Chapter 16

Mom, Dad, Chipsy—everything's fine. Now I'm in this world where I don't hear those names. It's all about Geet, Moon, Earth, Star, Krish, Adolf—my life's filled with these fuckers. I really miss my family, the ones I truly love. bloody Chipsy, I miss you so much, I just want to say sorry.

Moon called me.

"Let's go shopping."

Geet asked, "Are you two friends now?"

Moon looked at me and forced a smile. "Yes, you can say that! We are not friends."

Geet looked at me in a strange way. I looked away.

Moon held my hand and took me away. "Let's go!"

Geet's eyes were on our hands.

Geet called, "Payal." I looked back, and she took a minute to say, "Be safe." Geet did not look happy!

In the car, Moon started asking me a thousand questions and she was writing on her tablet.

"Listen! Tell me, why did she fall in love with you?"

I thought and thought again, then I replied, "I don't know."

"What do you like?"

"I don't know."

"Your favorite food?"

"Burger."

"Eww, oily."

"Any crush?"

"No."

"Any person you love?"

"No."

Moon was annoyed. "Ughh, do you know anything?"

"I guess... N-No." (I replied like I am animation character)

"Okay, do not make me angry! Wait, I will figure it out on my own."

The car stopped, and we went back to Galaxy Castle. "Just spend time with Geet and I will keep an eye on you so I can understand what she likes."

"Okay, we talk in a very normal way."

"I heard your normal. You are finding a dulhan for her. You are the craziest person in my life."

"Ohh! You heard everything?"

She held my arm. "Look at the smartwatch and the device you keep behind your ear."

"Ohh....okay."

I felt so bad. Does it mean she can hear everything? What if I go to the washroom? Eww.

"How do I turn it off?"

"Why?"

"If I want to go to the bathroom?"

She interrupted, "OK, okay, do not tell me."

"Those noises make you feel... you know."

"Shut up. Just say to the watch I love you, Geet and if you want to turn it on then say I miss you, Geet."

"What? Can I change the password?" I felt so nervous. If I say something like this in front of Geet, she will misunderstand. Even I cannot say those words so easily.

"No!"

She is so ...ahhh fucking hate her.

"Spend every second with her."

"Why would I do this? I have no benefits." I narrow my eyebrows.

"What do you want?"

"You have lots of power, so if I need you, you will help me."

"Okay! I give you my word. Whenever you need me, just call me and I will be there for you. Never think I am your friend; this is purely a business deal."

"Hmm, no problem."

"Go and spend time with her."

"I don't behave like this, I don't talk unnecessarily."

"So what do I do?"

Moon is so mean. I am feeling super nervous. I am not crazy enough to talk to my enemies without any reason, even if it's good for Geet. Geet and this bitch are both selfish. I have no interest in staying with her.

I came out of the car. I feel like I will die. I cannot talk to her. I want to talk as much as I can, but how? how? my body is freezing.

Geet is making coffee.

"Hi Geet." I feel like killing myself. It's always easy to talk to Geet. Why am I getting nervous? I smile idiotically. I hope she doesn't realize it's a plan. I am not a good liar and cannot act. I am very bad at acting. I can speak curse words as much as I can, but I cannot show courage to act. Do I have to do this? Even if it's not necessary, I am not saying anything and standing like a ghost. She will definitely get why I am behaving like this.

Geet asked, "Payal, coffee?"

Moon is talking to me from the device, "Do it, speak to her."

My mind is saying, why should I talk and what should I say? I am putting too much pressure on myself.

Geet is sipping coffee and asks, "Do you like coffee?"

Moon came and clapped. "Listen everyone! Krish, please call everyone who is here. I am getting very bored and I realize Geet and I have not spent too much time together, so today I am announcing a game. Geet is a very good boss. I like her attitude, so Geet will role-play as the husband and I will play Geet, her wife, but you know I have a fever so I cannot play. I will enjoy and never break the rule, otherwise, the tiger (the bodyguard walks and asks Moon) will tie them up and I will give a little poison so they can live their life in hell peacefully."

Geet asked, "Then who will play the wife now?"

Moon walked near me. "Yes, she is. Payal. Payal, get ready for the game. You both do what I say and Krish also, my Earth, you also play. You both are lovers and Earth will be the husband. Krish, behave like a lady. You will be the wife."

Krish is looking in shock and Geet is thinking, why is Moon playing this game? What does she want now? Earth is happy.

Moon continues, "Wear the clothes."

I am already a wife. What do I need to act like? How does a wife behave? Anyways, I do know that, so if I have doubts, I can ask Moon. Geet wore a suit like a husband and Geet held my hand. Nobody was there; everyone had gone to wear their clothes.

