Isha

My ears perk up at the sound of the door opening. I did give Calix the passcode to my apartment and hopefully, it is him only and not a concerned plus stressed Aria who in that situation, would have somehow got to know about my accident from Lola.

Thankfully, it is Calix and me ultimately giving up on my murder plan on Lola (she hasn't yet told Aria anything, it seems).

"Here are your pads." I lean forward from the slightly ajar door, making sure to not give a view of my half-naked self to Calix, who fortunately has his head turned around the other side.

My brows furrow at the three packets. I generally use large sized pads on the first two days because of my heavy flow, but after that, the rest of the days go smoothly with regular sized ones. I rarely use extra large pads (specifically used on long journeys, by me), because of its extremely high price. Also, Calix did not just buy large packets of the three sized pads from the brand Ultra Smooth. Ultra Smooth is known for its qualitative but highly expensive sanitary pads, in the entirety of Syncitia. I have never myself bought a single packet from the aforementioned brand.

"I'll freshen up and come outside in a moment." I say to the man standing outside, and make a mental note to make him blurt out the exact expense so that I can pay him back, although it will hurt my monthly savings.

"Also," I add, when a sudden thought strikes me, "Please don't remove the comforter from my bed. And do not even think of looking at the covers. You will be horrified, trust me."

"Oh, if you are talking about the blood stain, I had already put the stained cover in the laundry basket I found outside your room and changed the bedcovers into new ones, before I went out."

My jaw hangs open. I am extremely thankful and find it heart fluttering for some reason at this thoughtful gesture but there was no need for him to do so. Not at least for a mere woman, Calix has met about more than a month ago.

"You didn't have to do that, you know."

"I know." I can feel his smile through the closed door. "But I wanted to. I'll see if I can find things to scrub off the stain."

"Wait, there's no need-"

In vain, the prince is already out of my room as I hear my bedroom door shutting close.

My heart has been thrumming a lot, lately, and I do not like it. Not one bit.

"What's all this?"

I gasp at the sight in front of me. Being a messy person, I have never made my bed so nicely and comfortably like Calix has. It's not even dinner time, but my eyes are on the verge of giving in to the exhaustion of the entire day.

Also, because last night I couldn't get a wink of sleep.

"So, while you were freshening up, I read some articles online." Calix admits, scratching the back of his head. "There it was written, women need to be comfortable during periods, especially when they go through cramps."

"Hah. The arrogant prince can actually be nice, it seems." I joke, although my heart swells up with affection at Calix's sweet attempts.

Nevertheless, I get on the bed, and the prince helps me tuck in.

"I have brought some snacks that might help in reducing your cramps."

"It's alright, I am fine right now-" I choke on my own words when an abrupt aching, tightening pain, shoots in my abdomen and a breathy huff leaves my mouth. "Ugh. Damn it."

"What is it?" Calix asks in concern, seeing me twisting and turning in pain.

"On a second thought," I manage to clench out the words while clutching onto my abdomen, "Leave the snacks. Could you hand me that water bottle instead?"

"Here you go."

I chug down enough water to rehydrate myself, so much so, that I finish the 500 ml bottle in a matter of seconds. Besides, it is a known fact that drinking water helps in reducing cramps.

"Feeling better now?" Calix inquires as I hand him the bottle to keep it on the bedside table.

I offer a weak smile. "It won't reduce the pain immediately." Another pain shoots up and I breathe heavily. "My cramps are a pain in the ass. But I am used to it."

"Would you like me to give you a massage?"

I halt mid-way from lying back down. A look of disbelief takes over me as I ponder whether I have become too delusional that I'm hearing things now.

"Uh...I mean..."

"Only if you are alright with me touching your...abdomen." I stifle a giggle when I notice how red Calix has turned. He is probably thinking that he has put me in an uncomfortable position here.

"It's not that I am not comfortable." I smile. "It's just, you have already done a lot for me today."

"Nonsense." Calix makes a pfft sound, as if a royal prince tending after his fake girlfriend, when she is on her periods, is a usual occurrence.

I move to the side, being extra careful with my bandaged leg, the pain of which has got a lot better. I pat on the space beside me, beaming at the prince who is dressed in the oversized plain grey shirt and knee-length shorts of my previous roommate's fiancé. Thank God the couple have plans of taking the rest of their things out next week. By then, the shirt and pants will be washed and back to where they were. Not that the girl or her fiancé would mind if they find out that His Royal Highness Calix has worn the clothes. Her fiancé might even faint.

Calix takes his sweet time in adjusting himself on my queen-sized bed and eventually turning around to face me. Both of us stare at one another in nothing but complete silence, as we decipher the emotions swirling in our eyes. But we break contact soon enough, due to the intensity of our closeness and us blushing profusely.

