A smile made its way to her face as she slowly walked down the hall, watching the lake, trees and birds.
Her yellow dupatta fell off her shoulders as the breeze brushed her, making her inhale happily. Pulling the dupatta back to its place, she smiled at Rajmatha Falguni Singh.
"You look pretty, dear." Rajmatha Falguni said, looking at Vrishali, who was sitting in the vintage chair.
She called Vrishali for an evening tea beside the lake. "It's so beautiful here; I don't know there is a place like this in the palace," Vrishali spoke, looking at the lake.
Rajmatha Falguni Singh chuckled, pouring the steaming tea into the cup. "How is Padmanabh treating you?" Rajmatha Falguni Singh asked, handing the cup to Vrishali.
Vrishali suddenly felt shy, and she didn't know what to say. It's been two weeks since he helped her in the kitchen. They haven't spoken anything but being in each other's presence in the evening.
Vrishali has started working on her summer assignments, and he is busy with his work. "He is good."
Rajmatha Falguni Singh laughed. "I know Pacho is very slow at this; he doesn't let anyone know his feelings."
Vrishali chuckled, agreeing. Naina and Arjun left two days ago, and Vrishali enjoyed her time with Naina and the kids. Now, she needs to learn how to spend her time.
"How are your parents? Did they leave for New York?" Rajmatha Falguni Singh asked, sipping her tea.
"They are good, they are leaving tomorrow."
"Oh, why don't you and Padmanabh go to send off? Padmanabh will take you. You both can spend some alone time."
Vrishali smiled happily and was excited to meet her parents. She couldn't meet them because of Diya Kumari. She allowed Radhika and her parents to meet them, but she didn't let her meet them.
Vrishali spent the rest of the evening with Rajmatha Falguni Singh. Vrishali told stories about her lifestyle back in New York, her friends, college, school, and trips.
Rajmatha Falguni Singh listened to Vrishali attentively. She is happy to spend her time with Vrishali.
Vrishali returned to her and Padmanabh's private apartment to freshen up for dinner. She was startled to see Padmanabh in the bathroom. The steam and the smell of sandalwood hit her.
"Sorry, I didn't know you were there," Vrishali said, closing the door. Her cheeks turned bright red as she remembered what little she saw.
He was changing clothes when Vrishali opened the bathroom door. Padmanabh looked at the closed door and quickly put on the cotton kurtha. He needs to remind himself to lock the door; he is habituated to his old habits.
Vrishali waited as Padmanabh walked out of the bathroom, letting her use the washroom. Vrishali glanced at Padmanabh, who was now walking toward the living room. A smile graced her lips as she smelled the fantastic smell of his soap.
She did her business and washed her face and hair before walking out. He was writing down something, "Aren't you joining the dinner?" Vrishali asked, standing a few feet away from him.
Padmanabh looked up, leaving the pen on the table. "No, I just had to write down some notes." Padmanabh closed the pen and files.
"I have to discuss something important," Padmanabh started saying. He asked Vrishali to sit down. Vrishali sat down, turned her head, and postured towards Padmanabh.
"I moved to Sujan Raj Mahal years ago. Are you okay with the decision to move to Sujan Raj Mahal? If you are comfortable here, we can stay here."
Vrishali thought about it. It's not that she is happy living here. She is, but this whole Palace is enormous for her to live in. She doesn't even have any friends or someone to talk to.
If she moves to Sujan Raj Mahal, she can contact her cousins. She can do whatever she likes without Diya Kumari glowering at her. "Okay, I don't have any problem living in Sujan Raj Mahal." Vrishali smiled at serious-looking Padmanabh.
She always wondered if her husband smiled or laughed. She saw him several times, trying to smile at Akshita or Akshay. Padmanabh nodded his head, standing up.
Vrishali nodded her head before walking, and Padmanabh followed her. He noticed how short she was; they never went out. The only time he sees her is at breakfast and dinner.
