Chapter 4 Trust and Melancholy
Kiyan's scream lodged in the forest air like thorns.
He stepped outside and froze. His eyes could not process the scene before him.
His mother Nishi stood tall. At the end of her braided hair dangled a powerful black-maned lion now reduced to a dry wrinkled husk. Her fingers were clamped around the lion's skull and from her nails a golden radiant energy was being drawn the lion's age its life essence doing umr choosna (age draining). The lion's eyes were now empty white orbs. With a final jerk Nishi flung the lion's remains to the ground where they crumbled into dust.
Kiyan rushed to his mother. Fear and relief warred on his face. Ma are you okay.
Nishi brushed the dust from her palm. Her eyes held the coldness of a predator which slowly softened into maternal tenderness before her son. I am fine Kiyan. This lion attacked me so I grabbed it and drained its age. Come let us go back to the Andhkaar Guha (dark cave).
Kiyan nodded. Mother and son returned to the cave. The air inside still carried the sweet aroma of kheer a strange contrast to the violence that had just occurred.
Kiyan laid his head in his mother's lap seeking safety like a small child. Ma you will never leave me will you. Never. Aarav did not treat me right Ma.
Nishi ran her hand through Kiyan's hair stroking his dark locks. No my son. I will never leave you. Not like that Aarav and others. A mysterious slightly bitter smile played on her lips. She seemed about to say something more but stopped.
Meanwhile Aarav had reached home. He parked his bike and started walking inside. But Bhaskar standing in the shadows stopped him.
How did you get that injury.
Aarav stammered his eyes fixed on the ground. That that Papa I slipped in college that is how I got hurt.
Bhaskar read Aarav's body language his restless eyes his slight tremor. He sensed the lie. Walk carefully Aarav. Go inside now and have your food. His voice held concern but also a hidden firmness.
As Aarav went inside Bhaskar's forehead creased. This will not do. He must have gone to Kiyan again and come back with this injury. He made a decision in his mind.
In his room Aarav collapsed onto the bed. He took out his phone and scrolled randomly but his eyes were not on the screen they were far away. After a while he tossed the phone aside and buried his face in his palms.
He got up and went to the mirror. His reflection stared back a bandage on his head dark circles under his eyes. He remembered how Kiyan had pushed him. He touched his wound. Was Nayan right about Kiyan. Had he deliberately hurt him.
Aarav closed his eyes. Took a deep breath. He pressed his hand harder against the wound. Beneath his palm a faint warm tingling began. A dim silvery light flickered between his fingers as if invisible threads were stitching his skin together. Within seconds the pain vanished. When he removed his hand only a faint pink line remained where the wound had been.
He stepped away from the mirror and wiped his face. Then his eyes fell on a shirt lying on top of a pile of clothes the same shirt he had given Kiyan to wear the first time they met. He picked it up. The fabric was still soft but a faint wild scent clung to it the smell of clouds and ancient trees. Aarav ran his hand over the shirt and an unconscious smile crossed his face. Then he carefully tucked it under his pillow.
A while later he left his room and went to the kitchen to get food.
Wait I am coming Arushi's voice stopped him. She came and began serving him food.
Arushi sat beside him and watched him his tired eyes his restless demeanor.
What happened Didi. You are staring at my food Aarav joked.
Arushi served him and said Me and Papa have already eaten. Was just waiting for you. Aarav tell me one thing you seem off these days. What happened. Did you have a fight with someone.
Aarav smiled. No Didi nothing like that.
Arushi took a deep breath. Everything okay between you and Kiyan.
Aarav looked at Arushi. Yes Didi everything is fine. I just met him at college.
Arushi grabbed his hand. Since childhood I have been more of a mother than a sister to you. Do not lie to me. I understand everything. Whenever you lie you start avoiding my eyes. Now tell me what happened.
Aarav smiled taking a long tired breath. I do not know Didi what has gotten into him. Everything was fine between us but now he is ignoring me. And whenever I try to talk to him he runs away. Today he even Aarav stopped mid sentence.
Arushi looked at him. Today he even what.
Leave it Didi it is nothing.
Today. What. Happened. Arushi asked again her voice firm.
Aarav said Today he pushed me and my head hit the canteen gate and started bleeding. But the strange thing is he has never treated me like this before.
Arushi covered her mouth with her hand. What. He pushed you and you bled. Show me where the injury is.
Aarav smiled at his sister. No Didi the wound healed. You know I am a Devanshik (a divinely blessed one who wields divine power) right.
Arushi calmed down then asked Was that was that Girgit Raj (Chameleon King) disguised as Kiyan.
Aarav said No Didi I am sure it was Kiyan. Whenever I touch him his eyes glow golden. And today too his eyes glowed golden. I know it was Kiyan but I cannot understand what has happened to him.
Arushi suggested Maybe something you said upset him.
Aarav thought for a moment. Maybe but I did not say anything that should have upset him. But I will definitely ask him what is wrong.
Arushi patted her brother's shoulder. Good. Now go talk to him and clear up his anger okay.
Aarav said Yes Didi. He got up and headed toward his room. At the door he turned and smiled. Get ready for tomorrow Kiyan.
Bhaskar had heard everything sitting in the dark corner of the drawing room. His tea had gone cold.
You do not understand Aarav. He is a Chhayodhbhav (a nightborn entity who drains age). The embodiment of evil. And evil only knows how to hurt others not to stand by them or do good. Today he gave you a small injury tomorrow who knows what he will do to you. Now I will have to handle this matter myself.
Bhaskar took a sip of his cold tea it tasted bitter now. He rose and went to his room. His resolve was clear. His son's safety whatever the cost.
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