PART 26
Uday
The silence is driving me crazy. Nothing can be heard but
the shallow breathe of choti and the soft movement of the curtains off the
hotel balcony. Everything is silent until the shrieking sound of the crystal
tumbler hitting the wall behind my head. Choti screams, Manyata holds her close
and Uncle Brij holds onto my dad.
Brij: Giriraj!
Calm Down!
Dad looks anything but calm, he's panting as a trickle of
sweat rolls of his head and down his neck.
Giri: CALM!
CALM!? YOU WANT ME TO BE CALM?
He stalks towards me, anger burning in his eyes but my gaze
meets him head on.
There once was a time I looked up to my father- literally
and figuratively. Right now though, I tower over him. In every sense of the
word.
Giri: Udayveer. I
have never. Never prevented you from doing anything. Ever. I have given you the
world; and in return all I've ever asked is that you uphold this family's
name. You uphold this empire's name. Tum neh to isaat ko mithi meh miladiya!
I listen to his words without flinching. I can't even argue
with him. He's right. I have had
everything handed to me, and the only thing that was expected in return was to
marry then have children with the
right woman. That woman is supposed to be Manyata, and I can't even look her in
the eye right now.
Brij: Giriraj, what's done is done. What we need to know is
how to handle this situation.
Giri: HANDLE? The brat is 4 F*ing years old Brij! What the
hell are we going to do to handle him and his wh**e of a mother?
I flinch. I don't know why. I don't know if it's calling the
kid a brat...or Mina a wh**e. She wasn't a wh**e. I hate her...but I don't know if
I can stomach calling her that. But I let him get it out.
Brij: Well, we need to figure out if she's going to talk, go
to the presses or let anyone know. If she's just going to raise him and not
tell him anything about Uday and the riayaasat, then it's a non-issue.
Giri: You're right, absolutely right.
He turns to me, looking angry as hell.
Giri: Call the lawyers, get them to draft a confidentiality
agreement and transfer 10 million into her bank account. She is not to tell him
your biological tie with him, and she is not to go to the media with this.
Understood.
I'm about to open my mouth and tell him Mina doesn't need to
money but I'm interrupted by an angry voice.
Manyata: That's it? You're not going to ask what he looks
like, what his name is, or who he is?
Brij: Manyata Beta, quite- this isn't your concern.
Manyata: Really Papa? It's not my concern that the man I'm
set to wed has a child? Really?
Giri: It doesn't matter Manyata, only the children of you
and Uday will be the heirs!
Manyata: That's not even the point! Uday has a son! He has a
child! And No one cares! He's just some bratty inconvience to you both and your
empires! Is this how royalty operates? How many extra brats is each Prince
aloud? Is there a quota to fulfill? Have kids, throw money and sign documents
and patha saaf?
Brij: MANYATA! Zabaan Sambalkar bholo.
She walks towards me eyes brimming with tears, pulling my
arm and forcing me to look at her.
Manyata: Don't make me lose the respect I've gained for you
Uday. Don't throw it away while our fathers talk about your son like he's a
piece of inconvenient garbage. Don't let them talk about your son's mother like
she's a cheap wh**e working the streets. Have some decency to own up to your
mistakes.
I know what she's saying. She's being righteous, and moral,
but she doesn't understand. She's not looking at the bigger picture. Acknowledging
the kid will bring a fire storm to our lives that she can't even comprehend.
She'll regret it down the line- I have a feeling it will.
I look into her eyes and see the questions floating
vigorously. Holding her shoulders I try to be as calm and assertive as I can.
Me: Manyata, you and I have a future together. I live
together. We will have a family together. I love you, and only you. We need to
move on from this. Forget this and look forward.
I was expecting many things, tears, a scream maybe but not
this. She rears back and slaps my face. The noise silences everyone in the
room: Choti, Uncle Brij and my father.
Manyata: You're disgusting.
She turns around and looks at all of us.
Manyata: You're all rich in wealth and stature but your
values are cheap. Your thoughts are cheap. You have nothing to offer me whether
it be a kingdom or title because at the end of the day love, respect, kindness
is nothing. It means nothing beyond the title of your empires.
