TALES OF TAJ

CHAPTER XXXI

PLOT STORY:

- Surya and Aashutosh's relationship is put to the test when a malicious photo threatens to destroy their trust.

- Nikolas, a mysterious and sinister figure, is determined to destroy Pratap and Surya's relationships with Aashutosh.

- Surya turns to his friend Jenna for help in winning Aashutosh back, but Nikolas's true intentions may jeopardize their plan.

- Pratap tries to mediate between Surya and Aashutosh, but his own loyalty is tested as he navigates the complex web of relationships.

*Conflict:*

- Surya and Aashutosh's trust issues

- Nikolas's malicious intentions

- Pratap's loyalty being tested

- Jenna's true role in Surya's plan

*Romantic Development:*

- Surya's determination to win Aashutosh back

- Aashutosh's conflicted feelings for Surya

- Pratap's own romantic feelings for someone

*Cliffhanger:*

- Nikolas's plan to destroy Pratap and Surya's relationships is set in motion

- Jenna's true role in Surya's plan is revealed, leaving Aashutosh stunned.

MAIN STORY:

Surya's car screeched to a halt in front of the Taj Palace, the sound echoing through the stillness. He stepped out, his eyes scanning the area until they landed on Rana Pratap, who was waiting for him with a stern expression. But what caught Surya off guard was Nikolas's presence, his eyes gleaming with malice.

Surya's face twisted in disgust as he glared at Nikolas, before turning to Rana Pratap. "Papa, why did you call me? What's going on?" he asked, his voice laced with concern.

Rana Pratap handed Surya a phone, his expression unyielding. "What is this? What's going on between you and Pratap?" The photo on the screen made Surya's blood boil.

Surya's face turned defensive as he explained, "Papa, everything in this photo is a lie. There's nothing going on between Pratap and me. He's like an elder brother to me, and I consider him my brother since I don't have one. I have no idea who took this photo, but whoever did, I won't forgive them."

Rana Pratap's expression softened, and he said, "I trust you, Surya. That's why I called Nikolas here. The photo was taken at the Tales Palace, and Nikolas thinks it might have been a servant who did it."

Surya's eyes narrowed, his wariness of Nikolas evident. Rana Pratap continued, "Don't worry, Surya. Nikolas will find the servant who did this."

Nikolas bowed his head, his voice dripping with insincerity. "Your Highness, don't worry. I'll find the person who posted the prince's photos on social media."

Surya's gaze lingered on Nikolas, his distrust palpable. "Please find that servant quickly. They not only ruined my reputation but also destroyed someone's trust in me."

Nikolas's smile was a thin-lipped affair, his eyes glinting with malice. "Don't worry, Your Highness. I'll find them."

Surya said to Rana Pratap, "Papa, you know that Jenna Jokinsinger is coming to India for a Singing performance, and she'll be staying at our Taj Palace since she's also my friend. I wanted to ask for your permission." Rana Pratap's expression turned indulgent. "Permission? This palace is yours, Surya. You can invite whoever you want."

Surya's face lit up with gratitude. "Thank you, Papa. I'll go to my room now; I have some office work to attend to." Rana Pratap nodded. "Alright, go take care of your work."

Surya bowed his head respectfully to Rana Pratap and left for his room. Nikolas's mind began to whirl with questions. "He called Pratap his brother? How am I supposed to destroy Pratap now? And who is this Jenna person?"

Rana Pratap turned to Nikolas and asked, "What's bothering you? Come, let's go; I'll get you some tea." Nikolas bowed his head, his voice laced with feigned respect. "Yes, Your Highness, let's go."

Pratap stared at his phone, shocked by the photo of Surya and him. His mind racing, he thought of Aashutosh. Pratap rushed to Aashutosh's room, finding him lying on the bed, surrounded by darkness. Pratap turned on the light, revealing Aashutosh's tear-stained face.

"Aashu, brother, what you saw was a lie," Pratap said, gently lifting Aashutosh from the bed. "Surya hugged me, thinking I was you, but when I spoke, he pushed me away." Aashutosh sobbed uncontrollably.

Pratap continued, "Aashu, Surya loves you deeply, and I know you've seen the photo. That's why you're crying. But trust me, nothing happened. There's someone in my life whom I love deeply." Aashutosh's tears flowed like a river.

Between sobs, Aashutosh confessed, "I hurt Surya. I was angry and said terrible things to him. I'm so foolish." He begged Pratap, "Please talk to Surya. Tell him I love him and made a mistake by not trusting him. I'll never do it again. I can't live without him."

Pratap hugged Aashutosh tightly. "Stop tormenting yourself, Aashu. Surya will understand. You hurt him, so you need to talk to him. Go to him tomorrow and apologize. Now, stop crying and wash your face. You've messed up your whole appearance."

Aashutosh's voice trembled, "Will Surya forgive me?" Pratap reassured him, "Yes, he will. Don't worry." Pratap took Aashutosh to the washroom, helped him clean up, and then put him to bed.

As Aashutosh fell asleep, Pratap left the room, his heart heavy with concern for his brother.

Pratap called Surya and said, "Surya, come to the garden area quickly. I need to talk to you about Aashu." Surya replied, "Okay, Pratap, I'll be right there."

Surya wiped away his tears, fixed his hair, and headed to the garden area, where Pratap was already waiting. As soon as Surya reached Pratap, he fell to his knees, tears streaming down his face. "Brother, Aashu doesn't trust me. He loves me, but he doesn't trust me."

Pratap lifted Surya up, handed him a cup of tea, and said, "That's not true, Surya. I've never seen Aashu as happy as he is with you. And I know he did what he did because he's afraid of losing you." Surya took a sip of the tea, his eyes still brimming with tears.

Surya said, "Aashu needs to be strong, brother. He's too weak. He doesn't know how to fight for our love." Pratap asked, "What do you plan to do?" Surya's eyes sparkled with determination. "We need to remove the fear from Aashu's heart. When he sees me with someone else, when he sees me being taken away from him, that's when he'll realize his true feelings."

Pratap's eyes widened in surprise. "Will this idea work?" Surya shrugged. "I don't know, but I'm willing to try. Dr. Prakash gave me this idea. Sometimes I feel jealous that he knows Aashu better than I do, but that's a story for another time."

Surya's face lit up with a smile. "My friend Jenna is coming from England tomorrow, and she'll help me bring Aashu back to me." Pratap's expression turned serious. "Just be careful, Surya. Don't lose Aashu in the process."

Surya's eyes burned with intensity. "I'll never let Aashu go, Pratap. Even if I have to die, I'll make sure he's mine. I'll go to him, fall at his feet, and beg him to stay with me." Pratap's voice was filled with emotion. "May God keep you both together always."

Surya's voice cracked with gratitude. "Thank you, brother, for supporting me." Pratap smiled. "You're both my younger brothers. It's my duty to help you."

Nikolas watched with growing curiosity and suspicion as Pratap and Surya conversed in hushed tones in the garden area, but he was left in the dark about the nature of their discussion. A scowl spread across his face as he thought to himself, "There's definitely something sinister lurking beneath the surface between these two, something that's carefully hidden from prying eyes. And that's precisely what will be the catalyst for their downfall... and possibly even their demise." Nikolas's eyes narrowed, his mind racing with the endless possibilities, as a sly smile spread across his face, hinting at the malicious intentions brewing within him.

To be continue....