"Jai shree Ram "the chanting continued as he took dips in water. Closing his eyes he concentrated on the surrounding, the rustling sound of air, the splatter of water and little noises of birds.

As usual the forest was in its absolute glory and to ruin that silence a screeching noise came.

"Raghu!" A man called him and took furious steps towards Raghav. "Why didn't you tell me that you're going tomorrow?"

Opening his eyes slowly he turned towards his friend ," I was going to, Laksh."

He removed the hair falling on his forehead and walked towards a nearby rock. Leaning against it he relaxed in the water.

"You're going to be away for 3 months. 3 fucking months! And you didn't even think it was important to inform me." Laksh hit his fist on the rock beside Raghav.

Raghav stared at the rock then back to his best friend. He knew this was coming, he was making an impulsive decision so there are going to be consequences, still he can't run away from it.

"I just decided a few days ago," Raghav clarified. " And I trust you. I know you'll handle everything fine just message me if you need any help."

Laksh shook his head in disbelief," You're seriously not understanding what I mean. Raghu, why can't you just let it go? It's all past, you've a bright future in front of you and still you want to dig up those dirty secrets."

"That past is my everything, Laksh. It might be nothing for you but for me . . ." he licked his lip as he started remembering all those memories. " It's important. To me it's necessary."

Laksh shook his head as he knew there was no winning against Raghav. He'll do whatever he wants, it's not possible for him to stop this Wolf.

"Is it safe?" Laksh calmed down a little and sat beside him. "Like it's not dangerous is it?"

"I don't know." he shrugged carelessly and started rotating his stiff neck.

"Yaar, Raghu. You're so annoying." Laksh stomped in the water and made his way out. " Bhalai ka toh zamana hi nahi hai. Kisi ki itni fikar karni hi nahi chahiye."

(Dude)

(You can't even wish for somebody's well being nowadays. Shouldn't have cared for anyone this much)

Raghav shook his head at his drama," Kisne bola itna bhala hone ko?"

(Who told you to be this kind?)

"Just remember, the day I leave your side no one will be with you. So appreciate me, you dumbo."

Raghav chuckled and shook his head. Like this stupid man-child will ever survive without him. They both need each other equally.

Just few hours and he'll come back, Raghav knew Laksh can't be upset for a long time. Not when they both are the only person for each other. In this whole world, Laksh was the only person who cared about him , he was the only person to even know about him.

For the world Raghav was non-existence, nobody knew who he was or what he did. He just kept changing his identity as per his preference.

He closed his eyes and relaxed ,putting his head back on the rock.

The only thing he needed was peace.

Not even love or respect. Just Peace.

That one night.

It took everything from him, along with his peace and sanity. Even after a decade he still can't rest.

Now, the only thing which was remaining to do was visiting his past and change his future.

That's the only way to get answers and take revenge from those betrayers.

Maybe after that he'll get his peace.

Clip-Clop Clip-Clop

The sound of horse running came , he frowned as it was not common for people to come in that area. Especially with a horse.

Looking around he started searching for horse but couldn't find anyone, maybe because of all the dense trees blocking the area. His eyes narrowed slightly to get the better look of the person, finally a white horse appeared.

A glimpse of a person was visible through all the green leaves, the person who was covered in black clothes from head to toe. Like some kind of thief.

Raghav's curiosity increased to know who might be this person to travel in such a dense forest with a horse. No one took this route to go anywhere as it was more timing consuming and also dangerous compared to the normal main route.

But he didn't show any emotion, he kept a straight face and stared at the horse marching towards him not moving from his place and behaving like he doesn't care about it. But only he knew the giddiness that was developing in his mind.

As the horse ran closer, he watched as the person kept looking at him. The dark eyes, almost as black as night, staring into his grey ones . It made him frown slightly as the eyes seemed to be staring at him strangely. Like they were just as curious as him.

There was a possibility that the person can attack him and try to harm him but seeing the body of the thief he wouldn't consider that as a logical thought .If any physical fight occured between them then he would easily win as the person had lean body type, with the loose clothes that covered the body they might be even smaller than visible.

Raghav placed his arms on the back of the rock, sitting in the water not really caring about it. He told himself that he didn't care yet his eyes refused to leave that person's.

The horse was running at the other side, away from the water and was getting closer to him faster. Both of them refused to move their eyes from each other.

Like a silent competition was going between them.

A small smirk appeared on his lips and the person tilted their head in mocking. Though he couldn't see the face of the person he knew that they must have the same challenging expression as him, the eyes were enough to convey it.

He was too busy staring at those captivating eyes to know the person leaning against the ground and taking away his things.

It was only when the person winked at him that he noticed what they did ,he got up immediately and started running in the water to follow the person.

"Stop!" he shouted.

A sound of soft laugh came along with the noise of the horse and the forest wind. He stared at the clothes that the person was swinging in the air as he ran in just his lower garment.

He ran as fast as he could but even after all the daily exercise he just couldn't match the horse's speed. Still he managed to get closer and took a chance to leap, he leaned over to grab the person but the only thing he got hold of was the mask which was covering the face.

As the mask slipped away a breathtaking look came in front of him.

The wavy brown hair was flowing freely in the air, the dark eyes filled with mischief and amusement. Those eyes, he could drown into them. The wheatish skin was covered in dirt and sweat but it still managed to look beautiful with the natural glow that she possessed.

The pink full lips were covered in a small smile and his heartbeat skipped for a moment. Was it possible for someone to look this beautiful? Was she some kind of goddess?

This is the first time he didn't have an answer to any of the questions. He was too mesmerised by the goddess that just passed by him to feel anything.

He almost shouted when the face turned away from him, he just wanted to keep looking at her. But then he realised that he had stopped running and was now standing with the mask in his hand like a statue.

His finger caressed the soft fabric of the mask and looked ahead to see the retreating figure of the person who just stole his clothes , he didn't even try to move as it was useless.

A smile came on his lip and the person disappeared away," We'll meet really soon, my thief."

__________

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