Soulmate [UNEDITED]

dilemma

"Don't worry about us, we will figure things out, let's go to sleep, its too late" Harshat spoke holding up a sleepy Bela in his arms, all of them nodded and went in to rest. Their beds were prepared early by the few servants who knew about this plan and helped them execute it.

.....................................................................

The morning came, so did a fresh start for everyone, today was the day for them to relax and have all the time to themselves. Tara and Harshat decided to take a stroll outside, hiding their real identity. Kashi as usual stayed behind to look after and have fun with others. Call it habit, or duty, she still obliged to do it.

Harshat wore a simple beige dress with little to no jewelleries, Tara also wore a simple saree and necklace made from dried tulsi branches "I'm ready let's go" Harshat said to Tara "yeah".

Both of them were wandering around the market place, looking around stuff presented to sell. Tara was looking at some entertainment skit that was acted by people from there when suddenly she felt a hand near her neck, at first she stiffened up but soon relaxed realizing it's Harshat's hand. His hand glided through her collarbones and swept away the hair at the back. His touches were electrifying, as if leaving a trail of unknown good sensation as they left the spot. His hand soon reach her earlobe, brushing His hand over it as he tugs in a white rose on her hair. Those touches near Tara's ears sent shivers down her spine, scared, yet craving it more and more "the flower is able to show it's beauty because of you, it should be arrogant that it was kept on your hairs" He whispers those words to her ear due to the loud noise around them. Even those simple hot breaths from his mouth felt something she never knew, her heart raced.

Tara was smiling a shy smile throughout the whole act, somehow managing a small thank you to him. Both of his palms never left the hands of Tara, he held her from behind firm, yet gentle. After the show Tara went to sweet shop "look at all these sweets, so beautifully crafted" she said still looking around "yeah they are, brother, how much is this?" Harshat pointed to an animal shaped sweet which looked very unique, but before the shopkeeper could say the price, Harshat grabbed two of them, grasped Tara with the other hand and ran off. Tara was so confused as she didn't quite payed attention to what he did and why they were running "Theif!!! Theif!!!" That's all she could hear from the distance.

They managed to escape and hide behind some trees to avoid being caught "did you stole something?!" Tara panted heavily, being out of breath Harshat just nodded while smiling like a big fool "why?! You're the king, why would you steal?!!" Tara whisper shouts at him. He held both of her shoulders "Don't worry priye, I put a gold coin in the basket before running" He sighed a big happy sigh "then why were we running?" He laughed "just for fun" Tara huffed finding him unbelievable. They both had a good laugh.

Rain started to pour as they were thinking of returning to the tent "now what?" Harshat threw his arms in frustration "now what?" She repeated after him with a smile. She held both of his hands and dragged them out of the shelter, slowly drenching in rain "Tara!! What are you doing?!! We'll get sick!!" She closed her eyes and smiled back to him "just for fun" mimicking his previous voice " I didn't knew King Hashrat is so weak that he'll get a fever if he plays in rain for sometime" Tara made funny face at him. Now his honor was at stake "of course not! Bring it on!!"  By this time every inch of both their bodies were wet by water. Clothes sticking to their bodies and hair loosing it's volume.

Harshat caught Tara by her waist as she slipped a bit. Both of them stayed in the same position, looking deep into each other's eyes as if saying the untold, unknown tale. Harshat moved her pallu (dangling free part of saree) and kept it on her face, covering it fully. Their breathing synced as their face came close, feeling each other's hot breaths while being exposed to the cold rain excited them heavily. Both of their lips were inches apart, they almost touched, but didn't touch. The feeling of closeness crushed over them, feeling each emotion and each heartbeat going higher and higher as the time went by.

Harshat looked at her lips, then at her nose, then at her eyes, Tara too, looked at his lose hair, then at his lips, then at his eyes. As if time stopped, they searched themselves in each other's eyes, knowing well they will find if they looked hard.

But sudden guilt took over Tara, the guilt of enjoying love, while taking away the other person's love. Kashi was the one who deserved it, not her, Harshat was Kashi's, not hers. And even if she looked at Harshat's perspective, he loved her sister, Nayana, not her, she in no way should be enjoying all this, all of it was someone else's, she's just a no body, a replacement and a fake. "Let's go home" their lips brushed against each other slightly as she spoke the words "let's go" Harshat smiled, unknown to her feelings, unknown to the storm inside her. Harshat helped her stand up and removed her pallu to place it gracefully as it was before.

They were still wet, but drier than before. They headed towards the tent. Harshat tried to hold her hands, though uncomfortable, she did , she wanted it, her heart craved it, but her brain kept saying no, its not right, she should not occupy other's things, she should leave him, his love and help Kashi and Harshat to patch up.