Pratima - Playing Chaya

I did not like the Prince a bit but I wanted all of him for myself. We haven't ever had a decent conversation then what made me want him? My bizarre thoughts consumed my attention and I wasn't sure what I was looking at. An enticing aroma hit my nostrils and I realised the Prince had returned from the dance floor and was sitting beside me.

"Woahh! Those were some moves guys. You haven't lost the zing. But something more interesting than your dance was princess Chaya observing you intently." Jorah commented and I felt so conscious. I played with my hair such that it hid my reddened cheeks.

"Is it Jorah? Then let me take "my princess" for a dance." The prince was about to pull me for a dance but drinks arrived and saved me.

My heart was beating fast. I could bet it was over 120 beats per minute. The thought of dancing with Prince was fine but him calling me my princess? I wanted to run away but I was officially dead.

The group of friends raised a toast to friendship. I didn't drink. I never had thought I always wanted to try because the drunk scenes from movies always fascinated me. I was on my periods and drinking was not advisable besides, I was already under heavy medication which resulted in massive flow making me so uncomfortable.

Silvya asked me, "Don't you drink?"

"Not really. I am good. Someone should be sane. You all carry on." I politely declined because I couldn't give them the real reason.

The Prince gestured a waiter and he got a fancily decorated drink for me. It looked good. I took a sip and coughed because it tasted bad. The Prince patted my back. Darn it! His touch. It stopped my coughing immediately.

"Looks like you are not into any kind of drinks. Eat something."

Eat?

"I am not hungry. I had my lunch late today." I taunted the Prince but it was only audible to us. I didn't want our disagreements to come out in public.

Prince and his friends were having fun chats but I felt left out. The places they were talking about I had never even heard. I was just observing the club. People were dancing, some were singing. Some were making out.
Fuck! The adrenaline rush.

"Princess, what do you do? Dance or sing or something else." The duke tried to engage me in the conversation. The boy who was supposed to keep me busy was himself busy.

"I...I... Prefer to watch." I could sing well but I never did it publically. Granny and I enjoyed singing 'Punjabi' songs after she drank. My grandfather was a Punjabi and granny learnt the language for him. She sang beautifully and taught me sometimes.

"Oh! That is so not fun. Pre will show you how to own the stage." Claudia went to the centre stage and the Prince ran after her. They had a discussion and Prince tried to take the mic from her but Claudia announced... "Please put your hands together for Prince Praneet. He will bless us with his melodious voice."

So, he could sing too? My eyes were glued to him. I wanted to hear him sing. What will he sing? Will it be a romantic number? I wanted him to sing something romantic.

The crowd cheered. "Alright, this one is for this stupid, crazy girl." The prince dedicated to a crazy and stupid girl which was me? I was thrilled with the thought.

"Claudia, the girl who keeps me sane." The prince did not mention 'me'.
Why will he? Why should he? But I felt so bitter.

"So no one told you life was gonna be this way
Your job's a joke, you're broke
Your love life's DOA
It's like you're always stuck in second gear
When it hasn't been your day, your week, your month
Or even your year, but
I'll be there for you
(When the rain starts to pour)
I'll be there for you
(Like I've been there before)
I'll be there for you
('Cause you're there for me too)
You're still in bed at ten
And work began at eight
You've burned your breakfast
So far, things are going great
Your mother warned you there'd be days like these
But she didn't tell you when the world has brought
You down to your knees that
I'll be there for you
(When the rain starts to pour)
I'll be there for you
(Like I've been there before)
I'll be there for you
('Cause you're there for me too)

There was my Chandler Bling but I was not his Monica. A small tear at the bay of my eye was stopped before it could come out. Maybe all the arrogance and rudeness was for me because from where I could see Prince was a fun guy. All his guests joined him on stage, I was left alone with empty glasses, plates and seats. When I was busy pitting myself Silvya pulled me on the stage.
She made me stand next to the Prince and I just clapped to their celebration.

"Sing"
"sing"
"sing"
They gave me the mic and begged me to sing. I could see they were a little drunk and I was about to decline their request when the Prince whispered, "Don't worry. You don't have to sing if you can't. Let's not make it embarrassing for us."

At that moment, I decided, I will.

"Don't worry. No one will understand what I sing." I whispered back to the Prince and went on the stage. I requested the DJ to strum a soft beat on the guitar.

"तेनु कोई पहन्दा न फरक सोह्णेया
रोज़ मेरे किन्ने टुटदे आ खाब वे (My dear, You don't seem to bother how many of my dreams break every day).

दस्सां की मैं बीतदी आ मेरे दिल ते
तू झट दिने दे दिना ऐ जवाब वे (How shall I explain to you how I feel when you say 'no' to me).

तेनु चौन वाले किन्ने
पता नहीं मेरे जिन्ने (There are many who admire you).

हैप्पी रायकोटी तां ही डरे दिल (Oh! Poet! That is why my heart is scared).

एन्ना 'क ता सोह्णेया प्यार वि नि करदा (My dear, You aren't that good at loving me but you are good at breaking my heart and hurting
जिन्ना मेरा तोड़ दा ऐ दील वे me).
जिन्ना मेरा तोड़ दा ऐ दिल.."

I stopped singing and stepped down from the stage. I knew no one would understand. I didn't want anyone to understand.

