OS: Adjustments and Engagement [Udayveer-Manyata]

Adjustments and Engagement

Moniya ... Manyata eyed herself critically in the mirror as she adjusted her dupatta.

So much had changed in these last few weeks.

~Flashback~

Before her sister Jaynandini could release her, her Dadisahib and mother entered, followed by a team of servants with multiple carts laden with food. Just the sight of it made her scoff. Dadhisahib had spoken sternly with Jaynandini about coming into the room without permission, and she had left the room in a huff.

Watching the girl being reprimanded like a child had made her smile somewhat.

Prince Udayveer had righted her chair and then left with a slight smirk.

"Manyata, I'm going to untie you. You are not going to act like an animal. You are going to sit like a cultured girl and peacefully eat dinner with us.

She readied herself. She was going to bolt towards the door as soon as her the damn rope was off her hands.

A loud gasp diverted her attention however. She looked up to see her mother's eyes misted over with tears. She was staring intently down at the rope burns on her arm. Maasahib came over, and while one of her arms was still tied to the chair, she gently ran her fingers over the abrasions on her free arm.

Maasahib went over to the forgotten first aid box and pulled out the tube of ointment, while Dadisahib stopped the bodyguards from releasing her other arm, ruining her perfect escape plan.

~End Flashback~

Her Dadisahib had been right about one thing. She was just as spirited as her. That is why she so easily recognized the look in Manyata's eyes as she formulated her escape plans.

Her Maasahib had gently rubbed a soothing ointment on her rope burns. And then proceeded to feed her dinner with her own two hands. It had sent a weird ring through Manyata's heart that she didn't recognize.

Despite stomping on her foot earlier, Dadisahib had also been greatly affectionate towards her, helping to clean her up, and then together with her Maasahib, putting her to bed.

Her Baba had been affectionate with her, but this was something different.

Manyata sighed as she thought about her Baba. She didn't like to think bad things about him. He had raised her, treated her like a princess, fulfilled her every wish to the best of his ability. But meeting him in jail was a bit of an eye opener.

~Flashback~

The next day she had made it clear to the family that she would only cooperate with them if they let her meet her baba.

In return, the family made it clear that if she were allowed to go see her Baba, she would be expected behave herself from then on and act like a human, not an ill-mannered puppy.

She had been extremely anxious on the way to the jail, not knowing what to expect. Prince Udayveer had been seated to her left and her father to her right. They probably judged her mood and left her alone.

They didn't seem to be the types to make idle conversation anyways.

When the trio, followed by armed guards of course, were shown to her Baba's cell, she couldn't help her gasp of surprise at her Baba's condition. She had never seen him like this, with bruises, cuts, and abrasions all over his body. Some were still bleeding!

She immediately rushed over to him. "Baba! Baba, are you okay?" And when he didn't respond, She felt the tears run down her cheeks as she shook him vigorously. "Please say something."

Her Baba slowly opened one eye, since his other eye was swollen shut. "Baba," she whispered, "what have they done to you?"

"Murari." Her father bit out harshly, "It's time to tell Rajkumari Manyata the truth about what you have done."

Her Baba ignored him however. "Bitiya, are they treating you well?"

The question to her aback a little. "I'm fine Baba. But are you alright?"

"Bitiya, don't let them change you. I raised you to think for yourself. Don't become one of them."

"Baba?" Moniya questioned, confused.

"Enough Murari. Tell. Her. The. Truth." Prince Udayveer threatened in a low voice.

She stood and glared at the two men. "You hateful monsters. Leave my Baba alone. Let him go. He doesn't deserve this."

A dangerous look crossed Prince Udayveer's face. "Murari!" He bellowed.

She would have slapped that look right off his face. But there was nothing but pure anger in his expression and it was a little frightening.

"Moniya, I loved your Bua very much." Her Baba started telling the tale. She got to her knees in front of him once again, surprised. "I wanted to marry her. She loved me back too, but she was afraid of what society would say, of people's taunts. I was a mere watchman, a commoner, and she, a royal." He spat the word out in disgust. "Your Dadisahib and father threatened to disown her if she married me. And you know what she did?"Moniya slowly shook her head. "She chose her precious money over me."

"Soon after, you were born, another princess with the same fate. You would be forced to live according to their wishes. You would be told how to love your life, how to act, who to love and whom to marry. So I took you away from all that and raised you to be free."

She slumped to the ground after hearing this. Her Baba lowered his head in shame. And the two tall men in the jail cell looked nothing but smug.

~End Flashback~

When they had arrived back at the Rajmahal... home, some ground rules were laid down for her by her Dadisahib.

She was expected to act in a civilized manner, speaking calmly and politely, respecting everyone around her. If any bad language was heard from her, there would be consequences.

She was expected to dress and look like the princess she was, always looking poised and polished. That day she learned that from then on, she would always be watched by the media and they would be waiting for her to make a single mistake and then drag her dirty laundry for the public to see. She was expected to not give them anything to gossip about.

