( ◜‿◝ )♡. (٥↼_↼). 〈(•ˇ‿ˇ•)-→

"Life is a journey, not a destination." -Ralph Waldo Emerson

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Jaipur, INDIA.

"Kanu, I'm saying stop. We might get caught if anyone sees us here"

"Arey just relax May. At least let me see if what they say is still true or not. Rani Padmini (Queen Padmini) used to spend her summers in Jaipur, Water palace this is the only thing which connects her to Jaipur I read in your history book "

Tris hold onto the pillar trying to jump to the next balustrade so that they could skimp on from the eyes of the Watchman.

"So what Tris? Are you even serious? Are you here to see her ghost? She's dead for approx 740 years...and...and if you really want to be an archaeologist then go to Srilanka, her origin is there"

Tris let out a chuckle discovering and walking as fast as he could.

"No, but at least we could scour a little more. It's no harm I think"

It was six-thirty in the evening. And no one was allowed to near Jal Mahal (Water Palace) or any other historical monuments at this hour. Touring locked and abandoned historical palaces might lead to triggering events, scaring the nerve out of your brain.

Tris was the only one persistent here. Trying to find out if what horrific fables about the Palace are correct or not. At least he will get to see the ghost anyway.

"Kanu if you want to experience why thousands of Ranis (Queens) did Jauhar. (Mass self-immolation by women after their husbands died in ancient times)

Then please watch some documentaries made about her. Here, in Jal Mahal, you'll get nothing, and foremost this is clearly. Not. The. Palace. Of Mass Immolation when Khilaji attacked. Let's get back...please"

The cousin sister of Tris.
Mayra Rajvansh, daughter of Shikhar & Aditi Rajvansh.

Scolded for stopping Tris from going inside the Jal Mahal without any safeguard, permission, or any parental guidance, he was literally breaking rules. They were stuck in the palace between the waters of the lake and her cousin brother was persistent to get inside. It was strictly prohibited to come here to the island palace.

Then how did he come?
The fact that Rajvansh's name works and with the help of some bribery one of the keepers agreed to give the boat.

A seventeen-year-old teenager was trying to find out whether the rumors are correct or not. Ever since he read Mayra's history book last night, he wanted to explore At least Water Palace as he can not go to the Chittor district, where the Queen lived.

They crossed the right side veering around in the aisles when their steps halted suddenly. Mayra stopped behind him. They felt a big silhouette in front of them. What was that?

Tris's eyes widened at that silhouette and gulped harder, sweat beads started forming around his eyebrows and body inside the clothes. Tris looked over his shoulder to glance at Mayra who was suppressing her mouth from screaming.

The silhouette in front of them in the dark didn't move but the pair of eyes were twinkling in their way.

"Is this the ghost we were finding here?" Asked Mayra hissing and gripping his arm tightly.

Tris was himself horrified. All his power was airing in the sky and water around the palace. He rubbed his eyes scared at first and then tried to act boldly. The dusty and parched air of the palace was hitting their nostrils. The fallen leaves and the coldness of the May season at the night were scary.

He inhaled a large amount of air when the steps came in their way. They took a step back similarly. The light reflecting wasn't showing the Silhouette but Tris was sure it wasn't any spirit.

They both shut their eyes as the shadow grew closer. At night, if these two persons get lost no one will be able to find out if they ever came here. More than himself Tris was worried for Mayra.

Tris holds his cousin's hand chanting his mother's name in his mind.

Ma did warn me not to come here, God please....please....please. I won't cross My mother's word next time. Just this instance, please, please.

The Shadow disappeared suddenly replacing a voice booming from behind them, they were sticking to the pillar.
His muscles relaxed as they opened their eyes, no one was there. Then they turned back to finding the Watchman there.

"Oh... Oh," he sighed and inhaled some air drying his already dried throat.

"I did warn you two children. Then why you're roaming here? That too in the late evening without parents"

The watchman was a giant man. His mustache and dark tone were a witness that no ghost can scare him, Tris thought.

