Pain in love is pure and unadulterated.

Pratima

I felt agitated on Granny's mention and I warned Praneet, "That's my Granny. I dare you to say a word against her and you will choke on the breath you are breathing."

Granny was above all and before Praneet could reply Chaya intervened.

"Pri, one sec. I think Praneet knows something. I have a faint idea too. Let's just sit." Chaya had fine lines of tension on her forehead and I felt confused.

We sat on the chairs and Chaya showed Granny's pictures with me in the phone's gallery. Praneet got his laptop and searched for something.

"What's the name of your Granny?" Praneet asked me.

"Asha," I replied.

"Full name?"

"AshaKiran." I was tensed by his enquiry.

"What's your family history?" Praneet questioned with his eyes hooked to his laptop.

"I will tell you," Chaya revealed my granny's story, even I didn't know.

Her and grandfather's story linked to Nani. How she cheated granny and how granny's family might still be searching for her. They are very influential and powerful. I was shocked to hear so many stories and somewhere felt bad because Granny never told me any of it.

Praneet turned his laptop and what we saw shocked us. He used some technique and changed granny's current picture to her young self. He showed an old picture of a girl dressed in a princess kind of dress. The girl looked like my granny.

"Pri, your granny is the runaway princess of our family," Chaya said out loud what was seen on the screen. I was too numb to say or react to anything.

I was still not convinced and in a low voice I said,
"Chaya, it's not possible. All our life we have struggled for money and if granny was a princess..."

"She ran away!" Praneet commented sarcastically and said, "Do you understand that? She ditched the boy she was engaged to and married someone else. The royals are hot blooded. She obviously can't demand or claim any money."

He was so impolite even in a situation like this.

"She wasn't engaged. It was just a verbal agreement and she wasn't even asked." Ragini stood for my side and I felt better.

Chaya tapped the table to gain attention and said,
"Connect the dots Pri. Granny's story and the story of the runaway princess is almost similar. Besides, she asked Ragini yesterday about by her family and she also drew a similarity between her and some man she knew. Ragini confirmed to her, it was her grandfather. I think Praneet's theory is true. Granny is the princess who dared to runway with a commoner, leaving behind the luxuries and a royal."

Chaya decoded the mystery hidden under the hearts of the royals for years.

My granny's stature increased in my eyes, and I asserted with pride, "And I am glad my grandmother chose love above all."

"I have seen the plight in granny's eyes when she had to part with grandfather's ring. She gave me the courage to fight for my love and I will." Chaya affirmed with hope and Ragini held her hand in hers.

Praneet looked at their hands with an unreadable expression and shared a plan, "Now, listen to me carefully. Chaya and Ragini you will try to extract some information from the runaway princess about Dada Saab. I am sure she knows something that I am looking for. I think Dada Saab does not just want to avenge himself but the runaway princess knows something deep about him and he fears his secret might come out. All our problems will be solved if we can trap Dada Saab."

"Solve? You got married to Pri. How will you resolve that issue?" Uday questioned out of the blue but authoritatively.

Praneet shot him a glare and replied sharply, "That is none of your business. The wedding was a shock to all of us. But since I can see the close bond you share with my alleged wife I can assure you that I will divorce her the first thing after this drama is over." Praneet's declaration killed everything in me.

He wanted this to end ASAP. I closed my palms tightly to hide my emotions. Chaya and Ragini were looking at him in disbelief.
Why?

He was correct. He didn't want this forced relation and I was not sure. It was the best we parted our ways. Not everyone gets a happy ending they desire.

"Good. Because I want Pri to be free. You know she is missing her Chartered Accountancy final exams because of this." Uday disclosed the information I didn't want anyone to know.

"Uday... I told you not to say anything."

Praneet sniggered bitterly and spit venom, "She will be compensated for sacrificing her exams because she is busy acting as a princess."

Did Praneet just mention compensation?

"ENOUGH" I shouted. "Enough of your taunts and comments. I understand you feel deceived but I was cheated too. Chaya did not mention her real motive for running away. It was only today I came to know she is a homosexual. I am continuing this switch because I feel they deserve a little more time to love and be free. Your company suffocates me but I am choosing it for these girls. Their fight is tough and I am ready to be their soldier." I lashed out at the Royal jerk but he chuckled like it didn't affect him.

"Exactly why you deserve compensation. For all these compromises and sacrifices you listed." Praneet's statement was unacceptable but I kept my calm.

I folded my hands above my chest and with fury in my eyes, I told him, "Fine! Decide my remuneration."

"For a girl like you, a ten million should also be enough." Praneet just priced me? Wow!

"Absolutely." I agreed with no second thoughts killing my feelings.
*******************************************************************************************************************
Chaya

I slapped my forehead because these two were mad. Pri's anger was justified because Praneet was taunting her like an old aunt. He was hot-blooded and lost his cool because Pri not submitting to him.

Ragini came to our aid and scolded her brother, "Praneet please behave. You can't just rate her love."

Granny called up again and I didn't want her to worry so I suggested, "Ragini, just leave these two. Granny's calling again. We must go. Our task is to seek information from granny while you will continue with whatever you are doing."

"Pri, I got your back. If it wasn't for granny and these girls I would have never let you go with this obnoxious man here." Uday remarked making Praneet angrier.

"Then take your girlfriend with you. I will manage without her." Praneet scowled.

"GIRLFRIEND?" Uday and Pri said at the same time.

"Uh... Of course," Ragini confirmed and said, "That's the biggest sacrifice Pri is making. Staying away from her boyfriend, for her husband."
We didn't correct her because we knew what she was doing so we left the ROYAL COUPLE at the tea stall to deal with their issues.

