-• the third floor •-

I laugh victoriously. And I'm unable to stop. This is the secret he's trying to hide!? That he's in love with another man!? No wonder he got so protective over him. He even got jealous when I told him about the mystery man being weirdly intimate with me!

Oh. My. God.

It was all there. Right in front of my eyes. And I couldn't figure it out?

Dumb, Tara. Absolutely dumb!

But then again, he was vague about the whole incident. He brushed it off with ambiguous statements, clearing none of my confusion, focusing on making sure I don't press on the matter anymore than necessary.

But are you really sure about this, Tara?

Of course.

There's no other plausible explanation to this.

Let's go to the beginning.

When I first saw the man, he did not harm anyone. He did not even try to harm me when we clearly saw each other that night. And right at that instance, Yuvraaj came! It cannot be a coincidence right? I was lost in that web of corridors for more than an hour, but the moment I saw that mystery man, Yuvraaj dropped in.

Then to make sure he doesn't get caught again sneaking out with his lover, he filled my room with snacks so I don't leave the room in the middle of the night.

And his schedule.

It's too exhausting for a normal human being. Is it even possible to survive on thirty minutes power naps? And still be able to manage everything so effortlessly? Absurd. Anyone in his place would be wheeled to the ER weekly. But he's fit like a Vogue model. Why? Because the time he fools everyone believing he's working, he's actually spending some quality time with his lover.

And his divorce!

How come one gets divorced in less than six months of their marriage?

Maybe his wife found out he's into men and couldn't handle the shock?

I nod to myself.

The man who gets worked up if I miss one day of my punishment lets me go so easily for drinking alcohol, sneaking into his room and lying to his face? Impossible. He was clearly afraid of everyone finding about his lover.

My laugh gets louder as proofs keep piling on. I'm hundred percent sure this is it! What else can it be? He's definitely not into anything illegal. A man like him, who's constantly worried about his reputation, about his title, would never dirty his hands into something illegal. And he doesn't even need to. Seeing this huge property and the respect our family has in the eyes of the world, he's making money in millions every day.

Reputation!

That's right.

He's keeping this a secret because of his reputation!

It's not a news that Asian countries are still somewhat conservative about the whole same sex relationships. On top of that, he's a Prince of a state, and handles several businesses, he can't afford staining his reputation. If it comes to light that the Crown Prince of Chauhan Empire is Gay, or Bisexual, or whatever but straight, it'll directly affect his reputation and that's a big NO in Yuvraaj's dictionary.

I've done it!

I've connected all the broken links.

Fuck, I'm so smart.

"Tara, stop!" Agastya shouts, startling me heavily. "Stop laughing before I'm compelled to call the Asylum!"

I chuckle.

"Shush," he zips his lips with a glare at me.

I press my lips tighter, trying to hold back the laugh of victory. I've never been this fast at solving the easiest sums of maths, yet, I solved this very peculiar, top secret case?

Am I born to be a detective?

Is it in my blood?

"Agastya," I walk to him and hold his arms, since he's too tall and I'm too short for me to hold his shoulders. He looks down at me in evident concern. "You've got a smart sister. A very smart sister. You're lucky."

His face twists in all sorts of emotions before settling on disgust.

I scoff out a chuckle. "You won't understand." I wave him off with my hand. "You won't understand what it's like to be so smart. So, so intelligent. God, I'm smart as a whim!"

"Whip." He mutters.

"Huh?"

"Whim means impulse. It's whip. Smart as a whip." He says pitifully.

I roll my eyes. "Whatever. It's hard to keep up with the brains that always think of big things, alright. Idioms are for blabbermouths. My motions speak louder." I gesture with my hands.

"Act- nevermind." He sighs.

"Let's continue our run. It makes my head work faster." I interlink our arms and start running again. He follows unwillingly. "Not that I need to. I'm already so smart." I smile bashfully.

"God, stop before I throw up." He grunts roughly.

"Jealous," I mumble under my breath.

He's jealous. But it's okay. Everyone cannot be as smart as me. Not everyone has both, the beauty and the brains.

We return to the palace after the sunrise. Our paths cross with Yuvraaj when we enter the living room. Agastya sighs and walks past him, climbing the stairs to get away from the man.

"Do I have to teach you the basic manners now?" Yuvraaj questions sternly.

Agastya stops abruptly and glares down at him. "Good morning. Have a great day." He smiles sarcastically, which quickly drops, the aversion in his gaze returning before he turns and storms off upstairs.

I rest my elbow on the railing and shove myself in Yuvraaj's line of sight. He looks down at me with furrowed brows. I smile widely.

"Good morning." I look up and down at him. He looks well slept. I wonder if he met his lover again after sending me off crying like a baby.

