Fallen ~ The Tale Of Exploration And Love

No One Could Tell

There was silence in the car as both sisters sat quietly. Anushka didn't dare speak up, consumed by guilt and mental fog. Apologizing wouldn't be possible upon reaching the palace, but she couldn't find her words.

Vaishnavi, on the other hand, went numb. Her feelings were unstable. She fell asleep without any thoughts. When she woke up, she was already in her room. She checked her phone, which was on the side table. It was two o'clock in the morning.

Vaishnavi struggled to fall asleep, trying to forget the events of last night. In the end, she decided to give up and chose to go to the garden. Sitting there in the middle of the night, she dismissed the guards in the area to rest.

She lay on the ground, feeling tranquil as a soft breeze blew. Her braids tangled in dry grass and dirt. She closed her eyes and relished the tranquillity and stillness around her, eventually drifting to sleep again.

When she woke up next, the sun was rising. She went to her room to freshen up after a chaotic day. When Vaishnavi reached the dining hall, she seemed perfectly fine. Anushka wondered if she had already moved on. 

It is unclear what Vaishnavi was thinking, as no one could tell. All was normal until Vaishnavi tapped her glass with a fork to get the attention of those at the table. The table fell silent as all eyes turned to her.

"I'm not sure how to phrase this, but I wish to pursue further education in a different nation." Vaishnavi glanced at each person seated at the table to gauge their response. Everyone agreed with her idea except her grandmother.

"You silly girl! What would lead you to such a conclusion? Don't tempt me!" Glaring at Vaishnavi, Radhika remarked. Everyone stared in disbelief as they witnessed her response. Rathika got up and moved in the direction of Vaishnavi, who was standing there staring at her.

Reaching suitably close to Vaishnavi, she slapped her hard enough to let everyone hear the echo. "Ma! What are you doing?" Aditya stood from his seat and walked towards the duo. The collision caused Vaishnavi's hair to fly in front of her face. She didn't react to the action.

He pulled Radhika aside and spoke with her about the issue. Rohan came near Vaishnavi and touched her wrist, but she jerked her hand from his grip and exited the dining hall. 

Everyone was still trying to cope with what went wrong. It was just a desire to study overseas, right? Radhika found this information crucial because she was unaware that Vaishnavi was not involved in Anushka's situation.

Vaishnavi didn't fix her hair; instead, she left for her chamber, crossing many galleries and servants in the same condition. Upon reaching her destination, she went to her wardrobe, grabbed her suitcase, and started packing her clothes and necessities.

Her mind kept telling her, 'Don't let those thoughts consume you.' She was dripping with sweat by the time she finished. Her two suitcases were ready, along with a pickup bag. She left clothes sufficient to last one week; she would go after that. She placed the bags inside the wardrobe, out of view.

She then messaged Rohan about Radhika's location. Vaishnavi went to the market when it became clear her presence would not cause any problems. Grabbing the necessary things from the market, she would pack her belongings for the final time. She was determined to leave the place, if not for one reason, then for another.

Sneaking out of the rarely used back door, Vaishnavi took her bike to go to the market. Securing cash and her phone in her waist bag, she paddled as fast as she could. Returning before lunch was her initial plan, as no one would care to check on her after what happened during breakfast.

She went from shop to shop, confident that she would receive what she desired until she arrived at her final stop before returning to the castle. 'Would the situation be like this if things didn't go this way?' She asked herself, exhausted by all the things, people, and everything.

She stepped inside the orphanage, which she would often visit when she was here. Surprisingly, the main door was shut, with a sign stating 'Place for sale'. She turned to go back; there was no reason to stay longer, but a person stood smiling behind her.

"Greetings, princess." The guy said this as he smiled brightly. Anyone would think he was well-acquainted with her, but the reality was otherwise. Vaishnavi gazed at the person who dared to call her amid the crowd. The audacity!

"Who are you? And how do you know me?" Vaishnavi asked straightly, having no time to waste. She noticed that the person's smile not only didn't fade, but also widened if possible. He tilted his head to the side, analyzing Vaishnavi's concealed face.

"Oh! You are cute! So like a baby." The guy commented, even though Vaishnavi was fuming with anger. That day was not her lucky day. "Answer my question! And how dare you call me that!" She approached, annoyed, trying to speak quietly to avoid attention.

"I know you but... How do I put this?" The man paused, putting a finger under his chin and rubbing it. "You know me, but I don't recognise you, right? That's what you want to say?" Vaishnavi completed her sentence, though she wasn't sure if her guess was correct.

"Umm, yeah. Guess what? You have heard this too many times." The person answered with an amused expression. "See ya!" The guy left, leaving Viashnavi perplexed. 

The suspense awaited her as she was yet to find his true identity. But not giving it much thought, she left for the palace.