~Tera Mera Pyaar ty vm pg 68 - Page 21

Part Fourteen

Manyata carefully stepped outside the gates of the palace with Unnati, J Nandini, Vijay and their friends. Manyata was most grateful for having Unnati with her. Everyone else was rude or acted fake with her. Press reporters did not faze them but she wasn't sure how to answer their questions. Security cleared the way into the hotel, Unnati led her inside. Suddenly she felt someone grab her arm. She looked up to see Udayveer.

He linked arms with her and waved to the reporters and led her to the bar and dancing area.

"Hello princess kaisi ho?," he inquired.

She looked at him puzzled. He let go of her and walked around her to check her out. She felt conscious as his warm breath hit her neck.. He leaned in and whispered.

"Let me order you something to drink. Just relax you look great tonight," he whispered.

She turned solemn.

" Maine kab poocha?," she inquired.

He shook his head.

" I was giving you a compliment," he stated.

She turned to speak with Unnati instead.

Meanwhile J Nandini bribed the waiter to put alcohol in Manyata's drink.

"Lekin madam, sir ne kaha. Non-alcohol," the waiter said.

" Take this and make sure you do as I say," J Nandini insisted.

The drinks arrived. A friend of Unnat's joined them and they all grabbed a soda. Unknown to them one of them had liquor for Manyata.

Unnati realized J Nandini was trying not look interested but was peering at Manyata as she started to drink her soda.

Unnati tapped Manyata and asked to see her drink.

Vijay and J Nandini exchanged worried looks.

" Unnati might figure out that there is liquor in it," J Nandini whisperd to Vijay.

"Let's see," Vijay stated.

Unnati sniffed it.

It seemed fine but she whispered her suspicions to her brother quickly. Udayveer smiled over at J Nandini. Manyata looked puzzled at the brother-sister duo. She gulped down more of her drink. J Nandini walked over to observe Manyata's reaction to the drink.

Manyata seemed fine but Udayveer thought it would be nice if they led J Nandini on either way. He pulled Manyata aside and winked at his sister. Unnati smiled to herself. Sometimes her brother could be pretty wicked. As he pulled Manyata towards the dance floor, someone else knocked into J Nandini and her drink spilled over her dress.

" Yikes! Who dared to do this to me?," she exclaimed.

Unnati smiled.

J Nandini hurried off to go wipe off her dress. This gave Udayveer time to inform Manyata of the plan.

" Just act like you are drunk," he hissed.

"Main kyun acting karongi? I don't have to be drunk to deal with you. I don't want to make a fool of myself," Manyata glowered.

He grabbed her by the waist.

"Dekho we have to make sure J Nandini thinks her plan worked. She'll be back soon," he hissed back.

Her eyes widened.

" You mean she put something in my orange soda? Main uski badi behn hoon. I can tackle her anytime," she said as she tried to walk in the other direction.

Udayveer pulled her back.

"Choro mujhe!," she hissed.

" Chorne ke liye nahin pakar hai aap ka haath," he said huskily. ( I didn't grab your hand for leaving it)

She looked at him wide eyed.

" Show me your dance moves princess. I know you have been practicing since we last danced together," he whispered.

In the corner of her eye she realized Vijay and J Nandini were watching them. She grabbed his collar and pushed him slightly and then they swayed together. Sometimes she would lean backwards or forward almost hitting the floor face or head first but he always caught her before she fell all the way.

Vijay pointed out Manyata's funny movements and how she almost "fell" a few times. The song Ainvayi Ainvayi from Band Baaja Baaraat was playing now. Manyata truly enjoyed pushing and nudging Udayveer. Unnati was laughing seeing her antics. Vijay gave commentary.

"Oh poor Udayveer, at this rate he will go to the hospital this time with multiple fractures and broken bones!"

J Nandini rolled her eyes. Instead of embarrassing herself, Manyata was getting cheered on by the crowd on the dancing hall. Towards the end of the song, Manyata twirled around and Udayveer caught her with her head leaning back. They shared a an eye lock.. J Nandini was steaming mad. Udayveer winked at Manyata and she indicated for him to let her go. He helped her stand up straight and she pretended to be a bit wobbly.

She felt goosebumps when Udayveer held her from the waist to support her as they walked over to the lounge. He guided her to sit on a loveseat.

