Location: valabhgarh Palace

Courtroom

The atmosphere in the courtroom grew tensed with each passing moment. Astha glared at the trio, her eyes held fire. Her hands curled into fists, her nails digging into her delicate skin almost to a painful extent but she seemed to care less.

Astha stood in front of Mahaveer, Tara and Raj Mata Saraswati looking at them fiancely.

Kyun?

Astha asked, her voice sharp, cutting through the air.

Hum poochte hain kyun? Aapne toh beta kaha tha na Dhruv ji ko? Beta manti thi na unko?

Astha asked Raj Mata Saraswati, her voice raising with anger.

Galti ho gayi humse.

Raj Mata Saraswati said quietly looking down.

Galti!!!

Astha repeated sarcastically. She clapped loudly with a mocking smile on her face making the trio step back.

Aur tum???

Astha said holding Tara,s jaw with a little force making her look up into Astha,s eyes.

Tum toh PREM kerti thi na Dhruv ji se. Toh tumne kaise hone diya yeh sab....

Astha asked Tara stressing the word prem and Tara downed her head in shame.

Dhruv ke hathon mein hathyar tha....

Hathyar hath mein hone se woh hathyare nahin ban jate.

Astha cut off Raj Mata Saraswati.

Per unhone kaha ke woh pita shree ke pran har lenge.

Tara said, her voice quivering with guilt.

Astha got statled hearing this but composed herself, her trust in Dhruv unwavering. She breathed out rolling her eyes.

Dhruv uss samey krodh mein thy...

Astha asked but it sounded more like a statement.

Ek sawal kerna chahenge hum Tarapriya se.

Pratap said before Astha could say anything. He came forward and Astha stepped back. Now Pratap faced Tara. Tara trembled hearing his cold voice.

Tara sochiye. Agar Dhruv ne aapke jeevan se judi koi baat aapse chupayi hoti aur woh baat aapko aapke pran ghatak shatru se pata chale toh aapko kaisa lagega?

Pratap asked coldly crossing his arms across his chest.

Tara looked up in shock. The realization washed over her like iced water.

Betrayal, that's what Dhruv might have felt at that moment. The realization sent chills down her spine. Tears rolled down her cheeks as the weight of her past actions settled over her heart making it feel heavier than ever.

Boliye Tara.

Pratap,s sharp voice cut through the air.

Humein lagta ke humein dhoka diya gaya hai.

Tara said, her voice a mix of pain and guilt.

Insaaf ka ek qanoon hota hai.

Astha said walking around the trio in circles.

Har kisi ko adhikar hota hai apni safai dene ka. Kya yeh mauka Dhruv ji ko diya gaya tha?

Astha asked, though she knew the answer but wanted to hear this from their mouths.

Nahin.

This time it was Anusuya who spoke.

Nahin diya gaya tha balki unko dhokebaaz kaha gaya kyunke unhone Rajkumari Shayam Mohini ke praan bachaye thy. Unke dharam ko dhoke ka naam diya gaya.

Anusuya said glaring at rajmata.

Astha stared at Raj Mata Saraswati in shock who looked down in shame closing her eyes tightly.

Yeh dharam nahin dhoka hai.

Anusuya repeated Raj Mata Saraswati,s words. Astha gritted her teeth and was about to hit her palm to the large piller in anger but stopped feeling a firm grip. She looked beside herself and found Dhruv holding her hand firmly.

Shant.

Dhruv mouthed quietly. Astha,s anger vanished in seconds and she smiled tenderly at them. Everyone was looking at them in shock seeing Astha,s anger vanishing in a matter of seconds.

Dhruv smiled back at her. His eyes were a mix of tenderness and affection that washed over her like a warm wave.

Astha took a deep breath trying to compose herself.

Ek chikitsak ka dharam hota hai ke woh sabke pran bachane ki koshish kare, chahe woh mitra ho ya shatru.

Astha said, her voice calmer then before.

Aur aapne unke issi dharam ko dhoke ka naam de diya.

Astha asked, her voice tinged with disbelief.

