************
With a loud gasp, Tara shot her eyes open, the pain in her chest slowly easing, her gaze sharp, the emerald in her eyes now glowing in pure green, reflecting the stone.
With another gasp heard; Aryan shot his eyes open, his heartbeat still racing somehow. With an effort for a stable breath, his gaze shifted towards Tara almost immediately, her eyes now settling on him.
A moment of mysterious silence carried away with them staring eachother calmy, blood slowly streaming down his eye and her nostril, at once. Yet, they were calm, as if they were enchanted by something unknown only they knew about, before Tara offered her hand in silence, which Aryan gently accepted.
The hold emanating the divine light as they both began to glow in the shower of green rays.
Surprisingly turning Aryan's eyes into green.
Time felt at pause until the light suddenly began to fade, their eyes turning back to normal.
As if a magical snap which brought them out of a spell, they looked around the atmosphere, until finally looking back at each other.
Taken aback by the view, their hands instantly ascending to wipe away the blood on their faces each. Her hand caressing his cheek while his hand descended already. Her eyes not leaving his, while Aryan looking away for his grandparents. "What .... happened? Did it work?!"
Tara didn't care to hear anything, she just kept staring at the man ahead. So that was all an illusion?!
Aryan who by now had already understood that fact of everything he had seen and experienced being an illusion, just awaited for the answer.
The old couple exchanged a brief look before Adhrit cleared his voice, "Just like your parents, you both are the chosen descendants!!" he declared.
Aryan's heart skipped a beat, "About....our suffering?!"
"It's no more a suffering child, instead your strength!!" Arya assured.
"You can use your unique powers as your wish and on will from now!" Adhrit announced, "Without any restrictions and misery!!" he added.
Aryan's hold on Tara's hand tightened, a sigh escaping him, "That's....a relief!!" A tear escaping his eye.
The tear which Tara immediately wiped away, his gaze travelling back to her.
"We finally found the solution Tara!!" Aryan gently whispered, "As you said!"
Tara smiled, finally turning her gaze towards her grandparents, "Thank you for helping us!!"
Adhrit gave out a gentle shook, embracing them for a moment, his hand caressing Tara's head, "Take your oath of responsibility children," he guided, "in witness of the Bhishajyavathi Mani, promise to live a life to protect it!! In all of the circumstances!!"
Tara exchanged an understanding look with Aryan, before they carried out the act.
Taking up the responsibility as the descendants of the Singhanias, the protectors of the legendary green stone, Bhishajyavathi!!
************
In the darkness, there was the man behind the misery, seated leisurely on the couch. Having the last sip of his juice, the man stretched his hands getting up. Adjusting his coat, he walked towards the balcony, his face finally getting revealed in the glow of moonlight, his eyes glimmering in sinister purple. A smirk taking over him as he looked at the scene through the binocular, the view of Aarohi's constant tensed walk around the room, her biting her nails evident with her unstable mind. Just as he turned the binocular slightly left, he watched Deep helplessly staring into the emptiness, towards the estate, standing in the balcony of the another room, just besides to the one of Aarohi's.
None of them had sleep, Deep feeling helpless and hopeless, Aarohi feeling tensed at the uncertainty of the situation, and him, the man behind their misery, couldn't sleep out of happiness. The happiness to see them suffer this way.
Not an end for sure, just the beginning. Now, he just awaited for the lady's response, how would she react?!
It would sure be interesting to see!!
A sinister smile took over him!!
For, finally the play is getting into its serious mode. And now..... it's Tara's turn again, of course, to suffer!!
And that unnecessarily returned Aryan's!!
The time to achieve his goal, has finally arrived!!
************
Tara and Aryan were suggested to go back to their own chambers, by their grandparents, to rest. However both of them, upon trying, failed to feel at rest. Yes, their suffering was now solved, however not the problem. They were yet to discuss about the mysterious attacks on them, with the old couple.
Perhaps, they need to take it slow, one thing at a time?
Aryan remained in his chamber, looking out the sky through the window, somehow adoring the moon in silence. His hand holding the curtain for the leisurely support. Trees in the garden swayed along with the gentle breeze, allowing him the luxury of the fresh air.
And as his gaze lowered, it fell on the lady who was seated on the bench in silence. Her back facing to him yet he could guess who it was.
