Two months have passed since Aditi was kidnapped. The kidnapping attempts were slowed now..
Now, she sits in a sterile room, flanked by Arjun and her doctor. The fluorescent lights above cast a harsh glow, illuminating the stark white walls that seem to close in around them, amplifying the tension in the air.
"Doctor, how is her heart doing now?" Arjun's voice trembles with worry, each word laced with a desperation that echoes in the silence of the room.
"Everything appears stable, but her heartbeats are erratic. It's as if everything looks fine on the surface, yet beneath it all, decay is setting in," the doctor replies, his tone heavy with unspoken sorrow. He shifts uncomfortably, avoiding eye contact, as if the truth he bears is too burdensome to share directly.
"What the hell are you saying, doctor?" Arjun's frustration erupts, and he stands abruptly, his chair scraping against the floor. The sound is jarring, a stark contrast to the somber atmosphere.
"Arjun!" Aditi reaches for his hand, her grip gentle yet firm. She shakes her head, silently pleading for him to hold back his anger. The warmth of her touch calms him momentarily, grounding him in the reality of her presence. He takes a deep breath, the air thick with unspoken fears, and sinks back into his chair, the weight of the world pressing down on his shoulders.
"How long do I have, Doctor?" Aditi's voice quivers as she asks, her eyes wide with fear, reflecting a vulnerability that cuts through Arjun like a knife. The question hangs in the air, heavy and foreboding. Arjun's heart sinks at her inquiry, the weight of the possibility of losing her pressing down on him like a stone, each second stretching into an eternity.
Aditi's gaze drops, and tears begin to stream down her cheeks, glistening like fragile glass in the harsh light. Anger flares within Arjun as he watches her suffer, the sight of her pain igniting a fire in his chest. "With all the advancements in medicine, and you still can't cure a heart condition? What a disgrace!" he exclaims, his voice rising, filled with a mix of rage and helplessness.
"We've done everything we can, Mr. Arjun. There were opportunities for treatment years ago, but now... it's bleak. I regret to say this, but she may have less than a year left," the doctor states.
They were both taken aback, their hearts heavy as they absorbed the weight of the words.
They stand silently at the entrance of the hospital, the weight of the world pressing down on them. The air is thick with unspoken fears and unrelenting uncertainty, each breath a reminder of the fragility of life. Both are lost, grappling with the aftermath of a situation that has left them feeling utterly powerless. Arjun's mind drifts back to a time long ago when he was captured by soldiers for an act of betrayal, a memory that feels like a distant echo yet remains painfully vivid. A deep sadness envelops him; he once believed he was the only one who had suffered, the only one who bore the scars of loss and regret. But seeing Aditi in this state ignites a desperate desire to change everything, to rewrite the narrative of their lives.
His thoughts are interrupted by her voice, fragile and trembling, cutting through the haze of his memories.
"You should go now."
"Go? Where do you expect me to go?!" His voice rises, a mix of frustration and desperation, the words tumbling out before he can catch them.
"Don't waste your time on me." Her eyes, once bright with hope, now reflect a deep well of despair.
"What are you talking about? Keeping you safe is my duty. I am your protector." The words spill from him, a vow forged in the fires of their shared history, a promise he intends to uphold no matter the cost.
"I release you from that duty. There's no point in guarding someone who is—" Her voice falters, the weight of her own thoughts too heavy to bear.
Arjun raises a finger to silence her, his heart aching at the thought of her giving up.
"Stop. Don't even say it." The intensity of his gaze locks onto hers, willing her to see the truth in his eyes.
Tears begin to spill from her eyes, glistening like fragile glass as they trace down her cheeks, and soon she is overwhelmed with grief. The dam of her emotions breaks, and Arjun feels the weight of her sorrow pressing against him, a tidal wave of pain that threatens to drown them both. Without thinking, he pulls her into an embrace, their first, a moment of shared sorrow that transcends words. It is a cocoon of warmth amidst the cold reality surrounding them, a silent acknowledgment of their intertwined fates.
"I will fulfill all your wishes. I promise." The words are a soft whisper against her hair, a gentle vow that he hopes will bring her some semblance of comfort.