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

Praneet sat in his car and we drove off. The entire meeting was too hard for me. Praneet's taunts, Uday and Chaya's sexuality, Granny being a princess.

I debated in my mind before asking Praneet I. A soft tone, "How much of your theory could be true?"

"You can claim a lot from the 'Dheeraj's' and never play pretend princess." Praneet was still bitter like the raw mangoes but not tasty like them.

I looked at him and he tightened his grip on the steering. The car was silent after that and soon we reached the Walnut Grove Resort and Spa.

Being a resident of Mussorie, I had never dared to enter the hotel because it was extremely expensive. Today I was living in it. It was gorgeous just like its pictures.

Misha had been here quite a few times and I feared if she by chance saw me what will I say to her.

"Stop dreaming and come." Praneet pulled me inside while I was busy admiring the hotel.

I didn't care what Praneet thinks. I was happy and I will not let him ruin it.

We entered a honeymoon suite which was huge. That will be my room for two days? Wow! Praneet tipped the waiter two thousand rupees? That was like my shopping budget on days my mother was generous. Such was the divide between us.

"I am going down for dinner you can order something from room service," Praneet ordered me.

I also wanted to go to the restaurant and told Praneet the same but he told me curtly to be on my own because he had "company".

I shrugged my shoulder changed my dress. An oversized hoodie and denim jeans. It will be cold at night and I wanted to hide.

"I think you should take a jacket. It will be cold outside." I thought to be helpful to the royal jerk and suggested him out of courtesy.

"The temperature is centrally controlled. I am sure you don't know." Praneet's remark was mean but I ignored him.

We went downstairs together then went separate ways. I wanted to see who was Praneet's company so, I sat at a table from where I could see him.

A very pretty girl greeted him and there went my heart thumping against my chest to come out. Why couldn't I ignore him? He was such an arrogant jerk but my heart was still inclined towards him.

My stomach grumbled so I decided to divert my attention and scanned the menu which was so highly priced.

What should I eat? Praneet was paying but I didn't want his money. I peeped inside my purse and I was happy that could manage for tonight's meal.

I ordered a pizza which was tasty. I was enjoying my company though my diagonally opposite table was disturbing me. Praneet was laughing and talking to the girl. I have seen him with his friends and he is undoubtedly a great friend.

I finished my pizza quickly and the waiter gave me the dessert menu. I declined politely and asked him for the bill. As much as desserts were my weakness, I knew how to curtail my desires.
A waiter brought a sizzling brownie with vanilla ice cream for me. It was teasing me to eat it but I did not order?

"Ma'am, it's with warm regards from the hotel." The waiter told me and went away.

"For people who want but can't afford the hotel makes charity." A woman on the adjoining table commented and smirked.

I felt so low. I got up without eating while fighting the tears in my eyes. I have never liked people make fun of my financial status and tonight, all I heard was that money was what mattered to me the most.
I was priced.
I was rated.
I quickly paid my bill even after the manager insisted he will add to the room. I know I couldn't afford meals here but there is somewhere I could.

I walked out of the hotel to a place that guaranteed the best desserts. It may lack on the five-star presentation but the taste was supreme.

I walked in the cold breeze which was so warm and homely. The walks I hated were giving me peace today. It's true that you realise the worth of something when it goes away.

I reached a small patisserie and ordered a chocolate truffle for myself. I clicked a few pictures of me with it before eating it. My husband was busy with someone and I was my company.
Just like Kangana in Queen alone on a honeymoon. I applauded my zing yo keep my spirits high.

I sat on a small bench overlooking the city and I was crying while eating. Pain and pleasure at the same time. I needed to vent out. I was a simple girl and life had thrown me in a royal ditch.

"Here you are. I have been looking for you everywhere. Why is your phone switched off?" I heard Praneet's voice and my insides churned.

He was looking for me? Why? I thought he mentioned we go separate ways. I wiped my tears quickly and pulled my hoodie on my face. I didn't want to give him the satisfaction that he could hurt me.

This is my city. Nothing can harm me here. I didn't get up and continued eating. Gulping actually. My tears were forcefully stopped.

Praneet exhaled a heavy breath and asked in an irritated tone, "Why are you so difficult? Couldn't you eat at the hotel?"

Praneet had this problem of caring too much and that made me melt and I didn't want to melt and right now I wanted to hit him.

Argghhhh! Why was I ranting in my mind?

"This one is any day better than the one at the hotel." I was still sitting eating my pastry and was sure Praneet could not see my face.

He held my forearm and forcefully turned me to face him. It was like a Déjà Vu. The first time we came face to face.
My hoodie slipped and he saw me with so many unreadable expressions.
I crushed over him again. Only this time he was my husband and we were in a deep stare game that was so exciting.

"Hey honey, you paid me well. Let's continue our date in your room now." The girl Praneet was having dinner was 'paid'?
He was paying me too. Did it make me what this girl was?
A Whore? A treacherous tear fell from my left eye.
PAIN!
Pure and innocent pain of first love. I removed his hand from my arm and left Praneet with the girl he "paid".

_______________________________________________________________________________________
Dear Readers
References:
Kangana: an Indian actress
Queen: an Indian movie (the above-mentioned actress acted)

How many of you think granny is the runaway princess?
If yes, what could possibly be Praneet's grandfather's secret?
If no, what is Praneet trying to search.

What is Praneet really paying a girl for?

Find out!

Stay hooked!
Lots of love