Behind the Mask - ManVeer FF [Ch. 23, P. 36] - Page 10

Uday strode out of Manyata's room and headed towards his study. He was beginning to realize that she had a knack for getting under his skin. Anytime they spoke for more than 30 seconds she somehow managed to incite such extreme reactions from him. He was either chasing her like a madman, or had this inexplicable urge to break anything and anyone that came near her, or pissed off beyond reason when she defied him. It had hardly been a day since Manyata was back in his life and already he was losing control of himself.

Yuvrajsa. What was it about her referring to him by his title that irritated him so much? Uday needed to get it together. He hadn't worked so hard all these years in becoming the leader he was just so he could get carried away by a slip of a girl. She was breathtakingly beautiful yes, but he had seen many beautiful girls and been with even more. She's nothing special Uday. You're reacting like this only because she refuses to listen to you. Just do what you always do, charm your way into getting what you want and if that doesn't work, then you will force her to do as you say; by hook or by crook you will be tamed Manyata. "I will not let you get in the middle of what is mine. I was born to rule both our kingdoms and you to be my Yuvrani," Uday vowed to himself as he paced his study. "Everything I have done and will ever do is be to become a successful ruler, including marrying you. You will have no idea what hit you princess. Aaj tak koi shikaar humse bacch chukka hai joh aap baccho gi," Uday smirked as he fixed himself a scotch.

An hour later, Uday descended the stairs with a newfound confidence in his mission. The mask of the charismatic Yuvraj was back in place…

---

Manyata had just gotten to the sitting room and was wondering where his highness was when she heard him making his way over. "Glad to see you're all set to go princess, looks like you're already learning to do things that will benefit you," Uday shot his signature smirk as Manyata.

Something was off. She didn't know what it was or how she knew but his words, his expression, his body language, it was all wrong. Uday seemed…cold. Kya Manyata. Voh hamesha se aise hi hai, khama kha sochke apna dimaag kharab kar rahi hain, Manyata shook her head as she followed Uday out the door.

A short while later, they entered a posh looking boutique. "Veer! Itne dino baad you've finally decided to come see me again," exclaimed a funny looking man as he flamboyantly patted Uday's shoulder. "And is this the gorgeous lady you are shopping for today? Spin for me darling," the man continued as he took a very surprised Manyata's hand and twirled her. Shopping for today? What does that mean? Kya yeh bohaut sari ladkiyan ko laate hai, Manyata thought. "My, my, you are quite the doll aren't you dear? I already have a few things in mind that will look just amazing on you. What occasion are you looking for?"

"Everything Terence, we're here for a full wardrobe makeover," Uday replied as he couldn't help but smile fondly at the sheer pleasure this man took in dressing his clients. "And thanks again for reserving the store for a private session on such short notice."

"Nonsense darling. Anything for a handsome hunk like you, aren't I right dear," Terence said turning to horrified Manyata.

"Halkat. Veda. No wonder he's so full of himself. People just don't tire of kissing up to him do they? Vaise, hume to koi khaas baat nahi dikhi inme, ha nahi toh," Manyata muttered. Uday couldn't help but chuckle as he watched her being pulled away by Terence. Jho bhi ho, par aap ke saath zindagi kabhi boring nahi hogi princess, Uday smiled as he made himself comfortable on the sofa in the center of the boutique.

---

"VEER," Terence screamed forty minutes later. "Who have you brought to me? Everything I tell her to put on she refuses. I cannot work like this. My creative process cannot be hindered."

Uday had been expecting this. He had watched Terence grow progressively more agitated with each outfit he tried to hand Manyata. Sighing inwardly he quietly stopped working on his phone and walked over. "Why don't you start picking out some cocktail dresses while I have a word with Manyata. Oh and Terence, no need to worry, she will be trying all the selections on and I will have final say in what we're getting," Uday said while looking directly at Manyata.

Mar gayi. Chup chap uss cartoon ka kaha nahin mann sakti? Ab aa gaya na tyrant? "Not good princess," she heard him say as he barricaded her. "Hume toh laga tah ke aap kuch kuch samajh ne lagi par ufsoos. Khair koi baat nahin. Hum phirse samjha dedte hai. I had something of yours which I agreed to give back provided you came shopping without any hitches. Since you have wasted over 40 minutes of my time you will no longer be getting your phone back today."

"KYA! Dekho, hume aapka kaha maana. Par voh ajeebse kapde deh raha hai toh hum kya kare. Woh sab kitne chote chote—

"Shh," Uday cut in as he placed a finger on her lips. "Arguing will not help your cause. That just cost you another day princess. Now you're looking at two days without your precious phone. Now, if you don't want me to make it three days, I suggest you go try on the things Terence just put in your fitting room."

Manyata stared at him in complete shock. She was literally left speechless. She continued to stare at him in disbelief as he stood there flashing that annoying smirk at her. "Ughhh," Manyata exclaimed as she literally stomped her foot before turning into the fitting room.

It took all his years of training to not burst into fits of laughter. Did she really just do that? Like a five year old being denied candy? Haha. She really is something…, Uday smiled. That's it Uday. Just keep it up. No girl has ever been able to resist your charm and attitude. They can complain all they want but they love it and so will Manyata. You will fall for me princess, very soon.

---

Moments later, when the door to the fitting room opened, the smile from his face vanished and he was left staring at the vision in front of him. Dressed in a rich indigo colored sleeveless, figure hugging dress with a neckline that dropped to her sternum, Manyata looked dressed to kill. Yet it wasn't just her dress and the way he could imagine if not see every curve underneath, but the look in her eyes that took his breath away. She was uncomfortable, he could clearly make that out. Though she had been looking straight at him when she opened the door, she lowered her eyes a moment or two later when she could no longer hold the intensity of his gaze. And yet even in her discomfort, her modesty, she stood there before him with the poise only a royal could muster. As the seconds ticked away, Uday continued to stare, taking in every inch of her. It wasn't until he heard Terence making his way over that he finally snapped out of his reverie. "Out you come love. I want to see that gorgeous dress—

"It won't work. Umm, we're going to need to see others," Uday immediately interrupted as he stood in front of Manyata completely blocking her from Terence's view. "This is for a princess Terence. Although I appreciate your designs I doubt Rajmata will," he stressed.

"But Jai wears—

"Something else Terence. Now."

Uday didn't know when he had closed the distance between them to shield her behind him and hide her from Terence's view. He's gay, his mind had continued to scream. And yet his heart did not seem to care. No one would be privy to seeing her like that, not even Terence. Manyata was a jungle billi. Something about her being so subdued, docile, vulnerable just wasn't right. He didn't like it. Whether it was possessiveness or protectiveness that fueled this response, I doubt even Uday knew, but in that moment he could think of nothing else but to prevent any other pair of eyes being laid on her apart from his.

When he finally turned around, she still stood there, eyes closed, with the fabric forming the slit bunched together in her fist. Uday had never seen someone look so innocently beautiful, so pure ever in his life before. And once again he felt that need to shield her even though they were now alone.

"Woh chalagaya," Uday whispered as he placed his hands on either side of the doorframe. Manyata immediately snapped open her eyes and was surprised with both his proximity and the expression on his face. She couldn't decipher what it meant but there was something so different about it, for the first time she felt like it was her Uday and not a stranger who stood before her. Ending her vain attempt has understanding his expression, Manyata had begun closing the door when she was stopped by his words…

"No one can make you wear something you are uncomfortable in, not even me princess."

He had looked down at the floor as he had said those words and so Manyata was unable to read his eyes. But she didn't need to…And just like that he turned around and walked back to the couch still standing with his back to her until he heard the click of the door.