30.

-Siya-

I looked down at my legs, my tears finally subsiding. Nishant Bhai had been beside me all the while, sitting quietly.

Lost in his own worries, I knew what he was thinking about. For I was also thinking about the same.

He didn't say a word Siya, he just wordlessly cancelled the engagement for you.

This were Nishant Bhai's words when he came back. A knock on the door grabbed our attention, and it was Avyaan.

Avyaan was Rana Sa's younger brother. He looked at me, his expression soft and respectful as he spoke, "Bhabhi Sa, are you feeling better now?"

My face flushed in embarassment. It was due to me that such a scandal arose yet he talked so softly. I nodded my head and he looked at me for a minute before finally nodding.

He spoke quietly addressing papa, "Uncle..., the night has gone far too long, you should stay in the palace for the night. I'll arrange everything."

I looked at him, and I saw dad about to protest but he quickly said, "Bhai Sa has requested for you all to stay." He looked over at me, "Bhabhi Sa must be tired." He passed on a reassuring smile, "It will be difficult for her to travel in such heavy dresses."

I saw Nishant Bhai's relentless expression soften. He looked at me, but Zoya quickly spoke up, "Toh kya siyu yaha itne bhaari kapdo Main raat guzarengi?" Her slightly sophisticated accent and snooty attitude made Avyaan raise an eyebrow, "Mauhatarma, agar aap aankho pe se baal hatake dekhengi, toh hamare palace Mai bhabhi Sa ke liye sab available hai."

His arrogance seeped through his words, "We the Chauhan's lack nothing." Zoya raised an eyebrow, "yet they have a son like you who lacks brain?"

My eyes widened, as I hissed, "Zo!"

She rolled her eyes, "They are your in-laws, yeh mere shauhar thodi jo mai adab se baat Karu." My face flushed, and even Avyaan's jaw dropped. Annoyance flashed his face as he spoke, "Mauhatarma mustn't worry, I already love somebody else!"

When he realised what he spoke, his eyes suddenly dropped. Zoya giggled sarcastically, glaring at him, "Shehzaade ke liye accha! Kyunki hum toh aapko ghaas bhi nahi dalte!"

"Zoya chup kar!" I hit her head. She pouted, but didn't say a word. Avyaan looked over at me finally relieved, as he quickly spoke. "So, I hope everybody will be staying? I'll quickly get to arranging rooms then."

He smiled at me, "And I'll also send over clothes for you to change into bhabhi Sa, along with some food. You must be tired."

He then looked over at everybody respectfully addressing, "Others please come with me, let's have dinner and I'll show everybody their room."

Zoya suddenly looked up, "Hum Siya ke saath rahenge, humara khana bhi aap yahan Dede, please." Avyaan looked at her and gave a sarcastic smile, "Aur koi hukum mohtarma ke?"

Zoya also smiled back sassily, "Shehzaade humare hukum nahi utha payenge, aapke liye sirf itna hi." A flash of anger passed Avyaan's eyes, as he walked out of the room with others.

As soon as he walked out, I hit Zoya's head, hissing. "Pagal hai kya Zoya? Kyu chhed Rahi tu usse?"

Zoya yelped, "Accha? And what about me? Tumne thoda bhi socha if I were hurt by his words?"

I narrowed my eyes, as if she would ever be the one to get hurt and not hurt others.

She smiled cheekily, "Dekho na, Mai abhi abhi waapis aayi tumhare liye itna jaldi and you treat me like this?"

She put her arms around me, "Jab Mai aayi, tum toh aise ro Rahi thi as if kisi buddhe se shaadi karayi Jaa rahi thi tumhari?"

She snorted, "Atleast Jiju looks good. Is caring for you, kis liye ro Rahi thi tum? Dekh, just now only on a few tears he didn't care for his reputation and respect and straight out cancelled the engagement."

I looked down. "it's not that Zoya." I confessed, "it's just....I don't want to get married, Zo."

Zoya looked at me seriously before asking softly, "Is it about the wish list?" I looked at her, suddenly tears filling my eyes and I hugged her. "I'm scared, Zoya."

