Chapter 16
"I guess this will be fine Z" Piya said stopping near a tree, when they reached almost near to the deep part of Dehradhun forest.
She closed her eyes, projecting out her senses. Animal auras both large and small rushed into her mind. Snapping open her eyes she readied herself for the hunt.
"Get rid of the shoes Piya'.you hunt better without it right" Z said casually leaning against a tree "I will be by the stream when you return" she pointed towards her west . Piya nodded once before bolting forward on her bare feet. It had been almost two weeks since she hunted and her appetite for blood was on the rise. Though she hated this side of being a half-breed, she found the hunts exhilarating. She credited herself on being a decent hunter. Z was her usual companion. Z occupied herself with nature while Piya hunted. She walked toward the swiftly flowing river and gazed at the water. Being her element water always managed to capture her attention. Taking a deep breath she closed her eyes and raised her hands to make a water ball.
At the other side'..
Piya crouched in the posture of a huntress. Her legs were in perfect flexion ready to shoot forward with just the right speed to catch the wild deer grazing ten paces in front of her. She was being careful not to alert the animal. Gathering in all her power she jumped forward and landed squarely'
"Hello there" Abhay said with a smile reclining back his head to get a better look at the face he had began to love a lot. Abhay had intervened Piya's jump in the middle catching her with precision.
"Abhay! You just scared away my dinner" Piya said with a slight smile.
"In my opinion I just saved a poor deer from a very dangerous hunter" Abhay joked.
"Very funny Mr. Raichand'.in case you didn't notice I am a half -breed and I need blood for survival" Piya replied.
Abhay now rolled up bringing Piya below him and huskily whispering in her ear.
"Then lets hunt together my beloved" he placed a soft kiss on her full cheek.
Springing up into a standing position he ran forward leaving a slightly dazed Piya behind. But soon she got back into her senses and caught up with him. They were neck to neck in their race but didn't forget to tease and bump into each other blocking the others path.
Piya proved herself as a huntress by catching the deer she had earlier targeted. She grinned naughtily at Abhay before digging her fangs into the deer's neck.
Abhay caught a doe after a few seconds later.
"That was fun" Piya commented while walking back after satisfying their appetites. Abhay entwined his hand with hers and placed a kiss on it.
"It is always fun to be with your beloved"
Piya gave him a serene loving smile warming his heart.
"Are you out here alone or with your Z?" Abhay asked cocking his head to one side with an expectant smile.
"Sorry to burst your bubble Abhay but I came with Z'.she must be somewhere near the river '.playing with water I guess" Piya replied.
"Very well'.I will have to take official permission for Miss. Dobrial to borrow you" Abhay replied with a slight bow of his head, making Piya giggle.
"I will warn her" Piya said connecting herself mentally with her bff.
Abhay noticed a frown appearing on Piya's forehead like she was concentrating harder.
"Damn" Piya ejaculated after a few seconds "Z seems to have shut me off"
"Is that unusual?" Abhay asked carefully.
"She never does that when we are on a hunt'.she knows that I get panicked easily'.I think we should check on her"
Abhay just nodded in response. They quickened their pace moving towards the river.
On reaching the spot the site that greeted them made Piya's blood freeze.
"ZAARA" Piya shouted moving towards the river's edge.
A huge whirlpool had opened up in the fathoms deep river in which water was turning in scary speed. Right at the middle of the whirlpool was Z trying to fight with water.
Piya made to jump into the river but Abhay blocked her path.
"Don't be foolish Piya" he shouted.
"Move away Abhay'..my friend is in danger and that's all I care now" Piya shouted over the thundering giving Abhay a fierce look.
"You won't help her by jumping into the whirlpool'.can't you see the water is not behaving naturally'..it's being controlled by forces from outside" Abhay tried explaining to Piya.
Piya stopped struggling and stared at the churning, spitting water. How could she have missed it? Piya could feel external forces pulsing about them and going towards the water. Abhay shook her hurriedly.