"You are holding my hand? Do you remember this is my hand?" I said in serious tone and but its sound funny.

Geet replied like a handsome husband, "I do miss you, baby!"

"Baby?" I asked in irritation.

Geet asked, "Babes? Love? Dear? Jaan? Sona? Pyaari? Janu? Mela-babu?"

I am very confused. She is asking me for a nickname? How can I answer that? I mean, I like my name Payal. Weird Calling me by a nickname? she is holding my hand like she is waiting for an opportunity. She is smiling from the inside. I know she will enjoy this. I am feeling angry. I remember Moon's words and I force a smile, "I think Payal is better."

"No, darling! My lovely wife." She pulls me close.

Moon is telling me through the device, "Interesting! Just be yourself."

I feel very angry! I should break her arm and give her a flying kick. But I can't do that. Her romantic husband act is making me feel nauseous. Nobody has ever done this to me before, and this is the first time I am talking to someone like this. I should behave like a typical saas-bahu serial wife. That's good. I can act stupid. Anyway, let's start.

"I am feeling shy. Can you please move on?" I give a strong push and she falls on the sofa.

Geet gives a smile. "Ohh my Jaan! You are very strong." It looks like her back is hurting. Yes, that's my revenge for her behaving like a lovey-dovey husband. I am smiling like I won an Oscar. I was about to leave when she gives me a back hug.

She whispers, "Why? Payal, are you angry with your husband?"

"Yes, I am! I do not like it when you come home late every day." (I gave her force smile and tried to leave from the situation.)

"Don't you need me?" (She pulls me close and gave me back hug)

Her breathe is so close to my ear, I feel like my heart will fall out of my chest. I just wanna stay away from her. That day when my heel had its first kiss, maybe from that day her touch felt different. I hugged and held hands. It was normal but now It's different from that. Why the hell am I feeling such an addiction? Ahhhaa!!!! I never felt this way before.

Geet asked, "Payal, don't you love me?" (She sniffs my neck.)

Why is she asking me such an awkward question? Does she know I don't like her? I know this is an act. Why is she acting so perfect?

I move aside. "Wait, wait!"

Moon voice is coming from device. "Payal, ask her why she loves you."

I don't want to ask such a question. Okay, I really hate it, but I have to. These are things I should say to help Moon.

I finally take a long breath and ask, "Do you love me?"

Geet smiles. "Why? A husband always loves his wife."

I ask, "Why? Why do you love me?"

Geet removes her jacket and folds her sleeves. Her hotness can melt anyone. Geet replies, "I have lots of work. Can you give me a massage? I have a headache."

Moon voice is coming. "Fuck! She is ignoring your question."

That's why I don't like her. She's so complicated, even I can't decode her.

Moon voice is coming from device "Go massage her headache." What? I am not that kind of person. I am not going to do that.

"My husband, I am also tired, so can you make tea for me?" Yeah, that's me.

Moon tells me, "You have attitude! I didn't know that! Well done, Payal."

Geet replies, "You are asking me to make tea?"

"Yes, you!" I sit on the sofa.

"Wow! What kind of tea do you like?" I knew Geet would not be offended. She likes to care. Fantastic I'm starting to know her.

Moon tells me, "She never reacts like this with me. She doesn't like to care for anyone. Why is she behaving differently with you?"

I don't know why. Moon is saying really different things. Maybe she doesn't know the real Geet.

She is making tea and I am watching her. She is so excited that I asked her to make tea for me. I never thought someone could be excited about that.

She gives me a cup and asks, "Taste it!" She looks like she is in a MasterChef competition and I am the chef who gives her a review. I taste it. It was just like I wanted. How does she know what kind of tea I like? Perfect, it's ginger tea. I am not going to tell her that she is really good.

"It's good, but needs improvement."

Moon asks, "Is the tea really bad? Why did you say that?"

I wish I could tell her, Moon, calm down! I don't say things as I think them. I say things, maybe the opposite. Wow, I never knew that. I should note things down for myself too.

Geet seems happy. "I know you liked it, that's why you are saying it."

Alright! She knows me. It really is good tea! I feel so relaxed, and the smell is so good.

Moon says, "Geet knows nothing, right? She is so overconfident about what you think."

Yeah, maybe! Does she know me more than I know myself? How? That's a question. She knew nothing when my dad asked her about my favorite food, or maybe she lied. I know she is a good liar.

Geet asks, "Do you need anything from me?"

"Yes! I want to complete my Wishlist: dancing in the rain!"

"Rain in this month?" She looked at me like I asked for too much. Yes, I asked because I am also enjoying this game. I love giving her tasks! What a bitch I am. I think I like it when she does things without asking me what I need. I hide my smile, fold my lips, and look away. I put the cup on the table and she pulls me again.

