Page 30 of One Hellish Desire

We talk for a minute more before I disconnect, using the pretext of getting ready for their visit. I can clearly see that Shyam is not understanding my point. I have no plans for marriage so soon, and I had told him that clearly when his father proposed our alliance to Daadi a few months ago. Shyam and I have been good friends, but ever since the alliance has happened, I see our friendship fading. I don't know who is responsible for this? Him or me? But I don't share my heart with him as often as I used to once.

I dress up as simply as I can to be comfortable around the Trivedi family. Shyam's mother died too young. Being the only son, Shyam got all the love and attention from his father, and soon he became a responsible man, earlier than his age. That's why he is so humble and down-to-earth, but at times, I don't understand him. I feel like he is a puppet in his father's hands. He cannot deny anything his father wants, neither can he argue. I wonder if preponing the engagement was his father's idea?

I stop my brain from thinking so hard and continue dressing up. I wear a matching pair of earrings and then look at myself in the mirror. That's when I see him... Vikram. He is leaning at my bedroom door. When did he come?

“Why are you doing this?” he asks without moving his gaze away.

“What am I doing?” I question back. “If you are asking why I am dressing up, then you already know why. Shyam and his father will be here any moment.”

Whenever I talk about Shyam, a strange possession washes over his face, which I haven't deciphered yet. He walks inside, taking his own leisure time to reach me. I don't understand why he is always around me these days? Why can't he mind his own business?

“I asked ‘why you want to marry that Shyam Trivedi’?” he reiterates his question to make it more tangible to my already messed-up brain.

“He is a good man,” I reply, finding no better words to frame this. Vikram watches me with hooded eyes as if waiting for more reasons. “And,” I swallow, “he is a nice friend. He is helpful, kind, and most importantly, he has never given me tears.”

“And why does Shyam want to marry you?”

I am confused.

“I don't know. Why don't you ask him that? In fact, I don't understand your point in all this.”

“I know why he is marrying you.”

“Cool. I don't want to listen.”

I try to walk past him, but Vikram grabs my wrist and pulls me back to the same position I was earlier.

“He wants Devki Estate too.”

God! I go mad.

“Stop it, Vikram. The world doesn't revolve around Devki Estate.”

“Apparently, it does... for the Trivedis,” he snaps.

I can't believe this. Prince Pompous is screwing things up for me and my ownership of Devki Estate.

“I have read the clauses in the property transfer papers,” he adds. “It's clearly mentioned the man you marry will have fifty percent ownership of the Estate.”

“So?” I scowl.

“So, Shyam knows that too, doesn't he?”

“He does. So?”

I don't understand what he is trying to prove.

“So, open your eyes and see the truth, Cub,” he growls. “When did Daadi transfer this property to you?”

I shrug.

“You don't know? You saw the papers, didn't you? So, you tell me.”

“Eight months ago.” His eyes hold my gaze. “And that's exactly when Manohar Trivedi, Shyam's father, proposed this alliance to Daadi.”

I go cold. Is that so? I try to recollect, and he is right. Just a week after the transfer, Manohar Trivedi was here in Ratna Mahal to propose his son's alliance with me. Was there a connection? Could Vikram be right? Do the Trivedis want Devki Estate? I hope not. But I cannot mistrust their intentions because Prince Pompous thinks so.

“Keep your suspicions to yourself. Spare me,” I say, and try to walk away, but he blocks my way.

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