Sands Of Time - a timeless love saga

Chapter 78

Warning: this one is a mature chapter. Not a fan of writing explicit adult content, so my versions are more sensual than gratuitously graphic... 

But I just thought I should put this disclaimer anyway. 

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"Aastha!"

As soon as Aastha and Veer stepped out of the room, her family engulfed her in hugs and concerned questions. It took a great deal of time and explanation to calm them all down. By the time everything had settled, it was already past midnight. The guests had retired to their respective accommodations and had been seen off, and both families finally decided to retire for the night.

As Veer walked out of Prem Mahal with his family, Aastha watched him forlornly. There was so much to say, so much to hear, and so much to love. She didn't want to be away from him—not even for a second.

Veer seemed to feel the same. Yet he put up a bright smile for her as he glanced back from the doorway. Then, when no one was watching, he gave her a wink.

Aastha found herself smiling.

For a moment, his gesture reminded her of the times Mohan would leave Rudragarh, and Radhika would rush to the parapet of the terrace just to catch one last glimpse of him. Without fail, he would always wave back. Even when the details of his face became unclear from the distance, she knew that grin and wink would still be there.

Her heart tugged with a surge of emotions she didn't know how to manage.

Saanvi dragged her towards her room, which was still a wreck. "Don't ever do that again, Jiji..." Saanvi sniffed once they were inside and immediately gathered Aastha into her arms.

Suraj stood by the doorway. He entered and joined them, gently caressing Aastha's hair.

"Are you okay, laado?"

Aastha nodded.

"Yes, bhai sa," she mumbled. Then, looking back at Saanvi, she cupped her face. "I am fine, Saanvi. Don't worry."

"We were all so scared..." Saanvi's voice trailed off with a shudder.

She had caught a glimpse of what Aastha's room had become. The whole thing about rebirth was already overwhelming enough to accept. She couldn't even imagine what Aastha must have gone through, or what was going on inside her head at that moment.

"I am sorry," Aastha apologized.

"Not your fault, laado. We just want you to be happy and safe."

"I am."

"It's late at night. You both go to sleep," Suraj said, wishing them good night.

As he was about to leave, Aastha called him. Out of Saanvi's earshot, she lowered her voice. "How is Kiara's condition, bhai sa? And... what about those security guards?"

Suraj swallowed the lump in his throat.

"Kiara... the doctors can't say anything at this point. They are exploring alternative medicine based on Vedavyas Shastri ji and Bua sa's suggestion. She is under strict forty-eight-hour observation. Only after that can they give us a definitive answer."

Aastha looked down. A wave of sadness and pain rushed through her. A shudder ran through her as she thought back to everything that had happened.

Aastha had suspected that something was wrong with Kiara. She had falsely believed that Kiara could have either been reincarnated or somehow influenced by history.