Siya's life in Chandipur was marked by resilience and solitude, her days consumed by nurturing the vibrant blooms of her flower shop. Abandoned at birth and haunted by the mystery of her parents' disappearance, she had grown accustomed to the whispe...
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I leaned back in my chair, staring at the ornate ceiling of my study. My mind drifted back to those college days, where everything was simpler yet infinitely more complicated. It was a time of rivalry, jealousy, and unexpected friendships.
Raipur College was a battleground of personalities and ambitions. It was during one of these rounds that I first noticed her.....Siya. She was standing by herself, a book clutched to her chest, her eyes focused on the ground as if trying to avoid the chaos around her. There was something about her quiet defiance that caught my attention. I wasn't there to rag the new students but to keep order, to ensure that the traditions of ragging didn't turn harmful. My presence, though, often instilled fear rather than comfort.
My focus shifted when I saw Tanishk, my mischievous friend, making his way toward her. Within a week, Tanishk and Siya had become inseparable. They laughed together, studied together, and seemed to share an unspoken bond. It irked me more than I'd like to admit. Seeing Tanishk with his head on Siya's lap one afternoon was the final straw.
"Move over, Tanishk," I growled as I approached them, kicking Tanishk lightly on his butt.
"Whoa, Adhiraj! What the hell are you upto?" Tanishk widened his eyes in mock surprise.
Siya looked up at me, shock evident in her eyes. She opened her mouth to say something, but I cut her off by gently pushing Tanishk aside and placing my head on her lap instead. It was a bold move, one that surprised even me. But the sight of Tanishk's head on her lap had ignited something primal inside me.
"I came here first! Tell him, Siyu," I snapped, incredulous at how buddy-buddy they'd gotten in just a week. Siyu? Really?
"Looks like I've taken your spot now," I added smugly, guiding Siya's trembling palm to my chest and closing my eyes in mock contentment. Tanishk, of course, swatted at me, shoving me aside. But I rolled back immediately, not about to surrender that easily.
"Get off, Adhiraj! This is my spot, idiot!" Ignoring him for a while, I kept my head on Siya's lap, feeling her tense under my touch.
"You lost your spot the moment I got here," I said, my tone even.
"Fine, fine. But just remember, I was here first,"Tanishk remarked and sat up. Siya remained silent, her hand frozen on my shoulder. I could feel her discomfort, but I couldn't bring myself to move. There was something about being close to her that felt right, even if I didn't fully understand it at the time.
"What's with you two? And Mr. Ragging Master, get off me," Ms. Siya's stern voice cut through the bickering like a knife through butter. I didn't bother to move, stubbornly keeping my head on her lap.
"Well, Tani, I brought something for you," she said sweetly, making my ears perk up. The nickname "Tani" grated on my nerves like nails on a chalkboard. I watched her pull out a tiffin from her tote bag, unwrapping the foil to reveal a steaming Aloo paratha. My eyes nearly popped out of my head. No way I'm letting Tanishk eat!
"Woah, what a new girl," l exclaimed, spinning around to look for a new girl. I knew beautiful girls were his Achilles' heel! Seizing the moment, I lunged and chomped down on the paratha, accidentally biting Siya's finger in the process. She yelped, causing me to shot her a wink.
"Bishhhhh," Tanishk whined, watching me still chewing on paratha while glaring at me.
"Don't worry, Tani, I have another one for you. Take it immediately," Siya said, my eyes widening as Tanishk's mouth opened in anticipation. Smirking, I launched a surprise nipple attack on him, causing him to yelp in pain. I snatched the second paratha and bolted from there fastly, hearing Siya shout behind me while Tanishk...
"I will kill you, bishhhhh..."
The memory brought a subtle smile to my lips. I sat up, the leather chair creaking beneath me, and glanced at the paperwork on my desk. It was a constant reminder of the responsibilities that weighed on me.....responsibilities that often felt like a burden too heavy to bear. As I sat there, lost in thought, the door to my study opened. My PA, a loyal and efficient man, stepped in.
"Hukum, there's someone here to see you," I nodded, straightening up.
"Send them in."
A middle-aged man entered, his posture humble, yet there was a certain determination in his eyes. He needed something, and it was my duty to listen.
"Good afternoon, Hukum," he greeted, bowing slightly.
"Afternoon," I replied, gesturing for him to take a seat.
"What brings you here?" He hesitated for a moment, then spoke.
"I seek your help, Hukum. My land has been taken by a local gang. They claim it as their own, and I have nowhere else to turn," I leaned back, listening carefully.
"Who are these people? And what proof do you have of your ownership?" The man produced some documents, which I examined closely. Everything seemed in order, and my anger flared at the injustice.
"I'll handle this. You have my word."
"Thank you, Hukum," he said, relief evident in his voice, joining his palm together to show overwhelming gestures. As he left, I couldn't help but feel the weight of my responsibilities once more. But alongside that weight was a sense of purpose. My role wasn't just to rule but to protect and serve my people. When the door closed, I stood up and walked to the window, looking out at the sprawling landscape of Raipur. The city was a part of me, just as much as I was a part of it. And somewhere out there, Siya was navigating her own path, just as I was mine.
The past had a way of intertwining with the present, and I knew that our story was far from over. The memories, the unresolved feelings, and the responsibilities that came with being the Hukum of Raipur all combined to shape the path I was on.
I returned to my desk, ready to tackle the next challenge, but my thoughts lingered on her...Siya. The past had a way of resurfacing when you least expected it, and I knew that our paths would cross again, sooner rather than later.
The formalities and the burdens of my role weighed heavily on my shoulders, but the thought of Siya and the memories we shared provided a strange comfort. I had no idea what the future held, but one thing was certain: the past had left its mark, and it was up to me to navigate the complexities of the present.
"Hukum," my PA's voice broke through my reverie once more.
"There's another matter that needs your attention," I nodded, ready to face whatever came next.
"Send them in," As the next person entered, I couldn't help but wonder about the twists and turns that lay ahead. The journey was far from over, and the stakes had never been higher. But with determination and resolve, I knew I would face whatever challenges awaited me, both as the ruler of Raipur and as a man still grappling with the ghosts of his past.
⊹ ࣪ ﹏𓊝﹏𓂁﹏ T H A N K Y O U ⊹ ࣪ ﹏𓊝﹏𓂁﹏
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