Living your desire
Or living in an illusion?

I felt deceived by Chaya's betrayal. I could not think of any comeback, any reasoning, any alternative I could suggest to Chaya so that she dropped the plan. "Chaya, please, I love my granny. Don't harm her. You should have told me about this prince issue. I would have been prepared and decided whether I wanted to go ahead with the switch or not. You didn't play fair Chaya."

"Pri, please don't cry. I don't want to hurt you or anybody. I am a good girl stuck in a world of selfish and emotionless people. I wanted to escape and you were God sent to me for my goodness. I assure you, I will return before events turn adverse...
Your granny is amazing Pri, please share her with me for a few months. I have never been loved just judged. You know I will get wed in a loveless marriage. This is my only chance to experience 'love'.
Alternatively, just flirt around with the Prince. I am sure he is quite smart and will shower you with gifts. Keep them and him. You wanted to experience this kind of 'love', now is your chance. Think again with a clear head. Just don't act stupidly and force me to do something I don't want to. We will talk later. Bye." Chaya disconnected the call and me.

She played the same tricks with me last night. She knew very well how to convince. I lied down on the super deluxe princess bed. My body was used to a simple foam mattress and I doubted if I would be able to adjust.
'Hurt granny'
'Going to jail'
'Engagement'
'Prince charming
'Flirt with him'
'Enjoy luxuries'
I smiled between my tears with the range of options from jail to luxury. What have I led myself into? Cursing and crying I drifted to sleep. Last night Chaya and I were just discussing us. Our lives, likes, dislikes, desires, dreams and aspirations.

****************************************
"Pri, go and clean the top floor and call the plumber before the guest arrives next week. Call me if you need help. You don't want to piss off that effin female you call "mumma"." Pri's granny warned me. She was way too cool for a grandmother.

I knew about Pratima's parents. They were just like mine, selfish and self-centred. But, her granny was adorable. Yes, her farts made the house stink but the fresh breeze of the hills refreshed it again. She cooked a delicious breakfast and fed me with her own hands. No seven-course meal cooked by any chef was half as tasty as her 'parathas'. The cherry on the cake was when she graced them with extra butter. I was ready to gain all those extra kilos and curves for such food.

I came upstairs and broomed on the floor as per the directions of the YouTube video. We vacuum cleaned in our palace and I was least bothered when they did that so, I didn't know anything about cleaning. My back was sore. I couldn't even walk. This was so tough. Why couldn't they hire help? This cleaning was for the guest which was 'me' and I was staying in Pri's small cosy room, full of warmth and personal touch. So, why clean? I put the broom aside and relaxed. The view was enchanting. Tall Mountains covered in green and white.
I was happy here.
I hoped Pratima was convinced enough and she stayed at the palace for a while. I hated blackmailing her but I had no option. I needed time. She still didn't know the real reason I left the palace and most importantly, the supposed alliance with the Prince. No one could know.

***************************************************************
"Princess, please get up."
Who was this princess not getting up and disturbing my sleep?
It's me! Shit!
I got up with a jerk.

"Oh! My God! Princess. Please forgive me for scaring you. You shouldn't have got up like that. Let me give you a massage." The female staff, Garima, immediately started to rub my forehead in a circular motion calming me down. She was so scared. Poor soul. It wasn't her fault.

"Its okay, Garima. I am fine." I told her and she relaxed. If at all I live here, I won't be an arrogant bitch.
She gave me a glass of orange juice and informed me about my arranged date with the Prince tonight. I was taken to my dressing room to select the designer dresses with matching accessories the prince had sent for me with "love".
My eyes popped out seeing the gorgeous dresses. Four cocktail gowns? I had just one gown back home made out of my mother's old saree. I asked Garima for a suggestion. She was undoubtedly more experienced than me. She hesitated then selected the pink gown for me but my eyes were stuck to the wine coloured dress with a layered skirt. I thought it will look good on me. I have a fetish for earnings and the earnings with this one were pricey. If I get to keep this stuff, as per Chaya's offer, I might as well take advantage.

A stylist was called for decorating me. I was the girl who did her waxing at home and plucked her extra eyebrows. Why waste on parlour? My mother suggested. My hair was also trimmed by her. She said my silky raven hair should not be experimented with. It was strange Chaya and my hair were similar. Her's were a bit softer though.
All these thoughts were somewhat killing my anxiety. I had never gone out with a guy and the first guy I was set up to go out with was a real Prince. Shall I call my self lucky or unlucky?
The stylist was talking non stop about how pretty I was, how flawless my skin was and blah blah. I wasn't interested. I knew he was just trying to make the princess happy.

My new mother walked in and approved me. That was a relief. She was very particular about the way you carried yourself. She was so poised herself. "The dresses are couture. Must say, the Prince has amazing taste. You are lucky Chaya. Your father had a terrible dress sense when we got married. Can't blame him. Your grandmother was just a little above commoner. I had to work on him. Now, his style and class is the talk of the town."
She pressed my breast and I was shocked. How could she do that? It was physical abuse.

