Abhay-Piya FF: And I will be waiting.Book 1 Ended. - Page 103

Bathroom, Guesthouse , Irugarh

He almost dug his hands into the wall as he steadied himself inspite of his wobbly legs and his fogged vision. He could feel fire burning in the pit of his stomach and he could barely stand on his feet. Everytime he looked into the washbasin at that clotted maroon black blood that the water refused to wash away , he squirmed. Danish coughed out blood one more time and sank to the floor , sliding against the wall , stinging tears rolling down his cheeks. She had done this to him. Purposely. Exchange of blood with T had been a huge mistake. How could he have been so stupid! So so so so stupid? T was a Bolshva and her blood carried Huraan , the intoxicating poison that acted as per the mind power of a Bolshva. A Bolshva could maneuver how the Huraan in his/her blood affected it's victim. The hormones released from the brain of a Bolshva directed the actions of Huraan. Huraan could kill, could enslave , could addict , could do anything that a Bolshva had in mind while attacking. And now, Huraan was flowing in Danish's blood , having turned it a hideous black and causing furor in his system. Danish didn't want blood , he wanted a Bolshva's blood or the craving would kill him. He was confused with what exactly T had done to him. She had intoxicated him with Huraan.

Danish ( shaken and writhing in pain )- Wh-What am I going to do now? Huraan is in my blood! …I … I can't even sit or stand normally. There is this unexplained restlessness and suffocation… why didn't I drink the blood of that beggar woman I killed this morning in the woods!...( almost pulls his hair out )… DAMN YOU T! What have you done to me!

Social Activity Camp, Village , Irugarh

On the other hand , in the main village , the gang – Abhay, Sam, Piya, T and Tracker were all finally doing what they had come to the village for – serve and look after old people. T was aloof from everyone – a straight cold beautiful face unlike the haughty and mean looking girl everyone was so used to seeing. T and Piya were telling a group of old people about what all physical work they should not be doing in this age and how they could prevent illnesses and diseases of old age by maintaining a healthy lifestyle and hygiene. T was explaining everything with the help of a flowchart – her eyes cold , face unfriendly and disturbed , hand movements flighty and restless. Piya knew now that she was a vampire but she was not scared of her – not only because Piya was protected by the shield or that Abhay was just a few meters away. She had seen T at her evil closest when T had almost killed Abhay , she had seen how Natasha had puppet driven her to attack Abhay and Piya. T was no longer the fashionista snob of Mount College and as Piya looked at this deep and mysterious Bolshva , she wished that T returns to her snobbery and calls Piya a 'charity case' again. T's sharp , slanting sunburnt hay eyes had gone to Piya while explaining and she could read what Piya was thinking. T no longer had any grudges against Piya nor did she have any soft feelings. There was nothing because she was not the person whom her family and college friends and foes knew. One night had changed everything and T didn't even remember who she had been. T looked at Piya who was assorting medicines and manuals in baskets for the old people with her meticulous hands. T shook her head at Piya , conveying it to her that she knew what she was thinking but it was not going to happen Piya nodded. Perhaps T was never coming back.

Abhay and Sam were counseling another group telling them what all work they can do in this age so that they stay financially independent. They need not depend on their children and these days banks , NGOs , ensure economic independence to aged people. Above all, they should not take any sort of ill treatment from their children and relatives – they can be jailed for that and the elderly should fight for their rights and dignity. Sambhav was holding the talk while Misha was preparing a list of the NGOs and banks that would help and aid these old people. Abhay was helping her compile the list , referring to the data on the laptop. Tracker , of course , was huddled in a corner painting her nails a shocking orange and cootchie-cooing with Angad on the phone. Tracker was in her own pink bubble , unaware and blissfully ignorant that she was living with three deadly vampires and a werewolf. Her world was a happy normal world and rest of the gang had no intentions of disturbing it and dragging her into the supernatural. Happy Tracker.

As Abhay dictated the list to Misha who had not raised her head even once to look at Sambhav who was pacing about right in front of her while lecturing , Abhay sensed something. He felt a sudden warmth in his body. His ice blue eyes lit up and a lop sided smile led mischief and a boyish grin to his face. He knew why he had felt that. He took out his cellphone and resting his arm on Misha's shoulder , he typed a SMS – Stop staring at me.