She was expected to share meals with the family, spend time with the family, and also take lessons in proper behaviour and conduct from her Maasahib and Dadisahib.

That night, Manyata stayed awake, crying. She couldn't believe what she had heard. If she hadn't heard it straight from her Baba's mouth, she would never have believed it. So she really was this Rajkumari Manyata, daughter of Brijraj and Komal. That stuck up brat Jaynandini was really her sister. That sensible old lady was really her grandmother.

And Prince Udayveer really was... she frowned. Who was Prince Udayveer? And why was he around her all the time.

Manyata always felt an odd sort of fear when she was around him.

Prince Udayveer made her nervous. And when she was nervous, she got angry. And when she got angry, she couldn't control her mouth.

He would always have a knowing smirk on his face, as though he knew a secret and he wasn't willing to share it with her.

When she got angry, he would look at her as though she were an adorable kitten, making her angrier.

He seemed to pop up randomly wherever she went, making her wonder if he was actually stalking her.

And when he touched her, it burned. There was no other way to describe that feeling.

When he got close to her, he made her body shiver.

It was different with Aakash. He was so sweet to her all the time. Very thoughtful. He had become a very close friend to her in a very short time.

She scoffed bitterly at the thought of Aakash.

~Flashback~

During her third day in the Rajmahal, Aakash was brought in, flanked by two guards. He too looked a little worse for wear, but not as bad as her Baba had been.

He looked shocked by the sight of her. The family had dressed her up. She was wearing a salwar-suit that had most likely cost more than what her Baba earned in a full year. She was also adorned with very heavy earrings that her Dadisahib had insisted she wear. Her hair was styled into an elegant bun. She looked ready for a wedding, even though she knew she wasn't going anywhere.

She had run towards him happily. One of the guards bowed. "Badi Rajkumari, this man insisted on seeing you, and wouldn't go away until he had met you."

She smiled at the guard and then turned to her friend. "Aakash! Im so glad to see you!" He didn't reply, just continued to stare. "Im sorry I left you in the forest, but I needed to find my Baba."

At this, he snapped out of his daze. "Moniya? What happened to you? I've been worried sick. And why are you dressed like that?"

Her face fell. "It's a long story Aakash." She muttered bitterly.

"Ah, the hero is back!" She heard Prince Udayveer's mocking voice from behind her.

"You!" Aakash spat. "You see? I got into your precious Rajmahal once again. And this time, I've gotten to Moniya too."

Aakash tried to stare him down, but the much taller Prince Udayveer, who had come to stand beside her, just smiled. "I've told you before Romeo, you would never have gotten past our gates if it is not what I had wanted. You would also not be standing in front of Rajkumari Manyata unless I had approved of it."

Romeo?

Manyata looked between the two men, confused by the conversation, but both just continued to look at each other.

Then, Prince Udayveer's smile got impossibly larger, and he quickly resembled that cat that had caught the canary. "Please escort this young gentleman to the parlor. Him and I need to have a chat." He addressed the guards, who followed his order and led Aakash to a door off to the side.

Prince Udayveer turned to her and eyed her slowly from the loose tendrils framing her face, down to the comfortable, cushiony velvet slippers on her feet. It made her all kinds of uncomfortable and embarrassed. "You look beautiful Princess." Her raised one hand and placed a gentle kiss at the back of it.

The contact raised gooseflesh all over her body.

She remembered to be courteous, just like her Dadisahib had said. "Thanks, " she whispered.

He caressed the back of her hand once, before releasing it and heading for the parlor himself.

Manyata had paced for a good 10 minutes, wondering what was going on inside the room. There weren't any raised voices, nor were there sounds of a struggle, so she assumed that there was a civil conversation going on inside. But was still nervous for some reason.

When they emerged, Aakash wasn't held by the guards as previously. He just kept his head down and headed towards the door.

"Aakash, what happened? Aren't you going to stay?"

Aakash looked at her, then Prince Udayveer beside her, and then at her again. "Rajkumari, it is best to forget our friendship so you can move on."

Manyata called his name again, but he just left. She couldn't believe he had done this. Now, when her life was changing and she needed a friend to ground her and keep her connected to her old life as she entered her new one, Aakash was turning his back on her.

She turned and faced Prince Udayveer angrily. "What did you say to him?"

He smirked, that evil look in his eyes, same as the club. "I just told him the truth Princess."

~End Flashback~

Manyata put her hairbrush down, satisfied with the glossy smoothness of her locks.

She hated it when Prince Udayveer called her 'Princess'. From him, it never sounded like her title. Many others these days called her 'Princess' or 'Rajkumari'. But his way was different. When he called her Princess, it sounded more like a term of endearment that anything.

Not like when her Baba had lovingly called her Princess. Prince Udayveer's way was just entirely different. Almost like a caress.

Why did her thoughts keep going back to him?

Dadisahib and Maasahib had shown her pictures of her childhood. Baba didn't have any pictures of her as a baby, and now Manyata understood why.

In so many of the pictures, she had been with Prince Udayveer. They apparently had been together a lot when they were younger. The 3 year old Princess and the 5 year old Prince, always playing together.

