Anushka's Bedroom, Guesthouse, Maarwa
It is 6.30 in the morning and Anushka walks out of the shower , wearing a red bathrobe , her alabaster skin wet , fragrant and gleaming in contrast to her troubled doe eyes. She looks at the wall clock and her jaw tightens. As she slips into a white summerdress , wearing her black gold rose vial back in her neck , she tells herself not to feel or go weak at all. This was the time of action. All moral and emotional battles were long done. She was going to keep her promise and deal with Maithli and Natasha . Abhay would reach the Bloodstone Dungeon by 9am as he had messaged her . She and Maithli had to be there before him, as she had often reminded herself while reaching this day. Brushing her hair and wearing her rings and charms back, Anushka looked down the window. Maithli was standing in the shades of the walnut trees ,tapping her feet impatiently on the ground. Anushka is filled with a humbling pity for this misguided obsessed evil soul. Abhay. She was doing all thus madness , betraying Sam, joining hands with Natasha just to get Abhay. Anushka shook her head and zipped her luggage shut. With a click of her fingers , it disappeared into thin air . But the gold dust that rose from the magic did not settle, to Anushka's surprise. It dazed her and Anushka felt a high-pleasure feeling in her head – her mind going blank and her nerves springing with an adrenaline rush. Anushka's whole body shook as her veins seemed injected with some kind of a drug. The feeling was familiar …..she closed her eyes and she found herself in a sun-kissed summer field of flowers. Anushka opened her eyes and she saw a familiar spectacle….
Anushka is dressed in some traditional princess attire of 'Rajwaadaz' ( royals of Rajasthan) and she is running in the fields , giggling and laughing as her anklets make sweet tinkling sounds. There is a well-built young man running behind her calling her name and asking her to stop. His face can't be seen as he runs behind her. Anushka teases and dodges him and he manages to catch her. He hugs her and she puts her arms around his neck , lovingly.
NO! Anushka screams and comes back to reality. Her face is drained off all colour and she sits down on the bed with a thud. NO! This… this was just not possible! After so many years! ….Anushka looks around madly and only sees the window panes swaying to the morning wind smelling of walnuts. Her breathing is scared , excited and caught in her throat.
Anushka ( holding her head )- No…..NO! H-How could I relive that? …( timidly but with a streak of emotion )…. Are you…. Are you here? ….( her head reeling and voice breaking )… you can't be ! Do you hear me? YOU CAN'T BE! ….( sits down on the bed again steadying herself )…this 'feeling'…( touches herself to rinse off what she felt and looks rather vulnerable )…..it can only be him….Abhay! I must … I must tell Abhay! ….
Just then, her cellphone rings and a perturbed and shaking Anushka looks at it . Maithli calling! Anushka is jolted back to reality. Tell Abhay? Tell Abhay that there was a possibility that 'he' could be coming back? Worming his way back into their lives? Her and Abhay's life? But she was going to perform magic on Abhay. Do I tell him? Come on Anushka, just how many things can you hide from him? You will be gone to the underworld and that frisky Zeenia will be in your place. At least, Abhay should know about this approaching danger , if nothing else. DAMN! What was happening! Werewolves, Bolshvas, Majesty, signs of vampire slayers and now ……His return? What will happen here in her absence?
Bloodstone Dungeon , Middle Earth
Anushka and Maithli are standing in some gothic high ceiling caves which have gargoyles , demons and angels carved on them and the whole structure is covered with murals. Both the women are standing at the life size mouth of a demon and Maithli is looking pretty, glowing , dressed in the same attire in which Abhay had last seen her 300 years ago on the day of losing her.
Anushka ( cautiously )- Abhay is reaching here , I can sense him coming. You will go into this tunnel, Maithli. Keep walking till you reach the end. Don't look back . Don't ask any question. Don't answer any question. That will awake the Oracle and the whole cluster of vampires – the Czen vampires will arrive here and have you and me for early breakfast. Get it?
Maithli ( nods )- I hope you are not double crossing me.
Anushka ( grits her teeth )- I wish I could. But since I have everything to lose , I might as well keep the agreement to keep Piya and myself alive. ….( turns to the demon and touches his face )…. ENTOREIA!
