Humans are oxymorons.
They want something
They say something

Nimrit was excited about her first field trip at school which was an exclusive tour of the Swarnbhoomi Palace.

"Nimrit, the school has special permission to visit places not open to the public. I want you to do a secret task for me. Try to observe the pictures of the Queens and Kings. Try to think, if you have seen someone who looks similar to them." Amber was certain there were clues hidden in the pictures. Nimrit looked at him with questioning eyes so, Amber elucidated,
"Alright, my curious cat, the heir to the crown of Swarnbhoomi is said to have set foot in the state and I need you to find out who around us might look similar to them. Specifically, Nivedya's family. Yes, they have links to the royals. So, even the smallest of the lead is a good lead. I think you can do that."

Amber left Nimrit for her school and saw Nivedya getting down from his bus. He took out his phone and looked at a photo. He squinted his eyes to observe closely drawing the comparison then reversed his car in speed and left.

Nimrit was happy to see Nivedya was alright but his sparkling eyes were puffy and they told Nimrit, he had probably cried and cried hard. She wanted to talk to him but he was surrounded by his friends who were rubbing his arms like they were consoling him. She went closer to know the reason but the bell rang and it was time for them to report on the ground. Taking a chance, she still went to talk to Nivedya but he walked away quickly with the boys, as if avoiding her.

Classes eight and nine were chosen for the trip to the palace and students were divided into pairs according to their roll numbers. Nimrit was happy Nivedya was her partner and she thanked her father for giving her a new name.  The memories of her old life and name shivered her. She closed her eyes and saw the face of her mother and her father smiling and a magic spell was cast, she was back to normal in a split second.

"Hi," Nimrit greeted Nivedya.

"Hi," Nivedya replied but he sounded hoarse.

Nimrit looked at him and asked, "Are you alright? You sound..."

"I am fine. Listen to what the teacher is saying. We have a lot of time to talk later." Nivedya's reply was rude but Nimrit overlooked it because she could see he was not his usual self.

"Sorry," Nimrit apologised and concentrated on what the teacher was instructing. Nivedya fisted his palms and exhaled heavily because his emotions were not in his control.

Two buses were arranged to take the students to the palace. Everyone was chatting, singing, and having fun but Nimrit was only observing Nivedya who was looking outside the window.

The bus applied sudden breaks to save a dog who appeared from nowhere. Nimrit's attention was on Nivedya so she hit her head from the seat ahead. The driver apologised for the accident and the teacher asked the students if they were fine.
Nimrit touched her forehead and a little blood oozed because a sharp nail pricked it.

"Sir, Nimrit's head is bleeding, sir." Aarfa panicked and called the teacher.  Students gathered near Nimrit's seat to see her. She used her handkerchief to stop the blood.

"Just stay calm. Nimrit put your handkerchief on it and the blood won't flow. We are about to reach the palace and I will check it closely there. Relax and be attentive. Don't be so consumed in the games." The teacher checked Nimrit's wound and asked the driver to drive safely.

The wound didn't hurt Nimrit but Nivedya's indifference was hurting her. He didn't even get up to see how hurt she was. They reached the palace and the teacher quickly took the first aid kit to put antiseptic on Nimrit's forehead.

"Ahh!" Nimrit flinched as the antiseptic was applied. She controlled herself but when she saw Nivedya who was just standing at a distance talking to one of the boys, she started to doubt his feelings. He could at least stand near her and give that perfect smile of his which could soothe her pain. 

After dressing, the teacher asked the students to stand in pairs.
"Sir, I think Nimrit should pair with her friends. She is hurt and they could take care of her. You know me, I am a carefree bird." Nivedya's request pricked Nimrit's heart deeper than the nail.

"Sir, I am fine and can take care of myself. Please start with the tour." Nimrit spoke sharply in her soft voice. Her excitement about the first field trip with Nivedya as her partner had died.

The teacher was taking the students to different areas of the palace explaining to them the history and the stories associated with them. Nimrit rubbed her forehead a couple of times to ease the pain and made sure she did that when Nivedya was not looking. She did not want him to find out about the pain she was feeling. Almost everyone from her class asked her if she was okay except for the boy who was her partner for the trip and of whom she dreamed to be her partner for life.

Nimrit concentrated on the pictures her father asked her to observe. She tried hard but could draw no comparisons. The Queen or the King did not resemble Nivedya or his mother. Could Nivedya be a Prince? He definitely had the looks and the arrogance he was displaying today was something the books described as a trait of the royals.

"Okay, kids, take a break. You can roam around this area again, and write down the facts and your observations if you wish. Do not touch anything and be careful." The teacher warned the students before giving them free time.

Most of the students gathered around the throne. It was intriguing to see a real throne, as every child thinks they are a king or a queen of their world.

"You want to go to that section?" Nimrit asked Nivedya pointing at a wall where maps and documents were displayed.

"Should you not relax and sit for a while so that your pain doesn't intensify." Nivedya avoided looking into Nimrit's eyes.

"It is not paining."

Nivedya scoffed and said, "Sure. Then why every few minutes you were rubbing it? Just sit and relax for a bit."

"How do you know? I thought you did not... notice." Nimrit felt happy Nivedya was concerned but why was he so indifferent?

"Do whatever you want." Nivedya walked away leaving behind a confused and sad Nimrit alone in the huge hall.

