Chapter 6 Tears and the Wall of Secrets
Kiyan slowly lifted his gaze. Before him stood his mother. Her face was masked in cold controlled rage but her eyes held a sharp glint of concern.
Ma why did you do this.
Nishi the Chhayagrasini (a witch like entity who drains age and life force) replied her voice carrying a metallic hardness Because you were about to tell him the truth. If I had not come who knows what would have happened today.
So what would have happened. From telling him his mistake Kiyan asked a childlike rebellion in his voice.
I would have been harmed Nishi shouted and then suddenly calmed shifting into a pained tenderness. I would have been harmed my son would have been harmed. If he finds out I am alive he will kill you too. That is why I stopped you from telling him the truth.
Kiyan looked at his mother a wavering understanding in his eyes. But Ma
No buts Nishi cut him off. Leave him and come with me.
You go I will come Kiyan said but his steps were toward Aarav.
Nishi the Chhayagrasini shot him one final warning glance then turned swiftly and disappeared into the depths of the forest.
Kiyan stood alone beside Aarav's limp body. He gently ran his hand over Aarav's head stroking his blood soaked hair. Tears began to flow from Kiyan's eyes like silver streams glistening on his cheeks as they fell. One teardrop dripped and landed on Aarav's cheek.
Aarav's eyelids fluttered slightly. He whispered Kiyan and then lost consciousness.
Kiyan carefully lifted him into his arms resting Aarav's head against his shoulder. Then he ran. His speed was inhuman trees became blurred green streaks wind roaring past his ears. He emerged from the forest reached the road and without stopping turned toward the city. His tears kept flying in the wind and Aarav's head kept rolling on his shoulder.
Within minutes he was in front of Aarav's house. He looked around the street was empty. He leaped over the wall slipped inside through Aarav's open window. He laid Aarav on his bed gently as if handling something fragile.
Then he stood there. He ran his hand over Aarav's head brushed the hair from his face. He picked up a sheet and spread it over him tucking it in properly.
As he turned to leave a weak whispered voice stopped him.
Kiyan do not leave me
Kiyan turned back. Aarav's eyes were closed but his lips were moving murmuring in his sleep. Kiyan do not leave me
For a moment Kiyan thought of staying of going back of sitting beside him. His hand unconsciously reached out. But then he remembered his mother's words He will kill you too.
He pulled his hand back. A harsh painful decision emerged on his face. He turned swiftly jumped out the window and dissolved into the darkness.
When Aarav regained consciousness his head was filled with a dull throbbing pain. He held his head in his palms and sat up. He looked around this was his own room. The sheet was properly tucked over him.
How did I get here. I was with Kiyan.
Memories started returning in fragments. The forest. Kiyan's face. Anger. Then a sharp blow. Hit on the head. Darkness.
Someone hit me. And then Kiyan's hands. He was lifting me. The rush of wind.
So you saved me Kiyan. And you are the one who left me here. He said softly his voice filled with emptiness. If you had to save me then why are you running away from me.
He got out of bed and went to the window. Outside the night was deepening. But whatever happens now I will not bother you either. If you want to stay away from me fine. I will stay away from you too. And I will not bother you anymore from now on.
He walked out of the room. In the drawing room Arushi was surprised to see him.
Hey Aarav. You are back. From college. You have come quite early today.
Aarav scratched his head and said Yes Didi just came to get some stuff. Going back again.
Arushi noticed the fatigue on his face and the impatience in his voice. Okay no problem.
Aarav smiled a hollow hurried smile and stepped out of the house. He took a rickshaw and returned straight to college.
Reaching college he went directly to the parking lot to get his bike. Just then Karishma spotted him.
Hey wait wait. You did not attend classes today. Aarav you were supposed to come to class were not you.
Aarav said Yeah then some work came up so I left.
Just then Nayan arrived his face carrying a different expression a mixture of concern and mild jealousy. What kind of work came up that you left your bike here and went away and now you have come to take it. You are hiding something from us are not you. But if you do not want to tell it is okay we will not force you.
Aarav got off his bike and placed a hand on Nayan's shoulder and arm. There is a lot to tell you man but now is not the time. When the time comes I will tell you everything.
Nayan removed Aarav's hand from his shoulder. Yeah I know when the time will come. Aarav you have changed a lot now. You have started staying so far from me from us as if we are not your own. For someone new
Aarav caught his ears in apology. Alright forgive me. I will not do this from now on okay.
Karishma said Okay okay you are forgiven. But you will come to college tomorrow right.
Aarav nodded. Karishma and Nayan smiled and the three friends hugged each other. Aarav smiled too but no one recognized his hollow smile.
Aarav said to Nayan Alright then we will meet tomorrow friends.
Nayan patted his back and said Go carefully understood.
Aarav smiled and said You two as well. And he got on his bike started it and headed toward his home.
Nayan drove the scooter and Karishma sat behind. As they moved Karishma said Nayan do not you think Aarav has changed now. Like earlier he used to joke around so much his mouth never shut. And now now I do not know what has happened to him he does not even talk properly gives as many answers as you ask.
Nayan looked in the mirror and said Karishma all this has happened since Kiyan entered our lives. If not it is because of that Kiyan that Aarav's behavior has changed.
Karishma thought for a moment and said Yes true. But now Kiyan does not even talk to him he even ignores us and walks away.
Nayan said Yes but Aarav is not telling us either what exactly happened between those two.
Meanwhile Aarav had reached home. He stopped the bike and started going inside. Just then he heard his father was shouting at someone in anger. He stopped and listened quietly.
Bhaskar was on the phone his voice carrying a dangerous suppressed thunder. How. How did he escape. Who attacked you people. How can anyone escape from Aagya Sangathan (the Aagya organization). How did you let them escape.
A moment of silence. Then Bhaskar spoke again But the power organization center people were keeping watch there were not they. Then how could he get out.
Lightning flashed in Aarav's mind. Someone escaped from Aagya Sangathan. And Papa power organization center people. Is he talking about Team Shakti Rakshak. What is this about. Who escaped.
Bhaskar slammed the phone down. Aarav quickly stepped back trying to hide himself. A storm was rising in his mind. The injury from Kiyan his suddenly changed behavior now this mysterious phone call everything was getting entangled in a complex web.
He took a deep breath and silently moved toward his room thinking that now he was forced to delve not only into the depths of Kiyan's secrets but also into the secrets of his father and his organization.
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