The Royal Silence

48. Ego Clash

-Next Day

I looked down at my hands.

The mehendi color had turned darker... but along with it came those small blisters from the allergic reaction.

Not only that, my skin was itching badly, though bhai had already applied ointment, it wasn't helping much.

My heart kept dropping with every passing second as I grabbed my phone again and dialled Yugant's number.

The number you're trying to reach is switched off.

Again.

This was the 73rd time I had called him since morning.... and it had been switched off every single time.

Last night, I was heartbroken seeing him feed Olivia but later, Dhrithika told me he was just trying to mess with me... and had left right after I walked away, just to avoid me and now, since morning, he was nowhere to be found.

He had just vanished, leaving a text on Dhrithika's number that he would return directly in the evening.

Avoiding me and the conversation I was desperately trying to have.

Exhaling slowly, I leaned back against the headboard, staring ahead.

Never had I ever thought I would give someone this much power... the power to steal my sleep like this.

But Yugant did that, and then he disappeared.

I wanted to tell him everything... how much I love him, how much he means in my life but now, everything feels impossible.

An unknown fear gripped me tightly, choking me, blocking my breath.

I think... I should let him move on if that's what he wants. He isn't the same anymore, he has changed... a lot and forcing him like this will only make things worse now.

But Olivia isn't right for him. My mind reminded me.

He is so good... and she-I shut my eyes tightly.

I didn't even want to remember what I saw yesterday.

I still didn't understand who that man was and why she moaned Yugant's name?

I was lost in my thoughts when the door opened.

I opened my eyes and saw Dhrithika entering the room, holding a big carry bag... probably a dress. She walked in and dropped it on the couch.

"What's this?" I asked, sitting up straight and walking toward it.

"This," she said with a wide smile, "is your wedding dress."

Sorry what?

"My... wedding dress?"

"Yeah," she nodded proudly. "You wanted to marry bhaiya, so I made sure to order the same lehenga as Olivia's."

Oh God. Is she planning to replace the bride like those typical ITV serials?

For a second, my entire life flashed in front of my eyes like some dramatic background music was about to start.

"You're not planning to replace me with Olivia, right?" I asked, pointing a finger at her.

Her smile widened even more and that was not reassuring at all.

"No... I'm not doing that," I said, before stepping back slowly and sitting on the bed.

"What? You can't ditch us now, we've already done all the preparations."

"We?" I raised my brows.

"Arey... we mean me and Daadi," she said proudly. "We even took inspiration from her wedding."

I frowned. "Inspiration from Dadi's wedding?"

"Yeah," she nodded, completely serious. "She used to tell us how her family literally made Dadu marry her at knife point because she loved him... but Dadu rejected her."

My mouth fell open. "Dadi actually did that?"

"Of course!" Dhrithika grinned. "She was a total baddie in her time."

I stared at her, still processing. "She forced Dadu to marry her?"

"Not forced... emotionally pressured with full family support and a little drama," she corrected proudly.

"That's called forcing," I muttered.

She ignored me.

"But look at them now," she added, crossing her arms. "So much love, so much respect. Sometimes, men just don't understand their feelings until you push them a little."

"Push?" I gave her a look. "You mean threaten?"

"Same thing," she shrugged.

I let out a breath, rubbing my forehead.

"You both are insane."

"Excuse me?" she gasped. "We are visionary women."

I couldn't help but let out a small laugh despite everything.

"Dhrithika... life isn't some daily soap."

"And love isn't some business deal either," she shot back instantly. "You love him, he loves you... problem kya hai?"

[ What's the problem? ]

"The problem is he doesn't want me anymore," I replied, clenching my fists.

Her expression softened for a second. "Bhaiya doesn't know what he wants," she said, "and you... you're finally sure about your feelings."

She stepped closer and held my shoulders."So stop acting like some sacrifice queen and fight for it."

I looked at her. "What if I lose?"