She was quick to pull me in as she comforted. Zoya was somebody who gave the best hugs, "Chup hoja, Siyu. I know you are, marriage is a big step."

My body shook, as I finally felt the trembles of my body, the tears continuously flowing. "Zoya..., My studies, they aren't finished. Heck I'm not even 20 yet! How should I marry somebody?" I sobbed.

She tightened her arms around me, rubbing my back. "Sh, nahi karni toh mat kar na shaadi. Tujhe tere papa aur Bhai force nahi kar rahe hai Siyu."

She grabbed my face, wiping the tears as she spoke sincerely, "Tu bohot lucky hai Siya, Teri family sab sacrifice karne ke liye taiyaar hai, tere liye. Nahi karna hai toh chhod Dena."

I looked at her crying, as I shook my head. "Tu nahi samjh Rahi Zo, mujhe kuch nahi pata mai kya karu, Mai nahi chahti ke my family be the receiving ends of the rumours."

I looked at her, crying. "I feel there's so much left to feel, so much to experience, so much to do before a marriage and here I am."

I looked at my hands, wearing bangles and a heavy lehenga and the depression only grew in my head, "Yet I don't want my family to be hurt Zoya."

"Toh fir karle na shaadi, Siyu."

She grabbed my face, looking at me with utmost sincerity, "Woh aadmi tere liye kitna kuch kar Raha hai."

"Didn't your father say he promised for the wedding because he felt because of him your reputation was ruined? Siya in today's time, even after relationship people don't want to commit." She wiped my tears, "He is going against his family, against his mother for you. Doesn't that mean he really cares for you?"

She squeezed my hand, softly speaking. "Think calmly Siya, is he really that bad?"

There was a knock on the door, and Zoya looked at me.

She nodded at my face telling me to fix it, as she walked to the door, opening it. A surprised gasp left her lips, before she spoke. "Yuvraaj Jiju?"

I froze.

Stupid girl, whom are you calling a jiju?

Yet my shock of him appearing here was so huge that I didn't care about Zoya's runny mouth.

What was Rana Sa doing here?

_____________________________

This is the belated Christmas gift lol. 2 updates were asked for. And 2 updates were given.

Now....

I have read the comments last chapter. :)

Honestly I didn't reply to a single one, yes, why? Because it wasn't something I was supposed to reply to? Both of the sides were correct. If there was somebody at fault, it would be me who didn't clearly write a few details in the book. And for that I apologise.

There were....some exchanges, and I would like to apologise for making the plot provocative to this length. I truly didn't wish that any type of discord be created between the readers due to this story.

As you all know, it is all but only fiction. Written on paper. And yet I found both of them correct?

This story..., I'm sorry to say will go with a much provocative plot in the future, there will be much more frustrations, nd I'll like to say a few words here.

Both Siya and Yuvraaj are fictional, and both have their faults and reasons. Siya is all but 19 years old. She had dream and she was all of a sudden thrown into a marriage, ofcourse it will make her be conflicted. Her mother ( I don't like such women) is a manipulative person who has been constantly trying to force her into this Marriage, and she's only doing it for her mother. Naturally she would have some dislike, even hate for Yuvraaj.

Her fault is that she keeps wanting to step back, but I would say that it is also not something that's without logic. She had a perfect life, ofcourse there will be hesitations when she's about to be married over in turn of events.

And about Yuvraaj?

Yes yuvraaj did her wrong. He stalked her, and even tho unintentionally hurted her emotions, he did. Unintentional is not an excuse, yet isn't now Siya doing it as well? If yuvraaj hurt her, he's trying to make up for it.

He knew her mother would never let her live with such a stain and hence offered to marry her so that she would be able to live comfortably. He tried to protect her from the rumours by fixing a marriage, so that her purity won't be tainted.

In such a case, i feel both are hurting the other equally. And it's the situations and society's fault.

Siya is scared. And Yuvraaj is looking out for her.

And anyways they are all fictional lol, why be tensed over them?

Y'all forget it with a cheers with me, please?

Cheers🥂

Ayo don't y'all unite and bash me in the future for what I'm about to do💀

Love y'all alot (even tho u don't. No body even wished me merry Christmas T-T)

Aesthetephilist.