~Yaddein~ Short Story siggie added first page - Page 10

Part Six

Manyata had felt some dj vu when Udayveer had grabbed her by her arms earlier that day. He had gone out for a few hours. A staff member was always outside the room or anywhere else she chose to go.

She wanted some fresh air without someone looking at her.

"Gosh this Udayveer! He doesn't let me be," she exclaimed.

She snuck out the back door when the servants got busy with dinner preparations. She walked out and sighed. The wind blew in her hair and she never felt this at much at peace in the past few days. Her rain dance had been cut short the other night but now it was her and mother nature.

She was standing on a carriage that was headed by a horse and its owner. She was in Mumbai.

Next she sat by the water letting the cool breeze through her pigtails and the water wash over her feet several times. Suddenly she felt a pebble hit her back. She turned around peered to see who it was. She climbed by the beach and there was Udayveer. They argued and then he grabbed her, she scratched him and got away.

Later she was entering a club with someone else. She couldn't see his face. Then she stopped short and was shocked to see Udayveer there.

Manyata got out of her trance and realized she was on the ground. She picked herself up and rushed back to get cleaned up before anyone could see her like this. She turned on the shower and quickly jumped in right as Udayveer arrived back at the mansion.

" Rajukumari kahan hain?," he inquired with the housekeeper.

" She should be upstairs Yuvraj should I go call her for you?," she stated hoping her assumption was correct.

Udayveer gave her a firm look and dismissed her.

"No I'll bring her down for dinner. I hope you made kheer," he stated.

"Yes I have Yuvraj," she said before returning to the kitchen.

He climbed the stairs. He heard the water running. He smiled and sat down to wait for her.

Manyata winced slightly realizing she had scraped her knees when she had fallen earlier. She grumbled seeing she had not grabbed her clothes but her long wrap around rope that was short in length and had no sleeves.

She pulled on it and hoped no one was in the room. She emerged and it seemed like the coast was clear. She was about to bend down and get her things when she felt someone watching her. She was about to gasp when that someone pulled her towards him.

" Aap kab aaye?," she exclaimed.

He caressed her cheek the way he had on their second meeting. She gazed at him in shock.

" What were your plans tonight, to give me a heart attack?," he inquired as he pulled aside her wet strands and traced a finger on her scar.

She felt goosebumps arise on her arms and back.

" I didn't know you were back," she stammered.

He shook his head and wrapped his arms around her more. She started to wiggle out of his arms.

The intensity of his glare scared her. She wasn't sure how to deal with this. She couldn't remember how she used to. The a light bulb struck her mind.

"Ouch!," she exclaimed.

"What happened Manyata?," he inquired as he loosened his grip.

"Kuch nahin. I need to get dressed," she giggled.

He rolled his eyes.

He stared after her and sighed as she looked through the closet. He recalled that fateful day, the moment when he thought she would forever be gone.

"Manyata please wake up! Tumne yeh theek nahin kiya. Main tumhare bina kaise jee pau ga!"

She lay there in his arms unconscious. His princess was never like this. She was never so quiet and unresponsive.

Manyata arrived back in the room. Her hair was now semi dry and she wore a red churidhar. She snapped her fingers in front of him. He snapped out of it.

"Aap theek toh hain na? Tell me how do I look?," she inquired.

He looked her up and down. She shook her arms and the bangles clanged together. This reminded him of their time in Jaighar before the incident. She had dressed up in a gorgeous sari and was twirling around the room, showing it off. One of the local designers had created it for her. She had been so full of life and she was composed and accepting.

" Aap bauth sundar lagri hain. Ab chale?," he asked offering her his arm.

She linked her arm through his and they went down to eat. He pulled out a chair for her. She seated herself on it. He smiled thinking how when she had first returned to rajmahal she would plonk herself on whatever seating arrangements were available She used to not care who was looking or what anyone else thought.

The day to return to India had arrived. They were able to get a flight that would reach within six hours. Manyata wore a jean jacket with red-t-shirt and blue jeans. Udayveer wore black shirt, black blazer and blue jeans. Both were looking like a refined, modern royal couple. A news channel got wind of their impending arrival. Security escorted them from the airport. Udayveer stood close looking around casually. Security would be tight until they got back to the rajmahal where everyone was waiting for them.

There was one person in the crowd that was not excited to see their return. In fact he hated how Udayveer was standing close to Manyata.

"What a joke Udayveer. You don't care about her at all. You played your games and took her away from me. You didn't die that day because of her. Now see how after she leaves you , you would have better off dead," the man stated in his own monologue.

He looked through the crowd. The couple wore sun glasses and were trying to get through the crowd. He decided to take a chance now and try to meet her.

He bumped into her. She stopped short and looked at him.

"Monia how could you have married this guy? He doesn't love you," he spat out.

Manyata stared at him in disbelief.

Udayveer came in between them. He gave Akash a stern look before, leading Manyata away.

When they arrived at the car, she turned to him and asked," Yeh kaun tha?"

" A thorn from the past Manyata. Don't pay attention to him. He is insane," Udayveer assured her.

Manyata nodded and went into the car. Udayveer stared daggers one more time in Akash's directions.

He shook his head at the other man and told the driver to go ahead. Security and the crowds prevented Akash from following them.