Prince's Hidden Page: A Forbidden Romance

15 • Fire

Writer's pov

Two days passed away. Payal tried her best to stay away from Veer. Even though whenever he called her, she managed to send someone else. She stopped even going in front of him. She thought that staying away from veer will help both of them. But it was not.

Veer couldn't take himself out of his thoughts. Veer sat at his chamber , trying to focus on his works. He was supposed to be reviewing the plans for the new rules but his mind kept wandering back to the last conversation with Payal.

He could not gulp the facts that Payal now even stopped coming near him. She seemed to be totally dissappeared from the palace. But Veer knew that she was somewhere there.

And he wanted to meet her. He wanted to tell her about the storm of his heart.

Veer was sure of the feelings he was holding. He wanted to tell all these to Payal. But he wasn't given a chance.

Suddenly, his reverie was shattered by a cacophony of screams and the clanging of alarm bells. He stood up swiftly. As he strode out of his chamber, the chaos unfolded before him. He could not see anyone there but the screams were still coming from somewhere. He became alert that something has gone wrong in the palace. Without thinking much, he took steps in the direction of the screams. The more he was walking, there more he saw the thick smoke which was coming m from the palace kitchen. The servants were rushing out in a panic.

He noticed that his brother, rajkumaar Stavya & sister, rajkumaari Chahat were already present there. He ran to them and saw that the kitchen was burning.

" Pani lao sabh " Stavya ordered and some attendees rushed out to get water.

( someone come with water)

" Aag kese laga? " Asked Veer but no one had any answer.

( how did it fire?)

Veer looked here and there. He wanted everyone to be safe. He did not know the all the attendee's faces but still tried to find if everyone is out or not. But suddenly he felt like his heart was lurching. Where is Payal? She is not present outside.

" Payal? " He called out her name with a raised tone but the noise was too much there.

Without a second thought, Veer dashed towards the fire. The heat was intense, the smoke a blinding, choking veil. But he did not care.
" Bhai where are you going?" Stavya tried to stop him by holding his hand but he jerked it off. " No my payal is inside " His voice shook, he seemed scared. Stavya has seen this scared Veer for the first time.

Veer plunged into the inferno without caring about anyone. The fire licked at his skin, the heat oppressive, but he pushed forward.The air was thick with smoke, stinging his eyes and searing his lungs with every breath. He could feel the heat searing through his clothes, the intensity of the blaze threatening to overwhelm him. But at this time he could care about those very less.

Finding Payal was the only purpose.

He called out her name, "Payal!" His voice was hoarse, barely audible over the roar of the fire. There was no response. And everywhere he looked, he could see fire only.  He stumbled, his vision blurred, his mind singularly focused on finding her.

And then finally he saw a figure. Payal. He saw her, sitting against a wall, her knees were pressed against her chest and she was crying.

" Payal! " He shouted, relief flooding through him. He didn't even understand when a single tear dropped from his eyes. He marched towards her.

Reaching her, he kneeled in front of her. She was shivering badly and sweat was all over her body. Her eyes were bawling. Veer did not care before scooping her body into his arms. Just as her head touched his chest, he felt like peace reaching to his muscles.

Payal clutched the sleeves of his kurta.

" Are... Are you o.. okay? " Veer stammered and tried to hold her cheeks but his hands shivered very badly. He didn't know that he was so scared of losing her.

" Payal? " He looked down at her. She was just crying. For a moment, payal also thought that she will be burnt here and nobody will search for her ever.

He had to get her out, now.

" S.. Stand up... I will get you out"

Veer said controlling his tears. There was so much heat. He struggled to breathe and didn't want her to struggle anymore.

" Stand up, okay? I am with you "  Veer shielded her with his body as best as he could, dodging falling debris and leaping over scattered embers.

He helped her to stand up but Payal could not give a step anymore. She fainted in his arms. " Payal? Payal! " He called her name but she was unconscious.

He held her in bridal style. His  mind raced for a solution. Just as he looked at the exit, it felt like being miles away. Each steps an eternity. And the heat was unbearable, the smoke blinding, but he could not give up.

Looking at Payal's unconscious, he tried to gather confidence. " Don't worry. You will be safe " He whispered and ensuring a secure grip on her, he started moving towards the exit, each step fueled by sheer determination.

"Stay with me, Payal," he whispered, more to himself than to her. The sound of the fire roared in his ears, but that didn't fear him as much as payal's life.

He reached to the door and came out after that.

Just as they two came out, everyone reached them running. Veer carefully laid Payal down but her head rested against his lap.

" Payal... Payal.. " He almost cried looking at her face from close. Those eyes were closed and it pierced his heart.

" Payal wake up. See we are out now! "

But no answer was coming.

Everyone present there was shocked by the scene. Veer hugged her body and kept on calling her, almost forgetting everyone else's presence there.

He forgot that he was the prince and she was just a mere maid. No, for him, she was becoming something more than that now but for others? For others it was becoming a curiosity.

" Someone! Waterrrr! " Veer screamed and suddenly an attendee came with water.

And just as the water touched her skin, there was a stir. Payal's eyelashes, fluttered. A soft sigh escaped from his lips.

And just as her eyes met his wet eyes, veer paused. He could not believe that she was safe within his arms. Only he knew how much scared he was for a moment.

" Oh God " He mumbled and hugged her tightly, hiding her in his embrace.

He stayed like that for a moment, heard the rhythm of her heartbeats. That rhythm calmed his body. He held her more tightly as if that little bit of distance could hurt him.

The fire ceased by then. But Veer could care less about anything.

Payal broke into silent cries in his arms. He kept on stroking her back, letting her know that they are safe.

He looked at the burnt marks on her skin. His heart squeezed inside for not being fast enough to save her. He felt an anger and irritation as well. Why could not she be little careful? When everyone was already out, what made her stay inside? His heart clenched as he wanted to tell payal all of his thoughts.

He did not know how he made a silent promise of keeping her safe at any cost only that night when her forehead was filled with his blood.

And he was determined to fulfill that promise.

Suddenly he became aware of the stares and gazes. The crowd was breaking into mutters. His own siblings looked at him with wide eyes.

He did not care about those at all but payal needed rest. He knew it.

Picking her up in bridal style, he stated in a heavy tone, "Call the physician " Then he took her with him in his chamber.

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