"Piya I don't think you will help her by jumping into the water'.you may not be human'.but your body is still not strong enough to overcome this whirlpool'..but your mind is, your magic can if we give it a try'.listen carefully Piya'.I am going into it" Abhay paused to overcome Piya's protesting head shake with a look "I can withstand it Piya don't worry'.you are going to help me by channelling magic from outside to calm the whirlpool"
"But Abhay water is not my element'.it's Z's" Piya choked, tears flowing freely from her beautiful eyes "If she can't" Abhay placed a finger on Piya's lips.
"Piya you are doing this for Z remember'..just think what Z would have done where you in that position" Abhay suppressed a shudder unable to digest even the thought.
Piya gave a shake nod and positioned herself to start the magic needed. Abhay stripped off his shirt and took a strong jump into the angrily thundering water.
Piya began her chants calling in all her inner strengths and the force of nature which she could then command.
Abhay swam towards the struggling form of Z. He could feel a power trying to overcome the force pushing Z down. Instantly he knew Z was fighting back.
Keep fighting Z, don't let it get to you Abhay thought towards Z even though he was almost sure that she couldn't hear him.
Jeh was walking through the forest after leading Aron safely out of the forest. He was now partially convinced that Aron meant no harm. But one could never be too careful with anyone. His mother had given him a very painful lesson on that front. He clenched his fist when thought of his mother- the powerful she -wolf Dippanitha Khuranna-crossed his mind. He was sure he would never forgive the woman.
Suddenly a blast of power hit his senses causing him to reel back.
"Whoa! What the heck!" he blurted out. Sensing out the direction, Jeh took his wolf form and bound towards the place.
Piya was almost totally bent over trying to keep her hold on the magic. Abhay was fighting with water to get to Z while Z was putting up all the fight she can with her waning strength.
Jeh stopped with a heavy thud when this site met his eyes. Glancing once around to make sense of the situation he jumped into the river in his human form. Abhay and Jeh reached Z almost at the same time. Abhay took hold her one arm Jeh grabbed hold of another. Another five minutes had them safely on the shore.
Abhay waited long enough for Jeh to gently place the limp form of Z down on the forest floor, before rushing to Piya's aid.
"How is Z" was the first words out of Piya's mouth when Abhay straightened her up.
"Unconscious but alive Piya'..Jeh is looking after her'.drink this Piya" Abhay cut his wrist with his fang to feed Piya blood. Piya accepted understanding that there was no use protesting. When she felt enough energy back in her body, she force fed Abhay her blood.
Both smiled at each other with love and gratitude before rushing to Z's side. Abhay saw that he had done the right thing trusting her with Jeh. Some colour was back into Z's face and her heartbeat had quickened. Jeh had his eyes closed and his left hand placed on Z's forehead. The vein on his temples were throbbing. He had pushed out water she had taken in but when Z didn't wake up, he decided to give her some energy. Piya understood what he was doing and gently placed a hand on his shoulder. Jeh's eyes jerked open.
"That will be enough Jeh'.you need energy too'.the rest we will give her" Piya said(looks at Abhay) "He was transferring energy into her Abhay'.I think we both should do the same now"
Abhay nodded in agreement and crouched down beside Z while Piya crouched on the other side. Jeh moved back and leaned on a tree, exhausted but yet watching the procedure carefully.
After a few minutes, Z coughed and slowly opened her hazel eyes. She tried to get up but slumped back.
"Careful Z" Piya warned supporting her friends.
"Are you okay Piya" Z asked faintly.
"Z you were the one in water not me" Piya replied.
"I know that duffer'.but you used up a lot of magic than usual'.which is why I asked if you are okay or not" Z explained.
"I am fine Z'.you know my magical energy levels are different from normal witches'.it did tire me but not enough to make me unconscious or cause harm" Piya soothed.
"You two are really incredible'..you bother more about each other than about yourselves" Abhay said shaking his head with a smile.