Piya's phone beeped and she saw the message. Her face blushed with a pleasant surprise. Damn! Abhay and his powers. How did he know that she was staring at him even though he and Misha had their backs towards her? Piya looked at Abhay but he did not turn. Hr continued doing his work with a serious face. Piya tongue-in-cheek messaged him back.

Piya – I am not staring at you. I am staring at Sam.

Abhay ( rolls eyes with a bored look)- Should I come and stare at T? She looks pretty hot in purple today and I like the way her waist looks.

Piya ( smirks )- Be my guest. I guess her fangs are sexier than her waist. How about them?

Abhay ( suppresses a smile and Misha wonders what is wrong with him)- Maybe I should try her fangs. But I need to kiss her for that.

Piya ( not finding it funny )- You can't kiss T.

Abhay – Why not? She is kissable.

Piya – She almost killed you.

Abhay – Never mind. I know you will come and save my life again.

Piya's face melts at this as she reads the meaning behind what Abhay has said in this harmless couple fight. He trusted her and he believed that she would be with him. Piya looked at Abhay and he looked back this time. He raised an eyebrow at her and she just shook her head , blushing pink and went back to her work. Her cellphone beeped again and Piya looked at the message.

Abhay – You can continue staring at me. I know am hot , haha.

Piya didn't look at Abhay again because she didn't want him to see her face go a tomato red.

At that moment, a villager woman who was serving sugarcane juice to everyone suddenly tripped over a cane chair and fell, the tray going off her hands.

Woman ( hurts herself )- Ohhhhh…..

An old man and T helped her up as Piya held up her hand to the other camp to indicate that all was well. No need to worry. Abhay and Sam just nodded and went back to their work.

T ( making the woman sit on the cane chair)- Are you okay, Phoolo?

Old man – Youngsters these days. Can't you all see and walk?

Old woman – Oh,and look at all this mess here.!

Piya ( bending down )- Don't worry, aunty. I will just clean all this up.

Phoolo ( holding her leg )- Memsaab, I think I cut myself at the ankle.

T ( lifting Phoolo's salwar a little from her ankle )- Oh. Let me see it, then. If it is paining too much, we will need to put an antiseptic.

As soon as T looks at where Phoolo is pointing , we see that there is along gash that a protruded cane twig has caused and there is blood spurting out of it. T lets out a gasp as her eyes get fixed on the blood. She seems to have become hypnotized at the sight of blood. Piya , totally unaware what is happening is picking up the broken glasses and moping the floor. T has become transfixed at the sight of the blood and she touches the wound with trembling fingers….smudging and feeling the blood , the smell of it ensnaring her senses and the iris of her eyes beginning to turn into a red pool…

Phoolo ( innocently )- Wh-what are you doing , Memsaab? Don't clean it with your hands. I will put some turmeric there ….Memsaab? Don't dirty your hands?

Old man ( touching T's shoulder )- Tanushree?

Piya is struck at Phoolo's words and she spins around to see what is happening. T is about to put those bloodied fingers into her mouth. Piya , instinctively throws the mop away and grabs T away from Phoolo!

Piya ( noticing the red iris )- T!... I mean… ( smiles at the puzzled villagers )… T, I will give her first aid, G-Go… wash your hands.

T' glares at Piya and her fangs are forming. Piya is alarmed but just at the right moment , Abhay intervenes and locks eyes with T , pulling her away from the crowd.

Abhay ( hisses )- Go T! You … me… we cannot stand the sight of blood. Just go! Please!

T cools a little and without looking back , turns on her heels and runs away. Sambhav watches her run off and remembering her vulnerable state the other night in the woods , he instinctively goes after her. Misha is alarmed.

Abhay doesn't look at all in Phoolo's direction, lest he too loses his marbles at the sight of blood. Piya holds his hand and clasps it. The villagers are confused at this sudden turn of events.

Old man – What happened to that child , suddenly, son?

