The Replacement (#royals Book 1) by Shikha A (early readers txt) 📖

“Masa please call Didi back to Delhi, She has been behaving badly with everyone here and it’s embarrassing for me. Moreover, I might not be able to control myself next time if I see her insulting any of my family” I told a half-truth to Masa. How can I say what she is doing to my mother? I don't want to break her heart.

"What are you saying? I never thought she could do this. She has disappointed me very badly.” Masa huff in disappointment and shame.

“Masa, Please call her back” I could not control my emotions and my voice cracked a little. Lying to my mother is not easy for me.

"Is there anything else I need to know, Shipra? Are you hiding something from me, baby? Tell me." My Mother caught my hesitation.

"Masa, I just have one request, call her back before she broke my house, that's all I can say,” I said sniffing.

"Baby you know what you are saying right? What do you mean by breaking your house?" Hearing this Masa got alert. Now she knows things are not that easy as I said.

"Masa, you are smart enough to know what I am saying. Please do as I say before I do something.” I said seething in anger.

"But tell me what’s wrong” Masa again asks but for how can I tell her in detail what her elder daughter is doing behind her back?

"Masa please." I can't tell her shameful act to masa.

"Ok fine, today only I will arrange everything you don’t worry about," Masa assures me.

"Thank you, Masa.” Saying I hang up right now I don't want to talk to her about anything else.

I closed my eyes after talking to Masa but my closed eyelid could not stop my tears from coming out from my eyes.

I am feeling something kind of pain I never felt ever in my life. Even some kind of fear.

Fear of losing Shivay.

The day passed just like me sitting in a room drawing some designs of my book.

Rama came with some food. I ate a little sake of masa.

Masa also came to check on me a few times. She asked me to come out of my room but I don’t want to see anyone. I don’t want to do anything. I just want to stay alone. I want to be with myself.

It’s been four days since I left my room. My routine is the same until I finish my morning routine, make a new design, eat a little bit and sit at the window for hours and hours.

“Rani Sa” I heard the voice of Rama.

“Hmm” I hmm still looking outside.

“Rani Ma asking for your presence” she bowed down saying.

“I will be there in some time” I huffed and got up.

After checking my appliance which is no less than pathetic due to dark circles and dishevelled hair.

Changing into some decent clothes I made myself a little presentable and went down to see Masa.

I saw Masa sitting in the living room with all her glory. Her chin was high, she was wearing a beautiful pink chiffon Saree with pearl jewellery. Her makeup is very light and she is talking very gracefully with an extremely fine-looking man.

That man must be in his sixties. He has a beautiful aura around. Dominance and class were dripping around him.

“Masa Apne hame yaad kiya?” (You called me) I spoke slowly. In case if I want to speak loud my voice will not support it.

“Come sit with me, my dear.” I went to her and sat near her on the couch.

I look at her and look back to the person and nod him with a little smile,

He was looking at me with so much love and happiness.

“Meet Mr. Sagar Singh Raghuvanshi Shivay’s father.” Masa empathizes with his name with little bitterness.

Hearing this did not move from my place. Surprised and shocked both hit me at the same time.

“Shipra?” I again heard masa’s voice and looked at masa and she was looking at me with no emotional face.

I got up and went to my father in law and touched his feet. “Khama Khani” I spoke with due respect.

He got up from his place and hugged me tightly and that caught me off guard. I don’t know how to react. Fatherly vibes were visible around him and he was happy seeing me was an understatement.

"Oh my god look at you? You are so pretty. How come my son got so lucky to have such beauty?” He caresses my hair lovingly.

Again I don’t know what to say or how to react so smiling was the only option I left with.

We sat back in our place and I didn't know what to talk about.

“Basa Sa will be here tomorrow” My father in law spoke again”

Masa nods in agreement.

Where is Shivay?” Baba sa asks Masa.

“Here” Finally I saw him after so many days. Completely ignoring my presence he touched Baba’s feet. His smile was far away from his face. I could feel he was just doing it out of respect. He was not happy nor sad to see baba sa. There is no emotion on his face.

I also ignored him, the floor looked more interested than him right now for me. I kept on looking down till they talked to each other or let's say Baba’s and Shivay, Masa was just admiring Father and Son duo.

After some time when I could not handle it, I got up “Masa I will be back in sometime after checking the dinner preparation” Saying I left without Masa’s answer.

After checking the preparation I went back to my chamber and somehow the food smell made me nauseous.

After spending some time alone I went down for dinner. I don’t want to look rude in front of my in-laws. Whatever problem I and Shivay have is very personal. I will never let others know about it.