•| crown prince of bullshit |•

Agastya

The cheerful applause that erupted at his announcement deafened my fiance’s protest. My scoff of disbelief was also drowned in the celebration. Fiancee, how utterly meaningless of a word that is and how wrong it is to call somebody whom I've seen for altogether five minutes my fiance.

Kedar stood there like a statue, smiling when someone came up to him and congratulated him but the moment they turned their back his face slipped into the blankess that was practiced and precise. I tried my best to stand there and let people drone about how fortunate and lucky we are to marry our love and not everyone gets a chance like us but after the 23rd congratulations from a moron who could care less, my patience snapped.

I've never been so elated to see my sister than at that moment. She appeared in front of me like a guardian angel and scurried me away to a secluded room. Her soft hands interlocked with mine, to keep me in check no doubt.

She let go of my hand and locked the door behind her.

“What was that? They were all watching you and you were behaving like that.” She shook her head in disappointment. Despite her being at least 4 years younger than me she still scolds me like a toddler.

“Did you see that guy? He was standing there like he was struck by lightning.”

“So, you know better than to behave like a toddler –”

“And you know better than anyone that I hate this, this, absolute farce of a marriage.” My aggression rarely scared her but this time it was different and she could sense it too because it shut her mouth very quickly.

Her defeated sigh echoed in the silent room.

“I know that but I also know that this deal or alliance or farce, whatever is important for us and you know it too. So just suffer through this marriage and you can be free.”

A scathing laughter escaped my mouth. Free, she believed that I could be free after going through this farce. Her naivety had never failed to amuse me. How could one be in her position and think that?

Naivety is what had made her incapable of leading a company. Her unfailing optimism failed her in life several times yet she held onto that. All these made her a non eligible candidate for running our business but she still believes that Papa favored me more than her and this naivety is what made her think that I could ever be free from my duties and obligations.

If I stand here anymore I might break her heart and I've no desire to do that, to fail her expectations or to add her into the list of people who never understood me. So I did what I could, that is to leave her alone.

The party, it seemed, didn't miss me much nor did my fiance by the looks of it. I didn't see him in the place I left him standing neither in the hall but that could be because of the crowd.

From what I've seen and heard, my fiance was only 23 completing his MBA. I've yet to do an extensive search about him. All the information about him was provided by his grandfather, who was suspiciously eager to get through this marriage than anyone else or he must be simply elated to see his grandson's marriage and I am just paranoid.

My parents and his family were standing together, his grandfather chatting with Papa and his aunt and uncle with her. Yuvaan stood behind them looking thoroughly bored. He  have no interest in business and have expressed it many times yet that didn't stop Papa from including him in conversations like these. The only people missing from the group were Kedar, his cousin Samaira and his uncle's kids. Rudra, who was busy with Ranveer spotted me and with a flick of his hand called me there.

They all welcomed me into their small group very enthusiastically. Mr. Rajawat, the elder one, patted my back and congratulated me as if he wasn't the mastermind of planning this charade. After years and years of dealing with two faced people it stopped amazing me at how adept they are at playing a part. But the man in front of me switched back and forth between a shrewd businessman who orchestrated this charade with my father and a grandfather so happy to see his grandchild settled in life.

After making small talk with everyone I went in search for some time alone, which was a pretty big thing to ask in mansion which was brimming with eminent personalities. I searched for a long time before finding a hidden alcove. There was no one around and even if there was, the alcove was hidden from sight.

Lighting a cigarette I looked up into the sky hoping to see Ma.

It was a childish story that Nani had told us kids, to look up into the sky to see those people who weren't with us anymore. When younger much like other children, I had looked up into the sky hoping to catch a glimpse of her for one more time but was never able to and slowly that wish evaporated into nothing but notions of a foolish child.

Velvety palm got hold of my shoulder. I tried to dislodge it but the hand held more tightly the more I tried.

“Tum khush ho?” [Are you happy?] Her silky smooth voice poised the question and I kept quiet. Who was she to ask me questions like that? She wasn't my mother. She didn't have any right to talk to me yet here she was asking me if I was happy.

“Why are you here?”

“Agastya I know we don't see eye to eye but if y–”

“Oh! Please don't act like you care for me. If you really know me as you say then you know that I hate lying. So please spare me from this nonsense and leave me alone.”

Her hand left my shoulder but it took a long time before she decided to go inside the hall.

Lavanya Mehra is the single most object of all my hate. I had hated her from the moment she stepped into our threshold carrying my father's name like it's her birthright. Loathing was the only thing I've ever felt for her. I hate her and her poison filled offspring like it depends on my life. Nothing anybody could ever do change me from that.

Fists clenching I walked back into the party, plastering a pleasing smile on my face and shaking hands with countless unknown people.

Papa stood with one of our business partners.

“Yuvraaj Agastya, Congratulations” A balding man whom I assume Mr. Raghav Patel said, nice and buttery like I am his own son.

“Thank you Mr. Patel”, his face twisted in a grimace and proved me wrong in my assessment, “Papa can I talk to you for a second?”

“Ha, bolo.” [Yes, say.] Moving a little away he said.

“An urgent meeting popped up and if I don't go then Shrama won't be able to handle them.”

“Agastya, this is your engagement day and the rings are not even exchanged. What would people think if you'd leave like that? You are a crown prince for god's sake!” What started out as a defeated sigh morphed into disappointment and I tried my best not to show my own disappointment.

“Can we speed it up a bit?” Maybe my desperation to get away from this place must've shown in my face for his face softened and nodded.

A few minutes later Kedar and his grandfather walked down the stairs. Kedar looked like he had chewed lemons while his grandfather was pleased.

Our family surrounded us and passed us the rings that had a K and A engraved on it. I took the one with an A from the outstretched hand of my father and slid onto my fiance’s finger. He did the same. I barely managed a smile for the photos while everyone around me wore their best.

I fled from the place as quickly as I could. If I stand in that damn place for another second I would explode or initiate violence.

Heaving a sigh I gestured to the driver to take me to the airport. I dialed my PA’s number. If anyone could find necessary information quickly and easily then it would be him, Vikram.

“I need to get everything about Kedar Singh Rajawat. Do it as quickly as possible and select the best photo to be published in the paper.” I didn't wait for his reply before cutting the call.

The engagement ring felt like dead weight on my finger. Rendering me incapable of doing something freely. It was a noose around my neck that tightened every moment I dared to breathe. I had no idea on how to get out of this noose and if I stay long enough it will be the end of either of us.

Ta Da! Here is the next update. Do drop your views about this chapter and tell me if whatever I am writing is making sense? Sometimes I feel like I am not making any sense. Any feedback from y'all is loved.