35.

.Siya looked at everybody, taking a deep breath. Her eyes narrowed towards Yuvraaj, and she gave a saccharine smile. She sat for a while, thinking of some lyrics. Before a smile lit up on her face. She smiled at Zoya, nodding. Zoya giggled.

Siya looked ahead with doe like fiery eyes as she started in a narrative voice,

"Kehte toh hai khoob, Rana Sa,

Hame bade mehboob."

Yuvraaj looked at her, a small smile forming on his lips. Unaware of her intentions behind the saccharine smile.

"Lekin baate toh chhodo,

Yeh toh jaate hai aankhon Mai hi doob."

A giggle left Zoya at her words, whilst others cheered. Avyaan going as far as, "ohooo bhaisa, lagat se Pani Ghana gehera se!" He caused others to laugh. A rare smile lit up Yuvraaj's face as he stared at her with a raised eyebrow.

Siya started, slowly picking up her pace,

"baate hain badi badi inki,

But be honest? Its boring lowkey.

Jis ruab se chalte hai,

I'd have been impressed,

But before that could happen,

Yeh bana baithe mujhe depressed!"

Giggles sounded between the crowd, making her roll her eyes as she slowly started with her list of complaints staring straight at the muse of her creation.

"Start with introduction,

That's how you speak,

Chupkese gifts Dena,

Harkate yeh na hai thik.

Innocent si ladki thi mai--"

"Beshaq ji, ekdam innocent, Bhabhi Sa~" A teasing Annika spoke making everybody chuckle. Siya continued without a heed as she winked with a pout.

He's the devil that made me trip.

Watch out kids, he's a dweeb sarcasm drip.

Know what Rana sa,

Stalking makes you a troll,

Toh kyu zade meadows ka liye aap role?

"Ahhhhhhh Siyuuu~" A delighted Zoya squealed, her face blushing at the mention of her favourite fictional man. Avyaan raised an eyebrow at her, which she ignored whole heartedly. Yet, with all those commotion, Yuvraaj's eyes never left his defiant doe. Siya, who didn't back down, rapped her complaints only to him.

With all due respect,

Acche se baat samajh nahi aati,

Bolti nahi, matlab yeh nahi bol nahi pati.

Jaan chodiye meri,

Aisa bolte hue hua hai ab late,

I'd feel sleepy, you bore me at this rate-"

"Siya?" Siya stopped abruptly turning, hearing the voice. Her eyes falling on her brother Nishant whose eyebrows had been furrowed as he stared at the crowd. "Bhai?"

Siya stared at him, when his gaze returned to her, he raised an eyebrow. "I thought you were going to sleep?" Siya chuckled awkwardly. "Oh, that...," her eyes shifted towards The Rana Sa for whom she was performing, before she smiled sweetly at her brother. "We were having a campfire party."

Nishant smiled at his sister nodding, before her eyes turned into daggers aimed at Rana Sa, "Yeh aur koi problematic gifts toh nahi de rahe na?" Yuvaraaj raised an eyebrow at him. Avyaan chuckled, retorting back, "Nahi nahi, Mr. Nishant. Dare we not bestow another gift, else your family would again mistake our kindness for sinful emotions."

Siya froze, her eyes turning back towards Avyaan who defiantly stared at only her brother. Avyaan, the guy who had been so friendly with her, stared at her bhai without backing down, and when his gaze finally met hers, they held apology but did not yield. He respected his Bhabhi a lot, but he wouldn't let his brother be disrespected in the slightest.

_______________________________________________________

~Siya~

I walked out of my house, I was finally going for enrolling in the university in the study. A pout on my face as I saw the sun high. Nishant bhai, you are really ruthless to ditch me the last moment for a stupid meeting.

Bhai was supposed to come with me for the interview, but that khadoos Rana Sa, announced a last minute meeting which led to bhai being stuck and me, alone on my way. I muttered to myself, "Atleast a little morale support would have been appreciated in the sun." I groaned feeling the heat on my skin, "Yaar bhai, Baskin robbins ka promise kiya tha aapne mujhe."

