You Are My Unique Gift

Insignificant Chase

KOMAL'S POV:

Three agonizing days had slipped by without a glimpse of him. It felt like an eternity filled with torture, humiliation, guilt, and an ache that wouldn't subside.

The grand cake-toppling incident garnered widespread attention, enough to make even that i********: influencer, twerking in her birthday suit, turn a shade of envy. It was the flood of trending reels and hashtags across social media. But that was just the tip of the iceberg.

Amidst the buzz about my exorbitantly priced lengha and the opulent decorations, there was a more significant revelation.

My ex-boyfriend attended my engagement with a Prince. Not that the world knew about that at large. Vihaan and I were always tight-lipped about our relationship and Vihaan wasn't as famous back then.

Still, the cat was out of the bag: Divirath and I were officially an item and Vihaan did nothing about it!

Our company's stocks surged the moment news of the Geonkas' collaboration hit the public, while my brother worked tirelessly, securing connections to bolster his odds in the imminent election. However, amidst this whirlwind, there was radio silence from the Malhotra's. Not a word, not a glimpse. NOT A GIFT! Nothing.

For a second, I could digest Vihaan's indifference but Viraj, his twin brother was a beast in the body of a human. Freaking hell, he had kidnapped his wife from her wedding because HE WANTED HER.

Viraj's indifference was making me uneasy. I knew it was good that I was out of trouble. But for how long? What I knew about the infamous Malhotra brothers after four years of dating and separation—was they never let it go!

They were carved out of a sinister material and playing with the rules and all was their favorite pastime.

Then where had Vihaan disappeared to? Why was he pretending like we never met?

Now I hadn't anticipated him racing after me after I ended things on that hideously mysterious note. It had been years and he had all the good reasons to move on. He could f**k every single woman out there. Yet, I'd be dishonest if I said I didn't expect some form of reaction out of him.

Maybe a fiery retort? An attack? Another a*******n? I wasn't sure. It had to be anything but silence.

The prospect of facing him post-breakup had always haunted me since the day I told Abhay what I did and how I wanted to get away from Vihaan all those years back. Now, having finally crossed paths after all these years was making me think. Maybe...just maybe I was wrong in my calculation. Maybe he didn't love me as much as I thought he did. Maybe he had seen through things and was waiting for me to walk out.

Anyways, all of it made me feel insignificant...like I wasn't special. I felt like a total loser. I was a sore loser.

"Where do you think you're off to now, girl?" My mother pounced the moment my feet touched the living room floor and I nearly shrieked and broke my nose.

"Gosh, Mother! Are you possessed?" I exclaimed, clutching my poor heart. It took me a few seconds to drag my wandering mind back to my father's house where I was presently residing.

And I was bitter, angry, and disastrous when I lost. Wrong time, Mumma! Very wrong time!

Glancing past her, the sight of the oversized wall clock, a memorial gifted to Abhay by some Anti-Harrassment Foundation, I shuddered. It was two in the morning, and she was wide awake! Hah! I always suspected she was some sort of nocturnal spirit. Guess, I wasn't wrong after all.

"You gotta have soul to be possessed. How could I be when when I've kids like you wandering around my house? Now, back to the original question! Where are you fleeing to at," she turned to read the time. "two -fifteen?"

"I, uh, well..." My heart thumped loudly in my ears as I scrambled to conjure up something—anything—to divert her attention. Seriously, of all the people on this planet, why did fate stick me with a school principal for a mom? They're worse than Adolf Hitler—dark, dangerous minus the hideous mustache. But stubborn. A truckload!

"I'm heading out," I blurted. Seriously, what the heck? I was twenty-five and about to get married in less than a month, yet here I was, sounding like a teenager busted for sneaking out to meet a boyfriend lurking two kilometers away under a flyover. Excuse me!?

"I know that, dear. I'm asking where you're vanishing off to at this ungodly hour." She folded her arms, peering down her nose at me... oh, the classic mom move. "Have you forgotten you are up to be married to a crown prince? There would be rules you need to abide by."

"Well, Divirath didn't mention any rules to me," I frowned, walking past her. Damn! I never thought of it until my Mom brought it up. Guess, this would be the first topic of conversation tomorrow morning after he'd done confessing his undying love of course—in multiple languages.

"I didn't precisely know about the protocols and obligations, but I anticipated life would change in the palace...for good. Who wouldn't fall in love with those elegant jewelry, huh? Would I be crowned too? Wow! An actual crown! It's insane. I think I should ask Divirath to take inspiration from Ms. Universe's crowns."