"Sorry. Uncle but we forget my sister's locket here. That's why we came" Mayra's head snapped at him instantly as he lied very smoothly.

After lots of arguing between the watchman and Tris. Finally, the giant man believed what Tris was truthfully fabricating.

They came out of the palace, Tris on the right side and Mayra on the left side of the watchman. The giant man made sure that the grandchildren of Nakul Rajvansh are safe in the city.

Nakul was a famous name after all. In fact, the successful son, and daughter-in-law were proof Rajvansh family was flourishing even outside India.

Soon the lake came to an end and the watchman handed Tris to his private escort, Kim. Kim was American and was appointed by Krish for the safety of Tris.

The escort did inform Krish over the call that Tris and Mayra were missing. On top of that for the past hour, Nandini has held the whole Rajvansh Mansion on her head crying. Rajvi and Aditi were consoling her. Whereas Nakul Rajvansh had made sure to announce to the whole Jaipur city. Whoever will find his grandchildren will be rewarded.

As soon Tris sat inside the car he was amused listening to the news of the reward. Although he knew now he was going to get lots of scolding, not in Jaipur but from his mother.

Still, he asked Kim who was driving the car and Mayra was sitting beside him looking out of the open window.
They were out of the lake and palace region now in the city crossing the Mansarovar area.

Tris suddenly remembered Sunrise Bakery, the favorite bakery of his mother. Even though there are thousands of malls and royal bakeries in the city, his mother and grandmother preferred the ice cream, muffins, and cupcakes from here only.

"Kim, bring the car down from the highway and get down the lane road to Sunrise bakery"

Kim nodded listening to Tris. Mayra twitched her lips.

She straightens her pink skirt tucked her shoulder-length hair behind her ears and asked him.

"Our family is stressed over us for the past hour and you want ice cream? Seriously Kanu??"

Kanu was Tris's Indian nickname. Just as they didn't like the name, Tris. Their tongue slips more than talking. Kanu was easy to pronounce.

Tris swirled his neck to her. The Jaipur city lights were filling with sparks making it more beautiful.

"Nope. I know I hurt them but in compensation when the scolding will get over and grandma will need sweets it will help" Mayra scoffed chuckling.

"Since we're going that way now. I want to meet my friend so after the bakery turns the car into the NH-48 South-western side. My GPS is on"

"Mayra we'll be late by then. It will take us an hour to reach there. And Why there?" Kim nodded as Tris asked.

Mayra was same as the age Tris was.
Just Tris looked like a hot teenager and Mayra was shorter in height reaching up to his half elbow.

"You remember last January we went on a family trip to Shimla?"

Tris nodded remembering how much fun they had.

Shimla, the capital of Himachal Pradesh.

His mind youthful even reminiscing about the days. The sprinkles of powdery snow in the January winter and the spicy and earthy scent carried by pines, firs, cedars, and oak trees filled his heart with warmth.

It was the first time in history that the Rajvansh family & Mittal families were together except for Krish Rajvansh.

"There we had dinner with the famous Oberoi's, that Cosmetics king?"
Tris again nodded knowing she was talking about Shiv Oberoi.

"And You accidentally spoiled the small Tulip garden which belonged to the younger daughter of Shiv Oberoi who suffers from a Neurological disorder...some... Some kind...of Amnesia she had"

Mayra tried to reminisce about the kind of disorder the daughter of Shiv Oberoi was suffering from.

Tris scoffed at Mayra. She was making him feel guilty now.

As far as He remembers he did apologize to Oberoi's daughter but she couldn't remember anything nor scolded Tris and just kept repeating the word "'Tulips' and her late husband's name"

Tris remembered The disease name Oberoi's daughter was suffering from, Jahnvi told him once. Also, Jahnvi only disclosed this with Tris, the motive why they visited Shimla, just to meet her after they got to know her condition. Tris wondered why his father didn't accompany them.

Tris taut in a croaky breath looking outside the window and recollecting the punishment he agreed to. He then cleaned the whole garden in replacing the punishment. And who made him do that?
Only and only Oberoi's daughters daughter. That teenage girl really had some guts to make him do that.

