Chapter 24: Shadow and Doubt
Aarav stood in the hollow silence of his father's room, the chill of Bhaskar's abrupt departure still hanging in the air. He stared at the door, his mind a vortex of confusion. A few minutes later, Bhaskar returned. His walk was normal, but his face wore a thin, artificial mask of calm.
"Yes, beta? You were saying something? I didn't quite catch it... I was on a call. What was it?" Bhaskar's voice was surface-level smooth, but Aarav's sharp eyes caught a faint, rigid strain beneath it.
Aarav took a deep breath. The truth was a live wire on his tongue. But then, his gaze fell on his father's hand, resting casually on the back of a chair. It was trembling—a subtle, involuntary tremor that betrayed an inner turmoil.
Aarav stopped. The words died in his throat. He changed his plan.
"Papa... it was nothing. I just came to apologize. For this morning... I spilled milk on you, that's all." Aarav lied, keeping his eyes fixed on the floor.
Bhaskar let out a light, hollow chuckle. "It's nothing, beta. I forgive you. Now you go. I'm feeling a little tired... I need to rest."
"Okay, Papa. I'll go. You rest."
Aarav left, but his mind was spinning. Back in his room, he sat down, thinking: Are these really my parents? Because I didn't spill any milk on him this morning! So how did he just forgive me for it? Something is off here. He was fine until yesterday... what happened today?
He went to Arushi's room. She was sitting on her bed reading a book, a picture of tranquil concentration.
"Aarav, come in! Why are you standing there?" Arushi said.
Aarav entered. "Didi, can I ask you something?"
"Of course, ask."
"About Papa... haven't you noticed anything strange?"
Arushi frowned thoughtfully. "No, not really... he's just been a bit quiet since this morning, that's all."
"Did Papa go out anywhere?" Aarav pressed.
"Yes, he took the car to the market this morning."
"Okay. Alright. You read, I'll come back." Aarav turned to leave.
"Is something wrong?" Arushi asked, concern finally touching her voice.
"No, nothing's wrong. Just a feeling." And he left.
Back in his room, Aarav slumped onto his bed. Is Papa just stressed? Or is it something else? His mind was a restless sea. He got up again. What do I do? I don't understand. What do I do? I didn't even go to college today.
I'll call Nayan. Where's my phone? Phone... phone... there, on the table.
Aarav picked up his phone from the table. As he did, his eyes fell on the half-open drawer where the book—'Kalprant Ka Rahasya'—was visible. He put the phone down and pulled the book out instead. He lay back on the bed, flipping through the pages.
The pages were filled with old illustrations, maps, and cryptic text. Then, his eyes caught on one page. It was titled: "The King of Maya: The Chameleon King." Below was a faded illustration—a human figure with snake-like patterns on its skin, and eyes that were two different colors.
Just then, his phone rang—Nayan. Aarav answered.
"Bro, you didn't come to college today?" Nayan's voice boomed.
"Yeah, man, just had some stuff."
"Alright, no problem. If you're free, come over to my place. We're all here. We came straight from college."
"Everyone's there?" Aarav asked.
"Yeah. Kiyan, me, and Karishma... the three of us. You come too."
"Okay, I'm coming."
Aarav hid the book back in the drawer and headed out. Outside, he got on his bike and sped towards Nayan's house.
As he pulled out of the gate, he glanced back. At the first-floor window, Bhaskar was standing. He was watching him leave—not with affection, not with worry. With a neutral, deep, inscrutable gaze, like a scientist observing a specimen.
Aarav met his eyes, then quickly turned his bike onto the road and sped away. Why was Papa looking at me like that? Like I'm a stranger? I don't know, but something feels wrong. Lost in thought, he reached Nayan's house.
He parked his bike, greeted Nayan's mother, and went upstairs to their room.
"Hey hey, Aarav! We were all waiting for you!" Nayan yelled as he entered.
Aarav walked in. His eyes found Kiyan first, and a genuine, heartfelt smile broke across his face. Kiyan smiled back, a quiet, relieved light entering his golden eyes.
Aarav said, "Alright, so let's dance. Me and Karishma, and you and Kiyan. Now, hold each other's hands."
Aarav walked over to Kiyan and took his hand in his own. Kiyan's eyes glowed, a golden light rising in them at the touch. Aarav squeezed his hand tightly, forgetting the world for a moment.
Then Nayan shouted, "Gotcha! We got you!"
The words hit Aarav like a splash of cold water. He jerked his hand away from Kiyan's as if burned. He stepped back sharply, putting distance between them, his eyes flying to Nayan's laughing face. His own expression was a confused mix of embarrassment, fear, and a sudden, sharp awareness.
In that moment, the light in Kiyan's eyes dimmed, replaced by a silent, pained question.
(Chapter End)