She walks up to my dad without fear and looks him in the eye
angrily, as if she weren't a princess but a Queen.
Manyata: You know he has your son's face? And his smile? Did
you know his name is Aditiya? He's a beautiful boy. He's probably more socially
acceptable than I was when I first came into the palace- his mother's family
is wealthy- he isn't a chawl child like I was.
She turns to Choti and stares her down.
Manyata: This is your nephew, Unnati, this is your brother's
child. How can you stand here and say nothing?
Finally, she looks at her father and dares him with her
gaze.
Manyata: You want me to marry him right? You want your
kingdoms united? I'm naming my price right now. I will only marry Uday when he
acknowledges his son. I will only become his wife when he agrees to finally
become a father. That is my price.
We're all starring at her- she's crazy. She doesn't know
what she's asking for. She storms out of the room and I charge after her,
calling her name, but she ignores me. The Elevator opens and someone gets out.
Running in she reaches to shut the doors before I make it, but I stick my hand
it. The doors open with a resounding ping and I step in. Angry and not looking
at me, she's stuck in a corner of the elevator but I corner her further. My
body blocking her way.
Her gaze refuses to meet mine and I stare at her. Her
precious tears are sitting on her eye lashes, each one cutting a dagger into my
heart.
Me: Look at me Manyata.
She refuses, so I hold her face to look into mine. If looks
could kill I'd be dead.
Me: You're out of your mind, you don't know what you're
asking for.
Manyata: I'm asking you to gain some backbone Uday.
Me: YOU DON'T UNDERSTAND! It's NOT about Backbone! It's
about being realistic! We can't do this! It's suicide!
Manyata: What's the worst that can happen!? What are you going to lose?!
Me: YOU! I'M GOING TO LOSE YOU!
She looks at me with her mouth hanging open.
Manyata: What..?
I run my hand through my hair and hold her face closer to
mine.
Me: You want this now, but this is going to ruin us,
this...this...child is going to come between his. I can't have that Manyata, not
when I just found you. Not when I just got you.
Manyata shudders as tears fall through her eyes, and she
lays her head down on my chest.
Manyata: That's where you're wrong you idiot. Aditiya is
going to bring us closer. He's going to make you human in a way that I never
can.
Reaching up, she lays her lips against my neck boldly. It's
this odd sensation of her warm lips and cool tears as she speaks against the
column of my throat.
Manyata: Losing me is impossible at this point Uday. I'm
yours. Forever.
The elevator door Chimes open, and we fail to jump apart.
Rajmata, Aunti and JN are standing to get in, but by the expressions on their
face they aren't angry at the embrace, but more so absorbing the tension
between us.
Rajmata: Uday. Kya hua?
I straighten up, and hold Manyata's hand tight.
Me: There's something you all need to know.
______________________________________
The drive over to Mina's hotel room isn't the easiest.
Manyata is silent as we follow the two cars infront of us. The first has Dadi
Sa and Uncle Brij, and the second has dad by himself. He hasn't spoken to me
since, but upon learning the truth Dadi Sa laid down the law, and agreed with
Manyata in the end. In order for Devgard and Jaigard to have a political future
together, we have to reconcile my past. And by reconciliation, she means
acknowledging my son.
Dadi Sa: We're royals
Udayveer, but that doesn't mean we have to abide by every old tradition. It may
have been acceptable at one point in time to have children littered around out
of wedlock; but it is not acceptable now, nor is it acceptable for my
granddaughter. In order to move forward, you will have to face your past, and
get to know Aditiya. I'm not saying he should be your heir, but do not make him
a dirty secret that can come back to haunt our Royal Houses down the line.
Tomorrow, we will go with you and face the Randhawa's. Tomorrow we will settle
this.
Sleep was impossible to come by, too many scenarios were
running through my head. We had decided not to call Mina, but simply show
up...it's been two days since that night when we discovered the truth about
Aditiya, but it feels like it's only been a few hours at the pace that
everything has moved at.
