As I walked into college, a sense of belonging enveloped me. I was finally coming to terms with this life and my place in it. Abhimaan was a part of my reality now, and I had friends who genuinely cared.
Near my locker, my friends immediately noticed the bandage on my elbow. "mishka , what happened?" they asked, concern evident in their voices.
I brushed it off casually. "It's just a little scratch. Don't worry about it," I said, trying to downplay it.
But their concern only grew. "Tell us what really happened," one of them said firmly.
I smiled, touched by their care. "Honestly, it's nothing serious. Just a minor accident," I reassured them.
While we chatted, a wave of nostalgia hit me. I remembered someone else who had once cared for me in such a way, back in my previous college. It made me realize how fortunate I was to have friends who cared just as much now.
As we went through the day, attending classes and having fun, I was struck by a revelation. Who would have thought that the Queen could be just one of the gang? I felt no different from any other college student enjoying life with friends. And I had Abhimaan and my friends to thank for that.
During lunch in the cafeteria, the conversation turned to Abhimaan. They discussed how he'd been wronged by people in the Maity deal. I couldn't help but smile as they spoke, unaware that they were discussing my husband.
"I mean, can you believe how his own people treated him?" Tannu said, shaking her head. "He was always so kind and generous, and they just took advantage of him."
"I know, right?" Nisha agreed. "And then he married Mayura... She seems nice, but she's got a lot of baggage."
I raised an eyebrow, intrigued. "Baggage?"
"I heard she's trying to make amends for her father's mistakes," Nisha continued. "She's really trying to make everything right for her husband ."
I felt a swell of pride in their words. They didn't realize they were praising me, and it meant a lot.
Sakshi then said, "I was watching this video, and the woman's voice sounded just like our mishka's ."
My friends turned to me, their curiosity piqued. I choked on my drink, trying to remain composed. "What? How could that be?" I asked nonchalantly.
They weren't buying it. "mishak was that you ? it's you!" one teased.
Nisha added, "Seriously, Mayura, it sounded just like you! The way you pronounce your words, the tone of your voice... It was uncanny!"
They began giggling, thinking it was a joke. But I knew I couldn't keep up the charade. I took a deep breath and confessed, "Okay, fine... It was me."
The table fell silent, their shock palpable. They stared at me, their minds racing with questions.
I quickly broke the silence, "Hey, I want to be treated like any other friend, not like a queen. Can we go back to normal?"
My friends nodded, still in awe but understanding. "Of course, Mayura... I mean, Your Majesty," one corrected with a grin. "We won't breathe a word. You're still our friend, no matter what."
Sakshi asked, "So, is it true? Are you really married to King Abhimaan? You're the Mayura Maity we've heard so much about?"
I nodded, trying to stay cool. Sakshi's mouth dropped open, almost touching the ground!
I chuckled, "Sakshi, your jaw is dropping faster than a celebrity's reputation after a scandal!"
Everyone laughed, and Tannu playfully shut Sakshi's mouth, saying, "Close your mouth, Sakshi, before a fly gets in!"
Sakshi blushed, laughing, "I just can't believe it! Mayura, you're the Queen, and you're sitting here with us, eating pizza and laughing like we're all just normal friends!"
I grinned, "Well, that's because I am normal, Sakshi! I just have a fancy title and a really handsome husband!"
We continued our lunch, teasing Tanisha about her shock and awe. It was a moment I'd cherish - the Queen, just being one of the girls!
Excusing myself to the washroom, I thought I had escaped my friends' attention. But my bullies from college had other plans.
As I walked back to my table, they intercepted me in the corridor, blocking my way. "Well, well, well, look what we have here," one sneered. "Mayura Maity, all alone and vulnerable."
I rolled my eyes. "What do you want?"
The other bully tried to flirt. "Hey, Mayura, we heard you're single now. We're here to offer our condolences... and maybe something more."
I raised an eyebrow, my sarcasm on full display. "Spare me the drama. I'm not interested in your fake sympathies or pathetic attempts at flirting."
They looked surprised but persisted. "Come on, Mayura, we're just trying to be friendly," one said insincerely.
I snorted. "Friendly? Harassing me in the corridor is not friendly. I have better things to do than indulge in your nonsense."
I sidestepped them and walked away, leaving them looking foolish. My friends cheered as I returned to our table, grinning triumphantly.
As I finished my last class, I felt a wave of relief. I reached for my phone and saw missed calls from Abhimaan. Smiling, I dialed his number. He picked up immediately.
"Hey, dear husband," I teased. "I see you've been trying to reach me. Missing me, are you?"
Abhimaan chuckled. "Always, jaana. But I'm surprised you didn't answer my calls earlier. Everything okay?"
I strolled towards my car as we talked. "Yeah, everything's fine. Just had a long day. But I had an interesting conversation with my friends today..."
Abhimaan's curiosity was piqued. "Oh? What happened?"
