-• a deal •-

Yuvaan's dark eyes follow the pieces of once beautiful ceramic bowl scattered on the marble floor. He shifts those bottomless pits to me, and a brow rises in my direction. My heart thrums in my chest, a twist builds in my stomach, tightening with each passing second, knotting over repeatedly. I feel a shiver of anxiety lick my spine and swallow the thick bile crawling up my throat.

I've to think fast.

So, fast I think. Just not smart.

"It's his fault!" I pin the blame on the dog.

The Golden retriever growls at me.

Yeah, I can talk, you cannot. I win.

"Perry," Yuvaan clicks his fingers at the dog, who at his master's command, quickly prances over and licks the welcoming hand before sitting on his hind legs beside Yuvaan. "You can fool Yuvraaj Bhai with your lies, not me." He stalks forward and crouches to pick up the shattered pieces of his art piece.

I look at Perry.

Well, uhm, you win, Perry.

He snorts and look away.

"I guess, it's true when people say, err is human." I squat beside to help him.

My fingers stretch to pick up a shard when suddenly his hand shoots out and holds me around the wrist. "Don't. You'll hurt yourself."

"It's okay, I'm used to doing such kind of chores. I'll be careful."

He shakes his head in rejection of my offer. "Stand back."

I've no choice but to obey his command. If Yuvraaj wasn't older of all, Yuvaan would have definitely taken the ropes of controls in his hand. He is just as intimidating but I guess the glow of youth and the blinding, contagious smile he passed me last night hints at him being less reclusive than our eldest brother.

"I apologise if it was something very important. I mean, it was beautiful, but if-"

"It's okay. I had plans to get rid of it." He waves his hand in a dismissal. A short, curt brush to my pointless apology.

"Oh, why?" I ask curiously.

He shrugs. "It didn't turn out the way I wanted it to be," a nonchalant response as he sits himself behind the wheel and grabs a wash cloth from the side, squeezing it in the water before gently cleaning the wheel.

"But it was still perfect," I lean against the desk.

"Not in my eyes," his lips twist the slightest.

"What's perfect in your eyes then?" I question softly.

"Something that gives me a sense of satisfaction whenever I look at it," he mumbles, jerking the wheel faster as he scrubs off the last of clay stuck to it.

"So everything in these shelves give you a sense of satisfaction?"

"I would have got rid of them if they didn't."

A stretch of silence fall between us. I wonder what he called me here for. But I don't have the courage to ask when he gets busy on his wheel, his hands covered with the wet clay as he moulds it according to his desires. He looks focused, lips pursed, dark brows pulled together, the right of his sharp jaw stained with a flick of greyish clay. I wander in his room, not touching anything, because I fear I'll break it again, not that Perry's watchful eyes let me have that freedom. The chunky dog trails along as if on a patrol, getting in between me and the shelves whenever I try to get too close.

"What do you think of this?" He asks my opinion on the piece he's currently working on. I quickly walk over and stand aside so I don't block the sunlight. But my shadow falls on half of his youthful face as he looks at me expectantly. He looks both; a devil and an angel, with dark concealing a side he keeps hidden from the world. "Tara?"

I tear my eyes off him and look down at the creation of his skillful hands.

"I like the shape," I comment.

"What do you like about it?" He further questions.

"The neck, it's slender, and it stretches to open just a little. As if it's made to remind you to pour only as much you need so you don't spill." I shrug.

He dips his head to the side, scrutinizing me carefully under his dark irises.

"Did I say something wrong?" I prod nervously.

A smile pokes at the corner of his lips and with a slow shake of his head, he regards me with a calculative gaze

"What?" I whisper.

"At first I wondered why you get so much on Agastya's nerves. He's not the type of a guy who pays attention to everyone. He's narcissistic." Much to my disbelief, he squishes the vase and drops the wet lump into the basket before picking up a dry cloth to wipe his hands clean. "I concluded the reason being your mother, which, until some point stood valid, but then something changed. He doesn't look at you with detest anymore, like he did the first time he saw you. He considers you his equal. And for a guy like him, who always has his head shoved in the clouds, like he's untouchable, I was piqued when your one glimpse was enough to make him all squeamish. At first I thought it'll fade away in a few days," he gets up from the stool and crosses the room to enclose me against the shelf. Of course, not physically, but mentally, with his body towering over mine by atleast a foot and his shadow looming over me like a dangling sword, the very tip of it touches me when he shoves his hands in his pockets and grants me a deep, analysing look.

I turn guarded and look at Perry in need of help.

He turns his head away.