She smiled slightly. "Then at least you'll know you didn't lose without trying."

My eyes shifted toward the dress lying on the couch. As much as I know Yugant, he would never like this idea. He might even throw me out of his life after the wedding. I can't risk that.

"I'm not doing this. I just need to talk to him," I said firmly.

"Bhaiya hasn't come back yet," she replied, exhaling slowly. "He said he'll meet us directly at the pavilion now."

I sighed, he is so stubborn but if things keep going like this, I'll never be able to make him understand anything.

"I can't do this... take the dress away," I said again, making myself clear.

Dhrithika didn't move for a second and kept looking straight into my eyes.

"You don't have any other option, Dhwani," she said quietly. "You either do this... or lose bhaiya." Her words hit harder than they should have. "The choice is yours."

She turned and walked out of the room, leaving the wedding lehenga lying on the couch.

I looked at the time, It was already too late.

What should I even do now?

I paced around the room, waiting for Samarth bhai. I hadn't seen him since afternoon. God knows what he was doing.

He was my last hope, the only one who could actually talk to Yugant.

I kept waiting, just like that almost an hour passed. When I lost my patience, I called him. He didn't pick at first, then after calling him ten times, he finally came.

"What happened, Dhwani?" he asked, closing the door behind him. "Why are you calling me again and again?"

"Did you talk to Yugant?" I rushed to him. "Did he understand anything? Did you apologise?"

His face lost colour for a second. "I tried, but-"

My heart dropped.

So Yugant didn't even listen to him either?

"But I couldn't apologise to that asshole."

My head snapped toward him.

"Couldn't... apologise?" I repeated, disbelief clear in my voice. "Really, bhai?"

"Yes, really," he said calmly, as if it wasn't a big deal. "I went there to fix things, but he kept throwing shit like 'take your sister away' and 'I don't care'... so yeah, I lost it."

I stared at him.

Wow. Is he actually my brother?

"Then what did you do?" I asked slowly, already sensing trouble.

A smirk appeared on his face. "I decided to give him a taste of his own medicine."

I expected this from him.

I shook my head, eyes shifted to the lehenga lying on the couch... his shift there as well, as I saw his expression suddenly everything clicked.

I waved my hand infront of his face, "You're not thinking what I'm thinking, right?"

"I am exactly thinking what you're thinking," he said, grabbing my shoulders.

My head spun for a second. Everything felt like it was crashing at once.

"Dhwani... Dhwani..." his voice pulled me back.

"I'm not doing this," I said firmly, stepping away from him. "I'm not going to marry him like this."

Why do I have to say the same thing to everyone here?

"Then what?" he shot back. "Let him walk away? Let him marry Olivia like nothing happened?"

"If that's what he wants, then yes!" I snapped. "It's his life, bhai, he has the right to choose. He deserves to be happy."

"So do you, Dhwani," he said, his voice serious. "And don't act like you don't know where your happiness lies," he continued, stepping closer. "Because I know it's with him."

My eyes dropped lower.

"This is the first time I've seen you like this, head over heels... completely gone for someone and that too for Yugant," he scoffed lightly. "The same guy I wanted to punch every minute."

"Bhai..."

"Listen to me," he cut me off. "If that man is still breathing peacefully after everything that happened between you two... it's only because I know he actually loves you."

My throat went dry.

"Otherwise," he said, his voice turning darker, "I would have buried him long ago."

Silence filled the room.

"And you want to let him go?" he asked, softer now. "Just like that?"

I looked at him.

Torn. Confused. Broken.

"I don't want to force him," I whispered.

He shook his head. "This isn't forcing, Dhwani," he said. "This is fighting for what's yours."

My eyes shifted again toward the wedding lehenga, lying there on the couch and waiting.

Just like my decision.

"It's still wrong... I can't betray him like this," I said, my voice low but firm.

"It's not betrayal," bhai replied instantly. "It's taking what's yours and yeah, he's an asshole, but he loves you... a lot and I don't think I'll ever find a man like him for you."

