Beyond The Palace Walls| ONGOING

Chapter - 19

Agastya's pov:

I walked to my car, the rain soaking through my clothes, but I didn't care. I felt numb, like I'd lost a part of myself. Meera was gone, and I couldn't shake off the feeling.

As I reached my car, Karanveer approached me, concern etched on his face. "Agastya, beta, you want to talk?"

I didn't answer. I couldn't. I just got into my car and started the engine. Karanveer tried to stop me, but I sped away, leaving him standing in the rain.

I drove aimlessly, my mind reeling with thoughts of Meera. Why did she have to leave? Why did she think I didn't care?

I slammed my fists on the steering wheel, feeling the pain and frustration build up inside me. "Meera, why did you leave? Why did you have to go?" I shouted into the emptiness.

Suddenly, visions of Vanika flooded my mind. I saw her smiling face, her laughter, and her tears.

I pulled over to the side of the road, my heart racing. What was happening to me? Why was I thinking of Vanika now?

I clutched my head, trying to make sense of the jumbled thoughts and emotions. But the visions of Vanika lingered, haunting me.

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Third person POV

Meera sat in the bus, Agastya's handkerchief clutched in her hand, her eyes welling up with tears. She couldn't shake off the feeling that she had hurt Agastya and herself by leaving.

Maybe, just maybe, if she told her parents everything, they would understand and let her be with Agastya. But she knew it was a futile hope. Her family wanted the alliance with Ajmer more than her happiness.

She sighed, feeling the weight of her responsibilities. She thought of Agastya's words, his plea to stay, and her heart ached.

As she wiped her tears with the handkerchief, Meera suddenly got flashes of Abhyant - his charming smile, his kind eyes, and his gentle touch.

Why was she thinking of Abhyant now?

Meera's thoughts were a mess. She felt torn between her duty and her heart. She didn't know what to do or who to choose.

The bus journey seemed endless, and Meera's mind was a whirlwind of emotions.

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Agastya woke up with a start, his head throbbing from resting on the car horn. He rubbed his eyes, disoriented, and saw that it was night. He had fallen asleep on the abandoned road.

His phone buzzed, and he saw his mom's name flashing on the screen. He hesitated for a moment before answering.

"Maa mein aa raha hu," he said, trying to sound calm.
(Mom I'm coming)

When he arrived home, the house was quiet, everyone asleep. But his mom was waiting for him, a warm smile on her face and dinner in front of her.

"Bhook nahi hai," Agastya said, feeling a lump in his throat.
(I'm not hungry)

But she wouldn't let him go. "We shouldn't let our emotions affect our food, beta," she said, her eyes filled with understanding.

Agastya realized that Harshith must have told her everything.

She made him sit and fed him, her hands gentle and soothing. Agastya felt like a child again, seeking comfort from his mother.

After dinner, he went to his room, feeling lost and alone. He lay on his bed, unable to think, unable to process his emotions.