Calix coughs up nervously, as he scoots closer and clears his throat. "Excuse me." And slowly but cosily, slides his warm palm, from under my shirt, and rests it eventually on my abdomen.

I suppress the urge to exhale erotically and keep reminding myself that this is a normal massage to reduce my pain.

But Calix's touch on my abdomen, as he begins to trace, trail and put slight pressure on just the right areas on my abdominal skin cannot stop the heat from gushing to my entire body.

"Is this alright?" Calix's deep honey voice tingles my ears, when hesitantly, he presents the question.

"Mhm." I manage to make the relieved sound as I give in to the ultimate comfort and close my eyes.

"Good."

There is nothing sensual about the ambience. It is simply Calix giving me a relaxing massage I didn't know I was in need of. Yet I cannot shake off the feeling of his touch on my skin, his closeness to my body, and his hot breath when he speaks once in a while, making sure I am getting the ultimate pleasure. And like a plague, the memories from last night overcome my brain.

Eventually my breathing grows ragged as with my eyes open wide, and I face the ceiling, thinking of things to deviate my mind from the memories of our shared kiss.

Think about books. Yes books. Books have princes. And princes are good kissers. Calix is a good kisser.

No. This isn't helping the situation.

I clench my eyes shut at my shameless self. Here Calix is helping me with my cramps, and I am having vulgar thoughts about the naive prince. Get a hold of yourself, Isha Sen.

"I was wondering," I think of asking questions instead, to take my mind out of the gutter, "Why did you buy the pads from such an expensive brand and that also, pads in three different sizes? Just one packet with regular sized ones would've been enough."

Calix doesn't answer immediately. Something tells me, he is hesitating. So I tilt my head upwards to stare at his frowning face.

"Well?" I urge him to answer.

"I...uhm..." Calix sighs deeply, closing his eyes, as if he is feeling embarrassed on admitting something. "I have never bought pads for anyone, and I didn't know what the size of your...vagina was."

I laugh. I do feel guilty for laughing at the adorable male but I cannot control my inner urge to holler heavily at his face.

"That's not how pads work." I snort in the midst of my laughing session. "The size differentiates on the basis of the blood flow and not the length of a woman's vagina."

Calix's cheeks and ears visibly grow red as he turns his face away from me to hide his flustered expression.

"Let me guess," I manage to say in between my hysterical laughter, "You asked the measurement of vaginas from a random woman."

"Not one but two women." Calix groans in agony.

"That's hilarious." And my laugh continues, "I am sorry but this is so funny."

"I feel utterly stupid right now." A grumbling pout forms on Calix's lips. "I guess I deserved the slaps."

"Wait, you got slapped?" My laughter stops, catching onto his words. I immediately bend my body sideways to cup his face in my hands. "Are you hurt?"

"I am alright." Calix assures, smiling softly. "The two women thought I was a pervert."

"I mean," I shrug, "The question does seem like something a pervert would ask. Especially, if I put myself in the shoes of the two women. Like imagine a random male coming over to ask me for vagina's length."

"I'll probably slice off his tongue, if that were to ever happen."

Although Calix says those words with extreme tranquillity, I feel a shiver run down my spines at his unwavering blue eyes and the menacing tone hidden beneath the entire sangfroid demeanour.

I clear my throat. "Anyway, thank you for everything that you have done for me today. And I'm sorry for behaving so childishly back at the hospital."

"Stop thanking and apologizing all the time." Calix murmurs, as he commences his soft massages on my abdomen once again. "I get it. Women tend to have mood swings when on periods."

"That was not it. I...well, I suddenly remembered something from my past and felt like you all saw me as someone who needs help all the time."

"Isha. There is nothing wrong in asking for help. Moreover, why would you even think that we see you as someone who needs to depend on others?"

I close my arms around my body, feeling small all of a sudden as familiar memories of Killian blocks my mind. "As I've said, I remembered something."

"Does that something involve your experiences with Killian?"

"How did you..."

"Isha, I am the first prince of Syncitia. Being brilliantly observant is something I am known for."

"Yeah, you are right." I sigh, admitting the untold truth. "Killian is my ex and we didn't really have a healthy relationship."

Calix's palm moves away from my abdomen and to my arms, gripping my body. He delicately removes my arms and pulls me closer to his chest, in a cuddling position.

"Don't misunderstand." Calix's shy voice rumbles through his chest, "Cuddling helps in reducing cramps as well. I am only sharing my body warmth."

"I know." I giggle softly, thankful to have the prince's presence by my side.

"I will not force you to tell me Isha but just so you know, I am all ears. If it makes you feel any better, you should know that your past will be safe with me."