"Come let's go together and read the maps. Maybe we could find and go to a place no one knows or comes."

Nimrit ignored Ashwin's comment and moved toward the section she was curious to explore. Maps and old documents. How they were preserved, the treaties signed, etc. She was lost in history just like Nivedya was lost in the thought of an empty house that will welcome him today. He was physically at the palace but mentally he was with Rose. He didn't even think about Nimrit or how rude he had been with her.

"All right kids, fall in a line. The palace administration has arranged refreshments for you in the royal dining hall. Be on your best behaviour." The teacher's announcement was greeted with lots of hoots and yay from the students.

The Swarnbhoomi palace was a magnificent brilliance of architecture. The dining hall was huge and could accommodate over a hundred people. The students sat elegantly on huge chairs with silver lining and blue velvet cushions. An elaborate brunch was served with dishes most children liked to eat.

"Sir, you said a total of forty children, there are just thirty-eight, here."  A royal staff member serving the brunch pointed this out and the teacher immediately did a headcount and asked everyone to check their partners.

"Sir, Nimrit from our class is not here."
"Sir, Ashwin from our class is not here either."
Students of both classes informed the teacher. Nimrit and Ashwin's issue had died down but their missing together resurfaced gossip.

The teacher was worried about the missing children and asked other students, "Who were their partners? Nivi, where is Nimrit? Alok, you were Ashwin's partner? There was a reason you all were paired. So that something like this doesn't happen. Two of you come, we need to look for them. Did they mention anything?"

Nivedya was sitting blankly trying to recall the events of the day. Collin jerked Nivedya and whisper shouted at him, "Dude, what is wrong with you? Rose D has gone for a purpose, she has not abandoned you. Nimrit is alone with that asshole, Ashwin. What if he tries to harm her? Nivi, get a grip on your emotions, bro."

Nivedya looked at Collin and stood up. "Sir, she wanted to explore the maps... she must have..."

"Why were you not with her? When we were heading here, didn't you realise she is not present?" The teacher scolded Nivedya for his carelessness.
"You, Alok, what about you?" The teacher crossed his hands and demanded an answer, strictly.

"Sir... Sir... Ashwin saw Nimrit alone and wanted to tal... talk, to her. He told me he would come before you realise but..."

Nivedya ran towards the section he left Nimrit. He cursed himself for being so ignorant. "Just be safe Nimrit." He kept saying in his head. The teacher ran after him with a royal staff member who was coordinating with other staff members and briefing them about the situation.

Nivedya saw the room and could sense something not right. Nimrit and Ashwin were not there. Nimrit would not be with him out of choice like some children were saying. Nivedya swore to God if Ashwin did anything wrong with her, he would kill him.

"Nivi, relax. They are watching the CCTV, to look for a clue." The teacher stopped  Nivedya who was moving around like a mad bull.

A  siren buzzed making everyone scared. "Trespasser. Alert. Trespasser. Alert." The royal staff member rubbed his temple and asserted, "It has never happened. Someone has entered the palace?"

The head of royal staff informed the teacher, "Sir, we checked the footage and the missing girl has been dragged by an unknown man. The boy was locked in a room and we are opening it. We are sorry for the security breach but we are trying to find out who the trespasser is and  where the girl is."

Ashwin was locked in a room and he was rescued easily from there. He was coughing badly when he came out.

"You swine. What did you do to her?" Nivedya held Ashwin's collar and raged in anger. Ashwin started to cough louder so the teacher pushed Nivedya back.

"Stop it Nivi. If only you were a little more vigilant Nimrit wouldn't be missing. I will call Shakti ma'am. Stay here and don't go anywhere." The teacher warned Nivedya making him feel guilty and regret his ignorance. 

"I didn't do anything. He came from behind, dressed like the staff, and hit me on my head. I felt dizzy and was in no position to struggle. He locked me in that room and then you found me." Ashwin revealed the story as it took place.

"What about Nimrit? Do you have any clue? Did he say something?" Nivedya wanted to get as much information as possible. But Ashwin nodding his head in a  'no' was disappointing.

Royal security was searching every nook and corner of the palace. "How could anyone enter the palace? Is your security so weak?" Nivedya questioned authoritatively to a man who was around 6 feet 6 inches tall. He looked straight into his eyes and demanded an explanation.

"Nivi, step back. I am sorry. He is just a little worried. Please carry on."  The teacher pulled Nivedya back after apologising to the man who looked very intimidating.

"It's his right to question. We are sorry, we failed. But I assure you the culprit will be caught and the girl will be safe." The teacher gulped his saliva at the way the man answered. His voice was thick and could scare even the monster.

"What happened, Vibhor?" Shakti was escorted to the scene and she enquired the teacher about the whole story. Vibhor told her everything and she rubbed Nivedya's back to calm him. "It's okay. It's not your fault. We will find her."

No one stopped Nivedya from roaming around the palace looking for Nimrit but a gunned man trailed behind him all the time. The students were sent home by bus and were assured Nimrit will be safe.

"Shakti, where is Nimrit?" Shakti shivered at the question. What scared her more than facing the situation was, Amber. Nimrit was the life of her father and Amber would bring the sky down if even a hair on her body was harmed.
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Dear Readers
What change will Rose's departure bring in Nivedya's life?
Will he continue to behave coldly towards Nimrit?

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Happy Reading
Lots of love!