You're My Unique Gift

The Pawn Turns Into A Player

"Komal? Hey, what's going on?" Abhay's voice radiated concern. Shame washed over me in waves. Rajeev was right. These people cared for me, and all I'd done was lie.

"Abhay, I..." My voice cracked. "I can't marry Divirath." Tears welled in my eyes. "I just... I can't."

"Whoa, okay, slow down," Abhay soothed, his confusion evident. "What happened? Did that Prince creep do something?" His protectiveness sent a fresh pang through me, making the panic claw at my throat.

"No, it's not him! It's... it's everything." I squeezed my eyes shut, willing myself not to cry. Another horrifying thought struck me. What if Vihaan hurt Abhay if I involved him? No. I couldn't let that happen. Vihaan wasn't the same charming prince anymore. He was dangerous, a monster in Armani.

"Abhay, please," I choked, my voice thick with tears. "Stay away. Don't try to contact me. Okay?"

"Komal, listen! Whatever it is, we can figure it out. Did you fight with Divirath? We can call him off! Just breathe, okay? I'm booking the next flight to the Bahamas. I'll be there before—."

Panic flared. "No, Abhay! I can't put you at risk. Not you, not Sonica, not Mom and Dad... no one. I can't drag anyone into this. It's too dangerous!"

A beat of stunned silence, and then Abhay's voice, stern now, filled the phone. "Dangerous? What's going on, Komal? Tell me."

Wiping my tears with newfound resolve, I took a shaky breath. "Abhay, I love you. I know I've been a terrible sister, a lousy daughter, and the worst girlfriend ever. But at least I can be a decent human being. This ends with me, Vihaan, and my lies. I'll fix this myself."

Silence stretched, heavy and suffocating. Abhay wouldn't be the solution. This web of lies was laced with venom, and Vihaan Malhotra was the only loose thread.

With a trembling hand, I wiped my blurry vision and disconnected the call. My fingers flew across the screen, dialing the number I dreaded. Each ring echoed in the deafening silence, a drumbeat against my frantic heartbeat.

Finally, his voice, a low purr laced with something dark, filled my ear.

"Komal? Back so soon, Little Dove?"

"Vihaan," I choked, my voice sandpaper rough. "I'm ready."

Silence stretched, a tense melody between unspoken accusations. Then, the dam broke.

"Wait, I—"

"You win," I rasped, the words scraping against my raw throat. "This wedding happens...now."

A startled gasp escaped him. "What? But—"

"No 'buts,'" I interrupted, my voice a steely whisper. "Get your family, a priest, whoever officiates these things. I'm ready. Just tell me what else you want. I'll do it."

His hesitation was a flicker in the storm brewing within me. A horrifying thought clawed its way up - have I walked into another trap? Then, his voice turned cold, laced with a power that sent chills down my spine. "Don't worry about Divirath. He's safe. I'm a man of my word."

There was no warmth in his promise, only a chilling finality. This wasn't a victory dance; it was a calculated move in a game I didn't understand the rules of. But one thing was crystal clear: I was done being a pawn. It was time to become a player.

"Just get it done," I said, my voice a hollow echo.

The line went dead, leaving a phone cold in my hand and a hollowness in my stomach.

Everything became a blur afterward. Vihaan reappeared. A watchful silence hung between us as he ushered me into the mansion. His gaze never left me, as if he was afraid I'd vanish.