Chapter 26

Satish Malhotra poured himself a large glass of whiskey from the decanter and the held it up against the light streaming in from the window, and twirled it about. Satisfied with the golden colour he smiled in appreciation and took a sip.

"Ah! what a fine taste," he laughed. The motion made his enormous stomach jiggle up and down in a vulgar way. The man who was sitting opposite to Satish pursed his lips. Devendra Sisodia hated the man – simply because the mere commoner had begun to think that because he had accumulated wealth, he was qualified to walk in royal circles. The duo were sitting in the lavish suite room of the former's five star hotel. If it was any other day, Satish would not have dared to even stand in his presence but now he needed the vile man.

It was truly a rags to riches story for Satish Malhotra. He had made up his current wealth on the blood and sweat of others. He was a master manipulator, sly like the fox, extremely cunning without any scruples or emotions. People knew him in the elite circles as someone who could cut deals smoothly and feared him. That was one of the reasons why they suffered his company. Currently his interest was in buying and selling properties abroad and it was with this honey pot that he could trap Yuvraj Vikram Singh. What a pity, Devendra mused. He had never expected the young prince to bite the bait so easily. The only silver lining had been his enmity with the Yuvraj of Vilaspore. Vikram would have done anything to make himself on par with Abhimanyu. Devendra also knew that Malhotra was not his real name, but he did not care as long as he could do the job designated to him. And so far he had been successful.

Taking another sip, Satish's eyes took a distant vengeful look as the liquid burned down his throat. "I hate these royals . . ." he said then quickly realizing that the man sitting in front of him was one too added " . . . of course that doesn't extend to you," he laughed quickly.

Devendra simply smiled not wanting to reply to any of his ridiculous observations.

Satish continued feeling the need to explain the cause of his derision. "My grandfather worked in a palace. I was ten and sometimes he used to take me along to help him in his chores. He always warned me to keep my head low and not to look or speak to anyone. Then one day, I made a mistake of looking at a little girl and smiling at her. She was the princess or something and for that I received such a sound thrashing that I hated royals since then."

You are lucky that they left you alive, said Devendra to himself. "That is quite an interesting story." A servant came forward with a tray of eatables and offered it to him but he waved him off.

Not interested in more of the idiot's history he cut the saga short. "What is the current status of Vikram?"

Satish drained the liquid from the glass with mirth. "You don't have to worry about that Sisodia ji. No one can get him out of London. It is impossible. The little prince is going to spend his limited time there and when you give the go ahead – whoosh," he motioned and laughed.

A faint smile graced Devendra's lips for the first time. He almost felt sorry for the prince because he himself had no animosity toward Vikram. His agenda lay in something else and the Yuvraj of Jaypore unfortunately was a common factor. It was quite ordinary for innocents to come in the line of fire. That was the rule of the battle for all's fair in love and war.

"You have gained pretty well from all this didn't you?" asked Sisodia

The beady eyes narrowed. "Wealth - yes, property - yes, but there is something else that I badly want."

Devendra tilted his head. What could the glutton want more? "What?" he casually asked.

Satish's mouth watered as he conjured up the image of the beautiful girl. "Princess Nandini. I want her pretty badly not just for one night but night after night after night . . ." he said in a lust filled voice.

Devendra's countenance darkened at the words. "NO!" he roared. The single word was enough for Satish to change his strategy. "I am sorry Sisodia ji. I did not know that you were interested in her. I promise that I will never ever think of her." He poured himself another drink and gulped it in one go displaying as if it was just a passing fancy.

Devendra watched the man's every move knowing full well that he was going to go back on his promise. He knew Satish Malhotra very well. He especially knew that once the latter eyed something or someone he made sure that he acquired it. If he did, then the man was writing his own death warrant. The old idiot wanted a young girl who was half his age and that too a princess? He had no particular sentiment toward the princess but, she was important for someone else and hence important to him too.

Similar thoughts were going on in Satish's head. Though he promised the man in front of him that he would leave her alone, the chase had got exciting just because he was told she was forbidden goods and he loved everything forbidden.

