"A NIGHT OF ETERNAL LOVE"

CHAPTER XLIV

PLOT STORY:

The chapter revolves around Surya's haldi ceremony, where Aashutosh makes a surprise appearance, playing the guitar. Nikolas reveals Aashutosh's identity, causing tension between Rana Pratap and Nikolas.

As the ceremony progresses, Pratap and his wife apply haldi to Surya's face, while Aashutosh watches, his emotions in turmoil. Radhika reveals Aashutosh's plan to accompany them to England after the wedding, further distressing Surya.

Aashutosh sneaks into Surya's room, and they share a romantic moment, reaffirming their love. Aashutosh asks Surya for one last night together, and Surya agrees.

*Key Plot Points:*

1. Aashutosh's surprise guitar performance at Surya's haldi ceremony.

2. Nikolas's revelation of Aashutosh's identity, causing tension between Rana Pratap and Nikolas.

3. Pratap and his wife's emotional moment with Surya during the haldi ceremony.

4. Radhika's revelation of Aashutosh's plan to accompany them to England.

5. Aashutosh and Surya's romantic moment in Surya's room.

*Character Arcs:*

1. Aashutosh: His love for Surya remains unwavering, and he's willing to take risks to be with him.

2. Surya: His emotions are in turmoil, but he reaffirms his love for Aashutosh.

3. Nikolas: His manipulative nature is on full display as he tries to control the situation.

4. Rana Pratap: His concern for Surya's well-being is evident, but he's also intimidated by Nikolas.

*Cliffhanger:*

The chapter ends with Aashutosh and Surya sharing a romantic moment, but the fate of their love remains uncertain. Will they find a way to be together, or will Nikolas's plans tear them apart?

MAIN STORY:

As the lights dimmed on the stage, a hush fell over the crowd gathered at Surya's haldi ceremony. Sudhanshu, one of Surya's closest friends, had arranged a surprise singing program to lift everyone's spirits. Surya's friends led him to a chair, where he sat, flanked by his buddies. Rana Pratap and Nikolas, seated together, seemed to be enjoying the festivities.

The air was electric with anticipation as the singer took the stage, accompanied by her band. One of the band members, a guitarist, stepped forward, his features shrouded in darkness. The sweet, melancholic strains of his guitar wafted through the air, and Surya's eyes welled up with tears. He whispered, "This sounds like..."

Before he could complete his sentence, Nikolas intervened, his voice dripping with malice. "Why, it's Aashutosh, playing the guitar!" The mention of Aashutosh's name sent Rana Pratap's eyes flashing with anger, his gaze snapping towards the stage.

Nikolas, however, seemed unfazed. "Your Highness, please don't worry," he reassured Rana Pratap. "My son won't be able to stop the wedding. I have too many plans in place. Just sit back, relax, and let events unfold." Rana Pratap's face darkened with concern. "If the wedding is called off, it won't bode well for your family, Nikolas."

Nikolas's smile grew wider, his eyes glinting with amusement. "Rana Pratap, don't forget that I'm far more dangerous than you." Rana Pratap's eyes locked onto Nikolas's, his voice trembling with rage. "You dare mention my name?" Nikolas chuckled. "I've only just begun. Don't provoke me, or you'll see the true extent of my power."

As Nikolas's eyes flashed with menace, Rana Pratap felt a shiver run down his spine. He seemed to shrink back, his confidence wavering in the face of Nikolas's intimidation. The atmosphere had grown heavy with tension, the singing program all but forgotten in the wake of Nikolas's ominous warning.

As the singing program came to a close, Surya returned to his seat, his eyes still brimming with tears. Many guests still lingered, awaiting their turn to apply haldi to Surya's face. As the crowd thinned, Pratap and his wife approached Surya, their faces etched with concern.

Surya's eyes locked onto Pratap's, searching for answers. Pratap's expression turned sorrowful as he began to speak. "This was the first thing Aashutosh ever asked of me. How could I have refused him?" His voice cracked with emotion, betraying his inner turmoil.

Surya's lips parted to respond, but before he could speak, Radhika intervened. "Your Highness, please don't worry. My brother-in-law will accompany us to England after the wedding. He told us that he wants to see Surya with someone else, to convince himself that Surya can never be his." Her words dripped with malice, each syllable a dagger to Surya's heart.

