Chapter 10

Walking out of the airport she heard a familiar voice. Tara. She turned around to see her friend Juhi waiting.

"Babe, you came all the way to Coimbatore to pick me up? I could have hired the taxi." Tara gives a quick hug to Juhi.

"Well, I had some official work here so thought, might as well pick you up and I have taken the half day off, so let's get on the long drive."

"Wonderful! Let's go on for the long drive then! This is going to be so much fun."

"Yes!" Juhi squealed.

About two hours later the reached Juhi's house. Tara looks at the quaint little house. "Babe, I'm not gonna stay here, I want to stay in the hotel."

"Hotel?" Juhu looked at her offended, "why would you say there when you have house here?"

"Because I don't want to bother you girl!"

"You are not bothering, please. come on."

"Well if you were staying alone I would, but you stay here with your husband and in-laws, please babe."

"Let's have lunch first then, we'll decide." Juhi held her hand, walking inside the house.

"Babe, I'd love to stay if it was just about a night but I'm here for almost a week and that's just too long. I really don't feel comfortable bothering you like this."

"You just call me your soul sister, but don't believe it. Fine, in the evening when Advait returns, we will get you to a nice hotel."

"Yeah, that's sounds good!"

"Perfect, now let's have some yummy home cooked meal!"

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In the evening Tara checks in to a luxurious hotel. Checking for cameras and satisfied that there are none, Tara takes a long shower and plops on the bed pulling out her journal. She scribbles all the thoughts. She screams into the pillow and cries her heart out and goes off to sleep.

In the next few days, she immerses herself in the natural beauty and tranquillity of the hill station. She spends her days exploring scenic spots, spending time with herself and her journal. She gets spa treatments and massages to relax her body and mind. Throughout her journey, she finds peace and healing.

On the last day of her trip she takes a bottle of vodka and pours it on her journal. She burns her journal to ashes. "Your past and Pratap is dead. From today onwards you should begin your life, Tara, a life where the shadows of your past don't haunt you anymore. Go ahead and begin your new life with your Dhruv, the one who loves selflessly." She promised herself. "No more looking back."

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Dhruv and Aditi sat in the hospital cafeteria, sipping their coffee. Dhruv looked thoughtful as he stirred his cup. "Aditi, what does it mean when you see someone in your dream?"

"That means you are thinking about them. Was it me?" she asked, raising an eyebrow playfully.

Dhruv laughed, shaking his head. "Fortunately, it wasn't you."

"Good. So, who is the lucky girl?" she teased, leaning forward.

"You remember that princess I see in my dreams?"

"Yeah, the one who doesn't show her face, your dream girl? Oh sorry, your dream princess!" she rolled her eyes.

"Yes, so I saw her face today."

"Who is it? Sushmita Sen?" she asked, smirking.

"I wish! I wouldn't be so worried if it was her." He sighed, taking a sip of his coffee.

"Honestly, don't tell me it was that clingy patient of yours, what was that girl's name again? Sitara?"

"Tara."

"Wait, it was her?" Aditi exclaimed, eyes widening.

"And I don't understand how that is possible." He looked puzzled, staring into his cup.

"Maybe you have a crush then, I mean she is pretty. So, are you going to make the first move or wait for her?" she nudged him with her elbow.

"I don't know. She doesn't seem to be interested in me or anyone for that matter." He shrugged, looking away.

"She seemed pretty interested to me. Nevermind Dhruv, you need to do something about your commitment issues. Honestly, she seems nice." She gave him a serious look. "You might consider that you two are completely different kinds of people, opposite to be honest, but then opposites attract. So, that's about it."

"Aditi, I'll talk to you later." Dhruv stood up, ready to leave.

"Fine, see you." Aditi shook her head, watching him walk away. As if I'd let her have you, you're mine, Dhruv.

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Sameer's phone buzzed. "Hello."

"Bhai!" An excited voice came from the other end. "How are you! I missed you so much!"

"Do I know you?"

"Come on bhai! It's me, Pratap. Your chhote!"

"Well I'm a busy old man, keep calling twice every three months and I'll forget you exist." Sameer rolled his eyes.

"Sorry bro! I was busy."

"Who were you busy with? Your girlfriend is here." Sameer paused. "But didn't you guys break up?"

"No bhai, we took a break because she wanted to focus on her career. Anyway, how is she?"

"Fine. Just returned from her friends' wedding."

"Sweet. Now it's time for ours."

