Chapter 16 Mirrors and Heartbeats
The world narrowed to the thrum of the engine and the shared space on the bike. The wind was a cool blade against Aarav's heated skin. He felt the shift before he saw it Kiyan's hands which had been a firm steady presence on his waist suddenly withdrew. It was not a casual adjustment it was a flinch as if the contact had become a live wire.
Aarav's eyes flicked up to the side view mirror. Kiyan was already looking at him through the reflection his gaze a turbulent sea of gold. In that small convex glass a universe collided. Aarav saw the unasked question there the raw vulnerability Kiyan could never voice. His own eyes reflected back swam with a confusion that swiftly morphed into a hot flustered shame. Their stares met clashed and then darted away in a mutually agreed upon retreat a secret treaty signed in a heartbeat. Aarav's focus snapped back to the road his knuckles whitening on the handlebars.
The silence stretched thick and humming until Aarav broke it. His voice was carefully measured words chosen like stones for a fragile bridge. Kiyan you did good today. With the dance I mean. Did not know you were so impactful. You did good.
In the mirror Aarav saw it the barest flicker of a smile at the corner of Kiyan's lips. It was a small satisfied thing that reached his eyes softening their ancient intensity.
Emboldened or perhaps compelled Aarav continued his gaze fixed ahead but his attention entirely on the reflection. And yeah you looked good with Karishma. You should stick with her as your partner. Got it. The words came out sharper than intended less an order and more a frantic assertion a reassurance meant for himself.
Kiyan watched him in the mirror the smile deepening a fraction at Aarav's serious tone.
Aarav hurried on defensive. What is so funny. I am serious. You were better than me. I am just decent.
Yes Kiyan said his voice a low murmur that carried over the engine's drone. A playful almost teasing note colored it. You are serious. Karishma is a good dancer too. Perhaps she and I should be partners. The synergy was noticeable.
Aarav's hands clenched. A violent involuntary jerk on the brakes. The bike screeched to a sudden lurching halt. Kiyan's body slammed into Aarav's back the impact knocking the air from both of them. In a flash Aarav's left hand shot back from the handlebar an instinctive catch his arm wrapping firmly around Kiyan to keep him from pitching forward. For a moment they were frozen in a chaotic embrace the stalled bike silent their heartbeats pounding a frantic synchronized rhythm in the sudden quiet.
Sorry Aarav gasped his eyes glued to the empty road ahead. There was something up ahead. Had to stop. Kiyan peered over his shoulder. The street was deserted.
That enigmatic smile returned to Kiyan's face brighter now. He slowly leaned back Aarav's protective arm falling away. Without a word Aarav restarted the bike the engine coughing to life. This time he drove slower.
Not that I have a problem with you and Karishma being partners Aarav said the words tumbling out too fast as if they burned his tongue. But Karishma Nayan likes her. And Nayan is my friend. I would not want him to see you two together. Anyway what do I care. Dance with whoever you want. Who am I to tell you wh
He cut himself off the words lodging in his throat. The bike coasted to a stop in front of a quiet house in a residential lane. Here. Your stop. Get off.
Kiyan dismounted but he did not move away. He stood on the pavement looking at Aarav his eyes holding a million silent questions. Aarav met his gaze for a fractured second then looked away jaw tight. Without another word he wrenched the bike around and sped off leaving Kiyan alone watching until the bike disappeared around a distant corner.
What was I saying. What is happening to me. The thoughts chased Aarav all the way home a frantic swarm in his head. He parked his bike marched straight to his room and fell onto his bed staring at the ceiling as if the cracks held answers.
Why do I act like this when he is around. Like I am losing control.
The door creaked open. His sister Arushi entered with a glass of water. Back already. Here drink.
Aarav drank obediently. Arushi sat on the edge of the bed. What is wrong Aarav. You look troubled. Something is eating you.
It is nothing Didi.
Arushi raised an eyebrow her keen eyes missing nothing. Liar. You get this twitch by your nose when you lie. You looked like a nervous squirrel just now. Spill.
Aarav could not help a weak smile. Her perception was a force of nature. Didi something weird is happening to me. For a few days now whenever this one person is around I am not myself. I want to say something but cannot. I want to run when he is close and I want him close when he is gone. If he gets near someone else I feel like I need to leave and my heart it just starts racing for no reason.
Arushi burst into a warm knowing laugh and patted his back. You idiot. You are in love.
Aarav shot up into a sitting position. Love.
Yes love. You dummy. Love. That is what it is the heartbeat the confusion the jealousy all of it.
No Aarav scrambled off the bed and stalked to the window staring out into the gathering dusk. No I cannot be. That is not it Didi. It is not it is not possible.
Arushi came up behind him turning him gently to face her. Her eyes were soft with understanding. Yes I know. But there is no hurry. Just understand your feelings first. Then decide. Okay. Now come dinner is ready.
Yeah Didi. Go ahead I will be down.
After she left Aarav sank back onto the bed. His thoughts raced faster than the bike ever could. It cannot be Didi. I am a Devanshik (a divinely blessed one who wields divine power) and a Devanshik could never with a Chhayodhbhav (a nightborn entity who drains age). Whatever he is I will just stay away. That is it.
Resolute he went downstairs. He ate with the family his mind a thousand miles away. By six the restlessness drove him back out a walk to clear the storm in his head.
The street was quiet almost eerily so. Then he saw it. The black car. It materialized from the shadows ahead rolling to a smooth predatory stop beside him. A cold dread sharper than any intuition seized Aarav's spine.
The doors opened silently. Five figures emerged men with builds like brick walls and faces devoid of expression. Their eyes were flat merciless. They moved with a coordinated efficiency that spoke of practice surrounding him in a heartbeat.
Aarav's pulse skyrocketed. He backed up his eyes darting for an escape route that was not there. A hand like iron clamped onto his bicep. Another came from behind pressing a sickly sweet odorless cloth over his nose and mouth. The world tilted. The sweet scent filled his lungs cloying and potent. The streetlights blurred into streaks of gold the faces above him smearing into indistinct masks. The ground vanished from under his feet.
The last thing he saw before the darkness swallowed him whole was the yawning black mouth of the car's open door swinging shut above him like the jaw of a beast.
The car slid away into the night leaving behind only a swirl of dust and a chilling absolute silence. Aarav's unconscious form was now cargo on a journey into a new unknown terror.
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