Raj Mata Saraswati downed her head in shame.

Aur aapne Dhruv ki baat tak nahin suni. Bheek mangi hogi na unhone ke ek baar unki baat suni jaye aur aapne diya nahin hoga....

Pratap,s words sounded more like a statement. Astha shut her eyes feeling her heart would burst out because of the pain that this declaration caused her. Her breath caught in her throat as she felt a lump raising in her throat. She felt her chest tightening hearing the statement. Tears burned her eyes, blurring her vision and she struggled to remain composed.

Aur socho Tara agar Dhruv ki sachai unki....

Astha gulped the word unable to utter it. Her tongue left the power to speak as she looked at Tara fiancely.

Astha felt her Dhruv,s hand shivering in hers. She looked at him and smiled softly stroking the back of his palm.

Pratap bhai sa.

Astha called out softly. Pratap looked at her, she gestured towards Dhruv.

Hum aate hain. Aap kamre mein jaiye.

Astha said tenderly looking at him.

Per....

Astha cut him off.

Vishvaas kerte hain na humara?

Astha asked, her voice way more softer which caused a gentle shiver to run down his spine, making his heart stop beating for a moment.

He nodded gently at her.

Toh kaksh mein jaiye hum aate hain.

Astha said softly. Dhruv nodded gently at her and left from there.

Astha looked at them after Dhruv left.

Mritiyu ke baad samne aati toh kya kerte aap sab?

Astha,s heart trembled in her chest. Dhruv has became a very important part of her life or maybe he has became her life she was confused but she knew that her life is now meaningless without him. She can't live without him. He's necessary for her to live. She can't even bear the thought of him going away from her and here she was asking what if his innocence was proved after his death.

Just the thought of his death suddenly made her heartbeat stop. A strange sense emptiness settled deep within her heart making her heart feel too heavy for her to carry.

Kya keh rahi hain aap Astha. Hosh mein toh hain aap?

Tara asked, her voice raising in anger as she held Astha,s shoulders.

Astha jerked Tara,s hands away from her.

Kya galat kaha humne? Kya galat kaha?

Astha said, her voice dangerously calm.

Dhruv ne kya kya nahin kiya aap sabke liye.

Apna sab kuch chod ker woh Mahaveer ko theek kerne aaye, Raj Mata Saraswati ko marne se bachaya, Mahaveer ko theek kiya, Tara ke maksad mein sath diya unka, aapke liye apne seene per talwar kha li, woh Shayam Mohini se vivah kerne ke liye maan gaye woh taki woh valabhgarh ko bacha sake. Kya nahin kiya unhone?

Astha said, her voice dangerously calm which sent a chill down the trio,s spine.

Oh per aap yeh sab kyun sochenge. Aapko toh ehsaan bhoolne ki adat hai na?

Astha said sarcastically.

A tensed silence enveloped them. The fire in Astha,s eyes only increased.

Aur tumne toh vaar bhi kiya Dhruv per Tara.

Astha said sharply. Tara,s stomach churned and she clasped her hands together. Tears rolled down her cheeks as she downed her head in shame.

Per woh insaan Dhruv Nahin tha.

Tara mumbled. The guilt in her heart increased threatening to eat her up.

Per tumhe laga ke woh insaan Dhruv ji hain.

Astha stated. Tara just hung her head low.

Aur aap kehti hain ke aap Dhruv se prem kerti hain.

Astha said mockingly. Tara cried even more.

Bas ker do Astha.

Tara pleaded, tears falling from her eyes as she dropped herself on her knees crying bitterly.

Aur aap Mahaveer. Aapke toh kya hi kehte.

Astha spoke as she faced Mahaveer.

Aap apni maa aur behen ko nahin sambhal paye, yeh rajya sambhal lenge aap?

Asked asked but it more sounded like a mocking statement as she glared at the trio.

Valabhgarh ki tabahi ka samey aa raha hai, per usse pehle hum valabhgarh ki tabahi layenge. Vachan hai yeh Dhruv ji ki Astha ka.

