Mishti :)

It's evening time, papa and the king haven't returned from work. It's mumma's birthday today and I had no idea if papa remembered it or not.. I don't usually call him if he's on duty, I had just sent him a message.. After getting ready, I locked my house and made my way towards the main gate. As I was passing by the palace, I saw Prince's parents were having a huge argument...

"He is not taking anything seriously.. We should have never shifted to New York.. You have spoiled him completely! " Ishani mam stated, she's fuming in anger, but I could see the concern behind her red eyes. Prince hasn't returned home yet, so she's getting anxious and angry..

"I always wanted to keep him in an environment where he will live a simple life like everyone and take his own responsibility! " His father Yuvaan sir said in defense..

"Which type of responsibility are you talking about? He is not listening to anyone nor following any rules! "

"Just because he's not listening to you and the Priest's words, that doesn't mean he is irresponsible. I am still proud of the decision I had taken that day. He is the CEO of Rajvansh entrepreneurs and our company is one of the leading companies in whole New York and it's not a small thing for me. He respects everyone, yes at times he becomes childish, that doesn't make him irresponsible! " He said in anger and left.

She wiped her tears and sat down quietly. Her anxiety and fear of losing her son is freaking her out and nobody was there to understand her. I have never felt nor known a mother's love. And after seeing her getting worried for prince it made my heart weak. I stared at the sky, I felt like mumma was watching me from afar..

Why did you leave me? I don't even know how it feels when a mother hugs her child! Did I trouble you so much in your belly that you left me after I was born? I really miss you. We both do, but papa never mentions it just to look strong.

I realized I was shedding tears, I wiped it away and headed towards the main path. There's one kilometre distance to the main gate. There are a few battery cars that transport people from the palace to the exit gate, so I reached the gate quickly. The Shiv temple was ten kilometres away.. I booked a cab, after a few minutes the cab arrived and I left.

In this one year I have hardly come out of this jail, and every time I come with papa. But this time I was alone. I was feeling a little anxious, but I was sad so it overtook all those emotions. After reaching the temple, I did puja and sat on the stairs for one hour. I didn't realize how an hour left, I was just sitting there lifelessly and shedding tears unknowingly.

I was deeply craving for pure love because I was missing mumma. Papa will always be enough for me, but it always feels incomplete without mumma. No matter how much we both pretend, we always miss her and nothing excites both of us. After Vivaan entered my life, my life had become better, but it's just my delusion. God is cruel, still I come to visit him. I don't want him to take all my happiness, my papa from me..

The only reason I am alive till now is my papa.

I stood up with a heavy heart, people always feel lighter after visiting temples, but it never happened in my case. I feel the same everywhere. Maybe I victimize myself a little too much..

I went to the main road to get the signal to book a cab. My heart came to my throat when a bike stopped just in front of me.. I stepped back quickly, "Relaxx! " But the familiar voice brought me back to normal. It's Prince, I sighed. "I am going back, come with me! " He said, he was not looking frustrated at all. I was feeling bad for his mom, she was worried and he was just so careless..

"How are you so calm after all this? Have you seen your mother? " I said, "That's why I am going home. Otherwise I would haven't! " He replied, I should not involve myself in his family drama. So I didn't discuss further and looked at the traffic. " I don't have a helmet, you go! " I said, he still gestured for me to sit.. "I will take another route! " I agreed to him because it's already dark here and trusting a cab driver over Prince would be the stupidest move.. I sat over his bike by keeping my both feet at one side. He was staring at me in the front mirror..

"Done? " He asked me, I just nodded because he's already staring at me. So there's no need for me to utter anything.. I kept my palm on his shoulder, and his smile was so obvious after it, but I ignored it. Every time he's around I forget his bua's threat.. But I need to stay alert. "Don't take me to the palace ! " I said, "You want me to take you somewhere else? " He asked me  playfully.. I rolled my eyes and shrugged off casually..

"I meant to drop me at least a hundred meters away from the main gate, I don't want any of your family members to see us together... " I said, he sighed at my words. He always sighs whenever I mention these rules. Only if he had an idea about how cruel his bua is. "By the way how did you trust me? I am not even taking the NH. I can take you anywhere if I want! " He said with a devilish smirk, I was least affected by his fake smirk.

