Deepika

Veer's hatred left me shattered, the moment I felt precious, suddenly made me feel dirty. He pleasured me and then openly accepted his hatred. I broke down , the pain was unbearable. It was the hope to be with him that kept me alive and going in that hell. I was so glad when I made home alive. I was ready for his anger, I expected him to confront , scream and call me words. But hadn't expected him treat me like a slut. I cried infront of him and he called it an act, that moment I decided , I will never let him have the pleasure of watching me in pain. I had given that power to my father in past, not more.

I always thought him to be different. Who am I fooling? After all, he too is a hot blooded stubborn Royal, just like my father. He has held me captive in his palace, the way my dad had, first when I was a child and later when he wished to have offspring. The barking of hounds outside my suite broke my thoughts. I have always been scared of dogs. When I was a 6, I broke my father's favourite vase while playing. To punish me, he locked me in a metal cage meant for his hounds and let the hounds free on me from outside. Though, they could not hurt me. But as a child it was frightening experience and it stayed back with me for years. For now, I cannot differentiate between the man responsible for my birth and the man who once gave me a new life. In this hour, I can't differentiate between the two

Vikram's tiny squeal took my attention back to him; my little man loves to keep me awake at night. Smiling I tickled his tiny tummy and he squealed again. My thoughts again bought lines of worry to my forehead. Vikram carries the blood of two stubborn royals. The mean genes of my father that stayed recessive in my blood, might dominate his and then Veer. He looks like him. Staring at my son , I warned, ''hear me out little man, if you ever hurt a girl. You will have to face the difficult side of me. Do you understand?'' He stared at me with unblinking eyes and then smiled, bringing a relaxing smile to my lips.

One of the hounds howled , sending the shivers down my spine. I am more worried for Vikram. I can't leave him unattended for a minute. These dogs are nothing less than wolves, they can smell and understand the weak one and it scares me It has been 3 weeks and I haven't stepped out of my suite. We have had a million arguments in these weeks, with Veer trying to dominate my physical and mental form. His touch makes me weak, I love him. Still. But I have decided not give up. He refused to give spare his son a glance and I won't let him anywhere near Vikram the day he realises his mistake.

With a deep breath, I changed Vikram and placed him in the crib. He smiled again, filling my heart with joy. The sound of the door alerted me and I covered Vikram's ears. Though, he is a happy kid, loud noise irks him to the core and I don't want him wailing at midnight. Without making any sound, I sat on my four post bed, watching the locked door of my room. I know Veer is on the other side, still standing near the door watching it intently. My heart started raging mad, I don't how and why but every time he is there on the other side , I feel him. I feel his palm brushing the closed door, I feel him leaning his forehead against it, breathing hard. I let out a sigh of relief when I heard footsteps fainting and then banging of his room door. I cursed and stared at Vikram's crib. He seemed busy making small sounds. Throwing my back on the bed, I kept staring at the ceiling before slipping into the slumber.

***

I woke up by the sound of banging door, but surprisingly Vikram is clam. I had put him to sleep after waking up around 3AM. I waited to make sure all was calm. With slow steps, I moved to the porch area to check if he was really out. The first thing in the morning he does is meeting with the resort staff in the lawn area. I peeped and found him instructing the staff in a commanding voice, he suddenly turned his eyes up and I moved back. I watched him walking away towards the exit and took a breather. I am planning to step out today, I know he won't be back before late evening.

Excited, I showered and fed Vikram. I called one of the staff to keep a watch of him. I had a desperate need to breathe in fresh air. I wore a pair of denims with white shirt to have stroll around the palace. The staff acknowledged me as I walked passed them. My wandering feet took me to the stable, Veer has one of the finest horses one could ever come across. I patted my favourite by name beauty. It acknowledged me neighing in delight. After good 2 hours I decided to move back to my suite. Vikram would be up any moment. I felt relaxed with my short break and walked back with a smile.

My smile vanished when I found the door open and growling sound from inside. Barging in , I found Vikram alone in the crib and a hound moving closer slowly. Not my baby, running to the crib I lifted Vikram up staring at the beast infront of me. They are never let free during the day, then how come this one is here and in my room. I am never going to forgive Veer for risking my son's life. The beast snarled and I threw a metal piece in its direction, it jumped and then growled. Clutching Vikram hard against my chest, I prepared myself for the attack shutting my eyes. I groaned in pain when it scratched my arm and then I heard it mellowing like a puppy in fear. My eyes fell on pair of male feet. As my eyes moved up, I smiled in relief, ''Bhai.'' Ananya walked in a minute back her face equally raged.

