Chapter 5 The Glass of Water and Glowing Eyes
The next morning the harsh buzz of the alarm tore Aarav from sleep. It was six. He opened his eyes shut off the alarm and buried his face back in the pillow. Then with a jolt he sat straight up.
Oh crap I have to meet Nayan today.
He remembered Nayan had messaged him to come over to his place today and stay for lunch. Aarav got up swiftly got ready and hopped on his bike heading straight for Nayan's house.
Nayan's house was in a quiet colony. Aarav rang the gate bell. After a moment the door opened and Nayan's mother Seema Aunty appeared.
Oh Aarav beta you came. Come in come in. Her face held a warm welcoming smile.
Namaste Aunty Aarav said. Where is Nayan.
He has not even gotten up yet. Go wake him up.
Yes Aunty.
Aarav went straight to Nayan's room. Nayan was curled up under a sheet fast asleep. A mischievous grin spread across Aarav's face. He tiptoed to Nayan's bed lay down beside him draped his leg over Nayan's and whispered in his ear Ooh baby yes yes please yahhh.
Nayan's eyes flew open. He jerked upright and clamped a hand over Aarav's mouth. Aarav bro what are you doing.
Aarav burst out laughing. See. Woke you up did I not.
Nayan checked the clock. Bro it is only seven. Let me sleep man. I do not even feel like going to college today. He started to lie back down.
Aarav got off the bed and made to leave. Alright then I will just tell Karishma that Nayan is busy today sleeping.
Karishma. At the sound of her name Nayan shot up and came over to Aarav. What about Karishma.
Yeah Karishma. She is bringing the list for the college annual function prep to the library today about who will do what. If you do not feel like coming I will go alone and tell her Nayan will not participate in the dance. Okay I am leaving. Sleep well son.
Bro bro wait wait. I will get ready and come right now. Just two minutes. You sit here. Just wait I am getting ready.
Nayan got ready in record time a mere thirty minutes and was all set. Just then Seema Aunty's voice called out Come on kids have some breakfast. I made fresh hot poha.
No Mom we are getting late. We will grab something on the way Nayan said.
No Aunty I am hungry I will have some Aarav said.
Come sit. Nayan you come too. See I do not know what hurry Aarav has.
Oh Aunty what hurry. He is the one in a big hurry. What can I tell you Aarav said. At this Nayan gave Aarav's foot a light kick under the table.
Oww.
What happened beta Seema Aunty asked concerned.
Nothing Aunty just a stomach ache from hunger but it will not happen now that I am eating this poha.
Alright then.
Both ate the poha and headed out. Nayan got on the back of Aarav's bike and Aarav started it up.
Bro so what is the plan. Are you gonna dance Aarav asked.
Man but how. Will Karishma agree to the dance.
Your bro has got your back. Watch how I convince her.
Talking like this they reached college. Once there they started waiting for Karishma. After a while Karishma arrived at college on her scooter. Seeing her Nayan brightened up.
Karishma saw Aarav and said Hey Aarav.
Hey Karishma Aarav said and started walking toward her.
So you two finally showed up. Come on tell me who is doing what.
Nayan spoke up Me. I will participate in the dance too.
Oh Nayan. Yeah I know Aarav already told me Karishma said.
Nayan shot Aarav an angry look. Aarav just smiled.
Let us go to the library. I have a book to return. After that we meet in the garden.
Everyone went to the library. While Karishma went to return the book Nayan gave Aarav a light punch in the stomach and said When will you stop messing with me huh. You told Karishma everything why did you not tell me.
Aarav started laughing. I was just pulling your leg.
Karishma returned and the three headed toward the garden. Karishma said Guys so be prepared. We three will dance but we need one more partner. And right now no one else wants to dance. What do we do.
Aarav thought for a moment then said I will handle it. Okay guys I am leaving now. I have some work. You two talk here. Aarav winked at Nayan. Nayan understood.
Aarav left got on his bike and headed toward his hostel. He was riding when suddenly a boy started crossing the road in front of him. Aarav slammed the brakes. Hey are you blind. Ever heard of a horn.
Then the boy turned. Aarav's breath caught.
Kiyan.
Aarav looked at him then without a word turned his bike in the other direction and sped off toward the hostel. Kiyan just stood there watching him leave.
Back at the hostel Aarav lay down on his bed. Will not even talk and then this fool shows up in front of my bike. Would have turned into roadkill under my wheels. Man the day was going so well and Mr Stranger had to ruin it. Whatever the day is still young. It is only one o'clock anyway. What to do what to do.
Just then his doorbell rang.
Now who is here he grumbled and opened the door.
Kiyan stood in front of him.
Aarav said angrily Kiyan. I do not want to talk to you.
Kiyan gave no reply. He just stepped forward and held out a bag toward Aarav.
Aarav opened the bag. Inside were the same clothes he had given Kiyan to wear that night.
Oh you came to return my clothes. Want some water.
Kiyan nodded.
Aarav went to get water and came back with a glass. He placed the glass on the table in front of Kiyan. Just as Kiyan reached out to take it Aarav pulled his hand back.
No water for you. Got it.
A moment of silence. Then in a swift motion Kiyan grabbed Aarav's hand reaching for the water. The glass slipped from Aarav's grip and fell to the floor. Aarav lost his balance and stumbled forward falling right on top of Kiyan.
Both were on the bed. Aarav on top Kiyan beneath him. Aarav's breaths quickened. He tried to get up but could not seem to move. His gaze got stuck on Kiyan's eyes. And then it happened again that golden glow in Kiyan's eyes slowly kindled to life like an inner lamp being lit.
This glow did not feel frightening this time. It held a strange warmth a magnetism that was hard to look away from. Aarav's breaths seemed to stop. His anger his irritation everything blurred in that moment. He just kept looking into those eyes into that deep mysterious golden depth that no longer scared him but pulled him in.
Kiyan was silent too. His breaths were warm against Aarav's face. He did not try to move either. Maybe he was also caught in the same spell the spell of this Aarav who stood like a wall against his Chhayodhbhav (a nightborn entity who drains age) powers whose eyes now held not fear but a deep confused curiosity.
The room was silent save for the echo of two heartbeats and the sound of water dripping from the broken glass.
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