As Radhika spoke, Surya's gaze drifted towards Aashutosh, who was watching him with an intensity that made Surya's heart skip a beat. The air seemed to vibrate with unspoken emotions, the tension between them palpable. Surya's eyes pleaded for answers, for reassurance that Aashutosh still loved him, still wanted him.

Aashutosh's expression, however, remained inscrutable, his eyes locked onto Surya's with a burning intensity. The silence between them was oppressive, heavy with the weight of unspoken words. It was as if the entire world had melted away, leaving only the two of them, suspended in a sea of uncertainty.

As Pratap and Radhika finished applying haldi to Surya's face and departed, Aashutosh approached Surya, his eyes locked onto his beloved's face. Surya's heart skipped a beat as he whispered, "Aashu."

Aashutosh's expression was a mix of sadness and determination. "Don't say anything, Surya. I know you're being forced into this. I'm not here to stop the wedding, but to tell you that even if we're apart, my love for you will never waver." Surya's eyes drank in the sight of Aashutosh, his heart aching with longing.

Aashutosh's voice was laced with emotion as he continued, "When I first met you, I had no idea that our paths would cross again, or that we would be torn apart. But I want you to know that my love for you has only grown stronger with time." Surya's eyes welled up with tears as he listened to Aashutosh's words, his heart overflowing with emotion.

Unbeknownst to the two lovers, Nikolas and Rana Pratap were watching them from afar, their faces masks of calmness. But as Surya responded to Aashutosh, his voice barely above a whisper, "Aashu, you really love me that much?" Aashutosh's reply was fervent, "You can't even imagine how much I love you, Surya."

As they gazed into each other's eyes, the world around them melted away. They were lost in their own little bubble of love, their hearts beating as one. But their moment of bliss was short-lived, as Pratap appeared, his face stern, and escorted Aashutosh away.

The sudden departure left Surya reeling, and before he could even process what was happening, a swarm of guests descended upon him, eager to take photos. The crowd was suffocating, and Surya's eyes frantically searched for Aashutosh, but he was nowhere to be found.

Just as Surya was starting to feel desperate, Nikolas appeared, his eyes glinting with malice, and dragged Aashutosh away, leaving Surya feeling lost and bereft. The crowd continued to buzz around him, but Surya's heart was elsewhere, his thoughts consumed by the love of his life, Aashutosh.

As the haldi ceremony came to a close, Surya retreated to the balcony of his room, his mind consumed by thoughts of Aashutosh. The pain of their impending separation weighed heavily on his heart. Little did he know, Aashutosh was thinking of him too, and with a determined glint in his eye, he climbed out of his room's window and made his way to Surya's.

Aashutosh's heart skipped a beat as he entered Surya's room, only to find him missing. His eyes scanned the space, and then, he spotted Surya standing on the balcony, lost in thought. Without making a sound, Aashutosh crept up behind Surya and wrapped his arms around him, pulling him into a tight back hug.

Surya's heart leapt with joy as he recognized Aashutosh's touch. He turned around, his eyes locking onto Aashutosh's, and asked, "Aashu, why have you come here?" Aashutosh's voice trembled with emotion as he replied, "I've told you before, Surya, I love you. That's why I'm here. Besides, tomorrow you'll be getting married, and you'll belong to someone else."

Surya's face contorted in anguish at the thought, but he took Aashutosh's hands in his and reassured him, "Aashu, I'm yours, and I'll always be yours. No one else can ever have me, and I'll never belong to anyone else. Remember that always." Aashutosh's eyes welled up with tears as he nodded, his voice barely above a whisper, "I know, Surya. That's why I love you so much."

Without another word, Aashutosh leaned in, his lips brushing against Surya's in a tender kiss. As they broke apart, Aashutosh's eyes searched Surya's, and he asked, his voice trembling, "Can you give me this one last night, Surya?" Surya's face broke into a soft smile as he replied, "Tonight, and every night, will be ours, Aashutosh."

Aashutosh's eyes overflowed with tears as he nodded, his heart full of joy. He took Surya's hands in his, and they shared another kiss, their lips locked in a passionate embrace. As they stood there, lost in their love, they slowly made their way back into Surya's room, their hearts beating as one.

To be continue.....