Vrishali's voice trembled as she addressed her mother, "Ma, I'm feeling so lost and alone. I can't seem to grasp anything, and there's no one here to guide me." She spoke with a heavy heart, her eyes drifting to the desolate walls of the room.
"Vrishali. . . Why don't you ask Naina's help? I'm sure she would be happy to help you." Vrishali groaned. "I did, and Naina is sweet, but her mother isn't. I don't know what beef she has with me. But I'm trying to be calm."
"She isn't happy with the wedding and has always favoured Radhika. Can't say anything about it." Vrishali exhaled. "True."
Diya Kumari ensured no one helped her. Vrishali knew Diya Kumari didn't like her, but she didn't expect Diya Kumari to hate her. She tried being friendly, but that wasn't helping.
Today marks her third day in the palace. Falguni Devi had fixed their first night. This would be her first day sleeping in the same room as Padmanabh. She hadn't had a proper conversation with him yet. She spent the past two days with Falguni Devi and Naina.
Her cousins called in the evenings and teased her about the upcoming first night. Vrishali didn't know how to react. It wasn't something she was looking forward to. Vrishali ended the call and was looking at the pictures when someone knocked on the door. The door opened, and in walked Naina.
"I was about to call you," Vrishali said as Akshita and Akshay rushed in after Naina. I'm really sorry about my Mum. She can be unbearable sometimes." Naina mentioned that she isn't talking to her mother. Naina fell in love with Arjun and married against her Mother's will.
"I have never worn a saree in my whole life. I don't know how to drape it." Naina smiled. Even I had issues with sarees, but YouTube saved me." Naina went to the bed where Vrishali had placed the saree.
Naina helped Vrishali with the saree. Vrishali concentrated on how Naina was draping the saree. Akshay and Akshita got bored and ran away to where their dad was. "So, you and Arjun shifted to Mumbai because of Arjun's business?"
"Yes, we both met in London. He was my senior, and I was theâScared, shy junior. His friend's sisters were my friends, so we got the chance to hang out together." Naina smiled at Vrishali. "Fast forward, here we are with two kids, living our life together."
"Iâ I always believed I would be meeting someone, going out on dates with him, probably moving in with them before marrying and settling down. Iâ I never thought I would be marrying first." Vrishali looked away when her smile turned sour and sad.
Naina gently tapped Vrishali's cheek. "I don't know why they rushed your wedding. We didn't get the chance to meet you and get your opinion. All I can say is that you can alwaysâ Always move or end if you are uncomfortable in this relationship. No one will stop you from finding your happiness and comfort. I'm sure you had your reasons, but trust me, you can end it if you don't like my brother."
"I will only say that everyone's fate is different. I have always believed I would have an arranged marriage, but look at me. You never know what's going to happen. Try to work from your end if you are comfortable. Cherish the things that happened. Maybe you will be happier than you ever thought."
Vrishali didn't break the eye contact. "If you don't have any crush on anyone. Why not try with my brother? I know sometimes he is introverted, but he isn't that bad. Beginners mistakes, but once he becomes comfortable with you. You will understand how much of a wonderful person he is."Â Naina gave a wink while Vrishali showed her surprise.
"I will try."
"My mum can be a pain, but my grandparents love you. Mumma isn't going to hurt you, that's for sure. She can be rude, but please ignore her." Vrishali rolled her lips into her mouth as she thought of Padmanabh. "I know you got something to ask. Ask away." So Vrishali asked Naina about Padmanabha's education and everything.
"He only had three friends? Like even in college?" Vrishali asked, confused.
"Yeah, he is too picky. He never felt comfortable with a group of kids. He had only three friends and only hung out with them." As Naina did the final touchups, Vrishali's nervousness skyrocketed. She would be doing it with a Padmanabhâ A stranger in a sense.
She is still determining if she is ready. She doesn't want to get intimate with the man she barely knows but a part of her. A part of her that is eager to experience. Vrishali scoffed at herself for thinking about the experience.
Naina mentioned that everyone in the palace has their own suite, which they personalized according to their tastes. "You need to know that it is your suite from now on, too. Padmanabh hasn't made any changes, as he loved the old architecture. He only ended a few touches and replaced some of the furniture. I love the suite, and you would love it too."
Vrishali's gaze went to the lac and ivory bangles. They say the are given as a symbol of acceptance. And they are called as chooda. Diya Kumari hasn't accepted her, but she gave the bangles.
"And you are ready." Naina moved away so that Vrishali could see her reflection. Vrishali held her breath as she stared at her reflection. Naina has done a good job with the hair. Vrishali mentioned that she didn't want to put on makeup. "You look beautiful."
"Thank you. You did a great job." Naina smiled. Naina went to the other side while Vrishali stared. She looked different, and her life in New York started playing in her mind. A small part of her felt trapped.
There were multiple knocks on the door before two other girls entered. "Everyone's waiting for you." They were giving her teasing smiles. Vrishali had mixed feelings. "Do you want to take some time alone?" Naina asked gently. Vrishali shook her head. "No, I'm ready."
"Okay." Falguni Devi, Diya Kumari and other house staff stood in the upper drawing area. Falguni Devi smiled when she saw Vrishali. "You look beautiful in this saree."
Vrishali smiled; Diya Kumari didn't try to see Vrishali. They all walked towards the suit. Vrishali could feel the nervousness breaking in. Everyone was talking, and Vrishali was walking along with Naina. Once they reached the hallwayâ They stopped. "Hmm, we will leave here," Falguni Singh said.
