After a quiet lunch with the Bhosleys, Jahnvi slipped away, feeling the weight of expectation lift as she stepped outside. She had asked Kanika to pack her paints and canvas for the day, hoping to lose herself in the tranquil embrace of the orchards. It was a rare sunny afternoon in Satara, and the warmth felt like a gift she couldn't waste.

The two women walked side by side, their feet brushing through the grassy path as they headed toward the orchard. Jahnvi carried a serene expression, her thoughts adrift in anticipation of the peaceful hours ahead. Kanika, ever the loyal companion, balanced the basket of painting supplies with ease, her sharp eyes scanning the landscape to find the perfect spot.

"Shall I spread the blanket here, Your Grace?" Kanika asked, pausing under the wide arms of a mango tree, its shadow stretching long and cool over the sunlit grass. She placed the basket down gently, waiting for Jahnvi's approval.

"Yes, please," Jahnvi replied with a soft smile. "I'll help."

Together, they carefully laid the blanket, smoothing out its edges, their movements synchronized from years of familiarity. Zoon, Jahnvi's sleek and mischievous cat, had been watching them with patient curiosity. The moment the blanket touched the ground, he sprang onto it, stretching luxuriously in a patch of sunlight that filtered through the leaves. His small body curled into the warmth, his eyes half-closed in contentment.

Jahnvi chuckled, shaking her head as she watched him. "Sometimes I wonder if you understand us perfectly, Zoon. You're such a naughty little child."

Zoon responded with a lazy meow, not bothering to open his eyes. Kanika, busy setting up the easel, smiled in agreement.

"You're right to think so, Your Grace. Zoon's probably a human stuck in a cat's body," she quipped, earning a playful hiss from the cat.

Their laughter rang through the quiet orchard, light and unhurried. "Should I fetch you some tea?" Kanika asked, glancing back at Jahnvi, who was already focused on her canvas. "Or maybe something to eat?"

"Just tea would be perfect," Jahnvi replied, dipping her brush into a soft yellow and sweeping it across the blank canvas. The color seemed to mirror the sunlight, bright and full of life. It had been too long since she'd let herself paint, and today, the vibrant orchard felt like the perfect subject. The freshly bathed trees shimmered under the sun, their leaves a bright, rich green with hints of yellow glinting through.

As her hand moved over the canvas, Jahnvi lost herself in the rhythm of painting. Her eyes drifted from the scene before her to the gentle strokes of her brush. Time passed in a blur, and she didn't notice how deeply she had become absorbed in her work until a voice startled her out of her trance.

"It's beautiful—almost as though it's been touched by the Creator Himself."

Jahnvi turned quickly, her heart jumping in her chest. Abhinav stood a few paces away, his expression apologetic but amused as he raised his hands in mock surrender.

"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to frighten you," he said, a hint of a smile tugging at his lips.

Jahnvi placed a hand over her heart, steadying her breath. "No, no, it's alright. I just didn't hear you approach."

"You're incredibly talented, Princess," Abhinav remarked, his gaze flicking back to her painting with genuine admiration. "Your strokes are so refined, and the colors... they're almost alive."

Jahnvi couldn't help but smile at his earnestness. For a moment, her gaze lingered on him, noticing the way his dark eyes seemed to absorb every detail of her work, how his muscular arms crossed over his chest as he stood there, exuding a quiet strength.

"Does art interest you too?" she asked, her curiosity piqued.

"A little," he replied modestly, his lips curling into a small grin. "I can't create anything myself, but I do appreciate it."

Jahnvi's eyes wandered to his riding attire, noting the dust on his boots and the confident ease with which he held himself. "Were you heading somewhere?" she asked, her tone light.

"Not really," Abhinav said with a smile. "It's just a fine day for a ride. Do you want to join me?"

Jahnvi laughed, a melodic sound that seemed to brighten the afternoon air. "Me? On a horse? I can't imagine it."

Abhinav's expression softened as he watched her, captivated by how easily her laughter flowed. There was something deeply human about her in that moment, a contrast to the poise and grace she carried so effortlessly, as if carved from marble.

"And why not?" he asked playfully, tilting his head. "What's wrong with the idea of you riding?"

"Well, let's see," she teased, glancing up at the sky as though counting her reasons. "For starters, I'm a princess. Princesses don't go galloping around on horses; we're meant to glide through the streets in carriages, remember?"

"Nonsense," Abhinav muttered under his breath, making her chuckle again.

"Even if I weren't a princess, I'm still a girl. How many girls do you know who ride horses?"

"My sister, for one," Abhinav said proudly, his eyes twinkling. "And she's a princess and a girl."

Jahnvi raised an eyebrow, intrigued. Without realizing it, she had already started walking beside him, away from her canvas and toward the stable.

"Really?" she asked, her interest piqued.

"Really," he confirmed with a smile. "And I'm sure you could ride, too. What's stopping you?"

Jahnvi shrugged, feigning nonchalance. "Well, for starters, I don't know how. I've never even mounted a horse."

Abhinav laughed, the sound rich and genuine. "That's all? Here I thought you had real problems."

"Hey!" she protested, giving him a playful shove. "Carriages are safer."

"You only say that because you've never tried horseback riding," he said. "Once you do, you'll feel so free, like a bird in flight."

Something in his words stirred a longing inside her, something she hadn't realized was there. "Free?" she repeated, her voice softer.

"Like you're flying," Abhinav said, his eyes warm as they met hers. "So, shall we start lessons tomorrow?"

Jahnvi blinked, caught off guard by the offer. "Tomorrow?"

"Yes, tomorrow," he said, as though it were the simplest thing in the world.

A slow smile spread across her face. "Alright, tomorrow."

"Jahnvi ?"

The voice made her turn around, it was familiar but she couldn't put a finger on it.

She turned to see another handsome face, one she had met in Hyderabad and had been the only source of  comfort in those dark days.

"Jay ?" She asked unsure if she was indeed right.

"I'm glad you remembered." He said with a smile, the reins of a white and black stallion in his hands.

"How could I not, you've come back home ?"

"Just today." He replied with a smile. "I.. Abhinav Dada ?" Jay asked looking behind Jahnvi.

"Glad to know you still remember." Abhinav said moving towards Jay and embracing him.

"How have you been Jay ? It's been years since I last saw you."

"I've been good, and looks like time has been kind on you as well." He said with a chuckle.

"Is this one yours ?" Jahnvi asked moving towards the steed.

"Yes, came to check on him, we both have had a couple of rough days." Jay said stoking his horses face and the horse let out a soft grunt.
"I know buddy, you can rest all you want." Jay cooed.

"It was nice to meet you Jay but I think I should head back now, we've wandered away quite a bit."

"See you around." Jay said as the pair turned around and retraced their steps.

Jay watched their backs as they walked away, a seed of doubt sown the pit of his stomach.