Published on:- 29/4/25 [Tuesday]
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Khadka Mansion :-

"Avyaan, please take me with you. I want to meet Naina," Tarana pleaded, holding his arm tightly.

But Avyaan shook his head firmly.
"No. Stay here," he said in a low and rough voice.

His mind was a complete mess. He couldn't think straight. Nilay's words kept ringing in his ears like a curse he couldn't escape:

'Do you know that Naina is slowly dying?'

Avyaan closed his eyes tightly, trying to block out the pain and fear that tore at him from inside.

His little sister... his brave Naina...

He couldn't lose her. Not after everything.

After the meeting with the Russians, Avyaan called Nilay to know about the outcome. They had discussed the deals, the dangers, the future steps.

It was supposed to end there.

But just a few minutes later, Nilay called him again.

Avyaan remembered how strange Nilay's voice had sounded on that second call. Nilay was tense, broken, unlike the man he knew.

And then Nilay had asked the question that shattered his world:

"Do you know that this pregnancy will kill her?"

Those words kept stabbing his mind over and over again, leaving him restless and helpless.

Avyaan felt like his chest was being crushed. He wanted to run to Sunaina, hold her, protect her but he couldn't leave Tarana alone at that moment but now, he was ready to go there and asked a few questions to her.

"Naina is pregnant and this pregnancy is not safe for her. She knew about this that's why she prepared blood contracts and those vows for her children. Will her children be hers alone? Will they mean nothing to me?", Avyaan said in one breath. His chest was heaving.

Tarana stared at him. Her own eyes were filled with tears. She didn't know what to say. She couldn't understand Naina's pain, her decisions, or the way she always chose to fight alone.

Slowly, Tarana put her hand over her own baby bump, feeling the tiny life growing inside her.

She sniffled and said softly,
"Go... scold her. Tell her that I'm angry with her."

Her voice shook, but there was a small, encouraging smile on her lips ; a silent prayer that maybe, just maybe, their anger could put some senses in Sunaina.

"You take care of yourself," Avyaan said gently as he put his hand over her hand on the baby bump.

"I'm fine", Tarana replied with a soft smile. Then she added, "Avyaan, I want to go to the temple... to pray."

"No! Pray here", he said quickly.

Her face fell as she whimpered while pointing out, "But there's no praying mat".

"I will ask Buba to arrange everything for you here," he offered, trying to keep her safe, trying to hold things together.

But Tarana shook her head.
"I want to go to the temple, Avyaan. I need peace. I want to pray for Naina's health... and for her life."

Avyaan stared at her, speechless.
His heart was restless, heavy with fear and love.

He wanted to keep them both safe; Tarana and Sunaina but everything felt like it was slipping through his hands.

"Will you promise that you will take care of yourself?" Avyaan asked in a low and serious voice.

"I promise," Tarana said with a soft nod.

Then she smiled playfully and asked, "But why didn't you say to take care of the baby too?"

Avyaan looked at her, his eyes filled with a rare and, raw tenderness.

"Because you are my first priority. You come first... and the baby comes after." he said firmly.

And for a moment, Tarana froze.
Her brows drew together deeply and emotions were swirling in her heart.

She wasn't expecting that answer.
But hearing it... made her heart ache and swell at the same time.

"Love my baby too, Avyaan. You can't always choose me, okay? Don't be partial here", Tarana said softly, her voice was trembling a little.

Avyaan sighed and leaned his forehead against hers, closing his eyes.

"I love our baby too. But you... you are the reason this baby exists. You are my heart, Tara. If anything happens to you, I won't survive", He whispered.

Tarana's eyes filled with tears. She cupped his face gently and said,
"We both need you, Avyaan. Me and our baby... both of us."

He nodded silently, holding her close, his heart torn but slowly settling with her words.

"Take care, Tara. I will return soon," Avyaan said as he gently held her shoulders.

"Shark is here, and all the Scorpion Satan members are around. If anything happens, contact them immediately, okay? I've tightened the security", He said and Tarana held his hand and gave a soft yet firm smile.

"Avyaan! Nothing is going to happen. I will go with Buba to the temple, meet my parents, and return by evening. You go safely... and do a video call. I want to see Naina", Tarana said.

Avyaan nodded, though a storm raged in his mind.

'Brother-in-law already made a decision to terminate the pregnancy.
But I can't tell Tara. It'll hurt her. It'll affect her health... and I can't let that happen', He thought painfully

He gave her a final hug, hiding his breaking heart behind a strong face.
She waved at him with a smile... unaware of the storm waiting to hit them all.

Half an hour later, Tarana sat inside the car as Jaikesh drove carefully along the winding road. Her bodyguards were following her in another car.

The road climbed higher and higher, leading to the ancient Goddess Durga temple that stood proudly on the cliff.

The temple was old, very old; its stones worn by time, its walls whispering countless prayers of the past.

"Queen! Is it necessary to go to that temple? That temple is in a very risky area. We can pray anywhere," Jaikesh said as his voice was filled with concern as he glanced at Tarana.

Tarana shook her head as her expression was determined.

