Chapter 6 Matured

Chapter 6 : She's Obsessed

[NOCOPY]

TW: Mention of Violence, death, gory.

She found herself standing in a desolate courtyard, the moon hanging low in the sky. The air was thick with the metallic scent of blood. She glanced down at her hands-they were slick and stained, but she couldn't remember how they got that way.

Several men lay sprawled on the ground, their lifeless eyes staring up at her. Their faces were twisted in agony, mouths open in silent screams. Their clothes were shredded, revealing gashes and wounds that oozed crimson. Tara's heart pounded-their faces blurred between strangers and memories.

The first man had a dagger buried deep in his chest. His blood pooled around him, seeping into the cold marbled floor. Tara's own breath hitched as she imagined the blade piercing her own flesh.

The second man's throat had been slashed. His life force had sprayed across the courtyard like a gruesome fountain. Tara could almost taste the metallic tang on her tongue, feel the warmth of it against her skin.

And the third man was missing an arm. It lay a few feet away, fingers still twitching. His eyes bore into hers, accusing, pleading. She had done this to him, but she couldn't remember why.

As Tara stumbled backward she fell into a pool of blood and severed limbs, the walls of the courtyard seemed to close in on her. The frescoes that once told tales of love and bravery now depicted scenes of violence and betrayal. The anguished cries echoed off the stone.

She tried to run, but her legs betrayed her. The ground shifted, and she fell to her knees, her hands sinking into the blood-soaked earth. The moonlight intensified, casting elongated shadows that danced around her like vengeful spirits.

And then, from the darkness, a figure emerged-a hooded silhouette with eyes that glowed like dying embers. It whispered words she couldn't comprehend, its voice a blend of menace and sorrow.

"You cannot escape the consequences of your actions," it murmured. "You did this."

Tara woke up, gasping for air, her sheets tangled around her trembling body. Tears streamed down her cheeks, the nightmare felt too real.

Arjun sat upright, feeling uneasy in his chest.

"Is everything okay?" Roshni mumbled, half asleep.

"Yeah. I'll go for a little walk. Please sleep." He quickly gulped some water.

"Wake me up if there's anything," she pulled over the comforter.

Arjun stood in the doorway, a glimmer of light shone through the door. He frowned, Tara loved sleeping in complete darkness.

He walked over, hearing her faint cries and opened the door. Seeing her disheveled and trembling, he knew something was terribly wrong.

"Piyu," he said softly, crossing the room to sit beside her on the bed. "Another nightmare?"

Tara nodded, fresh tears streaming down her eyes. The vivid images still haunted her-the sword, the blood, the pain. She felt like she was losing her grip on reality.

Arjun wrapped an arm around her shoulders, pulling her close. "It's okay," he murmured. "You're safe here. It was just a dream."

"But it felt so real, bhaiya" Tara whispered. "I killed them all."

He sighed, wiping the tears away from her face. Killing Jhonny and his men must've been traumatic, it was her first time, after all. "It's okay Piyu, what you did was a part of your job. It's nothing personal."

"That palace and all those innocent eyes were pleading for mercy and yet I killed them." She mumbled.

"Palace?" Arjun frowned. "Piyu, what did you see?"

"The same palace that I always see. But this time there were like hundred people dead."

"Remember what ajji used to say? Dreams are like messages from our subconscious. Maybe it's trying to tell you something."

Tara leaned into his comforting presence. "Feels like a warning."

Arjun chuckled softly. "Then consider it a warning to take care of yourself. You've been working too hard lately. Maybe it's time to slow down, relax, and let go of some of that stress."

She nodded. "Yes, bhaiya."

He squeezed her hand. "Now, close your eyes. I'll be here until you fall asleep."

Tara closed her eyes, feeling the warmth of her brother's presence. Arjun softly hummed a lullaby their mother sang for them, gently patting her head.

Are you sure she was not abused? Dhruv had asked him.