Astha said, her voice sharp cutting through the air making everyone gasp. They knew that she's not lying. She'll destroy the Raj parivar

Aur Tara maharaj udaybhan bhi koi sant nahin thy. Aisa mat sochna ke humein kuch pata nahin ke kaise unhone bhi apni patni ka vishvaas nahin kiya, aur bhi bahot kuch.

Astha said and was about to go but stopped and said without turning around, her expressions stoic and emotionless.

Acha hua ke humara vivah aapse nahin hua Mahaveer.

She took a step ahead but stopped again.

Humain Senapati Samrat Singh ke liye mritiyu dand chahiye.

Astha commanded sharply.

Unhein zinda dafnaya jayega jaise Dhruv ji ko dafnaya gaya tha.

Astha said feeling her heart tremble in her chest and left from there.

Astha,s Chamber!!!

Dhruv ji. Kahan hain aap?

Astha called out looking around for him.

Hum yahan hain.

Dhruv said softly entering inside the chamber. Astha breathed deeply into his woody scant that wafted into the chamber.

Khana kha lijiye.

Dhruv said softly. He made her sit on the bed and fed her a spoonful of rice.

Aapko kaise pata ke humein bhook lag rahi hai?

Astha asked after finishing the rice which was in her mouth.

He fed her another spoonful of rice with daal.

Dhruv smiled. His eyes a mix of tenderness and an undefinable emotion that left her puzzled.

Bas pata chal gaya.

Dhruv replied softly feeding her another spoonful.

Kyunke humein pata hai na ke humari patni ko gussa kerne ke baad kitni bhook lagti hai. Jaipur mein adha din aap gussa hi kerti thi aur uske baad aapko bhook lagti thi.

Dhruv teased, a mischievous twinkle dancing in his eyes that made Astha,s heart flutter like a caged bird. She composed herself soon and raised her eyebrows.

Aapke kehne ka matlab hai humein har samey krodh aata hai?

Astha asked, her voice laced with mock anger.

Humein kya pata.

Dhruv said innocently shaking his head sideways.

Abhi aapne kaha.

Astha said pointing a finger at him.

Toh aap manti hain ke aapko gussa aata hai?

Dhruv asked her mischievously.

Acha abhi batate hain ke humein kitna krodh aata hai

Astha said, a mischievous twinkle dancing in her eyes as she leaned forward.

Nahin Astha.

Dhruv said, his voice wavering and stood up. He stepped back and started running. Astha ran behind him.

Aap nahin pakad sakti humein.

Dhruv said, his laughter rich and hearty rung in the chamber. A sound that tugged at Astha,s heartstrings.

Astha laughed as she ran behind him, her hand reached out, attempting to hold him.

Dhruv laughed, his laughter a rich, hearty sound, a joyous melody dancing in the air.

Hum gusseil hain na?

Astha chocked out in between her laughter.

Astha gasped for breath still laughing and stopped holding a table for support.

Aap nahin pakad sakti humein.

Dhruv said, his voice breathy spent yet victorious.

Dhruv came from behind. His hand hesitantly reached out, fingers holding the delicate curve of her waist gently, he felt shivers running down his spine as his heartbeats quickened. He lifted her up in the air earning a gasp of suprise from her

Dhruv yeh kya?

Astha said, her voice a mix of shock and suprise. She looked at him, their eyes meeting for a heart melting eye contact. The world around them faded into insignificance. Dhruv smiled at her, a breathtakingly beautiful smile that seemed to take her breath away, his eyes sparkling with sheer joy as he felt Astha wrapping her arms around his broad shoulders. His breath got stuck in his throat as a few stands of her beautiful, long, black silky hair fell over his face, gently brushing his neck. His heartbeats stopped for a moment before starting to race like a bullet train. She smiled wholeheartedly watching him laugh and couldn't stop the giggles bubbling up within her.

They stopped and looked at each other. Their eyes meeting for a beautiful eye contact full of tenderness, warmth and affection.