"Usanū mērē kōla ā'uṇa di'ō, Sohnea," (Leave him, come to me, dear) A boy shouted from the audience and his group laughed.

Before I could reply to him, the Prince came, intertwined our hands and pulled me to the stage for dancing. He was twirling me, pulling me, swaying me as he wanted. I was astonished by this unexpected dance. His hands were touching my bare shoulders, my waist but most importantly, my soul. I was lost in the moment and his intense gaze. Until I felt a little wet near my thighs. It wasn't out of any sexual desire but out of the blood flow that became rapid with movements.

"Leave me," I told the Prince who kept twirling me.
"Leave me," I repeated as I was feeling very uncomfortable.
"Leave me, please." I requested him this time. I doubted the sanitary pad could hold any longer.

"Not leaving you, now or ever. This is my way of showing that you..." Prince was unable to complete his sentence because I whisper shouted, "LEAVE ME NOW, PRANEET."

He left me immediately and I ran to the restroom and I cried over my situation. A minute late and I was sure my dress would have got spoilt.

In India, periods was a topic we were still not vocal about or accepted that it were natural. It's taboo. I changed the napkin and cleaned my self. I wanted to wash my face but it was caked up with makeup.

I did a little touch up with whatever was in my purse and the moment I came out of the restroom, Prince pulled me to an isolated corner.

Why does he keep pulling me? Can't he be gentle? How delicately he holds other females.

"Explain. Explain NOW. What makes you behave like you just did. What were we doing? Just dancing right? Why did you run like that? Am I a monster? Does my touch burn you? You realise it was so awkward? What explanation do I give my friends about my supposed fiancee running away from me like that?" Prince grabbed my forearm and continued his question session, "were you not requested to behave like a perfect host? I did not even expect that from you but the least you could do is stay quiet like you always do. You disappoint me, Chaya."
He left my arm and jerked me a little.

I was crying because no one had ever shouted on me like that. First Chaya's father now the Prince. I sat on a chair and covered my face. I did not want to answer his questions or justify my actions. I wanted to hide in my granny's embrace and cry. I missed her.

"Perfect. Why do girls always resort to crying? Just cry so no one can tell you anything. Stop crying now it's bothering me." Prince was such a feeling less human? Was he even human? Royal chauvinist jerk.

Why should I do, what he wants me to do? I can't stop these tears he gave me.

"Garima, please arrange a pickup for me. Prince will party a little longer but I want to come back. Send as soon as possible." I called Garima and requested a ride back. I was not staying here a moment more.

"What is your problem, Chaya?" The Prince shouted at me.

ENOUGH!
I wiped my tears and shouted back, "YOU! you are my problem. Since day one you have made my life hell. I was living in comfort and was almost happy but since you made an appearance, I have never had a good day."

I again wiped the tears which were brimming and continued, "Have you ever, like ever bothered to ask what I want?  You say 'yes' to our alliance, on what grounds? The car ride was such a stupid misunderstanding.
Then a date suggested by my father, your behaviour was highly inappropriate. You kissed me without my permission. Jerk."

I wanted to use more cuss words but preferred to finish my dialogue before my car arrived or the Prince turned hostile.
I took a deep breath and asked him , "Why did you ask me to join your office? You came with a non-existent post. Just to keep a watch on me? Oh! How can I forget you're the biggest deceit at the parking lot. I almost fell for your promise but you made me feel like an article up for sale. Is that what I am? Just a trade between my father and my future husband?" I took another deep breath and looked at Prince who was standing there quietly.
Was it the silence before the storm?
Even if it was, I will fight the storm.

"I understand my presentation might not have been good but you could be a little less harsh. But, you know that didn't affect me because I didn't expect anything less from you. You are inconsiderate... um mm... inconsiderate moron.
I never thought you will starve me to punish me. The entire afternoon I was waiting for your call. The canteen was too far to walk on foot for me, today. You know why?" I whimpered a little but I was venting out but feeling better.

"It was my first day of periods and I was in so much pain. I requested for a leave but you declined even before hearing me out. I took medicine and came to the office only to be starved by my arrogant boss.
You planned a party and again forgot to ask me if I wanted to come. Oh! Sorry. I should remember traded articles are used as per the choice of its owner. They don't decide their usage. I was given such strong medicines that subsided my pain but you have no idea how rapid my flow became.
I left the dance floor because a minute's delay would have made me a laughing stock in front of so many people. All you saw was that I ran away."

My phone rang and I replied, "coming in five."
I took my purse and headed to the gate but advised the Prince, "Think beyond yourself Pervert Prince Praneet. Goodbye."
"By the way, which is the poem you still remember?" I asked him and he looked confused. "Answer quickly."

"Twinkle Twinkle little star." He replied looking scared.

"That is a nursery rhyme."

_____________________________________________________________________________________
Dear Readers
The song sung by Praneet is the title song from the television series FRIENDS.
The song sung by Pratima is a song by Miss Pooja from the album Sohena. The translation of which (not literal) is written in brackets.
Punjabi : language spoken by people of Punjab ( India). People of the state are also addressed as Punjabi.

Pratima has lashed out Praneet for all those incidents where she thought he misbehaved or was unreasonable.

Missing Chaya?
She is dressing up and preparing herself for royal revenge. Give her time.
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Lots of love