Chapter 27: The Test and the Reckoning
Aarav's question hung in the air like a venomous serpent. What if my father is the Chameleon King?
Kiyan saw the horrific suspicion dawn on Aarav's face. "No, Aarav… how is that possible?"
"It is!" Aarav insisted, desperation sharpening his voice. "Because today, when I touched Papa… I felt something strange."
"But Aarav, the Chameleon King was from the old tales. How could he be here now?"
"It's possible, Kiyan!" Aarav's eyes were burning. "You've been alive for centuries too."
Kiyan fell silent, his golden eyes narrowing in thought. "Did… did your father do something strange? Something your real father wouldn't do?"
"Yes!" Aarav said rapidly. "I tried to talk to him this morning, but it was like he wasn't listening, pretending he hadn't heard. Later, I apologized for spilling milk on him, and he forgave me—but I never spilled any milk! And the strangest thing—he had a Bluetooth earpiece in, but no music was playing. When his phone rang, it rang out loud! If it was connected to Bluetooth, the phone wouldn't make a sound!"
Kiyan considered this carefully. "It could all just be a misunderstanding, Aarav. So far, he hasn't harmed your family."
Aarav shook his head, unsatisfied. "So we wait for harm to happen?"
Kiyan stepped closer, placing his hands on Aarav's shoulders. "I didn't say that, Aarav. We'll handle this. Don't worry."
"I know, but I'm still worried about my father. If the Chameleon King is in our house… where is my real father?"
"We'll find him soon," Kiyan said firmly. He guided Aarav back to the bench. "You sit here. Rest."
"No, Kiyan, I have to go home. I don't know what condition Didi might be in."
"Alright. You go. Be careful."
Aarav tucked the tome under his arm, started his bike, and rode home. Kiyan watched him leave, then vanished into the forest at impossible speed.
---
Aarav arrived home to find Arushi and his father sitting together, watching TV. He quickly joined them.
"You're alright, Didi?" Aarav asked, a thread of anxiety in his voice.
Arushi looked at him with surprise. "Yes? Why wouldn't I be? Aarav, why are you asking so suddenly?"
Aarav glanced at his father and forced a laugh. "Nothing! I was just trying to scare you both!" Everyone laughed along with him.
"You guys sit tight, I'll be right back," Aarav said and retreated to his room.
His mind raced. What is happening? How do I find out if Papa is real or not? How do I test him?
Just then, a voice called, "Aarav, beta!"
Aarav went out. "Yes, Papa? You called?"
Bhaskar said, "Beta, I need a small favor. I have to get a blood test done. Let's go to the hospital, if you're free…"
Aarav thought for a moment. "Okay, Papa. I'll come."
Back in his room, Aarav's thoughts churned. What new game is this? I have to be careful. He took a deep breath, changed his clothes, and went out. "Let's go, Papa."
"Yes, let's go, beta."
Aarav started the bike; Bhaskar climbed on behind. On the way, Aarav asked, "Papa, why the sudden blood test?"
Bhaskar laughed lightly. "Beta, I've been feeling dizzy lately, so I thought I should get checked."
"Okay, Papa."
"Here we are, the hospital." They dismounted and went inside. Bhaskar began his blood test procedure. Then, he turned to Aarav. "Beta, you should get one too."
"No, Papa, I'm fine."
"Beta, just get it done. If there's anything, we'll know."
"No, Papa, really, I'm okay."
Bhaskar's voice hardened. "I said, get it done!"
Aarav was taken aback. "Alright, Papa." He went to the other side and joined the line of people giving blood samples.
After giving his sample, Aarav came out. Bhaskar was waiting for him. They walked to the bike, Aarav starting the engine, Bhaskar settling behind him.
"The report will come tomorrow, Papa," Aarav said.
Bhaskar smiled. "Who cares about tomorrow? The work I came for today is done."
Aarav's grip on the handlebars tightened. "What did you say, Papa?"
"Nothing, nothing. Just drive."
Aarav smiled inwardly. 'Papa'? You're not my father. My father never yells at me. That's how I knew. Just like those men wanted Kiyan's blood, you wanted mine in a different way, so I wouldn't suspect. But I switched my blood… with someone else's. His hand brushed against his pant pocket, where he had hidden his real blood sample.
They reached home and went to their respective rooms. Aarav quickly went to his bathroom and flushed the swapped blood sample down the toilet, his mind whirling. Why did he want my blood?
Just then, a sound came from his door. Aarav turned sharply. Bhaskar was standing there.
Aarav's heart jumped. "Papa… you?"
Aarav's mind screamed: Did he see me?
Bhaskar's face was expressionless. He simply looked at Aarav, his eyes two impenetrable, dark voids.
"Beta," Bhaskar said, his voice no longer the gentle, affectionate tone. It was flat, metallic. "You showed great cleverness. But… the game is over now."
(Chapter End)