Vrishali smiled at her grandparents nodding her head.

"I can't believe you are going back," Deepa Mewar spoke squeezing Vrishali's hand.

"She will be returning soon," Kalyan Mewar spoke.

Padmanabh stood a few feet away with his hands back as he looked at Vrishali talking with her grandparents.

The airport is busy with people leaving the city. The royal bodyguards are surrounding them keeping the public away from them.

Padmanabh couldn't pull his gaze away from Vrishali's face. Her thick eyebrows, her eyes, small nose...

Padmanabh can't explain how he is feeling, Vrishali ignored and didn't meet him after that night.

He tried to talk to her but she didn't see him at all. He waited for her in the dining room but Vrishali ate her meals in her room.

She is angry with him for what reason he doesn't know exactly. He thought she would be happy going back to New York but something doesn't seem right.

"Don't forget to call us okay?" Hardik said ruffling Vrishali's hair.

"Array, don't mess my hair," Vrishali pouted looking at Hardik. The only people who came to send off is her grandparents, Hardik and Padmanabh.

Manav, Aadi and Nandhini left yesterday because their tickets were booked. They were so shocked and surprised when Vrishali went to visit them yesterday.

They couldn't believe that Padmanabh understood and is sending her to New York.

No matter how much Vrishali tells herself that it's for the best and Padmanabh understood that's the reason he is sending her to New York, she can't believe it.

Diya Kumari's words kept ringing in her mind. Vrishali couldn't talk with Padmanabh knowing she would be saying something stupid.

She ignored him and stayed in her room most of the time packing her things. There isn't much to pack, she left all her jewellery and accessories in Padmanabh's room with a note to take care of them.

Vrishali doesn't know when she is going to return to India or if she ever returns or not.

'what if he fell in love with someone?'

'what if he always loved Harika and that's the reason he is sending her back to New York.'

'whatever Diya Kumari said on that day is that true?'

'doesn't Padmanabh really don't feel the attraction and bond between them?'

Vrishali shook her head exhaling heavily as many questions started playing in her head.

"What are you thinking?" Hardik asked.

"Nah, don't miss me okay?" Vrishali playfully asked Hardik.

Hardik smirked pinching Vrishali's cheeks. Vrishali tickled Hardik which made him laugh. Vrishali laughed hearing Hardik's laugh. Padmanabh couldn't help but feel bad.

Vrishali looked at the screen as they announced their flight.

"Take care, love you," Hardik said hugging Vrishali.

"Awe, I love you too," Vrishali smiled hugging Hardik. Her heart started beating fast knowing she would be leaving and doesn't know what's going to happen next.

"Take care gudiya (doll), don't forget to eat and call us. I love you," Deepa Mewar said hugging Vrishali.

"I love you so much dadi, don't forget to take medicine and stop watching those serials and go out with dadu," Vrishali said kissing Deepa Mewar's cheek. Then she turned to Kalyan Mewar.

"I'm going to miss my gudiya," Kalyan Mewar said.

"I'm going to miss you so much, I love you dadu," Vrishali said hugging her dadu.

Then she finally turned to where Padmanabh stood and walked over to him. Padmanabh can feel his heart beating fastly.

Vrishali finally glanced up at Padmanabh. He wore a blank look glancing down at her with intense eyes.

"Hmm, goodbye," Vrishali said.

"Take care, bye," Padmanabh whispered. They looked at each other, they want to say so much but they don't know how to start so they stayed quiet looking at each other.

There was a second announcement that snapped Vrishali out of her daze. She gave him a tight smile before turning around.

"Bye everyone," Vrishali waved her hand. She started walking towards the terminal with her passport and luggage.

Vrishali can feel the sadness growing in her heart. She needs to feel happy but she can't, she turned around to see her grandparents, Hardik and Padmanabh.

Padmanabh exhaled heavily watching Vrishali. She turned around giving them a smile she walked away.

He wanted to tell her that he would be visiting her and would miss her in the home. He was too shy to admit and tell her.

Padmanabh thinks he did a mistake not telling her before she left. He should've told her that he is doing a long-distance relationship with her...

"Is it a long-distance relationship if she doesn't know about it?" He asked himself.

*

Vrishali settled in her seat anxiously fiddling with her hands as she looked at the seat before her.

For some reasons she started crying, she used her hankie to whip the tears off her face when she felt someone sitting down beside her.

