Pratima - Playing Chaya

"Dude, rest assured, you are safe if I am with you." I cleared Praneet's misconception in my granny's words. Why do boys act like protectors?
He started to laugh hearing my words. What was so funny?

"You will protect me? The girl who trips on stones and faints? I suggest let's leave the role of bodyguard to me while you take charge of other things." Praneet teased me and I was about to counter him when the door flung open, again.

"Oh! Ho! Newlyweds can't keep their hand off each other? Uncleeeeee send them to a room, already." Praneet's cousin shouted and everyone gathered near the bathroom.

I shifted behind Praneet so that his tall frame will save me from the embarrassment.

"Praneet, what's this? You were having second thoughts about marriage and now you are in a bathroom? How Uncivilised." Praneet's mother scolded him/us?

"Mom, it's not how it looks. I could not find her anywhere then someone told me she went to the washroom so I came to check." Praneet told the truth but everyone started to laugh.

"Who checks for someone in a bathroom? What if she was in some compromising position?" Praneet's cousin remarked.

Stupid! Idiot!

"I check! She is very special and is prohibited to be away from my eyes for any duration longer than my heart approves," something is wrong with him? Has he just read some romance novel?

'Awwwww' was the obvious reaction.

"Very well then, take her to your room. Her change for the night and morning have been arranged. Still, if you require anything please tell me, Chaya. Where's she?" Praneet's mother called me.

I don't want to face them.
Praneet turned and I requested him to not move. Remain being my shield. He smirked and cradled me in his arms. I was startled by his move.

"Make way for my queen." Praneet tightened his grip and carried me through the stairs amidst hootings and whistles from his cousins.

I was uneasy?
No!
Every movement was making me happy.
His right hand was touching my shoulders and left was under my knees and both the places were numb. After all, they were the winners. First places to be touched by my love, with love. My eyes did not dare to look into his because his gaze was too intense.

He pushed open the door of his room and put me down. "Hush! You are heavy!"

I gave him a hard taekwondo punch and he fell on the ground. "What was that for?" He asked yelping in pain.

"For all the comments, for making me feel awkward and... for proving to you, that I can protect my self," I told him confidently and smirked.

"Why punch me in the stomach? You know my intestinal problem?" Praneet was unable to get up and looked in so much pain.

Fuck! What have I done?

I rushed and checked him. He seemed to be in a lot of pain and was holding his stomach tightly.

"I am so sorry. I didn't know. I was angry and... I am just so sorry. Can I get you a tablet? I will get you water first. I am so sorry." I looked for water and filled a glass from the pitcher. The moment I turned, Praneet was up on his feet, smiling.

He walked to me and held me from my shoulders. Looking straight into my eyes he confessed, "I am sorry. I was joking. I didn't know you will get so troubled. I don't have any intestinal problems. Though the punch and it's technique sure hurt."

Joke?
Fool!

I jerked away his hand and my eyes welled up. I let my tears flow as any kind of makeup was no longer required. "That is wrong. You are so mean. So much has happened today and you still have the heart to pull a prank like this on me? How insensitive. Go away." 

"Hey, Chaya, don't cry. I am sorry." Praneet tried to apologise but I was furious now.

"Do you realise what I am going through? My parents married me without my consent. I wasn't even ready and they shipped me to a new world without second thoughts. Your grandfather hates me so much that he threatens to harm me. Your cousins crack jokes which are not invited or appreciated. You give them all the more reasons. I could have walked to the room then why did you carry me? I was heavy, right? You should have put me down halfway. Then you prank me saying I hurt you." I was crying a little more now.
Between my sobs, I managed to say, "Ragini and you are the only ones who I can count on. You realise if you had been hurt what would I have done? I cursed myself for hitting you. But you know what, you deserve ten more punches." I shouted the last part trying to keep a watch on my emotions.

Praneet was listening to me with a surprised expression. I turned my face and sobbed a little more. It was my birthday and I was away from granny. First time. Then I was trapped into marriage and this boy I loved so much was playing pranks with me. I didn't want to cry but the tears just won't stop.

"Chaya, please stop crying. Your tears bother me." Praneet requested but it was out of control now. I couldn't help it.

"I can't. Once they start they just don't stop. Give me time or just go if you are uncomfortable." I was shouting in a hoarse voice, I know.

He waited for a few minutes then turned to me and warned, "Stop crying now else I will kiss you."
My whimpering stopped immediately and just tears fell without any sound. "God! Chaya. Stop torturing me."

Praneet wrapped his arms around me and rubbed my back. His touch was calming me and I stopped crying but we remained like that for a while.
I felt peace.
I felt Euphoria.
I don't know about consummate but Praneet's touch could make me feel euphoric. I was in love with him and wanted to be with him for my entire life.

"You should have asked me for a hug? What was the need to do all the drama?" Praneet's statement surely would have got him another punch but luckily I had a comeback.

I came out of the hug and taunted him, "You should have told me the hug was making you uncomfortable. I would have stepped out of it minutes before."

Praneet's face fell but I cared less. This wasn't a time for joking.
I figured the way to the bathroom and washed my face which was all caked up. I opened my hair and looked like a witch. So much of hairspray, pins and curls will damage my hair certainly. I washed them on the basin itself and patted them dry with a towel.

