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*******

"Is he the red flag?" Mayank asks curiously, scowling Vansh.

The moment, Mayank asked if he was the red flag, I mentioned earlier. I forgot about Vansh because he was a red flag. I genuinely gave an absurd excuse to Mayank so that he could cancel our marriage but now Mayank thinks that Vansh is that red-flag guy, which I like. You know what they say: be careful what you wish for. I wanted nothing to do with Vansh, but now Mayank thinks Vansh is the red flag I was talking about.

I glanced at Vansh for a few good minutes, he definitely was a red flag and so I took advantage of a misunderstanding built between us. "He is!" I confirmed the suspicion of Mayank so that he would reject me in front of my baba.

"He is Vansh Raizada" I introduced him to Mayank.

Mayank places his hand, straight in front of him to shake his hand, "I am Mayank, Mayank Sharma." He introduced.

Vansh ignored his handshake and focussed on me, "I heard, you are getting married?" He asked a hostile question in his hoarse voice yet mixed with anger.

Mayank took his hand back as he felt ignored. He was about to say something but suddenly he got a call and went aside to attend it.

"Yes, you heard it correctly." I replied in a bold tone glaring at Mayank who was on call.

"Are you in love?" Vansh asked having eyes back and forth between me and Mayank.

"What?" I scoffed in surprise. "I have met him today only. And, I don't believe in love. Love is an infatuation." He had fixed his eyes on me intensely, "Then, don't agree to the marriage." He said in a demanding tone as I was his.

"Why?" I asked curiously because it was the first time he had asked something from me and that was very personal which I had never imagined hearing from him.

"Just don't agree with the marriage, please." He swallows very hard, I could see Adam's apple popping out in the center of his neck. He seemed serious. A deadly serious.

When Vansh saved my dad's life, I was just a little kid, I thought it was my duty to thank him. I remember giving him my toys, food, and anything else I owned at the time to show how grateful I was. We played together a lot, and he and my brother treated me like some kind of princess. Although, I was five years younger than them but they remember to include me in everything. But it all went downhill when my dad started to shower him with love like he was his own son. I was jealous of Vansh for getting all the affection I craved from my dad. I cut Vansh out of my life as I watched him grow up into a handsome and a capable man, but not without picking up a few bad habits, like smoking, drinking and fighting. 

My deep thoughts were interrupted by Vansh, who asked, "Are you listening to me?" I looked at him with big eyes and replied, "Father wants me to get married and I can't say no to him." I was lying, of course. I know that Mayank will reject me but I can't let Vansh know as he is favourite son of my baba.

"I am asking you to reject this marriage." He demanded, controlling his anger towards me.

I know Vansh and I aren't exactly friends, but I was confused as to why he was suddenly so interested in my life. I mean, we haven't spoken much in years, but all of a sudden he's asking me not to get married? Is he crazy? I've noticed him staring at me a lot recently, and I just assumed that it was because I'm a beautiful woman, and that's just what men do. I've always kept my distance from him, but today he was really pushing the issue and asking me to reject the marriage. I don't get it.

I said, "I can't," then I walked away, leaving no room for discussion and hoping he wouldn't follow. When I entered the living room, it felt like every eye was on me, and I could hear footsteps behind me. I tilted my head to the side, just enough to see Vansh following me out of the corner of my eye. I ignored him and went to stand next to my sister-in-law.

"When did you come back?" My brother, smiled at Vansh, hugging him. My brother has always been close to him and sees him as a brother. So, I knew my brother would be happy to see him again but for some reason I was not. 

He was all smiles when he said, "Just now, My work was completed. So, I came to meet Baba." He even went to my father to touch his feet and hug him. That's when I knew Vansh was up to no good. He can even get my baba's hug and I haven't even hugged him for once. 

My father (baba) introduced him to everyone as his son. I couldn't believe what I was hearing. I know I shouldn't be jealous of Vansh, but I just can't help it. Baba has always showered him with attention, and it's always seemed like he favors him over me. It's not fair to me.

"Where is he?" My sister-in-law asked, searching for Mayank.

"Who?" I pouted, frustratingly, feeling envious of the love between Vansh and Baba.