His frown deepens. "Good morning," he turns to walk away when I step in his way. His eyes narrow down at me.

"Did you sleep well?" I smirk. "You look like you slept well." I nod at him.

He blinks.

My smirk widens.

I make a zipping motion on my lips and wink at him. His eyes grow large in surprise. "Your secret, safe with me. Don't worry." I chuckle, shaking my head at the poor guy as I turn and march back upstairs. Halfway I stop and look back at him. He stares at me alarmed. "Cute." I laugh as I continue my way up.

His desperation to keep the secret safe humours me the whole morning. But then the maid appears to inform me about the car waiting for me outside and I rush about to get ready for the day.

I almost forgot about the plans I made with Dad today. I'm starting my school from tomorrow. This is my last chance at some freedom. I don't even want to imagine the pressure I'll be going through for the next few months. I'm already as dumb as it is when it comes to studies, I don't think I can afford slacking off.

You're street smart, Tara.

Oh, that I am. Considering how quickly I figured out Yuvraaj's secret, there's no other explanation to it. I'm astute and quick witted. Just enough to get through this world and make a name for myself.

I look through the outfits for something nice when Vivaan appears at the doorstep of my walk-in.

"Dad sent me up to check upon his little star," he says in amusement.

"I'm confused what to wear," I huff scratching my recently washed head. "I never had these many options when it comes to clothes, you know. All I had was one pair of jeans, two tops, a hoodie and a dress. But look at this!" I show him the glass shelves filled with clothes, accessories, shoes and make up. "It's like a full blown boutique."

He chuckles and walks in. "Mind if I choose something for you?"

"Oh, please, by all means go ahead." I stretch my arms forward helplessly.

Vivaan takes the liberty to go through my clothes and picks out an adorable grey oversized sweater dress, pairs it up with a thin sterling silver maple leaf pendant, a blue scarf and black knee high boots. "There you go," he smiles at me.

I grin, surprised at how well he matched the outfit with the accessories and shoes.

"You should be in the fashion industry. What are you doing in medical?"

He shrugs with a smile. "I didn't want to steal the show, I guess."

I simper. "Wait outside. I'll be done in five."

He nods and walks out of the closet, closing the door after him. I quickly strip out of my clothes and wear the dress he chose. It engulfs me snug, ending on my thighs. I clasp the pendant around my neck, smiling at my reflection in the mirror as I stroke the maple leaf gently. It goes so well with the outfit. I use the blue scarf to style my hair in a low pony, framing my oval face with the loose curls. I add light blush to my cheeks and a peach lipbalm to my lips since I'm not that well versed in the art of make-up. Putting on the shoes, I sling over the designer crossbody bag and step out of the closet.

Vivaan looks up from the phone and a smile reaches his eyes.

"How do I look?" I do a twirl for him.

He nods at me.

"Words, Mr. Chauhan. Let me hear you in words." I imitate Yuvraaj's deep tone.

That makes him laugh. "Beautiful. You look, beautiful, Ms. Chauhan."

"I know," I shrug, bending my leg backward in a pose as I giggle.

He gets up and walks over to me, looking at me fondly from head to toe. Then he sighs. "How were we not aware of having such a beautiful little sister? How did we miss the first sixteen years of your life, sweetheart?" His hand reaches out to cup my cheek, his eyes forlorn and remorseful.

"You can always make up for them," I grab his hand gently and release it with a squeeze as I go over to my bed for the phone and card key. "Now c'mon, enough of sappy moments, let's go!" I grab his arm and drag him out of the room. He lets me pull him with a smile on his face.

"I'm gonna win this time!"

"Yeah, you said that the last time." Arush scoffs.

"I was testing your abilities!" Agastya grunts angrily before his eyes fall on me and he stops.

"Bhai, you're dying."

"He's starstruck," Vivaan whispers to me.

I chuckle and wave at Agastya.

"Short stuff, is that you?" He squints his eyes at me.

I roll mine. "Very funny."

"Where are you taking her?" Agastya drops the controller and turns on the couch, pinning his entire attention on us.

"Wha-" Arush turns his head. "Woah."

"We're going to the hospital." Vivaan informs them.

"Isn't she looking too nice for a patient?" Agastya points at me.

"Are you sick?" Arush narrows his eyes at me.

"No, I'm just going along."

"Why?" Agastya questions.

"For fun." I shrug.

"Dad said we should show her around. So we're planning to go for a dinner after our shift at the hospital. She'll be in my office until then." Vivaan explains.

"You'll be bored." Agastya tells me.

"Better than being here." I deadpan.

"It's cold outside. Your legs are not covered." Arush says, pointing to my legs that barely show any skin. Only my knees and a little bit of my thighs are visible.

