ENCHANTED - BY INNOCENCE (ongoing)

79

This chapter has 4200+ words and ends with a question so make sure you read till the end ❤️

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*** Randheera ***

"Piya ka pyar mil jaye 🎵" Yashu ended the song with a sad expression, looking into my eyes. I immediately looked down and tightened my fists, trying hard not to run and hug her.

Why are you making this difficult, Yashu? I want to fight with you!

"Time to begin the pooja," the priest said. "May I request all the couples to come and sit on the stage while we make the arrangements?"

"Shanthi and I get to do the pooja together!" Vinod said, excited. "Take care, brother," he added, surrendering Vivek to Santosh.

"I'll see you in a while, kid," he said and ruffled Vivek's hair before walking off.

He got into trouble for not being with Vivek, and yet there wasn't a single part of him that showed any hatred towards the kid. And they call him the ruthless Northern soldier... Shanthi was so right about the stereotypes.

Soon enough, I saw the snake walking towards his wife as well, his face lighting up with smiles the moment he looked at her. And beside Kusuma Bhabhisa was Yashu—waiting for me... looking at me with those desperate and innocent eyes... waiting for me to join her.

Yet I didn't.

"Bhabhisa is waiting for you, go," the King said, noticing us.

I shook my head.

"Your security is my first priority, Your Highness," I said.

"All the bachelor soldiers are right here to protect me," he replied. "You don't have to stay back."

I still shook my head.

"I want to stay back," I said, my tone unintentionally revealing that something had happened between me and Yashu.

"Either you go there by yourself, or I will command you to go," he stated.

"You are misusing your powers," I protested.

"For the right reasons," the King said firmly. "Go!"

I sighed and reluctantly went and sat beside Yashu.

"You didn't even want to do a pooja with me?" Yashu whispered, her voice clearly hurt and offended. I felt like the worst person to ever exist.

"That was very petty. I apologize," I said sincerely.

"So... no more fighting?" she asked, hopeful.

I shook my head.

"Four more days," I reminded.

*** Deva ***

I watched from a distance as all the couples performed the pooja, and a smile erupted on my face.

How wonderful must it be—to have a life partner, to have someone who would unconditionally love you for life... to be able to look at a woman and say, "She is my wife..."

"Forget it," I heard a woman's voice, and turned my attention to Mayil, who was standing beside Pritham. Pritham was the last man from the men's section, and Mayil was the first woman from the women's section—making them stand side by side.

She was whispering, unaware that I could hear her.

"Forget what?" Pritham whispered back, confused. Both of them faced the audience, not each other, making it look like they weren't conversing at all.