Astha paced the length of her chamber. She walked towards the balcony, her eyes frantically looking at the huge gates of the palace as she waited for Dhruv.

She just wanted him to walk through these doors. She wanted to breathe into his woody scent, she wanted to hug him tight and never let him go.

Dhruv had became so important in her life that for her, it was impossible to live without him. She felt as if she'll die if he didn't walk through these doors.

She felt a strange sense of emptiness in her heart. His absence made her feel a strange sense of abandonment which she never felt before. His laughter rang in her ears. Her breathing rose as she felt her stomach churn in discomfort.

Wapas aa jaiye Dhruv ji.

Astha said, her voice a fragile whisper

As she sat on the bed. She looked at the setting sun. She was feeling extremely terrible since morning and was unable to describe the feelings in words.

Hum nahin reh sakte aapke bina ab.

Astha chocked out. Her vision blurred with tears.

Agar aap wapas nahin aaye toh?

The words hit her like a bolt of electricity and she trembled. Her heart beating loudly against her chest as the thought made her almost dizzy.

She was yearning to see him, yearning to be in his arms, yearning to catch a glampse of him.

A strange sense of abandonment washed over her like ice water causing her to tremble.

Negative thoughts clouded her mind making it difficult for her to breathe.

His smiling face flashed across her mind and his laughter rang in her ears like a joyous melody.

Dhruv ji laut aaiye. Hum nahin reh sakte aapke bina.

Per kyun? Agar usse kuch ho bhi gaya toh tujhe kya...

Astha shut her ears with her palms closing her eyes

Nahin kuch nahin hoga inhein.

Pyaar kerti hai kya usse.

Her mind yelled at her.

HAAN KERTE HAIN!!!!!

Astha yelled on top of her lungs. The tears that burned her eyes now were on the edge of rolling down.

The realization that she loves her husband, her Dhruv hit her like a ton of bricks. The realization was almost overwhelming which washed over her leaving her aching for his return. The realization settled over her heart making her heart feel like it would burst out any moment.

Humein Dhruv se prem ho gaya hai.

Astha said, her voice barely above a whisper as she confessed a secret which was hidden somewhere deep in her heart.

She gathered herself and rushed towards the balcony. She stood there holding the reeling tightly as she looked at the huge gates of the palace, her heart pounding in her chest as she waited for Dhruv,s return. Her heart aching terribly as she waited. As if she'll die if he doesn't come back, as if she'll die if he doesn't walk through these doors.

Astha walked inside and took a bunch of papers, sitting on the chair of her study table, she took a deep breath trying to collect her thoughts.

She gripped the kalam tighter and she took a deep breath as she wrote, the words coming from the depths of her heart.

Tu hai subha sham ki tarah,
Khushiyon ke paigaam ki tarah...

She breathed, a small exhale, almost hushed. Her grip on the kalam tightened as she wrote, struggling to control her tears.

Kaise bhulaye hum tujhe?
Tu yaad hai humein, humare naam ki tarah...

Astha stopped. Her grip on the kalam loosened and she placed it on the table.

She let out a forced heavy breathe wiping the tears that lingered on the corner of her eyes.

She smiled shakily as she wrote, the words rolling off her tongue effortlessly

Dil saupa hai tere hathon...
Wapas kaise mang lein...?

Her heart raced as she took a deep breath writing the next lines gripping the kalam tighter

Jaan hazir hai tere liye...
Par jo tujh mein basi hai,
Woh tujhse kaise manglein....???

The kalam was dropped on the desk with a soft click as Astha breathed out. She re read the words. Her breath hitched as she felt cheeks turning warm. She hugged the latter tightly, close to her chest before she kept the latter on the table. The red color on her cheeks deepened as she spread her arms and twirled around in happiness.

Humein Dhruv ji se prem ho gaya hai.

Astha said, her voice barely above a whisper as her heart want into a wild dance. The blush on her cheeks deepened as she smiled shyly.

HUM DHRUV JI SE PREM KERTE HAIN!!!

Astha screamed, her happiness clear on her face as she twirled, her laughter, a joyous melody dancing in the air.

Humein Dhruv se bahot prem kerte hain. Bahot zyada, itna jitna kabhi kisi ne kisi se na kiya hoga.