"You okay miss?" She heard the person ask

"Yes, thank you for asking," Vrishali replied rolling her lower lip into her mouth as tears fell.

"I'm Pratul," the guy said. Vrishali turned her head whipping off the tears.

"Vrishali." The guy smiled looking at Vrishali. Vrishali turned back, she doesn't understand why she is being so emotional.

"Hmm, I don't know what you are going through but if It makes you feel better, this will pass... Just stay strong," Pratul spoke looking at the lady beside him.

She caught his eye the minute he stepped into the airport. Why wouldn't she caught the eye of everyone when she stood beside the Jaipur's crown Prince with the royal bodyguards surrounding them. He didn't expect her to be sitting beside him.

"Yeah..." Vrishali chuckled shaking her head. She was actually holding back her tears and now that she is finally leaving she couldn't hold back.

She shouldn't miss India or Padmanabh, she only stayed here for three months and twenty years in New York. She should be happy that she is going back to her home to her people.

Vrishali became quiet and Pratul put on a movie to pass his time knowing the girl beside him needs some alone time.

Vrishali zoned out most of the time blankly staring at the clouds. Thankfully the guy didn't open his mouth or disturbed her.

Padmanabh booked her a business class which she doesn't regret. Vrishali closed her eyes getting comfortable and ended up taking a nap.

Pratul turned his head to see Vrishali sleeping with her mouth slightly open. He chuckled before turning back to the screen.

Vrishali woke up when the flight attendants brought their food. She unpacked her food and started eating.

"You from New York?" Pratul asked Vrishali.

"Yeah, what about you?" Vrishali asked.

"Actually settled in New York right now. Working for a magazine agency," Pratul replied.

"Visited Jaipur for work?"

"Yes, my agency and I working on this project. So flew here for the photoshoot and now returning back."

"And you?" Vrishali is in a dilemma if she should say the truth or tell him the truth.

Pratul watched her eating his food. Vrishali stopped eating as she zoned out again.

"Hey chill, if you aren't comfortable don't tell me."

"Long story short, got married but going back to my parents home to finish off my college," Vrishali said.

Pratul looked at her in surprise, "you are sad because you are leaving?"

"50-50, it's actually complicated. I don't understand it so..."

"Can relate," Pratul said.

"Ah?" Vrishali asked.

"Was in a situation like you a few years ago. Wasn't married but was in a relationship. Had to choose career or girl, been through the stage," Pratul said.

"What did you chose?" Vrishali suddenly became interested in Pratul's story.

"Career, it was hard but it will pass. I'm happy though living my dream but she isn't here."

"Oh."

"So you chose your studies over your husband?" Pratul asked. Vrishali smiled shaking her head.

"No choices, it was a decision made by him. He wanted me to go back to New York to live my college life," Vrishali said.

"Woah, that's great girl. I mean he actually took a good decision but if you didn't want to leave then yeah it's a bad idea."

"50-50."

"I would say enjoy it while it lasts. He must've observed you and took a decision so enjoy it."

"Noted."

"So you are a photographer?" Vrishali asked Pratul.

"Yes, photographer and filmmaker. What are you studying?"

"Fashion designing at Greenwoods."

"Greenwoods? Isn't it that one big university with many departments?"

"Yeah, the one and only."

"Woah, college life must be a boom."

Vrishali and Pratul spoke all throughout the journey. Vrishali didn't tell Pratul that she married the Crown Prince he saw in the airport.

"By the way how do you know that he is the Crown Prince?" Vrishali asked.

"We actually stayed in the royal quarters and when we stay there we get to meet the royals.

"Oh."

"I met him and his grandfather two years ago."

Vrishali laughed as Pratul shared his stories from sets and at his agency. They exchanged numbers and followed each other on Instagram.

*

"Well, it was nice meeting you Vrishali, hope to meet you again," Pratul said lightly hugging Vrishali.

"Thanks for talking with me and thanks for making me feel better. Got your number, I may call you anytime and invite you over," Vrishali said.

"Anytime."

"Take care see you girl, be happy," Pratul added before putting on his shades and going away. Vrishali looked at the sky, breathing in the air she smiled.

"I missed you, New York," Vrishali said.

"Girl!" She heard a loud voice. She turned her head to see Hailey and her parents.

"Lee!" Vrishali replied catching the running Hailey.

"Uff." The air left out of her body when Hailey's body hit hers with a force.

"I missed you bitch!"