"That's us'..right Piya" Z said while Piya helped her into a sitting position "Thank you Abhay" she hugged Abhay to show him her gratitude and looking at Jeh "And you too Jeh, without you both I would have been dead meat"
Jeh just nodded in acknowledgement while Abhay patted her cheek.
"I would really like to know who did that to you" Jeh said musing.
"I honestly have no idea'.I remember starting to gather up a water ball and the next thing I know is being thrown into the water whirlpool" Z said staring at the water "I couldn't even control the water"
"There was some external force'.something very strong because it could be felt from very far'.that's how I reached here" Jeh added.
"We are thankful that you did Jeh'..I am not sure I could have saved her alone" Abhay thanked him.
"I just did what was right" Jeh replied "I think it's better you girls go home now, she needs rest and dry clothes"
Abhay helped Z into a standing position. She stumbled when she tried to keep a step forward.
"I think it will be better for me to carry you Z" Abhay said. He put on his shirt and gently picked Z up despite her weak protests.
Piya walked towards Jeh and gave him a friendly hug.
"Thank you Jeh'.you gave me back something very precious today" she said pressing his hand gently.
Jeh smiled at her. He liked the honest gleam in her eyes something he always saw in his sister's eyes.
"You all are embarrassing me Piya'..I would have done that for anybody" Jeh said
"Thank you Jeh'..I owe you my life" Z said again. Jeh just nodded at her with a smile.
Abhay and Jeh exchanged a silent glance and Abhay walked forwards while Piya followed. Jeh turned towards his way home.
On the opposite bank, hidden behind trees,
"This is just the starter Piyali Jaiswal" a hooded figure muttered, smiling devilishly.
Next day'.
Dobriyal House''
Panchi paced up and down in her room. She was growing more and more worried as the days went by. Ever since her face off with Sid it was even more difficult for her to face him. Somewhere in her heart Panchi had harboured a hope that Sid must have felt something for her. By blatantly denying this Sid had once again managed to break her heart into million pieces. She was sure that she couldn't feel such pain again after her initial heart break. How then did her heart ache so much after hearing this from him?
More than that it was Dhruv's matter which worried her. It was getting harder to keep his thoughts away while near Sid. Because whenever she got frustrated with Sid it was her son's thought which soothed her. One day she almost let his thought slip into her mind. Tonight she had meeting with him and his associates at their office and she was damn worried about spending three hours with him
"Panchi beta'.here is hot coffee" Madhu came in with a smile.
"Thanks mom" Panchi replied taking the mug "You could have just called me down"
"I am not that old Panch'.now tell me what is worrying you" Madhu asked placing a hand on her first born's cheek.
"Siddarth'.who else?" Panchi answered gritting her teeth.
Madhu sighed in frustration. She would gladly kill the bloody vampire given the chance.
"Mumma" Dhruv called from the doorway to Panchi's room. He rushed into Panchi's welcoming arms.
"It's so good to see you'.did you have fun with Massi and Nanu" "Loads of fun Mumma'..but you are still worried na Mumma'..I told you to stop worrying before I went out right" Dhruv said with a pout
"Sorry my munchkin'.Mumma will stop worrying'..now tell me what does my prince want to have tonight" Panchi fondly kissed her son while Madhu watched with a smile.
"You won't be there tonight right" Dhruv read her thoughts.
"Sorry darling but I can't skip this meeting" Panchi tried pacifying her son.
"Hmmm" Dhruv huffed. He looked thoughtful for a moment "Mumma I will be back in a minute"
Dhruv came back with Piya and Z after sometime.
"They can help you with your problem Mumma" he said to bemused Panchi.
"He is right Panchi'..you want to shield Dhruv from his father'.but that is not easy since he is a vampire'.we can help you with that" Piya said with an assuring smile.
"How do you" Panchi began then looked at Dhruv.
"He didn't tell us anything Panchi'.we deduced this on the very first time we met Dhruv'.we knew he was not a normal human toddler'.just like we aren't normal teenage girls" Z said.
