32.

-Siya-

When the food came, we both quietly ate and I contemplated Zoya's words. He isn't that bad, Siya...Perhaps it's you that's misunderstanding him?

I convinced myself, thinking about his actions. He's always been sweet to me, his words carrying respect even in the most unexpected circumstances.

If he was only trying to keep me as a possession, wasn't that already done? I had agreed to the marriage, there was no need for him to treat me well now. No need to act like a gentleman, care or worry, Yet...

Zoya kept talking to me about how amazing she was living with her parents, and how there was a guy who had been acting way too nice to her, and that she suspected he liked her. I didn't keep up with her yappings, my mind entirely on a certain amber brown eyed 6 ft. Tall baigairat man.

Yuvraaj Rajveer Singh Chauhan, just what kind of man are you, Rana Sa?

"Siya?" I flinched at Zoya agressively waving infront of my eyes. I looked at her, skeptical. She narrowed her eyes at me, her lips thinning as she stared at me accusingly. "You didn't listen one word that I said right?"

I quickly shook my head, trying to escape, "I did, Zo, I swear." She raised an eyebrow, "So?"

I looked at her confused. "So?"

She looked at me, "You agree with me right?"

I didn't realise what she was talking about, but still mindlessly nodded,"yeah, you are right."

She squealed, pinching me. "I knew it!"

I yelped, "ouch! Zo, are you are crazy?!" She grinned teasingly, "crushing on him, and yet say I am the crazy one when you are the one falling for a Royal Toast!" I looked at her alarmed, "What? Wh-NO ARE YOU CRAZY?!"

She giggled, slapping my head, "I knew it! You definitely had something for jiju!" I protested, "I didn't even say anything, Zoya!"

She pinched me again, annoyingly giggling, "You did admit he was jaw droppingly sexy though!" I looked at her, skeptically before my eyes widened.

I almost screamed when I said,"No! Definitely not!"

All the blood rushed to my face, my heart beat raising, and my face flushed. What did I admit to?

She squealed again, "Aww, siyuu, you are blushinggggg~"

She pinched my cheeks, making them hurt as she pulled at them shaking my head. I yelped, pushing her off me, as I angrily spoke, "Piya hua hai kya, Zo? Kitna pinch karrahi hai!"

She jumped, "tainu pyar hogaya si, bestie. Saddi bestie nal Rana Sa ka rishta hua si, Nasha kithe na si, oy Sundar kudi!" She teased, making me super irritated.

"Teri Punjabi acchi nahi hai, Zo. Chup ho ja." She squealed, shaking me. "You should be happy, you're marrying a hot man, Siyu!" My face blushed at her words. She was so open mouthed. What if Rana Sa heard her?

Alarm bells suddenly rang in my head. Why would I care if he heard? Yet the thought made my heart race, face turn red and a pleasant shiver run down my back.

Trust a bestfriend to make everything out of nothing and make you delusional over litreally nothing.

She put on a thoughtful appearance, "If we disregard their attitude, isn't every single person in his family actually really good looking? Must be the genes."

She looked at me mischievously, "Except his head, even that devar of yours is hot as fuck, Siya." I looked at her exasperated. "Zoya, isn't all that rubbish you speaking haram in Islam?"

Even if it wasn't, for her it should be.

Zoya rolled her eyes, "You are no fun, Siya." A yawn left her lips, when there was a knock on the door. I looked at her her, before speaking. "Come in?"

The statement was more of a question, Zoya looked at me raising an eyebrow. I shrugged, because I myself didn't know who was on the other side.

When the door opened, I froze.

Rana Sa stood outside, his face tired. He had gotten the permission to come in, yet he patiently waited for me to permit him in again, After seeing that it was him.

The doubts in my mind grew, could it be he really cared about my comfort so much?

Zoya looked at me teasingly, before giggling and looking at Yuvraaj. She cleared her throat, smiling, "Aayien na, Jiju. Mai toh bas abhi ja hi Rahi thi." She grabbed the plates we ate in, and passed by Yuvraaj whilst throwing me teasing glances.

I straightened up. And he looked at me, softly questioning, "May I?

My face flushed, and I looked away after answering. "Ji."

A small tired smile, lifted up his lips. He spoke up,"Khana khaya Aapne, Siya?" I nodded, not having the courage to lift my eyes to meet his.

Suddenly all my actions of today came infront of me. Zoya had indeed been right, he was a King.

No King could stand being stood up, at his own engagement by his bride. Yet when he stood infront of me, except the tiredness on his face, there was nothing negative.

With a dropping heart I realised, that even the exhaustion marring his face was something bestowed by me. How many people, how many expressions, ridicule even criticism he must have faced. All for me.

