Chapter 9

Rajkumari Tarapriya! A blood curdling scream pierced her ears in the pitch darkness, metals clanked and some loud thuds were heard.

A lamp touched the curtain and it began burning brightly, illuminating the room. Tara's hand burned in its heat.

Tara woke up panting. Yet another nightmare. She opened her eyes, turning on the night lights. The unfamiliarity kicked in. She looked at her unburnt hands, still feeling the heat.

The pain in her abdomen intensified. She changed her blood soaked pad into a fresh one. Returning to the bed she gulped some water, her heart pounding in anticipation.

She walked into the kitchen, opening the fridge. She scans the shelves, filled with fruits, vegetables, and other healthy foods, and lets out a frustrated sigh. The cool air brushes against her face, but it does little to calm her racing heart. "Why is everything so healthy?" She muttered.

She grabs a bottle of water and closes the fridge, leaning against the counter. The pain in her abdomen is a constant reminder of her condition, and the nightmare only makes it worse. She takes a sip of water, trying to steady her breathing.

Her eyes trail off to the picture of Buddha on the wall. The soft smile and meditative eyes captures her thoughts. She glanced at the little terracotta figurines of Buddha in various poses, neatly arranged along with the incense holder.

Compassion and Non-violence. Dhruv was an embodiment of these two qualities.

She walks over to the balcony and looks out at the night sky. The stars twinkle brightly, a stark contrast to the darkness she feels inside. She wraps her arms around herself, seeking some semblance of comfort.

The cold breeze sent chills down her spine. She returned inside a few minutes later.

The frames on the opposite wall caught her attention. A toddler Dhruv with his parents. Tara smiled at the frame. "You were an adorable child."

Next was a teenage Dhruv with another couple. "Those seem to be his adoptive parents." Another frame of two teenagers, one is Dhruv- she recognised him.

Was Maya pretty? Piya asked.

She was beautiful. Dhruv admitted.

Tara looked at her doe-shaped eyes, brown skin and lovely smile. Beautiful indeed. A recent frame from his graduation day, one with his friends including Aditi.

Tara's eyes glanced at the bookshelf. Jane Austen and some more classics. She smiled, picking her favourite, Pride and Prejudice. A handwritten message was scribbled on the first page.

Dhruv ♡
My Darcy, may you find your Elizabeth. You absolutely deserve someone who will enchant your mind, body and soul.
Happy Birthday!
Love, Maya.

Tara sighed putting back the book on shelf. Can I be your Elizabeth, Darcy?

Audio cassettes of Kishore, Lata, Rafi, Asha. A section on Bhajans and Ghazals. You have quite refined tastes, Dr. Dhruv.

A shooting pain in her abdomen returned. She sat on the couch, crossing her arms around her stomach. She sat in discomfort for a while.

Don't hesitate to wake me up, Tara.

She knows she needs to talk to him, to find solace in his presence. With a determined sigh, she heads to his bedroom. She hesitantly knocks on the door, which opened on its own.

"Dhruv." She called his name softly. Her heart pounded seeing his handsome face resting peacefully. "Dhruv." She said slightly louder.

He groggily opened his eyes. "Tara? Are you okay?" He turned on the lights.

"Not sure." Tara's voice trembled.

Dhruv's voice becomes more alert, filled with concern. "Tara? What's hurting?" He walks up to her, holding her hand to check the pulse.

"That shooting pain is recurring every few minutes or so."

"Intensity on the scale of 1-5?" His voice was raspy due to the sleep.

"Three or three-point five."

Dhruv looked at the watch, 4 am. "Let's make you some breakfast so you can have another dose of medicine, the effect of previous one seems to have ended. Did the pain start now?"

"Been almost an hour."

Crease lines appeared on his forehead. "Why didn't you wake me sooner?"

"I didn't feel like moving out of the bed." She pouted.

"It's okay. Did you check your bleeding, it is excessive?"

"No. Seemed normal to me." Tara felt her mind race with wild thoughts as she felt his hand on her wrist.

Dhruv checks her pulse. "I need you to stop thinking whatever you are."

Tara nervously fidgeted with her sleeves, "sorry." Her fingers trembled.

"Tara, what is bothering you?"

She gulped, eyes glued to the floor. "C-can you hold me, please?"

Hold me? Dhruv took a step ahead, closing the distance between them. He put a finger under her chin, raising her face towards him. Her unshed tears pierced his heart.

