Chapter 35

Vikram opened his eyes then immediately squeezed them shut, mildly irritated with the sunlight streaming in from the large windows. He moaned rubbing his head and scrunching his nose in distaste at the funny smell. He tried to open his eyes again as slowly as possible and managed to keep it open at last. As his eyes adjusted to the bright light, he looked around the room thoroughly puzzled at the sight before him.

This wasn't his place!

He peeked a look outside the window. The sun was bright and strong unlike the weak one in London. His brows knit in confusion, Then was he not in London? The realization triggered a memory and last night's happenings floated to his consciousness.

I was returning after a call with Uday! There was a car . . .a hand? He vaguely remembered hearing the sound of a helicopter whirring and waves crashing against the rocks.

Was it a dream? or did it really happen.

He closed his eyes again straining to remember more but try as he might he could not recall more. Finally frustrated he gave it up altogether. A worm of fear and apprehension gnawed deep in his stomach. He threw away the duvet that covered his lower half and stood on his feet swaying for a moment. The funny smell still lingered around and he sniffed vigourously to find out where it was coming from. As he reached the corridor he thought there would be a guard outside the door but was surprised when he found no one. Vikram walked toward the flight of stairs in the middle of the corridor and started climbing down. When he reached the bottom stair a man appeared from one of the rooms and stood before him bowing slightly.

"Good morning sir"

Vikram stood straight with his head high, a stance he adopted since young when he found himself in imperious situations. He regarded the person standing before him slowly, taking in his pristine tail coat, the white gloved hand placed stiffly at his side and the almost arrogant tilt of his head.

"Who are you?" Vikram asked with more force than necessary.

"My name is Nicholas Gaines sir. I am the butler of the mansion. If you would come this way for your breakfast or would you rather have it sent it to the room," the man questioned.

Vikram knit his brow in surprise. How strange! he thought as he stared at the man. For one the man did not look dangerous. He had the airs of a butler as Vikram knew only too well. So he must be one. But then who was he serving?

"First tell me whose place is this?"

"I am extremely sorry sir but I am not at liberty to tell it to you. I have been given orders to take care of you and to cater to your every need," Gaines replied with a bow.

"I don't need anything from you or from whoever has kidnapped me" Vikram replied harshly.

"I beg your pardon sir, but you are not kidnapped," said Gaines appalled by the insinuation.

Vikram let out a short laugh. "Oh really! Well last time I checked this was not Kensington gardens." After a pause he added, "So where is this, somewhere in the countryside?"

"Well yes sir, you can call it countryside if you wish. However please don't worry, you are completely safe" said Gaines waving his hand.

Vikram sighed not knowing how to tackle the man in front of him. As a final resort he decided to use his usual dialogue in a bid to unsettle the man.

"Look Nicholas, you will be in huge trouble if you don't let me go. You don't know who I am or what I can do," he spoke in a deep threatening tone.

Nicholas however did not budge nor was there any change in his facial expression.

"I understand sir. But I have to follow the orders of my master. Please sir, if you will, I am not a common butler who works for any person. I have been serving my master's family for a long time and I am loyal to them. I know about you sir. You are the Prince of Jaypore. That is why I am here sir, because I don't work for commoners. My family has always worked for royals be it here or abroad."

If Vikram was surprised by the revelation he masked it quite carefully. So he knows I am a prince. Who can be behind all this?  The name SPS appeared in his minds eye. Vikram stopped thinking for a moment rattled at what the possibility could be. He knew pretty well that if he wanted to get out of here he should wait for the right time but before that he needed to know which place he was in.

"Alright," he said lifting his hands in mock defeat. "I wont ask anything else but at least tell me where I am. I think you can tell me that. Its not like I can escape."

"Why of course sir. You are in a private island off the coast of Scotland."

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Nandini barely slept even though she was dead tired. She was tossing and turning every five minutes recalling every single word that the woman had uttered. The fury inside her refused to abate and at one point she even thought of going back to Jaypore House. The idea was so tempting but she needed to wait till tomorrow to see if he would get rid of the trash that was currently occupying the next room. With a huff she finally got up and reached for her phone. There were notifications of several missed calls and messages. When she opened them she found that Uday had called her seven times. Vrushali had called twice. There were also four messages again from Uday. She checked the time. It was two forty five. She decided against giving him a call and proceeded to open the messages.

18: 30pm Hi sweetheart. I have called twice and you are not picking up. Are you still mad? Are you? Are you? I am in Mumbai just reached this morning. Well...you know me I was just....I'll explain when we meet...now pick up....

Uday was in Mumbai! Her spirits lifted a bit at that.

19: 45pm Pick up Nandini, don't be such a child. I am sorry for what I said! Now please be a good girl!

She smiled widely for the first time in the evening wondering what choice words Uday would say to her.

21: 15pm THIS IS NOT DONE.....I have said sorry what more do you want!