"I feel a bit dizzy now," she stammered as she leaned against the armrest. He stroked her head.

She sunk away from his touch.

"I told you don't challenge me," she hissed.

Udayveer indicated for a waiter to come over.

" Rajukumari ke liye pani aur paneer makani, aur naan leker aana," he said firmly.

"Jee Yuvraj," the waiter said bowing.

"Mujhe biryani bhi chaiye hai," she added.

" Mil jagaya rajkumari," the waiter stated.

After the waiter left, Udayveer smirked.

"Kya tum saache mein drunk hogyi ho ya phir acting kari ho?," he inquired.

Unnati came over and checked on Manyata.

" Dada I think her sugar is low. She hasn't eaten since breakfast," Unnati said with concern.

Udayveer realized Manyata was semi conscious now.

" Unnati I just ordered some food for her. See if someone get her some juice," he said firmly trying to stay cool.

" I'll go see about that," she said before rushing away.

J Nandini and Vijay came over and clapped.

"Wow what a performance! This is the first time Rajkumari actually was entertaining without scaring all of us away," Vijay commented.

Udayveer rolled his eyes.

" See how she was treating you on the dance floor Udayveer? You sure you want to marry her?," J Nandini sneered.

" So you drugged her soda earlier tonight? Nice game J but it just proves you are jealous of your sister,"Udayveer hissed.

"I was never jealous of her. I find her below me in beauty and brains," J Nandini declared before she walked away. Vijay shrugged and said," Take care of yourself Uday."

Unnati arrived back with the juice, she helped Manyata drink it.

"Ab kaisa lagra hai?,"Unnati inquired.

" I am feeling better now thanks. Oye Rajkumariji where is the food?," she asked.

Udayveer smiled seeing her feeling better. He rather be cool and fight with her then have to worry about her.

The food arrived and Unnati good friend Vikram joined them. Later on Unnati wanted to head home as she had class the next morning. Manyata didn't want to go home just yet.

"Mujhe beach par jana hai," she said.

" You can't go alone Manyata. That is Dadisa's order," Unnati said.

Manyata frowned.

" How about we drop Unnati home and then we can go?," Udayveer suggested.

"Dada make sure you are careful. You know how long we have waited to have Manyata back, especially Dadisa," Unnati said.

" Don't worry. Unnati you know me better than anyone else," Udayveer said.

Unnati smiled and nodded.

"Manyata if Dada is mean to you, let me know. We'll gang up on him on the next get together."

The girls hi fived each other, before the threesome headed out.

The cool breeze hit her face. She sighed with relief. She finally felt at ease after weeks of feeling trapped. She took off her shoes and opened the door and ran out to the water.

Udayveer quietly followed her. He didn't say much.

She waded in, the cool water. A bright smile came on her face. Udayveer took off his jacket and put it on the big rock so she could sit.

She hesitated recalling their first meeting. However he seemed cool and collected, so she settled down and sat down on it.

They sat there in silence. Both seemed to realize they were slowly but gradually accepting reality. Udayveer knew he could pretend all he wanted in front of the world but he knew when he was with her or Unnati all his layers seemed to peel away. He was to put an arm around her shoulders now and hold her close.

However he did not know if he loved her or if she would ever love him. For the first time in his life he did not want to lead a girl on until he knew his true feelings about her.

After awhile, she turned to him.

"We should go home now right?," she asked.

He nodded.

"Why did you want to come here?," he asked.

She smiled.

" Whenever I am here I feel that I am just me. I don't have to pretend to be something else or have a worry in the world. I just love the cool air blowing through my hair. I feel like I am in heaven now," she declared.

She looked at him and realized how complicated their situation was and grew quiet. He indicated for her to wait. He brought her shoes over to her. He bent down and slipped them on her feet.

She looked at him dazed when he got up and waited for her to follow him. She shook her head slightly.

She snapped out of it and joined him on the short walk towards the car.

" You danced very well today princess. I must say you have a great learning curve," he stated.

She stiffened. She had opened herself too much for one night, Now she had to shut him out.

"Thanks. Abhi ghar agaya hai. I should go now," she muttered.

"Theek hai, until we meet again," he whispered as he kissed her hand.

She stiffened a bit.

" This dress suited you quite well," he added.

She glowered at him before stepping out of the car. She hated the feeling she got whenever he checked her out.