Arjun felt uneasy. Of course not. Why are you saying so?

There are some bruises and scars. They're quite old but just thought you might know about it.

Don't worry doctor, we get into physical fights with the criminals, it must be those and maybe some injuries from training sessions.

I hope it's just that. But what about these recurring nightmares? Arjun thought.

🌠⋋✿ ⁰ • ⁰ ✿⋌🌌

The next morning, as sunlight filtered through the curtains, Arjun sat across from Tara at the breakfast table. He sipped his tea, choosing his words carefully.

"Piyu," he began, "slept well?"

She nodded, placing the paratha on her plate.

"I've been thinking about your nightmares. They've been haunting you for years now. Maybe we should try to understand it?" Arjun suggested.

Tara looked down at her hands, tracing the patterns on the tablecloth. "I've tried," she admitted. "But they're so vivid, so real. It's like I'm reliving those moments, bhaiya."

Arjun leaned forward. "Maybe it's time to seek professional help. A therapist or a counselor could guide you through this. You don't have to face it alone."

She hesitated. "But I don't want to."

He reached across the table, squeezing her hand. "Piyu, facing our fears is how we grow. Maybe these nightmares are trying to tell you something."

She nodded, tears welling up. "I'll consider it."

Arjun smiled. "Good. And remember, I'm here for you, no matter what."

Roshni joined them, Tara smiled at her. "Bhaiya, I'll be coming to the ETF today, I'm bored at home."

"Sure, but you're not allowed field duty, doctor has recommended some rest."

"But it's been just two days since you came from the hospital, I think you should rest a bit." Roshni suggested.

"Yes, you're not going anywhere." Sugandha took her seat at the dining table.

"Mumma, I'm bored at home. Anyway I'm perfectly fine." She pouted.

"Yes, mumma," Arjun nodded. "She can do her desk job for now."

"Fine." Sugandha shook her head, her kids weren't that obedient anymore.

🌠⋋✿ ⁰ • ⁰ ✿⋌🌌

Dhruv's cabin

Tara walked in with Arjun, settling on the stool near him.

"How have you been?" Dhruv asked, putting on his stethoscope.

"I'm better now. I was around here, thought I'd meet you." she smiled warmly.

"No, she fainted a while ago. That's why I brought her here." Arjun said.

"Let me see." Dhruv held her hand, checking the pulse and blood pressure. "When was your last meal?"

"Breakfast around 7am." She voiced softly.

"It's 3pm and you haven't had lunch?" Dhruv rang the bell, "Please bring a glass of water mixed with ORS and glucose." He scribbled a note. "Do a blood test and we shall check for any vitamin deficiencies."

"Alright." She fidgeted with her ring. "I would also like to apologize for the other day, I got carried away. Can we start over?"

Dhruv frowned. "What do you mean by start over?"

"Let's be friends?" Tara suggested.

"No Ms. Rawte. Sorry, you're just my patient and let's keep it professional. If there is anything else you need help with, healthwise, I am here."

"So, you don't have a personal life or you just don't want to share it with me?"

Arjun sighed. How awkward can this be?

Dhruv rubbed his forehead. "I am not bound to answer any of those questions. Take care of yourself and show your reports to Dr. Aditi."

Tara looked at him curiously, she felt her heartbeat intensifying. You are mine. She felt something magnetic connecting the two together.

He glanced at her before returning to the files on the table. Tara waited for a few seconds before getting up to leave.

🌠⋋✿ ⁰ • ⁰ ✿⋌🌌

As they settled in the car, Arjun looked at her. "Please don't embarrass me like that again."

"But I like him." She pouted. I love him, bhaiya. I can't explain the why, when and how but I do.

"Maybe, take the cue and see that he's not interested." Arjun said rather sternly.

"Can you imagine someone not being interested in me?" She twirled her curls.

"It's okay, Piyu. Not everyone has to like you. It's on them, not you." He patted her head.

