Our Hearts Woven Together: Bond of Siblings

Shadows of Deceit

The grand hall of the palace was adorned with shimmering lights and floral arrangements in shades of gold and white, setting the perfect scene for the engagement of Shivendra and Raghavendra. Guests from near and far had gathered to witness the union of the two princes with their future queens, Surili and Ashna. The air was filled with excitement, laughter, and the sound of soft music playing in the background.

In the midst of it all, Raghavendra’s best friend, Samar, entered with his usual vivacity, flashing his charming smile to everyone he passed. Samar was known for his playful and carefree attitude, but tonight, there was something different in his eyes—a glint that hadn’t been there before. He walked through the crowd, greeting everyone with his usual exuberance, but his focus kept shifting toward Tara, who was standing with a group of her friends, a soft smile playing on her lips.

Tara, or Toru as her brothers fondly called her, was enjoying the party, though her mind was elsewhere, wandering toward her brothers’ happiness. She didn’t notice Samar’s gaze as she took a glass of juice from the tray a servant passed her. Samar saw his moment.

"Ah, Tara!" he called, moving toward her with a wide grin. “You look radiant tonight, little sister!”

Tara turned to him, smiling warmly. “Samar bhaiya, you flatter me too much! But thank you. You’re looking quite dashing yourself.”

Samar chuckled, placing a friendly hand on her shoulder. “I had to make sure I matched the grandeur of this event. It’s not every day both my best friends get engaged, right?”

Tara laughed, sipping from her glass. “True! I still can’t believe this is happening.”

As she turned her attention back to the crowd, Samar’s smile faded slightly. He glanced around, making sure no one was watching, before slipping a small vial from his pocket. He moved with subtlety, his hand brushing against Tara’s glass as he poured a few drops of the clear liquid into her drink. His face returned to its usual cheerful expression, but there was something dark behind his eyes.

He leaned in closer to Tara and said, “How about a toast to your brothers’ happiness?”

Tara nodded, lifting her glass without any suspicion. “To Shiv and Raghav bhaiya. May their lives be filled with love and joy.”

As she took another sip, Samar’s smile grew colder. He watched her for a moment, then excused himself. “I’ll be right back. There’s something I need to attend to.”

Tara didn’t notice anything strange, but moments after Samar disappeared into the crowd, a strange sensation began to wash over her. The room around her seemed to blur, and her head felt light. Her breathing became shallow, and her legs wobbled as if the ground beneath her were shifting.

She blinked, trying to focus, but the world around her seemed to spin uncontrollably. Her vision blurred, and suddenly, the sounds of the party faded into a distant hum. She clutched her glass tightly, trying to steady herself, but her hands were trembling.

Raghavendra, who had been talking with Ashna across the room, noticed his sister’s sudden change in demeanor. His smile disappeared as he saw her swaying, her glass slipping from her fingers.

“Tara!” he shouted, his heart pounding as he rushed across the room.

Shivendra, who had been speaking with Surili, also turned at the sound of Raghav’s shout. His face paled as he saw Tara stumbling. Both brothers reached her at the same time, just as she collapsed into Raghav’s arms.

“Tara! Toru!” Shivendra’s voice was filled with panic. “What happened?”

Raghavendra gently shook her, trying to wake her up, but her eyes were half-closed, and her breathing was shallow. “Tara, stay with us! What’s wrong?” he asked, his voice shaking with fear.

The guests around them started murmuring, their joy replaced with concern as they watched the scene unfold. Surili and Ashna hurried to their sides, worry etched on their faces.

“What happened to her?” Surili asked, kneeling beside them. “She was fine just a moment ago!”

“I don’t know,” Raghav said, his voice cracking. “She just—she just collapsed!”

Shivendra’s eyes scanned the area, and then his gaze fell on the half-empty glass Tara had dropped. A knot formed in his stomach as he realized something was terribly wrong. He grabbed the glass, sniffing it cautiously, and his eyes narrowed.

“This isn’t right,” Shivendra muttered under his breath. “This smells strange. Someone did this to her.”

Raghavendra’s jaw clenched as he gently laid his sister on the floor. “Who would do something like this?” His voice was barely controlled rage, his mind racing through the possibilities. “She’s been nothing but kind to everyone!”

Ashna placed a comforting hand on Raghav’s shoulder. “We need to get her help, now.”

At that moment, Samar reappeared in the crowd, his face composed as if nothing had happened. But when he saw Tara lying unconscious in her brothers’ arms, his expression briefly faltered.

Raghavendra’s sharp eyes caught the change. “Samar!” he barked, standing up, fury blazing in his eyes. “What did you do?”

Samar’s face remained neutral, but there was a flicker of guilt in his eyes. “What are you talking about, Raghav? I didn’t do anything.”

Shivendra stepped forward, his voice low but filled with menace. “We saw you with Tara. You were the last person to talk to her before this happened. What did you put in her drink?”

Samar raised his hands in mock innocence, though there was a cold edge to his smile. “I think you’re overreacting, Shivendra. I would never hurt Tara. You know that.”

But Raghavendra wasn’t convinced. His hand curled into a fist, and his voice shook with anger. “If anything happens to her, Samar, I swear—”

Before he could finish, Tara suddenly gasped for air, her body convulsing slightly. Shivendra dropped to his knees beside her, holding her hand as her eyes fluttered open.

“Tara, can you hear me?” Shivendra’s voice was tight with desperation.

Tara’s voice was barely a whisper, her eyes filled with fear. “Bhaiya... I don’t feel... I don’t feel right.”

“We’re here, Tara. Just stay with us. Help is on the way,” Raghavendra said, his voice breaking with emotion.

As the palace guards and servants scrambled to call for the royal physician, Samar quietly slipped away into the shadows, a satisfied smirk playing on his lips. Whatever he had done to Tara was just the beginning. The storm he had set in motion was far from over.