Abhay ( cooks a lie on the spot)- Nothing uncle. T has a childhood problem like some people have. She can't stand the sight of blood. It scares her….( looks at Piya )….Piya, just clean that wound and lets get on with out work.

Piya nods and returns to Phoolo and Abhay sees Misha coming towards him with 'that' look followed by Tracker. Oh no! Abhay shakes his head and looks away. Was he some kind of an Oracle that all questions should be asked to him only?

Tracker( fluttering her orange nails in Abhay's face )- Oh My My! Where did T take off to, Abhay? What happened to her, baby?

Abhay ( grins )- Nothing, baby. She and Sam are running a marathon for charity so that we can support these elderly people.

Tracker ( impressed )- Oh WOW! How exciting!.... Can I also run this marathon?

Abhay ( holds her shoulders )- Ruhi, Ruhi, Ruhi. Our turn is tomorrow, baby. Can we now please return to our work, hmmm?

Tracker nods and popping a yellow candy lollipop into her mouth , she goes back to the camp. But Misha is still standing there and Abhay raises his hand to stop her before she asks any questions.

Abhay – Misha, please. You surely don't want to know this!

Misha ( puts Abhay's hand down and makes him look at her )- T ….T is a vampire… isn't she? …why did Sam go behind her? I am right , ain't I?

Abhay looks at Misha horrified and the timid but sure expression on her face says it all.

Raichand Mansion

Chaand and Haseena are sleeping in their bedroom ( yes, my vampires sleep when they are not hunting or attending blood rehab clinics ) as evening is falling. Suddenly, Haseena moves in her sleep as a sound of music spills into her ears. A haunting and echoing piano music piece. As Haseena turns her side , looking disturbed and sweat droplets forming on her forehead and then , a deep , seductive and masculine voice whispers into her ears…. Haseena….

Haseena lets out a scared breath and sits up , holding her neck and her nerves bursting. The music is actually playing in the house and Chaand also wakes up , alarmed. They both look at each-other with a scared knowing look and don't utter a single word. Just then, all windows of the room are flung open and a stormy wind hits the room , making the curtains fly and tear off and the window panes crashing. The piano music piece grows louder.

Chaand ( getting out of the bed )- It's him! He …. He is in the house , Haseena!

Haseena ( cowers in fear )- H-His voice,…. The piano…..Majesty!

Chaand and Haseena rush out of the room and see that the whole mansion is in a frenzy – the furniture being thrown about , the piano music playing , occasional whispers of a man's deep baritone . It seems the whole house is in supernatural motion. Chaand and Haseena exchange glances and alarmed , they run into Abhay's room. As soon as they enter Abhay's room, the whole house falls silent , everything going back in it's place. In Abhay' room, as the two vampires step in , they are shocked at the sight they see inside. Abhay's painting that hangs above the mantelpiece – the painting that had attracted Piya the very first time she had seen it in his room – it has been ripped into half vertically. The grandfather's chair in his room is rocking on it's own. Haseena covers her mouth in shock and Chaand , hesitantly goes and stops the chair from rocking, The music stops and the chair doesn't move again.

Chaand ( shudders )- It's a warning.

Haseena ( looks at Abhay's torn painting )- It is a reminder, Chaand. Reminder that we didn't keep our promise.

Chaand ( nods )- Yes, and now, there will be no discussions , no peace talks, no agreements , that is what the Majesty is conveying.

Haseena – Do we tell this to Abhay?

Chaand( strongly ) – NO! This is what Majesty wants ! That Abhay should know the truth and know about him! The second Abhay finds out about the Majesty, the Protection will break. Haseena, there is this just one slim defence we have against the Majesty.

Haseena ( scared )- I don't know for how long it is going to hold out, Chaand. If there is anyone of all our enemies who has the power to claim Abhay , it's him. Not Maithli, Not Sambhav, not all the werewolves , vampires , witches and warlocks , not even us. It's the majesty!

Chaand ( losing confidence )- Haseena, do you think we can really fight Abhay's fate? Stop the prophecy from fulfilling?

Haseena ( nods )- I am not giving up, Chaand. Not after a good 200+ years of having protected Abhay.