The stone face of the demon moves and his huge eyes blow out fire that the two witches dodge. He growls horrendously as his huge mouth opens with a creaking mincing sound of stones crushing against each-other.
Anushka ( pointing to the hollow abyss inside)- WALK IN…….And remember what I told you. The oracle must not wake up.
Maithli nods and one look of mixed emotions to Anushka , Maithli steps into the demon's mouth , disappearing into the dark.
Maithli senses Abhay approaching and her eyes closed, her hands hooked together , her lips moving with chants under her breath , she takes a deep breath and turns back – her face is flushed red with all the energy in her. She slowly opens her eyes and Abhay walks towards her.
Abhay ( looking at her )- What? Are you in the middle of the ritual already, Anushka? …..
Anushka ( keeping her fists closed )- Yes. I had to be ready before you, Abhay. This is for guarding you against the Bolshvas and the werewolves . More than that it is to immunize you against their mind power – more for the safety of Piya than you. You both are connected, remember….( holds out her fists and looks into his eyes )…. Trust me.
Abhay smiles and firmly puts his hands on her upturned fists.
Abhay ( looking into her eyes )- I trust you.
Anushka opens her fists and a glow hologram rises from it , lighting up Abhay's face with a silver light. He looks at the light and the irises of his ice blue eyes become still and his face hardens. He puts his hands on her open palms. She grasps his hands and slowly takes him towards the demon's mouth.
Anushka ( with a devilish echoing voice )- Abhay , what do you remember now?
Abhay ( dazed )- Glow. The silver glow.
Anushka( grasping his hands )- You will only remember what my voice tells you. You will forget what I tell you to. I am the voice of your mind. Release your senses and yourself to me.
Abhay – Yes. I release myself to you.
Anushka guides him to the demon's door. Still holding his hands, she takes him into the demon's mouth.
Inside the Demon's Mouth , Bloodstone Dungeon.
As soon as they both enter the mouth , they start descending a stone spiral staircase that is going down, down, down, almost trying to reach the other end of earth. Anushka closes Abhay's eyes with her palm.Holding his hands and her voice echoing , she takes him down the stone staircase that looks like an endless abyss.
Anushka ( her voice echoing )- Go back in time, Abhay. 300 years ago. You are at the forest river and you are losing someone special. Do you see her?
Abhay ( his brain traveling through a wormhole )- I do. I am losing Maithli!.... they…. The werewolves are taking her away!... ( tears rolling down his cheeks )…. I am screaming but I can't save her.
Anushka – You love her.
Abhay ( moved )- I do. I will wait for her.
Anushka – She loves you too. More than anything. You will never stop waiting for her. You will never love anyone else. Come ahead. At the end of 300 years.
They are continuing descending the steps.
Anushka – There is a girl in your life. Who is she?
Abhay ( memories of him and Piya in his mind )- Piya. I love her. I am happy with her. She says she loves me.
Anushka- No, Abhay….( her hands tightening around his hands)… she doesn't love you and you don't love her. You are going to forget Piya's love……You will remember everything else except what you and Piya once had.
Abhay ( sadly )- I am going to forget Piya's love.
Anushka – Look into your mind. Harder. Again. Do you see her anywhere?
Abhay ( shaken )- No…. she is …. She is gone. I don't see her…..
Anushka – Look again now. There is a girl walking towards you ….look at her….you are in the valley of flowers and she has come. For you. A long wait of 300 years …open your heart, Abhay. Open your arms. You love her….
Abhay ( seeing Maithli come towards him with a smiling face and her arms outstretched )- Maithli…..I love Maithli?
Anushka – You love Maithli. None else. Embrace her.
With this Anushka releases Abhay's hands – her last words echoing in Abhay's mind.
Abhay opens his eyes slowly and he finds himself standing in a valley of flowers and a beautiful, compassionate and loving Maithli coming towards him……her smile lighting up her eyes….
You love Maithli. None else. Embrace her.
A smile slowly spreads across Abhay's face and he opens his arms to her. She runs into them and Abhay engulfs her in an embrace…..
You love her….
Abhay ( softly )- I love you…..Maithli….
TO BE CONTINUED…..