I wailed, "No body loves me!" I threw my hands up in the air, in frustration at the heat. Apparently an imbecile had made it his mission to honk on the empty street in this afternoon heat. I huffed irritated a I walked rambling to myself, refusing to let Mr. I have a loud honk ruin my day further, "Bhai, Sahi mai I'll take my revenge." I stomped, "Kaun itni sundar ladki ko akele dhoop mai jaane deta hai? cruel! cruel bhai!" I pouted, "I didn't even get an ice-cream."

An amused voice spoke from behind me, "Siya, agar aapka gussa shaant hogaya ho toh please gaadi mai baith jaye."

I flinched turning pale. Horrified, I turned back to meet a well clothed wall; Rana Sa's chest. I slowly looked upto meet his laughing gaze. My face flushed, staring at his amusement. I stuttered staring at him, "R-rana Sa?" A chuckle left him, he leaned in a bit, pushing my hair behind my ears. "Indeed bohot sundar lagrahi hai aap, Meri jaan." I turned red at his straightforwardness.

Humiliation of being heard, and then complimented by him like this made me unable to react and I resorted to staring at him like a dumb woman with my mouth agape, red faced like a baboon. I noticed he had donned on the formal attire, a white button down with black slacks and a leather belt. An expensive watch glinting on his hand.

I looked down at my attire, A white lacey top with a black skirt and a leather black watch. I pouted, We could have matched if not for his silver watch.

My heart fluttered, as he smiled at me, explaining, "I heard from Nishant, you were going to enroll yourself in Jodhpur's university of Arts, so decided to accompany you." He gave me a quick once over, smiling in admiration as he completed, "for moral support."

A flush spread across my face, as I weakly babbled, "You didn't have to Rana S--"

"Yes, didn't have to, but needed to, Siya." He corrected, gently taking my bag from my shoulders. Rana Sa smiled, "This summer, it seems the heat is really a lot. I wouldn't want you to get dehydrated in the heat."

He led me to his car, with his hand on the small of my back making my heart flutter. He didn't need to be so gentle manly.

He opened the door of the passenger seat, allowing me to sit in. He rounded the car, taking the driver's seat himself and starting the car. I looked at him confused, "You didn't take a driver?" He glanced at me with a smile, shaking his head.

When we reached the college, Rana Sa accompanied me to the office.

When I talked with rana sa about this, he had offered to get me enrolled himself, which I had denied. I didn't wish to enter with the help of any influence, but due to my hard work. I appreciated that he respected my wish and didn't broach the topic again, but accompanied me during the process.

When we had arrived, sitting in the waiting area I let myself finally feel the nerves. Is it possible that they'd reject me? What if they didn't have any more seats remaining? Oh god, what if the didn't find me eligible?

"9.7 CGPA, A gold medalist, Rank No.1 at established writers of India, 95% in 10th and 93% in 12th...," Rana Sa's voice brought me back to reality and I stared at him startled. "Huh?" He smiled down at me, "Koi bewakuf hi hoga, agar who apki kabiliyat ko nazar andaz kare toh." My cheeks heated up at his kind words, even though his words were a tad bit creepy. Who remembers in such detail about other's merits?

I had no shame in admitting I didn't even remember even my own stuff, how did he have the heart and time to memorise every single detail about me? I'd have been flattered if I were a character of a royal romance book, I must state.

Truly though, it was indeed a sweet act that he took care of my feelings and understood my nervousness. Very few would try to comfort people and succeed the way he did. I had never met somebody, who trusted me as much as he did, except Nishant bhai. When I was called in, I requested Rana Sa to stay out and he just nodded in understanding.

______________________________________________________

Siya walked out of the office with giddy steps. Her face delighted, when Rana Sa's eyes fell on her. He quietly smiled, standing up. "Did everything go well, Siya?" Siya smiled, nodding. "Ji Rana Sa, quite pleasant!"

They walked out of the campus, and Siya looked around taking everything in. She commented because she couldn't remain quiet. "Rana Sa, Did you come straight from work?"

Yuvaraaj nodded, "Yes, I'd been done with the day, and I wished to accompany you." Done with the day, by cancelling every single meeting that were lined up to accompany your Siya, yes you were Rana Sa.

