Prince's Hidden Page: A Forbidden Romance

12 • Stealing Glances

Payal

Running to my room, I closed the door. My wet footprints were everywhere but I could care about that less now as my heart was beating so loud inside.

With trembling fingers I touched my lips where he touched too. Oh my God.... His stare..... His silent stare told me so many things. So many things which I didn't need to know...

I looked at my wet body where his shawl was wrapped. He gave it to me. Oh my God! Do I need more incidents to give myself heart attacks!?

Unwrapping the shawl I took it in my hand. Even looking at it, was making me shy, nervous and what not.... I took it near my nose & smelled the fragrance.

The shawl was smelling like him.

I remember the moment Rajkumaar placed his shawl upon my shoulders, the world around me faded into a blur. The weight of the fabric was nothing compared to the weight of my affection for him. In the quiet of my room, I held the shawl close, breathing in the lingering scent of shawl which felt so similar to his fragrance.

It was more than just a garment. It was a caress from the one I secretly adored.

I closed my eyes, allowing my mind to paint a portrait of rajkumaar. In my heart, a symphony played, a melody of longing and hope.

I felt the whispers of butterflies in my stomach.

Every bit of this feeling was making me feel startled , yet very good. Surely more than good.

I sat on the floor, looking at shawl and thinking if he allowed himself to look at me just like the way I did. If he allowed himself to think about me just like the way I did.

We mean it or not, but we were tied in a knot of fate somehow and maybe this is why all my feelings are valid.

Or maybe he really did....

Maybe he too feels something for me...

Can't he?

✨✨✨after few days ✨✨✨

Veer

Few days passed away. I tried my best to not meet Payal. To not think about her. To not recall any of our encounters. But nothing really worked anymore. Surprisingly she too did not come to my chamber. She did not try to talk to me as well.

Payal was so different from others. All these years, I have faced so many tantrums of different women. Some tried to seduce me while some tried to act innocent. But payal never followed these steps and still there was an unknown and strange bond between us.

And day by day the bond was being hard only.

She was my wife. Even if it's in the veil of darkness, a secret but it is the truth between us too. She could try to act like those women as well. She could try to come closer to me. She could try to ask for things and take the advantage of that night.

But she did nothing. She was loyal to her words. And now it was me who was wanting to be close to her all the time.

Even if I, myself took the decision of not meeting her.... Ahh.. I was stepping away from my own words.

Suddenly a knock was heard.

Payal?

My heart whispered her name & only I knew how much I wanted to meet her, how much I wanted it to be her.

Clearing my throat, I tried to make my voice steady as I asked, " Who? "

" Pranam rajkumaar, maharaj apko bula rahe hai, sabha ka samay ho gaya hai "

( greetings to you prince, king is calling you for the meeting)

I cursed under the breath. Because it was not payal. Why payal? You could just come to me. But my bad luck...

Fixing my hair, I stepped out of my chamber. I led my feet towards the grand hall. Just as I stepped in there, everyone bowed me. I nodded with a light smile and went to my seat which was beside Stavya.

He was sitting silently. And that creature doesn't create a sound in front of baba.

Soon the sabha ( meeting) started. The air was thick with the scent of sandalwood and the murmur of nobles discussing the matters of the kingdom. I was dressed in my regal attire & listening to each and every points. I was going to be the next king of Chandrapur so it was necessary for me to understand everything from now itself.

Suddenly baba clapped his hands twice and a few attendees became present there.

I was about to take my eyes off but then suddenly my eyes caught someone. Finally the person whom I was craving to see, was present here.

I saw payal coming up with a tray. A few maids were with her as well. They started to serve the water to everyone who was present in the grand meeting.

My eyes could focus on anything but her. Payal moved through the room like a gentle breeze, her presence was so soft & soothing to my skin.

She carried out her duties with diligence, her hands skillfully giving the glasses to everyone there. And her feet barely making a sound on the marble floor. Yet, her each steps did something to my heart.

" Koi pasand agaya bhai? " The person beside me, whispered in my ears and my mouth spoke unknowingly " Bohot zyada "

( do you like someone, brother?)
( yes, very much)

I'm usually very composed and attentive but today found myself entranced.

My heart beat raised when she came near but not towards me. My heart itched so badly and I wanted her to be here, present near me.

In my distraction, I failed to notice the advisor's question directed at me. " Rajkumaar Veer, your opinion on this matter?" he asked.

The room fell silent, awaiting my response. I stumbled over my words, my thoughts still entangled with the image of Payal. "I...i...believe... that is......." I lost my voice.

With my side eyes,I looked at Stavya who was almost facepalming himself. Seriously? I was trapped in this situation. For the first time!

My father's sharp gaze met mine, a clear sign of his disturbance & dissatisfaction.
Murmurs filled the room, and all wide eyes were on me.

I resolved to regain my composure, but as Payal passed by once more, offering a glass of water to a visiting dignitary, my resolve wavered. Her simple act of serving water seemed to me the most enchanting dance, and I knew then that my heart was no longer my own.

" Veer! You just leave! " King's voice roared in the grand hall all sudden. I also heard him but didn't look at him. I just couldn't turn my gaze to him as I was too much focused on Payal.

She suddenly looked at me. And my heart skipped thousands of beats. The air seemed to be different and I was lost in her one stare.

God.... What is happening to me....

Fisting on my kurta, I took steps gradually and started to leave the hall. My eyes were flickering sometimes on the floor & sometimes on her.

It was a dangerous path I found myself on, one where the heart could lead a prince astray. But in that moment, all the rules and expectations of royalty meant little to me. For I was, undeniably, falling for Payal .

✨✨✨

Another chapter done! *patting my shoulder*

But reached to 0 new readers *wiping my tears*

I'll do lunch now, then I'll again sit to write. Or I might sleep because last night I could not sleep at all. Or I might watch a movie. I found a brand new movie of Doraemon. I might watch that

But most probably I'll write 😂