"You have so much trust in me, Princess! " He stated and my heart didn't fail to skip a beat. Because he's not wrong, I trust him. I know he wouldn't harm me in any way, but I had no idea why I was trusting him. But it's my core personality, I trust people easily. I didn't break his bubble by saying it and remained quiet..

He applied the sudden break and I shifted towards him, my fingers clutched around his shoulder tightly. But he was so alarmed, that he wrapped his arm backward around me to protect me from falling. That's so protective of him and it melts my heart.. "Who are you all ? " He questioned, I looked ahead. Five people were standing there in front of us, I realized we were in the middle of the forest..

"Your well wishers! " One of them uttered and took the bike key. We both got off the bike, I was standing behind him. They were looking like thieves... They initiated the fight by attacking Prince, he was strong enough to fight with them still I dialled papa's number. It's unreachable.. I then tried to call the king, but it's unreachable too.. I had no one's number except them.

One of them attacked me while I was trying to make a call, I somehow fell and he broke my phone. A knife was there, before he could attack me I stood up and stabbed the knife into his chest.. The rest four were rolling on the ground and this man was bleeding heavily. I palmed my face and took a step back.. Five of them ran into the forest..

"Are you okay? " Prince cupped my face, I was traumatized because I just stabbed a man into his chest and it could kill him.. I nodded, the thieves have torn his white shirt.. "They took the key I guess! " I whispered, he frowned.. "Damn it! " He kicked his foot in frustration and turned around.. The ground beneath me slipped when we saw more people in front of us. It's like twenty more.. I gasped, they were tall and muscular, this time we both took a step back..

I felt something in my hand , as I looked down I saw Prince giving me his phone.. "Password isha1203 , " he whispered and gestured for me to take a step back.. I stood behind the bike and opened his phone.. He had set the password on his mom's name also in his wallpaper it's a picture of his mom and him. So adorable. In such a serious matter, I was noticing all this ? I questioned myself!!

I quickly dialled Ryle, it's the top recent call. Ryle is his friend..

Hello? Hello?

Umm? Abir? How did you change the tone?

It's me mishti.. We are in danger.. We are here on the forest road 6 km away from the palace. A few goons have attacked us. Please come..

Send me your live location. We are reaching..

I quickly sent him the live location. Prince has gotten so many bruises and I couldn't stay there watching him fight with everyone. I held a bamboo stick and started beating a few of them.. "Mishti stay out of it! " He warned me, but I didn't listen and started heating them until one of them pushed me and I fell back.. I stood up quickly, "You are the one who stabbed my brother right? " He said in an aggressive tone, my eyes went a little wider before I took a step back..

"You should know how it feels! " He pulled out a knife from his pants, so I took another step back . The bamboo was falling far away from me , I gasped. I was scared to even run, because that's not a safe move. He would hit me anyway.. "This road belongs to us. Nobody, I repeat nobody can pass it without giving us all their money and jewellery! " He uttered, I took another step back.. "We.. We are new.. I am sorry, we didn't know, " I said in a trembling voice..

He was going to hit me with the knife, but Prince held it. Blood started flowing from his palm like a stream. "Oh God! " I tried to grab his hand, he pushed the goon away.. "I TOLD YOU TO STAY AWAY! " He screamed at the top of his voice, his red eyes were burning in anger , I gasped. As he turned towards the goon to hit him, that goon stabbed the knife into Prince's chest.

I froze.

After hearing the police siren noise they all left in their own way.. I held Prince from behind, but he fell down. My eyes were filled with tears, the knife was dug into his chest towards a little left. I was beyond scared, "oh my God... " all I could utter was, I put his head on my lap.. He was facing difficulties while breathing.. I took off his already torn shirt and dabbed it over his wound to stop the flow. But the knife was there, I could not able to take it out..

He shifted a little above and I wrapped my arm around his waist.. I was just shedding tears in panic, he placed his head on my chest and tried to breathe.. The guards haven't reached is yet. His white shirt turned red due to the blood flow.. He hissed in pain , I wasn't able to do anything to sooth his pain..

