Chapter 36 A New Morning Old Shadows
The morning sunlight slipped through the window of Aarav's room and fell directly onto Kiyan's closed eyelids. He blinked opened his eyes and for a moment stayed lost in a daze. This sunlight. The soft smell of the sheets. This silence. It all felt new. Then his gaze landed on Aarav beside him still sunk in deep sleep his mouth slightly open one hand wedged beneath the pillow.
Kiyan smiled. A small private smile. He tried to sit up slowly but the hand Aarav had resting near his waist pulled him gently back down. Aarav groaned in his sleep and curled even closer to Kiyan.
This was the new rule now. Even in sleep they did not drift apart.
A week had passed since that night. The cave the Chhayagrasini (a witch like entity who drains age and life force) Aagya Sangathan (the Aagya organization). Everything felt like a hazy terrible dream now. But here in this room on this bed this was what was real. This safety was real.
By afternoon all four of them were sitting together again in the college canteen. But something had shifted. The air was lighter now. There was no new tension in it only a new kind of ease.
So did you finish the assignment Nayan Aarav asked taking a sip of his tea.
Yes brother. Karishma helped me Nayan said glancing toward her. Karishma smiled and nodded but the smile did not quite reach her eyes. She kept turning her tea mug in slow circles as if searching for some answer inside it.
Kiyan sat quietly but his eyes stayed fixed on Karishma. He knew. He knew that fear.
Are you okay Karishma Kiyan asked suddenly. His voice was so soft that only they could hear.
Karishma startled as if she had been caught inside her own thoughts. She glanced at Nayan then back at Kiyan. Yes. Yes I am fine.
Nayan took her hand. Tell me. What is it.
Karishma drew a deep breath like someone deciding to finally put down a heavy weight. These powers Nayan. They have not gone away. Not at all.
Aarav and Kiyan exchanged a look. They already knew. The stain of the Chhayagrasini could not simply be erased.
Sometimes Karishma whispered when I get angry or when I get scared I feel it. The tips of my fingers start heating up. The air starts trembling around me. I have become a Chhayagrasini Nayan. I have those powers. And I am afraid. Afraid that one day the powers will take over. That I will not be able to control myself.
Her voice faltered. Nayan tightened his grip on her hand. You will control it. I am with you.
But what if I end up hurting you. Karishma could not finish the sentence. Tears filled her eyes.
Then Kiyan spoke. You are not a Chhayagrasini Karishma.
Everyone looked at him. There was a strange calm in his voice. A Chhayagrasini is someone who drains the age of others and finds joy in their suffering. You have never done that. That night you saved me. You saved Aarav. You have power yes. But you are not its slave. You are its master.
Aarav placed a hand on Kiyan's shoulder. Silent support. Kiyan is right. Power is not evil Karishma. The person who uses it can be evil. You are not that kind of person.
Karishma wiped her tears away. A broken smile formed on her lips. But how do I control it.
Through practice Kiyan said. And by accepting the fear instead of running from it. I can help you. If you want.
Nayan looked at Kiyan with gratitude shining in his eyes. Thank you brother.
Aarav smiled. This was the Kiyan he had always known. Not just the son of a Chhayagrasini but the person who had the power to understand the pain of others.
In the evening all four of them walked together across the college grounds. Karishma and Nayan were up ahead hand in hand talking quietly. Aarav and Kiyan followed behind wrapped in a comfortable silence.
It was good what you did talking to Karishma Aarav said letting his hand brush lightly against Kiyan's.
I understand that fear Kiyan said. His fingers intertwined with Aarav's. I have always been afraid of the same thing. That I would lose control. That I would somehow hurt you.
Aarav cut him off stopping his hand mid motion. You never did. And now your mother's web is gone too. You are free Kiyan. Completely.
Kiyan looked at him. The fading sunlight was soaking into his golden eyes warming them like honey. Free yes. But there is still one chain left.
Aarav's brows furrowed. What chain.
Kiyan lifted Aarav's hand and pressed it against his own heart. This one. This chain that binds me to you. It will never break.
Aarav's heart pounded hard. He said nothing. He just kept Kiyan's hand pressed against his heart and with his other hand he cupped Kiyan's face. His fingers traced across Kiyan's cheek where there were no longer lines of tension now only a soft exhaustion.
It is not a chain Aarav whispered. It is home.
And then without planning it without any fear Aarav leaned forward and touched his lips to Kiyan's.
The kiss was not searing like fire. It was not cold like frost. It was exactly what their relationship had become. Warm. Steady. Deeply true. It was a promise a confession and a new beginning all at once.
Kiyan held his breath for a single heartbeat then melted into Aarav wrapping his arms around his back. That kiss spoke everything. Centuries of loneliness. The struggles of recent days. And the countless possibilities of the future.
When they pulled apart both of them were breathing a little faster but a peaceful smile rested on their faces. Up ahead Karishma and Nayan had turned to look. They smiled too. They said nothing. Nayan just pulled Karishma into his arms and they kept walking giving both couples the privacy of that moment.
Aarav and Kiyan stood there hand in hand. Their gazes rested on the lake ahead its water glowing like gold in the last rays of the sun.
Should we go home Kiyan asked resting his head against Aarav's shoulder.
Yes Aarav said running his fingers through Kiyan's hair. Let us go home.
And just as the sun sank below the horizon and the first star blinked to life they began walking. Together. Leaning on each other. Following a path that now truly belonged to them. Behind them the shadows of the college buildings stretched long and on the air drifted a new gentle fragrance. The scent of peace. The scent of a new beginning.
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