Alara and her bonded well. He remembers.

"Dissociate Amnesia" Tris voiced out loud.

Mayra smiled, "Yup. That. Their daughter's daughter is whom we're going to meet. I mean Sa..."

"NO. WAYS. I'm SEEING that GIRL. Again. Okay?" Tris protested remembering how sharp but sassy that teenage girl is.

"I don't care Tris. She's here to commemorate her late father's death anniversary which is tomorrow and you might not remember but our family is going there too"

"What?" Tris nearly shouted widening his eyes, his mouth parted and brows scrunched.

"Is Dad & Mom coming too?" He asked horrified. He feels for that girl who lost her father five years ago but still.

He was perplexed between emotions and self-image.

"Jahnvi Aunt is not coming she's in Japan and Krish Uncle couldn't because tomorrow Alara has her....oops sorry I can't " Mayra suddenly laughed reminiscing Alara warned her not to tell Tris about the Prom Night.

Tris looked horrified at what was something Mayra couldn't disclose to him.

"Tell me otherwise"

"Nope"

Tris was smart.
"Okay in compensation I'm asking. We. Are. Clearly. Not going. To meet your Shimla Friend. The deal, ?"

Mayra shook her head slowly.

These spoiled kids of Krish and Jahnvi. Always exceeds in making deals. Whether personal or professional.

Mayra nodded agreeing to the deal and after buying from Sunrise Bakery they hurried to the Rajvansh Mansion.

On reaching the Mansion both, Mayra & Tris were showered with plenty of admonishing, however, Tris saved Mayra from getting punished by her mother Aditi. Unlike Jahnvi Aditi was less strict in Tris's eyes. He concluded.

At the dinner time, Nandini was still upset with him thinking of the horrible circumstances that would have or might have occurred with them.

Nandini thanked in mind to Oberoi's granddaughter. She was the one who informed Nandini about Mayra and Tris getting on to the Water palace region out of the city when she was out with her mother for a brain check-up.

After dinner, Tris went to the room which was earlier Krish. Krish by chance comes to India. Even in all these years, it would have been only for Jahnvi or Rajvi, Nandini he came, Tris knew his father's relation with Nakul had improved a lot but he couldn't decipher the conflicts between Krish & Oberoi.

Jahnvi did tell him that Krish helps in the flower perfume business at Oberoi's in NY but he never meets them up.

In the room, he glanced at each and everything, the small library of his father was messed whereas then the Closet was messed up too, Jahnvi's side was always cleaned up.

Anyhow, he remembers what he came here for. After three days he was going back to the U.S. and before that Jahnvi asked him to take out a wooden box only she knew what was in that box.

He barged into the closet and searched for the box in the drawers, in between the clothes, and finally after lots of excavating he found it. Along with it, he found a scrapbook too.

"Wow, Ma had records of their moments too" Tris chuckled but then thought not to see his parent's personal things.

But then everyone does read Anne Frank's diary, this is just a scrapbook.

Like father, Like son!

The first page of the album was written in Cursive KRISH & JAHNVI
It was gifted by Krish to Jahnvi on her 40th birthday. All their memories.

Tris crouched on the floor taking out the other three more scrapbooks. He kept the others aside and started rummaging the first one. It was starting from their childhood and then Jahnvi's teenage when his parents met, the parks, the garden, and Jaipur diaries, smile didn't leave his face while seeing each photo closer.

"Ma & Dad truly make a special couple. I wonder... How their bond is inseparable even in long-distance. No wonder it is Dad who's full of patience" he chuckled remembering how every time Krish calms Jahnvi while scolding them. How he keeps himself strong when he needs her there and she cheers up his courage from afar.

Indeed this couple was his favorite. His Ma & Dad!

He closed the scrapbook shaking his head not wanting to go through his parent's intimate pictures coming shying away from the thought.

"Tris you better put this scrapbook inside. Shameless jerk you're to go through your parent's unique moments"

He kept the book back when some unstuck photos scatter down on the white floor.

His brows scrunched closer to getting closer to the pictures.