She takes deep breaths, trying to calm herself. Dhruv pulls her into a comforting embrace.

Dhruv voiced softly. "I'm here, Tara. You're not alone."

She clings to him, feeling the warmth of his presence. For the first time in a long while, she felt a glimmer of hope.

Dhruv holds Tara close, feeling her trembling against him. He gently strokes her hair, whispering soothing words. "It's okay, Tara. I'm here. You're safe now."

Tara buried her face in his chest, her tears soaking his shirt. The pain and fear from the nightmare slowly begin to fade as she feels the warmth of his embrace.

"I hate these nightmares, Dhruv. They make everything so much harder."

Nightmares? He thought to himself, maybe she is referring to everything that happened lately as a nightmare. "Tara, you're strong, and you're not alone. I'm here for you, anytime you need."

Tara took a sharp breath. "Don't say things you don't mean, just to comfort me."

"No, I mean every word I said." Dhruv bit his lip. Why did I say that? He wondered.

He guides her to the couch and sits down with her, keeping his arm around her shoulders. Tara leans into him, taking comfort in his presence.

Dhruv asked. "Do you want to talk about it? Sometimes it helps to share."

Tara takes a deep breath, trying to steady her voice. "Thanks, I'm fine."

Dhruv nodded. "I'm sorry you're going through this. If there's anything else, "

Tara smiled, wiping her tears. She looks up at Dhruv, her eyes filled with gratitude. "Thank you, Dr. Dhruv. I don't know what I'd do without you."

Dhruv smiled. "You don't have to thank me. I'm always here for you, no matter what.

He gives her a reassuring smile, and she feels a bit of the weight lift off her shoulders. "How about we make some tea? It will help you relax. And vegetable upma or poha for breakfast?"

"Upma?" She smiled awkwardly. I will eat it just because you're making it. Although I hate it.

Dhruv looked at the expressions on her face, amused at her childlike innocence despite being in pain.

They move to the kitchen, and Dhruv starts preparing the tea. Tara watches him leaning over the counter, feeling a sense of calm wash over her. She knows that with Dhruv by her side, she can face whatever comes her way.

He hands her a cup of tea. Tara takes a sip, feeling the warmth spread through her. "Thank you, Dhruv. For everything."

Dhruv smiled. "Please don't thank me, I was just-" Dhruv bit his lip, I was just what? What do I say?

He picks up carrots and other vegetables, using the chopper to make smaller cubes. Preparing the upma.

The aroma warmed her senses. Tara felt elated seeing him meticulously prepare the breakfast in the middle of night for her.

Pratap, I'm starving.

It's 3am. What do you expect me to do?

Make something? A cheese sandwich?

Why can't you? You don't have henna on your hands. Let me sleep.

"Tara, pass the salt, please." Dhruv asked her.

Tara snaps into the present. Sure. She holds out the salt shaker. "Dhruv," he hummed, "If I woke you at 3am, would you still cook for me?"

"Why not? Don't tell me you were up and hungry and didn't wake me up." Dhruv glared at her.

"No, just asking." She shook her head. He looks cute even when he's angry.

They sit together having breakfast, the bond between them growing stronger with each passing moment.

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Sometime later, Tara returns to the living room after a quick nap. She took a shower and prepared for her flight.

Dhruv was performing his routine of Surya Namaskar on the balcony. Tara's cheeks flushed as she saw his well toned physique, nothing model-esque but pretty hot, nonetheless. Her heart raced at the thought of him...

"Tara?" Dhruv said, "ready?"

She schooled her wild thoughts. "Yeah."

Dhruv walked up to her. "Please take care of yourself and if there's anything, don't hesitate to call me."

"You haven't given me your number yet." Tara tilted her head, a soft smile playing on her lips.

"Oh," He picked his card from the table. "Here. But please use it sparingly."

"After everything you've done for me, I really don't want to bother you, Dhruv. I'm sorry for my earlier behaviour. Trust me, won't happen again."

Dhruv smiled. But I want you to flirt with me. His heart voiced. Shut up. The brain stepped in. "Take care of yourself, Tara."

Tara waved her fingers. "I will. Thanks and see you!"

He waved back. Please stay. His heart screamed as she walked out, resisting the urge to look back.

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Mumbai Airport

Tara impatiently waited for Arjun at the Departures gate.

"Bhaiya! What took you so long? I will miss my flight!" She said as he walked over with her bag.

