#bhandu

Bhandu clasped him on the shoulder as the prince left, his hand clenched on the hilt of the knife on his belt. It jarred him out of his thoughts, which were swirling in confusion, trying to decipher what had just occurred. ‘Good luck, Kunal. I know the prince mentioned attempted murder on your part but if you touch a hair on her head, I will find you. Anyways, I’m more worried about you, cat eyes. Try not to get killed—by her,’ Bhandu said with a grin, the twins looking at him with matching expressions of envy. Arpiya was silent, her head going between Esha and the retreating Harun with an eyebrow quirked. ‘If she hasn’t killed me so far, it’ll be harder than you seem to think,’ Kunal said in response. Bhandu let out a deep-throated laugh, the sound rumbling. ‘That’s because she’s never truly wanted you dead. Make sure it stays that way.’

‘This is the only time I can show you this move, and if you’re not somewhat decent at it by the end of training, Esha will give us that look.’ Bhandu grimaced. ‘I hate that look.’ ‘It makes my insides churn and feel like jam,’ Arpiya said, her hair bouncing as she shivered visibly.’

‘Oi, cat eyes. Come over here,’ Bhandu said, calling loudly for him over the sounds of clashing swords, swinging maces, and grunts of pain. Kunal sighed, shaking his head as he walked over. ‘My name is Kunal, not cat eyes,’ he said in response, taking the spot next to Bhandu […] Bhandu laughed, a sound like a roar. ‘Kunal, then. Despite being a “former” soldier, you’ve got the markings of a person I might like. Let’s see if you pass the test.’

'Oi, soldier with the weird eyes.' 'They're not weird,' Kunal snapped. The boy grinned, like he was beginning to like Kunal. 'You look like a cat with those pale eyes of yours. Cat-eyed. That's what we call people with your color eyes in Dharka.' Kunal shook his head, thinking his nickname could have been much worse.

Missing Arpiya was constant, in a way that differed form the way she missed the others back at the base. She loved Bhandu's humor and loyalty. Aahal's wit, Farhan's quiet strength. And she and Harun had grown up together, finding purpose in their mutual loss. But Arpiya had been there during Esha’s worst moments and knew her every thought--and cared for her still. It was her friendship that kept the broken fragments of her soul together during her nightmares, her longing for a normal life.