Fallen ~ The Tale Of Exploration And Love

Truth or Hidden

"Experiences aren't always pleasant; they often come with heartbreaks and tears, not just smiles and flowers."  
                                                 ~By Unknown

_______

"We should tell Ma and Daddy at least. Others are not our concern." Vaishnavi was in a dilemma about whether they should tell them or not. Precisely, she wanted to for just-in-case scenarios. But unaware of the consequences, she was doubtful. 

Rohan paced around the room, initially forgetting why he started doing that. Enjoying the round-like walk in the same place - gazing at the floor - he smiled. Like a kid enjoying the slight dizziness, he wanted more, but Vaishnavi stopped him. Holding his forearm she halted his movements, making him almost lose his balance. 

"What? Why?" Rohan whined, his fun was ruined but he chose to stay quiet after receiving a glare from his twin. "You will never change!" Vaishnavi blurted. Rohan has loved doing that since he was a kid. 

"I'm telling them. I'm not asking for permission. It's a decision." Vaishnavi stated before Rohan could say anything. She knew he was worried, but letting go was the best option. Just like she did with Tushar, forgetting him was for the best. 

Despite wanting to change her decision, Vaishnavi felt her sanity being challenged by staying longer. She wasn't one to hold grudges; it had always been Rohan. But forgetting and forgiving what came upon wasn't easy. Revenge wasn't her ideology, but forgiveness wasn't something for granted. Regardless of what happened, she didn't complain once, always thinking it was her fear. 

But she understood it was respect, not fear that held her back. But the respect she had was now gone. She didn't care what would happen to Radhika once she was out of the country. But Vaishnavi did care for her parents and others. The only reason that she planned to tell her parents about her plan. 

"But you never know if they planned something to stop you from leaving," Rohan stated before Vaishnavi left to tell Aditya and Diksha. She looked at him briefly and left, for she had faith in them. "They wouldn't do something like that to their daughter. And they don't have a reason to do that." She stated this before shutting the door close. 

After she reached near their chamber, anxiety started to kick in her guts. Uneasiness settled in her heart as she knocked before entering their chamber. Aditya and Diksha were watching a movie sitting on the bed, hugging each other closely. Diksha looked at her briefly, and asked, "What happened? Why are you here?" 

"Umm, just wanted to tell you something." Vaishnavi nervously answered as she played with her thumbs and looked down. Her eyes darted over the tiles designed for the floor, then to the couch but them. "One week..." She paused to recollect her thoughts.

The words did seem to come out of her mouth, but they were inaudible. A voice said from behind her, "She wants to leave the country to study. In five days, her flight is booked. She came to inform you this, and to request not to tell Dadi-sa," and it was no other than Rohan. He smirked at the confused Vaishnavi as she continued to stare at him.

"You didn't tell us all your planning and came to inform us this. You have gotten so bold not to discuss such trivial things with your parents?" Diksha was frustrated; Radhika warned her about Vaishnavi. Had she known her child would think the unthinkable, she would have spied on her.

Aditya remained silent all this time, raising from his seat he walked towards the slightly shivering Vaishnavi. He silently hugged her and weakly asked, "Why didn't you tell us before? I got to know all from Ria, she witnessed everything Ma did to you." He choked on his words imagining things she had to suffer. He had no idea of what was happening for years under his nose. He was disappointed in his mother. Radhika had never hit anyone in her life as far as he knew, so this aggressive nature towards his youngest daughter was unpredictable.

He couldn't punish Radhika for her wrongdoings but could give Vaishnavi a chance to escape the hell she survived. Retreating from the hug he declared, "Do as you wish." Feeling like an incapable father, the best was to let his child breathe in freedom, away from the place that could haunt her and even traumatize her to a severe extent. Not that she was not traumatized already.

"But Ma-" Aditya stopped Diksha from saying further with one glance. The room turned silent as Rohan scratched his nape feeling the awkwardness. Vaishnavi touched her cheek which was slightly damp because of the tear that sipped Aditya's eyes. She looked up at him but Rohan dragged her out of the room to escape the suffocating feeling. 

Aditya planned to talk about the matters with Diksha at night. After that day, Vaishnavi didn't get any chance to speak with Aditya - he was rarely home and avoided any talk with everyone. It took time for him to adjust to the new information and learn how to look at his mother the same. Although he kept blaming himself for not being there and not knowing what was happening, he was innocent.

When Vaishnavi reached her room, Rohan was already sitting on her study table. Reading one of her diaries, they wrote together when they were eight.

He turned towards her and smiled a little. "Wanna play rock, paper and scissors? Like we used to?" The unexpected question caught Vaishnavi off guard. She blinked looking at him confused.

"That's what kids play..." Her sentence trailed off as she reached her conclusion. "Okay then. Let's play," She concluded and walked towards him.

"Since you agreed, what do I get if I win?" Rohan asked arching his brows.

"If you win. Meri jutti, Tera sir. Okay?" Vaishnavi asked with her manipulating tone. Rohan's brows wrinkled as if remembering something, but then he nodded. Not getting a clue of what Vaishnavi said was reversed. Idiot.

(Meri jutti, Tera sir = My shoe, your head)

"Rock! Paper! Sicors!" Both of them sang together like they were some five-year-old kids. Remembering their golden childhood days they continued till Vaishnavi won by scoring ten and Rohan tsked. And somehow remembering the olden days, the day went by.

~~

Eventually, the day arrived, Vaishnavi took out her packed luggage and packed some toiletries and stuff she couldn't pack for she used them daily. Hidden from everyone's eyes Aditya arranged a cab for her to reach the airport, that evening she left the place for good. 

"I hope the next stop holds better for me."