I'm sorry

His presence began to fade which gave Zen a very bad feeling. It was almost heartbreaking to know the truth and that moment he wished everything was just a dream.

"Damn it ! It was his projection . I should have known. " Zen looks down . He shuts his eyes dropping his sword . The crease on his forehead deepens . Alisha silently watches then takes her luggage preparing to leave .

"I have had enough of this. I'm leaving . My parents will be worried if I inform them . I will be taking the palace troika sorry I have to reach the station else I'll miss my train . " She continues to speak looking at Neil .

" I'm an outsider after all obviously I won't be treated the same way as others. I may not belong to the royalty but I'm from an aristocratic family . I can't bear any more insult. Thank you for everything . Good bye !"

Zen remained quiet . Neil tries to approach her but she marches forward .

"My lady wait ... please listen ..."

"Don't stop me Neil . Don't call me that . I have no right to be called. I don't belong here . I'm done with all of this !"

"Please ... I beg you . " She stops at the last stair of the grand staircase .

"Why do you have to plead for him ? " Lisha turned around and sneered.

"Because ... I owe him. He has done so much for me . I promised to remain by his side. After a long time I saw him smiling . I saw him live . Please don't go. You are the reason he has changed . I don't want him to turn the way he was ."

"You are wrong Neil. I never did anything . Huh... he doesn't need me . I'm not suited for the role it's just the way it is !"

"You are going to forget him . Abandon him for just his rage. He doesn't open up or blurt his emotions on anyone else except for me or you . He isn't even that close to his father . You understand him don't you ? You wanted to be there for him are you going to erase all those memories ? His intention was not to insult you trust me. "

"Neil he is impatient , furious , short tempered , cold , conceited !!"

"How can you not count his kind heart , his pure soul . Deep inside he is just a child. I agree he is cold but you must reconsider your thoughts if you still can't change your mind I'm afraid you never understood him.... If you still want to leave I won't stop you . " Neil's soft tone broke Alisha . She sighed looking at his retreating figure. Neil cared so much for Zen .They were just like family members.  Alisha kept her briefcase down . Reesha came to her and asked not to leave .

"Your charm fills this palace My lady ! We don't want this place to turn dark and dull as it was before . You changed a lot of things and your presence enlightens us . We all need you . " Tears filled her eyes. Alisha squinched her eyes. She didn't want to hurt anyone . All maids gathered around her forcing her not to leave . Thus Alisha decided to stay back half heartedly but she was worried about Zen . She couldn't possibly leave him in a state of despair .

      Zen took his medicine as he wasn't able to control himself . His headache was unbearable . Looking out of the large window of his room he was reminded the first time he met Alisha. The night was cold. The palace was silent . He thought about the way he behaved with Alisha and all of the day's events . It was past 12 and he wasn't able to get any sleep. Letting out a deep exasperated sigh he turned around .

"Neil .. "

"Still unable to sleep Sir ?"

"Kinda yes. My mind is all out of place . Did Alisha leave ?"

"No . She decided to stay back . I don't know what plans she has in mind though."

"I see. Where is she ? "

"Probably in her quarters . "

"Fine. I'll go see if she is still awake . I need to talk to her . " He leaves but Neil calls him

"Sir , your shawl . It's cold . "

"Thanks. Get some sleep Neil don't wait for me "

"Yes . " He smiles as Zen covers himself with his shawl. His mother made it for him since then he treasures it more than anything . Zen finds Alisha's room empty and finds her nowhere else. He figures she might be at the terrace . He did find her there . Unsure of what to say he walks upto her. She was lost in her own thoughts watching the lands , the other part of the palace and small houses . A part of the kingdom was seen in a miniature version from the top.  Alisha notices him but ignores. She was wearing long lavender gown with light blue flower prints all over  . Her hair were let loose. Zen covered her back with  his shawl. She tried to take it off .

"My mother made it for me . " She glanced at him and covered herself

"Only because your mom made it ."

"Hmm or else would you throw it ?"

"Probably ."

" That's sad. Anyways I know I didn't thank you for what you did instead I scolded you . You did a great job . I ignored what you said I should have heard you properly.  " She kept looking to her right . Zen was on her left . He tried to hold her hand but she took it away . 

"To see a person who is always blabbering speechless is kinda painful you know " He said and Alisha glared at him . Her look was frightening.

" I mean talk ... you ... talk  ..your sweet talk I mean ... come on Alisha listen to me don't look away ! Fine... I'll do whatever you want . Happy ? ... " There was no response and he felt like he was making a fool out of himself.

"The stars are pretty aren't they ?"

"There are no stars today !"

"Ohhh ... yes .. The clouds .yes they are pretty big today "

"So what ? "

"Ummm ... I thought that's the way we say it alright I'm bad at this ! Enough already Alisha . You have to understand my health isn't good . I lose myself if I take excessive stress . I'm on medication. I know I said some horrible things I shouldn't have but....."

"Wow glad you realised atleast is that all?"

"Look I'm ... I...I'm . really.. .so..sorry ! I'm sorry . How many times you want me to say it ?" Alisha paused for a moment .

"No. I'm sorry . It all happened because of me . I should have explained you beforehand . I tried to but it didn't quite happen that way . " Her eyes softened.  Zen smiled at her. She easy easygoing after all

"Alright we both are at fault here . So let's just forget what happened . I know I can compensate by treating you tell me what do you want ? Anything at all !"

"I already have everything . What I really want is for you to accept me wholeheartedly as your wife . That is all ."

"Really ? That I did long back Alisha . Else I would never have had the strength to fight for you . "

"You are asking me something for the first time.  I won't let go this opportunity.  So can you tell me about the girl ...."

"Which girl ?" Zen questioned. 

"Saraha . I mean I want to know about her . "

"Ohh sure thing I'll tell you "

"Is it okay ?"

"Ofcourse . You have to know about her . She was a very prominent part of my past after all. Saraha haan ? It's been a long time I heard her name . " And so Zen began the tale of his past which he had buried within himself 3 years back .

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