A pair of chocolate brown eyes held my heart.
The possessiveness in them made me feel like I am his treasured possession.

Pratima

"I will smash the Man calling "my girl" his." Uday pulled my other hand and I was startled.

'My girl'? Wasn't I Uday's sister?

I was the rope in a tug-of-war. Praneet was holding my hand tightly and so was Uday.

"Leave my hand, you are hurting me," I told the boys but they ignored me and were on a war with eyes. I have never seen Uday's this side. Was he actually in love with me?
"LEAVE ME!" I shouted this time and they left my hand. I rubbed my wrists where their finger marks were visible.

"Sorry, Pri." Uday apologised and Praneet just moved his hand in his hair in frustration and anger. I understand his actions and gestures.

Ragini requested softly, "Praneet. Just hear me out."

"What do you want me to hear, Ragini? What is this drama?" Praneet questioned in fury.

"Why are you shouting? We can talk civilly." Chaya suggested.

Uday rubbed my back and I smiled to tell him I am fine. "I told you to not TOUCH HER."

Uday removed his hand immediately because Praneet's eyes were spitting fire and I was feeling scared.

"Praneet, for the love of God. Calm down." Ragini made Praneet sit on a chair at the deserted tea stall and everyone settled down too.

I was standing because I didn't want to listen to the accusations. I knew we were at fault. Praneet got played bad. He had every right to be furious.

Chaya explained to him in detail about the switch. How we first met accidentally. Her reason for running away from her parents.

"I ran away but was scared of my father. Pri was God-sent. If she was in the palace no one will know I was missing and I will get a chance to live my life the way I want to, before my father traded me for marriage. Like, he just did. You think it's correct Praneet?" Chaya asked Praneet for his opinion?

Ragini tried to put forward a picture that was not given a thought of. She asked Praneet, "What if something like this happened with me? I was married to someone I don't know, or I don't like. Then in place of engagement, I am married. Is it even moral?"

"All this is a child's play for you? Swapping your life with a girl you barely know? What if she did something to your parents? What if she took your property or steal stuff? After all she is just an opportunist. Who will miss the chance being a princess in exchange for a commoner's life?" Praneet's words killed me. I walked away from there as I could hear no longer.
That was what he thought of me? For a moment, I thought he loved me.

**********************************************************************************************************************
Chaya

"Mind your language, Prince. We may not have money and power like you but we have a heart." Uday banged his hand on the table and ran to console Pri.

She must have felt shattered with Praneet's words.

Ragini was shocked with her brother's comments and questioned Praneet, "When did this become your mindset? As far as I remember you never liked the royal status we have. You always wanted to marry a commoner. Pri is..."

"A machinator. I thought and wanted what you said until that girl standing there changed my view. Dada Saab was right. Commoners are self-seekers and gold diggers." Praneet was bitter.

I couldn't hear anything against Pratima and defended her telling him in a firm tone, "Pri is nothing like that. She declined the switch for her granny. I had to use my immaculate convincing tactics to make her agree."

"Oh! I know that. She loves the chase game. Acting all pricy and tough to please. Trust me she is a brilliant actress. She could dupe all the intelligent royals and 'you' are just a bimbo." Praneet was rude. How could he say that?

"Praneet not a word against Chaya." Ragini warned him strictly.

Oh! I love my girl.

Praneet accused me again, "It's because of your friend we are into this mess."

Not wrong though. This switch was my idea.

"She is not my friend. She is my girlfriend Praneet." Ragini clarified to Praneet raising an eyebrow to draw his attention.

"Yeah... Whatever. I know you are blinded by friendship. But, now enough of all this. Pack your bags and you two are coming back with me. Chaya will have to pretend to be my wife till I trap Dada Saab." Praneet's plan will flop our plans.

"Praneet, you didn't hear me properly or ignored my words? Chaya is my girlfriend and I LOVE HER." Ragini took me in a soul-searing kiss and I kissed her with equal fervour.

She just made us public. I was happily scared.

"Ragini... What is... You have never... I can't believe...?" Praneet could not even frame his question. Shock was written all over his face.

Touching Praneet's hand to show him what she was going to say is true, Ragini narrated to him a love story that was my favourite.
"When I was fourteen and hit puberty, I realised, I was different. I found my female teachers attractive. I wanted to touch them. You know we never had parents to discuss such matters. You were also abroad 'busy' with your life. For three years you didn't come home and I was too scared and shy to tell you that I was not "normal". Yes, that is what the counsellor at school told me when I discussed the issue with her.
When I saw Chaya on her thirteenth Birthday, I experienced a jolt of attraction. When I gave her the present, I rubbed my hand with hers to understand this feeling.
The goosebumps on my skin were a sign for me. I was a LESBIAN. I cried for hours that night. No one was there to console me or explain to me it was normal. It was okay to like someone of the same sex and is not unnatural.
Chaya was two years younger than me but I wanted to be close to her. I didn't know about her preferences but on her sixteenth birthday, I saw her watching other girls intently.
The way she looked at me, I was certain she felt the same way I felt towards her.
It took a lot of courage for me to open up but I was in love with her so I had to take my chance. I confessed I was attracted to her. She hesitated initially but after a few months, she met me at a cafe and explained her situation. She was scared and confused just like I was."

Ragini's revelation took me back to our initial days of love. I kissed her cheek and she blushed while Praneet looked at us in amusement.I like his expression though.

"Ragini, you know what you are saying is not possible." Praneet may have studied abroad and maybe a modern guy but his thoughts seemed ancient.