I adjust the collar of my Tom Ford Shirt and button up the
blazer as I step out of the car. Manyata climbs out in her simple cream
anarkali and gives me a soft smile. Something about her makes me calm, and
without hesitation I come around to clasp her hand. We're in this together.
She'll stand by me. We can make this work.
The elevator ride up is awkward and silent. Dad still won't
look at me, Uncle Brij is fiddling with his broach, and Dadi Sa looks straight
ahead. Leading the way I take the dubious steps towards the suite where I know
my past and future are hanging in balance.
Finally I knock.
______________________________
Dressed in black slacks and a crisp royal blue blouse Mina
and just finished packing for Andy and her trip back in the English Country
side. The last two days had been taxing to say the least; regardless of the
emotional turmoil, she was just looking forward to heading home and enjoying
the next few weeks before Vacation was finished and her role as the CFO in her
father's company was back into the fray of things. These Vacations were the
only few weeks a year where she could focus on her son 100% without business
getting in the way. Andy was sitting on the table near the fire place, fiddling
with her phone and playing some game as children of his generation always did,
Legs swinging and his tongue sticking out from the corner of his mouth. A smile
reached her lips as she gazed at her son from afar. Her son. Her everything.
A knock on the door took her out of her thoughts, walking up
she never contemplated asking who it was, since it had to be the bellboy,
taking their luggage down. How she had wished she hadn't opened that door.
In front of her stood the man she no longer loved, and could
not completely hate- since he was what had given her the Gift of Aditiya.
He looked different then she remembered from their last few
interactions- tired, and anxious.
Uday: Can we come in?
At his words, she finally glanced behind to see a group of
people with him and Manyata who she recognized but had never met. After all,
their relationship had never gotten that far.
Mina: I suppose, since whatever you're here to discuss is
not about to be done in the hallway. Come in. Please.
Had she not had her son here, she would have given him a
piece of her mind for him to come into her space unannounced. The arrogance of
these people was astounding, and never failed to surprise her.
She was still thinking of how to get Aditiya out of the
area, when Rajmata stepped in front of Aditiya and sat down on the chair in
front of him, smiling.
Mina: Andy, say hello and then your nanny will come up and
take you out for ice-cream, love.
He looked up, unsure and surprised at all of the strangers
in the room until he saw Uday and Manyata.
Aditiya: Miss Manya! Mr. Oddaybeer! Have you come to play
with me?
Both Uday and Manyata couldn't get in a word edgewise as the
youngster continued talking at a rapid excited pace has he rushed towards them.
Aditiya: Good! We can play and have ice cream while my mamma
packs! We're going home and den we're going to go to DISNEY LAND! Do yous wants
to play with gator? Lemme go grab him, he's on my bed!
Mina grabbed her son before he could run off and got down to
his level.
Mina: Andy, you're a good bacha, right?
Aditiya nodded his head solemnly, somehow sensing his
mother's serious mood and no nonsense tone as she held him still and touched
his face.
Mina: Good puth. Mary is outside, she just stepped off the
elevator, go with her and grab some ice cream. Bring some back for everyone.
OK?
Aditiya nodded his head solemnly kissed his mother's cheek
with love; and walked away from the serious adults, oblivious to the fact that
he was the subject of their somber mood. The Adults looked at his innocent
frame as he went away, and finally walked towards the main sitting area to get
down to the dirty business of this all.
Giri: First things first. The child's name will be changed.
We'll take up all of the legal costs, we'd like him to spend six months here,
and three months in Mumbai with us; if you wish we can make it three months
alternating between the two families. His schooling will be done like Uday's as
well. As for being an heir, we're going to have to talk to the Royal House
about this to see where his...legitimacy stands.
Brij: We're happy to accept Aditiya as a part of Manyata's
family. The family she's going to marry into, and we hope you will extend our
daughter the same courtesy.
Rajmata: Aren't you going to say anything Miss. Randhawa?
Mina smiled, and crossed her left leg over her right, and
gazed around the room, a cool look of distain on her face.
Mina: Are you done? All of you? Hogahi bakwaas?
Giri: How dare you!
Mina: No. How dare you. How dare you come here and dictate
to me how my son's future will be. How dare you come here unannounced and try
to claim a right to have a say him our lives? Who are you? What right do you
have?
