Pehli Nazar Mein

IV.

Author's P.O.V.

Siya

The conversation between the two families played in the background as Siya walked in with the tray full of snacks and refreshments. She did the work she was supposed to do, laying down the plates of food on the table in front of the guests. 

Siya was a dedicated girl, doing her job with the utmost sincerity. She always made sure everything was perfect. But today, her mind seemed to wander. 

Siya had a rough past before she had met Ishita, before her mother started working for the Malhotras. Siya didn't know her father, he had died shortly after she was born. Her family (it felt weird to call them her family) had refused to support her and her mother. As a result, Siya's mother was forced to work hard, to sustain a life for herself and her daughter. She worked brutal jobs day and night, all while taking care of her daughter. But then, Siya's mother started working for the Malhotras when Siya was still very young, and it changed their life. Siya found a friend for the first time in her life- Ishita. Even though she and her mother worked for her family, Ishita never made them feel inferior. Siya would forever be grateful for that. Ishita and her family had saved her multiple times, in several different ways.

Siya pledged to work with full determination, for Ishita's sake. She swore that she would die before she left Ishita's side. But today, she wasn't really living up to it. Her mother was sick, extremely sick, lying alone in bed in the other side of the mansion, at the workers' quarters. Siya found her thoughts straying towards her direction every few minutes. She knew that if she told Ishita, she would help her out. She would give her a day off, or even hire a good doctor to tend to her mother. But, Siya had learnt from her own mother that you can't always go to others for help. You must learn to fend for yourself. Moreover, she didn't want to ask the Malhotras for another favour, not anymore. 

Lost in these thoughts, Siya started pouring fresh orange juice inside glasses for the guests. She offered everyone a glass each, her eyes downcast. 

Then, in the most 'Siya' way possible, she managed to mess up at just the most crucial time. Why was it, that even though she always aimed for perfection, something had to go wrong at the end moment?! She mentally cursed herself, blaming her wandering thoughts for the mishap she had caused. 

Siya had spilled orange juice on Avyansh Singh Rajput.

She swore it wasn't intentional! Well...no one would be stupid enough to intentionally spill orange juice on the crown prince. But right there, dripping down Avyansh Singh Rajput's black jacket was orange juice, a damp spot becoming bigger and bigger on it.

Siya froze, her eyes widening, not being able to understand how she had possibly done that. Then fear overcame her. She had heard several stories about how cold and indifferent he was, how intolerant he was towards even the smallest mistakes. She felt tears collecting in her eyes, knowing that she was doomed. He could ruin her life this very moment for this small mistake and no one would be able to do anything. But again, was it really a small mistake? Orange juice- spilled on the expensive tuxedo and it's wearer who was none other than the Avyansh Singh Rajput. 

She knew that her fears were going to come true when Avyansh stood up, towering over her. She felt even smaller in his presence. She did the next best thing- apologizing profusely.

"I am so so sorry- I-I don't know how that happened. I am extremely sorry, sir. I'll get your jacket cleaned for you, I'll get you another new one. I promise. Please, please forgive me. I know this is very, very inappropriate for me to do, but I-" Siya rambled on, not being able to look up at him, feeling a tear threatening to roll down from one of her eyes.

"It's alright"

Wait, what? Siya finally looked up, and she found herself looking directly into the deep brown eyes of Avyansh Singh Rajput. She had expected him to lash out, but he hadn't. Instead, he just told her it was alright, that too in the sweetest voice ever. Was she dreaming? Had she been killed? Was she so scared she was hallucinating?

"I am so, so sorry-" Siya repeated, not being able to trust her ears.

"Hey, it's alright" Avyansh said, interrupting her.  And to Siya's surprise, the corners of his lips were twitching upwards. "Mistakes happen. Though I would appreciate it if you could get this cleaned. Or you could just throw this away, I'll get myself a new one. It's not a big deal"

Siya watched, stunned, as he took off his jacket and handed it to her. She couldn't believe what she was seeing. She had feeling no one else in the room believed it too. She was faintly aware of Vamika Singh Rajput staring at her brother in what seemed like amusement, and watched through her peripherals as his mother smiled awkwardly. 

"T-Thank you so much, sir. I am really sorry once again for all the inconvenience I have caused" Siya said, bowing her head low. His jacket felt heavy in her hands for some reason. Without waiting for another moment, she rushed out of the room.

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Siya couldn't believe her luck. She couldn't understand how she was let off the hook. She washed his jacket herself, with the utmost care, her brain clouded with a million thoughts...and also the image of his brown eyes.

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A/n: Another chapter :D Hope you liked it <3