DMG~The Cinderella Way [New thread; pg.143] - Page 27

Your story was awesome. And so is your writing style.
Keep up the work and it would be great if updates are little faster.
But on the other side of the coin, worth waiting

heya finally u updated!!!

AWesome ff.
Plz add me to ur pm list and update more frequently plz.
I love this ff a lot.
U r a great writer.

hey i really luv ur writing...its wow...!!!👍🏼
plz add me 2 ur pm list...
n keep it up wid ur amazing writing..!!!😊

Hey.. waiting for your next update. you left us near the cliff :(

Its been 2 long months you have not updated this beautiful story and left us handing at the edge of the cliff 😭 please please post the update soon..

plz update.....:) very interesting ff:)

Hello people!

My lovely, loyal, faithful readers! Jhappis Shappis! Hope everyone's doing awesome.

After being on and off on this FF I bring good news. I'm gonna try to update this FF daily. Until I reach Chp.6O! Yes, you heard my right! Coz that's the no. of chps I have ready at the moment.

So let's get going and don't forget to drop my energy boosters: comments and criticisms!

So, here we go!

Enjoy!

P.S: Bubbly, this was supposed to be your birthday update but things have kept me away since then. I never forgot your b'day & keep cursing myself for not being able to wish you on time. Hope this makes up for it. Wish you a super-duper belated birthday!

Chp.22 Scotophobia

RS, CR, Anjali, Armaan and Rahul sat at the dining table having breakfast. Nikita as usual supposed to eat alone couldn't join them, another thing which hurt Rahul but he would have to learn to live with it just like Armaan had because those were the ancestral traditions of the Shishodiyas and no one could dare to go against them.

"So kunwar Rahul, any plans for the day?" The sharp voice of RS broke Rahul's chain of thought.

"No pitaji, nothing as yet," replied Rahul.

"CR, I hope you remember that today we have to go to visit Rani maa," asked RS.

"Yes RS, how is she now? Any improvement in her health?" she asked.

"No, the doctors are still trying their best, but they say that due to her age, they can't do much," he replied.

"We can only pray," she sighed.

"Kunwar Armaan, what about you? How's the school project progressing?"

"Pretty well pitaji," he replied. At that moment his cell phone rang, he excused himself and took the call, his expression turned grim.

"What is it Kunwar Armaan? Everything alright?" asked RS concerned.

"It was the architect pitaji. The laborers are having some issues, I'll have to leave immediately," he replied.

"Kunwar Rahul, why don't you join your brother in this project? In fact, why not from today itself? As it is, you don't have any plans for the day right?" RS asked Rahul. "Sure pitaji, as you wish," he replied.

***

RS and CR left to visit Rani Maa after breakfast. Armaan along with Abhimanyu was waiting for Rahul in the main hall.

"Sorry bhaiya, I'm late," said Rahul as he came sprinting down the stairs.

"Easy Rahul, it's okay," said Armaan.

"Erm, bhaiya, can you do me a favor?" he asked.

Armaan had a fair idea what it could be, "what do you want?"

Rahul was surprised, but he tried to hide it and said, "Actually, I was planning to visit my friends today, so is it okay if I join you later in the day?"

"No," Armaan simply replied. Rahul and Abhimanyu, both were shocked. "Rather, you can join us tomorrow or maybe even after a week! Have fun!"

Rahul was overjoyed to hear that, "Bhaiya, thank you so much!" He hugged Armaan and thanking him once again left. Abhimanyu and Armaan also left for the site.

***

Princess Muskan's palace

Muskan was in the palace club playing snooker with her friends. Her mood was pretty bad because of constant defeat.

"That's it! I'm outta here," she said throwing the cue.

"Hey Muskan, that's not fair, you can't back out when we are striking it," said one of her friends.

"I'm not backing out, I'm just too tired to continue," she retorted. She sat on the couch sipping wine.

"Muskan, you can't do this, don't be a spoilspo-,"

"The hell I can! Who are you to order me around? I haven't given that right even to my parents, it's only Princess Muskan who decides what she ought to do and what not, you get that?" she bellowed and throwing the glass, stormed out of there.

She went to her room and began hurling things around.

"What the hell does he think of himself? How dare he?" she kept talking to herself and by now many of the precious vases and antiques found themselves shattered and lying on the floor.

"You can't get rid of your temper by losing it," said a voice calmly behind her.

"Did I ask for your advice?" She was so absorbed that she didn't even recognize the voice and turned with a vase in hand ready to hurl it at him, however, she saw him and suddenly stiffened, her hand freezing in mid-air.

"Easy darling, I'm in no mood for a trip to the hospital," he said.

Muskan couldn't believe her eyes. It was the Prince standing right before her. But how could it be possible, he hadn't told her that he would be coming and nor had CR. She kept the vase down and in an instant rushed to him and threw herself on him. They hugged passionately and he released her of his grip and asked, "How are you?"

"I am fine Prince Rahul, but this is a real surprise! You didn't even inform about your arrival," said Muskan.

"Well if I had informed you about my arrival then I would have definitely missed this interesting showdown. What was it about though?" Rahul asked mischievously.

"Oh I'm really sorry about that, I didn't know it was you," she replied apologetically. She didn't look beautiful with this sad face, thought Rahul. He thought of something to raise her spirits and asked, "You busy today?"

"Not really," she replied.

"Fine then, let's go!" he said pulling her hand and running towards the door.

"But where Kunwar Rahul?" she asked.

"No questions, Muskan," he replied.

They left the palace in Rahul's car and Rahul decided to take her to her favorite hangout where she usually spent a lot of time with her friends. After catching up with Muskan's friends wherein she introduced him as her 'prince charming' they went sight-seeing and then shopping. They had dinner together in her favorite restaurant and then Rahul finally dropped her back to her palace.

