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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Aastha scanned the grand ballroom, a sigh escaping her lips. She felt uneasy and anxious. However, she couldn't share this with her friends. It was New Year's Eve, and after a day filled with laughter and indulgent feasting, her dear friends Harika, Karan, and Kiara had urged her to accompany them to the Masquerade Ball in the evening.
Aastha was adorned in a breathtaking ensemble at Kiara's insistence. The peach-hued gown clung to her form, while the skirt's delicate frills flowed effortlessly to the floor. Complementing her regal look, she was handed a mask of feathers at the entrance of the ballroom that covered the top half of Aastha's face.
Harika's eyes widened in amazement as she asked Aastha, "I'm sure royal New Year celebrations are of a different level, isn't it?"
Aastha shrugged, "We spend New Year's Eve day conducting pooja, offering prayers and whatnot. Yes, the evening and the New Year count down, there has always been a lavish party. I don't like it though. I always hide in my room.. or in the terrace. I like the peaceful and quiet welcoming of a New Year."
Kiara threw her hands around Aastha and sighed, "Uff, my dear peace-lover. Are you telling us, this party is too loud for you?"
"Yes." Aastha deadpanned.
Kiara made a fake-hurt face, catching her heart. "The most happening party of the year! And she calls it loud! What has the world come down to?"
Aastha laughed at Kiara's comment. While Harika joined in making funny comments, Karan who stood a few steps away from the girls, looked at the distance and stiffened. Aastha noticed his turmoil and frowned. Leaving Kiara and Harika to their animated conversation, Aastha approached Karan, "All okay?"
He looked back at her and gave her an awkward chuckle, "Of course, why wouldn't it be?"
"Um.. I don't know, you look like you saw a ghost." Aastha pointed.
Karan shook his head profusely, "What nonsense! Don't believe in Harika's historical stories. Most of them are rumours... There is no ghost here."
Aastha rolled her eyes, "I know that. What I mean is, that you look worried. Is there a problem?"
"No way! No worries. No problem." Karan mumbled. Soon, he emptied the wine he was sipping and excused himself to the washroom. Aastha frowned and glanced at the balcony where Karan had been staring earlier. Apart from a few people standing and chatting, there was nothing out of place.
"Aastha! You have to hear this story!" Kiara called out to her, giggling.
Rolling her eyes, Aastha twirled around and stood next to Harika who was laughing hysterically. As the girls told her some story about Kiara's attempt at cooking as a part of the new year's resolution, Aastha's mind was elsewhere.
***
"You guys didn't!" Aastha exclaimed in horror. Kiara and Harika winked at each other.
