'Shit! Shot! Shut! Shock!'
Yeah, that was me, Pratima, cursing and I was screwed. I tried, I tried hard to remember who this person was but I couldn't recall. I ignored his question and took out the phone. I scrolled the list but none matched the handsome driving me.

"Princess, I hope you realise how rude you have been behaving since the time we have met." The driver remarked.

I know! But, that's how it was supposed to be and try as I may, I couldn't help it. I kept quiet.

"Chaya, what's wrong? I am sorry, okay. I didn't know speed troubles you so much." Oh! Damn! His address on a first-name basis was so enchanting. How would my name sound in his slightly British accent?
Wait!
He cannot address taking name?
Was Chaya seeing a driver? Is that why she was running away?
I was evaluating all possible options when we entered the mammoth-sized gates of a castle. It was beyond my imagination. Green garden on either side of a road which lead to the main building. The car halted and the driver stepped out. The door of my side was opened and I came out.

"ॐ गंग गणपतये नमो नमः"
I chanted the mantra.

I could see Chaya's parents standing. Now was the moment. Either I will pass or expire. I walked as best as I could and greeted them the way Chaya briefed me. Her father just nodded but her mother looked at me with contempt. I lowered my eyes.
Was I so bad?
No!
But my shoes were. In a hurry, I forgot to exchange footwear. My local footwear was nowhere in comparison to the Gucci sandals Chaya wore. She told me her mother was particular about these things.

Chaya's father greeted the driver with a firm handshake. That was not arrogant. Why was I supposed to behave like that?

"Prince, join us for lunch please." Chaya's father requested the... Driver?

I should have guessed this entire plot was like a typical movie. The heroine thinks of the hero as someone else. But, was he my hero? Or was I his heroine? The thought churned something inside me.

"Princess, please head to your room and change. We will have lunch in exactly half an hour." Chaya's father ordered me and I was escorted to my room by staff. Thank God for such formalities else I would surely get lost in the enormous palace.

My language skills were good but I had no words to describe the place Chaya called her home. It was marvelous just like it's owners. The central hall had a dome with aesthetic carving. The carpeted stairs to my room stretched wide. My luggage was taken to a different route.

"My luggage?" I almost shouted.

The female staff looked at me with shock. 'Talk softly' was a rule as well.

"Princess, the luggage will reach your room before you. Obviously, it can't be carried from the main stairs." The female staff answered me politely.

What a fool you are, Pri. You are in a palace. Talk less till you get to know everything. That was before the time for return arrived.
The female staff opened the gate for me to enter and I stood rooted. Was it a room? It was fussily feminine and opulently private. A huge bed was in the centre with a canopy around it. It had all kinds of pillows. The names of which I didn't even know even though my family was in the hotel business.
Before I could admire the room more, the female staff informed me, "Princess, your bathroom is set and I have put a dress on the table in the dressing room. In case you don't like it, you can choose as per your liking."

My bathroom was set? How do you set a bathroom? I was thinking when she prompted me, "Princess, you shouldn't be late for lunch. King, won't like it."

I rushed to the bathroom and cancelled observing the huge oval tub, Jacuzzi, chandelier, in the bathroom? They were so rich! The vase decorated with fresh flowers was the reason for the aroma? Probably. I shed my clothes and stepped into the shower. The water flowed with pressure lifting the pressure I felt. Even if it was for a day, I was determined to enjoy these luxuries. I forgot about the handsome driver a.k.a. Prince, I annoyed.

"Princess, you have just 10 minutes left." The female staff warned me and I was embarrassed. I didn't even let my granny see my naked self after I learnt how to take a bath independently. I turned off the shower and the she patted me dry. I was not used to this. My nipples tightened with her touch. Am I a lesbian? She rubbed lotion on my skin and I let her. The massage was so relaxing. When she reached for my underwear, I came out of my zoned out moment.
Never let anyone touch your private parts. It was a big no! I wore my undergarments on my own. The staff got my dress and I quickly wore it. When I saw in the mirror I was happy. Finally, I was wearing a high-end brand sundress and looked so pretty in it. My hair were combed and I was given a bracelet and chain to wear. I loved this pamper session. I hoped I get to stay here forever.
How could Chaya be bored with all this?
My legs were graced with a pair of Christian Dior block heels which seemed exclusive.

"Princess, I guess you should rush down. You are late but I hope the presence of the prince will give you a little relief." This lady was scaring me.

I was escorted to the dinning room which... Nevermind. My dictionary was short of descriptive words for it's magnificence. A chair was pulled for me and I sat on the left of Chaya's father and opposite to her mother. To my right was the Prince.

Dear God, please help me. I don't know the mannerisms. Seeking help from the almighty was my last resort. It was the only resort.

A bowl of soup was served. I knew which was a soup spoon but I waited for everyone to start. The soup was delicious. I wanted to eat those soup sticks lying on the table but since no one took, I didn't too.