"Finally the moment we all were waiting for. Twenty years, huh." Sameer sighed.

"I'm landing in Mumbai tomorrow. Mom and Dad will also be coming. Please prepare the house."

"Any more instructions, Surya Pratap Singh?"

"No, Samar Veer bhaisa!" Pratap chuckled, they rarely used their full names. "I love you!"

"I've heard that before."

"Can't wait to meet you!" Pratap said excitedly.

"Happy journey!"

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Her anklets jingled and echoed in the palatial hallways, as her heart pounded. Dhruv!

Bloodstained footsteps led her to the cornered hallway, the curtains burning with flames from the lamps.

A shadow flashed with a bloodied sword. Her eyes widened in horror. She paced towards the shadow, her throat dried up as tears found their way down her face. The love of her life lay on the floor, blood oozing from the several wounds on his body.

Dhruv! She let out a gut wrenching scream, holding his head in her lap.

Tara. He voiced feebly, caressing her face. "Hamara pyaar adhoora-" his breath hitched.

Dhruv. He looked at her for one last time before closing his eyes. She screamed again.

Tara woke up panting. Cold tears traced her cheeks, a pit formed in her stomach. These nightmares are getting worse. She picked up her phone with trembling hands, calling him. Please answer, please answer Dhruv.

Piya? Dhruv looked at the caller ID, it's been ten days since we last talked. Hope everything is okay.

After what felt like an eternity she heard the familiar hello over the call. "Piya? Is everything okay?"

She nodded. Nothing is okay, I just saw you dying in my arms. She whimpered.

"Piya?" Dhruv was worried. He felt her unease in the uneven breaths and soft sobs. "What happened? Please tell me." He asked softly.

"Are you okay?" She asked instead. Please be alright, please.

"Yeah I'm fine. Tell me, what's wrong with you? Why are you crying?" Dhruv felt confused. You are crying and asking me if I'm alright?

She took a sharp breath. "I'm coming over to see if you're alright."

Dhruv frowned, looking at the watch on his bedside. "It's 2am. You can't come here from Pune at this hour."

Her voice trembled. "I need to see you, to make sure that you're okay."

"I'll make a video call and you can see, I'm perfectly fine. Okay?"

She nodded again. Quickly wiping her tears, she answered the video call. She looked at him carefully. He was fine. He was alive. He was breathing.

"Tara?" his voice was etched with unease. "Why are you crying and you are Piya? What is going on?" He checked the caller ID again. Yes, it was Piya's number. She is Tara?

"Nothing will happen to you, I will protect you, always." She whispered a promise to him.

"What are you saying? Are you sure that you're okay?" Dhruv's forehead pounded.

"Thanks for answering. Sorry for bothering you so late." Tara disconnected the video chat.

She gulped a glass of water and let out her tears. Please don't hurt him. Hurt me not him.

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Dhruv's heart pounded in his chest as the realization hit him like a tidal wave. Piya, the woman he had grown to trust and care for, was actually Tara. The princess of his dreams. But how is that possible and why did she lie to me?

I feel so lonely, Dhruv. I wish there was someone I could talk to.

You can always talk to me, Piya. Anytime.

~
Dhruv, I'm sorry for bothering you at this hour but can you please talk to me about something.

~

Dhruv I've never told this to anyone but I think you won't judge me, so...

~

He's my soulmate, not a stranger.

Dhruv gulped a glass of water, sighing in frustration.

Why are you surprised? His brain reasoned. If she can lie so casually to her own brother, aren't you just a stranger?

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Next morning the incessant doorbell broke his slumber. Dhruv groggily opened his eyes and walked to the door, opening it.

Before he could see the person, he was grabbed into a tight hug. He heard her heart beat wildly against his chest. He instinctively wrapped his arms around her.

"Thank God you're okay, Dhruv. I was so scared." Tara mumbled against his chest.

He took a sharp breath and pushed her away. "What are you doing?" His voice was rougher than intended and he noticed her flinch.

Tara, no. Piya? His mind raced, piecing together the moments of doubt and the subtle hints he had ignored. He took a step back, his eyes narrowing as he looked at her. "Who are you?" he said, his voice trembling with a mix of anger and hurt.

Piya-no, Tara-stood there, her eyes wide with shock and guilt. "Dhruv, I can explain," she began, but he cut her off with a sharp gesture.

"Explain?" he echoed. "Explain how you lied to me? How you pretended to be someone else? How you made me believe in you and your lies?"

