Captured

Chapter 9

Matsyaa repressed the urge to puke. It was nauseating. The never-ending queue of guests and their flattering comments were making her mouth acidic. What did they know about this man to congratulate her? They thought she was 'lucky' because they dumped gifts and envelopes in her hands but only she knew that the weight of these things was making her soul burdensome.

They were celebrating her defeat, congratulating her for being weak and enjoying her pain while bottoming down pricey champagne, devouring gourmet dinner and exotic desserts. They used this event as an opportunity to establish new connections disregarding her sufferings. She flinched when a camera flash blinded her and she stretched her lips to pose a smile. A couple was proceeding to them. Ranvijay introduced them as the royals of Baruch.

"He is Prince Dhanraj Singh Shekhawat." He said formally and motioned his hand to the lady, "His wife."

"Shreya Dhanraj Shekhawat." The lady introduced, forwarding gifts to Matsyaa and smiled. "Congratulations."

"Thank you!" Matsyaa handed the gifts to her attendant and watched an underlying coldness in the gaze of both the men who pretended to be civil. Dhanraj gave a side hug to Ranvijay, patting his back in a manly gesture. "Happy for you. Congrats!"

"Thank you. Are you enjoying it?" Ranvijay maintained the cordiality and the man nodded, "Definitely. Brilliant party." He dipped his head towards Matsyaa as a sign of acknowledgement and she nodded, flashing a smile. Soon, the couple was off and Ranvijay slanted his eyes to her. "No need to smile at him. He's a dickhead."

He finally spoke. Matsyaa had begun to worry about his silence. She thought he'd confront her but he only stared at her in a freakish manner, making her nervous. When she looked at him, she realized he was in a different zone. He was grumpy over something which definitely wasn't related to her escape.

"Tired?" He asked unexpectedly. She nodded, suddenly realising the numbing pain in her spine and straightened up, "This dress is heavy."

"You're looking beautiful." He hushed in her ear, dragging her closer and she swallowed her comeback, smiling. "Thank you."

His face hardened. "Stop doing this. It's fake. Your smile, I mean."

She smirked, matching his eyes. "Can't help it. I'm trained to face cameras. Fake it till you make it."

"Why can't you be really happy?" His calm tone was filled with annoyance. She was supposed to enjoy this day. The evening was theirs. Hers. He was hers.

"Because you wanted me, not my happiness."

"Wrong. Recall I once told you that I want you to be happy with me." He reminded her and she dismissed him with a scoff. Before he could argue, Matsyaa elbowed him and diverted his attention to an angelic girl coming over to them. She was gorgeous; her wavy, inky hair framing round face and creating a beautiful contrast against her fawn skin. Her eyes were a swirl of honey and her grin was contagious.

Draped in orange and silver saree, her way of completing herself was queenly. She was almost making every head turn. Matsyaa noticed through the corner of her eyes that Ranvijay was pleasant to see her.

"Congratulations dada!" She greeted, grin pasted on lips and eyes flipped to Matsyaa, taking a warm look. "You look beautiful. He's lucky."

"I know." Ranvijay chipped before she could reply and the girl laughed. Matsyaa accepted the gift and smiled, "Thank you!"

"This is Jigyasaa Ranawat. Crown Princess of Pratapgarh. Daughter of Sehdev Singh Ranawat. Our families are very close." Ranvijay appraised and Matsyaa nodded, "Nice to meet you, Jigyasaa. I'm..."