I jumped up in panic. It was already 10 a.m.
Sunlight flooded the room as I rushed to open the curtains. My heart skipped a beat. I quickly fixed myself, then my eyes fell on the canvas.
"No… he can't see this."
I grabbed it instantly and hid it behind the curtains.
Then I opened the door.
Advik stood there—my uncle's personal secretary, the man who practically took care of the entire Singh family.
He handed me two bags.
"These are your snacks," he said.
"And breakfast."
" I checked everything myself."
He added calmly, "I've booked a new hotel for you. It's closer to the venue. You can shift there today. I'm leaving two guards with you. If you need anything, just tell me."
I hesitated. "You're not coming inside?"
"No," he replied gently. "Sir and ma'am will arrive by evening. I still have arrangements to handle for them."
I nodded, then suddenly remembered.
"Oh—listen. Can you arrange cat food and milk?"
He looked surprised. "Cat"
"I found a new cat here," I said with a laugh.
"And since you're clearly not giving me company, someone has to."
"Ok!" , And with that, he left. He has always been mature and serious; making him laugh is a little difficult.
I opened the bag, already knowing what I'd find.
My favorite indain spicy snacks.
Advik had always bring them for me, ever since we were kids.
But instead of smiling, I felt that familiar heaviness return.
This safety.
This protection.
It felt more like a cage than comfort.
Cat Queen and I had breakfast together.
She didn't like the cat food at all—completely ignored it. She only drank the milk… and then started eyeing my food.
"You know this is pure Eggeterian ," I said, breaking off a piece of roti and offering it to her.
"Can you even eat this?"
She sniffed it… then ate it.
I stared in disbelief.
"So you like human food," I muttered. "Interesting."
The cat flicked her tail proudly.
And once again, I felt it—
Nothing in my life was normal anymore......The entire day passed in restless movement inside the room.
Sometimes I blushed, my mind replaying that kiss.
Sometimes embarrassment washed over me—how would I face him again?
And sometimes anger followed—because none of it made sense in real life.
I didn't even know what was real anymore.
I packed my backpack and shifted to the other hotel with Advik. Before leaving, I wanted to meet Meera one last time, but she wasn't anywhere to be found.
Advik was about to leave me when I stopped him.
"You still have time," I said casually.
"Uncle and aunty's flight isn't for a while, right?"
"I want to go to the mall… just a little shopping," I added, putting on my most dramatic expression.
"Please," I said softly. "No one will know. You managed my arrival so well too, remember?"
"Please!"
He sighed quietly.
"Fine," he said at last. "But you'll stay with me. No wandering off."
"Promise!" I said quickly, grabbing his hand in excitement. "Let's go."
He hesitated for a moment, and I realized—
I released his hand at once.
That evening, we stepped out to see Moscow wrapped in soft lights. The city looked calmer, almost gentle. At the mall, I browsed slowly—scarves, gloves, small souvenirs—while Advik watched everything with his usual seriousness.
When it came to food, he tasted everything first before letting me eat, as if it were his duty. I rolled my eyes, but secretly, it made me smile.
The bodyguards followed at a careful distance—not close enough to suffocate, not far enough to disappear.
For a little while, under the glowing Moscow sky, I felt almost normal.
Almost free.
We returned later that evening. I had bought milk and a few biscuits for Cat Queen. As the day slowly came to an end, my heartbeat began to feel heavier—uneasy, restless—because of what had happened the night before.
What would happen after that…?
I wore my favourite Indian dress —blue frock.
I even applied perfume… and placed a small black bindi on my forehead.
[A bindi is a decorative dot worn on the forehead that enhances traditional Indian beauty and completes the ethnic look.]
For some reason, my heart felt restless—
I had just finished making my bed and was about to sleep
when suddenly, there was a knock on the door.
Who could it be at this hour?
Lost in thought, I opened the door—
"Rimjhim!"
I hugged her tightly.
Rimjhim: "I knew you'd come! But you've outdone yourself—traveling alone for the first time in twelve years. That's incredible!"
Then she pulled back, eyeing my outfit with a grin.
"And what's this? An Indian traditional Anarkali (A long traditional gown)? "
" Planning to go on a date or something?"
I scoffed.
"Oh please… you're the one who suddenly posted wedding pictures and vanished."
She laughed lightly.
"You know Papa can't really pressure me. The guy's a tennis player—and honestly, he's good. Well, anyways, Mom finally convinced Papa… now the wedding is happening anyway."
Then her expression softened.
"Will you make a wedding canvas for me? Something completely different—unique, in your style."
"A wedding canvas?" I blinked.
"Do you have pictures? Send them to me. I'll try."
"Thank you!" she said quickly.
"I should go now. Mom and Dad's flight was late, so I thought I'd stop by and tell you," and turned to leave.
"Hey, wait—send me the pictures—" I called her.
"Just take them from my social media," she called back as she rushed away.
I sighed, watching her disappear.
Honestly…
that girl is nothing less than a storm—
fast, overwhelming, and unstoppable.
To Be Continued…