"Kunwar Rahul, this was a memorable day full of surprises. I shall never forget it," said Muskan as the car pulled into the driveway.

"Well it was our first day together in India, it had to be special," replied Rahul. She just stared at him and he returned the stare. Muskan broke the eyelock and said, "Thanks, for everything."

Rahul slowly inched closer and placing a hand in her hair pulled her closer and placed a kiss on her lips, "You're welcome darling."

She stepped out of the car and said goodbye to him and went inside as Rahul drove away.

***

Ridhima had finished all her work with BR and was returning to her room not aware what was in store for her. She was walking through the corridors when suddenly the lights went out plunging the corridor in pitch black darkness. She let out a shriek and broke into a run. She closed her eyes tight and just ran not knowing where she was going. She just kept running and suddenly bumped into something hard. She felt someone hold her by the shoulders. She clutched her hands on that person's clothes and buried her head into that person's chest. She was panting and shivering with fear.

"Relax! What is the matter? Why are you so scared?" asked the person.

"Its pp- pi- pitch dark here," she replied shivering and still refusing to open her eyes and look up.

The person hesitated but then gently ran a hand in her hair in an attempt to console her. "Okay, calm down, I'm here, don't worry, open your eyes," said the person.

But Ridhima still refused. He tried convincing her, but in vain. After persuading for a while she opened her eyes but quickly shut them again. The lights suddenly came on again.

"Look, now you can open your eyes, it isn't dark anymore."

But Ridhima still refused.

"Believe me, you can open your eyes," the person said in a tone that made Ridhima want to believe.

She slowly opened her eyes and felt them sting she heaved a sigh of relief. She realized that she was holding someone and quickly let go and said, "I'm sorry."

"It's okay," he said softly. For the first time she looked up at the person's face and was shocked. It was the same guy who haunted her dreams, the one she had saved in the forest. He was looking even more handsome today in dark trousers and gray shirt. She couldn't help but stare at him. He too was staring back at her. She felt herself melting in his eyes.

Armaan couldn't believe his eyes. He had been looking for her everywhere and she was in his own palace! She was looking as beautiful as ever. Those almond shaped brown eyes had the same innocence in them. They would have remained lost in each other's eyes for ever but they heard footsteps approaching and Ridhima broke the eye lock and before Armaan could ask her anything, she turned and again broke into a run.

"Hey wait! What's your name?" Armaan called out behind her but she didn't stop and disappeared after a while.

He was just left staring after her. "Bhaiya, what happened?" Nikita's voice broke his trance.

"Huh?" he asked.

"I heard someone's shriek," she replied.

"Yeah, me too, but there is no one here, what caused the power cut?" he asked.

"No idea, I'll ask Abhimanyu to check out," she replied.

When Armaan had returned to the palace it had been pretty late and everything had been calm in the palace. RS and CR hadn't returned yet and Rahul had called up Armaan and taken permission for a night out with his friends. Abhimanyu had returned earlier. Armaan decided to have dinner and then meet BR before going to bed. He was going upstairs when he heard a shrill, piercing shriek. He immediately ran in the direction of the voice and was still shocked by what had transpired. He didn't feel like having dinner. He just lay down in bed thinking in silence. The wind was blowing softly, flipping the curtains. He just kept turning sides, restless, endless thoughts racing in mind. How was it possible that she was in his own palace and he hadn't seen her? Since when was she in the palace? What was she doing here? Why had she come here? It meant that last night when he thought he'd seen her, it hadn't been an illusion, it was true just like today. He smiled at this discovery. He got up and walked to the window. He stood staring at moon as it bathed the city in its silvery light. He remembered how she had clung to him due to fear and how her petite form felt against his masculine one. He could still smell her fragrance about him. He wondered when would he get to see her again. He hoped it would be soon, it had to be soon because she was in the palace now. But till when would she remain in the palace? What if she went away before he could meet her? No! This couldn't happen. He would definitely get to meet her soon. He was unbuttoning his shirt when he felt something pricking him and found that it was an earring. He smiled and pulled it from his shirt. It must belong to his riverside beauty, he thought. It must've got stuck when she had clung to him in fear.

Ridhima stood at the window staring at the moon, lost in thought. She just couldn't believe what had happened a few minutes ago. She knew that this time it was not a dream, it had been real. How could it be possible? Who was he and why was he here in the palace? Did he recognize her? She hoped he didn't. She didn't wish for another encounter with him. She had acted so silly today, like a child. What would he be thinking of her? When would she grow up? When would she overcome this fear of the dark? She still shivered as she remembered how dark and scary that corridor had been. She had just run like crazy until she bumped into him. The way he had tried to console her, brought a smile to her face. His caress had felt so soothing. His touch had made her feel butterflies in her stomach. She blushed at the thought. She shook her head and tried to shrug out these thoughts. She didn't want to meet him, not again. Her heart wished to meet him again but her mind refused. Why did she wish to meet him again? She thought that she had no answer to this question.

Armaan and Ridhima both tried to sleep that night but in vain, their thoughts, fears and hopes didn't allow them a wink of sleep till the early hours of dawn.

So, my lovelies!

How did you like the most awaited part of this FF? Was it worth the wait? As magical as you expected? Enjoyed? Dreamy-eyed? Starry-eyed?😆

Do leave your comments/criticisms and let me know what you feel about this one?

Cheers!

Note: About PMs. I'M forming a new PM list and henceforth, only those people'll receive PMs. So check the first page on this thread and if your name's not on the list, drop me a buddy request and let me know in this thread. You've got to be in that list as well as my buddy list to receive PMs.