Wow, what an inhumane dog.

He ain't human, Tara.

Right.

"Wh-What is it you called me here for?" I finally gather enough courage to ask.

"Tarun," he mentions and my back goes rigid. "Is he more than a friend to you?" A feral look crosses his eyes.

Immediately, I shake my head in a desperate no.

"Don't lie to me." He warns through gritted teeth.

"I swear. He's just a good friend." I say earnestly.

He licks the inside of his cheek and nods slowly. "You're planning to use the reward to save him from going to the boarding school, aren't you?"

My breath hitches in my throat. Unlike Agastya, who looked completely nonchalant, victorious even when he found me at the river with Tarun, Yuvaan's reaction is completely different at the probability of Tarun being more than a friend to me. If Yuvraaj looked like the boy was a thorn in his eyes, Yuvaan seemed determined enough to pluck it out and get rid of it forever.

"Look, I'm just trying to save the boy who agreed to become my friend here."

"Are you going to keep in touch with him if Bhai revokes his punishment?"

I shake my head.

"You're lying."

"I swear!" I look at him in frustration.

He stares into my eyes for a second longer, then heaves a soft sigh and rakes his hand through his thick ebony hair. "Alright, I'll help you then."

My mouth forms a capital O in shock. "Sorry?"

"I'll help you win the reward." He nods at me. "But only at one condition,"

"What?" I probe.

"You'll keep your distance from Tarun. Not even a polite greeting shall be exchanged if you ever cross paths," he states with finality in his tone.

I bob my head in a yes.

"I need you to do something in return for me."

Of course.

Did I really think he'd do something for me without having a motive of his own behind the offer?

"What?"

He leans in and I push back in startle. He reaches the top of the shelf and withdraws an envelope, offering it to me. I take it hesitantly.

"What is in it?"

"See for yourself," he stands back relaxed.

I flip open the envelope and spill the content in my palm. Out slips a bunch of photos. I shuffle through each one of them, disgust churning my guts when I see Agastya and a girl getting more than cosy in a room. "Eww," I stop the moment I see his hand inside the girl's knickers in the next picture. "Why are you giving this to me!?" I thrust the envelope and pictures against his chest. He catches them before they fall.

"Definitely not to keep them," he rolls his eyes. "I want them to reach Bhai's desk," he slips the photos back inside before placing the thick envelope in my hands.

"And what makes you think I can do this?" I ask horrified.

He shrugs. "I don't know how you do it. Just get it done. And then I'll help you win the reward. You can say no, but then you'll have to say goodbye to Tarun. Because I know Agastya will make sure to ruin this chance for you."

"Do you expect me to just show up in front of Bhai and shove these images in his face? And why would he even care about this?" I wave the envelope in his face.

"He will," Yuvaan nods. "He'll see red the moment he takes a look at these pictures."

"Why?"

"The girl in the picture is the daughter of one of our business rivals. The Shekhawats. Bhai hates that family. And not just that, but she's engaged to one of our another business rival's son, who are friends with the Shekhawats. She's older than Agastya by seven years. Bhai will go feral the moment he gets to know about this."

I gasp. "And Agastya still did this with her?" I shake the envelope in my hand.

Yuvaan smirks. "He didn't know that then. I did."

Oh.

"So it's a revenge?" I conclude. "Why? What did he do to you?"

"You don't need to know that." He shakes his head. "He crossed me first, I'm just getting even with him."

"But he's already in bad books of Bhai for lying about the baking. He also got punished -"

"You call that a punishment?" Yuvaan chortles in amusement, as if mocking my naivety. "Trust me, when Bhai is really angry, he spares absolutely no one. These kind of punishments are regular in these household. We're used to it. But with this," he taps his finger on the envelope. "I'll be able to hit Agastya where it really hurts him."

"What do you mean?"

"He's got selections coming up in a few weeks." Yuvaan mumbles. "But he'll be selected if he gets to participate in the game. Which, if this reaches Bhai, he won't."

I blink in disbelief. "That's cruel."

"No, it's not. After what he has done, this is still not enough. But I don't care. Baseball is his heart and soul. Not being able to participate in one of the important annual games will hit him straight in the guts." He chuckles darkly. "Look," he looks down at me with pointed eyes. "If you don't want to do this, then don't. I'll somehow get it done. But if you miss this chance, you'll miss the reward. The choice is yours." He takes the envelope from me and puts it on the top of the shelf.

"What if I go and tell this to Agastya?"

