The Royal Deal

16.

Kindness is free of cost.
- Someone

*****

Shaina Singhania.

Late.

Nervous.

Messy.

I walked into that restaurant to see my future husband who's always prim and proper, gorgeous and intimidating. He looked magnificent sitting on that chair that dwarfed under his looming presence.

For the first time in my life, I felt so small and sorry at the same time. All through the lunch I did most of the talking and his one-liners still overshadowed the whole conversation.

Just as we were done with our lunch that we ate in silence and I noted his dislike for sandwiches for the future in the back of my head; I excused myself to use the loo to call back Maitreyi who called me throughout the lunch.

"You mother fucking bitch! Half hour! I've been calling you for ages! But her highness-"

"I am on a date." I blurted out to shut her up and it worked. She went silent but if I'm not mistaken I hear a kid's cry from the background

"YOU WHAT? AND I AM NOT AWARE OF IT? YOU DISOWNED FU-"

The cries of the kid increased and she groaned

"What did you do when Ary cried for her bitch mother?" She asked me in pure frustration

"I consoled her but your inconsiderate ass doesn't has an ounce of sympathy." I pointed it out for her

"Ouch! But what do I do then?"

"Feed the kid something to lift the mood. Chocolates. Ice cream. Or put on some distractions, like television or mobile phone or indoor, outdoor games." I suggested in a soft voice and she cried in frustration

"I'm never having a child of my own." She grumbled and added before ending the call, "This conversation is not over."

I chuckled and leaned back on the wall adjacent to mirror. I'm going to get married to a man who eats a sandwich with a fork and knife? A man I barely know? A man who doesn't even like me? A man who looks pissed with my sudden acceptance?

A man who's so powerful that his power could crumble me under his little finger but he didn't even raise his voice at my constant rebellion and crude behaviour. A man who talks less but talks gentle and right.

I might want to know him a little more than nothing, now.

Last night, I came to a pact with myself. Yuvraaj is not the one at fault, in fact he wanted to oblige to my demands, if my father didn't intervene and since, he's not at fault, why would I blame him? Not treat him right? It's not like he had been a classic jerk to me and I plan to return the gestures in the same fashion.

I wore my overcoat. It's chilly outside, my fingers were cold by now, why did I even wear a sleeveless saree? I thought dad wouldn't sign the agreement and I wouldn't have to step out of my warm office but he did. I got a speed post of it this morning but with a letter.

A letter stating that if I really wanted this tradition to end and disregard what my grandfather started. I've to truly leave everything he started. I had to leave the Singhania Empire, I had to give my position of CEO of Singhania Fashion and Jewellery Industries up. I had to give my hardwork up. I had to resign.