As he lit a cigarette and took a puff, he glanced at Devendra and smiled, fishing out his phone from the pocket, pretending to be engrossed with it. His thoughts however were full of Nandini. He had seen her picture the first time he visited the Jaypore palace, unfortunately she was in US at that time. A few months later he had seen her unexpectedly in New York when he was there for some business. He was mesmerized by her beauty and regality. He wanted Nandini and there was no power on earth that could make him turn back. He had a weakness for beautiful women. It would be winter soon he thought maliciously, excited at the prospect of a soft warm body which would act as his blanket.

Devendra leaned back on the sofa seeing the hidden emotions on the other man's face. He loved squishing insects especially when it was fat, round and useless.

*************************.

Sunday arrived in a blink of an eye for Nandini and she was seemingly restless and pricky. She shouted at her maid for spilling juice on her bedroom floor, was irritated with the chef for making poached eggs instead of boiled ones and made Vrushali climb up and down the stairs asking to fetch one thing at a time from her bedroom. If Virendra Singh noticed his daughter's behavior he chose to ignore it as he deduced that she was irritated at not being able to go back to US.

Nandini's brain however was working overtime. Sitting in the garden soaking the morning sun she was making plans upon plans but none seemed to be working out. She did not know how on earth she could convince her father to return to Jaypore so that she could shift her residence. Her father had made it impossible for her to take even a step without guards or Vrushali in tow. She could understand the need of guards but a companion! That was going overboard. When she gently broached the subject with her father he brushed it off saying Vrushali was there so that she needn't worry about trivial matters. The main problem though was how was she going to spend 9 am to 5 pm with Abhimanyu! How would she survive keeping her self-respect intact!

Another gravest matter was the recurrence of the nightmares. The last few days she hadn't had an episode owing to the fact that she hardly slept but last night the scene that had been haunting her re-occurred. The man in the dark, the horrible smell and then her lips crushed with force. Then there was the vision that she saw or was it a dream too? When would she get answers?

A beep from her phone distracted her momentarily. Picking it up she saw that it was a message from an unknown number.

- Good morning Ms. Singh. Please find the address of the accommodation arranged for you. Rainbow Apartment, Flat No – S10, Purushotham Nagar, Thane East. Ms. Geeta Ramanathan will update you on the rest. You are expected at Taurus at sharp 8am. This is by order of Abhimanyu sir.

Nandini read the message over and over. Not wasting even a single second she immediately dialed the number. Aakash answered on the third ring.

"Yes Ms. Singh."

"Hi," she started hoping to get her work done by being as civil as possible. "How are you today?"

"What can I do for you Ms. Singh?" he asked getting straight to the point.

Okay, so he is a no nonsense guy. "Look! I can't do whatever you have sent in the message. It is impossible!"

There was a pause of a few seconds. "Ms. Singh you are in need of a job not I. Abhimanyu sir has so graciously provided you an esteem position of being his personal assistant – a job for which there is a long queue. So I advise you to do as he says."

"He doesn't own me mister . . . whoever you are. I cannot leave everything and be ready on his beck and call. I will come when I am ready. You can convey that to your sir," she said hanging up in irritation.

"You are very upset today!"

Nandini turned sharply in surprise at the voice of her father behind her.

"When did you come father?" she asked hoping that he hadn't heard the conversation.

"Just now," he replied taking a seat opposite to her. "Are you sure you want to do the course? Come back with me to Jaypore!"

How I wish father! "I am perfectly fine and I will be okay father. You don't need to worry." She placed her phone on the table taking time to form her next question. "When are you returning to Jaypore?"

"Are you so eager to send me off??"

"Of course no, but there must be things there which are important right?"

Virendra Sigh smiled warmly. "Nothing is more important than my daughter. I will be here with you for a week or two until you get settled. If Vikram returns by that time I can leave in peace or else I will just extend my stay."

Nandini should have felt elated but she was surprised at why her heart sank at the prospect. Did she secretly wish for her father to leave as soon as possible so that she could start work at Abhimanyu's office? She rummaged in her heart for an answer but finding none was satisfied as the unfamiliar sensation was only because it would take that much time to get Vikram back. Now there was absolutely no way that she could reach the designated place at the designated time and it was no fault of hers.