"What Dad is doing with the Oberoi's daughter?"
The first thought left his mouth.

He picked up the pictures scanning the image. Yes, he was correct.

"Should I ask Ma about it?"

"Dad's in Indian attire too" his confusion grew more when he saw the wedding pics. His mother wasn't there in those photos, their family was.

"Is this a joke going on?"
He scoffed and put back the photos and everything.

He connected the dots!
Running fast to his room on the second floor he closed the door. And searched for his phone.

"Is that why Dad didn't come to Shimla?"
He searched on the bed spoiling the bedsheets.

"Dad had been married before Ma? Or he has an affair?"

"Only Ma can answer it. If I ask Dad he'll be busy"

"Is that why they have a distance relation!" He sighed at last as he found his phone near the vase, and sat on the bed breathing out loud.

He dialed his mother instantly.

"I swear if Dad isn't loyal to Ma I'll support her no matter what!" He muttered under his breath until the phone got unreceived.

"What the...fuck!" He dialed again.

'Your call is on wait. As the person you've dialed is currently on another call. Please leave a message"

He sighed three times then left a voicemail.

"Ma call me immediately. There's something important I need to talk"

Quickly tapping the send button he throwed the phone on the rummaged bedsheets.

"Should I ask Dad about it?" He thought roaming around in the room.

"No. No. No. Dad might not tell! I trust Ma more. What she must be going through?" He sat down on the bed hiding his face behind his palms.

"Is this love? Love?" He murmured.

"That has kept Ma attached to Dad? I remember Dad never let me feel alone when Ma isn't with us. But then I have never seen them talking lovingly, they mostly combat and... Taunt...or have that eye-to-eye talks...I couldn't find out what's with their secrets..."

No matter how much hard we try, someday this marital bond leaves you at a phase where you doubt loyalty, your loyalty, or your partner's loyalty.

He lay on the bed on his stomach as his eyes brewed with the heaviness of sleep.

"Is that why Dad keeps himself busy?" He muttered at last drowning into a heavy sleep.

After some time the phone beeped with the phone call but his ears were long forgotten into sleep.

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GOOD MORNING💛
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The dawn was filled with the hustle-bustle in the Rajvansh Mansion.

Nandini, Nakul & Mayra were ready to go to the Oberoi's.

Shikhar had left quite early for work, and Aditi was in the kitchen.

Nandini was making sure that the needed prospects were prepared. She was grown old but looked the same as in her thirties, wearing a light blue simple saree.

Even though they had not had a very great relationship with the Oberoi. Nevertheless, they were going on asserted by Jahnvi.
That woman had no bitterness for Oberoi anymore.
Reason?
Kind-hearted people forgive easily.

Tristan was awake and had a bath when Nandini knocked on the door.

He opened it with a not-so-vibrant face.

Nandini first twitched her lips but then cupped his face making him look at her.
After all, he was her only grandson.

All others were busy in their lives.

Nikita, Nandini's daughter lived in Indore handling the branch of '786 Silver Rajasthan' along with her two adopted daughters and her husband Dr. Vedant.

Meera, Jahnvi's sister was settled in Delhi with Harshvardhan. She's a Professor at Delhi University and her husband is an Entrepreneur.
They have a son named Kiansh.

All of them were involved in their lives, and rare was the moment when the families were together.

Nandini loves Tris more, he's the only one who visits them every May because it's her and Rajvi's birthday month.

"We are leaving for the place as it is time. Would you like to come?"
Nandini asked with hesitancy.

Tris looked at his grandmother and then shrugged.

"I've some work at Nani's (Rajvi) home. I'll go there" he quietly denied.

Nandini pursued her lips in a thin line and then nodded.

"Oh...I remember it now. Jahnvi asked for you over the talk I had in the early morning. Call her once"

Tris nodded.

After he made sure Nandini, Nakul & Mayra left in the car, he went to Rajvi's house. Obviously, Kim escorted him.
He didn't want to go to Oberoi's not just because of his image but because he didn't want to see those painful faces.

Someone's death scares him. And no matter how hard a person is he bows down