She shook her head. "But I'll make sure he will fall in love with me, soon." He is mine.

"You were not raised to be a manipulative person, please don't do that."

"Fine." She shrugged. We are meant to be together bhaiya. It's our destiny.

🌠⋋✿ ⁰ • ⁰ ✿⋌🌌

Later that night, Tara sprawled on her bed. She picked her phone, calling her favourite person. The call was shortly answered. "Dhruv, what are we?"

Dhruv shook his head, resting on the couch. "What is the answer you expect, Piya?"

"Umm, friends?"

"I don't think so," he replied quickly.

"Come on, I call us the phone pals, so we are friends, right?"

Dhruv smiled at her shenanigans. "To you that might be the truth, for me it is not."

She pouted. "So, what do you see me as?"

"Just another person who I talk to, sometimes. To help her figure out her life, etc."

"Just another human for you, huh?"

"Indeed." Dhruv said.

"So, are you telling me that if we ever meet in person, we are not going to be friends?" We are soulmates Dhruv, we are meant to be more than friends.

"I don't think we are meeting in person. I hope you don't need to see a doctor." Dhruv added. "Although you do need a therapist."

"You are my therapist. Anyway, everyone needs to see a doctor. Sometimes it's for a viral fever, other days it's for something more serious. We are humans after all." Tara sighed. "Anyway, how was your day?"

"It was okay. How was yours?" Dhruv asked.

"Good." She tirned around, "so, tell me, why do you still talk to me even when you are busy? Even when you are tired? Even when you don't feel like talking, you still answer my call. Why?"

"That's because if talking to me makes you feel better, I will let you do that. Because I am a doctor and I am under oath to save lives." Dhruv gave his standard answer.

"How are you so sure that if I don't talk to you I will do something to myself?"

"I'm just making sure you never put yourself in that position." Dhruv's annoyance was evident in his voice.

"Nah, there has to be something else, what is it? Come on Dhruv. You can tell me. I have told you a lot of my secrets. Can I not know yours?" Her voice was soft and gentle.

Dhruv felt his heart melt at the voice. "My best friend died of suicide and ever since have made it a point to help people out. Talk to anyone in need. If only I had talked to her that day, she would have been alive. She would have been here with us." He didn't realise he said his thoughts out loud.

"Is that why you don't want to be friends with me? Do I remind you of her?"

"No, you don't." Nobody could be her. He looked at the picture on his bedside.

"You could have said yes. It's not that difficult to lie, is it?"

"I don't like to lie. Unlike you who is a compulsive liar." Dhruv bit his tongue. "Ok, maybe I shouldn't have said that to you."

"I don't lie all the time okay, it's just sometimes, some days, some place -"

"Alright, alright" Dhruv cut her off.

"Tell me, Dhruv, did you love your best friend?"

"I did, infact, I'll always love her."

"Is that why you don't want to be friends with me? You don't want to give her place to anyone else?" She paused, "but you know Dhruv, I am not asking for her place. You have a big heart and you deserve love and care and an amazing partner, maybe someone just like me," she chuckled.

Dhruv sighed. "I don't think I need you or anyone for that matter. I am perfectly happy with the way I am living right now. I mean what's wrong with that? Being single is peaceful. You get to do what you want and there are no expectations and no commitments. Just pure freedom."

"And loneliness." Tara added. "Anyway if you ever think you need someone I'll probably be there. Not for long though. My heart might hit up with someone else. So, please don't punish yourself like this and make your move."

"Being alone is not a punishment, Piya. It's joy, pure unadulterated joy and fun. Anyway, I am going to go to sleep. good night," he wished.

"Good night, maybe dream of me."

"I won't." Dhruv chuckled.

"Someday you will, maybe when you see how pretty I am." She flirted.

"Okay okay, good night." Dhruv shook his head, disconnecting the call. She was crazy just like Tara.

🌠⋋✿ ⁰ • ⁰ ✿⋌🌌

~•~