I grinned. "I finally revealed my true identity to them. Can you believe it?"
Abhimaan's reaction was priceless. "What?! How did they react? Were they shocked?"
I laughed. "Totally shocked! Tanisha's jaw dropped so low, I thought it was going to hit the floor! And then she asked me all these questions, like 'Is the King really your husband?' and 'Are you really the Queen?'..."
Abhimaan's laughter was warm. "I'm so proud of you, jaana. You're handling this with such grace and humor."
As we talked, I was pulled into an empty classroom. My heart raced as I struggled to break free, but the bully's grip was too strong. I was trapped.
Rohan Singh, a notorious bully, stepped forward. "You think you're so special, Mayura. With your sexy body and rich husband of yours . Give us a chance to be at your service too."
Third person's pov:
Mayura's anger was palpable, her silence deafening. Rohan taunted her, trying to push her boundaries. "Come on, Mayura, no one would know. Just once, I guarantee you won't regret it."
Mayura's eyes flashed with warning as she silently prepared to defend herself. When Rohan reached out to grab her, she instinctively reacted with swift, precise movements. She dislocated his wrist with a calculated twist, the crack echoing through the room.
Rohan's shock and pain were evident as he cradled his injured hand. Mayura's gaze remained fierce. "Next time, don't mess with me. The consequences will be far worse."
With that, she walked away, leaving Rohan seething. Abhimaan was still on the line. I hoped he hadn't heard anything.
"Hello? Are you there, Abhimaan?" I asked playfully.
Abhimaan's voice was warm. "Yes, Jaan, I'm here. Where did you go?"
I chuckled. "Oh, I was just teaching someone a lesson. Don't worry about it."
"Okay, Jaana. Let's meet at home. I'll see you soon."
"Okay, then," I replied.
Abhimaan's fury simmered beneath the surface as he paced the expanse of his study. The call with Mayura had ended abruptly, her playful tone masking something darker that he couldn't ignore. He knew she wouldn't let on about the full extent of her troubles, but the echoes of distress in her voice were unmistakable.
The moment h heard the confrontation with her bullies while being in call , Abhimaan's rage ignited. No one, not even the lowest of scoundrels, had the right to lay a hand on his wife. He could almost see the scene: his Mayura, resilient and strong, facing these fools who dared to belittle her. The thought made his blood boil.
With a sharp, decisive movement, Abhimaan grabbed his coat and stormed out of his office. His team, sensing his volatile mood, scrambled to keep up as he stormed towards the building where Mayura had been harassed. His mind was set on making a statement that would ensure these bullies would never cross his path again.
The drive to the college was swift, each minute stretching his patience thinner. As he arrived, his presence was commanding and fierce. The college security, recognizing him immediately, ushered him through the gates, sensing the intensity of his mission.
He stormed into the corridor where Mayura had been cornered, finding the bullies huddled in a corner, their faces pale with fear. Rohan Singh stood among them, still clutching his injured wrist, his bravado now a mere shadow of the arrogance he once exuded.
Abhimaan's eyes locked onto Rohan, his gaze a mix of disdain and deadly calm. "So, you're the scum who thought it was a good idea to harass my wife," he growled, his voice low and dangerous.
Rohan, eyes widening in recognition, tried to muster a weak defense. "W-We didn't know-"
Abhimaan cut him off with a menacing glare. "I don't care what you thought you knew or didn't know. What matters is that you dared to touch what belongs to me."
He advanced on them, his every step radiating power and authority. The bullies shrank back, their bravado melting away under his relentless gaze. Abhimaan grabbed Rohan by the collar, pulling him closer, his face inches away from his.
"Here's what's going to happen," Abhimaan said, his voice a dangerous whisper. "You will leave this college, disappear from Mayura's life, and never dare to show your faces around her again. If I hear of you crossing her path, I will make sure you regret it with every breath you take."
Rohan's eyes were wide with terror, and he nodded vigorously, trying to extricate himself from Abhimaan's iron grip. The other bullies, visibly shaken, quickly murmured their agreement, their arrogance replaced by fear.
Abhimaan released Rohan with a final shove, his gaze sweeping over the group. "it was your last mistake. You messed with my wife again, and the consequences will be far worse than what you've experienced ever ."
He turned on his heel and walked away, his demeanor unchanged. Behind him, the bullies remained frozen, their faces pale with a newfound respect for the power and protection Abhimaan wielded.
As he exited the college grounds, a wave of satisfaction washed over him. He had made his point, and now, more than ever, he was determined to protect Mayura from any harm. The thought of her being safe, secure, and surrounded by people who cared for her reassured him, even as his mind continued to churn with thoughts of her.
His only regret was that he hadn't been there sooner. But he promised himself that he would always be there for her, ensuring that she never had to face such threats alone again.
He smirked and turned around and looked at the way he came and said " it's not over though" .