13. holding hands ✨

Happy reading ji 🎉

He leaned in, his voice soft with concern,"Ab aapke pairo meh dard to nhi?"(“Your feet aren’t hurting, are they?”)His question hung in the air as he gently took both of our plates. I tried to insist, to tell him he didn’t have to, but as always, he wouldn’t hear it.

“Sachme, yeh kisi bachche ki tarah hai,”(“Honestly, he’s just like a child,”)I mused silently, watching him move around the room. He was a whirlwind of contradictions—sometimes angry, sometimes caring, sometimes pretending, and sometimes honest to a fault. There were moments when he seemed so close, like he was right there with me, yet at the same time, there was this distance between us, like a mystery I couldn’t quite unravel.

He called the nurses and staff to clear up, and while they busied themselves with that, he turned his attention to my medicine box. He meticulously sorted through the pills, organizing them with a precision that always amazed me. Then, without missing a beat, he handed me the dreaded pills.

"Like yuck yrr kitni dawai khani padti hai,"(“Ugh, how many medicines do I have to take?”)I grumbled internally, making faces as I swallowed them down. I really hated taking them, but there was no escaping it. I could only imagine how ridiculous I looked, my expression a mix of disgust and resignation as I choked them down.

But as much as I disliked the pills, I couldn’t deny the warmth that spread through me, knowing he was there, taking care of everything, even the things I hated most.

"Magar Raja sa ke samne koi kuchh bol sakta hai kya..." (But who can say anything in front of the king…) The thought ran through my mind, laced with sarcasm, as I watched him move about the room with his usual air of authority.

After swallowing the bitter pills, I expected him to either leave for his office or settle down to work right in front of me. I was all set to drift back into my beauty sleep, but that plan quickly faded. Raja sa, as I liked to call him, had something else in mind. He came over to my side, his voice breaking through my thoughts, "Aapka pair thik hai na ab ji?" ("Your foot is okay now, right?")

I glanced down at my foot, which had been injured but was now well enough for me to walk on. "Ji," ("Yes,") I replied, my voice steady, though inside I was hoping he’d drop the subject.

Instead, he checked the time on his phone and said, "Aap ready ho jaye, hum aapka intezar kar rhe hai, bas thoda jaldi kijiye ga." ("Get ready, we’re waiting for you, just please hurry up.") With that, he left the room, leaving me to process the fact that my plans for more sleep had just been dashed.

I sighed, resigning myself to the fact that Raja sa’s schedule had, once again, taken precedence over my own.

"Aree... Btao to ji jana kaha h..." ("Hey... at least tell me where we're going...") I was thinking to myself, but before I could say anything, he had already left the room.

"Mr. Unknown!" I cried out in my mind, frustrated by his sudden departure.

With the help of the nurses, I stood up carefully. I asked them to just adjust my attire since I was already wearing a heavy Rajasthani libaz (traditional outfit), and I figured there was no need to change. Once they had ensured everything was in place, they helped me down the stairs.

I stood near a sofa and thanked them as they left. My eyes wandered around the room, taking in the space, when suddenly, I saw Raja sa walking in through the main entrance. He was dressed all in black... and *hot*—that was the only word that flashed through my mind. But I quickly composed myself, reminding myself of the situation and trying to keep my thoughts in check.

He slowly came to my side and, while slipping his phone into his pocket, said softly, "Come with me." As he extended his hand towards me, offering it to hold, I hesitated for a moment. My eyes first focused on his palm—it felt surreal, almost like everything was happening in a loop. My heartbeat was so loud that I could hear it thudding in my chest.

Slowly, my gaze traveled upward to his face, and I met his eyes. He had a good height—that was the first thing I realized. But what struck me most was the assurance in his eyes. It was as if they were silently telling me that everything would be okay. Without even realizing it, my hand instinctively reached out and placed itself in his.

He gently held my palm, his touch steadying me, and I found myself almost entirely leaning on him for support. He slowly turned, guiding me, and together we walked towards the entrance. Every step was deliberate, unhurried, and before I knew it, he was helping me into his sleek, black modified car.

I realized I hadn't asked him where we were headed. As he closed the side door behind me and took his seat in the driver’s seat, I let him settle in, but my eyes stubbornly refused to look away from him. He started the car, and we began to leave the palace. I remained transfixed, my gaze locked on his face, completely unaware of the surroundings or the road we were on.

Caught in the moment, I was lost in him. He shifted my chin gently, directing my attention back to the road ahead. His words were almost lost on me, but the edge in his tone was clear.