I came to the dressing room and the dresses kept for my night change were wedding night lingerie. What now? I couldn't wear those. What was the need? If I sleep in my undergarments they would cover more. I came out and saw that Praneet had changed his dress.

"I need a change. The ones provided are not decent. I hope... You know what I mean." I was in no mood for further arguments and jokes.

Praneet opened his cupboard and gave me a loose t-shirt and shorts. "Sorry, we will go shopping for you, first thing tomorrow."

I sniffed the clothes in case he gave me used clothes then quickly changed.

Uff!
I sighed in relief. The dress was so heavy. I opened the jewellery very carefully. It costed a fortune and if I lose it, I doubt I will be able to repay."

"Need help?" Praneet asked and I told him to untie the necklace as I could not. It was double locked and he struggled a bit before finally opening it. "How do you even manage to wear it?"

"Its fun. It makes you look pretty and you need to put efforts to look in a certain way." I answered him honestly. I didn't mind dressing up. I have never done it and somewhere liked it.

"Tch." Praneet chuckled. "Some people look best in a borrowed t-shirt and shorts with frizzy damp hair, no makeup and no accessories. Absolutely raw and tempting." Praneet was looking at me through the mirror and his dialogue caused waves of new emotions in the pit of my stomach. Something down was throbbing hard with his stare.

We broke the eye lock unwillingly but it was necessary.

Praneet looked tired, and suggested, "Chaya, I think we can sleep on the same bed without creating the movie drama. The bed is king size and if we sleep on opposite ends, we will have a good distance of two people between us. What do you think?"

Oh! Baby.
I liked the thought of calling him, baby.
I agreed because the bed was indeed huge.

"Prince, I am famished."

"Midnight Maggie?" He offered.

My eyes brightened, "With pleasure."

Praneet took me to a small kitchen in his suite.
The effin 'Royal Life'.
He took out a pan and added water.

Before he could make further, I told him, "Let me make mine. I don't like it overcooked."

"Me too. Eat, how I make mine then if you don't like it, you can make it next time." Praneet suggested and I agreed.

I was observing the small kitchen. It was more equipped than our Mussoorie kitchen. So stylish. I sat at the table waiting. I saw chocolate cookies and drooled over them.

"Can I eat cookies?" I asked out of courtesy and he nodded with an 'of course' expression.

I munched and moaned when the chocolate chip melted in my mouth. By the time I finished two cookies he got Maggie and I ate it. It was so satisfying. He made it perfect.

"Princess, stop moaning at every bite," Praneet ordered me.
I was confused why? Maybe it's against royal mannerisms. I tried hard to stifle all the moans after that.

I finished first and wanted to lick my bowl but that was strictly prohibited, I know. I quietly, waited for him to finish.

"Umm... Chaya, don't you lick the bowl for complete satisfaction?" Praneet asked me apprehensively.

I bit the inside of my cheeks then licked my one finger. He did the same. Then like crazy school kids we licked the bowl until not a drop was left. We washed our hands and faces and Praneet set the bed for us.
A huge bed with two comforters should not be a problem?.
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Chaya- Playing Pratima

I could not sleep the entire night. Ragini was coming tomorrow and I was super duper excited. We had broken the royal barriers, and thanks to Pri, we will live our life on our terms and conditions.

At about 10am a car stopped at the Motel and I ran to receive the guest. I hugged her tightly and she reciprocated with more intensity.

"God! I missed you." We both said at the same time and laughed.
I took her inside and introduced her to everyone.

"She is Ragini Upadhyay, my internet friend. She is studying hotel management and is here to help us. Her services will be free of cost because she is my good friend."

"Oh! That's wonderful. Welcome, Ragini." Nani was happy about the free services.

Strangely, Granny cross-questioned, "Welcome. Why do you look familiar to me? Where are you from?"

"I doubt that. I am from Delhi and have come here for the first time. Maybe you saw me on social media?" Ragini was an expert in coming up with excuses.

Everyone bought it and I took her to a room I reserved for her. Next to mine.

"No! I am not living here," Princess Ragini fussed but I knew she would agree eventually.

"It's not that bad. See the room and bed are cosy enough for the two people in love." I winked at her explaining to her the benefits of a small room. She had a wicked shine in her eyes with the mention of getting mushy with her 'love'.

She pulled me with her on the bed and we laughed. "I missed you." I admitted and hugged her tightly.

"As if, I didn't. This is our escape. Let's hope we find something soon against, Dada Saab." Ragini said with hope. "Praneet is working on it and now that he is married, I think he will work harder. Both of them told me they didn't want the alliance. Their work will pave way for us too."

"I doubt our love will ever be accepted, Ragini. You know it better." I knew only in an alternate universe could I unite with my love.

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Dear Readers
Praneet and Pratima have started their married life. How and what shape it will take only time will tell.
Ragini has united with Chaya and the girls are using this escape as their chance to live a life on their terms.
The question is, who is Chaya's love? Why can she only unite with them in another world?

Find out!

Stay hooked!
Lots of love.