Page 124 of Wicked Trap

“You can cry all over me at the hospital, princess. Let’s get out of here.”

She laughed at his arrogant statement. But she understood his need to get away. He didn’t want his mother to come across the man who killed his father.

Police cars had arrived and were surrounding the law office right then.

Tanvi followed Arjun and his mother into the helicopter.

She held Arjun’s hand. Even as the helicopter took off to the hospital where a team of doctors was waiting to monitor him, Tanvi didn’t let go of his hand. And neither did he loosen the grip on hers.

“I’ll never let you go, princess.”

Those words resonated deep in her mind and filled her heart.

EPILOGUE

Five years later...

“Thank you all for helping us reach the goal of planting a thousand trees in two days. With this drive, we are not only protecting our future, but also our present.”

Tanvi’s statement was followed by claps and cheers. She was hosting a voluntary event at the Palki Foundation. The event was to plant trees in the city’s parks and public areas. Volunteers consisted of not just environmentalists but also families living in the city, including many young children.

“Where were the saplings acquired, Miss Palki?” one of the reporters asked Tanvi.

Tanvi knew where the conversation was heading, but putting on a polite smile, she replied, “Most of our tree saplings are indigenous varieties from the Vardhaman Estate. We are grateful to the family for donating them and participating in the drive.”

The reporter’s eyes lit up. “Miss Palki, when will you be a part of that family? There are rumors that you and Mr. Aryan Varma have been engaged for the last five years. And that Parvathi Vardhaman is preparing for a wedding at the Vardhaman Mansion.”

Tanvi suppressed the urge to sigh out loud. She knew that despite the scandal being five years old, news channels and many people were still curious about the Vardhaman family, who after being presumed dead for many years had returned to the estate.

Tanvi continued to smile politely. “Today is about the plantation drive. We are happy that children of all ages have volunteered and shown interest to learn more about the environment.”

Games and fun activities had been organized during the plantation drive to make the event more exciting for the young ones.

“Miss Palki. You have often been spotted with Narmada and Sukanya Varma. Are they helping you shop for your wedding?”

The reporters stuck to the topic like a leech.

“They are my good friends who I meet often. They have helped me with the organization of the current drive. As you could see, their young ones have also participated in the event.”

Tanvi waved at the little girl and boy who were Narmada’s four-year-old daughter and Sukanya’s three-year-old son.

Before the reporters could ask any other personal questions, she got up with a smile. “Thank you all for coming. All of us had a long day, especially the children who must be tired. We’ll see you at the next event that is a month away. ”

Using that excuse, she stepped down from the makeshift stage.

Although publicity for events with good causes was good, she drew a line at discussing her private life. Once again, she thanked the organizers and volunteers of the event before they all began to leave. She waved them goodbye, adding a few kisses to the little munchkins.

“Bye, auntee Tanvii!”

Tanvi smiled and blew a kiss at Narmada’s four-year-old daughter, Netra. “Bye, sweetie.”

Sukanya’s three-year-old son, Rishaan, had already fallen asleep in his mother.

Tanvi smiled at her two friends who had been more like family for the last five years. “Thank you so much for coming,” she said.

Narmada and Sukanya were quite busy running their software and interior design businesses while taking care of their little ones. Tanvi really admired them, especially because the two women were sweet and always ready to help.

“Oh, come on,” Narmada said with a smile. “No need to thank us. We enjoyed the plantation drive, especially Netra and Rishaan.”

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