"We don't have to tell you what to do, or do we have to?" Falguni Singh teased. "Dadi! Come on, let's leave," Naina said. Vrishali's cheeks turned hot as the ladies laughed before leaving. She stood there for a minute before making her way towards the hallway. She took her time observing the walls and paintings. They looked so beautiful and old.
She stopped at the enormous doors. She took deep breaths, not knowing what she was supposed to do. Was she going to talk with him? Or was she going to ignore him as she planned? Shaking off her headâ She opened the doors and walked inside. She stopped walking and took in the surroundings.
The walls were blue and beautiful. The whole setup reminded her of the Royal suits. It has a touch of old and new Persian or arab art. She took her time observing each wall and nook. She was startled when she heard the knock before the door opened, and in walked Padmanabh.
He was holding some papers. Padmanabh's gaze went to the bangles Vrishali was wearing. He stared at them for five seconds before making eye contact with her. Vrishali's nervousness and anxiety kicked in seeing him. He is wearing a white kurtha and pants. He looked too good to be real.
He gestured for her to sit. Vrishali sat down on the sofa. He sat on the single sofa, placing the papers on the table. "Your parents informed me about your fashion design degree and college. I want you to continue your college and finish your degree."
Vrishali was taken aback. She wasn't expecting him to talk about her degree when he could've spoken about anything. It was their first ever real conversation. She was also surprised that he had discussed her degree with her parents.
"I got in touch with your present university. They have agreed to your online classes. You can attend the classes from anywhere. If you are uncomfortable and want to attend offline classes. You can join in the local universities. I have got the list of universities."
He pushed the papers to her side, "These are your student admission renewal documents. The other file contains the list of campuses here."
Vrishali looked stunned as he explained everything. He spoke with her parents, contacted her college administration, renewed her student documents, and brought a list of new colleges. Her gaze shifted to the golden bracelet on his right wrist. He is wearing her bracelet.
"Wow! You are very different from what I thought." Vrishali spoke out without thinking. Padmanabh frowned. She was grinning as she went through the file.
Padmanabh stood up to leave as he needed to work on the projects. "Where are you going?"
"I will be in my office. You can watch TV. If you are hungry, there is food in the kitchen. Iâ I have some work to finish. If you need anything, you can ask me." Vrishali shook her head. "Okay." They stared at each other for a few seconds before Padmanabh left.
Vrishali slumped down. She was having mixed feelings as she watched him. She was relieved, and at the same time, she was taken aback. A part of her hoped to see something of him to dream of. Vrishali shook her head at the track of her thoughts.
Padmanabh stopped and turned around to look at her. He didn't want to make it obvious as he watched her. She was looking at the wall mural. She looked good in a saree, he thought before turning the corner.
He took time from his schedule to check with her university board. He had personally requested them and sponsored a cheque so that they could allow Vrishali to take online classes. He had gone to the local universities to request the sudden admission of Vrishali.
"Mami. . ." Akshay said, walking towards Vrishali with his sister. Vrishali looked at the two in surprise.
"What you two are doing here?"
"Nani(grandma) wanted to sleep with us. She took us to her room, and then she sent us here saying we need to spend our time with you and Mamu before we leave for Mumbai," Akshay explained, not understanding why his Nani lied.
Vrishali rolled her eyes. She knew Diya Kumari was scared that they would do the deed. "This is cute," Akshita said, touching the bangle. Akshay set the book and pencil bag on the table beside Vrishali.
"Which class are you in?" Akshay asked, making Vrishali laugh. Akshay frowned, just like his Mamu.
"What's so funny?"
"I don't go to school."
"Mummy and Daddy said everyone must attend school to become big." Akshita looked at Vrishali with a bewildered expression. "She means becoming an adult," Akshay said, and Akshita nodded.
"No, baby, I'm going to college. I'm studying fashion design." Vrishali said, ruffling Akshita's hair.
"Fashion design?" Akshay asked confused. Vrishali thought about it. "Hmm, I'm learning how to draw dresses and then how to make clothes," Vrishali explained in simple language.
"Really? Then can you make the Superman costume? Mummy brought a Superman costume last time, but it was too loose." Akshay is now excited.
"Will you make me a long brown dress with brown wings?" Akshita asked softly. Vrishali laughed, nodding her head.
"Okay, I will make your clothes, but you must help me draw." Both the kids agreed, giving her the book and their pencil bag, which has coloured pencils.
Vrishali stood up with them in search of the bedroom. She wants to lie down and draw. She found it and was surprised to see how big and beautiful the room was.
The trio scattered on the bed and started working on Akshita's dress first. Even Akshay said a few things to add.
"Why brown colour, baby?" Vrishali asked Akshita.
"It's my favourite colour, and even daddy likes it," Akshita replied.
Padmanabh walked into the hall with his file as he didn't want to leave Vrishali alone and make her feel lonely. He decided he could go through his file in her presence or try to have a simple conversation. He didn't see her, so he checked the kitchen. She wasn't there, he went to the bedroom.
He watched in surprise as Vrishali was now lying on her stomach, drawing something. Akshay and Akshita were scrawled around her.
"Mamu!" Akshay yelled, making Vrishali sit up straight. It wasn't easy because of her saree.
The rest of the night was spent with Vrishali drawing everything Akshay and Akshita asked while Padmanabh sat on the sofa working on his files, occasionally gazing at the trio, who were whispering and laughing.
*
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