She took a deep breath, controlling her tears but again burst out crying.
Raksheet again pulled her in his embrace and rested her head on his chest. He caressed her head gently "He is fine. Don't worry. He will be safe there...i think so." He said that last sentence in a low voice.
Both of them know that Viraaj is still unsafe, that's why they sent spies to protect him. But still there is a fear in their heart, not wanting to lose anything or anyone.
After sometime, when Ira stopped crying and controlled her emotions, she looked at Raksheet and asked "Did they left for Aaro? The spies."
Raksheet nod "Yes. They left in the early morning, before grandfather."
"Ok." She said "Raksheet, you don't have any information about that intruder?" She asked, bringing up the topic again and making it hard for Raksheet to answer.
He was surprised to hear Ira asking about intruder again. He thought she will forget about him for time being as she must be missing her grandfather. But he know she will never forgive him and ask to find him until he is infront of her on his knees and she will give him capital punishment without any mercy.
"N-No. I don't.....I am sorry." He lied. He can't tell Ira such a big matter without any strong evidence.
"Really? You are not lying, right?" She again asked because she felt that her husband is hiding something from her.
Raksheet forced a smile, trying to hide his nervousness and thinking how his wife know him so well that she can tell when he is lying.
"No princess. I am not lying." He said as genuinely as he can. "I will give you all the information when I will receive any."
Ira wasn't satisfied with his answer but she know doesn't matter how much she ask about it, he will not answer until he want. So she just nod in response.
Meanwhile, at the border of Aaro kingdom....
Vikram and Ankush were near the border of Aaro. As they were getting near the border, Ankush was getting curious to know who is that personal who will receive them at the border.
"Where is that person you talked about?" Ankush asked when he didn't saw anyone except for an old man sitting at a side of an empty road.
"He is right infront of you." Vikram said and jumped down from his horse.
Ankush looked at him confused and jumped down as well. He looked arround to confirm that he didn't missed anything. But still, he didn't found anyone else.
"What are you saying? There is no one."
"Are you blind? Can't you see that man at the corner of the road?" Vikram asked annoyingly.
Ankush's eyes widened, he was shocked to hear that this old man sitting at the corner of the road is the one who will take care of their horses and more importantly, he is a part of their mission! How can he be the part of such confidential mission? He is not in the age to become a part of their mission at all.
"What?! Are you kidding me?"
"Why so shocked?" Vikram asked calmly. They started walking towards that Oldman. "Yes, he is a part of our mission. He will send message to his majesty Raksheet. Don't look down on him. He is working for Jwalana since last fifty years. Since last seven years, he is in Aaro. He used to collect the information of Aaro's internal matters and send it to his majesty Abhiveera because his majesty wanted to strengthen the alliance with Aaro so he wanted to collect each and every information about the kingdom. I know he is old but he is much more intelligent and brave than both of us."
Finally Ankush stopped doubting on that oldman when he heard that he is working as a spy for Jwalana since last fifty years. It means he is their senior whom they should respect and learn from.
"I shouldn't have doubted on him." Ankush mumbled.
Vikram scoffed "Then greet him respectfully."
The old man stood up when he saw Vikram and Ankush coming towards him. A wide smile appeared on his wrinkled face. Even if he can't walk fast, he took some small steps towards Vikram with arms wide open to welcome him.
"It's been so long. You are all grown up." He said with his hoarse voice.
The same happy warm smile appeared on Vikram's face and he quickly walked faster towards that oldman so that he don't have to bother his old weak legs. He accepted his hug and gave a tight yet gentle careful hug to him. "Cabail, it's indeed been a long time. I am all grown up and you are grown old." He mocked
Cabail laughed and patted Vikram's back as appreciation that he successfully became a brave man who don't fear anyone, not even his senior who trained him so hard and strictly in past. But he still know how to respect his senior.
This reunion was both, sarcastic and emotional. They didn't know how long they have been hugging each other and the hug became even more tight. They had moist in their eyes, both of them. Vikram was only ten years old when he first met Cabail, his senior.
Vikram was a curious kid in his childhood. His father used to work in Jwalana palace as a servent so he used to go there with his father. He then met Raksheet there. He wanted to be friend with him but because of the difference between their background, he had to step back but his curiosity didn't. He used to follow Raksheet wherever he go, wanting to know more about him. He thought he will spy on Raksheet and will find out his likes and dislikes, what he likes and how are his friends, without knowing that someone is spying on him too.
He loves to collect information and he don't care how dangerous it could be for him. And his bravery made him come in contact with Cabail's eyes. He first scolded Vikram for interfering in other's personal life and bothering others, especially spying on a crown prince. But later he thought this young kid can help Jwalana in future.
Cabail asked Vikram's father to let him traine Vikram and make him serve his Kingdom. And his father willingly approved it as he also wanted to become a soldier and work in Jwalana army, but because of his poor health he didn't passed the training and had to let go of his dream. When he heard that his son can serve for his kingdom and a royal spy want to traine him, why would he refuse it? Since that day, Vikram's training started to become a spy.
Cabail left Jwalana when Vikram was only seventeen years old teenager. He went to Aaro because of Abhiveera's order to collect Aaro's information. And when their alliance got strengthen and Ira and Raksheet's marriage was fixed, Abhiveera asked Cabail to stay in Aaro for some more time until he find his replacement and continue his work. So that Abhiveera can know when Viraaj need his help and can provide it easily.
In this past few years, both of them were waiting for this day, when they will meet again and hug eachother to feel each other's presence, not wanting it to be the same dream they always see.
All the memories of their past few years when they used to spend their entire day together, teaching and learning, were flashing infront of their eyes. All the scolding Vikram got from Cabail, every smile that appeared on Cabail's face because of Vikram. Training Vikram was like raising a kid to Cabail. Every moment they spent together is like a beautiful memory for them that they can't erase. They have a strong bond and may be, after many years, that bond made them meet again and work together.
Controlling tears from falling down, Vikram whispered "I missed you."
Cabail took deep breath and replied "I missed you too, my child." He caressed Vikram's hair gently "Spending such a long time away from home, without any family and loved ones, is so hard. It was too hard to stay without you that I can't even express." Spending such a long time without the only person who is his family in a old age is indeed very hard. The loneliness in crowd, the need of support and care when you are sick and struggling to hide your identity. But Cabail can't blame anyone. Because he himself was agree to go to Aaro and work as long as he can. And he can't leave his work half completed.
"I know. It wasn't easy for me either." Vikram said and tears started flowing down from his eyes "I always prayed to see you again..." he said with a sob "....at least for once. Finally.....finally my wish came true."
Cabail chuckled with teary eyes "I didn't know you love me so much."
Vikram buried his face in crook of Cabail's neck in embarrassment and said "No I don't. Don't talk nonsense."
Ankush chuckled to see the sweet-soure reunion. He was just standing at a side, holding bridles of both horses and not wanting to disturb Vikram and Cabail.
Cabail rubbed Vikram's back to calm him and broke the hug "Ah, look at you. I thought you are grown up and became a strong man, but I was wrong. No man cry like you."
Vikram wiped tears from his eyes and replied "Look at yourself first. You are crying too. Aren't you a man too?"
Cabail laughed and shifted his gaze on Ankush.
Ankush immediately joined his hands and said "Nice to meet you sir. I am Ankush. I am a part of this mission too. Vikram himself choosed me for this mission and trained me."
Cabail nod understandingly "I am sure you are qualified to be a part of this mission, because Vikram have good eye to choose his partner for mission." He walked towards Ankush and patted his shoulder and said "Welcome to Aaro."