"What?" Panchi asked looking confused.
In response Piya levitated herself into the air and landed back. Z made water in the nearby jug to rise and form shapes in the air.
"We are witches Panchi''Piya is in fact a hybrid like Dhruv'..half-vampire half-witch''I was estranged from you guys for so long because our Dadhu couldn't accept my Dad being a wizard" Z explained "Once we touched Dhruv and sensed his aura we knew he wasn't just a baby'.the same night Abhay came into our room to meet Dhruv'.he told us he came to meet his nephew'.so we connected two and two and came to the conclusion'..later on we saw Siddarth in the mall and by the way Misha reacted we knew that this must be the guy"
Panchi stood dumbfounded for a few minutes.
"How can you help me with my thoughts?" she asked finding her voice after the surprise.
"Trust us Panchi, we can'.we will lock away parts of your memory connected to Dhruv'.even if you think of it in Siddarth's presence he won't be able to sense it'..some other thought will be covering it" Piya said confidently "We will do this only if you want to Panchi"
Panchi looked for a moment at her son. She knew that for him she would walk through fire.
Panchi nodded in affirmative and Piya and Z together started working the spell.
Siddarth's Mansion'..
Siddarth was in a very unstable mood ever since his talk with Panchi. He was either enraged by the slightest thing or silent even at the biggest folly. His employees had had a rough week with him.
In such a mood he ad asked for the meeting to be shifted into his mansion and now he regretted it. Facing Panchi had been incredibly difficult for him after knowing that she loved him despite all his atrocities towards her. Love was always an enigma. Just like he had loved Mrinalini through ages, Panchi had loved him faithfully and probably still did.
No she can't, she loathes my very site Sid thought stubbornly.
Even as he thought this he felt a pang in his heart. Somewhere his heart had started feeling. Feeling for Panchi.
I am a ruthless vampire I cannot feel Sid thought fiercely
But you are here to repent, so you have to feel an inner voice corrected him.
Panchi won't accept me Sid countered
You can never predict the future the voice said.
Just then his doorbell rang alerting him about arrival of his guests. Sid groomed himself into a presentable form. He thanked god that he was a vampire because he could easily pretend to be sober even though he was almost completely drunk. A human with so much alcohol in them couldn't have even walked a step. He braced himself to meet Panchi and walked out.
Panchi glanced once at Siddarth when he walked. His natural aroma almost always managed to wreak havoc on her senses and it all her self-control to rein in her thoughts. Sid sat down at the head of the table and gazed at Pnachi sitting on his right. She looked up and they shared a momentary eyelock. Both looked away and Sid started the meeting.
Panchi was walking down the steps of Siddarh's mansion when her phone rang.
"Hello" she answered the call while walking down " What's the matter honey"
"I will be home now dear'..no don't worry I am fine'.okay baba I will bring that'love you" Panchi said and disconnected the call
She was startled by Sid zooming into stand in front of her.
"So madam Dobriyal lied about still loving me huh" he mocked her. He was even more tipsier that earlier thanks to the fifteenth bottled of alcohol he had drunk now.
"I never said that'.and you very well know how much I loathe" Panchi said stepping away from him.
Sid grabbed her by her upper arm and backed her up against the wall leaving the distance of an inch between them.
"Is that so?" Sid said huskily bringing his face just a breath away from her pretty one. Panchi's breathing became erratic and she blinked her eyes. Sid inched closer to her luscious lips For a few moments she was rendered motionless by the rising feelings in her. A sudden memory of a past instance with Sid jolted her awake. She pushed Sid away with all her extra strength and successfully threw him off.
"DON'T YOU DARE TOUCH ME RAICHAND" Panchi screamed at a disgruntled Sid.
She glared once at Sid with tear filled eyes before rushing away from the spot.
In the few moments they shared Sid understood what went on in Panchi's heart.
Hindi TV Shows
Current Affairs
20