-• 26th of January •-

I was wrong. It was Agastya calling to check up on me.

When the call ends, I put the phone aside, resuming my studies. Guilt weighs me down when the girls bring up Atharva. I'm expected to blush shyly at his mention but all I feel is this slight discomfort that I'm doing him wrong. I'm a hundred percent sure I'm not attracted to the mystery man, but I should not be thinking about him so often as well, right? I don't know why my head feels so mushy, my thoughts so jumbled and my opinions so distorted when it comes to the guy who's deceit himself. He can't even show himself in the broad daylight, can't even reveal his real voice. So why is my judgement about him so volatile? Why can't I define him all that's bad and evil and call it a day? Why am I so indecisive?

Maybe it's because of Yuvraaj? Maybe I'm giving the man benefit of doubt because my brother is involved in this too?

Or maybe I'm just finding excuses to justify my messy feelings?

I sigh, dropping my head in my arms as I take a break from the studies. Not that I was studying. I could barely focus on the notes.

"Tara, what's wrong?" Kusum questions, twirling the end of pencil between her lips.

I shake my head. "Nothing. Just thinking."

"About what?" Anagha leans in curiously.

"When's 26th of January?"

"On 26th of January?" Revathi deadpans, looking at me as if I'm an idiot.

"No, I mean, on which day of the week the date falls on?" I ask further.

"Hmm," Anagha trails as she opens her phone to check the calender. "Next Tuesday. Why?" She turns off her phone, eyeing me curiously.

"You mean, the one that's coming day after tomorrow?"

She nods. "It's 24th today."

"Oh," I whisper. "I know it's Republic Day but how do we celebrate it in schools? Or it's just another national holiday?"

"No, actually, we celebrate it with vigor every year," Kusum replies.

"Yeah, did you see the students practicing parade on the field for the last week?"

I nod in response.

"It's for the Republic day." Anagha adds. "So what happens is, the school bus picks us up at around six thirty or seven and the event commences at eight. We host the flag, play the national anthem, watch the parade and sit through different performances and stuff. At around eleven, we're sent back home with a bottle of flavoured milk and a packet of biscuit." She shrugs.

"And the game?"

"The baseball match?" Kusum asks.

I hum, "Yeah, it's in the evening, right?"

"Yup. It's an important game of the year. The school authorities said someone from the Grand Slam is coming to scout the players. Considering most of the boys in the team are in twelfth grade right now, this will be the last game they'll play this year. So it's very important for your brother." Anagha answers, referring to Agastya.

I know about that. It's a different thing that I realised it the hard way, but I'm aware of the importance attached to it. I hope Agastya makes it. He lives and breathes for baseball. I'd hate to see him crestfallen if he doesn't get scouted. He deserves to make big in baseball.

"By the way guys, do you know, Miss. Jasmine, our class teacher is also the event coordinator? She needs some volunteers to overlook and maintain equilibrium of the function."

"What do you mean?" We three grow curious hearing Kusum's words.

"The Event club sent out pamphlets last friday during lunch to tenth and twelfth grade." She shrugs. "You two went to wash your hands and you were in the library when I received this," she fishes out a paper from her backpack before keeping it in the centre of the table. "What say, guys? Should we volunteer? The dress code is white saree and either of the tricolour from the flag for blouse." Her tone takes an excited rise.

"Saree?" I frown.

"You've never wore one, right?" Anagha asks me, a smile lighting up on her face.

I shake my head.

"Let's do this then," she decides. "We didn't even get to celebrate Teacher's Day because of boards, I don't want to miss this chance. My mum has this amazing white chiffon saree with sequins all over, I want to try it once!" She yaps sounding thrilled.

"Sure, let's do it." Kusum nods, smiling broadly at the thought of wearing a saree.

"Girls, are we forgetting saree is not the main character here? It's the responsibilities." Revathi reminds sarcastically.

"We know," Anagha rolls her eyes. "Don't worry, yar, we'll be fine. Let's apply as volunteers, please?" She squints her eyes at us in a plea.