Chaand ( smiles sadly )- Don't fool yourself , Haseena. We have protected Abhay and ourselves for these centuries from the werewolves and the Bolshvas. Not Majesty. The truth is that Majesty didn't look for Abhay once we broke the promise.

Haseena ( worriedly)- The worst part is that our greatest enemy is an unseen enemy! We have never seen the majesty.

Chaand ( disturbed )- Who has seen him , anyway? And those who had the ill luck to see him didn't live to tell the tale….( sits down)… we cannot control Abhay's fate, Haseena. I told you it is a supernatural explosion that we are heading towards.

Haseena – But he is my son.

Chaand – He is your protg , Haseena. Don't tie any more threads with him – emotions will devastate you like hell.

Haseena ( looks at him)- Do you really not care what could happen to Abhay?

Chaand doesn't answer her and closes his eyes, the piano music and the Majesty's voice ringing in his ears.

Deep in the woods, Irugarh

T was running madly through the woods , angry tears running down her cheeks , her lips curled in self-loathing and her fists clenched. The sight of that woman's wound and the blood on her hands was hammering through her head. Piya and Abhay stopping her and sending her off into the woods made her feel all the more sick inside. Not that she blamed Abhay and Piya but the way they had controlled her behaviour , it had seemed as though they were trying to cage a monster. With a loud wail, T fell on her knees on the ground and laid down in the leaves on her stomach – lying like a turned dead body with her eyes closed and her fingers digging into the ground. Then, she opens her eyes and looks at her fingers again. The blood of that woman is still there – drying and sticking on her fingers . As she looks at the blood again, the monster in her raises its head. Her irises turn red , spreading to her eyeballs and her fangs spring out. She puts her bloodied fingers in her mouth and it seems that she would eat her own fingers. Just then, a man who is passing through the woods on a cycle spots this urban girl lying in the woods and he stops his cycle.

Man ( getting down from, the cycle )- Woman, what are you doing there lying ? Are you mad? This is the deepest part of the woods. It is dangerous. And you look like a city girl. Oh, wait. Are you from that city college ? The social camp students?

T doesn't respond and the man goes towards her , wondering what is wrong with her. Why is she not looking at him? Is she even alright? Meanwhile , T is trying to control the monster in her – trying to return to her normal state but it is just not happening. She prays , she wishes that the man doesn't come near her because the human smell is getting to her and she is already in a sensitive state.

Man ( standing over her )- Are you listening? Madam?

He bends down and holds her shoulder. The monster in T wins and with a growl , she looks up at the man – red pupils, shriveled skin and fangs as sharp as suspended swords. Before he can scream , she jabs her claws into his neck cutting off the jugular vein and the vocal chords . She pulls him down and pouncing on him, roars and digs her fangs into his bloodied neck. Just then, Sambhav arrives on the scene and looks at T in this condition.

Sambhav is horrified at the scene and leaping on T , he grabs her and pulls her off the dead man, their bodies rolling off him.

Sambhav ( trying to control him)- T! STOP IT! Come to your senses, will you!

T, being in her monster form growls and tries to fight off Sambhav. But Sam is physically stronger being a werewolf and that too an 'Ancient'. Her body under his, Sam interlocks her fingers with his , strongly pinning her arms by her sides to the ground , her legs rendered inactive by his weight. Sam's pressure on her chest doesn't let T's neck rise so she cannot attack him with her fangs. She is squirming , screaming and growling under Sam's body weight but he just holds her there , worry and concern clearly written on his otherwise controlled face.

Sambhav ( calmly )- It's over, T. It's over. Fight it back. The thirst is…. ( looks at the poor dead man)… the thirst is over, T. Come back to normal…..

As Sambhav is dealing with T , Misha arrives on the scene and she is so shocked by the sight in front of her that she recoils, almost throwing up. A dead man with a blood splattered neck , a monstrous struggling vampire under the body of a werewolf. It could blow the living daylights out of anyone and Misha just knowing the truth did not give her superlative tolerance. Initial shock and disgust settled, Misha realized that Sam and T were in a very compromising position. Yes, even in a disturbed and devastating moment like this one , this low thought crossed Misha's mind. Wrong? Obviously. But Misha is only human, right?

