AllFreeNovel
Share Us
AYAAN
I can’t help but marvel at her wit and intelligence. Meher is handling this marriage deal with panache, ensuring every detail is covered to protect her father’s reputation. I knew she wouldn’t settle for anything less, and I’m proud to see her leading the game with her queen-like charm.
“Your tactical planning is on point, Meher Walia.”
Meher smiles, her eyes gleaming with pride.
“Well, I learned from the best.”
And that best is me!
“King-8, Queen-6,” she proclaims with pride, awarding herself another point for her astute thinking and getting me to agree on her marriage terms.
My phone buzzes, drawing my attention, and I promptly extract it from my suit pocket to read the notification. I’m expecting an important message from Krish, a revelation regarding a longstanding issue we’ve been grappling with. As I retrieve my phone, the black King chess piece comes into view, and Meher sees it.
“Your companion,” she murmurs, a smile curving her lips as she gazes at the chess piece. I place it on the table beside my phone, seeing the notification isn’t from Krish. “How’s the real king doing?” she teases.
“He’s back with me. So, he’s doing more than just fine.”
Meher nods, triggering a memory and a question I’ve wanted to ask her.
“How did this King chess piece end up with you when you had to leave Dalhousie?” I ask.
Meher exhales, as if hesitant to revisit the past.
“Are you asking why I took it?” she playfully counters. “How do you think it came into my possession?” she inquires.
I shake my head, preferring not to delve into my misjudgements for now. However, she persists, prompting me to open up.
“When I woke up that morning in Dalhousie, I found the white Queen’s chess piece on the bedside table instead of this one. Considering the series of events that unfolded there, I thought you deliberately swapped my black King chess piece with the Queen as a symbolic victory over me.”
Meher rolls her eyes.
“I can’t believe this,” she mumbles as if attempting to create some distance between us. But I’m not letting her get away. I reach out and grasp her hand.
“Meher, please. Stop punishing me repeatedly for the same mistake. I know I was wrong,” I implore.
“Yes, you were entirely wrong,” she counters. “I did place the white Queen chess piece on the bedside table that morning, but it was meant as a surprise for you. I intended to gift you the Queen as a memento of our bond. The King chess piece was in my hand as I brought it down to make breakfast for us. And then Vishnu appeared and whisked me away from the villa.”
She gazes ruefully at the King chess piece on the table.
“I only realised I had it with me when I was on the flight back to Mumbai. Holding onto it brought me solace during those days. Until I returned it to you.”
I’m struck by remorse upon hearing the truth. Picking up the chess piece, I place it in her hand.
“He is yours,” I say with tenderness, “and so am I.”
She meets my eyes with a soft look, pushes the lapels of my jacket and secures the King chess piece back in its inner pocket.
“He belongs here, with you,” she replies, tapping my chest.
Meher starts to withdraw her hand from my chest, but I gently guide it back, holding onto her wrist.
“It’s where you belong too,” I reply.
We gaze into each other’s eyes where no words are exchanged, but even then the silence conveys it all. The mistake once made is never going to repeat again. I’ve learnt my lessons the hard way.
The server brings our order, making Meher pull away her hand from mine.
