Vol 3: The Tantrik's Return
Chapter 1: Wedding Bells, Heart's Disquiet
The soft morning sunlight spread across the courtyard, but inside Aarav's mind, a cold shadow was rippling like an unknown threat. Today was his sister Arushi's Sagai (engagement - rokha ceremony). The whole house was filled with pink decorations and the sweet smell of sweets, but Aarav's eyes kept drifting back to one person Aayush. The man who was about to become his brother-in-law.
Aayush looked absolutely perfect. Tall, well-built, a polite smile, and that confidence that was impressing everyone in the room. He discussed politics with Arushi's father, then suddenly shifted to a conversation with Arushi about traditional dishes. In every conversation, he said the right words, gave the right answers. Too… perfect.
"Thinking something, Aarav?" Nayan came from behind and placed a hand on his shoulder.
"Nothing… just watching Aayush. What a perfect human being."
"Yes, brother! Arushi Didi's luck has finally turned!" Nayan laughed.
But Aarav's eyes had caught the small slip that everyone else had ignored.
The rokka (engagement ritual) began. Arushi and Aayush stepped forward to put rings on each other's fingers. Arushi's face was glowing with happiness. As Aayush slipped the ring onto her finger, Aarav noticed his fingers pressing tightly against Arushi's wrist for a moment. Arushi's brows furrowed, but Aayush immediately loosened his grip and flashed an embarrassed smile.
"Sorry, Arushi," his voice had a strange tone, "I don't know my own strength."
"It's okay," Arushi said lightly, but she rubbed her wrist.
The ceremony continued. Aayush, while talking to Bhaskar (Aarav's father), suddenly said, "In this Kaliyuga (age of darkness), protecting dharma is the core purpose of Sanatan, because the shadow of adharma is growing deeper like the night of Amavasya (darkest night of the moon cycle)."
Bhaskar looked surprised. "You know Sanskrit verses?"
Aayush paused. "My grandfather was a sanyasi (ascetic). I learned from him." Then he quickly changed the topic.
A question flashed through Aarav's mind. Aayush's resume said he had studied in America, earned a degree in Business Management. Then where did this sudden knowledge of Sanskrit come from? Where did this traditional wisdom come from?
In the other corner of the room stood Kiyan. He wasn't enjoying the party like Aarav. His entire focus was on Aayush. His golden eyes, which usually only glowed during emotional moments, were now filled with a steady, alert gleam.
Kiyan felt it Aayush's eyes kept drifting toward him. Those eyes weren't just looking. They were examining. Measuring. Like a butcher weighing an animal. On his wrists, his neck, his chest everywhere that gaze touched left behind a cold, metallic heaviness.
Then suddenly Aayush turned his head and looked directly into Kiyan's eyes.
For a moment, everything stopped. There was no emotion in Aayush's eyes no happiness, no curiosity. Just a void, a deep darkness, like the bottom of a well. Then he smiled again and turned away.
Kiyan's heart began to race. He placed his hand on his wrist his pulse was fast, but nothing else seemed unusual. Still, the feeling remained someone was targeting him.
The ceremony ended. The engagement was sealed. Arushi's face held happiness, but Aarav's mind was piling up with questions.
"How was it?" Karishma asked as people started dispersing.
"Good," Aarav said half-heartedly. His eyes were on Aayush, who was now saying goodbye to Arushi's family members. In every handshake, his grip was too strong, his eye contact too deep.
Kiyan silently came to Aarav's side. "You saw it?" His voice was low, serious.
"What?"
"That… Aayush. His eyes."
"You felt it too?" Aarav looked at Kiyan. It was the first time they had spoken about Aayush.
"He wasn't just looking. He was scanning. Me. You. Maybe everyone."
Aarav took a deep breath. "Maybe you're overthinking it. Nervousness on engagement day is natural."
"This isn't nervousness," Kiyan said, his eyes narrowing. "This is something else. And I recognize it."
"Recognize it? What do you mean?"
Kiyan didn't answer. He just kept watching Aayush, who was now walking toward the gate. As Aayush stepped outside, he looked back once more directly at Kiyan.
This time, his smile was gone. On his face was an expression that looked like hunger. Then he turned and left.
The evening began to fade. People started leaving. Aarav stood in his room, looking out the window. His sister's happiness meant everything to him, but today's events had planted seeds of doubt in his mind.
The door opened. Kiyan entered. "Aarav… there's something."
"Tell me."
"What I felt today… it wasn't fear. It was… recognition. Like I know that feeling. I know that gaze."
"What are you trying to say?"
Kiyan looked at his hands, then at Aarav. "Do you remember that book? About Kalprant (ancient city of supernatural origins)? The one that said the Tamomayi (dark practitioner) Virbhadra… his soul is still free?"
Aarav's breath stopped. "Are you saying that"
"I'm not saying anything," Kiyan interrupted. "I'm just… feeling. And I'm not wrong. You're feeling it too. Just don't ignore it."
He left. Aarav stood alone. He looked at the mark of the Aadisrashta Chakra (divine discus of the creator) on his wrist. The mark was slightly warm, as if giving a warning.
Outside, the darkness was deepening. In the distance, the city lights flickered. Somewhere, Aayush was probably sitting in his room. And somewhere, a centuries-old soul was smiling… searching for a new body.
Aarav closed his eyes. His sister's happiness on one side, and Kiyan's warning on the other. Who should he believe?
He decided he would watch. Wait. Because if Kiyan was right… then this engagement was not the beginning of happiness, but the beginning of an ancient darkness.
And the darkness… was waiting for the night of Amavasya (darkest night of the moon cycle).
(Chapter End)