Rajmata: We're just trying to do what's right for Aditiya.
Mina scoffed as she switched the position of her legs, and
starred icily at Rajmata. No one would have dared to gaze at the queen with
such distain.
Mina: You are trying to do what is right for you. What's
right for your precious families' reputation? Don't worry though, I'm not some
desperate middle class groupie out to make a buck with the tabloids. In case
you didn't notice, my son and I do not need your families to pick up any
expense or change his name.
Uday: Will you just listen?
Mina: Will you just shut up? I'm sorry to be rude Ma'am and
Sirs, but frankly, if you want anything to work out or see Aditiya, then please
step out and let me talk to Uday alone.
Giri: But!
Brij: That is completely inappropriate!
Uday: What are you trying to prove!
They all shouted at once, but Rajmata had enough sense to
see what it would take to get the conversation flowing.
Rajmata: Baas! Giriraj. Brijraj. Let's head back to the
hotel and let the kids sort out their own messes. I hope that they will be
mature enough to resolve this, and keep in mind that beyond their egos, pride
and emotions- there is an innocent child involved. One who deserves to be happy
and know both his mother and his
father, as well as their respective families and histories?
With that comment she ushered them out of the room, and
leaving Uday, Manyata and Mina alone with a deafening silence.
Awkward and unsure of what her role in all of this is
Manyata made her move to get up and leave, but the simultaneous sensation of
Uday's hand pulling her back and Mina's sharp voice saying "Stay here" rooted
her back down.
________________
Uday
I wish I could go for a run right now. Not figuratively,
although it may come off as that right now. I'm not going to run away from the
issue at hand, no matter how painful and confusing it is. But I do however want
to just run. Feel the pavement beneath my shoes, the sweat trickling down my
back, and the wind cooling my down while the sun shine beats the top of my
head. I want to run to and burn all of this energy away. All of these pent up
words and thoughts I have. I want to spit it all out onto the pavement via my
feet and an open road.
Manyata is tense as I hold her hand in a death grip.
Everything else seems so false, so unreal. She's the only real thing I have
right now. The only person who makes sense in my life.
Me: I'm sorry.
The words seem dry and hollow as they come out of my mouth.
But I have to spit it out. I have to start this off with the right foot. I have
to make peace with this woman for my future. I have to do this.
I'm expecting a verbal lashing or outcry from Mina, sort of
like the last time. But her big blue eyes are impassive, and emotionless, as
she gazes as me. It's almost frightening how icy she is. I almost want to yell
at her and say she has no right to act all high and mighty as she is just as
wrong as I am but in different aspects. She could have contacted me. She could
have. She choose not to. So what I didn't pick up her phone calls? So what? She
could march right up to my place and yell that she was pregnant. But she just
gave up. Then again...if she had done that- where would I be right now? Most
likely married to her. I would have had to marry her- there's no question about
it. I wouldn't have Manyata. I would have lost her, even when she would have
been found. God. This is just so much to take in.
Mina: You're sorry?
Me: Yes. There's no need to be condescending about it. I...
God, I can't do this sitting down. I stand up and walk
towards the balcony window and just look out at the glistening lights of
London.
Me: I was wrong. I was terrible to you. I hurt you. Me. I
did all of these things and I am sorry for them.
I never thought we'd be here Mina. I never did. I never once
looked back, and maybe if I had, we wouldn't be here right now. Maybe your life
would have been better and different. For that I'm truly sorry.
Mina looks at a loss for words, she looks at Manyata who's
looking at me, eyes brimming with tears, a smile on her face.
Mina: You've changed a lot, haven't you Uday?
I want to agree with her, but Manyata speaks up first.
Manyata: He's always been in there Mina. He's just learning
to be human again.
Getting up, she loops her arm into mine, and makes me sit
back down on the couch and get my thoughts on track again.
Me: What I'm trying to say is that we need to move on from
this. This animosity and hatred. No matter how justified it seems and
realistically is. I would like to get to know my son.