His gaze shifted to her hair; he didn't know what haircut it was, but it looked good on her. Her hair isn't long or short. It reaches her lower waist in waves.
He quickly looked away when she turned around with a cute look. Vrishali turned back when she felt eyes on her back.
When she saw Padmanabh looking at the walls, she turned front with a teasing smile, knowing she caught him looking at her.
They both entered the dining room. Sawai Bhawani Singh smiled at both. Diya Kumari only looked at them sometimes. Narendra, Padmanabh's father, greeted Vrishali and Padmanabh.
Narendra is happy with Padmanabh marrying Vrishali. He doesn't have any objections like his wife.
Vrishali sat beside Padmanabh; the food was served. "Padmanabh, Vrishali's parents are leaving tomorrow. It would be good if you both sent them. And also spend your day out," Rajmatha Falguni Singh spoke.
"Okay, dadi."
"Why? I mean, why Padmanabh has to go? He has important meetings tomorrow. She can go by herself." Diya Kumari spoke, making Vrishali frown.
"I believe my son Narendra can handle important meetings without his son. If I remember properly, Narendra used to drive you everywhere for years. Even for your simple shopping, he used to tag along. Vrishali and Padmanabh never stepped out of this Palace," Rajmatha Falguni Singh spoke sternly, making Diya Kumari silent.
"It is important for the newly wedded couple to spend time together. They must go on a honeymoon, but they decide." Sawai Bhawani Singh spoke. Vrishali blushed thinking about the honeymoon; she didn't even know if she would have one.
Like an ordinary teenage girl, even Vrishali had dreams of her honeymoon. She even planned to visit Kerala, Kashmir, Deharadun, Himachal Pradesh, and other beautiful states of India.
She stayed all her life in a foreign country and thought she would date and marry an American or British or French dude. She wanted to visit India with a foreign dude she married, but fate had different plans...
"I decided it would be great if Vrishali and I moved to Sujan Rajmahal. I like to live in Sujan Rajmahal," Padmanabh spoke. It was the first time she heard him use her name.
"Good, you used to live there, and I think it's best to live there with Vrishali. You need all the privacy," Sawai Bhawani Singh spoke. Narendra and Rajmatha Falguni Singh laughed as they looked at Padmanabh and Vrishali.
After dinner, Padmanabh discussed some essential matters with his grandfather and father.
Vrishali and Rajmatha Falguni Singh spoke about fabric. Diya Kumari left for her room as she had a crucial party meeting in the morning.
"Vrishali, you can always wear clothes which you like. You don't have to change for us or my grandson. I know you lived in New York, and adjusting here is hard. You wear clothes which you are comfortable with."
Vrishali smiled upon hearing that; she hesitated about wearing Western clothes. "I know Padmanabh is not a Western clothes person. But he would never stop you from wearing what you like."
Vrishali and Padmanabh walked back to the apartment. Vrishali is excited for tomorrow; she can barely contain her happiness.
She glanced at Padmanabh from the corner of her eye. They don't share the same bed; they sleep in the same room, but Vrishali sleeps on the bed while Padmanabh sleeps on the huge lounger sofa.
She is still determining the exact reason. She is happy that Padmanabh is giving her space, but at the same time, a part of her is hurt that he doesn't see her as his wife.
Every conversation between them has been robotic. He respects her, but there is this part in her heart where she wants him to see her romantically or make a move.
Vrishali pulled her hair into a bun as he took her nightclothes out. She removed her earrings and bangles, and she didn't wear makeup.
She turned around to see Padmanabh looking at her. "I wanted to know if you made any decision about your college."
"I want to enrol in any local college. Online classes at my present college don't match my timings, like Indian and American standard times, which are very different." Vrishali explained.
"Okay, you can decide on the college after visiting the colleges," Padmanabh spoke, her hair tied up into a bun. Her hair now frames her round face, making her look so cute.
Padmanabh blinked, not wanting to gaze at her face for too long. He went back to his notes, which he needed to finish writing.
*
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