"No, Buba, Goddess Durga always gives me what I ask for. I prayed for Avyaan's life, and she blessed me. I wanted Avyaan's heart, and she gave it to me. She has always fulfilled all my prayers. This time too... I want her to fulfill my prayers", Tarana said and Jaikesh's brow furrowed with worry.

"But you are not alone, Queen. You are pregnant, and you are about to enter your last trimester.", Jaikesh said and Tarana placed a gentle hand on her baby bump, looking at Jaikesh with a quiet strength in her eyes.

"I know, Buba. But this is important. I need to pray for Naina's health and for her life. Nothing will stop me.", She replied.

Jaikesh sighed, still unsure, but nodded in agreement.

"Then I will be by your side, Queen, every step of the way.", He said and Tarana smiled warmly.

When they finally reached, Tarana stepped out. The cool wind touched her face, and the sound of temple bells echoed faintly in the air.

She looked up at the towering statue of Goddess Durga, fierce and protective, standing against the wide blue sky.

Her heart tightened. She folded her hands and bowed deeply.

"Please, Maa Durga, protect Naina. Give her strength. Give her life. Also save the little ones growing inside her", she prayed silently,

Jaikesh stayed behind, giving her space. Tarana slowly walked towards the main sanctum and her every step was filled with prayers, her hands were protectively placed on her baby bump.

The temple priests smiled at her and welcomed her warmly, recognizing the purity and desperation in her eyes.

As Tarana bowed her head before the idol of Goddess Durga, the priest's voice echoed through the temple.

"Your life is going to change. Not only yours, but everyone around you as well."

Tarana looked up, her brow furrowing.

"What do you mean?" she asked confused.

The priest remained silent for a moment, his eyes were distant, as if lost in a vision.

Then, he turned to her and said, "Go buy the green bangles for the Goddess."

Tarana's heart skipped a beat.

"Green bangles?" she repeated with uncertainty.

The priest nodded as his expression was unreadable, "Green symbolizes fertility, growth, and new beginnings. Go. The Goddess will guide you."

Tarana exchanged a glance with Jaikesh, who looked just as confused.

But she trusted the priest's words, knowing that nothing in this temple was ever said without reason.

She stood straight and said quietly,
"I will go," and turned towards the entrance.

"Queen! It's not safe for you to go there. Stay here. I will bring the bangles for you," Jaikesh urged as his voice was filled with concern as he stepped closer to Tarana.

Tarana shook her head firmly.

"No, Buba. I need to do this myself. This is my prayer, my request to the Goddess. I will go and return quickly."

Jaikesh hesitated, clearly torn between his duty to protect her and her unshakable determination.

"I understand your devotion, Queen, but your safety comes first. The road to the market is not easy, and you are pregnant. It's too risky.", Jaikesh said.

Tarana placed a hand on her waist, a small smile was tugging at her lips.

"I know you are worried. But this is something I must do. It's a small task for a bigger blessing. Trust me, Buba. I won't be long", Tarana said

Jaikesh sighed, clearly reluctant, but he gave a nod.

"Very well, Queen. But I will follow you at a distance. I can't risk you, being alone out there."

Tarana's smile widened, grateful for his loyalty. "Thank you, Buba."

They were buying pooja materials and colorful bangles at the not so busy marketplace.

As Tarana browsed, her eyes landed on a small stall where a young boy, around eight or nine years old, who was sitting with rows of bright vermillion boxes in front of him; in striking shades of red, orange, and maroon. The colors caught her heart immediately.

"Hey kid! How much for the vermillion box?" Tarana asked with a smile.

"Twenty rupees," the boy answered smartly.

Tarana chuckled softly, finding the boy sharp and confident. "Oh nice! Is this your shop?"

The boy shook his head and grinned, "No. I am just a staff member here!"

Tarana laughed lightly, enjoying the brief, sweet interaction.

"What's your name?", She asked.

"I have no name", the boy replied and her smile faded.

Seeing, her reaction, Jaikesh reminded her, glancing around nervously.

"Queen, we need to be quick".

"I know, Buba," Tarana said,l softly while picking out five or six beautifully designed vermillion boxes.

She carefully chose the richest red and maroon powders, filling the boxes with special care.

Just then, Jaikesh's phone rang. "Stay close to the Queen," he said to one of the scorpion Satan members before stepping a few feet away to answer the call.

After a minute, Jaikesh turned around and froze.

His eyes fell to the ground where all the vermillion boxes lay scattered, their lids tossed aside. The vibrant red and maroon powders had spilled, staining the dusty earth like spilled blood.

The bangles she had just bought were shattered, tiny shards of green and gold glinting under the sunlight.

"Queen!" Jaikesh called out in a trembling voice.

His heartbeat roared in his ears as his eyes darted through the crowd. But she was nowhere.

The sacred vermillion; the color of marriage, of love, of life was now smeared across the ground, lifeless.

Something was wrong. Terribly wrong.

And his blood froze when he found that member blooded, lying lifelessly on the ground just a few steps away from him.

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ShineeSunshine ♥️