Astha confessed looking at herself in the mirror. A gasp of shock escaped her lips as she looked at her reflection in the mirror. She looked utterly different. The blush on her cheeks deepening with each passing moment. Her heart racing in her chest at an abnormal speed, her trembling form, the extra glow on her face, her bright smile. She was in love.

Astha sat on the chair in front of her desk. An audible, stressful sigh escaped her lips. Her heart sank as she waited for Dhruv. She felt a pang of uncertainty in her chest as she closed her eyes and prayed.

Later!!!

The latter dropped from her hand on the floor with a soft thud. Her hands trembled as her breath hitched. Her mind raced to process the words that roamed in her mind. Dhruv was no more. Her husband was no more, the reason of her mare existence was no more. The love of her life left her. Her world shattered into a million pieces.

She clutched her mangalsutra tightly in her fist. Her heart shattered loudly in her ears. A mixture of longing, yearning, pain, disbelief and uncertainty flooded through her heart.

Nahin.... Yeh na....hin ho sa...kta.... Yeh na...hin

Astha fumbled with words. Her throat tightened. Her stomach churned in discomfort. She opened her mouth to scream out that it's a lie, that her Dhruv is alive but nothing came out of her mouth. She was too stunned to speak anything.

Agar chodna hi hota toh thaame Kyun rakhti.

Jaise aapke toh pani beh raha tha tha

Humein kabhi mat chodiyega.

Kabhi nahin

Aise kya dekh rahe hain?

Apni patni ko.

Ache lag rahe hain hum aapko?

Dekh sakti hain humne kab mana kiya?

Nahin ye...h.

The memories and the trauma overwhelmed her, she held her head as her vision blurred and she fell on the ground before darkness consumed her completely.

Later!!!

Astha opened her eyes and sat on the bed with a jerk.

Dhruv ji.

Astha whispered breathlessly.

Her eyes looking around frantically trying to catch a glampse of him.

Rajkumari Aap theek hain?

The dasi,s words fell to deaf ears.

Rajkumari.

The dasi called out a little loudly, worried.

Astha looked at her and menaged to nod shortly. Tears burned her eyes but she struggled to control them.

Astha.

Tara entered inside the chamber overflowing with happiness but her tear striken face didn't go unnoticed by the dasi

Dhruv jeevit hain. Woh laut aaye hain.

A tear striken Tara exclaimed, her voice hoarse and heavy. Her red eyes told that she has cried after hearing about Dhruv,s supposed demise.

However Astha didn't noticed. Her attention was caught by Tara,s words.

Dhruv jeevit hain woh laut aaye hain.

Astha,s heart started to pound in her chest. She gathered some courage and stood up.

Kahan?

Astha managed to chocked out.

Mehel ke dwar per.

Tara said. Astha didn't waste a single second and rushed out of their chamber. Her anklets chimed creating a beautiful melody of it's own as she ran passageway after passageway. Her heart beating loudly against her chest as she climbed down the stairs.

Astha stopped at the door of the palace, breathing heavily. She looked up. That's when she caught a sight of him.

There he stood against the huge gates of the palace safe and sound. She watched him carefully to look for any injury but found none. Tara stood just behind Astha and breathed a sigh of relief watching him safe and sound. She also watched him carefully to look for any injury.

Astha felt a sense of disbelief washing over her. She struggled to remain composed. Her breath slowed as her heart started pounding in her chest once again.

She took a step ahead, her steps heavy and uncertain not daring to blink her eyes. Her heart trembled in her chest with each step she took towards him.

Dhruv,s eyes met hers, a slow smile spread across his face as he took steps towards her. He so wanted to run towards her and envelope her into his arms but couldn't as there were people around. His heart fluttered in his chest like a caged bird at the mare thought. He had missed her to an extent which no words could describe. Dhruv,s heart raced with each step he took towards Astha. He had grown habitual to her care, her affectionate gestures, everything which sometimes scared him that it's a beautiful dream meant to be broken but he decided to brush away the thoughts. He knew that he was putting his in a line of fire but he wanted to take the risk. He wanted to believe that she cares for him, adores him and maybe loves him too, that it wasn't a dream. It was a beautiful reality. He was that he has developed a sense of affection for Astha but he was trying to stop himself from keeping hopes, from falling for her, from being habituated of her care and affection, from getting too attached with her. He was trying to protect his heart by building walls around his heart but unknown to him, the walls were crumbling and now Dhruv was unknowingly getting closer to her and maybe falling for her too so he decided to take this risk.

