Only few minutes had passed but the thought of such harsh punishment for Kiyana seems off to him. It was killing Aaryaksh of anticipation.
So at last only after few minutes he unlocked the door.
But what he found was unexpected.
Kiyana was curled shivering near unconscious.
Repeatedly murmuring "Aaryaksh sorry, master sorry, it was a mistake I was not able to control my power. I was not on my right mind. Please forgive me Aaryaksh."
Seeing this scene a different type of pain sunned his heart.
He gently picked Kiyana in his embrace placed her flat in the seat and covered her with the nearby quilt after placing a pillow below her head.
As he was about to leave Kiyana grabbed Aaryaksh's hand
"You know about my feelings for you Aaryaksh. Don't you?
But why still you not consider about me. Don't you know how much devastated I felt when I had seen Vaidehi in your embrace.
Why Vaidehi not me am I any inferio..r. te.l..l me.."
He found that she was still complaining in her sleep hearing this he compressed his overflowing love and care for this cute, arrogant, prankish disciple.
He gently pulled his had away as she curl in quilt. And left the cabin.
After exiting he waited in front of the trains door leaning in the metal wall.
The gentle rhythm of the train had lulled everything into a dreamy quiet, but the moment Vaidehi stepped out of the wash room, time seemed to stop.
He had been waiting outside for barely ten minutes when he saw her—wearing a dark maroon sequinned flapper top and cream coloured skin tight jeans that clung to her curves perfect enough to command attentions of all passer bys, paired with maroon heels and a soft, creamy purse hung stylishly to the side.
Although the dress was quite loose and elegant perfectly maintaining her novelty but that too couldn't hide her sensual appearance from Aaryaksh. His eyes intuitive to its own lingered to her perfect risen busts.
Her freshly washed silky black hair shimmered slightly under the yellow cabin lights, few droplets of water could easily be seen flowing from corner of her face.
Seeing this Aaryaksh suddenly felt his throat dried. He subconsciously walked towards her still focused in the drop of water.
For a second, His breath hitched.
She caught him staring, leaned slightly forward, and waved a hand in front of his face.
"Hello? Earth to Mr. Broody. How am I looking today?"
He blinked, trying to gather his composure—but a drop of it slipped past his lips before he could stop it.
"Stunning…sexy.." he murmured, half under his breath.
She giggled. "Well, aren't you too adorable when you're caught off guard? Shall we head back or are you planning to set up base in the corridor?"
she mocked him wiping the left drool from the corner of his lips
and put it in her mouth.
This sudden action of her ignited the lingering fire inside Aaryaksh suddenly he felt the strangling tightness in is lower body. That he could barely hide.
Embarrassed he scratched his back of neck and said.
"Since you are already freshen up lets move to the cabin"
Vaidehi had clearly noticed the bulge but didn't said anything just give it a sneaky look in a while.
They began to walk.
But halfway down the narrow passage, a surge of eager ness stronger than his will took over. A sense of hunger.
He suddenly turned, gently pushed her against the side wall of the train, one arm on either side of her. Her perfume—roses and something deeper, muskier—wrapped around him like silk. He was close enough to feel her breath stutter.
His eyes lingered on her lips, and the warmth of her skin. He didn't know what force pulled in—but he was barely inches from her ready to take her in when—
"Oh my my… look at the lovebirds!" Kiyana's sing-song voice cut through the air like a whistle.
"Should we leave you two on the train and go ahead?" Aaryaksh could clearly feel the residing jealousy and anger in Kiyana's voice. Now he regretted why he had released her early.
But innocent Vaidehi she had covered her red face in shyness and vanished faster than a spirit mid-summon, cheeks ablaze.
Seeing Vaidehi flee he instantly felt the surge to anger like someone had pulled a delicious dish from front of him.
He turned toward Kiyana with an expression he rarely wore—deadpan irritation.
"Don't forget," he muttered, narrowing his eyes, "your punishment isn't over." then he crossed her without seeing a word
Seeing Aaryaksh gone in anger and had not punished her she felt that her plan was somewhat successful.
As she woke up in the cabin she felt bright and warm in contrast to the cold darkness. She moved and felt the quilt over her and that she was properly lying on the seat instead of floor.
A pleasant smile bloom in her face.
"Aaryaksh I know you too have some feelings for me. I'll not stop pursuing you so easily."
After thinking for a while she too followed them.
Back in the coach, Aaryaksh had punished her by missing a meal. by soul link he command her no breakfast for her today.
'what do you think a meal can shake me from my will or break me. Huh" she thought silently. Unaware that the soul link was still active.
Aaryaksh just give her a glance but didn't said anything.
"After this," he instructed in few points, handing her few energy pill from his stash,
"you'll meditate from now till the stop. No breaks, no excuses. And no food until we reach Dehradun."
