After a while, Prakhar handed over Diamond to Advait—he knew if he took him to Kunwar, the conversation would be ruined before it even began.
Prakhar's car stopped in front of Kunwar's villa. He parked and asked a guard,"Is Kunwar home?"
"Yes, he's inside."
Prakhar nodded and entered, heading straight for the study—he knew Kunwar would be there. He knocked on the door from outside.
There was no response for a while. He knocked again."Kunwar sa…" — he called out, and the door swung open quickly. Kunwar stepped out.
"You're actually here… or is this a dream?" Kunwar said, looking at him.
"I'm really here, Kunwar sa… I have something important to discuss with you."
"Discuss? With me? Or have you mistaken me for the king?" Kunwar said sarcastically.
"No, I've come to meet you."
"Come in…" Kunwar said, then called for coffee and walked into the room with him.
"Speak…" Kunwar said after sitting on the sofa, looking at him.
"I… I'm resigning from my job—"
"You cannot!" — Kunwar cut him off mid-sentence.
"Your family has a tradition of serving the royal household… you're bound by your family's rules," Kunwar said, staring at him.
"Rules should evolve with time, Kunwar…" Prakhar said calmly.
"But I won't allow it," Kunwar dismissed his words.
Prakhar looked at him and quietly lowered his head.
"Anything else you want to say?" Kunwar asked.By then, a servant had brought tea and was serving it.
"Yes… Shrey—"Prakhar had just started speaking when Kunwar deliberately spilled hot tea on the servant's hands.
The servant shrieked in pain.
"Shut up! It's just tea, not fire!" Kunwar snapped.The servant covered his mouth and quietly cleaned up, then left.
Prakhar was stunned. He asked quickly,"You did that on purpose, didn't you?"
"Of course. You made me angry," Kunwar replied coldly, as if nothing had happened.
Prakhar took a deep breath, calmed himself, and said,"I was appointed your bodyguard, Kunwar… and that's what I'll remain."
Kunwar smiled, but there was a strange glint in his eyes."I want to make you my life, Prakhar."
"That's not possible…"Prakhar replied clearly.
Kunwar leaned closer and whispered,"Making the impossible possible—that's Kunwar's specialty."
Prakhar stepped back."Why don't you understand, Kunwar…"
Kunwar turned to face him. There was madness in his eyes and edge in his voice—"You don't get it… You are my property… you're mine… only mine. And a 'Kunwar' never shares what's his. Never."
His harsh voice echoed off the walls, making Prakhar actually shiver.
Prakhar spoke firmly,"Do you think I'm a piece of land… to be claimed as property?"
Kunwar smiled softly and came closer,"No… to me, you're my entire world."
Prakhar took two steps back,"I don't accept that…"
Kunwar's eyes darkened,"Your acceptance doesn't matter to me. I've already accepted it… and that's enough."
Prakhar glared at him,"Relationships are built with mutual consent, Kunwar. Nothing one-sided ever works… That's not love, it's imprisonment… it's madness."
Kunwar said quietly but with the same obsession,"Then consider this my madness…"
Prakhar turned and looked straight into his eyes,"I… I can't be yours…"
Kunwar leaned toward him, eyes blazing,"And I won't let you be anyone else's…"
Prakhar looked away.
Kunwar stared at him for a few moments, then with the same arrogance and coldness in his voice, said,"Pack your things… very soon, you'll return to the palace."And without waiting for a response, he walked out, slamming the door.
Prakhar's eyes remained fixed… on that door… on that fading silhouette...
He turned slowly and said,"You'll have to understand, Kunwar…Love can't be forced. And anything taken by force… is not love—it's imprisonment."
Prakhar walked out. He still had time, but he needed to start preparing already.
Evening —
Shrey had scattered clothes all over the room, and Pranay sat with his head in his hands, exhausted.
"Tell me what to wear?"Shrey said irritably.
Pranay closed his eyes and clenched his teeth,"I've told you a hundred times… but you toss every suggestion away like old textbooks after board exams!"
"It's just a date, not a wedding!"
"It's my first date!"Shrey rolled his eyes cutely.
Pranay looked up and said,"I miss you, my would-be boyfriend-girlfriend… Where are you, just come already… I want to go on a date too…"
Shrey burst out laughing,"I don't think anyone's going to like you in this lifetime!"
"Don't talk too much—I'll break your teeth. Then let's see how you look on a date…" Pranay glared at him.
Shrey immediately covered his mouth and imagined himself toothless, shaking his head quickly,"No no! I'll look scary!"
Pranay took out a maroon shirt and cream pants from his wardrobe and handed them to Shrey."Here, if you like this, wear it…"
"Wow… why didn't you show me this earlier!"Shrey happily grabbed the clothes.
"Was saving it for farewell… but fine, take it. Now hurry up — he'll be here any moment…"
Hearing that, Shrey rushed to the bathroom.
A little while later, he came out—wearing the maroon shirt and cream pants, hair neatly styled—and Pranay looked at him and smiled, admiring him.
He truly looked adorable today.
Pranay adjusted his hair, made him wear a watch and a bracelet, and sprayed a light perfume on him.
When Shrey wore his shoes and stood ready, Pranay smiled and said,"Perfect…"
Shrey looked in the mirror and smiled faintly.
"What will you do while I'm gone?" he asked.
"Watch a movie," Pranay replied, picking up clothes.
"Why don't you go hang out with Advait… he's fun."
"No, I'm fine like this…" Pranay dismissed it.
"Come on, try at least. I know he's weird… but maybe he's a good guy…" Shrey raised his eyebrows.
"Shrey, I'm not into all that right now… you go ahead…"Pranay ended the topic with a soft smile.
"Why don't you admit it? Are you scared?"Shrey teased.
"Shut up, Shrey…" Pranay scolded, though deep down, he was uneasy around Advait.
Shrey was pacing nervously. Despite acting cool earlier with Prakhar, he was secretly excited about spending time with him.
Pranay could see his restlessness and was trying not to laugh.
Soon the doorbell rang. Shrey rushed, then suddenly stopped and said,"You go…"
"Why?"
"I'm… shy…"he said softly.
"What!"Pranay burst out laughing.
"Go!"Shrey gave him a push and ran into his room.
When Pranay opened the door, his laughter vanished—Prakhar was there, and Advait was with him.
Advait waved and smiled softly, "Hello," and Pranay replied, "Hello."
"May I come in?" Advait asked lightly.
"Yes, please…"Pranay opened the door.
"Where's Shrey?"Prakhar looked toward the room.
"He's… shy. He's inside."Pranay smiled.
Prakhar set Diamond down and gestured to Advait, who nodded understandingly.
Prakhar went toward Shrey's room, while Advait moved toward Prakhar's.
"Hey, that's…" Pranay called out.
Advait paused, raised his brows.
"That's… Prakhar's room…"
"I know. I need to use the washroom. May I?"
Pranay flushed with embarrassment and nodded.
Advait smiled and went inside.
As Prakhar approached the room, Shrey's heart raced. His fingers clenched his phone, eyes shut tight, forehead sweating with nervousness.
Prakhar stepped into the room.
Shrey was sitting on the bed—curled up.
Prakhar's eyes stopped at him.The maroon shirt looked beautiful against his fair skin. Despite the anxiety, the innocence on his face made Prakhar smile.
He walked to him, leaned in, and kissed his forehead."You look very lovely…"
As soon as Shrey felt his lips on his forehead, his eyes opened, and he clutched Prakhar's shirt tightly.
"Shall we go?"Prakhar asked gently.
Shrey just nodded.