"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!!!"
The revelation wasn't just a revelation, it was a confirmation for Tara. An assurance about the accuracy of her vision.
But how did Aarohi know this? Only she and Aryan had a thought about it, but Aarohi?!
"Tara....?" Aarohi called her in whispers, the lady's silence worrying her.
"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!!"
De....Deep?!
Tara's heart sank at Aarohi's revelation. The mention of her brother was like a jolt to her system, each word echoing with the weight of unexpected truth.
And about Deep being in Mathura and not in London, only she knew about it!! How did Aarohi know it?!
Did she....suspect him? That can only be the reason but....did she even follow him? Suspecting then following??
And even then, why is she here, having this conversation with her??
There's something definitely going wrong in the background, the truth she didn't know!!
What is it?!
She looked at Aarohi, struggling to process the information.
"Deep?" Tara's voice trembled. She laughed nervously, "You... perhaps have got the..... wrong idea, Aarohi. It cannot be him!!"
"There's.....no wrong idea being consumed Tara, it's....him! Your brother!!"
Tara laughed at it helpless, not knowing what to do, "But why would he follow me?"
"He has no reason to!! He's my brother!! Your lover!!! Stop ....putting him in blame unnecessarily!"
Tara turned away with a sigh, "I don't see what you could gain by planting this discord between us siblings!"
Aarohi's face was filled with concern and worry for the lady beginning to suspect her intentions. "He's being blackmailed, Tara. They've threatened him with your parents' lives. That's why he's been forced into this dangerous game. He never meant to hurt you, I'm sure of it."
"And I would never try to establish a conflict between you both, neither would I like to see one happening!!"
"I'm just..... desperate! Desperate to change the situation, to....keep both of you safe!! Desperate to...do at least something after knowing the truth!!"
Tara's mind raced, trying to reconcile this new, troubling piece of information with her current reality.
Deep....was being blackmailed?
No, this cannot happen!!
She shook her head, "That might not be the truth, if it is, he would have told me! He would have...."
"He cannot Tara!!" Aarohi gave a reality check. "He....has seen you mourning for your parents!! He knows how much their presence means in your life!! He is just.... trying to save them for....he has an opportunity to do so. All he wishes for.... is your happiness!!"
Aarohi looking down at her hands, "He....is way afar for even caring for himself!!"
Aarohi's voice lessening into a whisper, "He is struggling, helplessly! It might be.... suffocating for him!" a drop of tear falling down her eye onto her knuckles.
"He's trapped," Aarohi said gently. "He's trying to protect you and keep the situation under control, but he needs help. He's in too deep and can't manage it alone."
Tara watched Aarohi in silence. Her seriousness for a moment pausing her. So, it is true?
Never had she thought that Deep was here to follow her, when her bodyguard informed her about the lie in his information about his business trip.
Blackmailed?
For.....what?!
She took a deep breath, "Does he....know that you are aware about this issue?!"
Aarohi slowly looked up, a slight shake of head escaping her, more tears streaming down her eyes. "He doesn't."
Tara sighed, "Deep.... wouldn't like your involvement in this issue!" She shook her head at herself, standing up from her seat, "You are here to inform me about this ahead! That's something.... thankful!!"
Aarohi as well standing up, staring the woman in silence while her wet cheeks went unnoticed.
"But you need to leave Aarohi!!" Tara suggested.
A frown took over Aarohi's face, "Tara?"
Tara sighed low, "Aarohi, I.... understand you!! This is something very serious, we don't know who the enemy is, why is he blackmailing and for what. And....why was Deep specifically chosen! It's..... it's seemingly a trap!!"
"My family....we....are already into this! We wouldn't like you to be involved in this problem as well!"
"I will find a solution, I will!! Deep will be safe!! I promise!!"
"Now please...go back!!" Tara requested.
Aarohi's hold on her handbag's strip slightly tightened, feeling isolated and disowned by her statement. Her family! Wasn't she... considered one too?! Wiping away her tears, Aarohi inhaled, "Deep's wish is to save you and your parents, Tara. He is helpless, and so I am here, trying to help him. But my wish is to have him safe as well!!"
"You promised Tara, I believe you'll be a responsible sibling considering Deep's safety!!"
Tara crossing the distance, hugged the lady, tapping her shoulder, assuring her in silence.
"Miss Carl?!" A masculine voice halted them, Tara pushing herself away from the lady, having Aryan's presence all of a sudden.
Aarohi tucking her hair strands behind the ear, forced a smile, "Goodmorning, Mr.Waqt!"
Aryan reached her with a smile, offering a handshake, while the bunch of invitation cards remained in his other hand.
Aarohi accepting the offer, shoke her hand with the man.
"Your presence is surprising." Aryan genuinely smiled, a smile unknown to their fears and worries.
"Good to see you too! Hearing about the family reunion made me glad!"
Aryan smiled, "It sure is something to be happy for!! To have the family you always have desired for but never had!"
Tara felt the misery behind his smile, for she knew that pain!!
Aarohi could as well understand the pain behind his smile. As an orphan, wasn't she also the one once, who had always wished and prayed for a family?
"And so, we are throwing a party tomorrow evening!!"
"We would love to have your presence in our celebrations!!"
"Deep cannot join us due to his business trip. With both Tara and Deep's absence, it might be difficult for Mr&Mrs.Nethin to handle the business!"
Aryan sighed, "So....on behalf of Deep and his family, would you like to join the party miss Carl?!" requesting with a sweet smile.
Aarohi halted, on behalf of Deep and his family?
"Would that be...okay?!" Aarohi wondered.
Aryan nodded, "Of course! Despite not being officially introduced, you are family as well!! Aren't you?!"
Aarohi smiled, to see the man considering her as their family as well, she could only feel happy!! Genuinely happy!!
However, she watched Tara, who now offered a smile, silently asking her to accept the offer.
With a moment of thought, Aarohi provided a nod, "I would love to join the celebration!!"
Aryan smiled excited, immediately taking out a pen from his pocket and writing Aarohi's name on one of the invitation cards, before offering it to her.
Aarohi took the card, "I will take a leave now."
"Why won't you stay back for the breakfast? We could introduce you to our grandparents!"
"And then....take a stroll around the estate?!"
Aarohi gave a shook of head, "I fear not having enough time, I came here for a client and she's waiting for me. It's just that I wanted to meet you both after hearing the reunion news. I need to go!"
"If that's the case...." Aryan who pondered over it, sighed, "alright. At least, let us offer you a ride. We can drop you!"
Aarohi immediately denied for, she had....no client.
Though Aryan insisted, Aarohi denied completely.
As she was about to leave, Aman arrived with a wooden basket of delicacies cleanly wrapped with a decent cloth. Offering her the basket, "We have a ritual of sending off our guests with something offered, Miss Carl. And princess mentioned you are family, it would only be in our pleasure if we could make you happy somehow. Please accept our handmade delicacies, I'm sure you will love it!!"
Aarohi watched Tara for a second before with a smile accepting the basket.
Leaving them with a goodbye.
Tara watched her leave in silence, a sigh escaping her. She needs to handle the situation with care now.
Her enemy, what is he....wishing to get??
What is he aiming for exactly?!