Sands Of Time - a timeless love saga

Chapter 48

Recap: Aastha returns to attend her cousin Tejas and Isha's wedding. Her family arrives shortly after followed by Veer's surprise entry with a dance. The two share a few moments together and there is a hint that Aastha's aunt, Vaishali may be aware of the relationship. Later, Veer asks Aastha out on a date. Vaishali finds out that the witch is in the venue and is planning something. Shortly after, Aastha is missing and she is found hanging by the edge of the water tower. Veer saves her in time, but suffers a minor fracture and few injuries to his hand. Aastha realises that Veer and her would do anything to save each other, even losing their life if need be. Aastha opens up to her mother and she finds out that Meethali already knows about their relationship.

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Once her mother left her alone, Aastha settled into her room, recalling the events that had transpired at the water tower. Unlike what she had told her family, the truth was far more unsettling.

It was true that a small child had been hanging on the edge of the water tower. Aastha had rushed to save the child. But when she reached the tower, the child was nowhere in sight. Then, it appeared in front of her suddenly, pleading, "Save me..." 

It kept begging and moving closer to her. Finally, when it was close enough, the child grabbed Aastha's hands. She realized the child's hands were smudged with oil. Just like that, the child began to burn and then slipped from the edge of the tower. Aastha was stunned. She couldn't comprehend what had happened but her instincts told her to save the child. In a desperate attempt, she reached out and slipped.

Aastha shivered at the memory and recalled how many people who touched her had burned. What was happening? When she touched her arm, she realized the amulet that Suraj had asked her to wear was gone. Aastha remembered that while she was hanging on the edge, the amulet had come loose and fallen off. Fear engulfed her. She didn't know if the amulet was the cause of all the misfortune or if it had been protecting her. 

Aastha remembered how a woman who had touched her at the airport had fallen down, and even a few random people she had crossed paths with at the resort had experienced a similar fate. At first, these incidents seemed unrelated, but with the child also suffering the same, it was no longer a coincidence. It was a pattern. Why was all this happening to her?

As she hugged herself, mentally exhausted and physically tired with everything, her phone beeped. It was Veer.

Aastha frowned, "Veer? Shouldn't you be resting?"

"I.. have planned a surprise for you." He said.

"I am coming to see you," Aastha said.

"No. The doctor has given me painkillers and I will be asleep by the time you come."

"Veer. I know you love giving me surprises, but you are hurt. All I care about now is for you to heal." Aastha said.

"I will heal if you are with me. I have planned a date for us."

"Now?"

"No.. tomorrow night. After the wedding function."

"Veer! You don't have to plan anything. We can go to as many dates as we want once you recover."

"Nothing has happened to me, Aastha," Veer mumbled. "I just wanted to be close to you. Won't you go on a date with me?" He asked.

Aastha sighed, Veer was incorrigible. Who thinks about a date while resting in a hospital bed? "Okay."

"See you soon, Aastha," Veer said hoarsely before disconnecting the call. Aastha sighed, leaning against the headrest and praying Veer would be fine soon.