Reclaimed Legacy

(34) - Beneath the Mask

Abhira stood in front of the grand doors of The Blackstone Hall, her heart beating heavily in her chest. She had been so excited for this masquerade party all week, especially after getting the message from Nats few hours ago. She had felt a surge of anticipation the entire day, practically glowing with excitement, imagining herself sweeping into the hall, meeting everyone. And yet now, standing before the massive, ornate doors that marked the entrance, her excitement had all but evaporated. The people around her, moving with grace and confidence in their extravagant dresses and masks, seemed to blur into one long stream of elegance. It was as though the sight of this grandeur, the reality of the world she was about to step into, caused a wave of doubt to crash over her.

The doors themselves were intimidating, towering above her as if to guard the world inside. They were carved with intricate patterns that echoed centuries-old designs, reminding her of the history and legacy attached to Blackstone Academy. They seemed almost alive, watching her, waiting for her to make the decision to step through. She swallowed, her throat suddenly dry, and shifted her weight uncomfortably in the dress Nats had made for her. For all its beauty, the dress made her feel more exposed than she had anticipated—bold, daring, and completely unlike the Abhira Sharma she had become accustomed to. It was as though she was standing in the middle of an identity crisis, torn between her past self, who had never worn anything so extravagant, and her present self, who was supposed to feel at home in this world of luxury and grandeur.

"Abhira," Virat said softly, standing to her right. His voice was calm, but she could hear the faintest trace of impatience, a sign that the party had already begun, and he was eager to get inside. "You need to leave all your nerves behind these doors. It has already started. Let's go."

She shook her head, panic rising in her chest. "I can't... I'm not feeling well. It's too much, Virat. Everything—this place, this party—it's all too much. I don't think I can go through with it. You two go ahead, I'll catch up later." But even as the words left her mouth, she knew she had no intention of catching up. She was overwhelmed, not just by the party, but by the identity crisis swirling in her mind.

Adi, standing on her left, took her hand gently, his touch steadying her as he turned her to face him. His dark eyes, usually so playful, were serious now, filled with understanding. "Abhira," he began slowly, "this is just your nerves talking. You've been to countless parties like this before. You've done this a hundred times. It's just been a while since you've attended anything this grand. But remember—" He paused, letting the words settle in. "You're forgetting that Abhira Sharma was only a temporary part of you. She never attended parties like this, sure, but you were born into this world. You don't need to come out of any shell. This is who you are. You belong here, and this—" he gestured toward the hall, "this is your world. You rule it. Don't let the doubts of Abhira Sharma's past ruin your present."

Abhira closed her eyes for a moment, letting his words wash over her. She knew Adi was right, but that didn't stop the anxious thoughts swirling in her mind. The idea of being born into this world—the world of the Brars, of grandeur and power—felt foreign to her after spending years as Abhira Sharma, a name that had come with anonymity and simplicity.  For the first time in days, Abhira truly felt the weight of her returned identity. She knew she belonged in this world, yet a deep sense of doubt lingered. The fear she had carried all week, which she thought was tied to Armaan, was not about him at all. It was Abhira Sharma's fear. After all, much of her insecurity as Abhira Sharma had been connected to him and his family. Her anxiety about fitting into a new world had stemmed from them only as the Abhira Sharma who was raised by Renuka Ma through stories and lessons were not insecure like the later one. Now, she was beginning to understand that she had to separate these feelings, she knew that before too but she thought she had time but no, she doesn't have time and she needs to do something about it. What she hadn't realized, until now, was just how deeply those doubts and insecurities had rooted themselves and the Brar in her has never experienced these new feelings she was experiencing and because of that even though she knows the truth about herself, it is becoming very hard for her to control her emotions. Abhira Sharma had gone through some truly terrible experiences, but she was no longer that girl. In fact, she never had been—not entirely.In this moment, she felt like she was straddling two worlds, unsure of where she truly belonged. And then there was the dress. She glanced down at herself, the fabric clinging in all the right places but still making her feel too bold, too exposed.