Chapter 7 The Withered Flower and the Dried Tea
Aarav held Kiyan tightly in his arms patting his back slowly. Calm down Kiyan. I am here. I am with you.
Kiyan's body gradually went slack. His breaths began to deepen but suddenly he pulled himself together and shoved Aarav back. He scrambled off the bed and moved towards the door.
Kiyan wait Aarav said sitting up. What happened.
Kiyan did not look back. He opened the door and walked out.
Aarav ran to the window. Outside the rain had stopped the streets wet and glistening. But by the time he reached the gate and peered out Kiyan was nowhere to be seen. He had vanished into thin air like a phantom shadow.
Aarav looked around an empty lane trees dripping water the distant sound of a dog barking. He returned to his room and lay back on the bed.
This Kiyan something is seriously off he muttered to himself. First he was trembling in a nightmare and when I woke him he hugged me. Then he pushed me away and distanced himself. What kind of guy is he. Does not talk about himself does not let anyone in. And I do not know why but our paths keep colliding over and over. I do not know what connection we have that brings us so close only to push us apart again.
He checked the clock 12 30 AM. He pulled the blanket over himself and tried to sleep.
Meanwhile Kiyan was still running down the street. His breaths were ragged his heart pounding. The same black crow was flying above him as if tethered by an invisible thread.
Kiyan suddenly stopped. He went under a tree (Akshay Vriksh immortal banyan tree) and let out a guttural scream Aaargh.
The sound held so much pain and rage that a drunk man passing by startled.
Hey. Are you crazy. Why are you screaming the man slurred angrily.
Kiyan slowly raised his head. That golden glint reignited in his eyes this time with a dangerous sharpness.
The man was frightened. He began to back away but Kiyan was in front of him in an instant. He grabbed the man's throat and lifted him into the air. The man's scream died in his throat.
Kiyan widened his eyes and a golden mist began to seep from the man's body his youth the essence of his years. The mist was drawn into Kiyan's open mouth. The man's skin began to shrivel his hair turned white. In mere seconds a young man transformed into an aged helpless husk. This was umr choosna (age draining the power to drain life force and youth).
Kiyan flung him to the ground and ran off without a backward glance. The glow in his eyes was brighter now but his face was etched with deep guilt.
It was 6 AM. Aarav got out of bed stretching lazily. Ugh that Kiyan ruined my whole night's sleep last night. Anyway I have to get to college.
He got up showered and got ready. Do not feel like cooking today. I will just eat out. He picked up his bag got on his bike and headed towards college.
On the way he stopped at a tea stall. Just as he ordered a hot chai a small boy approached him holding a fresh rose.
Brother please buy this flower the boy said innocently. Whoever you love your soulmate this flower will reach them even if you do not give it.
Aarav laughed. He ruffled the boy's hair. I do not love anyone kiddo. Here have some tea.
He gave the boy some tea and a few notes. Take this get something to eat.
The boy smiled and said Here brother take this flower. Give it to the one you love. Take it. And he ran off.
Smiling Aarav picked up the flower and put it in his pocket then continued towards college.
At the college gate stood an old Welcome statue its hand outstretched. Aarav chuckled to himself thinking might as well leave it here. He took out the flower and placed it in the statue's hand then walked inside.
A few minutes after he left Kiyan passed by. His gaze fell on the flower. He felt something odd. He walked over to it and picked it up.
But the moment the flower touched his skin something strange happened. The fresh red color began to drain from the petals. They started to shrivel. Within moments the blooming rose had turned into a withered dried up husk.
Kiyan's breath hitched. He stared at the flower in shock then gently placed it back in the statue's hand. He walked inside a quiet melancholy settling over him.
Aarav stepped out of the library with some books when he spotted Nayan and Karishma.
Hey Aarav. Come on we are going to the restaurant today. You come too Nayan said.
Aarav smiled. Absolutely I was thinking the same.
The three of them walked out of the college gate laughing and chatting. Aarav's eyes fell on the flower in the statue's hand. It had withered dried up.
That is weird he thought. It was fresh this morning.
Driven by curiosity he picked up the flower and held it in his palm.
And then a miracle happened.
The moment the flower made contact with his skin the petals bloomed again. The dryness vanished. The color returned. In an instant the flower became fresh and alive again as if just plucked from the stem.
Aarav was stunned. He looked around no one was watching. He placed the flower back in the statue's hand and quickly caught up with Nayan and Karishma a new profound question stirring in his mind.
A little while later Kiyan passed by the same path again. His eyes fell on the flower once more. But now the flower was not withered. It was blooming again fresh and red.
Kiyan's heart skipped a beat. He looked around no one was there. He stared intently at the flower. It was the same one that had died at his touch. Yet now it was alive.
Who did this the question rose in his mind. Who is this who saved this flower from the corruption of my Chhayodhbhav (a nightborn entity who drains age) touch.
He stood there gazing at the fresh rose which had now become a silent witness between him and an unknown mystery.
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