My hands were trembling , it got filled with blood.. "Prince... " I uttered in a broken tone, tears were rolling down my eyes... He held my hand and took a long breath, a small smile crept on his lips.. "Please keep your eyes open, breathe... The guards are coming....! " I whispered, the siren noise was coming from near..

"Abir.... " A male voice came from behind, I didn't see who it was.. I was surrounded by guards, they carried the Prince to the car.. He didn't leave my hand, so I went with him.. The car started, his friend was sitting in the passenger seat while we both were in the back seat. I was sitting towards the door while Prince was laying by keeping his head on my lap..

"How did it happen? " Ryle asked me , I was not in a state of mind to answer so I remained quiet.. We reached the nearest hospital, just when we reached Prince lost his senses. I freaked out, but didn't show it.. The people took him inside while I couldn't move
my seat.. It's just too sensitive for me..

What have I planned for the evening and what just happened completely blew my mind..

So many cars were passing by my side, guards, police, and the doctor's cars were lined up in the row. I could see the cars of his family too. But I didn't move out and sat silently. If he would not have come in between, the goon most probably stabbed me.. He risked his own life for a piece of shit like me.. If I would have been in his place, no one would have been concerned except papa. There would have been no hustle, nothing. Without me, papa would have gone to depression, but at least he would have stayed in peace without the burden..

Now as he risked his life for me, I was drowning in guilt.. "Hey you okay? " Ryle got inside the car, I looked at him and nodded.. He gave me the water bottle, I denied .. "I met him near the temple. He told me that he will drop me, as I didn't have any helmet so he took the forest route and the local thieves attacked us! He was fighting all alone, so when I tried to help him one of them attacked with a knife and he came in between us and got injured.. I was stupid of course.. " I explained, he listened to me carefully..

"You met him in the temple, he said to drop you at home and chose the forest route to avoid rush and the busy traffic! And please skip the whole matter how he came between you and the goon and took the knife while trying to save you.. " He changed and twisted the words, "But we went that way because I didn't have any helmets! " I corrected, he rolled his eyes. "It's not your fault nor his. But why do you want to deal with this family and police? What if they will start blaming you. Just say as I said and yes tell them that you denied for the ride, but he said because it's already night and it's not safe to choose a cab! " He said..

"This has actually happened! I denied his request at first.. "

"Good.. "

He looked at me from top to toe, "Are you okay? I mean did you get hurt? " He asked me, I said no.. He nodded his head positively and got out of the car.. Coming to my side he opened the door for me, I came out.. All the cops were staring at me, like it was me who stabbed him. Huh! "You are not understanding the depth of the situation.. When we reached you, there's no goons. So it's not impossible for them to think that you have probably done this! "

My eyes widened, I looked at him with shock and terror filled eyes. "Why would I do that? " I whispered, "I was the one who called you for help .. " I added, "Why are you being so serious? Relax!! " He said, like his threatening words were actually relaxing me.. Huh! We entered the hospital together and one of the cops stopped me.. "Wait, first we should take her to the doctor, what if she's injured or something ! " Ryle said..

I looked at myself, "I am okay! " I said, I didn't want to visit any doctor. But the glare I received from Ryle, I realized I shouldn't have said it. But the blunder already took place, and there's no going back. The lady cop took me to the room.. Prince used to be concerned for me and now in his absence it's his friend who was being concerned. Wow.

The cop was really sweet, I was expecting her to shoot me with questions the moment we entered the room. But she let me drink water and very calmly took all the details from me. Ryle scared me for no reason, and of course I took his advice and said whatever thing he has told me to.. She let me go outside, I was sitting outside the cabin.. All his family members were there, Ryle has told them everything, so nobody questioned me about anything.

The king and papa were out of town, but the news has reached them and they are on their way. His Bua was staring at me like she would eat me up, but everyone was there so she didn't blame me. As the doctor told them they all left to another floor where they can sit and can discuss the matter.. I didn't leave the floor, nobody asked me to either.. I was just boiling in anger.. He should not have offered me the ride in the first place, he should not have taken the jungle route and third he should not have come between me and the goon. I wouldn't have minded if it would have been me on the hospital bed instead of him..