I went silent.

It was the first time bhai spoke like that about Yugant and he wasn't wrong.

We both knew it.

Yugant was a good man... no, more than that. Pure-hearted, real, someone who actually felt things deeply.

Maybe that's why this felt even worse.

I looked down at my hands, the dark henna burning against my skin.

"That's exactly why I can't do this," I whispered. "He'll be hurt... badly and this is betrayal, no matter how you put it. I can't build something with him... by breaking his trust first."

"Alright then," bhai stepped back. "Get ready, we're going to attend his wedding."

Why? Why? Just why?

Would I even be able to see that? Him... getting married to someone else?

"I'm not attending the wedding," I said, my voice low. "You can go. I'll stay here."

I walked back towards bed and sat down before pulling the comforter over myself, hiding inside it like that would somehow make everything disappear.

"Alright... don't blame me later." His voice came one last time then his footsteps followed by the sound of door closing.

The moment he left, I pulled the comforter away, staring blankly ahead.

My eyes stayed fixed on the clock, watching the hands move with that constant tick... tick... sound.

The last few months started flashing in front of my eyes, like scenes from a movie playing again and again.

Why, Yugant... why are you doing this? You're not just punishing me... you're ruining yourself too.

Can't you see that?

Even if I try, I can't stop thinking about it... I can't erase the moments I spend with you. It's stuck in my head, in my heart, everywhere.

And more than that... I can't accept Olivia for you, she isn't right for you.

I know... even I am not perfect for you right now but at least I'm willing.

Willing to change, to grow, to become someone who deserves to stand beside you.

I'm ready to work on myself... for you, for us then why aren't you willing to see that?

Why are you choosing to walk away... when I'm finally choosing to stay?

Was my mistake really that big... that you don't even want to hear me once?

Sitting there, I kept hearing voices, guests talking, people running here and there but after a time... everything stopped.

The house fell into a pin-drop silence.

I slowly walked toward the balcony and stepped out. I watched the cars leaving one by one, disappearing into the darkness.

I closed my eyes and exhaled slowly, trying to steady myself.

For a moment, I just stood there, letting the air hit my face but suddenly, my body felt weak. My head started spinning badly.

My blood pressure was dropping.

I needed water.

I somehow managed to walk back into my room, but the moment I reached for the jug, I found it empty.

Great.

My legs were barely supporting me, but I forced myself to move. Taking support from the wall, then the railing, I slowly made my way downstairs.

Each step felt heavier.

Blurred and unstable.

By the time I reached the kitchen, my vision had already started fading a little.

I grabbed a glass and quickly filled it with water.

I was about to add a pinch of salt into it, knowing it helps control my low BP but before I could do anything, my head spun harder.

My grip loosened.

My legs gave up completely and the next moment, I lost my balance and collapsed onto the floor.

My body started shivering due to weakness.

The world around me felt unstable, like everything was spinning.

Then I heard footsteps, slow... steady.

I lifted my gaze slightly and saw Ishaan walking toward the exit, holding a shopper in his hand.

"I... Ishaan..." I called, my voice barely came out, but in that silence, he heard it and stopped instantly.

He turned, eyes scanned the hall.

"Dhwani... is that you?" he asked, his voice alert. I blinked repeatedly, trying to keep my eyes open.

"Ish... Ishaan... here..." I hit my bangles-covered hand weakly against the floor.

His gaze snapped toward the sound.

Within seconds, he walked into the kitchen with long strides and reached me.

He immediately knelt in front of me.

"Dhwani...." his tone changed completely.

He held my shoulders and helped me sit properly, but my eyes kept closing.

"You're having low blood pressure," he said, already understanding. I blinked slowly.

He didn't waste a second, standing up quickly, he grabbed a glass, added water, salt, squeezed lemon into it, mixed it, and came back.

