Vrishali hugged Manav, who had driven from Kota to Jaipur after she called to inform him that she was leaving for New York. Deepa Mewar and Kalyan Mewar stood to one side with slightly furrowed expressions. No one had given a definite reason for Vrishali's departure. Even during the family dinner with Padmanabh's family, neither Bhawani Singh nor Padmanabh mentioned any reason for it.
They are not exactly happy with Vrishali's departure. They are worried that Vrishali and Padmanabh might have fought or had an argument. Vrishali's gaze goes to Deepa Mewar. She moves and wraps her arms around her. "I miss you, dadi. . ."
"I can't believe you are going back." Vrishali stiffened but said nothing. "Are you sure about this? You still have time to decide whether to stay back." Vrishali shook her head. "I want to go." Deepa Mewar looked worried, cupping Vrishali's face. "If there's a reason behind this, weâwe will sort this out with Padmanabh. You do not have to leave if you two argued."
"We didn't fight; you don't have to worry about anything. It was my decision to go, and heâhe doesn't have any problem with it." Deepa Mewar opened her mouth to say something, but Kalyan Mewar cut her off. "She will be returning soon."
Padmanabh stood a few feet away with his hands back as he looked at Vrishali. The airport is busy with people leaving the city. Royal bodyguards surround them, keeping the public away. Bhawani Singh and Falguni Singh couldn't join as they had to attend a relative's wedding.
Padmanabh wasn't sure how he could cope with the emptiness spreading through his body as he watched Vrishali. Her luggage has been taken care of, there wasn't much to take with her in the first place. The truth hurts more than anything. She has nothing to take from here. He gulped down the lump and looked away when it was too strong and intense to face Vrishali.
They hadn't had a conversation since the evening two weeks ago; he stayed up late as things kept him up. Vrishali ignored him for the last two weeks. He tried to start a conversation but Vrishali didn't step out of her room when he was home. She decided to eat in her room and completely stayed away from his presence. He knew she was angry, and she wasn't giving him a chance to explain the situation or himself.
"Don't forget us once you are back. Call us every week, okay?" Hardik said, ruffling her hair. Vrishali frowned. "Don't mess with my hair."Â Hardik's gaze went to Padmanabh, he was standing alone. "Are you not going to talk with Jijusa?" Vrishali did her best not to glance at Padmanabh.
"We spoke, and there's no need to talk right now." Hardik and Aadi raised their eyebrows as Vrishali didn't meet their eyes. "I don't know what's happening between you two. It's disturbing both of you, and you are leaving. . . So try not to hurt or get hurt," Aadi said. Talk to him before you leave."
Vrishali nodded, glancing at Padmanabh, who had turned away, holding the phone to his ear. Aadi and Hardik started talking to Manav. She was clueless about his thoughts. Though it pained her slightly, she had successfully ignored him. Unsure of the reason for sending her to New York, she found it strange to admit that she wasn't sure whether she felt happy or sad.
'What if he fell in love with someone?'
'What if he always loved Harika and that's the reason he is sending her back to New York?'
'Whatever Diya Kumari said on that day, is that true?'
'Doesn't Padmanabh really don't feel the attraction and bond between them?'
Vrishali shook her head, exhaling heavily as many questions started playing in her head. "What are you thinking?" Hardik asked. "Don't miss me too much." Vrishali changed the topic.
*
Vrishali looked at the screen as it was time to go inside. Padmanabh's heart started beating widely as her grandparents and brothers said goodbyes to her. She hadn't spoken to him. Hardik and Manav moved, allowing him to see Vrishali.
"We will leave you two alone," Aadi said moving to where his grandparents were sitting. Vrishali walked to where Padmanabh was standing. Padmanabh froze as he gazed at Vrishali. Their eyes met. No words came out of their mouths even when they had many things to tell each other. Padmanabh took the minute to observe her face. Vrishali did the same, until it was time for Vrishali to leave.
They just nodded before Vrishali said her goodbyes to everyone as she walked towards the gates. Padmanabh clenched his jaw as he watched her back. He should've told her something or anything. That he would be missing her at home or that he would be visiting her in New York or that he would love to try taking her somewhere on her holidays or that he would like to hear her voice on a call, or that he would like it if she had sent him messages. He should've told her he would try the long distance and do anything to make it work.
*
Vrishali settled into her seat, nervously fiddling with her hands. Padmanabh had booked her a first-class ticket. She took a deep breath, but it offered no relief as tears began to pool in her eyes. She released a muffled sound while desperately searching through her bag for something to wipe away the tears.