The appetizers arrived. Wow! I felt like I was in a five-star hotel. I mentally thanked Chaya. Besides the royals and we were similar. Huh! I was well-groomed, I realised.

"Chaya, since you have met the prince already, I guess we should straight away get to the point. While you were getting ready we asked Prince about his opinion and he approves you. I suggest you both meet over dinner and finalise things. What is your opnion, prince?" Chaya's mother threw the bomb?
My face surely lost its colour. 'Prince approves you?' What does she mean? I am not a thing. I was not even asked?

"Mumma, I think, I need time to think." I gathered courage and opposed it.

"Time to think? You had enough time." Chaya's father replied with a raised brow. I felt so scared of him.

Why was the Prince silent? What have I done to get his approval? I was rude to him and he knew I was a liar. My tears were almost on their bay when Chaya's mother looked at me warned me with those cat eyes of her.

The lunch was a formality for me now. I was no longer liking this game. If at all Chaya knew about this arrangement and she chose to hide then she was in deep trouble. She told me there was still time for her marriage. I am not going to forgive her.

The lunch finished and I wanted to talk to Chaya immediately. I needed my answers. But, I was summoned in the study of my new father. He was sitting on a huge chair with his hands on the mahogany table waiting for me. The authority he had around him was very intimidating.

"Sit." He ordered and I did.

"You knew from the start that Prince of Kesarganj was a prime prospect for you. We approve of him and he is the best of the lot available. The business of Kesari's is vast and the new venture, the Prince has started is soaring new heights. If you get engaged, the prices of our shares will increase with the anticipation of an amalgmation. Besides, I think you will be happy with him. You are our only daughter, whatever we do and have is for you only."

His speech reminded me of my mother. Parents were the same universally. They saw their profit in our lives. But, I couldn't get engaged. No matter how handsome he was, I couldn't marry him. I hardly knew him. He was inconsiderate with the speed incident and...

"Chaya, I want you to be at the best of your behaviour tonight and the Prince should not have any complaints? Am I clear?"
I could only nod. I had no capacity to argue with him.

I left his study and was taken to my room. I came inside and dismissed the staff to call up Chaya.

"You knew about this?" I asked her directly. She was silent.
"Speak up damm it!" I was losing my patience.

"Yes." she accepted.

"Why?" I asked in a teary voice. She deceived me.

"I had no choice. My father was setting me up with someone I did not incline to marry. I don't even want to marry. So, I escaped." I understood, Chaya was in trouble but she used me.

"Why did you put me in this?" I just wanted to know the reason behind her selfishness.

"I knew from the start that I will have to marry a prince or a someone from high society which my parents will select but when the time came and I was told that Ragini's brother was the best match for me, I... I... decided to run away.
I booked your Airbnb which was a lot safer than a hotel when it came to tracking. So, I packed my bags and came to Mussoorie for living my life on my terms for a few months.
Deep down, I was scared because my father was a tyrant. He will not tolerate any insult on his family name and somewhere I was feeling guilty too.
When I saw you yesterday night and heard your story, I formulated the plan for Switch. If a living being like me was in palace my parents won't tack me and I can live peacefully. So, I lured you to live the life you always desired.
I would say, you were tough to convince but when you agreed I was elated. Just carry on the drama for a few days. I promise you will not get married to the prince."

I heard her patiently. She was an insensitive girl. She should have told me everything. To save her ass she put me in trouble.

"Chaya, I want you to come here by tomorrow else I will tell your father about your little adventure trip," I warned her.

"Pri, please don't do that. I assure you, you won't get married to the Prince. Just enjoy the luxuries of the place. There's a lot to discover." Chaya was trying the same trick she tried last night. Narrating the luxuries and life of a princess.

"Chaya, the game is over. I am not playing with anyone's feelings and not playing a pretend fiancee. So, pack your bags and come here." I was in no mood for settlement.

"Pri, I am sorry but I am not coming back. If you dare to tell my father about the swap, he will first put you behind the bars because according to him his daughter is gullible and commoners like 'you' take our advantage. I am sure you are ready to go behind the bars too, but my dear friend, are you ready to hurt your grandmother? She is old, alone with me and I can do anything. Before you tell your parents or your friends to help, your granny will be flying to heaven.
So, carry on with the drama like a good girl. You don't want to die in jail and definitely not see your granny suffer. I do, what I want to do. Remember?"

_____________________________________________________________________________________
Dear Readers
Word meaning:
ॐ गंग गणपतये नमो नमः !! - Aum Gang Ganpatya Namo Namah
Om and salutations to Ganesha, the remover of all obstacles.

So the driver was actually the Prince of Kesarganj, the prime prospect for Chaya.
What made him agree to this arrangement? Does he also have a hidden agenda?
Did you think Chaya could be so cunning?
What will Pratima do? How will she deal with the blackmail?
Find out!
Stay hooked!

Lots of love!