"Traffic. Where are your friends?" Arjun asked, seeing her alone.

"They had a lot of luggage so they're inside, checking in. I'll join them right now."

"Tara!" Arjun raised a brow, "when is the wedding?"

"Day after tomorrow. I'll be back in 5 days, we have sight-seeing plans too." She lied. "Take care, Bhaiya. Toodle-oo!"

Arjun waved at her as she walked into the airport. I know you're lying Tara, but why? He waited for a while before returning to the ETF.

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Arjun briefly visited Sanjeevani Hospital and asked about Tara but couldn't get any conclusive answer from the staff.

"Dr. Dhruv!" He asked, "did you meet Tara yesterday?"

Dhruv nodded. Please please Dhruv, if Arjun bhaiya asks you anything, you don't have to lie but just don't answer anything.

"She was here for Nikhil's investigation and asked us some questions. Why?"

"It's about the investigation. Anything that stood out?"

"No. Sorry, ACP sir, I have to attend to my patients, I will talk to you later." Dhruv excused himself.

"Sure." Arjun sighed. What are you hiding, Tara? Why?

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The palace garden is bathed in the soft glow of the full moon, casting a silvery light over the lush greenery and blooming flowers. The air is filled with the sweet scent of jasmine and the gentle rustle of leaves in the night breeze.

A narrow, winding path leads to a secluded gazebo, hidden among the trees.

The princess, dressed in a flowing ghagra of midnight blue, moves gracefully along the path. His eyes light up as he sees her veiled face, and he steps forward, taking her hands in his.

"Rajkumari ji," He voiced softly, "main jaanta tha aap zarur aayengi"

"Kaise nahi aate Chikitsak Dhruv? Hum prem karte hai tumse. Bahut saara prem, itna ki kagad par likhat na banat, kahat sandesu lajaat, kahi hai sab tero hiyo, mere hiya ki baat."

कागद पर लिखत न बनत, कहत सँदेसु लजात।
कहि है सबु तेरौ हियौ, मेरे हिय की बात॥ - Bihari

They embrace, the world around them fading into the background. The princess feels the warmth of his touch, the strength of his arms around her. For a moment, all her worries and fears melt away.

He looks at her through the delicate veil covering her face. She lifts her eyes to face him, and Dhruv's heart skips a beat. "Anumati hai."

Dhruv steps closer, his eyes never leaving her face. He reaches out, and lifts the veil. The princess is Tara.

"Chikitsak Dhruv" Tara says his name with reverence, "anumati hai." She leans in brushing her soft lips with his.

"Rajkumari Tarapriya ji" Dhruv says her name like it was of a goddess. He wraps his arms around her waist, kissing her lips ever so gently. "Mera mujhme kuch nahi, jo kuch hai so tera..."

"Tera tujhko saupta, kya laage hai mera" she completed the verse, kissing him again.

मेरा मुझ में कुछ नहीं, जो कुछ है सो तेरा।
तेरा तुझकौं सौंपता, क्या लागै है मेरा॥

The dream begins to fade, and Dhruv feels himself being pulled back to reality. As he wakes, he holds onto the memory of Tara's touch.

He sits up, his mind still reeling from the dream. Dhruv's forehead creases, "T-Tara? How... how can this be? She is the princess I've been having dreams of since I was a teenager? But we didn't even meet each other before. How is it possible?"

His heart pounded. "She has always been here, Dhruv. In your dreams, in your heart."

Dhruv feels a rush of emotions-joy, confusion, and a hint of surprise. He rubs his head, trying to process the revelation.

"I don't understand. Why have I been dreaming of her all these years?"

"Because you are connected, Dhruv. Our destinies are intertwined. Don't you remember how you felt when you first saw her in that café?"

Tell me Dhruv, do you not feel that thread connecting us? Tara's voice came to his mind.

Dhruv's mind races. He remembers all the times he felt a strange familiarity with Tara, the unspoken bond between them.

"It's been five days, I haven't talked to her. How can she come to my dream? We're not even friends." His brain reasoned.

"Distance makes the heart grow fonder. Call her, talk to her."

"But we don't have her number. She hasn't contacted us, remember?"

Dhruv sighed. "Enough, just sleep. All of you." He put a pillow on his head, forcing himself to sleep.

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Another Dhara-liscious update.

Hope you enjoyed it!

Dhruv is in love, how long before he agrees to it?

Where is Tara, what is she up to?

Will Tara tell the truth to her brother and family?