Should I tell him then? Talking helps but am I really ready to share about my past relationship with Calix, who, we both are aware, has become a close friend to me by now? However, when I revealed to him not long ago that Killian and my relationship was something far from healthy, I didn't feel uncomfortable or regretted exposing the truth to him. In fact, I felt light, as if a heavy burden has been lifted off from my chest.

And so, I unveil my dark past, for the first time.

"Killian and I met during our senior year at university. He was majoring in Royal State Affairs to obviously apply to become an employee at Nirvana. Coincidentally, our department buildings were situated adjacent to each other. So our paths crossed often. Killian has always been a handsome guy, hence initially, I was infatuated with him, which slowly faded away as pressures from semesters, lectures and assignments, all began to pour on me. Until one day when Killian approached me on his own. We started off as friends and he really was a person with whom you would want to socialize. The feelings somehow developed after one year, and we began dating half-a-year later, when Killian asked me to be his girlfriend. The first two years were amazing. He was compassionate, caring, loving, supportive. Killian was everything that I have always dreamt of in my ideal boyfriend.

However somehow, things between us began to change. He became more rough with me. Started distancing himself. Even insulted me heavily, using my insecurities to his advantage, when we had arguments. But then again, he would console me with sweet words and false care.

Before it was too late, I was already deeply in love with him to realize that he was manipulating me, and using me as an object; a possession to be exact. To satisfy his selfish desires and a proof to himself that he was better than me, by all means.

He has always been the insecure one but I never saw it and thought everything was my fault for clinging onto him too much and yearning for his affection, when he broke up with me after four years. I had already become useless to him. I guess, the break-up did change me for the better as I got time to focus on myself, amidst my initial heartbreak and the time to grasp his true identity.

Back at Nirvana, that day, when Killian tried to physically assault me, I couldn't help but be shaken up. He has verbally abused me, yes, but never dared to raise his hands on me. Seeing him becoming so violent was quite shocking and...frightening."

A shuddering breath leaves my lips as I clutch onto Calix's shirt, my hands forming into fists, eventually. I cannot see his expression now but I am sure he has grown serious.

"Killian has been the asshole, all this time. He missed the opportunity of cherishing an amazing woman like you. Nothing is your fault, Isha. You were simply in love and wanted to be loved in return."

I smile. "I am aware. And trust me when I say this, it took me more than a year but I finally know my self-worth and Killian's true personality. I am alright now and have no more lingering feelings for him, whatsoever.

It would be a lie to say meeting you and entangling ourselves in this mess didn't help me from getting my mind off that jerk."

"I am glad." Calix breathes, his voice deep and low, and possibly with reddened cheeks.

"Also," I continue teasing him, "A prince shouldn't use such obnoxious words, Your Royal Highness."

"Killian deserves it. He deserves a thousand more obnoxious phrases thrown at him."

I chuckle. The urge to ask him if the reason behind firing Killian from such a reputable position was because of the physical assault that had taken place within the premises of Nirvana, grew. But I control my impulse because Calix firing Killian because of me, is irrational.

"Enough about me." I say, changing the subject, "Could I ask about the relationship between you and Prince Carlos? I mean, I have heard certain rumours but have never paid much attention, so I don't know every single thing revolving around the royal family of Syncitia, by heart."

Perhaps I should not have asked the question. No matter how close Calix and I may have grown, our statuses in society are completely different. He wouldn't even have been allowed to engage himself with me, if he were the Crown Prince. I wonder if I have disrespected him by prodding over a sensitive matter.

"I am an illegitimate child. The bottom line is this." Calix abruptly states, taking me by surprise.

The rumours that I've heard revolved around Calix being an adoptive son of the King and Queen, or even the son of a distant relative of the King. But nothing about him being an illegitimate child.

"My biological mother was a maid at Nirvana. The present king's maid, to be exact." Calix continues, loneliness visible in his tone. "Under the influence of alcohol, my father committed the grave mistake of having sex with his maid, despite being already married to Queen Veronica."

Calix scoffs, with a hint of despair in it, "I don't even know if my birth mother consented to sleeping with His Majesty, or she had simply obliged because father was a royalty."

I move closer to Calix, when I feel his shaky breath. He doesn't push me away, either, and melts into the touch of my comfort.

"The entire palace was in an uproar when the truth about a maid being impregnated by the then Crown Prince, came into light. Since my grandfather was worried about not having a future heir to the throne, after Father, as Queen Veronica still was without a child, I was ordered to be raised as a royal prince and as the son of King Richard and Queen Veronica. My mother, of course, was banished from Syncitia for seducing a royalty. Two years later, the present Queen gave birth to Carlos, and slowly, all the attention and love I had been receiving shifted from me to my half-brother.

It took me a long time to realize the truth behind my birth but I had always been nothing but a bastard child.