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In the book realm:
In the realm of Suryagarh, a somber announcement echoes through the streets, reverberating off the cobblestones and into the hearts of the townsfolk. The air is thick with anticipation, a palpable tension that hangs like a storm cloud, ready to burst.
A town crier's voice breaks the stillness, cutting through the murmurs of the crowd: "Hear ye! Hear ye! The greatest foe and traitor of King Dhrupad and Suryagarh, Rudranath, has met his end!" His voice, though loud and clear, carries a weight of finality that sends shivers down the spines of those who listen. "The King has decreed a celebration throughout Suryagarh! A grand festivity will unfold at the palace today. Gifts will be bestowed upon the poor and children. Prisoners will find mercy, and a new dawn shall grace the sky. King Dhrupad's reign will shine with prosperity and wealth!"
Joy spreads like wildfire among the people, igniting a fervor that sweeps through the streets. Laughter and cheers erupt as families embrace, children dance, and the sound of music begins to fill the air. Smiles light up their faces, a stark contrast to the dark clouds that had loomed over their kingdom for so long. The promise of a brighter future, free from the shadow of Rudranath's treachery, fills their hearts with hope.
Yet, amidst the revelry, one heart remains heavy with sorrow. It is Maya, a loyal soldier and confidante of Rudranath, who feels the weight of loss more than anyone else. The news of her leader's death has shattered her spirit, leaving her adrift in a sea of grief. Once a pillar of strength, she now finds herself unable to contain her tears, which flow freely down her cheeks, mingling with the dust of the streets.
"I am so sorry, my lord," she whispers into the void, her voice trembling with anguish. "I failed to protect you. I could not shield this kingdom from the merciless prince Dhrupad. Everything is in ruins now. I am so deeply sorry..." Her words hang in the air, a haunting echo of regret that only she can hear.
Maya's mind races back to the moments they shared—the laughter, the plans for a better Suryagarh, the dreams of a united kingdom. She remembers the fire in Rudranath's eyes, the passion with which he fought for justice and the dreams of uniting all religions and bringing peace into this kingdom.
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Aditi inquired, "Could you please tell me our destination?" while grasping Arjun's hand tightly, her curiosity piqued by the mystery of their journey. The car hummed steadily along the road, but the uncertainty gnawed at her.
"I mentioned it is a surprise. Please refrain from asking again," Arjun replied, a playful smile dancing on his lips, though his eyes held a hint of mischief.
Aditi huffed, her patience wearing thin. "We have been traveling for over an hour, and you still refuse to share any details!" she protested, glancing out the window at the passing scenery, which had shifted from bustling city streets to quieter, tree-lined avenues.
"Just a few more minutes," he assured her, his tone light but firm, as he focused on the road ahead.
As the minutes ticked by, Aditi's anticipation mixed with anxiety. She could feel her heart racing, a blend of excitement and apprehension. Finally, the car slowed and came to a stop. Aditi's breath caught in her throat as she looked up to see an impressive hotel looming before them. Its entrance was nothing short of magnificent, with towering glass doors that sparkled under the soft glow of the evening lights, exuding an air of luxury that felt almost surreal.
Arjun stepped out of the car and walked around to her side, opening the door with a flourish. "Welcome to our destination," he said, his eyes twinkling with delight.
"Why are we at such an extravagant place?" Aditi exclaimed in disbelief, her voice a mix of awe and concern. She hesitated to step inside, her mind racing with thoughts of the lavishness that surrounded them. "We should leave now before we are asked to leave," she insisted, her instincts urging her to retreat from the opulence that felt so out of reach.
Before she could pull him away, a man in a sharp suit approached them with a warm smile. "Good evening, ma'am and sir. I am the manager of Grandeur Hotel, and I extend a warm welcome to you both for tonight's dinner," he announced, his voice smooth and inviting.
Aditi shook her head in disapproval, her eyes darting between the manager and Arjun, searching for reassurance. "This is too much, Arjun," she whispered, her voice laced with uncertainty.
But Arjun, undeterred, took her hand firmly and led her inside.