Astha reached out, fingers gently brushing against his cheek in a tender, affectionate touch. Dhruv shut his eyes as a he felt heat raising over his cheeks. He felt goosebumps travel all over his skin as he felt Astha,s fingers gently cupping his neck. Her warm breathes fanning his face making him feel current passing through his veins. He watched as she shut her eyes, her long black lashes casting like butterfly wings over her beautiful walnut brown orbs forbidding him from looking into them. His heartbeats rose as she leaned forward and he felt her gently pressing her forehead against his. His eyes automatically fluttered close and he breathed deeply allowing himself to melt into the proximity.

Dhruv opened his eyes and he watched as Astha started to open her eyes slowly. He felt his heartbeats quicken as the thought that now her eyes would meet his excited him for no reason.

He gently put her down, their eyes met for a beautiful eye contact and the world around them faded into insignificance leaving the 2 in their own bubble of happiness and affection.

Dhruv reached out, his thumb caressing her soft cheek, the smile never leaving his lips. The feeling of her soft skin under his rough palm felt magical, a beautiful contrast. He watched as Astha shut her eyes and parted her lips to breathe leaning into his touch, the red blush coloring her cheeks making her look ethereal.

Thank you Astha.

Dhruv said, his voice a mix of warmth and gratitude.

Arthat.

Astha asked confusion lacing her features as she looked at him.

He chuckled softly at her innocent enquiry.

Thank you ka arth hai dhanyawad.

Dhruv said softly. Astha nodded her head in positive thoughtfully before a smile blossomed across her lips.

Dhruv locked his fingers with hers. Her soft tiny hands into his big one fit so perfectly as if it was meant to be.

Ab theek hain aap?

Dhruv asked meeting her gaze.

Astha blinked her eyes, the red color straining her cheeks nodding her head in positive saying

Ji.

Later!!!

Night!!!

Dhruv had gone out for some work and had just returned back. He was going towards his chamber, the soft clicking of his mojri on the wooden floor was barley audible.

He stopped feeling a tug on his hand and turned.

Rajkumari Tarapriya.

Dhruv called out freeing his hand from her grasp. His voice a mix of shock and uncertainty as he looked at her.

Kahan gaye thy aap? Aur woh ladki kon thi jisse aap baat ker rahe thy?

Tara asked, jealousy dripping from her tone.

Haan bahar gaye thy kuch kaam se.

Dhruv said sounding uninterested.

Konsa kaam itni raat ko? Aur woh kanya kon thi? Itni raat ko konsa kaam hota hai? Kya Astha janti hain ya phir unko bhi andhere mein rakha hai aapne?

Tara asked questions over questions crossing her arms across her chest.

Dhruv felt frustrated by her questions but responded as calmly as he could.

Aur aapko kyun lagta hai ke hum aapko jawab denge?

Kyunke humne sawal kiya hai?

Tara said locking her eyes with his.

Toh shama kijiyega Rajkumari Tarapriya ji. Hum aapko jawab nahin denge. Kyunke humse prashan kerne ka adhikar humari patni ka hai kisi dusre ko nahin.

Dhruv said trying to remain as calm as he could.

Matlab agar Astha aapse sawal Kareingi toh aap unko jawab denge?

Tara asked, her voice trembled with hurt at the thought that he can answer Astha and not her, the girl whom he was madly in love with.

Author: Let me correct you Tara ji He was ONCE madly in love with.

Back to the story!!!

Haan kyunke Astha patni hain humari. Humse sawal kerne ka adhikar keval Astha ko hai.

Dhruv said sternly.

Before Tara could say anything, Dhruv added, his voice dangerously calm as he looked into her eyes fiancely

Aur haan Rajkumari Tarapriya agli baar agar aapne bina anumati humara hath pakda toh humse bura koi nahin hoga

Saying this he left from there while a tear rolled up on Tara,s cheek.

End Of Chapter!!!!

RainbowRoses21. ❤️
Minhasmansi92. ❤️

Here's the chapter. Don't forget to vote and comment. Love you all take care stay home and stay safe ❤️❤️