12:50am Hell Nandini where are you?

Nandini sighed. Now she had to go to Jaypore House no matter what. Uday would come to see her at JP and if he found out that she was not there and residing in such a place then he would definitely confront Abhi. Things would not end well for her and she couldn't risk her father coming to know about it. That would make Vikram bhai sa's situation worse. If Abhimanyu had a shred of good consciousness then he would . . . no . . . not really, she did not hope for anything from Abhimanyu.

Letting out a lungful of air she got up from the bed and stretched. The load of mess that her father put her into. She sighed recalling her uneventful days in the US and immediately was remined of Josh. She would have called for a respite, to laugh at his jokes and just be herself but even that avenue was shut. The bloke had to have feelings for her! Her thoughts were interrupted by an incessant buzzing from her phone. She quickly walked over to the table and took the phone and answered it.

"Do you have any idea what the time is?" she said in mild irritation

There was silence from the other end.

"Common courtesy is that you return a person's calls or messages. Do you know how worried I've been?" replied Uday from the other end.

Nandini sat on the bed rubbing her forehead lightly. Her head was feeling heavier than usual.

"I thought you would be fast asleep. Besides I didn't want to bother you with my "royal problems". I mean you have better work than running around for me right!" she replied sarcastically.

There was a deep sigh from the other side. "Yeah....about that! I am really sorry, I was.....upset about some things.....anyways.....leave all that. I called to tell you that I am coming to JH tomorrow and then we will go to the doctor.....if that is what you still want."

"That is what I want," said Nandini with determination. Although how she could escape from office was another thing. She could always ask for a day off, give an excuse of some health issue. Yeah right! As if he cares!

"Okay then, see you at 10," said Uday and hung up.

Nandini chewed on her lower lip wondering how she was going to manage all things tomorrow. She needed to be at JH before 10, needed to find an excuse to tell Abhimanyu and had to buckle herself up to meet the doctor and more importantly though she sounded ready on the phone she was unsure of how things would turn out for her.

Nandini barely slept for an hour or so and she woke up before Geeta could, dressed herself while trying to come up with all possible ways to reach JH without raising any suspicion. The ache in her head was slowly increasing. She could not handle the migraine now in addition to all the problems she thought. She fished in her bag for her medicine and reached for the bottle of water. Finding it empty she headed out of the room praying fervently for the hall to be empty so that she did not have to see the woman's face. Her prayers were answered and she let out a thankful breath heading straight for the kitchen. After filling the bottle, she took a swig allowing the cold water to stay in her mouth for a moment before swallowing. She was about to take the medicine when a voice sounded from behind her.

"You are so shameless." Nandini closed her eyes and willed herself not to react. The throb in her head increased a notch. "You are after him like a disease. Why don't you go back to where you have come from!"

Nandini clenched her teeth and closed her eyes counting on her fingers to calm herself. Then she took another swig, closed the bottle and turned to leave.

Roopa saw that her spiteful words were not going to elicit a reaction from Nandini and that irked her. She moved quickly and blocked the path willing Nandini to look at her face.

"Running away because I came to know what you really are? Abhi does not like you, he hates you. He has told me that many times. Just because you are a princess, you thought that he would marry you, well you are wrong. He just wants revenge, he wants to punish you," she goaded.

Nandini looked at Roopa her eyes blazing with cold fire. Her fist clenched crushing the forgotten tablet in her palm. "Move", that one word was enough for Roopa to take a step back but she was not ready to give up.

"I will not move, what will you do! You have no power here....Nandini......" Roopa spat out the words feeling quite bold. "You have no one to protect you here, no Keshav Satara or that lover of yours....what was his name again....ah yes Uday! No one is here. You are totally alone you......"

A loud sound reverberated throughout the room. Roopa for a second was confused as to why her head was spinning so fast and her left cheek tingling. She raised her hand and touched her cheek which felt hot to her slightly cold fingers. Slowly realization dawned on her that someone had slapped her. She shook her head from side to side, her heart was beating harder. A strange fear creeped up her spine. Roopa lifted her eyes and looked at Nandini whose stood still, ice cold. She could feel Nandini's icy rage drift toward her. Was that even possible, she thought her mind muddled with what had happened. She opened her mouth to speak but was cut short.

"Don't you dare take my name in your filthy mouth ever again." Nandini walked past a dazed Roopa. She felt as if her head was going to burst any moment. She was disgusted that she had to touch the filth and angry that the person responsible for all this mess was sleeping comfortably unaware of anything. She entered her room, reached for her bag and walked out again. Now she could take her own decision and no one can stop her. Absolutely no one.

A/N

Sorry...sorry.....sorry i know i was late and i am extremely sorry. Nandini Jakhmola....this chapter is dedicated to you for pushing me so much. I will keep writing regularly from now on. I know its a short chapter but just getting back to the story. please bear with me and will do better next time.