I wish I could remember what my sister-in-law said! I was so caught up in my own little world, I didn't pay enough attention to her. I can tell that she's really upset with me, and I feel bad for making her mad.

"Oh shit!" I shrieked loudly, the moment I realized I had forgotten Mayank outside. And, everyone's gaze turned from Vansh to me in no time.

I smiled awkwardly, covering my face with my palm to avoid everybody's gaze on me. I found Mayank entering the living room, and came to stand beside me.

"So, what have you both decided?" Mayank's mother asked with excitement. I tried to appear demure, smiling and blushing while looking at the ground as I waited for Mayank to reply. I was desperate to hear him say that he didn't like me. But, the words he uttered made me mad at that moment and I felt like I wanted to cut out his tongue in pieces. His words made me so angry.

My eyes widened in surprise, and my jaw dropped when he took my hand. I had just assumed he would reject me in front of my family, but instead, he said, "I like her," while intertwining his fingers with mine. Now I'm stuck marrying this guy, Mayank Sharma. I had a whole plan that went down the drain because of him. I scowled at him, giving a 'What the hell?' look at Mayank.

"We had a deal?" I whispered an inaudible voice to not let anyone hear except Mayank.

"I changed my mind." He winks, smiling profusely.

Our families started to laugh and giggle after Mayank said he likes me, but I'm not laughing. I had a whole plan to get out of this, and he just ruined it. Now I'm stuck marrying this guy, Mayank Sharma. This has to be the worst day of my life.

You'd think that my sister-in-law would be on my side, but once my fake fiance said he liked me, she joined in at the party. But, I can't blame her. They were all happy, eating sweets and smiling at us as we held hands. Even Mayank's mother came over to hug and kiss me on the forehead, congratulating me. I felt like I was living a nightmare, and no one around me knew that I didn't want to be here.

In every happy face, I saw an unhappy face which was Vansh. He was growling at me giving me an intense angry look where his eyes were telling him that he would kill me.

I was feeling trapped and needed a way out of that situation. So I did what I do best when I want to escape, I faked a faint. I stared at Vansh with a devilish smile before I closed my eyes and went limp. It seemed to work because everyone panicked and I was taken back to my room. I'm glad I'm an expert at faking because I had to do it once before to get out of a situation I didn't want to be in.

Vansh's pov

I can't force my princess to get married to me, I can only request her to reject the marriage proposal with Mayank. So, I did request her but I also know she can't go against her father and brother which is alright but I can't see her with anyone else. It's impossible to have a mere thought of her getting married to someone else and not me.

Before I stepped in to fix things like I usually do, I waited to hear Princess and Mayank's decision about the marriage. I saw my princess lower her head and blush when she was asked about the marriage. She was so shy and obedient.

I knew Mayank would say yes to marrying my princess. My princess is so beautiful and kind, she's everything one could ever want in a partner. So I wasn't surprised when Mayank agreed to marry her. But I was floored when he reached out to hold her hand. Who did he think he was? Does he have any idea who I am? I was so angry that I placed my fingers on my forehead and creased it. I will tear his hand into so many pieces that he will never be able to hold anyone's hand again, at least in this life. The only reason I didn't step in was because I knew my princess would never go against her father or brother. But I should've known that if I didn't step in, Mayank would. 

I was not happy, the urge to beat him was so clearly lingering on my face. I could feel my anger building inside me like a fire raging up. I will destroy Mayank Sharma.

It was a bittersweet celebration because everyone was happy about this marriage, except me and my princess. I have known her since childhood, so I knew she wasn't happy. I could see it in her eyes, and I understood that she was only pretending to be okay. Her vibe is not one of joy but of escape. When she wants peace, she retreats to her room, closes the door, and watches movies. This is her way of coping, and I respect that.

She did something that I expected from her, she looked straight into my eyes and gave a devilish smile just before she closed her eyes. She fainted. Everyone panicked and stunned still in their places watching her fall on the floor. Except for me and Deepak, we were the only ones who knew that she pretended to faint. It's nothing new, she has done that previously when she had to vanish from the situation, she fainted to avoid the situation.

