𝐇𝐢𝐬 𝐒𝐚𝐫𝐝𝐚𝐫𝐧𝐢

6.𝐅𝐢𝐱𝐞𝐝 ?

AUTHOR'S POV

"So, did you like my granddaughter?" Gurdas (Shrayn's grandfather) asked, making Ratnawar (Arthur's grandfather) chuckle.

"Yeah, she's such a pure soul," Ratnawar replied with a smile, clearly admiring her.

"Of course, whose granddaughter is she?" Gurdas asked proudly.

"Obviously yours, but she's going to be my daughter-in-law—more like my daughter," Ratnawar said, chuckling.

"Has Arthur said yes or no?" Gurdas asked.

"He'll definitely say yes. And if he doesn’t, we'll make him," Ratnawar said, causing Gurdas to laugh.

"You’ll never change, Ratiii," Gurdas teased, making Ratnawar roll his eyes.

"Of course not, Guriii," Ratnawar replied with a tight-lipped smile, both of them slipping into their old nicknames as they laughed together.

"Fine, well, when are you going to talk to Shrayn about marriage?" Ratnawar asked Gurdas, who sighed instantly. He knew bringing up the topic of marriage to Shrayn was going to be tough. Despite his outward confidence, Gurdas was a little scared of his granddaughter—he was, after all, a frightened kitten when it came to her.

"Waheguru! Waheguru! I’ll talk to her tomorrow," Gurdas said, making Ratnawar shake his head, a knowing smile on his face. He understood why his best friend said that line.

---

On the other hand:

"Oyeeeeeee, Kinderjoy!" Shrayn shouted, causing Arthur to cringe. He hated the nickname.

"Stop it, Shrayn. My name is Arthur, not ‘Kinderjoy’ or ‘Tinderjoy.’ Shut your mouth up, or I’ll find a way to shut you up!" he said, making her pout as she walked over and stood in front of him.

"Niche jhuko" she said, pouting, making him give her a confused look.

"Hein? What? What did you say?" he asked, utterly confused.

"Are you deaf? Oh, I get it—you don’t understand Hindi ??????  Let me say it in English. I said, 'Bend down your head,' khambe," Shrayn said, rolling her eyes.

Arthur widened his eyes at her tone and what she’d just said.

"And can I ask why, your royal highness?" Arthur said with a tight-lipped smile, trying to maintain his composure.

"Ek chittar me marjaayega marjaane," Shrayn replied, huffing. On the other hand, Arthur felt like crying. Why? Because—of course—he had no idea what she was saying. It felt like he was deaf! Yet, he patiently listened to her chatter like a true gentleman.

Arthur's POV

Fuck, this girl! Trust me, I don't think this sardarni of mine is for real. She is what she is, I don’t even know anymore. Wait, what did I just say? Sardarni of mine? SHIT. She’s messing with my head. Ayeee, someone help me. I don’t think I’ll be able to handle her for one more day.

Is there anyone who can take her home? crying internally

She’s still blabbering, I don’t even know about what. How on earth do I look like someone who understands Punjabi? I’m a Rajasthani—I don’t even know how to speak proper Rajasthani. But here she is, no doubt, ‘Chandigarh di Sikhni,’ that’s the line she’s always throwing around, as if it was made just for her! I don’t even know, but I do like listening to her. (Although, to be clear, I don’t understand her Punjabi at all.) But sometimes, I wonder... is she high? How does she talk this much? Seriously, this much!