Abhimanyu sat in his SUV, the engine idling and stared at the Jaypore House that was almost two hundred meters away. The issue with the princess was maddening him at a time when he should have been concentrating on more serious matter. His hands gripped the steering wheel with more force than necessary. When Aakash had forwarded the conversation that he had recorded between him and Nandini, he had wanted to go over immediately and drag her out. The only thing that stopped him from doing so was that he respected Maharaj Virendra Singh. He could recall a time in the past when he would concoct excuses to go to Jaypore just so that he could get a glimpse of her but now, the more he tried to avoid her the more fate thrust her in his face. The irony of the situation almost made him laugh. From the next day she would be right in front of him, every day, every hour, every minute and every second. The thought made him angry. He wanted to punish her for that, he wanted to punish her for his suffering and he wanted to punish her for playing with his emotions.

With that singular thought in mind, he pressed hard on the accelerator and coursed forward stopping in front of the huge gate. After the usual formalities he was let inside.

Virendra Singh was in the living room when the guards announced the arrival of a visitor. He was confused as his secretary had not informed him of any appointments that were in for today. When he saw Abhimanyu walk in, Virendra Singh's confusion eased.

"Khamma ghani maharaj," he said bowing his head respectfully.

"Ghani khamma Abhi. Come, come sit," he said pleasantly.

"Thank you."

"Tell me Abhi, how is Chandra Raj? I hope he is doing well?"

"Father is much better uncle. I have sent him abroad for extensive treatment. He need to recuperate well and I felt it was the best way."

"Oh! Is that so? I wished I could have met him before that. I am glad he is getting better," mused Virendra Singh. "So . . . what brings you here?"

"Nandini called me yesterday and told me she had arrived. I just thought I should come visit."

Realization dawned on Virendra Singh's face. "Was that why she was upset all morning?"

Now it was Abhimanyu's turn to look confused. "I am sorry uncle, but I didn't get your question?" he replied trying to find out what the king meant.

"Nandini was irritated all morning. She seemed upset so I figured she must be upset that she cannot go back to the US. Now I understand the reason. She had wanted you to come yesterday but you arrived today . . . That is the reason, isn't it?"

Ah! Very nice. Abhimanyu acted sheepish as he answered the question. "I am afraid so. She had asked me to come yesterday but I was caught up with some work. I think she is angry about that. But now that I am here I will make amends. Can i see her?"

"Why of course. I will call her down," said Virendra Singh. Looking at the butler standing nearby he instructed him to call Vrushali. On hearing the name Abhimanyu's forehead creased but a second later it smoothed right out. While the butler was gone the men spoke on various business matters. In few minutes he returned alone.

"Your Highness, Vrushali madam is not available. Shall I personally give message to the princess?"

Before Virendra Singh could speak, Abhimanyu interrupted him. "If you don't mind uncle, I know she is not going to come down even if you ask her to. She is angry with me so please allow me to go and pacify her. It would be my . . . utmost . . . pleasure."

"Well . . . yes, I understand that Abhi," joked her father not understanding that Abhimanyu had meant it sarcastically. "Let me give you an advice. It is best not to antagonize women. She is on the first floor."

Abhimanyu bowed again a small smile of victory playing on his lips and strode up the stairs with determination. After he had passed, a shadow emerged from under the stair case and breathed in relief.

A few minutes earlier

"Ask Vrushali to come and meet me."

The butler bowed and went inside in search of Vrushali and found her near the library. Vrushali had followed the butler but stopped suddenly on hearing a male sound. Seeing her stop, the butler looked in confusion.

"What is it madam?" asked the butler.

"Shush! Wait," she hushed him and moving herself closer to the wall peeked slowly. Her heart almost stopped beating as she saw the man with the king. She immediately told the butler to inform the king that she was not available and threatened him with dire consequences if he did not consent. The poor man had done as ordered.

Vrushali thrust her hand into the pocket of her skirt and pulled out her phone.

"Yuvraj Abhimanyu has come."

The door to Nandini's room was slightly ajar. He pressed the surface of his palm on the door and slowly pushed it open. The bedroom was empty. He looked around and saw her standing on the balcony leaning on the railings sideways, staring at the Juhu beach. She was dressed in a T-shirt and sweatpants. Her feet were bare and her hair was left loose framing her lovely face. Once in a while the breeze from the sea blew tendrils of hair around her face teasing her.

Abhimanyu walked toward her slowly drinking in the features of her beautiful face. The wind blew again and this time he got a whiff of her favourite perfume – the same scent that used to drive him crazy. He thrust his hands into the pocket of his pants.