Sambhav's calls brought T back to normalcy as her fangs retreated and the sexy sunburnt hay shade of her eyes returned with her skin going back to it's original blush shade. She looked at Sam's face right above her eyes – concern written large in his grey eyes. Realization struck T as she looked to her right , at the dead man.She looked back at Sam and her face began to break into sobs of self –disgust.

T ( breaking down )- I…..

Sam immediately buried his face in her hair by her side and shushed her like a baby by whispering in her ear…

Sam ( calming her )- Sssshhh….nothing. You did nothing. The monster inside you did. Don't cry. Quiet…Just quiet….

T pursed the lips on her blood-stained mouth and let the eyes do all the crying as the physical and emotional proximity of Sam lent her a strange kind of peace and support. nce Sam was sure that her sobs were only going to be under her breath and she was not going to go into any kind of hysteria , Sam lifted his face and got up from her body. As he made T sit up gently , he noticed that T was looking numbly at the man that she had just killed as a vampire.

Misha couldn't understand the whole scene here. What was wrong with Sambhav? T had just killed and sucked the life out of an innocent man and here he was going all loving and caring over her? Ah, wait a minute! It is Sam that she was talking about. Why wouldn't he sympathize with this monster? Wasn't he a monster too? Correction. Bad Monsters. The very sight was making her blood boil but deep down she knew that it was not just what she verbalized. There was something else about the whole scene that had pricked her. Misha was in a fair mind to go and confront them. But could she? She was alone in this jungle with this vampire siren and werewolf stud. One had tried to kill her and the other one hated her. Did she really want to run the risk? Abhay was not around either. But Misha just couldn't bring herself to turn on her heels and run off. No! She wanted to see what Sam and T were upto.

Sambhav took out his handkerchief and wiped the blood off T's face who was blinking at the dead man slowly as though coming to terms with the reality that she was actually capable of something as devious as this. Sam removes the last drop of blood on her lower lip from his thumb and yet T doesn't look at him. Sam observes her for a few seconds and then, turns her face towards him. He looks into her eyes with an affectionate convincing expression.

Sam – T, it is not your fault. As stupid and as criminal as it sounds, you know it, I know it. It is just not your fault.

T ( shakes her head )- Don't try to take away my guilt, Sam. It is my fault. Not that I attacked – it is my nature now as a predator. But that I have no control over attacks….( takes Sam's hands away from her face)….I am a loose bullet, Sam. I can kill anyone , anywhere. Admit it.

Sam ( takes her hands in his )- T, you are a nouveau vampire who is still coming to terms with the animal in her. All this can change , T. Look at Abhay. He is a vampire and you know how dangerous he can get but have you seen him going around killing random people?

T shakes her head and Sam lifts her chin up and makes her look at him.

Sam ( honestly )- T, look at me , now, I know how it is to live with two people inside you – one a human being and the other a ruthless beast.

T ( tears rolling down her cheeks )- Is there any way that I could die? A slayer can slay me, right?

There is such vulnerability and helplessness in T's eyes when she says these words that Sam feels something lurch inside him . He pulls T into his arms and engulfs her in a comforting empathizing hug , not letting her look at the dead man anymore while he himself recalls the attack he did on Misha two days ago.

Sam ( feeling a lump in his throat )- No. I am not letting any slayer slay you, T. You understand me?

T muffles a sob as she buries her head in his chest and as her eyes close, the voice of the majesty rise in her head…

Majesty: Look into his eyes , Tanushree. Exercise your powers at this vulnerable moment. Control him. Look up.

T debates whether to follow what the majesty is saying because something is not letting her as Sam rocks her in his arms.

Sambhav ( patting her head )- We are not monsters….. as unbelievable and ridiculous as it sounds……

Just then, a furious and unsettled Misha comes in the open and her voice catches Sam and T unaware,

Misha ( darkly )- If not monsters , what will you like to call yourselves? Ninja Turtles?

TO BE CONTINUED………………………..