TALES OF TAJ

CHAPTER XXXV

PLOT STORY:

Ava, a young and determined girl, discovers the truth about her family's past and the mysterious Maskman, who is revealed to be Aashutosh, her uncle. As Ava learns more about Aashutosh's tragic love story with Surya, she becomes entangled in a web of secrets, lies, and betrayal.

*Plot Twists:*

1. Ava discovers Aashutosh's true identity as Maskman.

2. Aashutosh's past love story with Surya is revealed.

3. Nikolas's true intentions are exposed, threatening Ava and Aashutosh.

4. Ruby's loyalty is tested as she tries to protect Ava.

*Themes:*

1. Love and loss

2. Family secrets and betrayal

3. Identity and self-discovery

4. Loyalty and friendship

*Climax:*

Ava and Aashutosh confront Nikolas, leading to a dramatic showdown.

*Resolution:*

Ava and Aashutosh find closure, and Ava discovers her true purpose.

MAIN STORY:

Ava walks into Maskman's room, and her eyes widen as she sees his mask lying on the floor. For the first time, she sees Maskman's face without the mask, but it's not entirely unfamiliar. She had seen his face before, but she was too young to remember it clearly.

As she gazes at Maskman's face, she expects to feel a surge of happiness and curiosity. Instead, her heart aches as she sees the depth of his pain and sorrow. Maskman is broken, and his eyes reflect the turmoil that ravages his soul.

Ava's eyes well up with tears as she realizes that Maskman is not ready to face her, not yet. She decides to leave him alone, surrounded by his memories of Surya. With a heavy heart, she quietly exits the room and heads towards Ruby's room, leaving Maskman to his grief.

"Ruby sat in the room, her eyes fixed on the door as Ava entered. She rushed into Ava's arms, embracing her tightly. "I can't bear to hear another word about Uncle's story," Ruby whispered, her voice trembling.

Ava's expression turned stern, her voice laced with emotion. "This isn't just a story or some wild imagination, Ruby. This is their entire life we're talking about. The memories they're sharing with us, those are the moments they truly lived, the moments they were happy."

Ava's eyes welled up with tears as she continued, her voice cracking with emotion. "I've always seen a fake smile on Sir's face, a devilish grin that sends shivers down my spine. But when he spoke about those moments he shared with Surya, I saw a genuine smile on his face, a smile that spoke of true happiness and love."

"Ruby said, "Ava, that's not what I meant. You misunderstood me."

Ava replied, her voice trembling with emotion, "Ru, you know why I started rebelling against Sir? It was because I was scared of losing you. But Sir lost the love of his life, Surya. I lost my family, but I had Sir, Mr. Johnathan, and Mrs. Emily with me. But when Sir lost Surya, he was left with nothing but memories."

Ava's voice cracked as she continued, "I realize now that Sir is just existing, not living. He doesn't want any happiness in his life."

Ruby understood Ava's tension and hugged her tightly. "Ava, we can't change what's already happened, can we? But we can try to make things better. We can try to make Sir happy."

Ava broke down in tears, her voice barely audible. "Ru, sometimes I wish my parents had never met. I wish they had never gotten married."

Ruby looked at Ava, concern etched on her face. "Why are you saying that, Ava? If you hadn't met me..."

Ava interrupted, her voice shaking. "I would have found you, Ru. No matter where I was in the world, I would have found you. But Sir can't find Dad, no matter how hard he tries. Dad is in a different world now."

Ava's words were punctuated by sobs, and Ruby held her close, trying to comfort her.

"The next morning, Ava was up early, getting ready to leave. Ruby woke up to find Ava missing and searched the entire palace, but couldn't find her. She began to worry that Nikolas might have tried to harm Ava again.

Just as Ruby was thinking this, she heard the sound of a car horn coming from the garden area. She rushed towards the sound and found Ava sitting in the car, about to leave. Ruby ran to the car window and asked Ava, "Where are you going so early? Uncle is still here in the palace."

Ava replied, "You're right, I'm not going to meet Uncle. I'm going to the police station to file a report against Nikolas." Ruby cautioned Ava, "Don't let your emotions cloud your judgment. You should talk to Sir about this."

Ava got out of the car and said, "What should I ask Sir? Should I ask him why he didn't report the man who ruined his life? Should I ask him why he didn't file a police report?" Aashutosh, who was standing behind Ava and Ruby, spoke up, "Ava, do you think I didn't report the man who killed Surya?"

Ava replied, "If you had reported him, he wouldn't be walking free today. He killed four people that day." Aashutosh corrected Ava, "He didn't kill four people, Ava. He killed only two."

Ava looked at Aashutosh, confusion and concern etched on her face. "What do you mean?" she asked, her voice trembling with emotion.

Aashutosh turned to Ava and said, "Ava, it's time I told you the whole truth. It's time you knew who your real friends and enemies are." Ava looked at him curiously and asked, "Sir, do you want to tell me more?"

Aashutosh nodded, his expression serious. "Yes, I want to tell you everything." He paused, looking around cautiously. "But this isn't the right place. We should go somewhere else."

Ruby watched Aashutosh with a mixture of concern and suspicion, as if she didn't want Ava to know any more secrets. But she couldn't stop Aashutosh.

Aashutosh went to the garage and brought out his car. He asked Ava to get in, and she sat down beside him. Ruby, determined to join them, stood in front of the car and said, "I'm coming with you. Open the door for me."

Ava opened the door, and Ruby got in. The three of them drove off, leaving the palace behind. Nikolas watched them from his room window, a sinister smile spreading across his face. But his expression quickly turned serious, and he disappeared into the shadows.

Aashutosh drove Ava and Ruby to the same paint house where he had left off his story earlier. As they stepped out of the car, Ava felt a mix of emotions - excitement, curiosity, and a hint of fear.

Ruby, too, seemed apprehensive, her eyes scanning the surroundings as if searching for something or someone. Aashutosh, however, seemed calm and collected, his eyes fixed on the paint house as if it held secrets he was eager to share.

As they entered the paint house, Ava felt a sense of déjà vu, as if she had been there before. The smell of paint and turpentine filled the air, transporting her to a different time and place.

Aashutosh began to speak, his voice low and husky, drawing Ava and Ruby into the world of his memories. "Where I left off, Surya and I were deeply in love, but our happiness was short-lived..."

To be continue....