His care and love towards me is becoming dangerous for both of us. Moreover the Priest told him to stay at home today, but he didn't listen to anyone..

After three hours he regained his consciousness.. Everyone in his family has left for home except his parents, but they were talking with the police, so they didn't come. Whatever I heard from the doctor, it made me feel relaxed.. His condition was not serious and he's out of danger.. I opened the door and entered inside, his eyes were already towards me.. He was breathing by the oxygen mask, so many pipes were injected into his body and a white bandage was applied around his toned chest..

As I went closer and stared at his face, I was quite amazed.. He was not scared, not in pain, not worried, but he was smiling a little. His hair has become messy, he was on the hospital bed, still managed to look good and no way I found him attractive even in such a condition.. "What was the need to save me? " I uttered, he let out a deep breath and removed the oxygen mask. "It's my responsibility to save you.. It's supposed to be me who should question you, what was the need to jump in between the fight while I was fighting against them? "

I rolled my eyes and shrugged off, "What were you expecting from me? Was it a cinema or anything that I would have enjoyed by watching ? You were all alone, so I thought to help you! "

"So romantic of you, Ms Agarwal! "

The way my heart skipped a beat and the way my cheeks got the deepest shade of crimson red, I doubt if he noticed it . The way he addressed me as Ms Agarwal and the change in his voice and the intensity of his tone totally captured my heart. But I ignored it..

"What would I have told everyone if something would have happened to you? " I said and crossed my hands over my chest.. "I know what you exactly want to ask, what would have happened to you if something would have happened to me.. I know you were scared and concerned for me! " Now his replies were annoying me, "Just to burst your delusion let me tell you, it's called basic empathy for what we feel for a person.. Humanity still exists and that's what I feel for you.. " Once again he rolled his eyes at me..

"Do you feel nothing for me? Nothing? " He asked me, it's funny that we were discussing a totally nonsense topic here after such an accident.. "Nothing.. I don't like you, I don't even dislike you. Like your existence doesn't affect me in any way, " I clarified, maybe it's a lie. But it's what I want, I don't want him to affect me in any way.. His lips twitched into a pout, trying to act cute huh?

One thing I love about us is the bond we share, sometimes it feels good. Even though I say a lot of hurtful things to him, he never gets angry nor sad.. He doesn't show his male ego around me.. But still there's a negative chance of me falling for him or thinking of getting married to him. It will always be a No..

Someone opened the door, I looked back. My eyes sparkled in happiness after seeing papa.. The king came inside, papa came and hugged me.. I could feel that he was deeply scared, his body language was enough for me to understand. The king started questioning Prince about his health.. His parents and other family members came inside.. Papa just hugged me, I pulled him to a side..

"Are you okay? " He asked me, "Prince saved me, don't worry! " I said, he stared at the Prince and then at me and again hugged me again.. "It's your mother's birthday, if something would have happened to you, I could have never forgiven myself, " he uttered, I smiled and broke our hug.. "Relax papa! I am not leaving you so soon, " I chuckled, but he was still worried.. I gestured for him to go and thank Prince.. Everyone has surrounded him and papa joined them..

The cabin was huge and there were so many sofas placed around it. So I sat in one of them and stared at his family. Everyone was so concerned, it brought tears into my eyes. I was not jealous of the love he was getting , but I was just sad that I never got such affection and family bond. Whenever I feel such things I feel guilty by thinking that I don't respect papa and his love enough. I should not crave for family love because papa has always loved me enough and more than enough. But still, it's there, the pain and craving for love and affection is there.

The doctor came inside and told them to give the patient a little space. Everyone took their respective places around the room. The doctor checked his condition and noted it down. " I will come back in fifteen minutes. It's a kind request, don't disturb him and don't let him speak anything. Normally we won't allow family members to stay inside, but of course we can't order you all, I hope you respect certain rules and regulations. The patient needs rest! " He said, it's more like a taunt.. I controlled the urge to laugh.