"What do you need from me? Aren't you giving tasks to check my capability?" (I look away. I was smiling when she comes close and I am enjoying making her think about what I need. Let me just confuse her.) Look at me, Payal! I like it when your eyes meet mine."

Is she so turned on? I can't blame her! I feel that she is so into me! She loves to stay close to me! I hate that I can't say no! Playing wife and husband is making my personality confused. She is so close that I can feel her breath. She keeps coming close to my lips and I have no clue she is so ready to do this drama. This is my first kiss and I want to give it to someone I like, not her! She forgot we are acting. Our marriage is fake. I put my finger on her lips.

"Wait, wait! If you want something from me, then fulfill my wishlist!"

"Only one wish?" she smirked.

"No! For the first wish, wear a red saree." (Wait, what did I just say? Why do I want to see her in a red saree? That's not my plan. I just blurted things out.)

"You want that? Okay, even though I'm your husband, I can be your wife. Wait a moment," she smriked and left. Krish returned wearing a crop top and jeans. He looked adorable, while Earth was wearing a stylish black jacket, giving off a cool college-boy vibe.

Earth greeted Krish, "Hi."

He seemed taken aback and replied, "Hii, Husband."

"OMG, you called me husband!"

He became really annoyed, "That's so boring! You're so annoying!"

"Listen, beard-wife," she said confidently.

I chuckled.

"Hey! Do not call me that; I have a handsome face," Krish replied.

"So listen, handsome wife! I need a... HUG."

"What? No, I will not give you one."

I intervened, "Earth, you're the husband! You don't need permission! Be a cheeky husband."

Krish retorted, "Hey, that's unfair! I can't handle this."

Earth reassured him, "Calm down, Krish! She's not serious. Just give me a... (her thought stuck)."

"No, I will not hug you! I know you're a good human; we cannot hug! Do you think you're beautiful?"

"Do you think you're beautiful? I'm supposed to be handsome." Earth winked

Krish was feeling angry. "Yes! Acting, ohh I forgot! Yes, do you think you're handsome?"

"Yes! I am. Do you think you're beautiful? Can you seduce any men?" She hold his hand.

"Why would I? Okay, I cannot seduce men! I can seduce women?" Krish was nervous.

Earth smiled. "You're a woman too, Krish! Are you into women?" (She teased and chuckled)

"Yes!" (He looked into her eyes, taking a moment before answering. He realized something. He smiled and squeezed her hand.)

"Why? Am I not handsome enough for you?"

"Yes, you are! But there's one problem." (He also look confident.)

"What is it?" (She laughed )

"You are more cute." Aww, he also has feelings, and she misunderstood. He wanted to say that she is cute.

"Um, thank you." She is blushing.

"I think my husband is blushing. Such a shy husband I have," he looked in her eyes and close to her face.

"Let's go! We can talk in the room." She looked away.

"Yes, right. we cannot." They were feeling shy.

Should I also go in? Let me check. My husband looks good in a saree, or (laughing), I've been waiting for so long, like an hour. She took long enough. Now I'm feeling like the husband, waiting for my wife. Wait, she's not my wife! What's wrong with me?

Moon came from the room; she understood, and her confidence made me feel like she would create fire.

Geet came, and I forgot everything. Her high heels and uff, that red saree. Maybe I'm not the only one who's in chaos. I said that wrong, okay. She's okay, perfect...no, not that, come on.

Moon complimented it, "My wife is looking good."

Geet replied, "Hmm," looking at me and winking. I made a face like I hated it.

Geet asked me, "How's the wife?"

Moon seemed angry, and I looked away. She held my chin and turned my face to her side. "You're not allowed to look at anyone."

"My husband! Don't you have work? You keep making angry me. Are you playing the husband, or the horny husband?" I controlled my smile and gave her a serious look.

Moon asked, "Geet? Are you ignoring me? How can you?"

"Just like I did. Do you need another example?"

What? Geet is fighting with Moon? Damn, that's hot news. I mean, what happened to Geet? She's not manipulated by Moon anymore.

Moon started singing a song, "HMM HMM AAAHHAA LAALA," sighing.

Geet held my hand and tried to bring it close to my lips. It felt like she was teasing me, slowly getting closer to my lips and making Moon jealous or something. I don't know. I kept looking at Moon; her mind was heated. Her anger rocket could fly any time. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 Ohh maybe now.

"Stop! Geet, (Boom!!!) are you even listening to me?" Geet stepped back.

Geet replied, "Do you think I'm a fool? I know that you and Payal are up to something. Why are you wearing a smartwatch? If you can act, I can too. She's wearing that smart device behind her ear. Moon, I was worried, that's why I came here. You think you're strong? I can easily make you a fool, but I never thought this way. I've accepted it, and you should too. I'm married to Payal. She's my wife. You cannot replace her."