Astha stopped a few steps away and stood in front of dhruv. Her heart was pounding in her chest as she looked at Dhruv still not believing her eyes.

Koi kalpana itni sundar kaise ho sakti hai.

Astha thought. Dhruv stood in front of her. It seemed like a beautiful imagination. Though she knew that she'll give him everything she has, including her life too but at this moment, Astha was too scared to take another step forward thinking that if it's an illusion then it'll fade away.

As if understanding her state of mind. Dhruv moved towards her, his steps purposeful and delicate. The smile never leaving his lips, his eyes holding affection and assurance met her scared and yearning ones. He continued to smile silently at her.
His hands reached out, fingers gently brushing against the soft skin of her palm. He uplifted her hand and slipped his fingers through hers with a mixture of tenderness and delicacy.

Astha felt goosebumps travel all over skin as she looked at him. He felt her skin tingle under his chest.

Astha,s heart started racing like a bullet train as she continued to gaze at him.

Chalein biwi sahiba?

Dhruv asked her smiling softly. His voice a soft melody that warmed her heart. Dhruv moved, his fingers locked with Astha,s as she followed him, all the while looking at him, in a dazed state.

Hum theek hain Rajkumari.

Dhruv said formally to Tara before she could say something.

Dhruv and Astha,s chamber

Astha.

Dhruv called her out cupping her face tenderly, fingers stroking her cheeks.

Aap jeevit hain na? Yeh koi sapna toh nahin hai na?

Astha asked, her voice trembling with emotion as tears clouded her eyes.

Dhruv,s heart shattered loudly in his ears. Without a second thought. He gathered her in his arms and she went willingly hiding herself against him. His heart was beating right below her ear and she knew that it's not a dream. His heartbeats can never lie to her.

The tears that burned her eyes now finally rolled down her cheeks as her body shook with sobs.

Pata hai kitna dar gaye thy hum? Uss chithi main likha tha ke aap nahin rahe. Humare pran nikal gaye Dhruv ji. Humain laga kho diya aapko humne.

Astha confessed, her voice getting muffled against his sherwani as she sobbed.

Andaza bhi nahin hai aapko kya beeti humpe. Humein laga humari duniya khatam ho gayi.

Astha broke down in his arms. He held her tighter.

A mixture of pain, longing and affection flooded through his heart. He pulled away from the hug but not completely. She was still in his arms.

Shh. Humari jaan. Bas.

Dhruv coaned softly kissing her hair.

Pehle nahin aa sakte thy aap? Pata bhi hai kya halat ho gayi thi humari woh chithi milne ke baad?

Astha said as she stepped away, her expressions a mix of pain and anger.

Dhruv chuckled softly, his own tears falling as he took a step closer.

Shama ker dijiye biwi Saheb.

Dhruv said holding his ears. Astha smiled shakily at him.

Ab agar humein aise daraya na toh hum...

Toh aap?

Dhruv asked not letting her complete. He stepped forward and held her by her waist. He pulled her towards himself with a jerk. Astha clutched his broad shoulders for support as a gasp escaped her lips.

Dhruv reached out, his fingers gently brushing against her cheek and Astha felt shivers running down her spine.

Toh aap kya?

Dhruv questioned, his lips brushing against the shell of her ear causing her breath to hitch in her throat.

Astha gulped finally finding her voice, though it was as faint as it could be.

Hum aapko aapse door...

Before she could complete, Dhruv closed his mouth against the shell of her ear causing her to hiss in surprise.

Sochiyega bhi mat.

Dhruv,s dangerously calm whisper curled into her ear sending shivers down her spine.

Astha,s heart trembled as she felt a blush straining her cheeks.

Hum toh thitholi ker rahe thy.

Astha confessed, her voice trembling due to the proximity.

Dhruv crossed her arms across his chest, a pout forming on his lips as he responded

Humein aisi thitholi pasand nahin.

Astha laughed, her laughter a joyous melody dancing in the air.

Acha baba nahin kerenge.

Ab theek hai.

Dhruv said acting as if forgiving her. They both chuckled and fell on the bed.

End Of Chapter!!!

RainbowRoses21. ❤️
Minhasmansi92. ❤️

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