"Besharmi ki bhi had hoti hai Siya" (There’s a limit to shamelessness, Siya), I thought to myself, feeling a mix of embarrassment and curiosity. "Mana galti se hi sahi, magar pati hai... magar aise tadugi to pakka koi tharki soch ke nikal denge ji mujhe ye" (It may be a mistake, but it’s a mistake nonetheless... but if you keep acting like this, someone will definitely think I’m a fool).

My own words echoed in my mind as I glanced forward.

I thought about how far we had traveled since leaving the palace. The distance was unclear, but the scenery around us had changed to hilly terrain, with guards standing on either side of the road, their expressions serious and unmoving. I muttered to myself, "Kam se kam kuchh kilometre to hoga hi ye ji" (There must be at least a few kilometers we’ve covered).

Trying to mask my confusion and concern, I composed a puzzled expression and turned to him. "Raja sa ye... Kiu... hum kaha ja rahe hai?" (Your Majesty, why... where are we going?).

He didn’t respond, leaving me bewildered. It was astonishing how someone could be so distant and engaged at the same time.

We halted at a spot where the view was obscured—an open area far from the city's hustle, perched almost on top of it. Despite the high vantage point, the surroundings remained concealed from view.

He approached my side, opened the door, and offered his palm for me to hold. This time, I took it without hesitation.

We walked slowly towards a tree situated a short distance from the road. As I started to speak, addressing him as "raja sa," a small door in the tree suddenly swung open. I was taken aback. He pressed his thumb on a hidden panel, and the door fully opened. Without a moment's thought, I followed his lead, my mind overwhelmed by the rush of emotions and confusion.

As we moved forward, the lights illuminated the path with each step we took. Glancing back, I noticed over a hundred guards who had materialized in the last thirty seconds, their presence now evident where there had been none before. Just as I started to process this, the door closed behind us, revealing a staircase in front of us.

Slowly, he guided me down the staircase, and with each step, the atmosphere shifted. As we descended, the surroundings transformed into a lush, jungle-like environment, revealing a hidden paradise he seemed to possess. It was stunning—a grand hall greeted us, flanked by several rooms, at least six or seven in number.

As we entered, the doors to each room opened, and to my astonishment, more than forty people emerged and gathered before us. I turned to him, and he met my gaze with a gentle smile and reassuring eyes. In that moment, I felt a wave of lightness and trust, realizing that his eyes spoke volumes more than his words ever could.

Just as I was about to process the scene, the team members before us dropped to one knee in reverence. I looked at them, then back at him, my expression questioning the significance of their gesture.

As I walked in, the sight of a multitude of faces greeted me. One among them, though I couldn’t pinpoint exactly who, smiled warmly and said, “Welcome, Queen. Your safety is our responsibility. We are ready to kill, die, and give our lives if it means ensuring your safety.”

I couldn’t help but think, *Ye kya ho raha hai?* ("What is happening here?") The suddenness and intensity of the situation were overwhelming.

The man beside me, his chest swelling with pride, continued, “They are the special team I’ve appointed for you and your safety. And they have a... surprise for you,” he said, motioning for me to look ahead.

I clutched his hands tightly and questioned, “Mgr iski kya jarurat thi Raja sa? Mai konsi junk pe jaugi ji? Or paheli baat to koi mujhe chot pahochaye ga hi kiu ji?” ("But what’s the need for this, Your Highness? Where would I possibly go? And to begin with, who would even harm me?")

His reassurances seemed excessive to me. I wondered if all this was truly necessary or if it was just a dramatic display of concern.

"He said just one time," he instructed, his voice stern and unyielding.

I leaned in, my curiosity piqued. "What?" I asked, my voice barely more than a whisper. His height made me feel small and vulnerable as I stood before him.

"To stand, Rani ji," he explained, "Otherwise, they could stay in the same position all the time."

His words were startling. The idea of someone remaining in the same position for such an extended period was baffling. It seemed almost inconceivable. Despite my shock, I knew I had to take his words seriously. This marriage, already a mistake in his eyes, was compounded by this peculiar situation. I couldn't help but wonder why Ram Ji had to be so harsh.

"Ji, aap sab apni position le lijiye ji," I said softly, hoping to guide everyone through the process. At first, no one moved, and I couldn't understand why. Raja Sa adjusted his hand, and though I didn’t pay much attention, I noticed some movement.

As Raja Sa and I entered one of the rooms, a sudden realization hit me. I felt a surge of panic and shouted, "Nooooooo!"

The word escaped my lips in a desperate cry, the gravity of the situation sinking in.

Aaj ke liye bss itna hi ji koshish karugi ki Sunday ke pahele mile ji .

SUkriya ji 😌

Love you all 💖