A/n : Grab a pillow because you might wanna hug, punch or throw it

“Yeh sab kya hai!” my uncle snaps, slamming his palm on the table. The impact makes the table rattle and tea cups shake. His face is fuming with anger, breath coming out rapidly.

[Translation - What is this!]

I take a step closer, pretending to be confused as I look at the bold headline flashing on the tablet screen:

“The Royal Crest’s Heiress Spotted with Her Foreign Boyfriend at Her Brother’s Reception!”

I tilt my head, feigning innocence “kya hai yeh media wale, har jagh ghus jate hai” I sigh, shaking my head in disappointment.

[Translation - These Media people will get anywhere]

His eyes narrow dangerously. I can tell he wasn’t expecting this little twist and now, with this article circulating through every corner of our family’s social circle, his matchmaking schemes are in vain.

“Bhai sahab, aisa bhi kya ho gaya? Bas ek article hi toh hai” my father tries to smooth down the situation. Everything was perfectly calm at breakfast but the second we sat down for tea, this bombshell dropped and turned the calm into chaos.

[Translation - Brother, it's just an article, why are you reacting like that?]

“Tum toh chup hi raho, Vinod!” Uncle snaps “Tumne hi use itni chhoot de rakhi hai. Ab dekho kya ashleelta kar aayi hai!”

[Translation - You keep quiet, Vinod. You have only given her too much freedom. See what shameless things she is doing]

I scowl. The disrespect in his tone makes my blood boil. Just because he is older doesn’t mean he gets to talk to Papa like that. If Dadi were here, he wouldn’t dare raise his voice

Maya lets out a dry chuckle, placing her cup back down. “Arey, jaan boojh ke thodi kiya hoga usne. Aajkal toh celebrities ke personal photos leak ho jaate hai. Yeh toh sirf ek blurry picture hai, ismein toh theek se dikh bhi nahi raha ki yeh Jasmine hai” she says, gesturing at the photo.

[Translation - Gosh she didn't do it intentionally. Nowadays celebrity's person photos are getting leaked. This is just a blurry image, it's not even clear of its Jasmine or someone else]

She is right. My guess from last night was spot on, those men were from the media sneaking around. They did manage to get a shot of Lucas and me kissing but it’s neither clear nor close enough to show our faces. Veer  planning to file a complaint, and honestly. I just needed this article to ruin Uncle’s little plan

“And even if she was kissing someone, so what?” Maya continues “She is in a relationship. Aap toh aisa react kar rahe ho jaise aapke bachche aasman se tapke ho.”

[Translation - You are reacting like your kids have directly dropped from sky]

Uncle’s eyes widens in disbelief at her words. My mother holds Maya's hand, gesturing to her to stay quiet but I don't think she will.

Go maya, shut him up.

Veer comes back, shoving his phone in his pocket “Okay, baat karli hai mene, the articles will be taken down.”

[Translation - Okay, I am done talking]

Uncle lets out a scoff “Phir bhi sabko pata chal gaya hai. Ab log kya sochenge?”

[Translation - But everyone have got to know. What will they think?]

Maya smirks “Kuch nahi. Kal koi nayi gossip aa jaayegi aur sab isse bhool jaayenge” Her tone is calm but dripping with sarcasm and Uncle shoots her a death glare. I look at Veer, who meets my eyes knowingly. Yeah, he told me about the voting results, so it makes me understand the meaning behind her words

[Translation - Nothing. Soon there will be a bigger gossip and everyone will forget this one]

Now is the right time.

“But it’s not even confirmed that it’s me in that picture” I say softly, furrowing my eyebrows in fake concern  “Aap toh Minister Shekhawat ke rishtay ki wajah se tension mein toh nahi ho na?”

[Translation - are you tensed because of minsiter Shekhawat's marriage arrangement?]

The room falls into a heavy silence. My father steps forward, confusion evident on his face “Kaunsa rishta?” Before I can answer, Uncle cuts, “Kal maine Shekhawat ke bete se Jasmine ki baat lagayi thi. Dono ko baat karne ko bola tha” He says loud and clear without a hint of shame in his voice

[Translation - What arrangement?

Yesterday I talked with Shekhawat's son for Jasmine's marriage]

Papa’s eyes widen “Kya matlab? Kyun?”