Revathi and I look at each other. She cocks a brow at me, as if asking for my opinion and I shrug. I'll go with whatever they decide. "Alright then, let's do this."

"Yes!"

"Yay!"

The two girls hi-fi each other, their eyes glowing in excitement.

"Let's focus on what we gathered here for," Revathi drags their attention back to present and we four dive back into the world of chemistry and physics.

Agastya and Atharva return from their practice sharp at seven. He waits in the living room while I stuff my books in the backpack. "How was your practice?" I ask him to start a conversation.

He shrugs, most of his attention on his phone.

I sigh and look down, depositing the stationery in my school pouch before putting it inside the backpack. Just as I pick up my phone from the lamp stand, the screen lits up with a notification.

Atharva 💖: come to the kitchen.

I press on the power button, looking up to check on Agastya. He seems occupied with whatever he's scrolling through on his phone. "I need to drink water," I make up an excuse.

He nods absentmindedly.

"I'll be back in a minute," I get up from the crouched position, avoiding my friends who look at me with teasing smiles as I rush towards the kitchen.

I gasp when Atharva grabs my hand and brings me behind the door, out of everyone's eyesight before he backs me up against the wall. He smiles down at me, and I mirror the response, happy to see him. "How are you?" I whisper to him.

He makes an okay sign.

"I'll be volunteering to help with the Republic Day event." For some reason, I want him to know I'll be wearing a saree. I don't know whether I'll be able to carry the outfit like Indian women gracefully do, but I'll try my best.

His smile fades, a stunned expression holding his eyes hostage. Then he leans in, so close I feel his breath caress the shell of my ear. And he whispers, "Saree?"

I stiffen, his voice evoking a memory I try to keep buried.

"Don't betray me."

My hands lift to rest on his chest as I slowly push him back to look at him carefully. His eyes, a stark contrast to the ebony ones that lead my nightmares in sleep, but his hair, they do have an uncanny resemblance to his. I raise my hand, covering half of his face and his eyes automatically narrow in confusion. I try to find more similarities between the two, anything to confirm my absurd suspicion but he holds my hand in his and gently lowers it down until his chin. "What?" He mouths.

That pulls me out of the daze.

I shake my head and look away, scolding myself internally for even thinking Atharva can deceive me like this. I might have met him only three weeks ago, but I know him enough to never doubt him.

"Taranya?" Agastya calls out from the living room.

I startle slightly, pushing Atharva aside in an attempt to escape. He grabs my elbow, spinning me around so fast a gasp leaves my mouth at the unexpected action. "Atharva," I hiss, afraid we'll be busted in front of one person who should be last in the world to ever find about this.

He leaves my hand immediately, pinching his right ear as an apology while he quickly removes his phone from the pocket. I wait impatiently as he types something before showing me the screen.

"Meet me at the library tomorrow. During lunch."

"Tara!?"

"Coming!" I shout back. "Okay, I will. Bye now." I say to Atharva and rush out of the kitchen. Agastya waits for me with my backpack, his laser like eyes glaring at me as I make my way towards him. "Sorry," I apologise sheepishly. He nods and we leave the house immediately after. I say bye to the girls at the threshold before getting inside my brother's Audi.

After coming home, I had to immediately get fresh and change into something comfortable before joining my family for dinner. I didn't really want to go down. Sleep sounded more tempting to me. But dinner is a mandatory meal time when everyone in the family has to be present.

Agastya and I enter the dining hall at the same time. He goes to his usual seat between Arush and Yuvaan while Dad pulls a chair for me like always. I thank him tiredly and settle down.

I feel mentally and physically worn out as I start my dinner. A lethargic feelings sweeps off my senses, making my lids heavy with the intoxication of sleep.

"Everyone looks sleepy tonight," Yuvraaj suddenly comments.

We all lift our heads in synchrony. I look around and true to his words, everyone looks frazzled and ready to call it a night.

"I was on call last night, then I had two back to back surgeries to perform. One I had to assist and another I had to lead." Vivaan explains.

"I was also up all night preparing for the art exhibition," Yuvaan shrugs.

"I had so many assignments to do," Arush pipes in.

