Rudra Tara - A Love Bound By Duty

12.Flashback

Tara pov

As I sat by the tranquil Shivling fountain, my mind drifted back to a haunting memory from my childhood, triggered by the day's events with Hari. I remembered a time when I was playing hide-and-seek with friends. They had urged me to find a good hiding spot, and I wandered into the jungle, losing my way as twilight descended. Fear gripped me as darkness settled, and I saw a flickering light through the trees. I thought it might be my parents searching for me.

Instead, I stumbled upon a horrifying scene: an injured man surrounded by the lifeless bodies of his soldiers. A brutal figure was attacking him, wielding a rod and preparing to strike the final blow with a sword. In a panic, I grabbed a stone and threw it at the attacker, hitting him in the head. His furious eyes locked onto me, and he roared, “Who dares to hurt me?”

I darted behind a tree, my heart pounding. He spotted me, grabbed my arm with a vice-like grip, and dragged me from my hiding place. “Oh, this little girl. How dare you interfere? You’re a princess, aren’t you? Remove your jewelry and give it to me!” he growled, his voice cold and threatening.

Terror coursed through me. “No, this belongs to my parents. I will not give it to you!” I managed to stammer, my voice trembling.

“Remove it, or I’ll kill you!” he spat, jerking me roughly. I fell to the ground, my head throbbing as he yanked my hair, pulling me toward the tree. My vision blurred with fear as he raised his sword, ready to end my life.

Just then, a powerful figure emerged from the shadows. The strong man, fierce and determined, drove his sword through the attacker’s body from behind, saving me. The sight of the blood, the violence—it was too much. I lost consciousness, overwhelmed by sheer terror.

When I awoke, the morning sun was soft and comforting. My family surrounded me, their faces etched with relief and concern. I clung to them, my mother’s tears soaking my hair as she hugged me tightly. “You’re safe now,” she whispered through her sobs.

“Where is that strong man, Rani Ma?” I asked, my voice barely a whisper.

“He is in the guest room. He was gravely injured, but he saved you,” she replied, her voice laden with gratitude. “We will forever be in his debt.”

I was taken to his room, where I found him awake but disoriented. “How are you feeling, big man?” I asked, trying to hide my worry.

“I’m okay, but I don’t know who I am,” he replied, confusion clouding his eyes. “Do you know who I am?”

“Yes,” I said softly, my heart aching. “You’re my grandfather.”

He hugged me, believing my words. His embrace was filled with an emotion that broke my heart. No one corrected him; the pain of his memory loss was too great, and they feared stressing him further. The doctor had warned that pushing him to recall his past might cause more harm due to his severe head injury.

My father accepted him as his own father, treating him with the reverence and respect due to such a distinguished figure. My grandfather had died in battle when my father was just a child. In his place, this man, with his commanding presence and remarkable skills, became my guide and mentor. Under his tutelage, my father mastered the arts of strategy and combat, and our kingdom thrived, becoming the second strongest and wealthiest in the world.

I was his cherished grandchild, the one he adored and indulged. His affection was unwavering, a comforting constant in my life. Even though the demands of the kingdom kept us apart more often than I wished, every moment spent with him was precious. His love for me was a balm for my soul, and the thought of losing him was unbearable.

  
Flashback ends......

Tara's POV

After reliving the memory of that harrowing night, I found myself back in the present, standing at the serene Shivling fountain with Hari. The tranquil surroundings felt like a sanctuary amidst the storm of emotions swirling within me.

Hari’s voice broke through my reverie, gentle yet resolute. “It’s getting late. I should take you back to your kingdom now.”

A pang of reluctance pierced my heart. I had found such solace in this hidden place, a refuge from the chaos of my life. The thought of leaving this serene haven and returning to the demands of my royal duties felt almost unbearable. Yet, I knew I had to return.

As we mounted his horse together, a profound silence enveloped us. The rhythmic clip-clop of the horse’s hooves against the cobblestone seemed to mirror the steady beat of my anxious heart. I wanted to cling to this moment, this unexpected connection, but the looming reality of my responsibilities and fears held me back.

During the ride, the night sky was a tapestry of stars, casting a soft glow over us. The air was crisp, carrying with it the faint scent of blooming flowers from the fountain. I stole glances at Hari, who rode with a composed demeanor, his eyes reflecting a depth of emotion that I couldn’t fully decipher.

As the palace gates came into view, my heart ached with a mix of sadness and apprehension. The prospect of returning to the confines of royal life, with its burdens and expectations, was daunting. I wanted to tell Hari how much this day had meant to me, how his presence had offered me a rare glimpse of peace and understanding.

“Thank you for today,” I finally managed to say, my voice barely above a whisper. “It was... more than I could have hoped for.”

Hari looked at me, his gaze tender yet inscrutable. “I’m glad I could share this with you. Remember, if you ever need a moment of respite, this place is always here.”

I nodded, feeling a lump in my throat. The time we spent together, away from the constraints of our worlds, had stirred something within me—an awakening of feelings I wasn’t sure how to handle. As we reached the entrance of the palace, the reality of our separation hit me like a wave.

Before dismounting, Hari gently took my hand, his touch sending a shiver down my spine. “I’ll be thinking of you, Janki. Until we meet again.”

His words, though simple, carried a weight of sincerity that made my heart ache. I wanted to hold onto this moment, to extend our time together, but the demands of my life pulled me back. As he turned to leave, I felt a deep, unspoken connection between us, one that left me longing for more.

I watched him ride away, the silhouette of his figure gradually disappearing into the night. The tranquility of the Shivling fountain seemed to linger in my thoughts, a reminder of the fleeting but profound bond we had shared.

Turning towards the palace, I felt a renewed sense of determination mixed with an undercurrent of longing. The night had revealed something new within me—an awareness of the depth of my own emotions and the impact of Hari’s presence in my life.

As I walked back into the palace, the weight of the day’s events settled on me like a heavy cloak. I couldn’t shake the feeling that this was just the beginning of something significant, something that would intertwine our fates in ways I could only begin to imagine.