"Good news! You are not in the palace yet. And nope! No crowns for the delinquents!" My mother narrowed her already narrowed eyes at me infinitely.

I had the urge to ask her if she could still see, but refrained myself. From the look on her, I'd be smacked any second now.

"Well! I was just taking a walk and craving some Momos. I'll be back in an hour. Now, please?" I attempted to slip past her, but she swiftly intercepted me, wearing a stern expression. Yeah, she can see apparently.

"Speaking of the Palace, there are matters we need to discuss now that you're engaged." She retorted firmly, and I almost raised my hands in surrender.

"Mom, please!" I groaned irritably. I wasn't in the mood for a 'Mom-talk' when my mind was already preoccupied. "Let's talk in the morning. I promise. Just not now, okay?"

"You can't flutter around like a bee anymore, Komi. You're engaged to a crown prince, in case you've forgotten. You matter now. You carry responsibilities on your shoulders, representing our family's reputation. One misstep could bring everything crashing down. And let's not forget, you're an easy target for anyone waiting to dismantle our family." She huffed all of it in one breath before she walked away, giving me a mysteriously scary look. "What if...what if someone kidnaps you? How'd we answer the press and the royal family?"

There was a thick silence for a couple of minutes as I let her words sink in. The lash of her words lingered on the edge of my thoughts.

What did she mean by 'Now'? Hadn't I mattered before? I'd been indulging in junk food escapades for years, and suddenly, my well-being mattered because of my engagement to a crown prince.

And if somebody really kidnaps me...which I know won't ever happen because the guy on whom I had my twisted fantasies pinned apparently didn't give two f***s about my engagement, what'd terrify her was to answer the press and the throne?

AM I ADOPTED? Is she for real?

A thought crept in, sly and small: Maybe she knows. The whisper was swiftly silenced, shoved back into the recesses of my mind.

"Whatever!" I huffed before walking out of the house and closing the door with an extra loud thud! If only she had been a bit supportive, I would have told her and not Abhay.

I tried not to think about it. She was a great mother and all but sometimes, which is frequently, she got on my nerves like none other.

I fished for my headphones and plugged in some music to avoid my thoughts from wandering. I had accepted my reality and myself. Divirath wasn't what I loved the most but he cared and gave me space. Bearable!

Despite the biting cold, I opted to walk rather than drive to the food market. Something was enchanting about strolling under the moon's glow and the shimmering stars. Fortunately, our home was nestled in a well-connected area, making everything within a twenty- or thirty-minute walk.

The lane lay silent, except for the sporadic whimpers of strays and the cold wind's occasional whoosh. The song I was listening to was seconds away from reaching my favorite part when it all unfolded.

A sudden prickle ran down my neck, raising every hair in a wave of alertness.

My steps ground to an abrupt halt, and a stark sense of solitude flooded my senses in the desolate street.

Someone was watching me. Suddenly, I wasn't so confident about being alone as my mother's concerning questions echoed in the back of my mind.

What if someone kidnaps you?

I wasn't naive to deny the possibility. My brother was a politician. Politicians inherently have enemies awaiting a chance to pounce.

What if I'm a chance? I had to be a fool to walk right into their trap.

Gripping my phone tightly, I scanned the entire stretch. Mr. Sharma's house loomed dark, save for the occasional fancy lights; adjacent, Mr. Oberoi's residence stood brightly illuminated yet eerily quiet. The streetlight cast a gentle glow, scattering brightness across the long lawn. A small rat scurried by, dragging a piece of bread, perhaps to feed its family. Everything appeared normal except for one glaring anomaly.

There it was—a limited edition sleek black Escalade, its tinted glasses hiding the interior, yet its roaring engine breaking the silence.

A gasp slipped past my lips as slowly, my eyes adjusted to its glaring headlights, eventually fixing on the two piercing grey eyes that seemed to bore holes right through me. My palms grew clammy, and my heart raced at a frenetic pace, threatening to burst out of my chest. A startled squeal escaped my lips as panic surged through me.

And I ran. I sprinted as fast as my legs could carry me, fully aware of the absurdity of my attempt—Vihaan Malhotra was driving a monstrous vehicle, while I chased the streets on foot.

But even with the wisp of uncertainty somewhere, my heart was leaping with joy. He came! He came back for me!

I wasn't as forgettable after all!

Amidst the surge of adrenaline, I heard his sinister chuckle before the engine roared to life.