The morning was early, busy and somehow chaotic with all the arrangements and preparations for the evening event. Whole estate being crowded with servants working and roaming constantly.
Tara didn't feel like to step out of her chamber, not even joining for the breakfast.
Laying on her bed, in comfort of the soft mattress, Tara remained so, silently staring the roof above.
As time passed by, why did she feel like things were getting out of her hands?!
As though, things were getting more messy, even being unable to be handled?!
Her thoughts taking a halt when the door was knocked by, following Aryan who had come in with a plate held in hand.
Tara sat up slowly, giving him some space to sit.
"Goodmorning!" He greeted with a smile.
"Morning!" She forced a smile, staring at the plate with a brow raised. "Didn't I inform I had no interest in the breakfast already?"
Aryan shrugged, "You did, but you see, I turned out to be a little stubborn!!"
"You have it or I'm gonna make you have it!!"
Tara chuckled, taking the plate from his hands. Deciding to silently have it rather arguing over it. She had the least patience for any more arguments.
Aryan watched her eat in silence for sometime.
Half of her plate finishing and she finally lost interest, the spoon she held tracing invisible routes on the plate. "Did you eat?" She asked with her head still down.
Aryan provided a shook, "I'll eat once you're done!!"
She looked up at him, his hazel eyes, as usual, fixed on her. A sigh escaped Tara, "I'm...sorry for my behaviour yesterday!!"
Aryan frowned for a second before with a smile taking over the plate from her hands, holding out his hand with the spoonful of meal, asking her to eat.
Tara watched him in silence, she was speaking about something and he choose to feed her? Won't he....speak about it anymore?
With a deep breath, she leaned in accepting his offer, though she had no interest to eat.
Aryan looked down at the plate while mixing the meal as though it wasn't done already, "Your instant reaction over something unexpected or dangerous, has always been the same, Tara," he smiled faintly, holding up the spoon again.
Tara's emerald eyes somehow shining in wonderment as she took the bit again. Waiting for him to complete.
"-pushing me away!" He chuckled.
She remained silent, feeling the hurt in his statement and smile. Knowing it didn't go well with him somehow.
"Group attack, you pushed me away. Poison attack, you pushed me away. And even now," he looked up with a faint smile, "you are pushing me away!!"
Her heart clenching at his expressed feelings which felt like.... allegations. Immediately making her look away.
Aryan with a shook gazed down briefly, this time having a spoonful of meal for himself, "Is it to protect me? To keep me safe?"
"I understand!"
"However...." Aryan looked away as well with a sigh, both looking away from each other, into the emptiness which perhaps..... was present within them as well, "why is that you don't understand?"
"That....it burdens me?"
"Why is it.....only you trying to protect me? Always?!"
Tara looked back with a frown, tears swirling in her eyes.
Aryan chuckled again, staring back at her now, "Is it you thinking I'm not capable of it?"
"To protect myself and you? To protect...us?" A mean smile escaping him, "I don't understand!!" his words like a stab at her heart.
"Aryan-" Tara whispered.
"I think it should be even Tara! You cannot say it, I cannot promise!!"
Aryan said, getting up.
Offering her the glass of water, reserved for her on the table beside.
Tara's gaze unwaveringly settling on him as she accepted the water.
Aryan wiped her water-stained lips with his bare fingers, his gaze never leaving hers, "When we cannot align, it's better to walk in our respective paths, all by ourselves!!"
"Let us stick to our words respectively!!" Aryan said as he placed back the glass on the table, looking at her for one last time before attempting to leave.
Tara held his hand almost immediately, a tear streaming down her cheek.
Aryan stood there in silence, the silence which almost had began to suffer them.
With a deep breath, he turned back to face her.
"Is this...a miscommunication we are having?" She asked broken, "Can we just fix it?!"
Aryan with a smile leaned down, placing a gentle kiss on her head, "Grandpa and grandma wouldn't like to see you this way!"
"At least not today!!" He whispered, wiping away her tears, getting up straight.
"Get your mood alright Tara!!" He suggested with a tap on her hand that held his, before letting it go. Letting himself free.
Tara watched him leave, the door closing behind shortly.