"It's how it is supposed to be." I educate him.

"It's too open," Agastya shakes his head.

"Girls wear shorter than these. I don't see you complaining then."

"They're not my sisters." He retorts.

"Oh, am I your sister now?" I place my hand on my hips, raising a smug brow at him.

He fumbles around with his words before settling on glowering at me. "Go and wear something modest."

"It is modest!" I argue back.

He shakes his head. "Your legs show."

"Because it's a dress! And I'm wearing high boots. They don't even show much!" I defend.

"Nah, go and change." He orders.

"Bhai!" I look at Vivaan for help. After all, he was the one who chose this dress for me.

"Shut up, Agastya. I chose this dress for her and I don't see anything wrong with it." Vivaan snaps at him curtly.

"Bhai-" he stops spotting something or someone. His lips quirk to the side and before I can question his weird behaviour, Yuvraaj comes into the sight.

"Go and change."

My jaw goes slack.

"Bhai, stop." Vivaan counters.

Yuvraaj glares at him. "I'm already sliding aside the fact that you're allowing her outside wearing such thing-"

"It was in her wardrobe. And dad personally bought her these dresses. They are of his choice. We definitely have no say in it if he approves." Vivaan states firmly.

My eyes widen a little.

Is he really taking a stand for me?

Yuvraaj clenches his jaw tightly. Ignoring Vivaan's words, he points a finger at me and directs it upstairs, gesturing me to follow his command. I huff out a frustrating breath.

"Seriously, there's nothing wrong with this dress!" I growl out angrily. "It's not even that short."

"Go and change."

"No, you don't need to." That's Dad.

I breathe out in relief.

"She looks beautiful."

Yuvraaj looks at him in disbelief. "Dad." He grits out, his eyes furious.

"Yuvraaj, I know you want to protect her. But this is not the way. Don't put restrictions on her daily life. She's beautiful and there's no problem in showing it off. If someone looks at her the wrong way, she has six brothers, her father and an entire Chauhan Empire standing at her beck and call. Am I wrong?"

He looks away with a sigh.

"The same applies to you Agastya." He says sternly. "Protect her, don't suffocate her."

Agastya rolls his eyes and sits straight, picking up his controller as he wears back his headphones. Arush follows reluctantly, sparing another long glance at me before he shakes his head and turns.

"Let's go, little star." Dad extends his hand towards me.

I quickly rush down the stairs and grab his hand in mine. We wait for Vivaan to come down, and once he does, leave the palace and my remaining nosey, over protective brothers behind.

"No wonder he's keeping it a secret," I mumble under my breath, referring to Yuvraaj. He's so conservative. I'm sure he needed at least a decade to come in terms with his sexuality. Poor guy.

More than him, I feel bad for the mystery man. Or at this point, should I call him a mystery lover? Whatever. It doesn't change the fact that he's the Crown Prince's dirty secret. How long are they going to sustain this closeted relationship? One day it's going to come out. Lord give them strength.

I sigh aloud.

"What's wrong?" Vivaan looks up at me from his file. Since this model of Mercedes has opposite seats, it's easier to communicate.

"Huh?" I play clueless.

"First you muttered something under your breath and then breathed out heavily."

"Uh, oh, nothing. Just thinking about some stuff." I shrug.

"As in?" Dad queries.

"As in," I trail unsure, "as in studies." I lie.

He hums. "I can understand. You're pretty much panicking inside, aren't you?"

"Somewhat." I answer with a chuckle.

"It'll be fine. Don't worry about it. Ayush is amazing at studies. And if you want, we can always hire you a private tutor."

I nod. "I know. I'm just worried about Maths, Science and Social Science."

"Maths and Science, understandable but why Social Science?"

"It's obvious, Dad," Vivaan says on my behalf. "Until now she has been studying History and Geography from the coloniser's perspective, here she'll be studying it from the colonized country's perspective. That's a huge jump and that too in an opposite direction."

"Ah, right, History will be particularly hard." Dad hums in agreement.

"And shocking." Vivaan comments.

"Am I going to hate my country?" I ask sheepishly.

"You're going to hate your ancestors. Your mom's grandparents were civil servants in India, do you know that?" Dad asks me. I nod in response.

"She told me about them. And also, that she's not very proud of them." I sigh.

"That was another reason why she would have never been accepted." He murmurs regrettably.

"I also know a little bit of India's history. Uhm, the Jallianwala Bagh Massacre, then the Great Bengal famine, and uhm, Dandi March-"

"Oh my love, that's just the tip of the iceberg." Vivaan says sympathetically.

"You're scaring me off." I grumble.

"Just focus on passing this year. Memorize the shit, that's all I can advise you. Because no matter what I say, it's impossible for you unlearn everything you've been taught until now and start anew. It'll take some time for you to adjust."