Saying the word "son" seems so foreign still. I can't barely
get the words out because I don't feel this connection with him. He's just a
cute little annoying kid...that I've bumped in to once or twice. How can he be my
son?
I look towards Manyata, and she gives me a faint smile as we
both turn and look towards the woman who holds the final decision of this all.
Jaw set tight and face emotionless, she finally turns and looks me in the eye.
Mina: Fine. We can do that. We can try. I want to be very
clear with you UV. Aditiya isn't a toy. You can't play with him until you've
had your fill and cast him aside.
I clench my fist at her remark, but Manyata rests her hand
over it, to sooth away the anger. Instead I give her a sharp nod. I can't even
fault Mina for the comment because from where she's been and is coming from the
point is valid and true.
Mina: I have the next three weeks off. I was planning on
spending that time in our country home with Andy but, we'll come to Mumbai
instead. You can get to know him, learn a bit about being a parent. It will be
an experience, but under no circumstance is he to know what your relationship
to him is.
That causes me to whip my head up and stare her down.
Me: Oh really? Then what the hell am I supposed to do? Be
an "uncle"? Really? What's the point of playing this game, why can't we just be
upfront, get this done with and move on?
Mina: Because not everything is about you Uday! He's 4. He's
turning 5. I'm not going to dump this on him and expect him to understand. Let him
get to know you first, then we can go from there. I'm not going to tell him, "Oh
look Andy, that's your daddy. I know you've never met him before, but please do
try to get along" That's too much pressure and it's going to freak him out. He's
a child Uday, not an adult. Think of it from his perspective.
I haven't been a child in so long that the idea of thinking
like one seems like a foreign concept to me. But not to Manyata, who has always
had a heart of gold.
Manyata: She's right Uday. We need to look at this from the
angle that's best for Aditiya. Not you. Not me. Not Jaigard or Devgard. Just
Aditiya.
I nod and get up, extending my hand to the woman who holds
the fate of our two riyasaat's in her hands.
Uday: We have a deal then? The next three weeks you and
Aditiya will be in Mumbai and we'll try to figure things out. For the better.
For the future. And For him?
Mina's hand was firm, and cool as she clasped mine.
Mina: We have a deal, but remember if you or yours hurt my
child in anyway, there won't be any of you left to have any future.
___________________________________________
It's our last day at the hotel before we head back to
Mumbai. I had planned a tour of Buckingham Palace and dinner at Ramsay's but
things have just been too awkward and tense between our two familes to do
anything at the moment. Manyata has been huddled up with Jai in her room.
Unnati has been trying to talk to me, but I haven't been in the mood to talk.
Dad's ignoring me, and Dadi Sa and Uncle Brij are trying to facilitating
pressers and interviews right now- speaking about the upcoming wedding. It's
odd isn't it? I just proposed a couple of days ago but the wedding has been on
for about a year. I think the time is 6 months from now. 6 months from now
Manyata and I will be married, but at the same time, there is so much other BS
to deal with. The storm has only just started and we're already drifting apart.
We haven't spent time together, and not to mention she always looks so worried
and stressed out. I'm doing what she wants but I just hope it doesn't come to
bite me in the ass alter on down the line. I can't afford to lose her again.
Not again.
It's only 8PM but the hotel roof top pool and vandera are
empty because we had booked them off. We were supposed to have a big family get
together and celebrate the joy of getting officially engaged before heading out
to dinner, but it seems those plans never came together considering all the
other things going on. So instead, I dive into the pool and try to swim away my
thoughts.
The water is warm but the air cool enough that each time I break
to the surface I get a chill. Soon my pace is frantic and I glide back and
forth around the large surface, paying no heed to time nor place. I almost want
to exhaust the thoughts out of my head. Pulling myself up onto the ledge of the
pool. I sit back down, feet dangling in the water, trying to catch my breath
which is shallow and fast I close my eyes and try to picture what the future
looks like from a week from now. A month from now. A year from now. But I can't
it's all too convoluted, but the one thing that I know I want to see there is
Manyata.
It's difficult to catch me by surprise, but so long in
thought I almost jumped out of my skin when I felt a soft touch on my bare wet
shoulder. Looking up I see the very person of my thought's desire. Manyata. She's
radiant in a plane white suit, no makeup on, and hair tied up in a messy bun.
