Chapter 23 The Game of the Heard and Unheard
The golden evening light slanted through Aarav's window turning every mote of dust into a floating spark. He sat on the edge of his bed absently kneading his pillow but his eyes held a strange luminescence as if a deep secret was stirring awake within. The memory of his time with Kiyan the sensation of flying through the air still hummed in his veins.
Two soft knocks sounded at the door. Aarav looked up. Come in.
Bhaskar entered. His posture was normal but a subtle tension corded his shoulders and tightened his jaw. In his right ear was a small matte white Bluetooth earpiece nearly hidden by his hair.
What is it beta. You look unusually happy today Bhaskar's voice was slightly absent as if half his attention was elsewhere.
Aarav quickly tried to temper his smile into something more neutral. Nothing Papa. Just had some fun with friends.
Bhaskar nodded vaguely his fingers unconsciously straying to his right ear touching the earpiece for a second before dropping. Good. That is good. But do not neglect your studies.
Yes Papa.
As Bhaskar turned to leave Aarav spoke. Papa.
Bhaskar turned back but his gaze was not directly on Aarav it was fixed slightly past him on an old clock on the wall. Yes beta.
Papa I wanted to ask you something.
Yes ask. Bhaskar's voice held a faint edge of impatience as if he was in a hurry.
Papa I want to know more about Shakti Rakshak. What is it.
A strange tightness crossed Bhaskar's face. He glanced at the door then came over and sat on the edge of the bed. He rubbed his right ear closing his eyes for a second as if blocking out a sound.
Shakti Rakshak Bhaskar began lowering his voice but there was a peculiar mechanical flatness to it as if he was reciting a rehearsed script. Is an organization that works for the government covertly.
Covertly Aarav asked his eyes fixed on the earpiece.
Yes. Covertly. Bhaskar continued his fingers twitching towards his ear again. There are many powers or people around us who are different from ordinary humans in various ways. We just keep an eye on them and eliminate them.
The word eliminate echoed in the air like the crack of ice. Aarav's heart hammered. His gaze remained locked on the earpiece. Is Papa really hearing me. Or is he
Bhaskar went on We have many mantra powered people with us who destroy evil
Aarav noticed it an odd rhythmic cadence to Bhaskar's speech like he was reading lines. And each time he reached a crucial point his fingers would graze the earpiece.
This team's foundation Bhaskar continued was laid by our ancestors.
Papa Aarav interrupted are you okay. Your voice sounds
Bhaskar waved a hand a sharp dismissive gesture. I am fine. Just a bit of a headache. He rubbed his ear again.
Suspicion bloomed in Aarav's mind. Okay Papa. And what else did you find out at Aagya Sangathan (the Aagya organization).
Bhaskar's face went blank for a moment as if searching an internal database. Then he said I told you they are working on Project Kalachakra. But one of their hostages escaped
Hostages Aarav asked confused.
Bhaskar closed his eyes as if searching within. Not hostages Human Specimens. A living human sample.
Aarav was stunned. Who was it Papa.
I do not know Bhaskar said but his voice now held a distinct strain. But it is certain that it was not ordinary. And it escaped not now but days ago. About a month ago.
A month ago Aarav's voice rose involuntarily.
Bhaskar nodded but his eyes still were not fully focused. Yes beta. A month ago.
Connections fired in Aarav's mind. A month ago Kiyan. Oh god. He stared at the earpiece. Is Papa even hearing me. Or is that earpiece
Papa Aarav said his voice deliberately slower and clearer. I need to tell you something.
Bhaskar looked at him but his eyes lacked their usual sharpness. Yes beta. Tell me.
Aarav straightened his back. He watched Bhaskar's lips carefully. Papa I am a Devanshik (a divinely blessed one who wields divine power)
Suddenly a sharp rap came at the door and without waiting Arushi barged in. Papa I have been calling you both for ages.
Bhaskar stood up abruptly his hand instinctively going to his ear pressing the earpiece. Yes yes coming.
Aarav caught the look. Something is wrong
At the dinner table Aarav silently watched his father. Bhaskar touched his ear repeatedly sometimes lightly sometimes with pressure. Once he startled and looked up sharply as if hearing a sound.
As the night deepened Aarav made a decision. He went to Bhaskar's room. The door was ajar. Bhaskar was sitting at his desk the same earpiece still in his ear. A laptop was open before him and he was so deeply absorbed he did not hear Aarav approach.
Aarav knocked on the doorframe. No response.
He knocked a little louder. Papa.
Bhaskar did not look up. His hand was on the laptop's trackpad scrolling.
Aarav stepped into the room. Papa I need to talk to you.
Still no reaction. Bhaskar's gaze was glued to the screen.
Aarav tried a third time his voice now carrying a new suppressed force. He spoke directly clearly
Papa I am a Devanshik (a divinely blessed one who wields divine power).
Time seemed to freeze in the room.
Bhaskar's hands resting on the trackpad went completely still. His fingers turned white. His back straightened into a rigid line.
Then very slowly he turned.
But his eyes did not hold the shock or understanding Aarav expected. Instead they held a vacant confused expression as if he had heard the sound but could not process the words.
Bhaskar's lips moved. Wh what did you say.
Aarav repeated it slow and clear. I am a Devanshik Papa. A descendant of Raja Manikya.
Bhaskar's eyes widened but still full comprehension was not there. He pressed his right ear hard twisting the earpiece. A faint staticky squeal emitted from it like a short circuit.
I did not quite hear that Bhaskar said his voice oddly hollow. This earpiece it is cutting in and out.
Aarav's heart dropped. So he did not hear it. Or only heard it garbled.
Bhaskar removed the earpiece and placed it on the desk. Clarity began to seep back into his eyes. You said something did not you. Something important.
Aarav stood frozen. Do I say it again. Is this the right moment.
Just then Bhaskar's phone vibrated. He looked at it and his face tightened. I have to go. Work call.
And without waiting for Aarav's response Bhaskar picked up the earpiece and walked out of the room already talking into his phone.
Aarav was left standing alone a storm raging in his mind.
Papa did not hear. Or he heard but did not understand. But now he knows I said something important. He will ask again tomorrow. And then what then.
And that earpiece was it just for music. Or something else. Was someone listening in.
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