Nandini had been standing on the balcony for almost an hour. She turned to walk inside and stood stunned to see a man in her room. It took few seconds for her to realize that it was Abhimanyu. The full sleeved light blue shirt and beige pants with his messed up hair made him look delicious that she could . . .

Controlling her errant thoughts and berating herself for changing into a casual T-shirt, she questioned him more forcefully than she should. "What are you doing here?"

Abhimanyu ignored the tone. "What am I doing here? Why Nandini, I have come to see you. I heard from your father that you were pining away for me. So I have come to ease some of your pain. Aren't you happy?"

Nandini looked positively riled at his words. "You are harbouring a wrong notion. I have said no such things to my father. Now if you will please leave, I have to go out."

"Tch-tch, this isn't the way to speak to your would be husband now is it?"

Nandini scowled. "You said it, would be husband, you are not even my fiancé, so come back when that happens. Now leave!" she ordered authoritatively.

Abhimanyu walked forward. "You are hurting me now princess," he started his voice dripping with sarcasm. "I am so longing for you that I can't even spend a moment without seeing your face, no matter how ugly it might be." He smirked when he saw a fleeting emotion of pain on her face. He was satisfied but then why wasn't he feeling happy?

"Ugly?" she whispered more to herself than to him. He thought she was ugly? "Then why are you so hell bent on this arrangement to take place."

"Because I happen to be an obedient son. I will endure whatever comes my way and also this is the best way I can destroy you."

His words had the desired effect on Nandini. Her face turned red with anger. Abhimanyu however continued to rile her up. "I might not be your fiancé now, but remember that a piece of paper has tied your fate to me. That means that you are my property till I say otherwise. I own you."

Nandini realized that the person whom she had called some time back had delivered the message to him. She marched forward and stood five feet away from him. Pointing her index finger at him she spoke. "I am no body's property understand. You better drill that in your head. I don't belong to you. If that piece of paper would not have been there I would have been the first one to reject you. You don't deserve any sympathy from anyone. I felt bad that Padmini maa had passed away but now I feel that it was for the better. She would have been ashamed to see her what her beloved son had become," she vented out her chest heaving.

Abhimanyu stood looking at her in wild rage. He could ignore everything but how could he ignore what she said about his mother. He closed the distance in one step.

"What. Did. You. Say?" he asked through clenched teeth. Nandini tried backing away but strong arms held her to the spot. Nandini twisted her hands trying to escape but the grip only got stronger. "Say it again!" he ordered.

Keep your mouth shut for heavens sake! her head warned. Nandini gazed into the dark chocolate orbs which was now getting darker by the second. "You are hurting me!" she finally said.

Abhimanyu's grip tightened. "I will keep going till you say it."

Don't! Don't! Don't her head screamed. But her mouth had a will of its own.

The pain from her hands being pinned, the anger at him on calling her ugly made an unknown defiance sprout within her. "Fine! You want to hear it one more time okay then. I said that Padmini maa would have been ashamed to have a son like you. It is good that she is no more, she doesn't have to bear the pain."

In one swift motion his lips crashed onto hers. Nandini who was fighting against him all this time stopped all of a sudden. Something exploded within her chest which she couldn't make head or tale of. Her stomach felt as if it was invaded by tens and thousands of butterflies. He was punishing her that much she could make sense but she could not muster the strength to make it stop. The truth was she did not want him to stop.

Abhimanyu pulled her away abruptly and she swayed for a second before she could stand on her feet again. Unfortunately her feet refused to cooperate. Luckily there was a chair nearby and she caught it before she could fall down. Shame washed over her as she realized that's she had enjoyed his kiss. She lifted her eyes to look at him and found that he was calm as if nothing had happened.

"H- how dare you?" she bit out hoping to save her pride.

"This is a warning princess, to make it clear to you that you should never provoke me. It is also to drill into your head that you are my property. You belong to me to do as I please. Don't you ever forget that. I will see you tomorrow at 8am sharp at Taurus." On reaching the door he turned to her, "Don't read too much into the kiss and don't think it will happen again. No matter how much you enjoyed it I have standards to keep."

As soon as he left Nandini slumped on the chair angry with herself. She should have fought tooth and nail to salvage her pride but she stood there immobile reveling on the feeling of his lips on hers. She touched her lips and found that it was hurting and swollen. How on earth would she explain that to her father? Wait till next time, she told herself.

Do you expect there will be a next time? Her heart quietly questioned.