She needed to stop thinking about him. He was arrogant and could be absolutely cruel sometimes.

Manyata glanced at the clock on the wall. It was dinner time and it was always a formal affair for some reason. Her Baba and her would just grab their plates and sit wherever they wanted to. But here, in the Rajmahal, they all stood at the table respectfully until Dadisaib was seated. And when they got to sit, it was napkins their lap, fork and knife, and polite dinner conversation.

She never felt like she was with a family, just a bunch of strangers.

Dadisahib didn't tolerate tardiness, so she looked herself over once more and exited the room.

"Good evening Princess." Manyata heard Prince Udayveer's voice from behind her and she cursed her impeccably bad timing.

She turned to him and smiled politely. "Good evening."

He approached her slowly, a lazy, teasing smirk on his face, as though sensing her discomfort around him. "May I escort you to dinner?"

No!

"No thank you. I can find my own way."

She turned to leave but Prince Udayveer, who was closer to her that she thought, gripped her arm and turned her back around to face him. His grip was strong, painful, punishing. His expression had darkened. "Please, I insist." His tone was more of a demand than anything. The 'please' just there to tease.

Her anger flared and she tried to twist her arm out of his firm grip. "Let go of me, halkat."

Prince Udayveer gripped her other arm as well and pulled her closer, smirking down at her. He looked so handsome, and so dangerous. A shiver wracked her from head to toe. "Rajkumari Manyata, Princesses don't speak such language." His tone was mocking.

She tried to release herself, but he was relentless. "Let me go!"

Prince Udayveer pulled her up, so she was forced on her tip-toes and they were face-to-face. He leaned closer and whispered in her ear. "Careful Princess, watch your attitude, or I might just have to punish you myself."

His proximity was making her heart thump rapidly. He bit her ear gently, and slowly ran his nose along her jaw. He was doing funny things to Manyata's insides, the way he was looking at her, like a predator.

His smile changed to an innocent smile, but the look in his eyes remained the same. "Now, let us head down or else we'll both be scolded for tardiness." He looped his arm around hers and practically dragged her down to the dining area.

No one at the table seemed to care that her and Prince Udayveer had arrived, arm-in-arm.

He pulled out a chair for her beside Jaynandini, and made his way across the table to the seat opposite her.

Manyata's sister was glaring daggers at her, but she just ignored the younger girl.

She had her dinner in silence. Prince Udayveer kept his eyes on her, that same predatory look, and it was making her nervous. So she kept her attention focused entirely on her food. Her name caught her attention, however.

"... bring Rajkumari Manyata to our home." Uncle Giriraj was saying.

Her Dadisahib looked surprised. "Lekin Giriraj. We just got our Manyata back. I can't even think of sending her away so soon."

He nodded in understanding. "I know Rajmata, but we had decided that Uday would be married just after his 22^nd birthday. Rajkumari Manyata is now 19, she is of age, and Uday will be 22 in 2 months. Now is the right time."

"Giriraj... but..." Her Dadisahib hesitated, but her father cut her off.

"I think it's an excellent plan. We will have a wedding for the whole world to see."

Udayveer? Manyata? WEDDING?!?!

Her fork clattered onto her plate. "What?"

Everyone's head immediately snapped to her. All looked disapprovingly at her for her outburst. Jaynandini continued to glare at her. And Prince Udayveer, the bas***d was smiling at her! Ugh! She hated him!

"Rajkumari Manyata, you and Udayveer are betrothed. You will be married." Uncle Giriraj's tone was indifferent. Her Baba's words rang in her ear They will tell you who to love, whom to marry.

She stood up immediately and ran out of the room. She should have excused herself, like Dadisahib had taught, but right now, she could care less about proper conduct.

She was to be married. To Prince Udayveer! How could fate be so cruel? How could her family be so cruel?

Married to Udayveer. The prospect frightened her. He frightened her. Only because he could get to her. He affected her like no other and she didn't understand the nervous, restless feeling she had when she was around him.

She came to a rest in a random hallway of the Rajmahal. Slumping against the wall and breathing heavily.

"Do you really think that running away is going to help?"

Manyata snapped her head up. Prince Udayveer was leaning against a wall casually, a few doors down from her. He was smiling triumphantly.

She stood straight and glared at him. "What was the meaning of all that?"

Prince Udayveer started to approach her slowly. "It's simple Princess. Our families saw us to be a fit match when we were little, so they did our Roka. You are engaged to be married to me."

Manyata took a step back, away from him, to every step he took forward. She felt her back collide with a pillar at the end of the hallway. There was nowhere to run and Prince Udayveer was still approaching slowly, like an animal ready to hunt.

He put one hand on the pillar above her head and leaned down so they were face-to-face. "In the simplest terms Princess," he started in a low, smooth voice, lifting his other hand to gently run a knuckle down cheek, "you are Mine." And when Manyata expected that he would kiss her senseless, he just placed the gentlest of kisses on her forehead, confusing her further.