"Have you stopped practising the exercises the trainer suggested? Your size hasn't increased a bit. Men like voluptuous breasts. You both won't feel the pleasure if you remain in size 32. Sex is the prime motivation that keeps your man in your grip. Work on it Chaya," she ordered me.
This was so embarrassing. She was examining my private parts. I have never spoken about such things to anyone.

"Chaya did something happen at the camping trip?" Chaya's mother asked me and I tensed.
"You are unusually quiet. Not snapping back or throwing any tantrums." She was suspicious.

"What's the point, Mumma. You don't know or care about how I feel." I said the truth.

She dismissed the staff and now it was just us. This was scary. Her cat eyes darkened and she held me from my shoulders.
"The feeling you have should be immediately buried. The one you wish to marry is unacceptable to us and under no circumstances we will let the marriage happen. Chaya, the Prince is your future. The future of Aryabhoomi. Now, be a good girl and do as said."

The subtle threat shivered me.
Chaya was seeing someone?
She ran because she didn't want to marry?
Her mother was insensitive, it was evident. She must have made Chaya's life miserable by her instructions. Voluptuous breasts to please your man? Love! Was not even on her list.
I felt like saving Chaya even though she was hiding several truths from me. I didn't have a love story of my own but she will be with the one, she loved.

With a fresh zeal, I looked at my mother and smirked, "Of course, Mumma. I will please the prince and make him mine. My dead feelings won't surface, I assure you."

Chaya's mother looked at me with disbelief. But, I could act, I realised. After the final touch-ups, I looked into the mirror and damn! The Prince was sure to fall hard. I was escorted to the hotel wing of the palace. They had a hotel with a limited capacity of only 35 rooms. The entry and operation of the hotel were separate and didn't bother the palace residents. While walking into the hotel everyone greeted me. I just nodded my head for two reasons, one, I was nervous and two, I didn't exactly know how and what to react.

Gates of a dimly lit private dining area was opened and I was escorted inside. The interior and decorations were a sight to see. But when my eyes fell on the Adonis standing in a white tuxedo, I forgot anything else existed. He smirked devilishly at my reaction but I cared less. I was supposed to impress him and I will. It will be so much fun to see the fake honour of Chaya's parents fall flat when the marriage will get cancelled.

I walked in style and stood face to face with the prince. It was time to use all my knowledge of movies and books. The prince was looking at me intently. His gaze was deep and created an illusion in which I was drowning. When the blower of the air conditioner turned to our side and blew my hair, the spell broke.
The Prince looked nervous.
Was it because of me? I wanted it to be that way.
I sat on the chair and he took the seat opposite to me. This was anyone's dream date that I was living. The place was exquisite and the man sitting opposite me was the epitome of gorgeousness. I just hoped he had a heart as good as his looks.

"Princess, first thing first, would you like to carry on the date with courtesies or shall we shed the formalities?" A very cute question.

"The arrangement of the date was so formal, you think just shedding the courtesy, will matter?" I know, I know it was a brilliant come back. He had no answer so he indicated the waiter to get the meal. His face contoured.
Soup again? We just had one in the afternoon. This was a different variety, 'Almond and broccoli', very tasty. These royals will spoil my taste buds. There were just two soups I had tried to date. The one's common in every North Indian restaurant... Tomato soup and sweet corn soup.
Unconsciously I giggled at the thought and the prince looked at me. I nodded in 'nothing' but his statement made me conscious.
"Please tell me the reason for that giggle. It's sound can calm someone like the bells in a temple. I wish you to see and hear that titter now, and forever."
Oh! My! God!
He was a flirt.
That was flattery.
I was flattered.
NO ONE! had ever said anything so sweet to me. I was sure the colour of my cheeks turned red. Thanks to the dim lighting it will be hard for him to figure out.

"Lights," as if he heard my inner thoughts and ordered to turn on full lights. Suddenly the lights of the room were shining bright. I closed my eyes as a reflex but when I opened them a hand was near my eyes covering me from the sudden flash. It was the Prince.
Was he so caring and considerate? I could not solve this puzzle and it was frustrating me. He went back to his seat and we finished our soup and starters after that, in comfortable silence.

A guitarist sat on the small stage set up there and strummed soft music. It was like reading a romance novel. I was feeling so shy and scared at the same time. My plans for teaching the royals a lesson were going in the drain because the prince was everything I ever wished for in my 'someone special' but I was not me.
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Dear Readers
Pratima is learning new things on just day one of the royal switche.
Chaya has not disclosed the complete truth but her mother's behaviour does give her the benefit of the doubt.
Prince? Thoughts about him? Is he good or masking up?
Find out!
Stay hooked!
Lots of love!