Mayank let go of her hand so quickly, and Deepak swooped her up like a baby to take her back to her room. Everyone was in such a panic, following us. But Deepak knew she was just pretending, and he handled the situation like a pro. He convinced his father to let her rest and said we could decide about the marriage later. 

*********

"Quit pretending, they are gone." Deepak and I entered Aaliya's room. He sat beside her on the bed and I sat on the couch placed in the room near the bed.

My princess quickly stood up and sat in a comfortable position beside her brother.

"Are they gone?" She excitedly, confirms.

"They are," I replied, placing my right foot on my left lap comfortably.

"What is he doing here?" She asked in a prejudiced tone.

"We have grown up together. He knows when you are pretending and when you are serious." Deepak replied.

"Then tell him to shut his mouth in front of Baba," she commands her brother, avoiding eye contact with me and looking at him instead. That's rich, coming from her. 

"He won't say a word," Deepak replied, smiling. Aaliya stared at me, scowling and I gestured with my hands that my lips were sealed and her secret was safe.

She rolled her eyes at me and averted her eyes to the open door.

Aaliya was so worried about the door being open that she asked Deepak to shut it even though nobody was around. She was worried about someone seeing her. 

"Why didn't you tell me last night that you are not ready for the marriage?" Deepak asked to be worried.

"I thought, I'll be able to handle it." She replied with an innocent face.

"Yeah, we saw how well you handled it. " I scoffed, taunting her.

"Tell him to shut up." She demands her brother, angrily.

Deepak glances at me telling me to not provoke her.

"You should have told me and I would have convinced Father and you didn't have to pretend to faint again." Deepak shows concern towards her.

I agree with Deepak here, if the princess had already made it clear that she didn't want to get married, Deepak would surely have talked with Baba.

"You know how stubborn Baba is, he would have never agreed and if you had revolted against him then he would have punished you." She explains softly.

Deepak sighed in disappointment as he never wanted his sister to be forced into a marriage or for anything else she didn't want to do. He had always tried to give her everything she had asked for, but due to their father's prejudice regarding their mother, my princess's life was miserable. She couldn't have freedom regarding her choices.

"You don't have to behave independently and solve every issue by yourself. You have me, Vansh, and your sister-in-law to take care of you and your issues. You just have to ask." Deepak gave her a comfortable squeeze on her shoulders.

"Bhai, you and my sister-in-law are enough, I don't need him." She pointed at me, with a prejudiced tone regarding me.

"Why do you feel he is not there for you?" Deepak asked genuinely explaining her.

"Because he will always choose Baba over me." She replied seriously yet in a hurting manner.

"You are being delusional, I have never said that I would choose Baba over you," I spoke calmly.

"But, you also have never agreed that you would choose me over Baba." She snapped without taking a second.

I have always thought that she doesn't like me because of my habits but it seems that there is something more to it. She held a great prejudice against me.

"This is not something to say. You and Baba have an important place in my life. Why do I have to choose between you both?" I replied, explaining to her softly.

She gently licked her upper dry lips, avoiding my reply, and gazed at the other side not facing me.

Deepak in his irritated tone, "Can you both please stop fighting?" He scowled at both of us.

"And you, now whatever I have to talk about, I will talk to Mayank. You stay out of it." Deepak points towards her angrily.

Aaliya murmured, softly in an inaudible voice, "Okay"

"But, I swear, I made it very clear to him that I don't wanna get married. But, for some reason, he couldn't understand a simple human language." She snapped, explaining her version. "I should have written this on a stamp paper so that he could understand well?"

"You don't wanna marry your whole life or to Mayank only?" I asked wondering If she didn't wanna get married to anyone. Then, what about me? I want to get married to my princess.

They both gave me an angry scowl like what the fuck I asked.

I blinked as I realized that question was not needed. "What? I was just curious."

"Ignore him." The moment she was about to say something to me, she was interrupted by Deepak. "You heard me, loud and clear?"

"I did." She replied, digging her eyes to the blanket she was tucked in.

***********

"He is not even picking up the call," Deepak spoke, throwing his phone down on the bed in frustration.

