Tethered

Engaged

Scene 4: City Palace, The Next Day

Aarushi glanced at her wristwatch—5:00 PM exactly.Aarushi stood at the grand entrance of the City Palace, its towering gates bathed in the soft, golden glow of the setting sun. The palace courtyard was beginning to quiet down, the tourists trickling out. He was late.

Aarushi: *to herself* So he didn't get it.

Her foot tapped softly on the cobblestone path, impatience building as she gazed toward the entrance. It had already been fifteen minutes, and there was no sign of him. The palace, with its wide corridors and intricate architecture, was an odd place to be kept waiting. She closes what seemed to be a dairy and keeps it inside her bag. Just as she contemplated leaving the place, she saw a figure rushing towards her.

It was Manjeet, but something was off. He was gasping for air, as if he’d been running for his life. His hair was wild, sticking out in odd directions, and his shirt was partially untucked. What caught Aarushi’s attention most, though, were the scratches on his hands. Thin, red lines that seemed fresh.

“Manjeet?” she called out, her voice laced with concern as he came to a stop before her, still breathing heavily.

He straightened up, forcing a shaky smile. “Hey, Aarushi... Sorry I’m late.”

Her frown deepened.

Aarushi: What happened to you? You look like you’ve been chased. And your hands...
[She pointed at the scratches]

Manjeet glanced down at them, rubbing his palm awkwardly before laughing, though the sound was strained.

Manjeet: Ah, it’s nothing, just that same notorious cat near my place. It jumped at me again, chased me halfway through the city!

Aarushi crossed her arms, her suspicion growing.

Aarushi: *with suspicion* A cat? Did it also chase you into the palace? Because those scratches look like something more than just a stray animal.

Manjeet hesitates for a moment, his eyes darting to the side before quickly meeting hers again. “Yeah, crazy thing wouldn’t let up. I barely managed to shake it off.” His voice sounded casual, but Aarushi could see the unease in his eyes.

She glanced at the scratches once more, her gaze narrowing. Something about the story didn’t sit right with her. The palace courtyard was silent now, safe for the distant sound of footsteps, and the evening breeze stirred lightly around them. Aarushi took a step closer, her voice low but firm.

Aarushi: Manjeet, are you sure it’s just a cat?
I get those scratches, but what about those cuts? I know the difference between cuts made from sharp objects and that from a ca-

Manjeet: *interupts* who are you?

Aarushi:*confused and frustrated* what?

Manjeet: you heard me.

Aarushi:*still confused* I dont understand.

Manjeet: by now, you know who i am, what i do for living, the place i work at, about my life, But, I've barely heard anything from you, about you. I dont even know where you're from, and i still dont understand why i felt that sense of familiarity when our eyes met for the first time.

Aarushi gives a blank stare as if she wanted to hear anything but that from Manjeet, she walks a few steps into the corridor of the palace covering her arms, changing her eyes with every step as if she was looking for words everywhere. Finally a word breaks through her mouth, quite hesitant, but with certainty "Delhi" as she stares down at the cobblestone path.

Aarushi: That's where I'm from. Single child, I was born with a silver spoon, but it was always a bruised hand that fed me. My father was a doctor, wealthy and good social reach, one would certainly say he was a good man, Maybe, maybe not, i spent my childhood trying to figure out what kind of person he was. He was abusive to my mother, he'd take out all of his frustration on her.