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SIYA VIKRAM SINGH RATHORE:

I have been awake since five in the morning. And since then, my gaze hasn't left the sight of the clock. I have been waiting for Ram since the moment I left the palace, and from the moment I miss my family. After looking impatiently at my phone for some time, I went to take a bath. After that, I got ready in a pink saree, wore my jewelry that Maa has given to me, and then put sindoor on my forehead. Every time I wear sindoor, my mind goes back to the moment when my Ram filled my hairline with the sindoor, and our hug after that. I blushed at the thought.

I didn't dare to go outside of my room because I don't want to face any of the women here, or Mr. Kapoor, because I've been very happy since yesterday, and I don't want them to spoil it. Every minute felt like years as I waited for my husband. My thoughts were broken by the knock on the door. I went and opened the door to find Malini Kaki standing infront of my door. She has been working here from my childhood. I smiled at her sight and asked.

" Malini Kaki, kaise hai aap ? " she smiled at my question .

( Malini Kaki, how are you ? )

( Kaki is a word used to show respect towards an elderly woman)

" mein toh bilkul teek hai beta, aap batao sasural kaise hai aapke ? "

( I'm fine child , tell me about your in laws? )

" Vo sab bahut ache hai Kaki, sab mujhse bahut pyaar karte hai " I said thinking about my family.

( Theu all are very good, and loves me so much)

" Sada aise hi muskurate raho bachi " she said while blessing me when I touched her feets.

( Always smile like this,child )

" Aap yaha kyu aaye the ? " I asked remembering her knocking on my door.

( Why did you come here? )

" Badi Malkin aapko neeche bula rahe hai. " Her smile gone as she said referring to Mrs. Kapoor.

( Mrs. Kapoor is calling you down )

" Theek hai, mein aati hu, aap jaayiye " I said after pausing for a moment. She nodded at me and went from there.

( Ok. I'll come, you can go. )

I looked at the time and found it was eight in the morning. I don't know when he'll come to pick me up. After letting out a deep sigh, I took my phone and made my way downstairs.

' You can't avoid them forever, Siya '

As I made my way to the hall, I saw all three of them sitting on the sofa. Mrs. Kapoor and Mrs. Agnihotri is talking with eachother while sipping on their tea, Nisha as always is on her phone. Mr. Kapoor and Niel are absent which means they already left for office, which made my heart drop, he could have atleast stayed to welcome Ram.

With slow steps, I reached them. It was Mrs. Agnihotri who noticed me first. She placed her cup on the table and then looked at me from head to toe with a fake smile on her face. Mrs. Kapoor followed her actions. Nisha also put her phone down, her face lighting up with excitement as if something interesting was about to take place here, which made my stomach churn in fear. I looked out at the entrance of the hall, anticipating the arrival of my husband.

' Jaldi aayiye Ram, aur mujhe yahan se leke jaayiye ' my heart chanted it like a mantra.

(Come quickly Ram, and take me away from here)

"Look who's finally here? The Queen graced us with her presence," Mrs. Agnihotri said in a mocking tone, making the other two chuckle. She got up from her seat and stood in front of me.

I didn't reply and stood there, lowering my head. Years of experience had conditioned me to behave like this, and it's what I hate most about myself. I felt like a weak, pathetic girl who couldn't stand up for herself. A tight grip on my chin forced my face up to meet Mrs. Agnihotri's gaze.

"What did you think, that we married you off to the Royals so you could live like a Queen?" she said, chuckling, and then continued, "Oh, how wrong you are to think that!"

"We just wanted to get rid of your ominous shadow from our house. After tolerating you for years, we wanted to relax," Mrs. Kapoor said this time.

Tears welled up in my eyes. No matter how many times I have heard all this before, every time it cuts my heart just like the first time.

' No, Siya, don't let them control you.'

" 'They may be treating you well now, but once they get to know that you are nothing but a curse, they will throw you out of their home,' " Nisha said, pushing me to the floor. My hand struck the ground, and a tear escaped my eyes from the sharp pain on my hand.

She sat in front of me, gripping my injured hand, making me wince.

" 'I hate you so much. You snatched everything from me. Since childhood, you've snatched my brother's love. All they cared about was you. And now you've snatched the man I wanted for so long,' " she said, venom dripping from her voice. However, I was puzzled by her last sentence.

How did I snatch her man?

As if she noticed my confusion, she answered, "What do you think? It was me who saw Vikram first. It was for me that bade papa sent the marriage proposal. But then you came into the picture, and they liked you for my Vikram." It was clear from her tone how much she hated me.

"Don't refer to my husband as yours." I said firmly, my voice was edged with disapproval. I don't appreciate her claiming my man as her own. They can say what they want about me, but not about Ram. He's mine and mine alone.

She looked at me, shocked because I have never talked back to her. For as many years as I can remember, all I have done is hear their tauntings without responding to anything, but not to my Vikram.

"So you have a tongue, huh? You're calling him your husband, but do you really deserve him? He's the future King of Rajasthan, and you? You're just a leech who has been draining our blood and wealth by sticking with us for years. He deserves someone better, someone confident who can stand by him, not you," she said while gripping my chin tightly. Tears started to flow continuously as the pain in both my chin and chest increased.

Look at you shedding tears like an innocent girl. You are not innocent, you are just like your mother ruining the families of others by spreading your legs wide in front of other men, like a fucking who,-" "-DARE YOU TO COMPLETE THAT SENTENCE "Nisha's words were cut off by the loud voice of someone, making the blood drain from her face. The voice I can recognize even amidst the sea of sounds.

A sob escaped my mouth as I heard his footsteps. I don't need to fear anyone or anything anymore because I know my protector is here, my Ram was here.

As the footsteps got closer, Nisha got up from the floor. I looked at the other two ladies whose faces reflected fear; I don't know why that satisfied me.

"Vikram, you are here," Nisha said, going towards my husband. Her hands were about to touch his, but to everyone's shock, he pushed her down, making her fall on her backside, just like how she pushed me down.

"It's 'Your Majesty' or 'Mr. Rathore' for you," he said in a cold tone, shooting daggers at her with his eyes.

He then slowly turned towards me. His eyes softened as he looked at me and extended his hands so that I could stand up. I took his hand and tried to get up but failed miserably, hissing in pain as he touched my chin where Nisha had a death grip earlier. His eyes turned red with anger as he noticed my face.

After letting out a deep sigh to calm himself, he stood up from the floor while picking me up in a bridal style. I clutched his shoulder tightly, fearing falling again.

"Don't worry, I won't let you fall," he whispered softly into my ears and kissed my forehead. I closed my eyes and rested my head on his chest.

He then turned towards the three ladies who were standing with fear visible on their faces. He took a threatening step towards them, making them take a step back.

"Remember to keep your voice down and your tone in check when you are talking to my wife. Or else, I know how to cut off your filthy tongue and the finger that points at my queen," he said in his cold voice, making them gulp in fear, and my heart melted at his words.

"You shouldn't have hurt my wife. You hurt something that's mine, and I'm going to hurt you a thousand times more. By touching what's mine, you invited doom upon yourselves," he said, slowly turning to walk out of the Kapoor Mansion.

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To be continued...