He sat beside me, one hand behind my back, supporting me."Drink,"

I obeyed and drank it sip by sip. As I finished it, he took out a cookie box, picked one, and placed it near my lips. "Eat."

I ate slowly.

After that, without asking, he lifted me in his arms and carried me to the living area, making me sit on the couch carefully.

Minutes passed, slowly, my head stopped spinning and my body calmed down.

I closed my eyes for a few seconds... then opened them again, sitting a little straighter.

"How are you feeling now?" he asked immediately, watching me closely.

I nodded. "Better... thank you."

He gave a small nod, then glanced at his watch before looking back at me.

"Why didn't you go to the wedding venue?" he asked.

I looked down. "How could I? Yugant is getting married."

"So what?" he raised his brows slightly. "Didn't you say you don't even know how to love someone? What has changed now?"

No one is leaving any chance to make me feel bad with each passing second.

My eyes filled instantly, I covered my face and everything inside me broke.

My breath hitched as sobs left my chest, tears slipped through my fingers.

Everyone kept telling me I was wrong but no one wanted to understand that I had realized my mistake. No one wanted to understand me.

"Dhwani..." his voice softened slightly. He placed his hand on my head.

"Go away," I snapped weakly, pushing his hand away. "Leave me alone..... like everyone else did."

"I would have," he replied calmly, almost dry, "if I hadn't heard you calling me a few minutes ago."

I looked up at him.

No fake comfort. No sugarcoating. Any same person would try to comfort me but this man.

"Ishaan..." my voice broke again. "What do you all want? Why does no one understand me? I finally understood my feelings... then why is Yugant not ready to listen? Was my mistake that big?"

He looked at me for a few seconds then sighed. "No. Your mistake wasn't that big but your brother made it worse."

My brows frowned. "Bhai? How?"

"Yes, your brother," he said calmly. "First, he misunderstood everything and walked away with you when he should have stayed and talked."

I stayed silent.

"Then he beat Yugant, thinking he took advantage of you in Florence," he continued. "And said things about Dhrithika he should never have said."

My heart dropped.

"And even after realizing his mistake....instead of apologizing, he chose his ego."

"So what can I do now?" I whispered with urgency. "I can't see Yugant getting married... and Olivia is not right for him."

"If she is not," he said calmly, "then neither are you."

Okay, I already know that but I didn't argue, no need to give me a reality check again and again.

"But I can try to be better," I said softly.

"Then try," he replied dryly. "Why are you sitting here crying?"

I clenched my fists.

"He's not listening to me..."

"No," Ishaan corrected, "you're not trying the right way."

Is he mad? What have I been doing for the last few days?

"This is not about you and Yugant anymore," he said, his tone sharp but steady. "This is about Yugant and Samarth. You're just stuck in between two stubborn men."

Now I get the theory, the problem is those best friends break up, not me here.

"Both of them are mad," he added. "Completely mad."

Of course I know that, man.

"Yugant knows Olivia's reality. He knows about her affair with Adhvait. He knows everything."

My eyes widened, affair? Was that Adhvait with her yesterday? But didn't he have a daughter and wife? Is he into an extra marital affair?

" Then why is he getting married if he knew everything?" I asked, desperation clear in my voice.

"He's still getting married," Ishaan continued, "just to prove a point that he doesn't care. Not about you. Not about Samarth."

My throat went dry.

"He's destroying himself just to win an ego battle."

Destroying himself? Or us?

"And your brother?" Ishaan exhaled lightly. "He's no better."

Now everything made sense.

"This is not your fight," he said. "But if you want to stop it... you have to step into it."

I wiped my tears and stood slowly, even though my head still felt heavy.

"Tell me what to do," I said.

He looked at me for a second.

"Ask your brother," he replied. "Because one thing I know... he won't let this wedding happen peacefully if Olivia is the bride."

I nodded slowly, of course I knew it as well.

"Yes! Bhai, Dadi, dau, Dhrithika, they all are planning something else," I said. "Replacing me with Olivia at the pavilion..."

