TALES OF TAJ

CHAPTER XXIX

PLOT STORY:

Pratap confronts Surya and Aashutosh about their relationship, leading to a heated argument. Aashutosh, fearing his brother's wrath, denies his love for Surya, leaving Surya heartbroken.

Surya seeks Dr. Prakash's help to understand Aashutosh's fears and learns about Aashutosh's traumatic past, including the murder of his mother by his father, Nikolas.

Surya decides to confront Aashutosh about his past and reassure him of his love and protection. Aashutosh opens up about his fears and his father's cruel nature.

*Key Events:*

1. Pratap confronts Surya and Aashutosh about their relationship.

2. Aashutosh denies his love for Surya, fearing Pratap's wrath.

3. Surya seeks Dr. Prakash's help to understand Aashutosh's fears.

4. Surya learns about Aashutosh's traumatic past, including his mother's murder.

5. Surya confronts Aashutosh about his past and reassures him of his love and protection.

6. Aashutosh opens up about his fears and his father's cruel nature.

*Character Arcs:*

1. Surya: Learns about Aashutosh's traumatic past and decides to confront him about it. Shows determination and love for Aashutosh.

2. Aashutosh: Denies his love for Surya due to fear, but eventually opens up about his past and his fears. Shows vulnerability and trust in Surya.

3. Pratap: Shows anger and disapproval towards Surya and Aashutosh's relationship, but also shows a softer side when he advises Surya to talk to Dr. Prakash.

*Themes:*

1. Love vs. Fear: Surya and Aashutosh's love is tested by Aashutosh's fear of his brother's wrath and his father's cruelty.

2. Trauma and Vulnerability: Aashutosh's traumatic past is revealed, and he shows vulnerability and trust in Surya.

3. Protection and Support: Surya decides to confront Aashutosh about his past and reassures him of his love and protection.

MAIN STORY:

Pratap, Surya, and Aashutosh were in Aashutosh's room, the tension palpable. Pratap, his face red with rage, slammed the door shut and locked it from the inside. "Get dressed, both of you!" he thundered.

Surya and Aashutosh hastily put on their clothes, their hearts racing with anxiety.

Pratap's anger boiled over as he confronted Surya. "Your Highness, what were you thinking? Just because you're from a royal family, you think you can do whatever you want?"

Surya, his voice shaking with emotion, tried to reason with Pratap. "Brother, you're misunderstanding. I love Aashutosh, and he loves me. We want to spend our lives together."

Surya took Aashutosh's hand, his eyes pleading for understanding. "We want to be together, Pratap. Please try to understand."

Pratap's expression turned incredulous. "Do you know what you're saying, Your Highness?"

Surya's voice was firm, his eyes locked on Pratap's. "Yes, I know exactly what I'm saying. Aashutosh is my happiness, and I love him more than anything."

Pratap's gaze shifted to Aashutosh, his voice cold and menacing. "Aashu, is what Surya saying true?"

Aashutosh, terrified of his brother's wrath, trembled as he spoke. "N-no, Your Highness. I don't love Surya."

Aashutosh snatched his hand away from Surya's, his eyes wide with fear. He turned and ran out of the room, leaving Surya shattered.

Surya's eyes welled up with tears as he realized Aashutosh's words were a desperate attempt to protect himself from Pratap's anger.

Pratap placed a hand on Surya's shoulder, his voice softening. "I know what you said was true, Your Highness. But I had to show you that my brother Aashu doesn't have the courage to stand up for his love."

Pratap's expression turned somber. "Aashu has always been weak, afraid of our father's wrath. He's never dared to speak his mind."

Surya's tears flowed freely as he spoke, his voice cracking with emotion. "What do I do, Pratap? I love him so much, but if he's abandoned me, I'll die."

Pratap's voice was gentle, his words offering a glimmer of hope. "Talk to Dr. Prakash, Surya. He's the only one who can help you understand Aashu's fears. He's the only one who can help you win Aashu back."

Maskman's eyes welled up with tears as he returned to the present, his mind still reeling from the memories of his past. He turned to Ava, his voice cracking with emotion.

"Ava, you have no idea... every time I think about that day, about how I let go of Surya's hand because of my fear of Nikolas... it breaks my heart all over again."

