Chapter 27
When would this power over him end? This insane ability to control his thoughts...his emotions?
No human had come close to what she evoked in him.
Piya was dangerous...for him as well as for herself...because she pulled him towards her no matter what...and that was dangerous for her.
Abhay gritted his teeth, ignoring the rising speedometer as he turned sharply on the mountain rain.
Why was the universe foisting Piya on him? No matter where he went...what he did...she would be in front of him...or perhaps...everything he did was for Piya?
No...no. Abhay's existence did not, could not revolve around her. With a pang of guilt, he thought of Chand and Haseena, and he screeched to a halt, turning the car and moving back to Dehradun.
He needed a distraction. His hand flew to the FM radio in his car, and a song began to play.
'Kya pyaar kiya kambaqt ishq, main to haar gaya kambaqt ishq, haaye rabba ye kya ho gaya...'
His lips pursed in disapproval. The song was too mocking for him.
'tu kya jaane main deewana jo tera ho gaya...kyun na maane main tere pyaar mein hi kho gaya..'
His thoughts drifted to Piya, and he gritted his teeth, resisting the temptation to change the station.
The song ended and another started.
'Na tum ho bewafaa, na main bhi hoon...phir bhi hai hum juda, main kya kahoon...'
The speedometer fell , coming back to it's normal speed.
Abhay did not know why...but he felt a strange comfort listening to the song.
'Tere bin jo din aaya, kaate na kat paaya, kami teri ...khal si jaati hai...
Tere bin ko shaam aayi, badi dil ki tanhayee, meri ankhein bhar si jaati hai...'
And Abhay smiled wryly.
'Kuch tum mujhse khafa...kuch main bhi hoon...hai kya iski wajah, main kya kahun...'
Memories of Piya danced in his mind's eye, and he suddenly wanted to...end it all. Stop everything, give her back her memories...
'Tujhe dil se tha chaaha, tu hi toh na mil paaya, khushi mujhko..chhal si jaati hai...'
Abhay closed his eyes briefly. Yes, he was in love with someone he could never hope to have...
'Mera tu tha sarmaaya, tujhe paake na paaya, yehi baatein chubh si jaati hai..'
It was true... He had got her love...and he had thrown it away...
'Tanha teri tarah, haan main bhi hoon..dono hai gum zada, main kya kahoon...na jaane waqt ki marzi hai kya...
Kyun hai mili ye dooriyan...oh meri jaan...'
The song drew to a close, and Abhay switched off the radio.
He stopped near a large bookstore. He went inside, picking up a wrapped parcel and exiting.
Then he was off again. Their house would only be a five minute drive from there.
He switched on one of the songs on his playlist.
He needed a reality check..soon.
He smirked humourlessly as the song started...he wondered if one who had written the song had been a vampire...?
'I feel it deep within,
it's just beneath the skin,
I must confess that I feel like a monster!
I hate what I've become,
the nightmare's just begun,
I must confess that I feel like a monster!
I, I feel like a monster...'
The nightmare wasn't ending for him, at least for now.
'somebody come and save me from this, make it end...'
He smiled bitterly. It was never going to end...he was going to be a vampire...forever alone.
'it's hiding in the dark,
it's teeth are razor sharp...'
Fangs, corrected Abhay mentally.
'no one can hear me scream...'
And as the song ended , Abhay eased into the parking area of Raichand Mansion.
He went in, to see his parents deep in conversation.
Both Chand and Haseena looked up at him, and he had a funny feeling they had been talking about him.
'What is it?' he asked, more aggresively than he had intended.
Haseena raised her eyebrows. 'There's no reason to take your anger out on us,' she said coolly.
'Yes, indeed,' said Chand, draining his goblet. 'Your clashes with your lover does not entitle you to be rude to us.'
'My-' Abhay spluttered. 'She is not my lover!'
'You mean you haven't taken her yet?' said Haseena, sounding surprised. 'Not even last year?'
'Mo-om,' Abhay cringed.
Chand shook his head. 'I think your mother has something to tell you.' He rose and left.
Abhay took up Chand's vacated seat, and faced his mother.
She looked tense and worried. 'Abhay... I don't know... Chand thinks we should decline, but would it be too hasty?'
She was almost speaking to herself.
'Mom, I don't know what it is,' said Abhay impatiently. 'Stop speaking in half-sentences.'
'Very well.'
Haseena sighed and looked at him.
'There is...sort of...a proposition. For you.'
Abhay raised one eyebrow.
Haseena rose from the plush seat and paced the room. 'The werewolves have requested for a peace meeting near the borders of our areas- that is, in the forest- around midnight.'
