❝The only kind of love I want is one where even if it is just for a short moment, it feels like I have lived a lifetime in that moment with that person. ❞ - Jhanvi Raichand.
**You CANNOT read this as standalone. Read Dare to Be before reading this...
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2.34 Battlefield
I leave one end of the rope long and tuck it in her palm that she can use to pull at and undo the knot. Getting my hint, she closes her fist around the end of the rope so even if Narayan happened to circle her to ensure I had tied her up, he wouldn't notice it.
As I stand up, I sneakily whisper in her ear, "On my word, run." Then I walk around her and cover her face by standing in front of her to pick up the plate from her lap. She stiffly nods back at me to convey she'd heard me.
Narayan walks up and I take two steps back but sideways so in a way, I am still standing in between him and the chair Jhanvi is seated on. "Let's continue, shall we?"
Jhanvi says in a bored tone, "Just tell me what you want and let's get this over with."
"What do I want? Let's see. It's simple. It's the same thing I've wanted for years."
"Money. My estate. Yes, I know."
What is she doing? Pretending to be bored instead of getting him to confess to her mom's murder does not help.
He laughs as if he finds it hilarious and absurd in her claim. Her brows draw in as she asks, "What? What's so funny?"
He sobers up though amusement remains on his face, "You think I would risk my life for an old piece of property on which there is a useless palace? That greed for money is my bane? My, my. How misguided are we?"
"So, what? You want to kill me, the way you killed mom?"
There is a disturbing change on his face the way he seems to be at peace. "Oh, let's talk about your mom. I left my royal duties, my family, everything, for her and what did she do? Backstab me. Have an affair with a nobody when I could have given her everything!"
This man is beyond twisted. Is he still jealous? How could he not see that she didn't cheat on him but that rather, he got in between Dinesh and her? How can he justify everything in his head and portray himself as if he's the one who's been wronged?
Jhanvi's face hardens as she warns with clenching teeth, "Don't you dare talk about my mother."
It's hard to decipher whether he is sympathizing or mocking, but I doubt the man is capable of the previous emotion, "Oh, Princess. Does that hurt? I was hurt the same way, you know? But, I'm only stating the facts."
She exclaims, raising her voice, "No one deserves to die for choosing how to live their own life!"
He agrees, "No, you're probably right. But, then again, I am not just any man. I was the Prince and future King. Who gave her the right to ruin my name and my families' legacy? She brought shame to my ancestors and for that..."