Breathtaking. I should be proud of these types of talks, and I'm thinking she's like Fevicol in my life. I can't detach from this mistake. I can't undo this step. She's a fire that I can't deny. I'm reimagining that back hug. Does she seek something?

Moon replied, firing her cigarette, "Funny! Very Funny, You haven't even kissed her, and you're saying you're married? Come on, you're lying. She doesn't love you. You're a fool, darling."

Geet didn't say anything. She looked at me, and I looked at her. Her weakness is in her eyes. I don't like it when she feels powerless. I like her savage and fiery behavior. I know I hate her but She always protects me, and What should I do?

Geet replied, "I don't need to prove whether we're lovers or not. We're married; that's enough for me."

I started walking toward Moon. Geet looked at me strangely. I took the cigarette from Moon. I took a puff and blew smoke into Moon's face.

"You're insulting my wife, and I don't like that. Moon, I like you, but if you insult my wife, I will destroy you."

Moon coughed. "Who's saying? You also hate her, don't you?"

"That's love. How can you understand what love means? Have you ever felt love? You're addicted to love. That's not love. Love is sacrifice, and her happiness is my happiness. You talk like you're trying to buy a car. You hate failure. Do you want to buy Geet, or do you want to truly love her?"

Moon smirked. "Oh, that's too much wisdom! You don't love her. That's a fact."

I know I'm nervous and weak, but when people make me angry, like Moon did, I can do anything, even if it's not characteristic of my personality. But I have anger issues. Why am I still thinking, let's show my courage when I fight for someone, how strong I am.

I extinguished the cigarette and flipped it. I walked toward Geet and back hugged her. Her backless, sleeveless black blouse. I placed the cigarette from my hand to her neck. I slipped my hand to her waist, moved her chin towards me. Her kohl-lined eyes and her weak expression face when I was close to her. She surrendered like I never thought she could be that weak from my touch. She melted against me. I tried to close to her lips, and she closed her eyes, her hands clenched into fists. I just touched her lips. I forgot everything. I don't know what this feeling is called. Her chocolate-flavored lipstick and my vanilla-flavored one made the sweetest taste. I liked it so much. I didn't kiss her; I sucked on her lips. Then I backed away, my face red. I looked at Moon, who was smiling as if she had won the war. Her bodyguard, Aww, was looking at us like he wanted something too. I got distracted and replied to Moon, "That's our proof."

I left the place, and Geet hadn't even opened her eyes. Maybe she was in shock. What did I do? It also made me feel that way. I am also in super shy mode.

I felt so bad that I went to take a shower. I took 3-4 showers. My face was still hot. My body was burning from heat. What was that when I touched her lips? They were extremely delicious. I like chocolate; that thing also made me crazy. Her soft lips' taste still lingered on mine. I never felt so Captivated. I really wanted to cry.

Her body surrendered. I realized how she felt around. She was so Impotent. She was controlling her feelings. When I touched her waist, it is craving, and she started breathing heavily. I felt like I was Emraan Hashmi, and she my Mallika Sherawat. That's so bad! What did I do? It was wrong. I should say sorry. I think she enjoyed it, so I don't think I should apologize. I didn't even ask for permission. I have to say sorry.

How can I be angry with her? Why did I stand up for her? I kissed—wait, no, I sucked her lower lip. That's not like me. It's making me think, what is my identity? Do I also like girls? Stupid thoughts. I should focus on not doing this just to prove Moon wrong. I never did it. I fought for her. I can't believe in myself. Ugh, I felt so bad! I threw a pillow.

Geet came and she brought a pillow. I didn't look at her; I just saw her legs. She's wearing a nighty, a black one.

I asked angrily, "Why are you here?"

"Earth wants to sleep with someone else, so I'm here to take care. Moon wants to sleep alone." Wait, she'll be sleeping with me after those kisses___Not again. Checking___Sucking. Ugh, that's confusing. I have no idea how to behave in this situation. I swallowed.

I can't believe it, I'm feeling a sexual tension from a woman. I can't deny that her presence makes me uncomfortable. The way she stares at me, she is bitch and I feel like a soft pillow. I'm doing things I shouldn't, crossing my own limits and forgetting my ethics. I have no idea what I'll do next second. I can't trust myself right now.

No matter what the desire is, it's mine. I don't know how all this happened. How did I, a straight woman who was planning to get married, end up stuck in a palace with someone I hate but who fuels my feelings and makes them grow every day? How did I start thinking this way about Geet? How and why did this happen? The question of why an answer might not have anywhere, as it seems no girl has an explanation for why she feels something different for another girl.