"Don't you know your brother beat someone up because of that very thing?"

I glance at him, highlighting in the back of mind that I've to talk to him about it after dinner.

"And you two?" Yuvraaj questions, looking between me and Ayush.

"I was reading the whole day. My eyes are tired now."

"And I was studying the whole day."

"You also don't look like you caught any sleep last night." Vivaan tilts his head. At his question, Yuvraaj shifts his attention to me. When I look at him, he cocks a brow, as though asking if I've something to tell him in private.

I shake my head. "I couldn't sleep last night so I painted for a while. Then I lost the track of time and ended up sleeping at the break of dawn."

"But you ran like you were in a marathon this morning," Agastya points out.

"I guess that's one of the reasons why I can't wait to go to sleep right now." I force out a chuckle.

"Do you have nightmares or something?" Dad asks me.

I feel stumped at the question.

"Do you?" Vivaan leans in worriedly.

I blink, unable to come up with a lie.

Everytime I sleep, I end up in a dark room, with the pair of ebony eyes watching me like a hawk from some corner. It's terrifying to say the least. And I spend more than two hours trying to fall back asleep because of them.

"Do you have nightmares?" Yuvraaj leans forward, his hand coming to rest on my wrist. I look at him, unable to refute his question. He sighs. "Dad, would you mind keeping her company tonight?"

"No, of course not. I don't have a night duty either. I'll be with Tara in her room tonight. We'll fight off the monsters together, okay, my little star?" He cups the back of my head gently.

I smile up at him, nodding softly.

Maybe I can take this opportunity to ask him about Virat Rajwat. The question is, how should I do that without inviting suspicion on me?

After dinner, we all depart to our own rooms. Dad reasons he'll join me after getting changed into something comfortable. He also has a few reports to check. I nod at him, telling him to take his time since I've to talk to Arush.

"Good night," Ayush wishes, receiving mine in return as he disappears inside his room.

Agastya walks off to his side of the floor too.

"Arush," he halts, his door opened mid-way. His brows raise in question and he awaits my reason to stop him. "Can we talk?" I gesture inside his room. He nods reluctantly, stepping inside and holding the door open for me. I walk in, shoving my hands in the pockets of my pyjamas while he closes the door and moves to his study desk.

"What is it?"

"You hit someone because of me?"

He stiffens for a split second before opening his notebook and picking up the pen. "Who told you that?"

"Well, it happens to be the case that everyone but me knows."

He sighs. "So?"

"Why?" I ask softly.

Until now, the one person I haven't warmed up to among all the brothers are Yuvraaj and Arush. I would never expect anything different from Yuvraaj since he's like that with everyone and honestly, he has his moments when he is nothing but a brother to me. Like just now at the dinner when he got worried hearing that I've been having nightmares. But something between me and Arush always felt like an obstacle that we both were hesitant to overcome. I thought he was that way because of Agastya but that's not the case. I had lost all hope to have any bond with Arush, he speaks less, never involves me in anything, and rarely even looks in my direction. Yet hearing from my friends that my brother beat someone up because they were talking shit about me made me realise that the obstacle I was afraid of is in fact a bridge that we both were hesitant to cross. This time, I'm willing, but that is, if he reciprocates too.

"What do you mean by why?" He shrugs. "I'm not going to stand back and hear some low life speak ill about you."

"Why?" I probe.

He clenches the pen. "Because you're a Chauhan."

"Not because I'm your sister?"

He freezes at my question. But he doesn't say no, doesn't express detest or repulsion, he simply sits quietly, not saying anything but not breaking my heart with a blatant rejection either.

I smile and walk up to him. "Did you finish your geometry assignments?"

He shakes his head.

I look through the stuff on the desk and grab the geometry assignment notebook. "I'll finish it for you. Good night, Arush." With that, I turn and leave his room, closing the door gently after me.

"Tara?" Dad's voice makes me look up.

"Oh, Dad, did you wait long?" I walk up to him.

"No. That's Arush's room, isn't it?"

"Yeah," I answer as I scan my card key to unlock the door. I push it open and step inside before inviting him in the room. "Come in,"

"You're getting along with him now?"

