CHAPTER LXXXV
PLOT STORY:
*Main Storyline:*
The chapter revolves around Vanshu's desperate attempt to connect with Ava, who is lost in a world of her own. Vanshu confesses to Dwan about taking Ava away from the ceremony and trying to pry information about Ruby out of her. Dwan, though emotional, doesn't lash out at Vanshu, feeling responsible for Ava's state. Vanshu then tries to reach Ava, sneaking into her room through an adjacent window in the Tales Palace.
*Ava's Dream World:*
In her dream, Ava is trapped in a dark house, searching for light. She's manipulated by Nikolas, who orders her around, and she's unable to speak or escape. Ava's nightmare intensifies as she's thrown into a swimming pool filled with water, where she sees Ruby's lifeless body entwining her own.
*Turning Point:*
Vanshu's emotional words pierce Ava's subconscious, and Ava's dream begins to shift. Vanshu's forgiveness and love seem to reach Ava, and Ruby's soul appears, freeing Ava from Nikolas' grasp. Ruby's words of love and forgiveness give Ava a newfound hope, and she slowly starts to come back to reality.
*Climax:*
Ava's eyes snap open, and she looks at Vanshu with a glimmer of recognition. The chapter ends with Ava whispering, her voice barely audible, leaving the reader wondering what she'll say next.
*Character Insights:*
- Vanshu's desperation and love for Ava are palpable as she tries to reach her.
- Dwan's emotional vulnerability and sense of responsibility for Ava's state are highlighted.
- Ava's inner turmoil and struggle to escape her nightmare are vividly portrayed.
- Ruby's soul appears as a symbol of love, forgiveness, and hope, guiding Ava towards a new dawn.
MAIN STORY:
Vanshu's pain was palpable as she recounted every detail to Dwan, her voice heavy with emotion. She told Dwan how she had taken Ava away from the ceremony and how she had tried to pry information about Ruby out of her. Dwan listened attentively, her expression a mix of sadness and regret. She didn't lash out at Vanshu, because deep down, she felt responsible for Ava's state.
"It's okay, Vanshika," Dwan said, her voice softening. "I can understand what Ruby meant to you, and what kind of relationship she had with Ava. I'm dying to know why Ava isn't with Ruby anymore and how Ruby died. But trust me, Vanshika, it doesn't matter now. We've already lost Ava once; let's just pray that tomorrow she finds peace from all her pain."
Dwan's words were laced with a deep sorrow, and as she finished speaking, she turned and walked away, tears streaming down her face. But Vanshu wasn't ready to give up. She felt an overwhelming need to talk to Ava again, to try and reach her in some way. This time, Vanshu went with a different intention - either Ava would find a new reason to live after their conversation, or she would slip away into eternity.
Vanshu began to make her way towards Ava's room, her footsteps light and cautious. She didn't want to be seen, so she tried to move stealthily, her eyes scanning the surroundings to ensure she wasn't caught. Just as she was about to reach Ava's room, Dwan and Rohit appeared outside, checking on Ava's condition. Vanshu froze, holding her breath as she waited for them to leave. But Dwan and Rohit seemed to be in no hurry, Rohit trying to calm Dwan down as she stood there, her emotions raw and visible.
Vanshu waited patiently, her anxiety growing with each passing moment. But as the minutes ticked by and Dwan showed no signs of leaving, Vanshu's patience began to wear thin. She felt like she was stuck in limbo, unable to move forward or backward. Just when she thought she couldn't wait any longer, a sudden idea struck her. She remembered that the Taj Palace was adjacent to the Tales Palace, and if she could find a way to access the room in the Tales Palace that shared a window with Ava's room, she might be able to slip in unnoticed.
A spark of determination ignited within Vanshu, and she quickly made her way to the Tales Palace. She knew that Rajesh and his family were staying there, so she decided to use the excuse of visiting Rajesh's daughter Anvi to gain entry into the palace. As she navigated the corridors, she finally reached the room she was looking for - a room that belonged to Aashutosh, and which shared a window with Surya's room, where Ava was currently lying.
As Vanshu entered the room, she was struck by the numerous photos on the walls, depicting Aashutosh and Surya's relationship. Ava must have put them up after Aashutosh's passing, Vanshu thought, but she didn't have time to dwell on the memories. With a sense of purpose, she made her way to the window and carefully climbed out, entering Ava's room through the adjacent window. Ava lay sleeping, unaware of Vanshu's presence. Vanshu's heart swelled with emotion as she gazed at Ava's peaceful face, her mind racing with the uncertainty of what lay ahead.
Ava was lost in a dream world, trapped in a dark house, desperately searching for a glimmer of light. Suddenly, a faint glow appeared in the distance, and Ava moved towards it, only to be grabbed from behind and dragged back into the darkness. That's when Nikolas appeared, ropes in hand, his voice cold and menacing. "Ava, move forward," he ordered, and Ava obeyed, her movements robotic. Nikolas continued to give her commands, and Ava followed without question.
Just as Ava was about to speak, Nikolas's voice cut her off. "Ava, you can't speak." And in an instant, Ava's face was distorted, her mouth vanishing. She fell to the ground, and someone dragged her, throwing her into a swimming pool filled with water. Nikolas appeared again, his laughter echoing as he taunted her. "Ava, you'll never escape."
As Ava struggled to swim to the surface, she saw Ruby's lifeless body in the pool, her hair entwining Ava's body like a deadly trap. Nikolas stood at the edge of the pool, his laughter growing louder. But Ava's nightmare was about to take an unexpected turn.
Unbeknownst to Ava, Vanshu had entered her room, carefully drawing the curtains and sitting down beside her. Vanshu took Ava's hand, her voice filled with emotion. "Ava, Ruby... I forgave you. Why did you do what you did?" Vanshu's words seemed to pierce Ava's subconscious, and Ava's dream began to shift.
As Vanshu held Ava's hand, she remembered Rohit's words - Ava used to call Ruby "Ru." Vanshu's voice became more urgent, her words pouring out from the heart. "Ava, I'm Ru... I forgave you. Please come back to us."
Ava's dream world began to dissolve, and she felt Ruby's hair loosening its grip. Suddenly, a brilliant light illuminated the pool, and Nikolas vanished. Ruby's soul appeared before Ava, her voice filled with love and forgiveness. "Ava, a new dawn awaits you. Go, I'll never return."
Ava's eyes snapped open, and Vanshu's face came into focus. Vanshu's relief was palpable as she held Ava's hand, her eyes locked onto Ava's, filled with hope and love. Ava's gaze was vacant for a moment, but as she looked at Vanshu, a glimmer of recognition sparked, and she whispered, her voice barely audible...
To be continue....