[Translation - What do you mean? Why?]

Uncle shrugs casually “Bahut faayde mein rehte hum agar in dono ka rishta ho jaata”

[Translation - It would have been every beneficial to us if she got married to him]

Papa inhales slowly, I can sense the anger building up in his voice  “Bhaiya, maine aapse pehle hi kaha tha, Jasmine apni marzi se shaadi karegi. Aur Lucas hai uske saath. Achha ladka hai, achhe khandan se hai. Aur kya chahiye? Phir bhi aapne bina pooche yeh sab kiya?”

[Translation - Brother, I have told you before. Jasmine will get married according to her. And she has Lucas. He is a good man, from a good family. WhT else do you need? Still without even asking you did this?]

“Main toh bas—”

[Translation - I was just—]

Papa raises a hand, cutting him off. His voice is firm. “Nahi. Meri beti ki shaadi ki zimmedari meri hai. Aap dakhal andazi mat kijiye” This might be the first time I am hearing him talk like this to his brother

[Translation - No. The responsibility of my daughter's wedding is on me. You don't need to interfere]

“Is everything alright?” I hear Lucas ask, seeing him stepping down the stairs along with Liam and Stella who go to greet my mother and sit.

Uncle scrowls at their appearances while papa cools down his expressions “Nothing, there were some matters which are resolved now. Have some tea” he says, gesturing to them.

Veer leans closer to me to whisper “I think it's the right time to talk about your master’s”

I nod, taking a deep breath and preparing myself. As I was about to step forward and approach my father, an unwanted person ruined it.

“Main aap sab ke liye gifts laayi hoon!” Kavya announces brightly, striding in with shopping bags dangling from her hands. Kabir and Nikhil trail behind, carrying even more bags. Veer and I exchange a very suspicious look.

[Translation - I have brought gifts for you all]

Why is she here and

Why did she bring this?

“Jasmine!” she squeaks, stepping forward and suddenly hugging me. I almost stumbled backward, my shoulders tenses up with a weird feeling.

Ma chuckles, taking the bags from her “aare, yeh sab kya hai?” she asks, making kavya finally release me “aare shaddi ka ghar hai, jitne gifts utne kam” she states, placing her hands on her hips.

[Translation - ohh! What's all this?

It's a wedded couple's house, many gifts would also feel less]

She looks at me with a soft smile, it would look very genuine if I didn't know her true colours “Jasmine, are you okay? I just saw the news, gosh these media people are so annoying!” She comments with concern yet her voice seems venomous to me. I frown in confusion, why is she bringing it up like that?

“What? What happened?” Kabir asks, keeping the bags aside and joining us.

Kavya looks back at her brother in disbelief “bhai, konsi duniya mai ho!” She looks around and her eyes fall on the tablet “lo, yahin toh hai woh” without permission she takes the device from the coffee table and shows it to Kabir making his eyes widen as he scrolls

[Translation - Brother, which world are you in!

Take, here only this is]

"I know they can be nosy but you should have been careful, Jasmine,” she adds, batting her eyelashes.

Veer steps beside me “The matter is closed, I have taken care of it. Soon all the articles will be taken down.”

“Oh that's good, the news of your marriage is everywhere, people wouldn't pay much attention to this. Don't worry too much jasmine” Kabir adds, giving the tablet back to kavya, i see her expression change to subtle annoyance but she covers it quickly.

I give him a small smile and nod. At least he doesn't seem to be faking his concern.

Kavya lets out a chuckle and steps towards me to whisper “Jasmine! Seems like he isn't your fake boyfriend anymore”

My eyes widens at her words. Heart dropping

Ma frowns in confusion, she was close enough to catch “Fake boyfriend?

Kavya immediately puts on her innocent face. “Oh my god! Sorry! I shouldn’t have said that! it’s nothing!” She waves her hand dismissively “My tongue slipped

Uncle stands up, his eyes narrowed in suspicion “explain what you mean kavya” He demands sternly,

“Oh no…” she trails off, fidgeting with her fingers she looks at me with a sorrowful expression. Give her an Oscar for such bad acting. “Sorry Jasmine” She says before turning back to uncle “Actually she didn't want to get married to the guys you were selecting…thats why she made him pretend to be her boyfriend” she says pointing at Lucas. He looks at her with a mixture of disbelief and anger.