"Should I now handle the matter for you and her?" I asked as I finished playing the game in Deepak's room.

"How will you handle it?" Deepak curiously asked, sitting on the sofa beside me.

I took my phone out of my pocket and made a call.

"I have sent you a picture of Mayank Sharma, kidnap him. Treat him well, and ask him to reject the marriage calmly. If he agrees, leave him soon but if he doesn't then beat him especially break his right hand and beat him to the core until he agrees to cancel the marriage." I ended the call as soon as I saw a little grin lingering on Deepak's lips.

"If Aaliya knows that I asked you for help then you know the best." He chuckles softly.

I tightened my lips into a thin line, having a devil grin on my face. "I do know, she hates violence but if she knew? Who will tell her?" I winked.

We both laughed at the fact that we knew that she hated the violence but for her, we were ready to take this risk.

"Should we continue the game?" Deepak asked to take the remote of the game in his hand.

I agreed to nod at him.

"You didn't tell me, why did you come back earlier from Mumbai?" He asked, fixing his eyes on the screen which displayed the game.

I replied, focussing on my game, "My work was completed." To which he smiled, "Was the work completed or did you come back earlier to meet someone?"

I stopped my fingers to focus on him, "I won." He jumps, excitedly in his place.

He puts back the remote on the table, "You came back for her?" He asked staring back at me.

I averted my eyes back to the screen, sighing, "I did." I continued playing another match, "I had not seen her for days."

"Why don't you express your feelings to her?"

"She is younger." I drag. "She is not ready for marriage."

"How much younger?" He asked curiously. "She is 22."

"Uh, five years! Not that much?" He scoffed.

"It is for her." I frowned.

"Have you expressed?" He snaps.

"I don't dare to." I exhaled. "I am afraid, she will reject him. Also, she doesn't like me."

"How do you know?" He furrows.

"She doesn't seem interested in talking to me."

"How come? You both have known each other since childhood. Why is it like that?"

"I don't know." I exhaled sharply. "It's just enough that I see her every day." I swallowed, "It's enough to let me sleep peacefully. I don't need to talk to her, just her one look is enough for me to last that day, as of now."

"Just express your feelings. Otherwise, she will be taken." He continued back to play his game.

"I will never let that happen." I arched up my eyebrows.

I mentioned to Deepak that I liked a girl from my childhood but I never planned to tell him that the girl was his sister, my princess, Aaliya until I planned to tell her by myself.

**********

Aaliya's Pov

I slept like a baby the whole day as I was strictly instructed by my brother Deepak that I couldn't leave the room to not let Baba know that I pretended to faint.

I woke up hearing the message sound bunging into my phone. I checked and it was Dev.

"Aaliya, you remember we are meeting at Rihanna's party, Anushka is also joining us. Don't be late. See you soon."

Spanking my forehead slightly I forgot that I had to attend a party with my family. It was a business party, my brother mentioned a few days ago. It was important for Baba so we all had to attend the party.

Dev and Anushka are my best friends. I had studied with them in school and now in college. Dev's father is also a businessman and a close friend of my baba so, they were also invited to the party. As for Anushka, she comes from a middle-class family, and her father runs a medical shop in the city.

Anushka has a knee for parties and as her friends, we always invite her to join the party with us. So, that she doesn't feel left alone.

It was 8 in the night, I quickly took a shower and came out wearing a bathrobe to decide what I should wear for the party. I am not much of a party person but being born as a daughter of a businessman, I can't avoid the party.

I hurriedly took out some Indian suits to check what I should wear but then I saw a black ready-to-wear saree hung on the hook at the bottom of my shelf.

I got changed and wore that black saree with oxidized earrings. The blouse of the saree was a deep neck from front and back and sleeveless with only a two-inch strip plunged on my shoulders.

I wore a watch on my left hand and a bracelet to my right, letting my hair tied in a bun and the two hair strands lingering to my face parted from the middle.
I watched the time and it was already 9:30 pm. I took a lot of time to get ready. I grabbed my sandals in one hand, into the other, and rushed downstairs finding Vansh standing in front of the car waiting for someone.

To be continued...