Beyond The Palace Walls| ONGOING

Chapter - 36

Jaisalmer,

Meera and Agastya prepared to depart, but just as they were about to leave, Kiara rushed toward them, her arms open wide.

"Meera!" Kiara exclaimed, embracing her tightly.

Meera hugged her back, warmth spreading through her chest. "Kiara, I'll miss you so much."

"I'll miss you too," Kiara replied, her voice trembling.

Agastya smiled, observing the heartfelt goodbye.

"Aap doobaara aaengi na?" Kiara asked, pulling back.
(You promise to visit again, right?)

Meera nodded fervently. "Absolutely, I promise."

Kiara's face lit up. "I'll hold you to that."

As they shared one last hug, Meera felt a deep connection with Kiara.

"Apna khayal rakhna, Kiara," Agastya said, offering a gentle smile.
(Take care, Kiara)

Kiara's eyes sparkled. "You too, Sir. Protect Meera."

Agastya nodded.

As they stepped out of the gate, a sudden gust of wind swept around them, eerily reminiscent of their arrival. Meera's hair danced in the breeze, and Agastya's eyes narrowed against the dust.

The guard's expression remained impassive, but his eyes flickered with a hint of curiosity.

Meera and Agastya exchanged a weighted glance. Unspoken understanding passed between them; they both sensed the strange, unsettling energy.

"It's as if...," Meera whispered, trailing off.

Agastya's gaze lingered on hers. "The place doesn't want us to leave."

Their words hung in the air, unconfirmed but mutually acknowledged.

As Meera and Agastya walked away from the gate, the soft glow of the lamps on either side flickered and died.

Kiara, watching from the doorway, noticed the lamps' simultaneous extinction. A shiver ran down her spine.

"Strange," she whispered to herself.

The guard, oblivious to the lamps, closed the gate behind Meera and Agastya.

Abheer's sudden appearance beside Kiara broke her trance-like gaze at the extinguished lamps. His knowing smile, laced with a hint of mystery, made her heart skip a beat.

"Kiara," Abheer said softly, his voice low and soothing.

Kiara turned to him, her eyes searching. "Baba, what's going on?"

Abheer's smile broadened, his eyes sparkling with understanding. "You feel it, don't you?"

Kiara's brow furrowed. "Feel what?"

Abheer nodded toward the gate. "Their departure... it's not just a goodbye."

Kiara's gaze drifted back to Meera and Agastya, now fading into the distance. The lamps' extinction seemed to symbolize something more profound.

"What do you mean?" Kiara asked, her voice barely above a whisper.

Abheer's expression turned serious. "Their journey is far from over."

Kiara's mind reeled with questions. "What journey?"

Abheer's smile returned, cryptic. "All will be revealed in time."