The hospital room was still once more, this time not with fear—but with thought.
Vaishnavi sat near the window, her bandaged arm draped peacefully across her lap. Her silver eyes gazed up toward the sky. It had been days now since her crash, and she had spent most of that time quietly watching the odd, cacophonous planet known as Earth—and the boy Sakthi.
He was different from anyone she had ever encountered on Gravitas.
Nice, kind. and achingly human.
Sakthi, in the other corner of the room, kept glancing at his phone, having a faraway look on his face. The school memories, loneliness, and the day he discovered her still lingered in his heart. But her presence had weakened his nights somehow. Even when there was no word spoken, she gave him something he didn't even realize he was missing.
Then, taking a deep breath, he stepped over to the nurse counter.
"Doctor. is she ready for discharge?"
The old doctor pushed his glasses up, glanced at the latest reports, and then shook his head gently.
"Her wounds are still deep. Not fatal, but she requires care. Rest. Someone to monitor her."
Then, with a conspiratorial smile, he said, "Take care of your girl."
Sakthi blinked.
"My. my what?"
Vaishnavi, who had overheard from the bed, turned hastily, her face slightly flushed. "G-Girl!?" she muttered under her breath, turning away.
Sakthi rubbed the back of his head nervously. Was this happiness he felt? Or embarrassment?
Maybe. both?
---
A Few Days Later…
Sakthi took her to his small house.
It was not royal—just a plain, worn-out house with rough paint and creaking floors. But it was quiet, secure, and full of small gestures of kindness. He prepared her food, assisted in cleaning her wounds, and granted her time even though he was curious about what she actually was.
Vaishnavi, on her part, observed him intently.
For a person with no friends, no wealth, and no influence. why did he appear more powerful than anyone she had ever encountered?
Every evening, they spoke. Of stars. Of solitude. Of loneliness and how people lie just to get by. And slowly, bit by bit, something warm and unsaid started to build.
Healing is never the ending of a tale.
One morning, she stood by the door, her silver locks neatly bound, her wounds healed.
"It's time for me to go," she said gently.
Sakthi gazed downward. "I see…"
There was silence.
Then, with a quiet smile, he said, "Be well, Princess."
She blinked. "How did you.?"
"I didn't. Just a sense."
They parted with no vows. No extravagant tears. Just a cumbersome silence that spoke volumes their hearts could not.
---
One Year Later.
The city's streets weren't different, but Sakthi was.
He walked a bit more confidently now, part-time employed, reading books, and living in quiet solitude. His scars were still there—but so were the lessons learned from them.
And then. fate turned over again.
It was a rainy afternoon close to the old railway station when he saw her.
Vaishnavi.
In school uniform. Human disguise. But unmistakable.
Their eyes locked.
For a moment, the world stood still.
But before either could speak, a group of rowdy boys stepped in front of them—laughing, pointing.
"Hey! What's this beauty doing with that guy?"
"Dark and ugly? Seriously, girl, you deserve better."
Sakthi stepped forward.
"Leave her alone."
One of them pushed him hard. Another swung a punch.
Vaishnavi's eyes widened as Sakthi hit the pavement, blood trickling from his lip.
Her heart pounded.
But before she could react—
FLASH.
A shining ring of light erupted under their feet. A mystical sigil lit up the air around them. Time stilled, wind wailed, and the world smeared.
In one blink, they were gone—thumped out of the site of suffering.
And into the unknown.
---
To be continued.