"Not really," I smile sheepishly. "But it's a start."

He chuckles. "At least it's a start."

I put the notebook on the desk and move towards the bed. "So, would you like me to read you a book, little star?" He jests.

"Would you?" I ask softly. "It was one of my childhood dreams to have my father read me bedtime stories," I add, feeling nostalgic as the memories hit me like a train.

His smile fades and he appears guilty. "Tara," he sits beside me, holding my hand in his, his touch gentle on me.

"Did you never come to look for me?"

He sighs. "I did. I did, Tara. I did when you turned an year old. Trust me, it was so hard to live with the fact that I've a daughter thousands of miles across that I haven't met for so long."

"What happened then?"

"Your mother left the city when she found about my arrival through the news." He mumbles. "All I wanted was to wish you happy birthday. But she didn't let me. She didn't want a bad spotlight on her and you. It was understandable. It was only a year after Nandini died. The topic was still hot in the news. My decision to come to you was impulsive. But I found her. In some dingy motel, hiding from me. She got angry, swore at me, threatened to call the cops on me. So I dared her to do so. I told her if she doesn't let me see my daughter I'm pressing charges on her and taking over your custody. It was a mess. But we celebrated your birthday, got drunk again and.... And ended up spending another night together." He looks down at the floor. "We were so desperately trying to keep our worlds different that it became almost impossible to live the life we created for ourselves. I was crazily in love with her." He smiled melancholically at me. "I was so crazily in love with her." He sighs, wringing and rubbing his fingers together, an attempt to keep his hands busy. "We ruined each other, Tara. It's bullshit how beautifully love is described in poems and books. It's not stars and moons, it's the night itself. You go in blind, and you come out bleeding."

"Why her then? Why not Nandini? Why not your own wife?" I ask earnestly. Why not the safe option? Why the forbidden? The one he can only chase but never seek, never achieve.

"Because we don't choose who we fall in love with, Tara. When you look at the night sky, you don't wait for a particular star to fall, do you? You admire the one that does and entrust it with your wish, don't you?"

I nod.

"Your mother was that star for me, and my wish was the love I had for her. I simply trusted her with it." He smiles, his eyes shining through a sheen layer of tears. "But some wishes never reach the sky, always the grave, and you've to make amends with that." He shrugs.

"What a tragedy," I murmur.

"Indeed."

"I'll never fall in love like yours," I lower myself on the bed and lay my head on his lap.

"Please don't. I want you to fall in a kind of love that can be conquered and a lover who can fight for your happy ending. I want you to fall in safe kind of love." His fingers threads through my hair.

I picture Atharva in my head, wondering if he's the one. A smile comes over my lips at the thought of that.

A sigh escapes my mouth as Dad gently massages my scalp and I don't even realise when I fall asleep.

The next morning, I wake up the rapping of knuckles on the doorframe. I force my eyes open and check whether Dad is still asleep. He stirs slightly but doesn't move. Getting off the bed, I open the door and step out before closing the door behind me.

"You're not ready for the run yet?"

"Can I sleep in?" I beg my brother.

"No can do, short stuff." He shakes his head.

"Please," I grab his arm and swing it back and forth, pouting for extra effects.

"You look like a roasted duck," he grimaces.

"I'm sleeping in for today." I declare and turn to leave.

"I'll come back at six thirty."

"Agastya!" I stomp my right foot.

"Bhai!" He chides.

I stick out my tongue at him.

"Six thirty." He warns before putting on his headphones and heading towards the elevator.

I dash back inside the bedroom and get under the duvet. Dad automatically pulls me closer. I lay my head on his extended arm, snuggling close before I fall back asleep in his embrace.

As instructed, Agastya returns for me at six thirty. Hence, I had to go with him for run. Dad had already woken up by then so he left to his own room to get ready for work.

"I'm volunteering for Republic Day function," I tell him as we run side by side, with our arms linked.

"What?" He stops short. That automatically puts a brake on my feet too.

"I'm applying as a volunteer along with my friends for Republic Day." I repeat.

"You know that you'll have to be at school at five or something to arrange and shit, right?"

