Chapter 2: Guest or Predator?
Aayush had come to stay for three days as per tradition, the future son-in-law was supposed to spend time with the family. A new tension began floating in the air of Aarav's house, like the smell of ozone before lightning strikes.
Day One.
Aayush sat at the breakfast table like a king. He started a discussion with Bhaskar about the Puranas (Itihaas Granth - historical scriptures) , the Upanishads (Antar Gyaan Sutra - esoteric knowledge) , and the mysterious secrets of Tamomayi (dark practitioner) rituals. Aarav silently ate his paratha, but his ears were trying to catch the hidden danger in every word Aayush spoke.
"…And then, the weapon that Lord Shiva used to destroy Tripurasura was not just a weapon," Aayush said, taking a sip of tea, his eyes filled with a strange glow. "It was a yantra (mystical diagram) . The Tripurari Yantra. To master it, not only chanting of Naad Sutra (sacred vibrational chants) was required, but also… the sacrifice of a living being's consciousness."
Bhaskar was astonished. "You have such deep interest in these subjects?"
"My grandfather," Aayush said, smiling, but his smile didn't reach his eyes, "was not just a sanyasi (ascetic) , but also an expert in Tamomayi sadhana (dark practices) . He taught me a lot in my childhood."
Aarav noticed Aayush had used the words "living being's consciousness" instead of "prana" or "atma". A technical, detached language. Like a scientist talking about an experiment.
Kiyan did not join breakfast. He sat in the garden, eyes closed, spreading his senses. He could feel it Aayush's presence was leaving an invisible, heavy pressure throughout the house, like an unseen hand squeezing everyone's breath.
In the afternoon, Karishma came. She had come to meet Arushi, but Aayush stopped her.
"Karishma, right?" His voice had a strange sweetness. "Aarav told me about you. You recently… went through a difficult experience."
Karishma stiffened. "Yes… that… the Chhayagrasini (witch-like entity) incident."
"Not a Chhayagrasini," Aayush said, his eyes gleaming. "An incarnation of an ancient power. You felt that power inside you, didn't you? That coldness… that emptiness… as if something else was entering your body alongside your own soul?"
Karishma stepped back. Aayush's words were so accurate that she was frightened. "How… how do you know?"
"I've read about it," Aayush said lightly, but his eyes were glued to Karishma's face, trying to read every expression. "Actually, I'm interested in unusual… incidents where human consciousness clashes with supernatural powers. In your case, that clash happened on a physical level. Your cells temporarily hosted that power. Interesting… very interesting."
Karishma looked at Aarav with pleading eyes. Aarav stepped forward. "Aayush, Karishma doesn't like talking about that."
"Oh, sorry," Aayush immediately raised his hands, with an innocent smile. "I was just… curious. You're right."
But when Karishma left, Aayush's eyes remained fixed on the door for a long time. A hungry, calculating gaze.
Day Two.
Kiyan made a decision. He had to find out what was going on with Aayush. At 2 AM, when the whole house was asleep, he silently slipped out of his room. Aayush's room was the corner one, facing the garden.
Kiyan opened the door it wasn't locked. Inside was dark, but the moonlight coming through the window outlined the room. Aayush was in a deep sleep… or seemed to be.
Kiyan slowly moved toward his bag. The bag was black, leather, looked old. He unzipped it. Inside were clothes, some papers, and… a thick, hand-written pothi (ancient manuscript) .
Kiyan took out the pothi. The pages had yellowed, the handwriting was cursive and ancient. He let his golden eyes glow slightly just enough to read in the darkness.
The pages had complex yantras (mystical diagrams) hexagons, triangles, surrounded by Sanskrit Naad Sutra (mantras) . On one page was a human figure, with a faint shadow emerging from it and entering another figure. At the top was written: "Kaya-Pravesh Vidya (body possession technique) transfer of the subtle body."
Kiyan's heart pounded. He turned the next page. Another drawing black lines emerging from a person's eyes, entering another person's eyes. "Netra Dwara Chetna Niyantran (consciousness control through eyes)."
Then the floorboard under his foot creaked.
Aayush's eyes opened.
Kiyan froze. Aayush looked at him, then at the open bag. But he didn't scream. Didn't get up. Just… smiled.
"Interested in Tamomayi vidya (dark occult knowledge) , Kiyan?" Aayush's voice had no sleep in it, just a clear, dangerous awareness.
Kiyan put the pothi back in the bag. "I… sorry. I was just"
"Looking," Aayush completed. He sat up on the bed. Moonlight fell on one side of his face, the other side in shadow. "It's okay. I understand. For someone… special like you, this knowledge must be even more interesting."
