Fallen - The Tale Of Exploration And Love

Ah! You.

*Vaishnavi's POV*

"Speak," I said as he stopped. I bumped into someone. It was my fault, but why was the person standing so close?

"Excuse - Aayu! Oh, I forgot that you were also here. Just kidding. I didn't see you anywhere during the party." I said, babbling as I saw Aayush standing there. He and I have worked on our relationship, which was scattered because - I don't know. 

"There, there. Who would say that you and Nia were drunk the previous night? Like, look at the energy. Should I complain to dadi-sa?" He said as he took a step back, made a worried expression, and teased me. 

"Heya! Don't you dare to say anything to her! I would be so dead if she got to know even a small detail about this." As much as I tried to keep my emotions in check, not to disturb the other people around, I failed to at the mention of her name.

"Yo! Calm down. Okay. I won't say anything to her, not even a word. Okay?" He said as if he sensed my fright upon the mention. I can't possibly keep the trauma somewhere in the back of my head.

He hugged me as I looked at Rohan, also joining the hug. A warm and comfortable group hug. Why could the time not stop and let me savor the happiness like it's forever? 

"So, who's ready to board the plane and enjoy the time?" Rohan asked as we broke the hug, not shifting others' attention towards us. 

"That's surely not me," I answered as I yawned, covering my mouth. The worst thing is sleepy even after getting the appropriate sleep the previous night.

"Awe! Someone right here is sleepy. Let me help you, my lady." Aayush said. I yawned again. I slapped his hand as he laughed. 

=====

"Ma'am. Ma'am." One of the ladies from the cabin crew came as she called for Vaishnavi. Knocking on the private cabin sliding door, she called again, but there was no response. 

It was obvious that some passengers were getting disturbed because of the noise, but inside the cabin, Vaishnavi was sleeping with the feeling of tranquility all over her mind.

The lady decided to open the door as panic surged over her as there was no response from the other side for too long. As the door slid open, Vaishnavi was in her delusional land as she lay on the not-so-big seat, curled up like a ball.

Seeing that the passenger was sleeping, the lady could do nothing but shut the door quietly and return to the person to pass on the message. Although the task was not completed, it still had to be reported. 

The lady passed a few rows before she reached the stop. The person had a serene countenance as he swirled the cup of red wine with amusement-filled eyes. One hand under his chin made him look like an evil person. The man surely knew how to mold his expression to convey his thoughts. 

He moved his hand, which was previously under his chin, and slightly bent his three fingers as his hand sat on the armrest, and he leaned further backward on the backrest. Taking the gesture, the lady leaned a little over his ears as she whispered into his ears softly so as not to grab other's attention. 

"Into the sea, my lord." She spoke and returned to her work. A devilish smirk made its way on his lips as he sipped the wine, relishing its taste.

A soft, deep chuckle left his throat as he pondered over the thought of what the lady said earlier. Even if someone would have overheard them, they wouldn't have been able to decode the meaning of the words. After all, he couldn't just let anyone hear or understand the information about his precious.

====

"Here's the information, Rani Ma." An informer said as she handed over the file of what seemed to be crucial information to Radhika. 

"Ekaant," Radhika said, with the last gentle push to the swing, the attendee behind her and around left.   

Radhika sat on the swing as she opened the folder, fetching out the bundle of stapled paper from the inside with some photos. She surveyed the piece of information repeatedly as she couldn't believe her eyes as to what she had read. Neither could she understand why the person had done something like that. 

She picked up her phone, unlocking it to call a certain someone. After a few rings, the person connected to the call. 

"Pranam, Rajmata. Aaj kiker yaad kiyo iss gadheda ne? " (Greetings, Rajmata. How did you remember this idiot today?) The man on the opposite side of the call said in a mischievous tone. 

"Rohan, this isn't time for jokes. Tell me everything that happened there." 

=====

"Have you found her, Aria?" The lady sitting on the bed asked as her husband comforted her. Her appearance was not good, and neither was her condition.

"Yes, Anaya. But we will have to wait for a few more months. She is still to turn eighteen." Aria, the fairy of air, answered. 

"How easy it seems to say a few more months. Do you know how much I wanted to play with her, make her food, do her hair, and do things a mother would do to her child? I believe it is my fate not to be able to enjoy watching my children grow up." Anaya said as more tears left her eyes and her heart pained remembering the incidents.

Shourya left the chamber as Aria sat beside Anaya. But she could do nothing. Time was not something anyone could control. If she had been able to then, she would have changed the happenings and sorrowful incidents.

"Shh, don't cry more tears. Think about you and Isha's meeting. Are you going to show your disheveled appearance to her?" Aria said as she cradled Anaya's body back and forth to calm her.

"You're are right. I should take care of myself to meet her." Anaya said as she rubbed her tears away and stood up to take a much-needed bath. 

"Hmm. I'll leave you alone but don't try to do anything foolish. And if you like, then I can show you how she is doing. But after you take a bath." Aria said as she tried to cheer her up. Anaya's face lit up at the mention, she had to take a bath. 

====

"You sure you like her? Or it can be a little crush." The person beside Aayush said. Although he was a stranger, he didn't want lives to be ruined because of a misconception. 

"Hmm, I like her very much. You won't know." Aayush said as he continued to stare at the photo of him and Vaishnavi on his phone.

"Oh, man! You are so in love. I hope you get to your destination and have a happy ending." The man said as he looked at the boy. He hoped for the best for the youngster. 

The man got up for a restroom break. Aayush looked in the direction where Vaishnavi was. Three classes apart. It reminded him of the difference between him and her, the princess and a commoner.   

"You don't know how much I want you," Aayush whispered to himself. Somewhere, someone was all ears to Aayush's wordings. The eyes of the person darkened as he heard him say that. Even though he was as far away as he could be, he laughed, clearly at Aayush's statements and the differences.

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Keywords/ Things

Aaj kiker yaad kiyo iss gadheda ne - This is a sentence in the Marvadi/Rajasthani language. As mentioned in the book earlier, the characters are from Jodhpur, Rajasthan. (The translation is already mentioned in the chapter.)

Rajmata - This a word used for the royal lady who was the former queen of the state.
[Note: This term is usually used for a widowed queen, but (here) the character's husband is still alive. However, this term can be used for both.] 

Ekaant - This was used only by the royals. This means privacy/solitude in English.

The meaning of the code word will be revealed in upcoming chapters.