"Wow, you're bold, lil sis," he says in a coo and ruffles my hair. I flinch. "But too bad, I've different tricks up my sleeves. And do you really think getting in my bad books is good for you?"

"I can buy Agastya's loyalty with this," I remark. "Then he won't ruin my chance at winning the reward."

"But you'll lose Ayush's friendship, our beginning and trust me, you don't want that. We both know Ayush and I are far better than those two delinquents. They end up in Bhai's office for a new trouble every other evening. If you want that for yourself, go ahead." He splays his hands forward in a helpless manner.

I sigh tiredly.

"You're asking me to jump into the lion's den!"

"Oh c'mon kiddo," he holds my shoulders gently. "It's as easy as a pie. All you've to do is hop in a maid's uniform so you don't get caught in the cctv and put this on his desk."

"And how do I enter the room? He must have his own card -" he produces one from his pocket. I gasp in surprise. "You can't be serious!"

"This is for his bedroom. His study has CCTVs in every corner of the wall so it isn't safe. But his bedroom is easiest to sneak in. Just put it on his desk and flee. He won't notice. And make sure to keep your head down so you don't get caught by the CCTV. I'll be in the second room of the left corridor. The window there directly opens to the back garden. You'll get changed and we'll come back to your room. Sounds like a plan?"

"Sounds like a plot to a terrible, terrible movie with an even terrible ending!" I grunt. "Why can't you do this?"

"Because I cannot go unnoticed!" He points at himself. "All the male staff here are under five foot. I'm six foot three, and easily recognisable. Also, there's a chance Bhai might suspect it's me. So I just don't want any evidence to point at me."

"I don't think it matters to him who dropped it off as long as this reaches him."

"Yes. But he doesn't like sneaking around to do things. He thinks everyone should own up to what they want to do. But he's in power, it's easy for him to say that. If I just go out and openly show it to the family that it was I who sneaked over Agastya and clicked these pictures, Agastya will spend the rest of his life trying to get back at me. I don't want that. This is just one time thing. He did something that hurt me, so I'm just getting back at him." He explains.

"Don't you think instead going all the way out to get this in Bhai's hands, you can just use it to blackmail Agastya?"

"For how long?" Yuvaan demands. "Six months, a year?" He lets out a scoff. "And I don't have so much time on me to waste either. I go for one shot kill. This is it." He says referring to his plan.

"I need some time to think about this," I hold my hands up in defense.

"Alright, you've time until the evening." He agrees.

"I'll- I'll go now," I stick my thumb in the direction of the door.

He nods casually.

I sigh and walk out of the room, heading to my bedroom immediately. I close the door and slump on the chair in front of my desk, frantically rubbing my hands all over my face. He didn't look like he was offering me a choice, it was like he was giving me an ultimatun. Do this, or make another enemy.

"Seriously, Jesus, why are all my brothers like this?" I look up at the ceiling. "Except for Vivaan and Ayush, absolutely no one deserves to be called Bhai. No one!" I huff out pathetically, disgruntled at the thought of being blackmailed by my own brother, who I really thought was better than Agastya and Arush. Guess not.

I pick up my phone and call Dad. His number is switched off. Probably busy in another one of his surgeries.

I dial Vivaan's number.

"Hey, babygirl," he greets in the most softest, gentlest tone. My cheeks flush shyly but I smile, my mood a lot better now. "Miss me?" He asks playfully.

"Actually, yes," I admit.

He pauses. "Really?"

"Yeah, I haven't seen you around much lately."

"Aw, my love, I'm busy wrapping my work so I can free my schedule for the party."

"Oh, are you busy? Did I disturb you?" I ask nervously.

He chuckles, easing my nerves. "No, you didn't. I'll be home early tonight. Do you want me to bring you something?"

"Like what?"

"Anything that you want."

"Hmm," I think for a while. "Can you get me a few Indian snacks? I want to try them."

"Of course, sweetness. I'll buy some for you on my way home. And-"

"Vivaan, the surgery room is ready." Someone speaks in the background.

"Oh, okay I'll be there in five." Vivaan says in response.

"Alright. Speaking to your girlfriend?"

My nose scrunches in disgust while Vivaan laughs aloud. "No, my little sister. Go ahead, I'll be there soon." He tells the guy. "I've to go, sweetheart. But I'll see you tonight, alright?"

"Yeah, sure."

"Great then, bye."

"Bye," I hang up first and drop the phone on the desk. A knock appears next, causing me to look at the wall clock. Time for Mrs. Dodiya's classes. I sigh and get up, mentally preparing myself to go through the torture.

