"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.
Tara's heart raced as Aryan's lips met hers, a soft and reassuring touch that conveyed more than words ever could.
As he slowly slightly pulled himself away, his gaze falling straight into hers, Aryan caressed her cheek. "Haven't you loved me, you would have instantly choosen Tara, but you didn't!"
"Because you love me, just like how you love your parents!"
Another caress from him, her heart pumped as anything but stable.
"You couldn't choose, cause you love us! And so, you wouldn't compromise!!" He said tucking her hair strands behind, "And moreover Tara," his hands cupping her face now, as if to let his words sink into her, deeply and completely, "I said I loved you, and that comes with everything of and about you!!"
"Including your decisions!!" Aryan added steadily, planting a soft kiss against her forehead.
A smile took over her, realising how blessed she was to have this man in her life. Her hands reaching for his face, cupping it. Making his hands retreat which immediately found its place back, resting against her waist.
Tara leaned in, kissing on his left cheek, whispering a "Thank you Aryan, for..... trusting in me!!", briefly pulling herself back just to have that one moment of eye contact, before reaching for the other side, kissing on his right cheek, "For.... understanding me!!"
Another kiss on his forehead, "For coming into my life!!"
Tara pushed herself away, with a tear streaming down her eye, "I'm sorry!!" she whispered.
Aryan gently placed a finger on her lips, shaking his head in reassurance, kissing her wet cheek.
A moment of silence taking over them while their faces remained close, noses colliding, until finally Aryan kissed her again.
This time, Tara kissing him back.
A kiss; so tender and passionate.
In that fleeting yet powerful moment, she felt his love pour into her, dispelling her doubts like a gentle breeze clearing away fog. It wasn't just a kiss; it was a promise, an affirmation that his feelings for her were steadfast and unwavering.
As they parted, Tara's eyes fluttered open, meeting Aryan's gaze filled with understanding and compassion. There was no need for further words; his kiss had spoken volumes. She realized then, amidst the turmoil of their responsibilities and the weight of their choices, that love was the anchor they both needed.
Tara smiled, an act which was reflected on his face, her hands reaching for his.
And they sat in silence, hands intertwined, finding solace in each other's presence under the moonlit sky.
Her head slowly falling onto his shoulder, an affectionate smile escaping him for he kissed her on the head.
That night, they didn't go back to their chambers, they had just been there in the garden, in the peace of each other's presence.
************
The early morning, Aarohi woke up to a horrible dream, a terrifying outcome of her situation and all those deeply felt fears, portraying themselves into a nightmare.
Her body sweating, her breath unstable.
With a sigh, she fell back against the bed wall, her heart still pumping faster at her nightmare.
She could still feel those chills in her spine, what if her .... nightmare comes true?!
Aarohi shook her head at the thought alone in fear. Her hand resting on her ring, remembering her man.
"Oh Deep, what did you involve yourself and me in??"
A sigh escaping her as she caressed her ring, she won't let him suffer.
She knew he is being blackmailed, and whatever the hurt he is ought to make which he probably wouldn't want to, she will save it!!
Aarohi adjusted her hair, taking a motivational inhale.
Getting off her bed, deciding to freshen up.
************
Deep watched Vinson leave early in the morning, probably ignorant to his questions. Leaving him all alone!
Oh, who wished for him to stay back though?!
He bit back his own thoughts, a chuckle escaping.
It's just that, his absence only bothered him more, worry more about the uncertain thoughts and actions.
He sat back on the bed in silence after the restless roaming around the room.
He didn't know what he was doing, the uncertainty killing him.
His hand reaching out for his bracelet, remembering the moment when Aarohi gifted him it.
Recalling the moment when he was careless enough to lose his bracelet.
'We might often find back things we lost Deep! But it's difficult to find ourselves once we lose each other!!' Aarohi's expression of disappointment that moment, still seems to hurt him. In all of this mess he had himself, he....ignored her.
'I have every possible reason to be!!' Her reply back then to his question; 'You fear?', still a sting at his heart!
"I miss you, Aru!!" Deep whispered low, caressing the bracelet, "Will you.... forgive me?" He softly asked himself, "Forgive me for treating you the way you don't deserve?!"
He shut his eyes briefly, "I'm sorry!!"
With a sigh he looked up briefly as in search of that needed hope before looking down away, he needs to solve this!!
Is there any way to find where Tara's parents were now?!
With a sudden change, he got up on his feet, checking Vinson's luggage, eagerly awaiting for anything useful, needful!! A thing, a piece of information, something and anything!!
He messed up that man's luggage, however ended up with nothing!!
A defeated sigh escaping him, his chest rising up and down with the exercise done.
Having nothing to do, he fell back on the bed, holding his head. His forehead sweating.
"God, please help me!!" He whispered low, praying for the better, "I need you!!"
"Please .....help me!"
************
Vinson stood along with the man; his boss, looking into the binocular, watching Deep do every possible thing to go against them.