"And what's the problem?" he asked calmly.

I stared at him, is he actually Ishaan?

"I don't want to hurt Yugant," I whispered. "He'll think I betrayed him."

"He might," Ishaan said honestly. "He'll get angry but if everyone in the family is saying the same thing," he continued, "that means they all know this is the only way left."

I stayed silent.

"Don't overthink," he added. "Do it... if your heart says yes." His voice softened slightly. "Pain doesn't last forever, Dhwani. Every suffering has an end."

I inhaled slowly.

"What about Kingsleys?" I asked, because they are the biggest problem right now. "What if they destroy Yugant?"

"We have proof against them now" Ishaan said slowly. "Olivia and Adhvait's affair proof. Kingsley cares about his image more than anything."

Everything suddenly felt... clearer. He had just untangled everything in minutes.

Like always.

"Should I really do this?" I asked, lifting my brows. "He won't push me away... right?"

"I can't promise that," he said honestly, "but I can promise he was not angry at you. He was angry at Samarth and if this continues," Ishaan said, "you will lose everything because of these men's ego's. So yes," he finished calmly, "it's better to hurt him a little now... than lose him forever."

He is right.

It's better to hurt him a little... then lose him forever.

I wiped my face and looked around. My mind was clear now. I knew exactly what I had to do.

"What's in it?" I asked, pointing at the carry bag on the couch.

"Yugant's wedding clothes."

"You're going to the venue?" I asked, raising my brows.

He gave a slight nod.

"Great... wait here," I said, already moving. "I'll bring the lehenga Dhrithika left upstairs. After that, you have to drop me to the salon."

"Salon?" he repeated.

"Of course," I said, turning back. "I am the bride. I can't show up looking like I just survived a breakdown."

He gave me a weird look. I rolled my eyes.

"What? You want your sister to look like a crying ghost in her own wedding?"

" You're not my sister." He muttered behind me, though I avoided him completely and came upstairs. I picked the heavy lehenga and came back downstairs.

It was so heavy, I don't know how I will even wear it.

Ishaan, who was standing near the door, just shook his head and took it from me. We walked out of the mansion.

He dumped the bag on the back seat while I opened the front door-and froze.

"You?" I gasped.

Dhrithika was already sitting there, smiling like a mastermind.

"Yes, me," she said dramatically. "Your soon-to-be sister-in-law. Now get in, we're already late."

"Oh my God..." I muttered, closing the door and moving to the back seat before sliding inside. "You planned all this? So clever."

"Of course," she flipped her hair. "Now sit quietly and let the professionals handle things."

I nodded while Ishaan took the driver's seat.

As the car moved onto the highway, Dhrithika suddenly unbuckled her seatbelt and turned back toward me.

"Dhwani, do you know I booked the best beautician-"

The car stopped abruptly, we both blinked, shocked.

Ishaan turned his head slowly, giving her a sharp look.

"What?" she asked.

"Seat belt."

"I was just talking."

"Yes Ma'am, you can talk while sitting properly as well."

"Mr. Robot, you're being very bossy these days," she said, pointing a finger at him.

Ishaan exhaled, but stayed calm.

"Wear the seat belt," he said, voice soft like always, "or I'll park this car right here for the next few hours, ma'am."

Ohh god, No.

"Dhrithika, please wear it," I added quickly, seeing her glaring at him."We're already late."

She huffed.

"Fine... just because it's my brother's wedding day," she muttered, glaring at Ishaan as she buckled the seatbelt.

Ishaan nodded slightly and started the car again.

I leaned back, watching them.

God. Their chemistry.

The way Ishaan refused to even move the car until she wore the seatbelt...They looked so good together.nSo natural, unlike that Rohit.

I don't understand why pretty girls fall for playboys?

Ishaan was calm, patient, caring... And Dhrithika? A complete mess.

Maybe that's exactly what she needed. Someone like him.