The doctor turned off the light, only a small light was on and it was falling on the prince.. Papa was sitting beside me, we both were talking to each other about the incident while everyone was sitting there silently . The door got opened quickly which startled everyone of us, it's Ryle.. He took an entry in a film style..

"Hey my buddy.... Uhh huuu! " He shouted, everyone was shocked to even react because of the way he entered like some circus was going on here.. "You should be thankful to me that I protected bhabi umm I mean Mishti in your absence. I gave her a proper narrative which she told in front of the cops and also made sure she felt comfortable.. " He uttered, my eyes widened. The room was huge, and as the doctor has turned off the light, we were not visible..

My heart came to my throat, my eyes were about to jump out of the sockets.. Papa stood up hurriedly..

"Ryle shut up-" Abir said, but he cut him off.. "You should shut up.. If you wanted to impress her, you should have given her a rose. Instead you took the knife into your chest ? Imagine if we would have arrived there late even after a minute, the goons would have harmed her as well.. You are a piece of fool.. " He was literally blabbering anything , prince was not able to speak because of the oxygen mask, but he was gesturing for him to stay silent. But the stupid guy was blabbering in the speed of light..

I palmed my face, I was not embarrassed, but I was just scared.. "Why are you staring at me like you saw any ghosts? " Ryle asked Prince, I wasn't even looking at them. I had closed my mind and manifested God to close my nose as well. The way the truth came out in front of everyone, it will bring more trouble to me now.

The king switched on the light, Ryle looked around and he was stunned. I sighed, he brushed his fingers over his eyes to check whether we were for real or not.. He looked at the Prince, he had no expression on his face.. "So how did you all like the show? The script? " He said in a cheerful voice after giving an awkward smile, I shook my head in disbelief.. "Never mind, I should leave! " He headed towards the door, but the King locked it..

"I should jump out of the window. But we are on the ninth floor, so I will land up here as a patient. But if I stay here Abir might make me a patient. So grandpa, please let me go! "

Poor boy! Actually poor boys and one poor girl. Me of course. How do I always land myself in problems? And why?

"What did you just say? " King asked him, he shook his head negatively and went to Abir. Papa was staring at me, half of the family members were staring at me. I was scared to even look up, that's not what I wanted, not in any nightmare.. "I am asking you! What did you just say? " The king repeated his question, his tone was low but rough. It gave me goosebumps. I gulped hard.

Ryle stared at Prince and in return he was just glaring at him.. My soul will leave my body if I stay here for even a minute.. "I wasn't saying any truth grandpa, I was just blabbering anything-"

"I like Mishti. It's what he said and it's the truth! " Prince confessed, I stood up. Everyone was shocked and stunned while I was looking like a scared puppy. I looked at the prince unbelievably. He was not supposed to confess it like this. "Are you out of your mind? " The king shouted, I got startled. Papa held my hand, I was literally trembling.

"What's happening here Ishani? " King looked at Prince 's mom who was speechless.. Speechless would be an underestimate , she was deeply in shock. It's their rule and nobody is allowed to break it, they can only marry a girl who belongs to another royal family. So the disappointment was real. "What are they talking about? Do you like Abir too? " Papa asked me in a low tone, I shook my head negatively.. "Are you saying it out of fear? I want to know the real answer! " He stated, I stared at him helplessly. It's a raw real and honest answer..

"We will talk later, " I whispered, he nodded.

"Is there any joke going on? What are you saying Abir? " His mother went near him, "Let him take some rest.. We will discuss it after he gets discharged! " Yuvaan sir announced and ordered everyone to leave the room.. Papa held my hand and took me out of the cabin, he didn't wait for anyone and just left the hospital. We both went to the garden area.

"What is all this? Why did not you tell me anything? " He was disappointed , but what was I supposed to tell me.. I was going to say about everything , but the King called him.. "Wait! " He left to talk with him.. I sighed and turned around only to find Prince's bua standing there in front of me.. I gulped.. This night felt longer than it should and I wanted it to end..

"MARRY ABIR! "

And the ground beneath me slipped. It's not a request, not a statement, but clearly an order, a command, more like a threat.

WHAT?????

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