Perhaps that is why, Father removed me from the position of the Crown Prince, on my thirteenth birthday, when the untold secret mysteriously leaked out, particularly amongst the aristocratic families of Syncitia. The information was buried over by some ridiculous rumours so that the news couldn't reach the ears of the public and thus, prevented the royal family from being a laughing stock. It was basically to cover my father's misdeeds.

It's funny how the little amount of people, who are aware of the truth, speak ill of my mother and not the king. Whore, slut, seducer and what not did I have to hear from the aristocratic snobs even when His Majesty should equally be blamed."

A sigh leaves Calix. "As for my relationship with Carlos, it was never a bond of hostility. But right after he was announced as the Crown Prince, he started behaving oddly with me. More rude, more disrespectful, more cold. And soon the hostility developed into pure hatred. Queen Veronica is the only person who has ever cared to show me love and affection, even though we do not share an ounce of blood relation."

"Do you really hate Prince Carlos?" I ask, after a moment of brief silence.

"I...do." Calix replies after much hesitation, which proves he isn't sure himself.

"And do you think the Crown Prince despises you as well?"

"Obviously."

I smile realizing how the two brothers may pretend to hold extreme animosity for one another, but the way they behave with one another can be easily passed off as sibling banters. But I do not say anything and leave the rest for them to realize their true feelings, one day. Hopefully.

"If only Carlos and I had been real brothers," Calix says ruefully, "Perhaps then, my younger brother wouldn't have distanced himself from me."

"You know, my youngest sister Anvi, is my and Aria's half-sister."

"What?" Calix questions, being startled at my sudden revelation.

I smile gently. "I was only three years old, and Aria eight, when our birth mother left her two daughters in the care of her husband, since she wanted an independent life, where she wouldn't have to look after her children. I was too young to understand anything back then, but what I do remember is the fact that Baba never allowed us to feel the absence of a mother. Approximately one year later, another woman came into his life and they soon got married. She is our present mother. Our Ma, who embraced me and Aria as if we were her own daughters. I was four and due to my young age, it didn't take me long to adjust to her since I don't even have crystal clear memories of the woman who has given me birth. For me, my mother, my Ma, has always been the woman present in our lives, right now. Of course, it took a few months of time for Aria to adjust, but she began to open up to our new mother, as well.

And then, when I was five, and Aria ten, Ma gave birth to Anvi.

Not for once did I or Aria ever feel that Anvi was not our sister, just because we have different mothers. Anvi has always been and will be our youngest sister."

I look into Calix's eyes. "I know our situations of receiving familial love are completely different, but do not think Carlos harbours negative feelings for you, that is, if he does, just because you two are half-brothers. I mean, there are people out there who share similar opinions but there are also people, like me and my family, who differ in this perspective."

Calix remains silent as he keeps listening to me attentively. He doesn't speak regarding Carlos' true emotions towards him, anymore, because he is not sure. And as I have said before, it is not my place but the two princes', to discover where their brotherly relationship stands today, or will stand in the future.

"Do you wish to look for your mother, someday?"

"What makes you think I haven't tried that already?" Calix laughs a bitter laugh. "I tried to search for her through any means, when I turned an adult. But in vain. I gave up after three years of hopeless search for the woman, whose name, face, identity; nothing, is known to me."

A broken chortle leaves his mouth at last. "My reason to never touch alcohol and resentment towards the liquor is because I have always been nothing but a drunken mistake. I behaved rudely with you during our initial encounters because we got into this scandal due to your intoxicated state, after all."

"I am sorry." I guiltily reply. I never knew Calix had a past and on top of that, my low tolerance of alcohol made him face more obstacles. I can't help but blame myself if the relationship between Calix and his family has worsened because of me.

"Mhm." Calix hums teasingly, pulling me closer. "Apology accepted. Also, it would be entirely a lie if I say I don't hate meeting you, now."

I stare at him with widened eyes. "You don't have any bitter feelings for me anymore?"

"No." Calix laughs, patting and messing up my hair in the process. I groan in protest. "You and I both know that we are close to being best friends. Well, nearly close, since Lola will kill me if she hears I have stolen her precious best friend. Her death threats to treat you with love, respect and utmost care, will turn into a reality."

I laugh out loud. Lola is truly something. "So, we have developed our relationship from strangers to enemies to acquaintances to nearly close friends, am I right?"

"I won't say we were enemies ever. Rather, mere business acquaintances who, well, had spiteful emotions for one another for a time of about one month."

"Right." Unknowingly, a yawn leaves my lips as I snuggle into the warmth of the prince holding me close. "Spiteful business acquaintances to nearly close friends. I should probably write a book on us."

"You should."

And before I can make sense of anything, my eyelids grow heavy and I close my eyes eventually, diving into the deep abyss of a peaceful slumber.

Gosh, his embrace feels so...warm.