Chapter 2 The Touch of the Nameless
Aarav's Hostel Room
10:15 PM
Rain still drummed against the window but inside the room a strange quiet had settled. The boy with the golden eyes stood near the door as if still mapping an escape route. His clothes clung to him water dripping from his black hair onto the floor.
Come sit here Aarav said gesturing toward his bed. I will get a towel. You can change the washroom is there. Anyway his eyes skimmed over the boy's torn jeans and stained shirt we are about the same size. Here.
Aarav opened his cupboard pulled out a plain white t shirt and an old pair of jeans and held them out.
The boy gave no reply. He just took the clothes and walked to the washroom. The door clicked shut.
Aarav stood still for a moment then smiled. Weird guy. He turned toward the small kitchen area. He lit the stove poured water into a pot. What was better than ginger tea on a rainy night.
Will you have tea he called toward the washroom.
No answer came.
Maybe he did not hear over the water Aarav thought and busied himself with the tea. He crushed ginger dropped in tea leaves boiled milk. Just as the tea finished brewing the washroom door opened.
Aarav turned with two mugs in hand and his breath hitched.
In his own clothes the boy looked ordinary but wearing Aarav's clothes he looked completely different. The t shirt stretched taut over broad shoulders and a defined chest. The jeans were slightly short on his long legs revealing his ankles.
Whoa Aarav said setting the mugs on the table. You are built. You work out. Anyway have some tea. This changing weather is already giving me a chill.
The golden eyed boy hesitated for a second then quietly came forward and picked up a mug. His fingers came close to Aarav's but did not touch.
Aarav took a sip of his own tea and sat down. The silence began to feel heavy.
So Aarav started I have been doing all the talking. You are not a Chhayajeev (a common ghost like entity) are you. Or that age stealing person.
The boy went completely still. The mug trembled in his hand. He slowly lifted his head and looked at Aarav. Something flickered in that golden gaze surprise maybe fear.
Aarav burst out laughing. Hey relax. I was joking. At least you are looking at me now. So tell me your name. What is it.
I do not have a name the boy's voice was flat dry.
Aarav laughed again. You are a funny one too. Like me. Seriously what is your name.
I said I do not have one.
Fine do not tell me. I will call you Mr Stranger. That okay.
The boy stayed silent. He took a sip of tea.
Aarav pressed on. So what do you do. Where do you live. In Mumbai.
Just then the sound of rain softened abruptly. The downpour had stopped. The boy stood up instantly placing the mug back on the table.
I should go he said a new urgency in his voice. The rain has stopped.
And without another word he moved toward the door.
Hey my clothes Aarav started but the boy did not stop. He opened the door and was gone the sound of fast footsteps descending the stairs echoing back.
Aarav went to the door and muttered Return them whenever you get the chance.
He closed the door and fell back onto his bed. Weird guy. No name no address. Acting like some Chhayajeev (a common ghost like entity). Whatever not my problem. I am going to sleep now. It is already past ten. Exams tomorrow but sleep comes first.
He lay down and within minutes his breaths grew deep and even.
Outside in the lane the boy with the golden eyes stood still. His gaze was fixed upward on Aarav's window where the light had now gone out. A whirlpool of questions churned in his mind but one loomed largest who was this human who could stand before his Kaal Bandhan (curse / time binding).
Morning 9:05 AM
The sharp trill of his alarm tore Aarav from sleep. He fumbled for his phone rubbed his eyes and sat up.
Oh crap nine o'clock. The exam is at ten.
He jumped out of bed. Aarav you idiot. Wake up. Muttering to himself he rushed to the washroom took a quick shower threw on the same old jeans and a fresh shirt grabbed his bag and bolted out.
He was panting by the time he reached college. He sprinted straight to the exam hall. Two hours later when he walked out relief was plain on his face. The paper had gone okay.
Aarav Over here.
He turned. Nayan his friend was waving from a distance. Aarav walked over.
How was the paper bro Nayan asked.
Couple of questions skipped rest was fine. You tell me how was yours.
Aarav said laughing Too good man. Hey how is Karishma doing.
Nayan smiled. Oh come on.
Look there she goes Aarav pointed toward the library where a girl was walking with a stack of books. Go on quick just say hi and come back.
Saying this Aarav gave Nayan a light shove. Nayan chuckled and started walking that way.
Aarav was smiling but then his eyes caught a familiar figure standing under the banyan tree. (Akshay Vriksh immortal banyan tree) The golden eyed boy. He was walking slowly as if trying to blend into the crowd.
Aarav's curiosity sparked. He jogged over.
Hello Mr Stranger.
The boy did not stop. He kept walking.
Aarav fell into step beside him. You know because of you I could not study last night. I was just going home you showed up and I got stuck talking to you. And last night what was that. I asked your name so many times you never told me. Did not even tell me you study in my college. Fine you did not tell me that but at least tell me your name now. Look I am not crazy or
Aarav's sentence cut off abruptly.
In one swift fluid motion the golden eyed boy grabbed Aarav's wrist and yanked him toward the wall of a nearby building. Aarav's back hit the bricks. Before he could utter a sound the boy pressed a finger to Aarav's lips a clear command for silence.
And then he started to look straight into Aarav's eyes.
Aarav's breath froze. He could not move. The boy's golden eyes began to glow lit by a soft internal light as if an ancient flame had stirred awake inside them. Aarav tried to pull away but the boy's grip was iron. He felt pinned trapped before those eyes lost in that deep golden abyss that was both terrifying and mesmerizing.
And the boy just kept looking as if searching for a secret buried within Aarav's own gaze.
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