"I missed you hitch!" Vrishali said hugging her tightly. Hailey stepped back allowing Vrishali's parents to hug her.

"Awe, my baby is back," Gauravi said hugging Vrishali.

"Yes, I missed you too..."

Vrishali then went over to her dad, "papaaaa"

"My little baby, how much I missed you," Deepash said letting the tears out.

"Uncle are you crying?" Hailey asked.

Vrishali chuckled hugging her dad tightly. They stayed there for a few minutes before pulling away. Hailey wrapped her arm around Vrishali's as they started walking towards the car.

"I'm going to stay at your house for a week. Even if you like it or not" Hailey said. Gauravi and Deepash chuckled getting into the car.

Hailey and Vrishali sat in the back. "You can stay over for as many days as you want."

"College misses you, our department members asked about you a lot! Like even the professors asked about you," Hailey said.

"Will be attending the classes from Monday"

Vrishali laid her head on Hailey yawning. Thank god it's a Saturday and she can rest Sunday.

"Did you eat darling?" Deepash asked.

"Yes but I'm hungry."

"Don't worry your dad made a feast for you" Hailey said.

"Yes your dad cooked a lot," Gauravi said.

"He actually stayed all night trying to make the menu. He couldn't sleep because of the excitement that you are coming" Gauravi said and Deepash blushed.

"Of course, I couldn't sleep knowing my darling is coming home" Deepash replied.

"Awe dad, I love you so muchhhhh" Vrishali said giving a flying kiss.

"Hey even I couldn't sleep knowing you are coming back," Hailey said.

They reached their two-story home. Vrishali looked at her house with wide-open arms.

"I missed you more than you ever imagine babe! I love you!" She yelled looking at her home.

The other three laughed in the background. Deepash and Hailey carried the luggage in while Vrishali ran to check her home.

Vrishali didn't know how much she missed her home until she stepped in. She missed her minimalist house. She kissed the door in excitement as tears fell from her eyes.

Her mom unlocked the door and Vrishali particularly ran inside hugging everything and kissing every item.

"I missed sleeping on you babe," she said falling on the sofa.

She went to every room before going to the second floor where her room is. Opening the door she cried looking at her room.

It is just the way she left it. She rolled on the floor while Hailey recorded everything on her phone.

"I missed you darling"

"My precious..." She said kissing her bed.

"Bitch you behaving like it's your child"

"They are my babies, they are no less than cute babies," Vrishali replied pushing her head into the mattress.

"What is that chain around your neck? It's cute," Hailey said falling on the bed.

"This?" Vrishali asked holding her mangalsutra.

"Mangalsutra, wore by married women."

"Wow, that is beautiful. Looks like a cute chain."

"Haha, it's personalized."

"Does everyone know that I got married?" Vrishali asked. Only a few of her close friends know about her wedding.

Others know that she shifted to India to stay with her grandparents.

"Nah, only a few knew and you never posted your wedding photos or photos of your husband. They just think that you shifted"

"Good I don't wanna tell anyone"

"Noted."

"Everyone misses you though, miss their butterfly in the festivals. Actually, the sniper kids asked about you a lot."

"They did?" Vrishali asked in surprise.

"Yeah, you were their favourite from our department."

Vrishali chuckled nodding her head. The snipers is the elite group of Greenwoods. Vrishali was shocked when she saw the snipers on the first day.

They are a group of people who grew up together. They are filthy rich and beautiful, their parents are also members of the university. Knights and McKenzies are the founders of Greenwoods university.

When Vrishali heard about the snipers she thought they are arrogant and bitches. She was shocked and surprised when she met them in person.

They are down-to-earth, good and polite people. They can break your bones in a snap if they don't like you but that's another story.

"Do you know Aubree and Rowen are dating? Many hearts broke..." Aubree is a member of snipers.

"Rowen?"

"Rowen McKenzie, the elder kid of McKenzie," Hailey said.

"He is a sniper?"

"Yup, we only know the people on campus but there are others too who are graduated."

"Ohoh"

"He is hot... Hotter than Elwen" Vrishali laughed. There was a knock on the door before it opened.

"Don't you wanna eat?" Deepash asked walking into the room.

"Yeah, getting down," Vrishali said getting out of the bed.

Padmanabh looked at his phone for nth time waiting for a call or perhaps a message from Vrishali.

He signed keeping the phone away when he didn't get the reply. He called her but it said the user is not available to take calls at the moment.