I nod, taking his suggestion to heart. "I'll keep that in mind."

"We're here," Dad announces when the driver parks the car in the basement and cuts off the engine. The door opens for me and I thank the security guard while stepping out. Both the men exit after me.

Vivaan holds my hand and my face automatically lits up with a smile. I think I love attention. Especially when it's from my brothers. Except, Yuvraaj of course. I'll prefer if he stays hundred miles away from me.

Dad and Vivaan leads me to the elevator and we step inside.

Vivaan leans in to press for the second floor. I notice the T directly on top of it, excluding the number three when I clearly saw this building has three floors.

"Why is there no button for third floor?"

At my question, Dad and Vivaan look at each other before gazing down at me.

"Uhm," Dad begins, halting shortly after.

"A special team of doctors operates the third floor." Vivaan answers.

"What special they do?" I ask in confusion.

Dad sighs softly. "V- VIP. It's a VIP ward. So only selected staff is allowed there."

"You're not?"

He shakes his head.

"Why?"

"I chose not to." He answers curtly.

"And you?" I look up at Vivaan.

He shakes his head as well. "I'm happy at the General Surgery Department."

I frown. "I'll become a doctor and work there." I decide.

They look down at me in horror. "No!" Both of them say simultaneously.

"Geez, calm down. I'm just saying. I'm not even that smart to become a doctor."

"Don't." Dad shakes his head.

"You know you sound suspicious." I narrow my eyes at him. "I'm really curious now."

"Tara, it's a VIP floor. Only available for the exclusive people. We're not one of them. And working there means only working there. Neither of us studied to fill our pockets with the rich people's money but to help the underprivileged ones."

I nod in understanding. "That's nice."

He smiles at me fleetingly.

The elevator opens with a ding and we three step out. Vivaan heads to the left while Dad turns to right. I stand in the middle clueless.

"Guys?"

They turn and realise why I'm not walking with them.

"I've a surgery in fifteen." Dad says.

"I'm free until lunch." Vivaan informs.

"Keep her until lunch then. I'll see you in the cafeteria."

He nods and my father walks off hurriedly with a wave at me. He doesn't even notice me waving back.

"C'mon, my love," Vivaan wraps an arm around my shoulders and guides me with him. We reach his office, which is really not an office, since there are three more people inside, sitting around a table in the centre and hogging down fast food. "Double shift?" Vivaan asks them as he drapes over his trenchcoat on the back of his chair.

"Ugh, don't even ask," one of the men groans. "I've been running around for the last six hours. And now I've a surgery to assist in an hour. I also have to make a report on- is that your sister?" His eyes shift to me.

"Yeah," Vivaan smiles. "She was bored at the house so Dad and I decided to bring her here."

"You're going to hate it here," the woman stops eating her subway sandwich to warn me.

"Really?" I mutter softly.

"As long as you don't come here as a patient or a doctor, you're good." The last guy says. I chuckle.

"Rohit, I've to go on my usual round. You're free until the afternoon right?" Vivaan asks him. He's the handsome one in the group. And funny too.

"Yeah, apart from few reports that I've to write, I'm free."

"Lucky you," the first guy snorts and gets up hurriedly, wiping his hands to the tissue paper before he picks up the writing pad and leaves the office.

"Would you take her to the cafeteria and get her something to eat or drink? We left the house without breakfast." He refers to me.

I'd appreciate some food but to go with a handsome stranger? That sounds tough. Not.

"Sure, I'll keep her busy until you're done." He smiles in response and glances at me. I suddenly have this weird urge to tuck my hair behind my ear.

"Thanks man, see you." Vivaan says as he puts on his white coat and comes over to me. "I'll see you in an....." He trails and steals a glance at his wrist watch. "In forty five minutes. Well, if I don't encounter an emergency until then. I trust Rohit. He is my friend from university and we started residency together so don't worry, you're in safe hands. He'll accompany you until I'm done. Are you okay with that?"

"Yeah, of course. Go on. Don't worry about me." I reassure him.

He presses a kiss on top of my head before walking out. I look back at Rohit.

"So, Princess, shall we?" He crumbles the tissue and tosses it in the dustbin. A smile comes over his lips and I'm not kidding, I literally see sparkles glow around him. Even the sun loves him.

"Uh, ye-yeah." I twist my fingers nervously.

His smile stretches, and dimples pop out. And holy shit, my heart goes boom boom boom in my chest.

Okay.

I think I've got a crush.

It's okay, Tara. Handsome guys are my weakness too. I understand you. Lol.

Anyway, hope you enjoyed the chapter. It was mostly filler but as you can read the chapter title, it finally introduced us to the infamous third floor of the hospital.

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