"Here." Her gaze shifted to the man beside her. She took the tissue paper from him and turned away to wipe her tears. The flight was boarding passengers; her heart was racing, and she had no idea what would happen once she left India.
"Hmm, I don't know what you are going through, but if It makes you feel better, this will pass... Just stay strong,"
She captured his attention the moment he entered the airport. Why wouldn't she draw everyone's gaze as she stood beside Jaipur's crown prince, flanked by royal bodyguards? He hadn't expected her to be seated next to him. "I'm Pratul."
"Vrishali." Pratul smiled before turning towards the television, granting Vrishali the privacy she needed. For the next twenty minutes, Vrishali pondered what Padmanabh might be thinking about this situation. How would things change, and mainlyâwas she ready to let go of everything they had built together?
Her heart leapt out when the flight took off. She was seconds away from getting up from her seat. She looked at the ring that Padmanabh had given to her on their wedding day. A shaky breath left her as she rubbed her thumb over the ring.
She closed her eyes and leaned in her seat. She couldn't do anything. There's a nagging feeling in her heart. She should've talked to Padmanabh and asked him why would he make the decision. She should've asked him if he was going to try hard to make it work or not.
*
"Well, it was nice meeting you, Vrishali. I hope to meet you again," Pratul said, lightly hugging her. Vrishali smiled up at him. "Thank you." Pratul gave a nod before leaving with his luggage. Vrishali took a minute to look at the skies. She closed her eyes and breathed in as she heard someone call her name in the background. "I missed you, New York."
"Girl!" She opened her eyes and turned to the side to see Hailey and her parents rushing to where she was standing. A smile started playing on her face. It was Hailey who wrapped her arms around her first. Vrishali hugged her tight while Hailey breathed into her. "I missed you so fucking much, sissy!"
"I missed you too!" Hailey stayed in her arms for a while before she moved aside so that Vrishali's parents could hug her. "We are happy that you are here." Gauravi brushed the hair out of Vrishali's face. Vrishali smiled even though Padmanabh's face played in the back of her mind.
*
Vrishali looked at her phone, contemplating if she should call Padmanabh to let him know that she had reached her home safely. Her home
Hailey was helping Gauravi set up the dinner table while Deepesh looked at the Pasta he was making for dinner. Vrishali is in her room, sitting on her bed with her phone in her hand. A groan left her mouth as she stared at Padmanabh's number. She wants to hear his voice, but at the same time, she is angry and doesn't want to call him.
Throwing the phone onto the bed, she covered her face with her hands and let out a muffled cry. She remained in her room for another ten minutes before heading down to the living room. Their apartment is a three-bedroom flat with a living room and an open-plan kitchen. They reside in a pleasant area, and the flat is somewhat spacious by New York standards.
Vrishali watched as Hailey beamed with joy over Vrishali's return to New York. Deepesh placed the pasta dish in the centre and called out for Vrishali. "Is everything all right?" Hailey whispered.
"Yeah?"
"Is that a question or an answer?" Hailey raised her brow as Vrishali shrugged her shoulders. "You're not pleased about your return?" Hailey kept her voice low, not wanting Vrishali's parents to overhear their conversation. "Waitâ Do you miss your husband already?"
"What?! NO!" Hailey let out a laugh while Vrishali's cheeks turned red. "You definitely miss him! Why did you leave him behind? You should've brought him with you."
"Shut up!" Hailey patted Vrishali's shoulder. "You can miss your husband."
"Does anyone know about my marriage?" Vrishali changed the topic. "Nah, only a few were aware, and you never shared your wedding photos or any pictures of your husband. They merely think that you've moved on."
"Good, I don't wanna tell anyone"
"Noted."
"Everyone misses you though, miss their butterfly in the festivals. The sniper kids asked about you a lot."
"They did?"
"Yes, you were their favourite from our department." The snipers are the elite group at Greenwoods. Vrishali was taken aback when she saw the snipers on her first day.
They are a group of individuals who grew up together. They are extremely wealthy and attractive. Their parents are also affiliated with the university. The Knights and McKenzies are the founders of Greenwoods University.
"Do you know Aubree and Rowen are dating? Many hearts broke." Aubree is a member of the Snipers.
"Rowen?"
"Rowen McKenzie, the elder kid of McKenzie," Hailey said.
"He is a sniper?"
"Yup, we only know the people on campus, but there are others too who have graduated."
"Ohoh"
"He is hot... Hotter than Elwen," Vrishali laughed. Deepesh and Gauravi returned to the table with other dishes. "Now, lets have our dinner like good old days. . ."