The entire room falls silent. I can feel every pair of eyes digging into me. My heart racing, my hands start trembling and my throat goes dry.

“Jasmine, what is she saying” papa asks, a frown ceasing his forehead “is it true?” he asks again, his voice calm yet i can see the look on his face that is asking me for truth.

I try to speak but the words get stuck inside me.

“Bola tha maine! Mat bhejo ise haath se nikal gayi na!” my uncle’s harsh voice cuts through the thick silence, making me flinch “Dekho, isne kisko boyfriend bana liya hai!”

[Translation - I told you! Don't send her, see she has gotten out of hands. See, who she made her boyfriend]

Lucas immediately rises to his feet, stepping forward with urgency “Sir, I can explain. Please, just listen to me—”

Papa raises his hand, silencing him “I want to hear it from my daughter. Jasmine, is it true?” He asks, his voice shaken.

My throat tightens. I can feel my pulse pounding as the weight of the situation presses down on me “Ji… Papa” I whisper, my voice trembling. I am unable to meet his eyes.

[Translation - Yes, father]

A shocked gasp escapes Ma and the entire room freezes. I lift my gaze to meet Papa’s. The disappointment in his eyes hits me harder than any scolding ever could “Why?” he asks quietly “Why would you lie to us? Why make a stranger pretend to be something he’s not?”

I shake my head quickly while stepping closer, my hands shaking “Nahi, Papa. I know what I did was wrong. I wasn’t thinking clearly” I say hurriedly “Lucas isn’t a stranger. His family has helped me so much. Stella is my best friend, Liam is like a second brother to me. I might have asked him to pretend, but we actually fell in love” I confess. I search his face for any understanding but he remains silent.

[Translation - No father]

Lucas moves to stand beside me, his voice steady but respectful. “I am very sorry you had to find out this way, sir. But Jasmine never had any bad intentions. She didn’t want to be forced into marriage and that’s why—”

“It doesn't excuse making a man do this and pretend to be together, it's Disgusting” Uncle mutters

Papa’s gaze hardens as he looks back at me “Did you really think I would force you to get married?” He asks, his voice filled with hurt and disbelief

His words put a heavy guilt on me. I can’t even deny it because deep down, I did think that.

“It’s not her fault,” Maya interrupts firmly “You both got Indu Aunty married off early and against her will. She thought that would be her fate too”

“Tum toh chup hi raho! Yeh ghar walon ka mamla hai!” Uncle snaps at her making her scoff.

[Translation - You just shut up. This is a family matter]

I take a deep breath, composing myself “I am sorry, Papa. But Maya is right. I was scared, even terrified that I would end up like Bua. She begged you to help her when Uncle tried to marry her off but luckily her husband turned out to be kind. But Uncle has been looking for a groom for me too, just to get me out of the way for Royal Crest matters. And you knew that” my voice cracks, I wanna stay strong but I can't “but you stayed silent. He has mistreated us so many times and no one said a word. I couldn’t let him decide my life. Not this time”

“Kya badtameezi hai yeh!” Uncle yells, making me step back instinctively. Lucas reaches out and gently holds my arm to steady me. “Hum bade hain” Uncle continues sharply “Hum tum sabse behtar jaante hai”

[Translation - How disrespectful! We are elders, we know better than you!]

“Nahi jaante aap” I snap back, my voice trembling with rage. “Aapko kisi aur ki parwah hi nahi hai. Aap bas apne faayde se matlab rakhte ho”

[Translation - No you don't! You don't care about anything. You just care about your benefit!]

His eyes widen at my defiance, his finger pointing at me “Aawaz neeche rakh ke baat karo!”

[Translation - Lower your voice while talking to me]

I take a deep breath trying not to lose my composer “I can't. It's the truth, you wanted that to happen and I wanted to prevent it any cost”

“It's not her fault, papa” Veer says, stepping forward “That time, Sonia saw Lucas and Jasmine and misunderstood the situation. When I got to know this I thought it was the perfect opportunity. Uncle was trying to set us both up for a marriage that would only benefit him. I gave her that idea, she did it because of my encouragement. It's not her fault”

I feel a sense of relief that my brother is their to support me but at the same time guilty that he is taking the whole blame on himself.