She pouted but took the pill. Obviously they were a third-grade energy pill—strong enough to suppress hunger and maintain her vitals during prolonged training.
Even though he made her skip a meal how can he not care for his disciple.
He had made it himself when in Lachen, refined from rare herbs and minerals. Not many spiritualists even know how to make it.
Vaidehi, on the other hand, was still visibly red. Skipping glance by her corner of eyes in each and every passing minute.
Her usual confidence had taken a backseat, replaced by shy glances and a lingering smile.
Aaryaksh couldn't help smiling back, though he quickly turned his attention to Kiyana and gestured firmly.
After receiving the pills she quietly left the cabin to the other cabin. She crossed her arms like a sulking child started her meditation.
Before entering his own meditation, Aaryaksh gave one look to Rahul with final warning: "Rahul, don't go near Kiyana anytime soon or don't come complaining to me. You don't want to test your luck again, trust me."
He paled at the memory and silently picked up his book.
Then, Aaryaksh created a spiritual lock around himself, forming a translucent dome of dense, golden energy. This was no ordinary meditation barrier—it was fortified with dual-layered Qi strands and thought-seals. Almost no one could break through without disturbing the inner flow.
But something… strange happened.
Hours passed. Then he felt a gentle tug—someone trying to wake him. His eyes opened slowly, and in front Vaidehi's startled expression greeted me.
Startled she took a step back, fear flashing in her eyes.
"Y-your eyes… they were glowing. Gold rings… in your pupils. What was that?"
Damn. The aura had leaked through.
He quickly drew back the remnants of his spiritual energy and steadied breath. "You must be imagining things," he said, calmly. "Maybe the morning rays played a trick."
"Hmm"
But she wasn't quite convinced. Her brows furrowed, arms crossed over her chest. "Don't lie to me, I definitely saw something in it."
"You've probably been overthinking things," Aaryaksh replied with a soft smile. "Go on now wake Kiyana. We'll soon reach the station"
Thinking about what she had seen now she opened the door to go wake Kiyana.
But Aaryaksh pulled her back before she could even touched the door.
"Where are you going by leaving me still hungry from earlier."
He gently brushed his fingers in her cherry lips. And said playfully
"where are my desserts"
Vaidehi frowned, then relaxed. She nodded. Just as he was about to eat his dessert. A clicking sound buzzed through his ear.
The door was unlocked and as quick was Vaidehi she instantly fled and vanished.
A smile grew in Aaryaksh's face but still, one thought gnawed at him. And in flesh his expression changed.
'How did Vaidehi even touch the spiritual lock I created?'
She wasn't a spirit—not even a faint demonic aura clung to her. Just a soft, clean soul with warm energy. A mare human, mortal.
Then how?
It totally disturbed his understanding. A spiritual lock of that level wasn't something any one could just push through. Not even most trained spirits could do it without disrupting the seal until he/she is more powerful then the bearer. Yet she had casually breached it without breaking or disturbing the core,
'Even touched me, and woken me up.'
Before he could spiral deeper into thoughts, a warm paper cup brushed his hand.
"Here," Vaidehi said, placing a cup of coffee in front of me. "You looked tense. Drink it."
As Aaryaksh had seen the coffee his yesterday's memory run fresh. And he smiled
"When did you order this?" he softly asked, surprised.
"Just now. When you were deep in thought about this world." she giggled.
"You know, you look like a skinny lion when you're stressed," she added with a cheeky smile, "but kinda cute when you smile."
Aaryaksh smirked. "At least I do look like a lion."
They shared a laugh—one that melted the lingering tension between. Still, a tucked suspicion about her abilities in the back of Aaryaksh mind stayed.
He would dig into some tomes about this at the institute later.
Meanwhile, Rahul came over with a beginner's sword arts manual, and Aaryaksh spent the next left time explaining its forms and transitions. He was a good learner, albeit impatient.
Before long, the train began to slow.
"We're almost at Dehradun," he said, standing. "Pack your things. We're about to part ways."
As Kiyana entered the cabin she had already freshen up. Her energy had noticeably stabilised.
She too had wore something similar to Vaidehi but her full bust visibly clung to her black jumpsuit. That perfectly fitted through the craters. Matched with ditch black sandals.
Today she tied her curly blonde hair in ponytail which was kind of looked funny.
As Aaryaksh was busy admiring her their eyes met and he instantly turned away.
Seeing this a faint smile grow in her face.
On the station, He reminded Kiyana of tomorrow's attendance at the institute and warned her not to skip a beat in training again.
Then came our short goodbyes.
Vaidehi smiled and invited Aaryaksh and took promise that he'd meet her tomorrow at her college.