Chapter 19

Ishwari took a shaky breath and pulled her son, whom was sitting on her lap closer to her. She was completely nervous about being so high in the air. She most likely would have had a panic attack, if it weren't for Pagan sitting beside her, holding her hand, assuring her that everything would be fine.

"We're nearly there. You're doing excellent for your first time." He smiled at her.

Ishwari could only smile and nod her head, unable to speak from her fear. She felt relief when she realized Pagan spoke the truth and the helicopter began to descend. Before she knew it they were safely on Kyrati ground. Pagan reached his hand out, placing it under her jaw and ran his thumb across her cheek. He leaned in to place a gentle kiss on her lips. "That wasn't so bad, now was it?" He pulled his face slowly away from hers, smiling and reaching down to undo her seat belt. She stood up with shaky knees and watched Pagan walk over, opening the door of the helicopter and jumped down, before turning to face her. Reaching out his arms, Ishwari handed Ajay down to him and then took his free hand as he helped her out.

Ishwari glanced around at her new surroundings and was astounded at the beauty. They were high up on a cliff, where they could see most of Kyrat below them. In the distance, she could clearly see large Himalayan mountains, white snowy tops at the tip of them. She turned around to find a carved ridge wall of rocks behind her. Next to her there was a huge stone with Kyrati symbols carved into it. There were also stone stairs leading up to what looked like a shrine, with a mani wheel placed next to it. The most beautiful thing that was there a small pond, with hundreds of lily pads in it, that sat just below the shrine.

"I've been informed that this place is called Banashur's Tranquility." Pagan walked up beside Ishwari, still holding Ajay in his arms. "The name fits it. It does have a rather tranquil feel to it."

"I've lived in Kyrat my whole life and I never knew this place existed." She replied, surprised by her own words.

Pagan looked down to smile at her. "It's not all that surprising, being as you have to fly to get up here, that or be very experienced at rock climbing. Do you like it?"

"It's beautiful up here." She said, looking off into the distance at the enormous mountains.

The smile Pagan already had, grew even larger. "I thought you'd like it. I figured it'd be nice to picnic up here and spend some quality time as a family." He looked down at little Ajay, who in return smiled at him. "Anyways, why don't you hold onto dear Ajay, while I go fetch our food." He said, as he handed Ishwari her son. He made his way back towards the helicopter, where the pilot was standing with the picnic basket Laqueta had made earlier. Upon retrieving the basket Pagan returned and led her and Ajay to a nice grassy spot right by the pond. He spread out the teal colored blanket and motioned her to sit down.

Reaching into the basket, Pagan pulled out some bottles of water, two wrapped up sandwiches, apples, and a small container, which he held up. "In this are some banana's I had the staff mash up for Ajay. I assume he's old enough to eat food like this. I don't know much about babies unfortunately."

Ishwari laughed "He's ten months old and yes that's old enough for him to eat food like that."

Pagan tilted his head to the side. "Ten months huh? I'm going to have to start planning for his birthday party before too long."

"Pagan, you really don't have to do anything like that." She informed him.

Pagan began smiling once again. "I know I don't have to, but I want to. I already told you. I will treat Ajay like he's my son."

Ishwari reached out, taking the container from Pagan's hand, so she could begin feeding Ajay. "If we keep doing our activities unprotected, you might just end up with your own son.

"I highly doubt that." Pagan spoke as he picked up his sandwich.

Ishwari furrowed her brow in confusion. "Why do you say that?"

Pagan took a bite of his sandwich before speaking. "Because I'm infertile. Doctors have told me there is little to no chance I will ever have children."

Ishwari's eyes widened at Pagan's surprising statement. "I'm so sorry."

Pagan took another bite of his food. "For what? It's not your fault I can't have kids. Besides, I probably wouldn't be much of a father anyways."

"Well the way you treat Ajay, I think you would make a great father. Mohan has never done anything like this for us before."

"Well Mohan sounds like a real cunt. After all, who sends their wife and son away for an extended period of time?" Pagan said, grabbing his bottle of water.

"The glorious leader of the golden path." Ishwari said rolling eyes at the thought of her husband.

Pagan chuckled. "Well now you have the glorious leader of Kyrat. You know, I think you're into men with power."

"What's wrong with being attracted to power?" She asked him, laughing.

"Not a damn thing." He smiled at her. He then turned his attention to Ajay. "One day, Kyrat will belong to Ajay. I will give it to him, when I grow tired of all this responsibility."

Ishwari couldn't help but smile at the ambition in Pagan's eyes. "You make me happy to think about a future with you."

"If we are going to have a future together, there is something I think you deserve to know about me, that most people don't."

"And what would that be?" Ishwari tilted her head.

"Well it's like I've told you before. I didn't really enjoy my life before Kyrat so I left everything behind, including my name."

"Your name?" Ishwari questioned him.

"Yes. My real name is Gang, but I absolutely despise that name. Yuma, and now you are the only people who know what my real name is."

Ishwari smiled. "I like that name, but if you don't then I promise I won't call you by it."

"I'd appreciate it." He smiled back at her.

They continued chatting until eventually all the food had vanished. They remained at Banashur's Tranquility for a few hours, walking around admiring the view, playing with Ajay and just spending time with one another before deciding that they should probably head back to the palace.

The helicopter landed in the vast area that it was usually parked at, next to the palace. Ishwari grabbed a hold of Pagan's hand, exiting the contraption, not quite as nervous as the first time. She looked out into the distance noticing the sun beginning to sink behind the mountains.

"This day flew by." Pagan spoke, looking out into the distance with her.

Ishwari turned her attention towards him. "I really enjoyed this day."

"As did I." He smiled. "Now, what do you say we head inside and settle down for the night?"

They walked into the kings room, Pagan kicking off his shoes as he entered. "Well it would seem that the clothes I ordered for you have arrived, but Ajay's crib hasn't arrived yet. Hopefully it'll be here in the morning, or there's going to be some trouble." He walked over and retrieved Ajay from Ishwari's hold. "Why don't you go and get a shower dear? I'll keep an eye on Ajay in the meantime."

"Are you sure?" Ishwari asked.

"Absolutely." Pagan said, as he sat down on his massive bed.

"Okay." Ishwari shrugged, making her way to the suitcase that contained all new clothing in it for her, courtesy of Pagan. After finding a nice nighttime gown, she made her way into the bathroom to get cleaned up. It didn't take her long to get her hair clean and rinse off with some soap. Once she was all clean, she exited the bathroom to find a sight that almost completely melted her heart. There on the bed was Pagan, sound asleep, with baby Ajay snuggled up close to his chest. She couldn't help but get an exceptionally wide smile. This was a sight she could get used to.