*Author rolling her eyes at the simp she created*

"Rana Sa..., Why are we taking this route..?" Siya asked puzzled when Yuvaraaj took the opposite direction. Yuvraaj glanced at her smiling, "for your achievements, shouldn't we have a small party?" His words making Siya surprised. To her, she had never been pampered to this extent. He followed her after office when she was sure there must have been a lot of things he might have needed to do. Yet, this man, without a single complaint followed her around, doing things that'd make her happy. Wasn't this an effort that she could identify at a glance? Particularly..., because she herself had given this effort a million times. An effort that reflected her love toward her loved ones.

When Yuvaraaj pulled up against a food court, telling her to sit in his car. He spoke of how high the sun was, and how the heat would feel uncomfortable for her. He spoke as if he cared. How could she stay ignorant to such care? He had been humiliated and insulted a million times by her and because of her, yet his every action renounced a story that stood against every belief Siya had of him. Did he really love her?

When Yuvaraj returned, his hand held multiple small bags. He passed them down to her and took a seat, staring at her with a sweet smile. Siya looked through the bag, and every thing down to the chocolate chip and caramel drizzle on her dessert, every little detail was down to her preference. An ache bloomed in her chest, overwhelming her. Her eyes moved to ask him how did he know, how did he have the heart to care for her choices when she had harmed his reputation so much, when her eyes landed on his wrist and stopped.

On his wrist, wasn't his silver glinting watch, but a plain black leather belt watch.

He had changed it to cater to her wish, Yet again...

Sometimes..., what you may be so desperate to find, you'd probably be looking for it at the wrong place, when the thing could be right infront of you. What Siya wished to find in her mother's gaze, she found it in Rana Sa Yuvaraaj Singh Chauhan's Gaze, yet was blinded by her situation.

Situations that were about to get worse.

__________________________________________________________

Hi Hi and finally a BIG Hi.

Long time no see huh? I do suppose it is my fault for not updating.

you all must be fed up of this author, no? lol, I wouldn't blame you for being when I do disappear a lot without reasons or explanations. It must be irritating, and I admit it to be my fault with no excuses to give.

Yet, an explanation to my behaviour, i'd like to give.

Hey, everybody, the reason for my lack of or can I say absence of updates is only one reason. I am not going to fault anybody, so please don't feel like that, I merely wish to showcase my side of the story.

I come from a family of business and am the eldest daughter of this family. And a student. know what this means? I need to manage my dad's business with him, do my studies, manage well and score amazing, whilst also helping out at home since my mother gets sick pretty easily. not to forget I have two siblings and a whole branch full of energetic kids and aloof teachers all older than me to manage. I barely even get time out to see the doctor when I am sick so you can probably guess the amount of time I get to write. Coming from a teaching back ground, my pass times are making interactive ppts and trying to get out of situations where I can be scolded. and so I write. to escape my realities for just a moment.

But writing doesn't truly make me happy, know what does? the fact that my story be liked by people reading. a vote and you might think that'd be enough, but is it really? I had been a writer on wattpad for 4 years, before I started writing on this account. Im not saying you guys are any less encouraging, I love you all, really do but with how my life is...I need more. more of that encouragement, that keeps me going. Theres a lot to do and I get afraid that if I am distracted for a second a good story would be lost in the pages of my mind because I couldn't write it down, but writing down is emotionally draining too. when my mind is so numb that I can't think straight, the keyboard might work but no feelings are attached to it. these feelings come when I see strings of comments, when I see consistent dms, telling me they loved the book.

just like @Lilac_life did, due to which I had to rush back and write to not disappoint. a vote is a silent encouragement that doesn't reach me, loves... It gets lost admist the choas of my thoughts...

so...yeah. I know its too much but...that's my side of the story. don't worry, I don't plan on disappearing. the next update would be by tomorrow night, till then bye..

(Yaar, my phone broke and now im only on my laptop till my new phone arrives so id prolly not be able to post reels, but my dms are still open. hmu if u wish to know smthg.)

take care,

and love you ;)