Chaya- Playing Pratima

"Why haven't you told your parents about it, Pri? They put in so much effort to find a suitable boy for you, and here you have found one for yourself and you didn't bother to tell them?" Nani was just dramatising the whole scene. I knew she or Pri's parents were not even looking forward to her marriage.

"I am sorry Nani. I feared you all will agree or not. The relation is still new and we have recently started to date. We are getting to know each other as a couple. Give us time. Please." I tried my best puppy face and I guess it worked.

"Alright, I will tell your parents and let's see what they have to say." Nani was about to call Pri's mother when granny stopped her.

"Rama, she just said they are still evaluating the bond they share. Give them time. Let's keep our granddaughter's little secret to ourselves." Granny spoke for the first time to save me.

"Asha, you will definitely suggest keeping things under wrap. That's what you are an expert at." Nani taunted granny and I could not decipher the underlined meaning. But, granny's pale expressions told me she was scared of something.

"I will tell your parents you like someone but 'who' I don't know? Fair enough?." Nani agreed to not reveal the name but she wanted to speak to Uday who had no clue.

ARGHHHH!
What do I do now? I was biting my nails and granny nodded her head in disappointment.

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Pratima- Playing Chaya

I was sitting in the car with my new father beside me. The ride was silent like before. When we reached our palace I wanted to go to my room and sleep. A lot had happened and I needed a clear head to process.

But, high tea was set up in my new parent's bedroom. The room was as big as our house in Mussoorie. It was the king and queen's room after all. It spoke of exclusivity and class. The chandelier, the bed, the carpet, the decor was exquisite.

My new parents and I sat around a small table on their balcony. The view of the garden and mountains ahead was a treat to the eyes.
My new father started telling us about how impressed he was with the prince's venture. Though he still thought the prince should have joined his father in his business and grow it manifold.

He also told us how the Prince seemed to be smitten by me. He was happy I will be joining the Prince from tomorrow and will be with him for a longer duration. That way I can keep him wrapped around my fingers. He requested my new mother to brief me about how I could do that.

He looked at me directly now and his eyes were deep and scary, like a hawk. "Chaya, I know you may not agree with whatever we are doing with you right now but in the long run, you will thank us. The royals of Kesarganj float in money. We have once broken their trust because of a rogue princess of our family and both families have paid a heavy price for that. We cannot, I repeat, WE CANNOT REPEAT the history. Your alliance is almost fixed with the Prince of Kesarganj and now if you do anything silly that causes defame to the family name, I swear I will pull the trigger right across your heart but after killing the one you love.
We have not touched him and he is living free as per your request but his life is in your hands and I know my daughter is very kind. She will not like her hands red with someone's blood."

My eyes could hold no longer and I wept. All this drama was scaring the shit out of me. I gathered courage and spoke, "Papa, I have agreed and I won't ditch you. But, the Prince is very cunning. He wants the amalgamation so badly because of the strategic position of our units therefore he wishes to marry me. He is not smitten by me. I doubt he even likes me. He is wicked. Please be careful. He does not trust..."
A sharp slap landed on my face making me fall off the chair. I could not breathe. No one had ever hit me. I have had numerous fights with my parents but never have they physically hurt me. Chaya's father was cruel.

"SHUT UP!" My new father shouted and slapped my new mother with his other hand. I was horrified by his actions.

"How stupid have you raised her? Can she not understand this is how marriages are done between royals? The Prince is honest. He has told you his intentions before marriage so that you don't get your hopes high. Your mother was married to me because her father was ailing and his last wish was to see his daughter married. In return, I got all his liquid assets worth billions. It wasn't a bad deal. Your mother was pretty, well-groomed, belonged to high society too.
The Prince is wise. He has evaluated his option quite well. You are a princess of one of the oldest and most flourished kingdoms. Our unit which he seeks to gain from, is struggling to survive. If he can make it profitable, it will be good for you two only. Chaya, you are the sole heir to this empire and the Prince of his. If you two combine, the world will be at your feet.
Am I clear?" My new father questioned. His eyes were blood-red with furry. I nodded in yes.

"In WORDS." He shouted and I shut my ears.

"Yes, your highness," I confirmed in a teary voice and he left smashing the teacup on the floor. I was a sobbing mess.

My new mother was also sitting there. I got up to comfort her. She must be feeling embarrassed and hurt with the slap. I touched her knee but she jerked my hand away and raged, "This is all because of you. See how angry you made your father."

"Mummy, he slapped you too? Why are you tolerating him? He cannot treat you this way. You can..." I tried to explain to her the options available but she looked at me with disappointment.