Why didn't Tara stay back in her chamber?!
As he watched her in silence, his fingers slightly squeezed the curtain, is she..... feeling alone?!
Is Tara upset about anything?!
The thought alone made him feel restless, urging him to reach her.
************
Tara who couldn't find any sleep let alone some rest, left her chamber, strolling around the lengthy empty halls, which seemed to be neverending. As she walked endless, she reached the door which was an exit-entrance to the garden. With a sigh and her hands folded behind, Tara walked into the garden feeling heavy, her gaze remaining low, as if coward enough to look up.
Once she reached the seating area, she just settled on that one wooden bench, her hands folded up in defence of the chilling air.
Tara couldn't forget the visions the stone made her see.
To choose between her parents and Aryan, she couldn't choose it.
The thought alone was suffocating, what if....there appears such situation in future?!
Her eyes shutting tightly, not even immune to have such imagination. Tears streaming down her closed eyes.
"Tara?" A soft masculine voice reached her, forcing her to open her eyes. Upon realising it's Aryan, she looked away briefly, wiping away her tears.
"Are you ....okay?" Aryan asked gently, sitting beside her.
She gave him a nod facing him.
"What's on mind?!" He asked again.
Tara with a deep breath, looked away, her palms rubbing her arms, "A lot!!"
Aryan nodded understandingly, looking away as well, "Can be shared?!"
Tara smiled faintly, remembering back the moment when she asked him the same, seeing if he could share his problem with her. With a sigh, she turned back to him, "Were you asked to choose as well?!" Tara asked instead.
Aryan took a pause, "So you were asked too?"
She nodded low. "What did it show you?!"
Aryan taking a deep breath expressed himself. "It showed me something..... precious!"
She watched him in wonderment, precious like what?!
"I had been able to see those unknown and unrealised memories of myself and my parents!!" Aryan answered to her unexpressed question.
"My parents were....such a sweet couple!!" He admitted out, with a sweet smile taking over his lips. "And ...." Aryan chuckled, "I was such a naughty kid!!" a shook escaping
him.
His smile genuinely was reflected on her face.
"And then," Aryan sighed looking down his hands briefly, "I was asked to save one!!"
"Save .....who?!" Tara asked with a curiously heavy heart.
"Myself or you!"
Her heart skipped a beat, so it was to choose between himself and her, to him?!
Tara secretly wished he had chosen himself over her, he.....had to! "And whom did you chose?"
Aryan smiled, "Who else would I choose?"
"Don't you dare prove my doubts right!!" She warned.
He chuckled, "I had chosen you Tara, and I would do it again if I were asked to again!!"
Tara felt speechless, he indeed....had chosen her!!
Over himself!!
He smiled, "Everything comes to me after you Tara, even if it's me!!"
"Only after you!!" He added.
Her eyes searched his, feeling stuck for a moment, "Are you ....sure?!"
Her sudden unexpected question puzzled him, a slight frown taking over his face while the smile still remained.
"You said.....you love me!!" Her gaze wavering, "But....are you sure I love you too?!"
"What do you mean?" Aryan chuckled, genuinely finding her suspection lame.
Tara shook her head in denial, as if disappointed at him for taking it as something funny, "I'm asking it for real!!"
"Are you sure that I love you? Cause I'm not sure!!"
His smile beginning to fade. "Tara?!"
"Yes, Aryan. I'm not sure for I couldn't choose you!!" She shouted it out somehow. Feeling somewhat disgusted, "Between you and my parents..." her voice getting heavy with emotions, "I didn't....choose any!!"
Her admission making her feel more of the guilty, her eyes immediately looking away, "I was coward enough to choose any one!!"
"I couldn't, I..... didn't!!"
She turned to him with a teary face now, her cheeks turning into red, "Are you sure now? Even after..... knowing that I didn't choose you when....you did choose me?!"
Aryan just watched her in silence, finally understanding the reason behind her getting suddenly upset.
"Are you .... really sure that I'm deserving enough for your love??" A broken Tara asked with a cry.
A silenced moment passed in between them, and Aryan provided his answer in silence instead with words. Her heart skipping a beat when he leaned in, kissing her on the lips, softly, gently, assuringly.