Everything he faced, was due to me and what made the guilt run deeper was that he did everything on his own.

I didn't ask of him, If he didn't postpone the engagement, it would have gone accordingly to how it was supposed to. No matter how much I cried, I would still have to go down the stage and wear the ring he put on my finger. Yet, for my comfort, even without saying a word he postponed the engagement.

He took all of the warranted ridicule, even after Knowing it would come so that I could be comfortable. For me.

What was that, if not care?

I looked down, suddenly unable to speak. What could I even say, after causing him so much trouble?

He was quiet for a while, and I could feel his eyes on me. When his voice hit my ears, I felt my hands clench unconsciously. "Aapne change nahi Kiya?"

I shook my head, "nahi...," I trailed off not knowing what to say. He hummed.

"Does my presence bring you discomfort, Siya?" My eyes snapped to look up at him. His expression was serious, a bit hurt but not angry. I shook my head, "No, Rana Sa."

He didn't look convinced.

I sighed, "Your presence may bring me, worry, concern, fear, anger dare I say even hatred at some point, but you have never made me feel uncomfortable."

My words seemed to have sliced him and have brought him back life at the same time.

A chuckle left his lips, as he shook his head. "worry, anger, hatred, and even fear. I would think I am indeed causing you discomfort."

My face flushed. "Then you must have over thought the words I have said."

A proper laugh left his lips and settled deep in my stomach. The sound, a little husky, a little rusty as if he hadn't laughed in a long time. He smiled towards me softly, "Jaisa aap kahe, meri jaan."

The sudden endearment made my breath hitch. The endearment didn't seem to only be words, as if he meant it. And it was alarming how naturally it sat between us, as if I my existence accepted his endearment.

"Siya..., you hold alot of value to me, little dove." He looked away, as he spoke. As if those words left him, naturally. As if those endearments, as if those sweet words were whispers of his heart. As if they were engraved for me, in his heart. "I wouldn't be able to see you in pain."

His hands visibly clenched and I could almost taste the pain in his words as he spoke, "The way you cried today. I...," he shook his head, smiling bitterly as he looked at me.

His words ricocheting in my ears, they were more liberating my worries, than my promise to maa, Nishant Bhai's embrace nor Zoya's convincing. "If your relation with me, this marriage hurts you to cry so much. Please don't hesitate to break the bonds little dove."

I suddenly felt my breath getting lost in my lungs, all the jewelleries too heavy, body too numb, and his gaze too warm. I looked down, but he raised my chin. "Don't hesitate, my love." His eyes were deep, serious swirling with emotions that sucked me into them showcasing their depths that left me overwhelmed.

-Yuvraaj-

I looked in her eyes, forcing myself to say those words. The swollen eyes, the tear stained face forcing those words out of me. I didn't dare look elsewhere, except remnants of her pain, for I wasn't sure I would be able to go through with these words if I did.

The continuous reminder that I was the one who hurt her, that even when now the tears that were swimming in her eyes, were caused by me, was the strength that drove those words out of me, that felt as if I ripped my heart out of my chest.

I took a deep breath, exhaling out a painful chuckle, "Siya, Jaan hai aap meri."

A flash of pain appeared on her expression that seared my chest making it hard to breath. Even my love hurts her, so I shall put her far away from my reach.

"Aapko dukh Mai dekh ke, koi shaadi, koi rishta, koi duniya Hume Khushi nahi kar sakegi."

My hands reached in my pocket, I retrieved an envelope, that seemed to burn my hand with it's touch. I kept it between us, my eyes lowered. "Aapki maa shayad kabhi nahi manti, par aapke Bhai se humari baat huyi."

She stared at me with wide doe eyes, which seemed to aim arrows at my heart. Her eyes were the only weapon that dared touch this king, dared wound me, yet the weapon that I willingly surrendered to.

Her voice was stuttering in shock, "Y-yeh kya hai...?" A breathy chuckle left me, a chuckle that unsuccessfully tried to hide the pain. "Its a plane ticket to Banglore."

I looked away, "It's a place far away from the royal shadows, our means and sources, away from me."

"You'll be comfortable there, Siya."

A gasp left her lips, as she stared at me. I smiled weakly. I'll set you free, my little dove.

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This was the new years gift.

Your author is sick and her train was cancelled after a long trip so perhaps you will have another update tomorrow if I can stop shivering. How'd you guys feel lol?

Yaar insta pe follow karlo, Aisa lagta hai reel bhi sirf khud dekhne ke liye banati hu. Kal soch Rahi hu spoiler daalungi but let's see tommorow ig.

Love,

Aesthetephilist<3