She looks tired, but so beautiful. Uncaring of her clothing she sits down
beside me and puts her bare feet into the water, her shoulder brushing mine.
Manyata: How are you?
Me: Better, now that you're here Princess.
She smiles at me and laughs as she kicks her feet in the
water, making it splash
Manyata: Flirt karne ka moka tum nahi chorthey!
There she is. Making me grin.
Since she's surprised me today, it's only fair that I take
her by surprise as well at least once.
I quickly lean into her and roll on top. Pinning her beneath
me. I can't imagine what it feels like for her, the wet tile beneath her back,
and the wet weight of me pinning her on top. She looks startled, and flushed.
Her breath is just as shallow as mine, but slower. Our eyes lock and she looks
at me unsure. Her hands tentative at my sides in the air but finally fall to
rest at my hips. She takes one shuddering breath and is about to say something
before I stop her by leaning in.
Me: Kyun, kya hua Princess, Bolthi band?
I'm smirking because I know what this is doing to her, but
suddenly there's this odd sensation going through me. It's Manyata's hands...they're
moving? They are, gently, up my back caressing the water droplets that are clinging
to my skin. The sensation is so wonderful yet torturous. I suck in my breath
and look down at her face again, and she's grinning ear to ear.
Manyata: Kyun, kya
hua Udayveer, bolthi band?
I can't help but laugh at her bold retort that's leaving me
all hot and bothered. This back and forth we have these games that are played
are so much more than that. I need her to be with me, always close. Always loving.
I ignore her rhetorical question and stare at the beautiful column
of her throat; it's wet from a few droplets of water that have trickled down
from my hair. Her scent is so fresh, clean and pure. Unable to stop myself I
lean down and kiss her where the two droplets rest. I can feel her plus beat
fast against my lips, and her playful hands suddenly dig into my back. The
playfulness is suddenly all gone and her eyes look hazy. It's like this sudden
dam of emotions is bursting and I continue to kiss her neck. Warm, soft and
welcoming I press closer to her. Chest to chest. My lips find hers and her
hands go up to my hair and all there is us and the movement of our lips against
each other, I can't even describe where I end and she begins. We're one.
Breathing the same air and holding the same essence in this moment. There's
nothing else but the feel of her lips on my lips and her warmth against mine.
There's just too many layers of clothing between us.
That thought. That thought is what snaps me out of it, and I roll off and away.
Panting. I have to wait. We have to wait. She deserves so much better than me
wanting to wash away all my problems with the oasis of her body and love. I
love her too much to make a selfish and shortsighted mistake.
I turn to my side and look at her as she looks at me. Flushed,
and breathing heavily. Her hair is open now, loose from my wandering hands, and
I tuck the wayward strand away.
Me: I love you Manyata.
Manyata: I know Uday. I know.
She leans in closer and rests her head on my shoulder.
Kissing me lightly where my heart lays, as if to reassure me that she's here
with me to stay.
___________________________
OK! So, as promised ITS UP! IT'S FINALLY UP! I will do my best to update every two weeks to ensure you guys get your dose AND the story get's it appropriate due!
So, I'm going to be honest with you- this is most likely NOT my best piece of writing, it was hard to write this because I KNEW what I wanted to get across, I was just having a hard time going about it since it's been over a year since I've written for fun. I'm so used to writing Research Essays and Political Science papers- that this stuff is going to take me a couple of tries to get 100% back to my old self. So please forgive the inconsistencies and terrible spelling (don't mention the fact that I have terrible spelling regardless 😆) My "Hinglish" leaves A LOT to be desired so my apologies for that as well.
FINALLY, please do "like" or comment. You don't have to leave me a positive comment, but I just need to know how many people are actually reading this. It's been so long that I don't even know who the reader base is anymore- since most aren't on the forum because the show isn't active.
Hope you enjoy!
Reeha
PS: This was 10 pages on MS Word! I'll do my best to make sure the updates are about this long! :) JNCs are next!!
Edited by reeha...k - 9 years ago
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