''Are you fine and what the hell a hound is doing inside the Palace? Where is the staff.'' His strong voice echoed the corridor. Ananya made me sit , I was thankful that she held me or I would have dissolved on the floor. The two exchanged the glances and then Bhai commanded, ''you and Vikram are leaving with us. He needs to be back in a secure place. And you need a doctor.'' Bhai ordered and next few minutes there was a doctor in, tending to my wound. He left after injecting, advising to repeat for 4 days.

''Veer doesn't believe him to be his.'' My words bought a piercing silence in the room. I looked up, ''Bhai, believe me , he is Veer's son. Had I been violated I would have never shown my face...'' Before I could complete , Ananya kept her finger on my lips, ''listen to me carefully, you will never justify yourself regarding Vikram again. He is yours and ours, Veer can rot in hell.'' There, she was back to her fiery self . Bhai kept and affectionate palm on my head and then moved to Vikram. The little man suddenly squealed and Bhai smiled, ''Yes darling, we are going home. Its time world meets the new Prince.'' He turned to Ananya, ''Get her things packed, while I check who left Vikram unattended.'' She nodded. Bhai left two was us alone and I broke down, Ananya asked nothing. She just offered her silent support. She wiped my tears, ''You had enough, now make him pay for it.''

''What's the point in me staying with him when he doesn't believe my child to be his?'' I reasoned. ''I should probably leave this place and settle abroad.''

''And snatch Vikram's right to have his family's love, his rightful place. No! Deepika stay and punish. He had the right to be angry, but he never had the right to treat you like this.'' Ananya pointed towards my bruised wrist. It happened a day before when I crossed his path and he grabbed me , seizing the opportunity to hurt me by his words. Ananya dialled asking for the help to report immediately , and then she leaned on Vikram, ''Hi Vicky, missed me.''

''Don't call him that, he is a Prince and not a road side rowdy.'' Bhai warned as he walked back in. Ananya rolled her eyes, ''Let him be, you are my Vicky I am your A'' I chuckled. She felt she was too young to be an aunt , so she decided that she was Vikram's A.''

Next one hour I watched as the staff packed my stuff. The Manager responsible was fired by him there and then was his carelessness regarding the Prince. The man explained about the hounds and Veer's decision to have them free in night. I could sense Bhai's nerves tensing up he stared at the man, ''Where ever he is, ask him to come back immediately.'' The man scurried off in fright looking at a menacing Prince Ranvijay. Bhai called someone asking the person to report immediately .

After 10 mins, I heard the familiar sound of anklets, ''Sitara'' I smiled at the girl as she her green eyes twinkled at me.

''We had come here to check on you guys and request to shift back. Granny and mom want to watch Vikram grow up. We thought, we would leave Sitara and go back giving you guys more time, but not now.'' Bhai elaborated his reason of sudden visit. His eyes turned to Sitara, ''Hear me out, Deepika appointed you as Vikram's guard. I order you to take the charge hereon, you will only take commands from Deepika or me. Also, you are free to go by your gut when it comes to the Prince.''

Before Sitara could respond, we heard loud footsteps and Veer stepped in. Sitara looked at Veer , then a Vikram. She walked and stood near the baby, ''Till I am alive, I will guard him. You have my word.'' She gave me an affectionate smile before taking her leave. I didn't miss the way she walked passed Veer without wishing him.

''Welcome Bhai.'' Veer greeted as if all for good. Bhai took slow steps and then grabbed Veer's neck from back, leaving us shocked. He dragged Veer to bed, making him look at the baby on the bed, ''Look at him. Even a blind man will know he belongs to you.'' He jerked Veer hard. Veer staggered, his face paled, surprise written all over it. He walked back a few times and then supported his shaking form against the wall. His eyes met mine , a stream of emotions passed through them, staring from regret , hurt pain and then nothing. I turned my eyes away.

''You blamed her for being greedy. Hear me out, she risked her life , her honour and her unborn child to keep you safe. You had died on that Polo field, had her man not pushed you off the horse.'' Ananya chided him, he looked at me once but stayed quite. Bhai shook his head in disappointment and lifted Vikram up, ''We are leaving.''

''She won't'' Came Veer's voice. I ignored moving forward and he shamelessly grabbed my arm pulling me back in his arms. Bhai stepped out, but Ananya said, ''We are waiting for you Deepika, come soon.''

He shot as soon as they left, ''You are leaving me. Again. I won't let you.'' He whispered over my face holding my body in a vice grip. I saw fear in his eyes and I wanted to comfort him, but today's incident shook me. He no more reminds me of unconditional love, he reminds me of my Father. Freeing my arms, I moved back. My skin still burns of his grip, ''You lost me. This time forever.''

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Ok done, next will have a shot POV of Ranvijay and Veer. Please do vote and comment