Hrudayam

Birthday bash!

Siya's pov

"Di, Who was he?"

"No one important, love. Anyway...Happy birthday my little cousin!" I hugged Jaanvi.

"Thanks, di....lets go inside my room." She said.

Almost all the lights in the palace were switched off except few deem lights in the corridors leading to Jaanvi's royal chamber. Silently, we both walked to her chamber.

"Jaanvi, how are you?" I asked.

"I am good, di. I missed you." Tears prickled in her beautiful light brown eyes, I reached my hand to her soft cheeks to wipe the tears off and pulled her in a warm hug. I am not a princess but I know how it is for her. Jaanvi is my aunt's daughter. My family isn't any royalty and without knowing this present king Jai Singh fell in love with my aunt Sharvani... the only thing that was stopping him from marrying my aunt was our financial and social status...even though he didn't care about it but his family was persistent to change his mind... My dad loved his little sister...so for her happiness, he went to meet the King's family...they agreed but on one condition that our family will never reveal that we are related to her, publicly...with a heavy heart he agreed and moved to Shimla...A few years later we got to know that Jaanvi's mother died due to severe illness, I was only 7 and Jaanvi was 1 year old. Dad and I came to Jaipur and met the King. The King gave a letter to my dad which was left by Sharvani aunty. He never told me or anyone except the king about the letter...and since then he worked for the King as chief security and the personal advisor.

The only time I was allowed to meet Jaanvi was never..so I started to meet Jaanvi, privately especially on her birthdays. And today I was almost caught by Mr bodyguard, Adi! I don't know why he was so persistent to know what I was doing in the garden...

"Jaanvi, this is for you." I handed her a velvet box, with a sweet smile she opened it.

"Oh my god! It's so beautiful!" She looked at the rose gold necklace in aww.

"I am glad you like it...why don't you wear it?!" I suggested. She nodded solemnly.

The necklace around her neck dangled beautifully, and the rose-shaped locket beaded with small crystal glimmered in the blue moonlight coming through the large window near her bed.

"It's beautiful! Thank you di!"

"Once again happy birthday, Jaanvi. May God bless you with happiness!" I caressed her hair lovingly.

"Okay, Jaan. I need to go now before anyone sees me here... good night." I kissed her forehead.

"Okay, di. Take care." She forced a smile.

"Don't be sad, Jaanvi. I will see you soon. Now be a good girl and sleep." I said.

With steady and cautious footsteps I started to walk to my room which was situated in the south wing of the palace and avoided going through corridors because of the surveillance cameras and took the risk going through the garden.

"Oh no! He's still standing here! I need to wait until he looked in a different direction! You can do it Siya!" I told myself.

Suddenly his phone rang. "Hello?...did you find what I asked for?...okay...send me details...right...I know...—I don't want any excuse!—Bye!" He looked frustrated as he walked back to his room. I took a sigh in relief when I finally reached my room.

I laid in my bed, wondering what was he talking about? Dad said he was a detective and he left his job? Now a bodyguard? It doesn't make any sense...

'What if he's up to something...something dangerous! Nah! He could be an annoying jerk but he's not dangerous, he can't be!  Siya, don't think like that...try to sleep..tomorrow is Jaanvi's birthday party.'