Heading For The Tourist Site
THE door forcefully pulled back and Rina ran out, carrying with her a small designer bag and a water can.
She suddenly halted at the balcony and looked down at herself, then nodded.
She was dressed in a baby pink shorts, jean jacket and black sneakers.
Taking a glance at her wristwatch, she hissed loudly and cussed, running out of the house.
“Be safe Rina”, she heard her mother called, but didn’t stop.
She only glanced back and kept her pace, she was already late.
She needed to get to the nearest bus stop as soon as possible, that was where they had plan to meet first, before leaving for the tourist site together.
“Gosh! Vidya gonna be mad at me”, she whispered, still running.
Minutes later she got there, few metres away and stopped, breathing heavily.
Looking towards the bus stop, she could spot Vidya and Roshni, the other girl whom Vidya had said would be joining them.
They were both sitting on the waiting bench, they were other people around as well, some awaiting people while some waiting for a bus.
It was slightly busy that afternoon. She sighed and took out her face napkin, then dabbed her face with it, cleaning off the beads of sweat that had resulted from the little run.
She straightened up, then walked up to them. Vidya was the first to spot her.
“Here she is”, she said smiling.
Hold on, they must have been talking about her, she gave a cranky look.
“We really just finished talking about you Rina”, Roshni, having read her mind said.
“Hi”, she stood up from the bench, strapping her backpack.
Rina smiled.
“Hi Roshni, Vidya said you gonna join us”, she stretched out her right hand for a handshake.
Roshni looked at her outstretched hand and silently hissed.
“Oh nevermind, here I am”.
Rina got the message and slowly dropped her hand, she sighed. Roshni was actually their classmate, but they had never for once talked or tried to get along, this was only a first time.
“So Zaina isn’t really coming?” Vidya asked, also getting up.
Rina turned to her.
“Yeah, I called her, she isn’t coming. She… only sends her regards, asked us to have fun”, she winked, chuckling.
Roshni rolled her eyes, making Rina uncomfortable. Zaina had told her to be careful with this two when she called, most especially Roshni.
“She could be weird”, Zaina had said.
She sighed.
“I hope you brought your water cans girls, the sun really look scorching this afternoon”, Rina said looking out.
“Sure”, they said in unison, dangling the cans to butress their reply. Rina nodded.
“I love your bag Rina, it iss beautiful”, Vidya said admiring the bag. Roshni glanced at it and rolled her eyes.
“Thanks Vidya”, Rina replied forcing a smile, she was already getting some weird feelings towards this Roshni girl.
“Where did you get it? I would like to have it”, she pressed on.
“Uhm actually…”, she racked her throat, “Zaina gifted it to me”, she said looking away.
“Hmm”, Roshni scoffed, “which other way can you get it anyway?” She said in sarcasm, making a face.
“Excuse you?” Rina turned to her, her brows furrowed.
“Oh, it is still beautiful”, Vidya said, interrupting.
“Can we get going please?” Rina asked, she was already getting impatient.
What was really Vidya’s plan for bringing this Roshni girl? What?
“Oh yes, let us board a cab,” Vidya said heading out towards the road, Roshni followed.
Rina dallied behind watching Roshni as she walked behind Vidya, she sighed and then joined them.
*
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*
Zoya stood behind the white Nissan jeep waiting patiently for his boss. The car had already been driven towards the driveway, ready to leave.
He tapped his right foot on the interlocked floor at intervals, nodding his head and whistling.
Suddenly he stopped and glanced at his wristwatch, then looked towards the direction of the palace entrance.
He sighed when he saw no sign of his boss coming, he leaned on the car.
His thoughts travelled, why his boss had decided on this outing was what he couldn’t envisage and comprehend.
Not only has he told him to keep it a secret, he had said they would be going alone, no guards, no security, nothing. Just the two of them, hmm, he sighed again.
Few minutes later he saw him coming towards him from the garden behind the palace building, and what!
He was putting on a black jean trousers and a black hoodie sweater, he wasn’t dressed as a Prince!
The hoodie sweater made so much effort in masking him, he was camouflaged, and no one… nobody could tell he was the Prince.
They didn’t even know him as they hadn’t seen him, talk more of seeing through the hoodie and knowing he was the Prince.
No one could tell. Zoya himself had even hardly recognized.
“My Prince”, Zoya whispered a greeting as he bowed slightly.
Raghav got to him and nodded.
“Your Grace, please what is with this dressing? You were supposed to be dressed like a Prince that you are,” Zoya said, looking him over.
“Oh really?” Raghav asked tilting his head.
“Yes Your Grace”, he nodded.
“How I dress… how I choose to dress… the way I choose to appear isn’t your damn business personal guard”, he said picking up his words one after the other.
“I’m sorry Maharana, no offence intended,” he pleaded, his face lowered.
“Open the damn door let us get outta here”, he ordered.
“Straight away my Prince,” Zoya replied and instantly opened the door of the car.
Raghav entered and he closed it, then walked to the driver’s side, and entered.
He revved the engine into motion at once, the gigantic silver gates slid open, and they drove away.