Chapter 16- Not your typical Diwali

Back at the mansion, Raj had called for every worker to return and they were now gathered at the main hall waiting for his next instruction.

"There is no use now. She has Augustin with her. If she wants to leave, let her leave. I'm not the one to force anyone… I'll just pretend I only had one daughter!"

These words brought a sense of sorry and guilt over the workers for not have been a slight bit more careful. But nobody knew she would make such a move… not even Tanvi.

…

"What are you all waiting for? Daniels, Smith, I believe your shifts are over. The rest of you go back to your rooms. See you in the morning."

"Yes Mr Krishna."

After the workers dispersed into different directions, Raj slowly takes a seat on the sofa with his head leaning downwards.

He never even dreamt that his daughter would make such a decision. He was scared for her future. What if she suffers like her mother?

Raj couldn't care for his lost cash. In fact, he was worried that she would run out soon and would have wanted her to take more. He was starting to understand why Archie would do such a thing. It was something he expected but was unexpected. If that makes sense.

Finally, as Raj was starting to fall asleep on the sofa, Tanvi slowly walks beside him and nudges his shoulder.

"Father, go sleep in your room."

Raj struggles to open his eyes before standing up and leaving, not giving his face to Tanvi.

~

It was now 7 am.

Raj had taken a leave from his work and Tanvi had left to her dance lessons.

The sun was shining brightly outside but Raj couldn't see as he was sitting on the floor of the secret room, looking over albums and small ornaments of his past which held such significance. It had been years since he came to this room, as he tried his level best to not dwell on his past and instead, work hard to provide a better future for his daughters… a future different than that of his past.

As he walked down to the dining area, he felt silence. The chef looked up from the stove in sorry and watches Raj who slowly sits down at the table.

He felt as though his world had fallen apart. As if his old joy and strength had washed away within a minute. The mansion sat in a dreadful silence. It had become a haunted house which was only home to the memories of the Krishna's.

~

Back in the jeep, Archie was fast asleep but Augustin was driving. He would check on Archie once in a while as he wanted her to keep him company. Laughing and cracking jokes. If it felt this lonely when she slept, he wondered of the state of the mansion now that Archie had left completely. He almost regretted it, but he knew it had to be done.

"Are we nearly there?"

"You're awake?"

"Yeah..."

"Just five more hours."

Archie groans in annoyance.

Facing back to the window, she saw views that she had only seen on books. Green land. Cows and horses.

She started to wonder what was happening at the mansion, although whatever the case, she wanted her father to be fine.

Archie and Augustin were now past the awkward stage of acquaintances. They were comfortable with each other as they had journeyed in the same car for almost 9 hours with only each other to keep company.

After a few minutes, the jeep came to a stop in front of a large restaurant. It was very beautiful, almost like a greenhouse with plants and flowers emerging through the windows.

"Very appealing… I like the white and green contrast."

"Me too."

They entered into the building which smelt like fresh coffee. It was a beautiful feeling to be independent and dream of your future and career, exploring the world which had been forcefully hidden from you.

A few minutes went by before the waiter brought their food to the table. Archie was only used to South Indian dishes but she was willing to try different things.

"So what's your plan once we reach San Diego?"

"I'm going to apply to law school."

"You do realise they will ask for your fathers details right?"

"Yes. They won't question me if I said I was the daughter of Raja Krishna, the famous business man."

"I think they might." Augustin scorns before looking to the ceiling and taking a sip of his coffee when suddenly he freezes.

Archie sits in confusion as Augustin puts his coffee down, not taking his eyes of the ceiling. He slowly emerges from his seat before running out the door, hardly getting a grip on his feet.

The customers in the shop stare questioningly at Archie who is just as clueless as them.

'Did he just abandon me in the middle of nowhere?' Archie thought while taking a sip of her coffee, looking straight ahead, trying not to seem paranoid. A few moments pass before the door slowly opens and Augustin's head can be seen peeking, still looking at the ceiling above Archie's head.

Again in confusion, Archie whispers

"What…"

Augustin gestures to the ceiling which is followed by Archie's eyes.

And there it was, a spider. Looking gleefully at his web.

Without a word, Archie gets up from her seat and hands the money to the cashier before walking out the door and sitting in the jeep without uttering a word to Augustin.

"I can't believe you are the person I chose from all the workers to help me escape from the mansion. Pfft… Running away from a spider it seems." Archie teases as Augustin sits beside her in the driver's seat.

"You won't understand." Augustin says before turning the key and continuing back in their journey.

~

A few hours later, it was 12:30 pm. Augustin parked the jeep beside the hotel before taking the suitcases inside, followed by Archie.

The person behind the register hands Augustin the key to the room as she scans Archie up and down before whispering to the others behind the desk. I mean, it was the daughter of Raja Krishna who none had never seen other than from the photos on the internet. Who wouldn't want to gossip a little? But nevertheless, Archie paid no attention to her and responded with just a smile before following Augustin up the stairs.

The room was luxurious, the afternoon sunlight making its way through every window of the room. Throwing her handbag onto the couch, she explored around, feeling her mind at such unexplainable ease. There were two bedrooms, a lavish hall and beautiful, marble kitchen to their service. Without exchanging a word, the two walk to their rooms and have the most relaxing nap they had ever had, tired from the 13-hour journey they had just completed. They had finally reached Illinois… now they were really getting somewhere.