When Aastha met Veer, she knew they had a connection.
However, the connection would be from two centuries ago, she never could have imagined.
A love story that remained unfulfilled, broken by evil, and destroyed to ashes - whose reference hide...
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"This is a tradition. At Roopgarh we don't start anything auspicious without giving our offerings at Kali Matha Mandir. We would be really delighted if you all came with us too." Meethali, Aastha's mother requested Veer's family to join them in visiting the famous temple.
The history of Kali Matha Mandir dates back at least 200 years. Believed to be one of the most powerful temples in Rudragah, during the doom of the city, it was commissioned to be moved to Roopgarh at the behest of Shyam Rajveer Singh, who ascended the throne to rule the whole of Malavar post the death of his brother, Ratan Rajveer Singh.
Unfortunately, all attempts to move the Goddess idols failed. On the advice of a notable priest, Shyam Rajveer Singh decided to build the temple from scratch with only a Trishul, that they could obtain from the original temple. The Trishul, even to this day, is deemed to be the most powerful weapon of the deity in the whole of Rajasthan.
However, a lot of priests believe, the Trishul will only be powerful if it's reunited with its original idol, which currently rests in Rudragarh. Despite the passage of two centuries, the original Kali Matha Mandir remains untouched, in the dead city.
"We would love to!" Roopali beamed. Veer sighed back in his seat. The sound of anklets caught his attention and he whipped his head to see, Aastha climbing down the stairs. Decked in her traditional orange and green coloured Rajasthani Lehenga, she looked surreal. Aastha held his gaze with a faint smile gracing her lips as he couldn't look away. Something about her oddly looked familiar.
As she greeted her family and a round of discussion and laughter followed, Veer's gaze remained fixated on her. The kajal-laden eyes, large jhumki in her ears, the ethnic necklace resting on her neck and a dozen matching bangles on both her wrist, caught him off guard. In the last 4 days that he had been in the Shakti Mahal, he had always seen her wear a salwar kameez or simple but elegant kurtis paired with jeans. He had even seen her in the western outfit when he had taken her out on the bike ride. But this? He wasn't prepared for this. His heart beats raised coupled with notches, caught in her trance. It wasn't until, Suraj cleared his throat and tugged at his arm, that Veer looked away.
"We need to talk," Suraj said and signalled Veer to follow him.
***
"What is wrong with you?" Suraj asked when they were alone, outside by the garden.
Veer squinted his eyes in confusion, "I am sorry?"
"What is wrong with you, Veer? Are you sick?" Suraj asked in concern. Veer realized Suraj wasn't asking the question as a taunt.
"I still don't understand," Veer mumbled.
Suraj sat on one of the benches in the garden and rubbed his face. "That trip to Rudragarh in 2005, changed Aastha's life. Do you know, why?"
Veer stilled and his gaze fell on Suraj. "The fall.. Aastha's injury is the prime cause of her medical condition. You obviously heard about her condition, didn't you?"
