The Devil's Substitute : Book #1 [Original Edition]

||Chapter 16||

The others began to disperse, some retreating to their rooms in pure happiness, while a few carried a lingering bitterness.

"Karan bhai, drop the girl at her house," Reyansh instructed, still holding Piyali's hand, now trembling with fear.

Karan nodded and approached Tamanna, who was glaring at him fiercely. "What?"

"If your brother does anything bad to my Piyali, dhod dhungi mein... Chal," Tamanna warned, hurrying outside, leaving Karan dumbstruck.

Reyansh turned to look at Piyali, who was now gazing at her saree, half of which was trailing on the floor. He sighed and picked up the fabric.

"Why did you wear this if it was uncomfortable for you?" he asked.

"To look mature," she replied softly.

"God!" Reyansh muttered under his breath, shaking his head. He gently made her hold the remaining cloth, which she did obediently.

"Come," Reyansh said, pulling her by the hand. But then he heard her sniffle.

Reyansh smirked and lifted her chin with his forefinger. Piyali immediately shut her eyes as a tear rolled down her cheek.

"Scared, huh?" he asked, a teasing lilt in his voice. Piyali instantly shook her head in denial.

"Don't worry, I won't spank you now," Reyansh whispered in her ear. Piyali's eyes flew open, and a wide smile spread across her lips, making him frown.

"Sooo sweet of you." She squealed and pinched his cheek stunning him. "Meri mummy na roz karti hai, with spatula, chappal, broom, and once with a frying pan. My bum turned red, you know, and I ahhhhh..."

Before she could finish, Reyansh scooped her up and slung her over his shoulder, making her scream.

"Chup, or I will spank you with my hand," he warned. Piyali screamed even louder.

Rani Raghuvanshi, irritated, stuffed cotton in her ears. "This girl will make me go deaf," she grumbled.

"See, now our house is so lively," Ranveer chirped at Samaya, who threw a flower vase at him in response.

Riya, standing behind a wall, couldn't believe what she had just heard. "Is he really my Bhai? Awww, how romantic. I have to show this to Karan bhai," Riya squealed, holding up her phone, which had captured the whole exchange.

As Reyansh carried Piyali up the stairs, he felt a mix of amusement and frustration. Piyali was crying and hitting Reyansh's back

"Tu Hulk hai, Hulk! Tammy was right. Tu soniye nehi hoon. Bad boy. Drop me down," Piyali yelled. Reyansh quickened his pace, trying to ignore her protests

When Piyali squirmed again, his patience snapped. "I warned you, little rat. Now see what I do."

SPANK.

Piyali froze in Reyansh's arms, shocked into silence.

"Wow, so bubbly and tiny... shut up, Reyansh," he grumbled to himself as he entered his room with Piyali swaying on his shoulder like a dead rat.

                      Nandini and Randhir's room                              

"I can't believe the Vedants would go this far without informing us. They could have at least discussed the divorce," Nandini expressed, sitting on the edge of their bed, her worry evident.

Randhir placed his files aside and took her hands in his. "Think about their position, Nandini. They were only concerned about Piyali. Given what our family did to her, it's no wonder they hesitated to reach out."

Nandini sighed, nodding slowly. "You're right, but I can't help but wonder what made them change their decision. Why did they allow Piyali to come here? Do you think they've accepted Reyansh?"

Randhir shrugged. "It's possible Piyali convinced her parents."

"Maybe," Nandini conceded, still troubled. "But where did she get those photos from? And why leak them? Whose idea was this?"

 Reyanhs's room

Reyansh tossed Piyali onto the bed, where she bounced lightly.

 "I'm not a puppy, you Hulk!" she shouted, eyes widening as he locked the door.

"Hey, don't lock the door," she screamed again and looked around. 

"We're husband and wife, Piyali. Privacy is important," Reyansh smirked, turning to face her.

Piyali's heart raced as she tried to read his intentions. "Is he going to do that... oh no!"

Reyansh, suddenly aware of the intimate situation, felt a strange warmth despite the air conditioning. He noticed her biting her lip in nervousness, making him gulp.

Taking deliberate steps towards her, he felt his pulse quicken. "What do I do now? Tammy left me alone!" Piyali made a crying face. 

"Don't worry, I won't spank you anymore," Reyansh teased, as he leaned closer.

"So sweet of you," Piyali fake smiled and gulped in horror as his knees touched the bed. 

"AYOOO, MAIN SIRF BACCHA HOON..MUJHE BABIES NEHI CHAHIYE!"

Piyali screamed, hiding her face in her hands, trembling with fear.

Reyansh was stunned, completely taken aback. "What are you talking about?"

Piyali peeked through her fingers, her eyes wide with a mix of embarrassment and fear. "You're going to do dingolfy, right?"

"Dingolfy? What is that?" Reyansh asked, utterly perplexed.

Piyali blushed deeply, stammering, "Uhmm... it means... kissing... here," she pointed to her lips, "here," she pointed to her cheeks, "and finally here," she gestured towards her neck. "I don't want that," she whined, her voice trembling.

Reynash was traumatized. He slowly withdrew from the bed and rushed to the closet where he started questioning his birth.