Papa exhales sharply, disappointment weighing heavily in his tone “I am very disappointed in both of you” he mutters. Veer and I lower our gazes in shame

“I wish you had talked to me or your mother before creating this illusion” he says, gesturing between Lucas and me

Lucas steps forward again “I understand your feelings, sir. But Jasmine was scared and hurt at that time. She has dreams to pursue, dreams some people in this house would never let happen” he says, glancing toward Uncle and Kavya.

Uncle’s face flushes red with anger “Watch your mouth” he warns, before turning to me. “See? This boy, whom we don’t even know properly, has the audacity to speak against us in our own home!”

“He is telling the truth anyways” I say quietly “If it stings you then its for the right reasons”

His eyes widens in disbelief “are you all hearing her? She is brainwashed by this foreigner, she doesn't even know him properly but defending him like her life depends on him”

“I love him!” I call out “I ain't afraid to stand up for what's right. I am sorry for deceiving my family, the main reason is you but I am not denying my wrong doing”

“Jasmine, bas” Ma pleads softly, her face distressed, all because of me. Maya reaches over to comfort her. Kabir, Nikhil, and Mira remain silent, tension weighing on the room. Papa stares blankly at a spot his thoughts unreadable

[Translation - Enough Jasmine]

“Jasmine, don't talk to your elders like that” Kavya requests, holding my arm, her voice dripping with fake sweetness. I feel a wave of disgust wash over me, I jerk off her hand.

"Don't make me open my mouth on your disgusting actions, Kavya” I warn her. Her eyes widens as she looks at her arm which I jerked off “What are you talking about?” she asks, feigning confusion

My jaw clenches in anger “I know everything, those subtle movements, dismissing my feelings, trying those disgusting games on Lucas and Veer!”

“Jasmine! What are you saying!” Ma'am voice trembles. She might have never seen me this angry, especially at my once close friend.

Kavya looks at me, tears forming in her eyes “gosh are you accusing me? How can you say that?”

Is she really crying right now?

I let out a scoff, crossing my arms “Stop with the melodrama”

Kabir steps forward to support Kavya who just leans against him while sobbing. Kabir rubs her arm “Jasmine, you are a bit angry but you can't be saying all those hurtful things to kavya without proof” he says calmly, defending her.

I dont blame him, he treats kavya just like how veer treats me, if someone accused me then veer would also react like this or even worse. But Kabir doesn't truly know.

“Oh I do have proof! Even bhai knows all that” I watch Kavya's expressions flatter, a hint of fear filling her eyes. She straightened up, wiping her eyes “Jasmine, I will support you in everything but I am believing Uncle Vikas words, did that guy really brainwash you? Are you accusing me? I have been with you for years…” she trails off, wrapping her arms around herself “I am hurt”

I am gonna vomit

Is she really playing a victim card?

“Jasmine, do you have any proof or explanation about it” Papa asks me. I nod quickly before I could continue. Kavya shakes her head “it's alright uncle. I just cant believe I am hearing these words from jasmine for a guy who is just lying to her”

What

Is she continuing her fake stories in front of everyone

“Just shut up, kavya”

She wipes her face and moves towards me “No, before accusing me why don't you ask your boyfriend who he truly is!” she says mockingly. I frown in confusion but also surprise, how can she get this much confidence.

She turns to Lucas “Come on, still cant say the truth?” she scoffs. I glance at Lucas hoping for him to stop her but to my surprise he remains silent, his expressions flatters to a nervous and feared one “Look the face of a liar”

I ignore her words and move towards him to check up on him “Lucas..” I call his name softly. His eyes are staring blankly at the floor which makes Liam and Stella concerned too. Liam keeps his hand on his shoulder and shakes him gently but he doesn't respond. My steps halt, the look.

Its the same as that day

Lucas

“Of course he is speechless now” Kavya crosses her arms and moves forward “I will tell you all” she announces and everyone goes silent. My eyes remain on Lucas, waiting for him to say something, anything but he doesn't and it fills me with fear. Liam looks as confused as me.

“T

hat guy isn't even the real Lucas Williams. The original Lucas elias williams died and mr and mrs williams adopted some random boy that was abandoned by his mother after birth, and now he is standing in front of us with that name”