"Are you so duffer, Chaya? You know your father, don't you? This is not the first time he has raised his hand on us. If we give him a reason he will. I don't mind. He is my husband and he has the right to correct me if I am wrong. I raised an utterly stupid girl, I feel. He should kill me for this. He is kind enough to just slap me.
You know the royal deeds. LOVE is not what we marry for. We marry for status and profits. Once, two big fishes collaborate they become stronger and everyone bows their head in front of them. This is our life and it's perfect this way.
The royals who have dared to love, have suffered the wrath of the royal punishment, I am sure you don't want that."

I could not even process what this woman was saying. Was she living in the 21st century? She was more than fine with physical abuse and justified it?
God! Where have you sent me? I was stuck here with autocrats and tyrants, sadists and masochists.
This was not the life I desired.

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Chaya- Playing Pratima

"Call Uday. I want to speak to him." Nani demanded again.

"I don't have my phone," I told her.

She took out my phone and dialled Uday.
Damn you Pri!
She didn't even have password protection. Nani moved to a secluded area and I felt helpless.

"Pri, what is this new drama? Did you lie to me or her?" Granny questioned me looking disappointed.

I bit my lip and said, "She was being unreasonable. They want to marry me because I am of no "use" to them? An article that is no longer of use should be discarded? Is that what I am granny? I just made up the story that came to my mind. I am sorry. Please play along." I pleaded granny.

"Uday is coming," Nani shouted in glee.

My face lost its colour. I don't know how will Uday react. Will he agree? Why won't he? It's the best plan. He is gay and can coverup with me. He should thank me for my idea. I heaved a sigh of relief after I reexamined my plan.

Uday walked inside the house.

"Welcome, Uday." Nani greeted him with a hug making him confused with a sudden display of affection. "I am so happy you and Pri are dating." Nani's statement made Uday more confused.

Please don't say anything Uday.
God! Help me.

I prayed hard but Uday cleared her doubt, "Oh! No! no! Nani. Pri and I share the bond of brother-sister. I proposed to her to be my sister and not my girlfriend. Pri loves to prank. She must have joked with you."

"Oh! Is it? Pri, so naughty you are." Nani's happy remarks were not good news.
"Sorry to bother you, Uday. But I am so happy Pri has a brother now. Promise me you will take full responsibility for her wedding." Nani caressed Uday's head and the fool agreed.

Uday left after he received a phone call. I knew the trouble in my paradise has set its foot.

"Pri, pack your bags. You will stay at the motel this season until the customer of Airbnb arrives. You will help your parents and make yourself useful. Consider this your vacation. If you disagree, your granny dearest will pay a price she will not like. Before you call this blackmailing, I am sorry but your movie has flopped. Asha, you just lost in the game, again." Nani left with a smirk.

"Granny I..." I wanted to talk to granny but she showed me her hand to stop saying anything further.

"Pack your bags Pri. We don't have a choice." Granny cleared to me before retiring to her room.

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Pratima- Playing Chaya

I didn't go to have dinner with my parents and they didn't bother to ask why? I had lots to process. Chaya had not called me till now. I hoped she didn't do anything to offend Nani. I feared for granny. She was always lost whenever Nani was around. I called her up and she picked in one ring.
She was crying.
I was crying too.
We discussed the day's events, our lives and opinions at a stretch. Neither of us wanted to return to our lives.
Chaya preferred to stay at the motel with my parents rather than facing the Prince and supposed engagement.
I could bear the Prince but not my parents at the motel. Only once in my twenty years, I have stayed with them there and I swore to never do that again. It was the worst punishment.
Chaya has no clue what she is up for. She suggested me a few tricks to tackle the Prince and avoid her father's abuse.

"Pri, I am sorry my father hit you. He is a violent man. It's normal for my mother and me. No one can or will help you there. He is very stubborn and a cold-hearted primitive man. You cannot change him but save yourself by getting engaged to the Prince and helping in this amalgamation. Let's help each other. I will try to tame the money-minded swine here in Mussoorie and you can try to tame Aryabhoomi autocrats though I suggest just enjoy the stay. Good luck Pri."

"I don't know what's going to happen. But, this slap was the last slap your father gave to me and your mother. If he wishes to kill his daughter, he will first face the wrath of a taekwondo champion. Let's bring a metamorphic change to the lives around us."
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Dear Readers,
Chaya lied and her Nani punished her. What is granny hiding? What is the secret that has kept the big mouth granny quiet? Will they survive at the motel?

Pri is being physically hurt for two days in a row. Will the new day as an intern bring a change in her life? Will the royals bow to a commoner?
Find out!

Stay hooked!
Lots of love.