I nod. I didn't know that. But now I do.

"Taranya, I've a game that evening!" He pulls his arm off mine.

"So?"

"So, you'll be at school until late in the afternoon. You'll be tired as fuck."

"So?" I still don't understand what the problem is.

"My game, Tara." He mumbles, almost sad I failed to figure out his point.

"I'll be there."

"In a saree?" He asks sarcastically.

I scratch the back of my head. "Why? Is saree not allowed in the stadium?"

"That's not it. But you won't even have time to change. Not that they'll let you change in the school. On days like this restrooms are always busy and classes and offices are locked. How will you wear my letterman jacket?"

"Your jacket?"

"Yes, I want you to wear my letterman. The game will be recorded live, Tara. I want you to cheer for me."

"You want me to wear your letterman? Like the one with your player number on it?"

He nods.

My heart does some weird flip at that. My brother wants me to wear his varsity jacket? That sounds like a big deal. I thought you want someone closest to you to do that. Like Arush or any girl he might have a crush on. I never thought he'd want it to be me. Not that I'm complaining.

"I'll - uhm, I'll bring some casual clothes to change into. But if I don't get the time, I'll wear it over the saree. Okay?"

"You sure? I don't think it'll go well with the saree. I don't want you to remove it in the middle of the game because you felt embarrassed."

Middle of the game?

I might not make it to the end.

"Yeah, don't worry. I'll keep it on." I smile up at him.

We return to the palace to get ready for school. I take a shower and put on my school uniform before heading outside and meeting my brothers in the living room. As usual, Ayush hands me a Sandwich as a go-to breakfast for school. We pile inside Agastya's SUV and he pulls the car out of the driveway.

The day at the school is often not spent busy. I don't lift my head even during the break, trying to finish off Arush's geometry assignment for him. It helps me too since it's like a practice for me.

During lunch, I finish my food in the first ten minutes and head to the library. I meet Atharva in the same spot I met him last Friday. For the first time after the date, we act like a proper couple. The subtle brushing of hands, eye locks that end in shy smiles, and breathy words whispered to each other that paint our cheeks red, it all brings butterflies tumbling into my tummy. He also helps me with Hindi language, recommending his personal selection of books that'll help me get a better understanding of the language.

After school, the three girls stay back with me so we can go and apply as volunteers to our class teacher. She asks us to fill a form and submit it to the Events Club.

26th of January comes fairly sooner.

Last dinner, I shared the news that I'm volunteering for the Republic Day function. So this morning, Dad gifted me this beautiful white saree which I put on with the help of house maids. It comes along with a pretty custom-made silk blue checkered blouse and has strings on the back. Juyi styles my hair in a lose bun, pulls out thin locks to frame my oval face and applies a light shade of rose pink lipstick to my lip.

"If I remember correctly, a South actress wore this kasavu saree for Onam last year," I hear one of the maids say.

My brows shoot up in surprise. An actress wore this?

A knock on the door catches everyone's attention. Vivaan stands at the threshold, his eyes fixed on my reflection. I smile shyly, which later transforms into a frown at the white garland in his hand.

"Only this was missing, Prince Vivaan," Juyi smiles and takes it from him, tying it around my bun like a hair wreath. "Done!" She steps back, smiling at her accomplishment.

I turn around and look up at Vivaan. "How do I look?"

"Like a star that's meant to be admired from afar," he mumbles.

I chuckle bashfully. "Can you drop me at school? It's already five forty-five. I've to report at six."

He nods and holds out his hand to me. I take it, thanking the maids for their help as I leave the room with my backpack, phone and card key.

Dad waits for us at the end of the staircase. When his eyes land on me, his mouth falls agape.

"Exactly my reaction, Dad." Vivaan chortles.

"Do I look pretty, Dad?" I ask him cheekily.

"Ethereal, my little star. Absolutely ethereal."

No, because imagine someone with ocean blue eyes, dark raven hair, wearing a white saree and blue blouse. Of course she'd look ethereal 😩✨

Hope you enjoyed the chapter. Don't forget to vote and comment. Makes my day.