The Royal Deal

24.

I am a brutally soft woman
- Shaina Singhania.

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Singhania Residence,
New Delhi.
Ten months later.

Shaina Singhania.

"Bua, will you really go after two months?" Aryahi's constant reminder of my upcoming marriage kept me from not forgetting the weight of the ring in my finger. Ever since, bhai and I explained to her the concept of marriage that's the only thing she says before she goes to bed.

"I'll leave to come back." I told her the same thing as I kissed her all over her face making her laugh. She pecked me back on my cheek as I tucked her in her bed.

"Don't go." The cycle repeats and I sighed before I leaned out to turn off the lights.

"I'll come to see you, every now and then. You won't even realise that bua's gone." I told her as I softly patted her head and she shifted closer seeking my warmth.

"I don't like Yuvraaj uncle." She grumbled and I laughed
"Why?" I asked as I caressed her hair to put her into an easy slumber.

"He's taking you away." She reminded me that he's really taking everything away but how's that man at fault?

Instead of replying I was drifted back to when I last met Yuvraaj three months ago. We were supposed to put up an act to be in hopeless love for the eyes of people by this month or so. That was the plan to make this marriage look as real as possible.

He told me that he frequently visits Delhi for the purpose of work, this time could also be utilised to make public appearance given that I never really accepted his proposal to use that time to know him more however, three months ago we didn't plan to meet.

We bumped into each other at a restaurant, where he introduced me to his investors as his fiancé. I wasn't wearing my ring. It just embarrassed the two of us because he was wearing his ring.

Is this how you're going to make it look real?

His tone wasn't harsh just disappointed, he looked a little angry and for the first time, I didn't have a reply because I signed up for something, wearing my ring or at least keeping it with me was the least he was asking from me.

My fingers moved lazily in Aryahi's hair as I rested my head beside hers on her pillow.

There's not been a night I didn't think about him to sleep, he's like a memory carved in the walls of my brain that no matter how hard I try to scratch it out, he won't just go. Stubborn man.

Five years feels a lot to be with a stranger and I cannot imagine being with him for one whole life. Ten months ago I was sure about this whole marriage fiasco but now, I stand nowhere.

I turned my head to the other side to see my ring in my ring finger as my hand rested on my lap, I don't remove it at all anymore. What if...

Soft snores of my niece drifted me out of my thoughts.

Did I tell you that the thought of spending my life with Yuvraaj scared me? If I didn't, you know it now.

It's not like I think he's a bad person, but how do I trust a stranger with my whole life? What if he does some irreversible damage to me? What if he becomes the man I stay away from even in my nightmares?

I couldn't even go for a divorce, I'll be tied to him for life. It scares me like nothing else.

Softly patting Aryahi's head I made sure that she was asleep before I detached myself from the child and left her room with a soft click behind me.