahana.

"I think we should leave. Hope you get well soon sir." Ram suggested.

The man smiled and the three left the place.

"You're coming along with us Pavithraji?" Dhrithiman asked as she walked along with them.

"Yes, Sahasyaji." Yashasvini replied with a smile.

"Why did you want to come with us?" Dhrithiman asked.

"Ah, I was afraid to stay alone inside the ship. There is no one inside." Yashasvini replied.

Ram understood what she meant by afraid of staying inside the ship alone, but he felt that there was more to it.

If she was afraid of Sanjay, then she could've just moved around inside the city on her own. She's brave enough to do that. Why come with us?

All the three kept walking. Yashasvini covered her face as subtly as she could by standing closer or behind Ram and Dhrithiman.

Suddenly, at a distance, they heard the cheering of people saying "Maharaj Janathan ki Jai!" A chariot paced with Janathan on it.

Yashasvini began to panic. She tapped Ram's arm. Ram turned around to find a panicking Yashasvini.

"I can't be seen. I need to hide." Yashasvini said.

Ram immediately held her wrist and dragged her inside an empty house.
The chariot came closer. Ram was about to leave but Yashasvini held his arm. Ram glanced at her. She didn't say anything, but Ram felt something happening inside him. It was a strange feeling that he struggled to explain. He just decided to stay with her.

Dhrithiman stayed outside. The king was doing rounds of the country in his chariot. In a short while, he left the area.

Dhrithiman came inside the house and informed that they were safe. Yashasvini realised that she was still holding his arm. She immediately shook it off. Ram glared at her and turned away.

Why the hell is he glaring at me? It's not like I didn't anything wrong. He dragged me by my wrist first. Absolutely rude.

The three continued their walk. Through the walk, Ram kept wondering; Why did she have to hide from the king? Does he know her?

Finally, it started to get dark. They had entered a small forest area next to the city, so they decided to stay there and walk back until it was time.

"I'll get some firewood." Dhrithiman informed and left.

Ram began to prepare by keeping the grass and searched for stones to create fire. Yashasvini stood by and watched.

"Why did you want to hide from the king Pavithra?" Ram asked. His tone was calm and soft. He wasn't upset or anything. He just wanted to know.

Pavithra? Why did he suddenly drop honourifics?

"I can't answer that Pritviji. I think you know that." Yashasvini replied.

"I do. But I've helped you. I want you to answer atleast a few other questions of mine." Ram replied.

"Okay. I'll try to answer." Yashasvini said with a sigh.

"Where are you from?" Ram asked.

"I cannot answer that." Yashasvini replied.

"Where are you going?" Ram asked.

"Satavahana." Yashasvini replied.

"How old are you?" Ram asked.

"I'm 22 years old." Yashasvini replied.

"Same age as me. Why are you going to Satavahana?" Ram asked.

"To save someone." Yashasvini replied.

" Yashasvini replied

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To be continued...
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