"Special like me?" Kiyan's voice tightened.
"Yes." Aayush nodded. "The power inside you… it's not ordinary. It's ancient. Perhaps… close to immortality."
Kiyan took a step back. Aayush raised a hand to stop him.
"Don't be afraid. I'm not your enemy. Actually…" he stood up. His shadow on the wall looked long and distorted. "I can help you. Teach you to control your power. Make it even stronger."
"I don't need your help," Kiyan said, his eyes beginning to spark with golden embers.
"You will," Aayush said softly. "Because your power… it will consume you. Slowly. Every time you drain someone's age doing umr choosna (age draining) , you lose a piece of your own soul. Don't you? That emptiness… that coldness… that always remains?"
Kiyan was stunned. Aayush had read his deepest secret.
"I can fix that," Aayush said, stepping closer. "Make you immortal… true immortality. Without pain. Without hunger."
"Who are you?" Kiyan asked, his voice trembling.
"A friend," Aayush smiled. "And a teacher. Think about it, Kiyan. What you have… it's not a curse. It's a gift. It just needs to be directed in the right way."
He turned back toward the bed. "Now go. We'll talk tomorrow."
Kiyan left the room without a word. His heart was racing. As he closed the door and ran toward his room, he felt it Aayush's eyes drilling into his back like daggers.
Day Three The day of Aayush's departure.
The morning breakfast was quiet. Aayush talked to Arushi about future plans. But his eyes kept drifting out the window to Kiyan, who sat under a tree in the garden.
Before leaving, Aayush handed Arushi a small box. "A small gift for you."
Arushi opened it. Inside was an ancient, silver locket (mangalsutra style) . On it was an intricate carving a serpent biting its own tail, an eternal cycle. "It's beautiful!" Arushi smiled.
"Always wear it," Aayush said, his voice strangely serious. "It will protect you. From evil eyes. From evil powers."
He put the locket around Arushi's neck. As the locket touched her skin, Arushi felt a slight tingling, but she paid no attention.
Aayush took his leave. As he was about to get into his car, he looked back at Kiyan one more time. This time, his smile was gone. In his eyes was a clear, unrestrained craving the gaze of a predator.
The car drove away. Arushi smiled, touching the locket.
Kiyan rushed to Aarav. "There's something in that locket," he whispered, his eyes glowing. "It's not just jewelry. There's… an energy. An evil energy."
Aarav looked at Arushi, then at Kiyan. "Maybe you're overthinking. It's just a locket."
"No," Kiyan insisted. "I felt it. When he came near her neck… my eyes started glowing on their own. This could harm Arushi Didi!"
"Kiyan, stop," Aarav said, his voice tired. "My sister just got engaged. You keep doubting him. Maybe… maybe you're uncomfortable because my attention will be less on you now."
Kiyan stopped as if slapped. The glow in his eyes died. "You… you think I'm jealous?"
"I don't know," Aarav said, holding his head. "But you keep warning me about the man my sister is going to marry. You went into his room, searched his things"
"How do you know that?" Kiyan's voice trembled.
"Aayush told me. This morning. He said you were looking at his books, and he didn't try to scare you. He explained things to you."
Kiyan stepped back, as if pushed. "And you believed him. Over me."
"I didn't believe anyone!" Aarav raised his voice. "But my sister's life is involved in this, Kiyan! I can't doubt someone without proof!"
"So that's it," Kiyan said quietly, hurt in his eyes. "For you, I'm still the same, aren't I? A mystery. A stranger. A… Chhayodhbhav (nightborn entity who drains age) . Someone who can't be trusted."
He turned and left, toward his room.
Aarav stood there, hating himself for his words. But was he wrong? Aayush hadn't done anything wrong. He was just… perfect. Too perfect.
And Kiyan… Kiyan meant everything to him. But today, for the first time, a crack had formed between them. A crack of distrust.
In the evening, Arushi complained of fatigue and mild dizziness. "Probably the excitement of the engagement," her mother said.
But Aarav noticed Arushi kept touching the locket, and every time her fingers would jerk away, as if it was hot.
He looked at his wrist. The mark of the Aadisrashta Chakra (divine discus of the creator) was pulsating faintly.
And far away, on the other side of the city, Aayush stood in his room looking out the window. In his hand was an ancient, black stone yantra (mystical diagram) , carved with the same design as the locket.
He smiled. A long, satisfied smile.
"It has begun," he said to himself. "Now… I wait for Amavasya (darkest night of the moon cycle)."
And in his eyes, a black spark flashed.