Ragini exhaled a deep breath and told Praneet, "We knew that and therefore decided to move separate ways whenever we get married. When I came to know she was being considered for you I was broken. We both didn't know what to do. You know I did try to persuade you to refuse Chaya but then Dada Saab's obsession with the runaway princess from Chaya's family might have put her in danger.
So, I convinced Chaya to say yes to this alliance and I requested you to protect my friend.
Praneet you are the best brother any girl could ask for, you agreed without any questions. I can see you have played your part well. Pri is safe and Chaya is too."

Praneet and I took Ragini's hands in our as she was getting emotional and if Praneet was wise he would know I would always be with Ragini.

Praneet was concerned and raised valid points, "Ragini, you could have told me everything and I would have worked all this out in a better way. Her running away, you lying and coming to her could be dangerous. How can you trust these people?"

"Praneet these people are the sweetest people we have met. Trust me you will fall in love with them." I pitched for Pri's family.

"Love? huh!" Praneet mumbled under his breath. "I don't know what black magic these commoners have done on you but you are coming with me. We will look for a solution. I will help you come out of this situation." Praneet was adamant about his decision and I feared we will have to end everything.

I got up from the bench we were sitting and declared bravely, "I am sorry Praneet. We don't know what the future holds for us and these days we are getting as bonus because Pri is there covering up, we will not forgo for anything. Pri's parents have just opened a hotel and we will run it together. Even if it is for a few days we will fulfil our dream of doing something of our own. So, we will not come with you." Our decision was irrevocable and he needed to accept it.

"I am not taking that imposter with me. She is... She is..." Praneet didn't complete his sentence and was looking at something.

We turned to see Uday and Pri were drinking tea and smiling. Ragini and I had naughty grin on our faces understanding that something was else other than tea was brewing too.

When Praneet was observing Pratima from where we were sitting, I tried to show him a picture he missed seeing, "She is not a cheat. If anything, that poor girl has sacrificed the most in this switch. My father has abused her physically. My mother emotionally. Your grandfather has threatened her and you have not been very kind to her either. She is struggling but is still staying there for us."

Praneet refused to accept the truth, and argued, "She just wants money. Some people can do anything for money. She is next level greedy."

"Praneet, she is not greedy. Whether you like it or not she is your only option. Chaya and I are not coming back. So, deal with it. You are married to Chaya and if you return without her, face the wrath of the royals." I loved this tough version of Ragini. She was certainly getting a big treat from me tonight.

"Ragini, I am not risking your safety. That motel is so cheap. I give you my word I will help you." Praneet as a brother was not wrong.

Ragini had tears in her eyes, as she mentioned, "Your word? I thought as siblings it is an underwritten commitment that you will help each other. I understand your concern but please Praneet give me a few days from my life to live them as I desire. For all the rakhis I have tied to you and I will tie to you, this is all I ask."

Praneet exhaled heavily and said, "Fine. Call that girl."

"We are going to her. You said some really bad and mean words to her." I got up and he followed me.

"Pri," I called out and she looked in our direction. I was happy to see her smiling. Uday could brighten anyone's life.

"Pri, we are sorry for all this. Praneet has promised to help us. Just continue this switch for a few more days as we decided and soon we shall resume our old lives." I assured Pri.

"And, Pri, Praneet will be civil with you. He will behave. Right, Praneet?" Ragini asked for confirmation and Praneet just ignored the question so she asked again.

"Fine. But just don't interfere in my life. We will be strangers and this drama of husband and wife shall be only for the outside world." Praneet shared his amazing plan. Idiot.

Pratima scoffed and said, "Ragini, I don't care about his comments and statements. What he thinks and what he does only exhibits his character, which is vile. I agreed to the switch to live the life of a princess and what I encountered was not supposed to happen. But, now that this switch has made me a wife of a royal buffoon, I shall play my part well.
Every person deserves happiness and before the royal eagles are caged and their dreams are killed, live your life to the max." Pri hugged me and I reciprocated her hug. We had developed an emotional connection.

"Umm... Pri, I think you know the royal buffoon and his sister are damn possessive. So, leave my girlfriend." Ragini's remark changed the mood and we laughed.

I wrapped my arms around her and declared, "I am ready to pay the price of making you jealous." I kissed her fair and straight delving into the moment.

**********************************************************************************************************************
Pratima

I have never seen someone kiss. The first live kiss I witnessed was of two girls. I am certain my life was written on a day God was feeling funny.

"Pri, I know you will tackle all the problems but you have an army of your own, just a call away. We may not be possessive fools but our love knows no boundaries." Uday affirmed and kissed my forehead.

From my peripheral vision, I could see Praneet grinding his teeth. It wasn't jealousy because there was no love.

Granny called on Chaya's phone and I asked her to talk on speaker mode. It had been days since I heard her voice.

"Where are you, idiots?"

Oh! How I missed her cursing.

"Just coming in twenty Granny. Uday had a place to show us." Chaya blamed Uday and he air punched her.

"That moron is with you? Good! Come fast." Granny was just amazing. She liked the fact her granddaughter was with a moron.

I giggled after Chaya kept the phone. Granny was a living legend and I was dying to be in her arms.

"Who was this lady? Can I see her picture?" Praneet's question made us confused.
_______________________________________________________________________________________

Dear Readers
A deserted tea stall knows stories of the royals and commoners. Praneet is possessive about Pratima but is blaming her.
Ragini and Chaya are firm in their decision.
Why does Praneet want to see granny's picture?

Find out!

Stay hooked!
Lots of love.