Chapter 19 The Sun of Secrets
Time stood still in Aarav's room holding its breath. He sat by the window his fingers tapping a silent erratic rhythm on the chair's arm. The clock on the wall was a monstrous insect its hands crawling with agonizing slowness. Eleven in the morning.
Then from the world outside a sound the growl of an engine cutting through the stillness.
Aarav was at the window in an instant. A dust coated white SUV was turning into the gate. An electric jolt shot through him. He took the stairs two at a time his heart hammering against his ribs. Arushi emerged from the kitchen wiping her hands on her apron her face a mirror of his own tense anticipation.
They stood together on the veranda as the vehicle crunched to a halt on the gravel. The driver's door opened.
The man who stepped out had a frame built for strength but it was bowed now weathered by travel and a worry that had seeped into his bones. Fatigue was etched in the deep shadows under his eyes and a fine film of road dust dulled the white of his shirt collar.
Papa The word burst from Aarav laced with a relief so profound it felt childish a forgotten part of himself rushing to the surface.
Bhaskar attempted a smile and Aarav closed the distance wrapping his arms around him. His father's embrace was a fortress a solid warm reality that momentarily melted every fear. Beta how are you Bhaskar's voice was rough catching in his throat.
I am okay Papa. You. It has been so long. Aarav pulled back to look at him searching his face.
Bhaskar's gaze shifted over Aarav's shoulder to where Arushi stood by the door her smile tremulous eyes shimmering. Arushi standing there like a stranger Come here beti.
Arushi joined them and for a moment the three stood entangled in a hug that contained months of silence worry and unspoken love. The warmth of it lingered in the air as they broke apart.
They moved inside. Arushi brought water and they settled on the living room sofa. The silence that followed was a fragile thing filled with the weight of everything unsaid.
Papa you have been gone so long this time Arushi began gently breaking the ice.
Yes Papa she is right Aarav added his eyes fixed on his father. Where what work keeps you so busy.
Bhaskar rotated the glass in his hands his gaze fixed on the swirling water. Beta it is just work.
Papa you sit Arushi said rising abruptly. I will go help Pushpa Didi. She has made your favorite. She gave a meaningful glance to Aarav and slipped out of the room leaving father and son alone.
The atmosphere shifted the moment the door clicked shut. The polite smile faded from Aarav's face.
Papa he said his voice direct stripped of all pretense. I need to ask you something.
Yes beta. What is it Bhaskar set his glass down his full attention now on his son.
What is Aagya Sangathan (the Aagya organization).
The words hung in the air cold and sharp as shards of ice. Bhaskar's body went rigid as if an invisible blade had been pressed to his spine. His eyes widened the pupils dilating in shock. That why are you asking this beta.
Aarav drew a breath marshaling his words. Papa after you left everything happened. I have been attacked. By a black car with a demon face. Men in white coats have tried to take me. And on their coats it says Aagya Sangathan. Now you tell me what is the secret behind all this.
Bhaskar's face turned ashen. His eyes darted around the room as if the walls themselves were listening. His voice dropped to a low urgent whisper. Beta Aagya Sangathan is a private company a front. They conduct research off the grid away from government eyes. They create unusual people. People very different from ordinary humans.
Aarav's breath hitched. Unusual people Kiyan.
Bhaskar leaned forward his voice barely audible. I went in to expose their illegal experiments. I gathered evidence everything on a data chip. But someone found out. They imprisoned me there. Took my phone I do not even know how I managed to escape. I called Arushi from a payphone after I got out but I could not blow their cover. Though I did learn one thing they are working on something called Project Kalachakra.
Project Kalachakra Aarav repeated the name and in his mind flashed the image of Kiyan drawing the very essence of life from a man doing umr choosna (age draining).
So then you never saw my message Papa Aarav's voice held the quiet hurt of a child.
What message beta. They took my phone. I think it was your message that led them to you. Beta you must be very careful now.
I will Papa but why. Why were you doing all this. Who do you work for Aarav pressed his gaze unwavering.
Bhaskar took a deep shuddering breath as if steeling himself for a confession. He looked directly into his son's eyes.
For Team Shakti Rakshak.
The words hung in the air solid and immense. Aarav's heart gave a single powerful thud against his chest. A strange resonance echoed in his ears. He blinked.
Team Shakti Rakshak.
Bhaskar nodded a new grave light in his eyes. Yes beta. We are a covert organization. Our mission is to stop inhumane experiments by entities like Aagya Sangathan and to protect the special beings they create.
Aarav's mind raced. Special beings protection Kiyan. Does Papa know about Kiyan. Is Kiyan one of their experiments.
Papa do you know of someone Someone who is not normal. Who has strange abilities Aarav asked slowly weighing each word.
Bhaskar's gaze sharpened. He studied Aarav's face with a deep probing intensity as if reading the secrets written in his soul.
Yes beta he said his voice low and clear. We know. And if you have encountered such a one you should know they are in far greater danger than you can imagine. And so are you.
Just then Arushi's voice floated in from the hallway bright and deliberately normal. Papa Aarav. Lunch is ready.
The moment shattered. Bhaskar forced a semblance of a normal smile back onto his face but the warning in his eyes remained a live ember. Aarav stood up though his legs felt cast in concrete. One question screamed in his mind louder than all others
Does Papa want to save Kiyan or capture him.
And at that very moment far away in the forest Andhkaar Guha (dark cave) Kiyan who had been sleeping fitfully before the stone Devanshi (goddess) jolted awake as if a dagger of ice had been plunged into his dreams. His golden eyes ignited in the darkness wide with a sudden inexplicable sense of a looming threat.
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