He paused, taking a deep breath as the memories came flooding back.

"Ava, the time I spent with Surya... those were the most beautiful moments of my life. I had never felt such true happiness before. But that day, I was blinded by my fear. I was terrified that Nikolas would discover our secret, and that Surya would leave me because of it."

His voice trembled as he spoke, the pain and regret still raw.

"I was consumed by these thoughts, and I didn't know how to escape them. My mind was a whirlwind of emotions, and I couldn't shake off the feeling that Surya would never love me again."

He wiped away tears, his eyes red-rimmed.

"The rain that day was nothing compared to the storm of tears I cried. It was as if the universe itself was trying to calm the turmoil within me. I ran until I couldn't breathe, until I had to stop and catch my breath."

He paused, his voice barely above a whisper.

"That's when I felt a hand on my shoulder. It was Surya. I was too ashamed to face him, but he just held me, letting me cry until the storm within me subsided."

The next day, Surya visited Dr. Prakash to discuss Aashutosh's behavior. Dr. Prakash revealed that he had known Aashutosh since childhood and was aware of his deepest fears.

"Aashutosh is terrified of Nikolas, but it's not just because he saw Nikolas scolding Pratap," Dr. Prakash explained. "There's something more to it."

Surya's curiosity was piqued. "What could it be?" he asked, his voice filled with concern.

Dr. Prakash hesitated before speaking. "Aashutosh was only eight years old when he witnessed Nikolas murdering his own wife. He's carried this traumatic memory with him ever since."

Surya's eyes widened in horror. "What? How could Nikolas do such a thing?"

Dr. Prakash's expression was grim. "Aashutosh has never spoken of this to anyone, not even Pratap. But he confided in me, and now I'm sharing this with you, Your Highness."

Surya left the clinic, his mind reeling with questions. What kind of man was Nikolas? Why would he commit such a heinous crime?

As he rode his bike back to the Taj Palace, Surya noticed Nikolas and Pratap shifting belongings into the Tales Palace. His heart sank, but he knew he had to be strong for Aashutosh.

Surya snuck into Aashutosh's room through the window, finding him sitting in a chair, lost in thought. Surya approached him from behind, wrapping his arms around Aashutosh's waist.

"I understand your fears, but trust me, no one will ever tear us apart," Surya whispered, his voice filled with conviction. "Even if I die, my soul will remain with you, and when you pass on, my soul will be the first to greet yours."

Aashutosh's eyes welled up with tears as he turned to face Surya. "Why are you talking about dying? I want to live with you, not just in this life, but in every life to come. I won't let anything happen to you. Without you, I wouldn't know how to live."

Surya's heart swelled with emotion as he held Aashutosh close, their love and determination to be together burning brighter than ever.

Surya gently placed his hand on Aashutosh's, his eyes filled with concern. "Aashu, what happened? Why did your dad kill your mom?"

Aashutosh's eyes widened in fear, and he pulled his hand away. "How did you know?" he whispered.

Surya's expression was soft, reassuring. "It doesn't matter how I found out. What matters is that you didn't tell me. Now, please, tell me everything. What happened? Why did Nikolas do such a thing?"

Aashutosh took a deep breath, his voice trembling as he began to recount the tragic events of his past.

"My dad worked as a clerk for my mom's father. He fell in love with my mom, but she was already married to Pratap's father. My dad was heartbroken, but he waited for years, hoping that somehow, he would be with my mom."

Aashutosh's eyes welled up with tears.

"One day, my mom became pregnant, and she came to her father's house with her husband. My dad saw an opportunity and killed Pratap's father, making it look like a car accident. Then, he asked my mom's father for her hand in marriage, and they got married."

Surya's eyes widened in horror, his heart aching for Aashutosh.

"Years passed, and my mom discovered the truth about my dad's past. She threatened to go to the police, but my dad... he killed her too."

Aashutosh's voice cracked, and he buried his face in his hands, sobbing.

"My dad is a devil, Surya. He's capable of anything. That's why I'm scared, scared that I'll lose you, that he'll hurt you."

Surya pulled Aashutosh into a tight hug, holding him close as he whispered words of comfort.

"I'll always be with you, Aashu. Don't worry, I'll protect you. We'll face everything together."

To be continue...