Ayush passes me a huge smile when I enter the great hall. I wave at him with a smile of my own. My eyes drift to where Yuvaan stands and he sends me a small smile, which now doesn't seem contagious anymore. But I reciprocate out of politeness. I find Agastya and Arush seated at the table, with their phones out as they type away furiously.

Agastya looks up from his phone and catches my eyes, focusing back on the screen. If only he knew what's going to hit him soon. Because even if I say no, Yuvaan seems determined to teach him a lesson. So there's no stopping him.

"Alright, the lunch is here," Mrs. Dodiya announces as she struts inside with several maids in tow, golden round plates in their hands, covered with a red satin cloth. I watch as they set down the plates on each antique table with short legs with a velvet cushioned seat in front of them. Three tables are arranged in a triangle at the back end, one at the front end and the remaining four parallel to each other in a set of two. "C'mon sit down everyone. Yuvaan, since Yuvraaj is not here, sit at the head of the table." Yuvaan nods and singles himself out by sitting crossed legged on the cushion at the individual table. "Everyone else, take a seat wherever you want." She waves her hand dismissively. I copy their actions and sit with my legs crossed. "Uh huh, Princess, tuck your legs behind and lay them elegantly on the side."

I frown. "Why? This is more comfortable."

"It is, but that's not how we women sit. You'll be wearing a skirt. It doesn't look graceful for a woman to be sitting like that in a skirt." She says sternly.

I clench my jaw but follow her instructions.

She takes her position at the other end and her minions sit themselves behind her on either side. She swiftly pulls off the satin cloth, revealing variety of dishes on the plate. We all do the same. My eyes turn huge. This is no lunch, this is a buffet. Freaking fantastic. My mouth waters at every dish waiting to be touched. I can't wait to feast on this. Where's the fork and spoon?

Then, to my disbelief, they use their hands.

"Look at me, Princess, and do exactly the same." Mrs. Dodiya instructs.

She tears off the flatbread and gently dips it in the bowl of thick red curry. I do the same and Oh. My. God. I'm in heaven. I close my eyes and sigh in relief that I got to taste this before my death.

"Princess!" I flinch and open my eyes. "What was that face?" She says in horror. "It was inappropriate! Don't ever do that when you're eating. Did I not say Princesses don't waver?"

"Not even for food?"

She fumbles. "Ye- yes!"

I stifle back a chuckle and nod at her. "Okay, my apologies. I'll eat like a normal person now."

"This is not England, Short stuff," Agastya opens his forsaken mouth. "You're not in your dingy house eating bland mashed potatoes and half cooked omelettes. Eat like a royal. That's why we're here wasting our time. So you could learn something from us." He jabs.

"No one gets it right the first time," Ayush chides. "And it's her first time trying something new. Cut her some slack. You don't need to bring her old ways of living into this. And what's wrong with mashed potatoes and sunny side omelettes?"

"Stop defending the country that oppressed us for more than two hundred years." Agastya snorts.

"He's not defending anyone. But don't demean the food. It deserves respect regardless of the country it belongs to. That's our culture." Yuvaan cuts in.

Agastya rolls his eyes. "You've got yourself a flurry of lawyers by your side, don't you?"

"Because I don't go insulting people right and left that I've no business with."

"Alright, enough of this. Focus on the food. It'll turn cold." Mrs. Dodiya chimes in buoyantly.

I sigh and look back down at my plate.

The class ends with the lunch, after which I'm forced in a close proximity with Agastya to fullfill another of my punishment. I was grateful for Ayush's presence, but even with him there, Agastya was absolutely a wreck to work with. It's like he was extorting some kind of revenge on me for what I did yesterday.

My first batches of muffins went to waste because he just didn't let me work in peace. He would throw eggshells in the batter intentionally and call it an accident. And oh my God, this boy is distracted so easily. I had to remind him that we're in the kitchen and I need to constantly move. Oftentimes I tripped, sometimes slipped, but he never once helped me. Even Ayush looked at me with sympathetic eyes because of the horror I had to put up with for more than three hours just to get twelve muffins baked. My back ached so much, my muscles were stiff because of the vigorous run this morning, my arm ached for being linked with his so long and my head felt like it'll burst soon if I don't get away from him. At five in the evening, I was finally done. And I wasted no time in leaving that room to get him off my sight. I was furious.

And that's how I found myself in Yuvaan's art room the next moment, agreeing to his offer.

Just wait and watch, Agastya. This one's gonna hit you like a storm.

Do you think she made the right decision? Well, we'll know soon.

Don't forget to vote and comment. Makes my day.