The Royal Contract

The Price of Love

The night was eerily silent as Rajveer stood outside Meher’s parents’ house. The wind howled softly, carrying with it the scent of jasmine from the garden. His fingers curled into fists at his sides as he fought the overwhelming urge to barge in and demand to see her. But he knew better. Meher wasn’t someone he could force into a conversation. Not anymore.

He took a deep breath, his heartbeat hammering against his ribs. He needed to be patient. He needed to prove himself.

Just as he was about to step forward, the door creaked open. Meher’s mother stood in the doorway, her expression unreadable.

“Rajveer beta?” she asked, surprised.

He immediately folded his hands in respect. “Namaste, Maa.”

She sighed, stepping aside. “I was wondering how long you would stand there. Come in.”

Rajveer hesitated. “Meher… is she home?”

Her mother nodded but didn’t look pleased. “She is. But she doesn’t want to see you.”

His chest tightened. He had expected this, but hearing it still hurt. “I understand. But I won’t leave without talking to her.”

Her mother studied him for a long moment before finally nodding. “Wait here.”

He exhaled shakily, sitting on the couch as he waited. Every minute felt like an eternity.

Then, finally, he heard footsteps. He looked up just as Meher entered the room, dressed in a simple blue saree, her hair tied back loosely. She looked tired, her face devoid of the warmth he had once taken for granted.

She crossed her arms. “What do you want, Rajveer?”

His stomach clenched. She wasn’t going to make this easy. “To talk.”

“There’s nothing left to talk about.”

“Meher, please,” he pleaded, standing up. “Just give me a chance.”

She let out a bitter laugh. “A chance? You had so many chances, Rajveer. And you wasted them all.”

“I know.” He ran a hand through his hair. “And I hate myself for it.”

She stared at him for a long moment before sighing. “Fine. Say whatever you came to say. But don’t expect me to forgive you.”

Rajveer took a deep breath, his mind racing as he tried to put his emotions into words. “Meher, I messed up. I kept things from you because I thought I was protecting you. But I realize now that I wasn’t protecting you—I was pushing you away. And I hate that I hurt you.”

She didn’t say anything, just listened, her arms still crossed defensively.

He stepped closer. “I love you, Meher. More than anything. And I will do whatever it takes to make this right. Even if it means waiting forever for you to forgive me.”

Her lips trembled slightly, but she shook her head. “Love isn’t enough, Rajveer.”

He swallowed hard. “Then tell me what is. Tell me how to fix this.”

Tears welled in her eyes. “I don’t know if you can.”

Silence stretched between them, heavy with unspoken emotions.

Finally, she turned away. “I need time.”

Rajveer felt a flicker of hope. “Then take all the time you need. I’ll wait.”

Meher glanced at him over her shoulder, her expression softening just a little. “We’ll see.”

As she walked away, Rajveer felt something shift inside him.

This wasn’t over.

And he wasn’t giving up.

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