She brokedown with a cry, covering her face, "How can I make you understand Aryan?"
"That... I can never forgive myself for whatever that may happen to you?!"
Aryan who had shut the door with a heavy heart, leaned against it, feeling shattered.
His closed eyes passing down those held back tears freely now.
"And how did you assume I could forgive myself for not helping you even with the potential to do so, Tara?!" his question hanging like a whisper in the silence.
And there, in silence, they cried, for each other, in each other's absence.
Amidst all the chaos, the two souls craving for something called peace.
************
The evening sky was adorned with the still bidding farewell of the sun along with slow arrival of the full moon.
The estate glowing in shining lights, its white walls shimmering with golden lights.
The environment filled with constant arrival of guests, chatters and laughters swaying along with the air.
Aryan along with Mr.Aman, stood at the entrance of the royal hall, greeting all the guests, pleasing them with welcoming gifts. However, Aryan silently looked forward for Tara's arrival, wondering why wasn't she present yet?!
And while he awaited his lady's presence, Aarohi arrived.
Dressed in a rich green frabic, the lahenga embroidered with shiny silver threads and shimmering stones. Her hair left open in curls, which gently caressed her collarbone with every step taken. Her silver, heavy earings and nose piercing, a standing representation of her divine beauty.
Aryan greeted her with a smile, taking the invitation card from her for only the invited people were allowed, while offering a handshake which she with a smile accepted. "We are pleasant to have your presence, Miss Carl!"
Aarohi smiled, "Thank you for the invite!!" her silver bangles echoing along the handshake.
"You are breathtakingly beautiful!!" Aryan commented.
Aarohi could only smile for that, "A compliment from such a handsome gentleman is my pleasure for sure."
Aryan laughed, "Please, suit yourself!!" he said offering her the welcoming gift, asking Aman to take over the job.
"This way, mam." Aman gently guided her, to the reserved table.
Aarohi could feel the joyous environment welcoming her, however, her gaze was busy enough to shove it way, while in search of Deep.
Hearing over the conversation from her room, she knew, Vinson would be here too, and if he did, then.... Deep will as well.
Settling into the seat after thanking Aman for guiding her, her heart started to pump faster and faster.
Done with the welcoming of guests, Aryan recher Aarohi, tapping on the table twice with a smile, "Feeling bored?!"
Aarohi shrugged with a fake smile.
Aryan joined her, sitting across her, "I hope my company might be a little entertaining at least."
Aarohi this time, genuinely smiled, however wondering; "Where's....Tara?!"
Aryan shrugged with a pout, "I wonder the same!!", his gaze again searching for her.
"Oh, there she is!!" Aarohi's statement making him turn back.
Taking in the look of her finally.
Tara stood at distance, dressed in bright lavender lahenga. Wearing the shining diamond jewellery set her grandmother gifted. Her hair perfectly braided and decorated. A suiting purple long net shiny cloth perfectly attached to her hair behind, flowing down in waves.
"Tara looks bewitching!! Just like a princess straight out of a fairytale!!" Aarohi exclaimed.
Aryan nodded in acceptance, still being unable to look away from her.
And they watched her stepping towards them, her skirt swaying along with her elegant steps as she reached them, taking her seat beside Aarohi.
"Good evening, glad to have you here!!" Tara greeted Aarohi.
Aarohi smiled, holding her hand briefly, "Good evening."
Tara smiled, her gaze finally settling on Aryan, who kept watching her in silence.
Only their eyes conversating, in silence. Words not even daring to show up.
With a sigh, Tara looked away, waiting for her grandparents and her uncle and aunt whom she invited, to arrive.
Aryan looked down at his hands briefly, staring at the entrance now, awaiting his grandparents presence.
The awkward silence between them being completely unnoticed by Aarohi for her eyes were in search of something else.
And finally, the one everyone were waiting for arrived, with a grand welcome. The men at the entrance announcing the royal appearance clear and loud, vanishing all the chatter in a second.
Everyone standing and bowing in respect.
And they watched the king and queen walk in grace towards their respective thrones at the end of the wide hall, showcasing the superiority to the extent.