A chuckle escaped Vinson, "The man is wasting his energy!!"
"Unnecessarily!!" He added.
His boss smirked, Vinson however laughed, "It's interesting to watch the view though!!"
His boss inhaled deep, raising his hand, slightly turning away the binocular towards right. Letting the man watch Aarohi.
Vinson watched Aarohi hurrily leave her room. He wondered, "Where is she running to?"
"Probably to do something from our interests!!" His boss expressed with a chuckle.
************
Aarohi stood infront of the estate, for a minute admiring its perfect infrastructure. Her hand's grip over the handbag slightly tightened.
A momentary step back at thoughts being considered. Will this help them or create more of a mess?!
"Whom are you here for, miss?" The guard's voice snapped her back into reality, the man who watched her for minutes couldn't help but ask her.
"For....Miss Tara Nethin!!" She answered with the unnoticed courage.
The guard seemed to halt for a second, "You mean, Princess Tara?!"
Aarohi felt a new for that! Princess!!
She gave a nod.
"Who are you and for what purpose do you wish to meet her highness, lady?"
Aarohi as though still reconsidering her thoughts, took a pause before responding. "It's Aarohi Carl, and I just am here to have a meet with Tara. She knows me, you can worry less and let me in!!"
The guard watched her for a moment, contemplating whether to allow her or not, and finally by the way how she addressed her highness, assuming the lady was close to her highness, he went to inform first out of his duty, suggesting the lady to wait for a while.
************
Tara was seated in the garden, having her morning cup of tea, while she knew Aryan was away checking the invitation cards.
Aman reached with a bow, "Greetings for her highness!!"
Tara smiled, "Goodmorning Mr.Aman, what's the matter?!"
"Someone is out wishing to meet you, princess!"
For her?
"Who is it?"
"A lady with the name Aarohi Carl. We could let her in if it is okay for you!!"
Aarohi?!
"You could!! She is family!"
Aman taken aback for a moment, provided another bow before leaving.
Tara sighed, having enough of this respect which is a bit too much to tolerate!!
However, Aarohi's presence wondered her. She is in Mathura as well?!
Moments later, Aman was back, welcoming Aarohi with a hand gesture. Tara immediately got on her feet reaching the lady for a hug.
A servant followed by the man placing the cup of tea on the table.
"It's a sudden surprise!!" Tara exclaimed pulling herself back.
Aarohi could just smile for that.
Aman took a bow again before leaving the ladies alone, offering them their private space.
"Come!!" Tara walked along with her to the table.
"It has become much more difficult to meet you now!!" Aarohi commented while settling in her seat.
"Has it?" Tara chuckled, settling back into her seat, a sigh escaping her.
"It's seems difficult to adapt, for me as well!!" Tara said to herself, with another sigh looking up at her with a smile, "Sorry for any discomfort you had to experience!"
Aarohi smiled back, waving it away!
"Happy to see you here, Aarohi!!"
"Please, have it!!" Tara gestures towards the cup.
Aarohi offered a faint smile, taking the cup in her hands, slightly sipping the tea.
Her heart's beat paced up.
"So.....what brings you here?!"
Aarohi's grip over the cup slightly tightened, her gaze unstable before it settled on her.
With a deep breath, she placed back the cup onto the table, shifting in her seat.
Tara wondered what's making her feel tensed now.
"I have something to say you, Tara!!"
"And it's important!!"
A deep frown took over Tara's face. Trying to comprehend that seriousness on the lady's face.
Her suddenly appearing out of blue, from Mumbai to Mathura, meeting her here and now having, actually beginning, a conversation this way. This somehow bothered Tara.
"Is..... everything okay with you, Aarohi?"
"Anything..... bothering you?"
Aarohi remained silent, still unable to communicate properly. Her fastly pumping heart making it even more difficult for her to speak, as if a grave of her words built up in her throat.
Tara couldn't understand her silence. Hesitated, she asked; "Is there ... anything I could help you with?!"
Aarohi sighed hard, "You are in problem Tara!!"
Tara didn't understand, "I didn't....get it!!"
"It's you who is in problem and needs help!! You are being followed by, every moment and your parents are still alive and prisoned!!!" Aarohi vomited all her stuck words at once with her eyes tightly shut.
Throwing Tara into a pit of silence!!
Deafening silence carried away.
Aarohi felt her breath getting heavy, intolerant towards the silence, she dared to open her eyes slowly.
Having Tara looking straight at her. Unable to read her expression or understand the thoughts processing in her head as an impact of her confession, Aarohi tensed.
"Tara....?"
"Who is it?!" Tara finally questioned.
"I believe you know who's been following me if you have known I was being followed!! Right?!"
"Who's it, Aarohi?!" Tara asked with a stern voice, leaning forward.
A moment of silent stare carried away, everything feeling at pause until Aarohi spoke up, Tara's eyes widening at her response; "It's Deep!!"