Tara's eyes filled with tears. "I never meant to hurt you, Dhruv. I had my reasons-"

"Reasons?" Dhruv's voice was cold now. "What reasons could possibly justify this betrayal?"

"I just wanted to talk to you Dhruv. I wanted your company. I craved to hear your gentle voice. Your soothing words. That's all I ever wanted." She took a step towards him, but he backed away, shaking his head.

"No, Tara. All you wanted was to toy with my emotions. You pretended to have this sad backstory when in reality you were living a good life. What you did is called emotional manipulation, Ms. Rawte. Your lies were deliberate and misleading."

"No. Dhruv, I didn't lie to you."

"Yes you did. When I said you and Piya would be good friends, you agreed and said you'd love to meet her. You lied about having no family or friends you can trust when in reality you have a wonderful support system. You lied about -" Dhruv took a sharp breath. "You know, everything you've ever said is a lie. I can't do this. I can't trust you."

"Please, Dhruv," she pleaded, her voice breaking. "Just give me a chance to make things right."

"Make things right? Tara, any relationship is based on trust and honesty. How do you plan to rebuild that foundation? With your lies?"

"They were not lies, Dhruv, please, I-"

Dhruv's resolve hardened. "No," he said firmly. "I don't want to see you again. Ever."

Tara wiped her tears, taking a sharp breath. "If that's what you want, fine. I won't bother you ever again. Thank you for everything and I'm sorry. I never meant to hurt you." She walked away, her heart shattered by the weight of her own lies.

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Next morning

Tara walked downstairs dressed in a beautiful pink salwar kameez. Sugandha smiled at her. "Where are you going?"

"It's Thursday, going to the temple."

"Wait, I'll also come with you." Sugandha got up from the dining table while Suryakant continued reading the newspaper.

As the doors opened, Damsingh and Damini entered with gifts. Suryakant greeted them warmly. "Welcome, Damsingh, Damini bhabhi. What a pleasant surprise!"

Damsingh smiled, embracing his pal. After exchanging pleasantries, Damsingh's expression turned serious. "Surya, we are here to take what is rightfully ours.

"Sorry?" Suryakant looked puzzled.

"Tara, our daughter in law. We believe it's time to keep the promise we made twenty years ago."

Damini spoke softly, "We propose the marriage of Pratap and Tara. The wedding will be held next weekend."

Suryakant and Sugandha exchanged stunned glances. "That's less than ten days?" Suryakant tried to process the suddenness of the proposal. "What's the hurry, bhabhi? I mean -"

"You see bhaisahab, last week I visited our guruji and showed them Pratap's kundali. He suggested that if we're planning the wedding, it has to be done within two weeks or two years later. It's about the Brihaspati cycle. And we talked to Pratap, he said that it's better to get it done now. He has a new job offer in Boston, so he will be shifting there next month." Damini explained calmly.

Maa, I'm your favourite son, won't you do this for me? I need to marry Tara within 10 days.

What's the hurry, beta?

You said you didn't want me and Tara to live together without marriage, right, so let's get it done. I've got a new job and I can't come to India for the next few years once I join it. Maa, you have 15 days to get things done, please!

Okay, fine.

Sugandha looked at Tara, "Beta, what do you think?"

Tara took a deep breath, trying to steady herself. "I agree with what you elders have decided."

Damsingh beamed. "Wonderful! This is a joyous occasion for both our families."

Suryakant nodded thoughtfully. "Indeed, it is. But there is not enough time to make the preparations and-"

Damsingh placed a hand on his shoulder. "Don't worry about it, Surya, the wedding will be at our summer palace. All the preparations have already begun. Trust me, you don't have to worry about anything."

Damini placed a hand on Tara's head. "You two will have a wonderful future together. Welcome to the family, bahurani."

Sugandha looked at Tara with concern. "Tara, are you comfortable with this timeline?"

Tara took a moment, her mind racing. Gathering her courage, she nodded. "Yes, Maa. If this is what both families want, I am ready."

Suryakant sighed, then smiled. "Very well. If Tara is comfortable, we are fine with it too."

Damini placed a red chunari over her head and put tilak on her forehead. She gifted her gold bangles, blessing her wholeheartedly.

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The heartbreak, the betrayal is here. Why do you think Tara agreed to marry Pratap?

Will Pratap succeed in his plan to marry Tara?

Dhruv is heartbroken learning about the lies. Do you agree with his reaction?

Was the Dhara scene angsty enough?