Abhay stood up, too. 'What are you leaving out?'
Haseena whipped around to stare at him, a movement which would be a mere blur to humans. 'They want you to come alone for a personal one on one conversation.'
'I see, ' said Abhay in a level voice. 'Why me?'
'The clan voted for you, in case we were to accept,' shrugged Haseena.
'We could always decline- in fact, coming to think about it, we should decline, Abhay. Just say the word and we will-'
'Mom.' Abhay came to stand next to her.
'Don't fret so much. I think I can handle a werewolf, mom...' he said.
'You think we should accept?' said Haseena doubtfully.
'You wanted to accept at first,' said Abhay. 'Didn't you?'
Haseena shook her head. 'The more I think about it the more I dislike the idea. I don't trust Dipannita Khurana. And I have a bad feeling she could-'
'Mom,' said Abhay. 'I can handle her, all right. Just stop worrying. Accept the invitation. I will be there at midnight.'
He exited the room. Haseena watched him go, worried.
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After they finished office, Alina drove Piya back to the hostel, waiting till Piya had gone inside, before driving back to her home.
When she entered, her mother and brother along with many of her clan were holding a meeting.
As she watched, the meeting broke up and the werewolves- in human form- exited past her.
Her mother smiled like a self satisfied cat on seeing Alina, a gesture that instantly made her wary.
'Hello, sweetheart,' said her mother happily.
'Would you like something to eat?'
Alina's eyebrows narrowed. Her mother wanted something from her.
Instead of saying anything, she sat down and accepted a sandwich.
Jeh meanwhile, hovered around, uncertainly.
'Mum, why don't you come to the point,' said Alina, as politely as possible. 'Save us a lot of time.'
Dipannita was not happy, but she grimaced in a horrible endeavour at a smile.
'My dear, sweet daughter,' she said, sitting down next to Alina on the couch and taking her hands, 'the time has come when you can finally prove yourself to the clan. Today, you will kill Abhay Raichand at midnight, when he would be least expecting it.'
Alina's face betrayed not the pounding of her heart. 'What is your plan, mother?'
Dipannita smiled at her.
'We have proposed a truce with the vampires. And to our luck- as we hoped- it is Abhay Raichand they have chosen. Is it not the very greatest stroke of luck?'
As Alina made no reaction, Dipannita continued. 'You will meet him at midnight near the border which demarcates our land. Then you will keep him occupied till he loses his guard, and just then, I will use my powers, and combined with yours, we could finally kill him!'
Alina said nothing.
'It's a great opportunity, Alina,' said Jeh.
'I know,' said Alina.
'Thank you for telling me, mother. I will meet him at midnight. And for the time being- I will stay in my room.'
She rose and left to her bedroom.
She had some serious planning to do...
Midnight...
Alina, covered from head to foot in a maroon cloak over her clothes, paced from side to side, as she mulled her options- which were very limited.
A slight sound near her made her turn to see that Abhay had come.
'Abhay,' she said. 'Good evening.'
'I was under the impression that I would be meeting Dipannita,' he said curtly.
'You are being tricked,' she said quietly.
Abhay moved closer to her. His eyes gleamed indigo blue in the darkness.
'Tricked, you say?' he repeated. 'Perhaps you would care to elaborate?'
'You have been called here to be killed,' she said urgently.
'I was suspecting that myself,' he said drily. 'Don't worry on my account. I think I can handle myself against more than one werewolf.'
'These are mother's powers at work here!' she hissed. 'Don't you realize? She is not using physical force. She will be paralysing you...she has the full use of her powers, while I have half use of them! You need to go from here. I do not know if I could save you,though I would try-'
'You couldn't,' he snapped. 'I thought you just said you had half her powers?'
Alina shook her head. 'As heir of the werewolf clan, I meant. I have other-'
She stopped speaking, going very still.
She moved closer to Abhay, and Abhay saw her eyes closed, but he could see her eyeballs moving.
Then she raised her right hand in a curve, drawing a purple arc in the air, just blocking a ball of light which had been about to hit him.
He remembered that werewolf clan leaders had the ability to cast spells which would leave no trace... Would not be seen by anyone other than their own clan.
But Alina had just blocked it, which meant that it had failed...and so had become visible.
Alina screamed suddenly, and he saw her hands enveloped in electric blue light, pushing back a green ball of light.
Alina suddenly stopped moving and she swayed, falling back against Abhay.
Her lips were still moving, and Abhay felt an emotion he had not felt in a very long time...gratitude.
Slowly but surely a dome of red began to form around them, and then Abhay saw the spells rain down upon them...but unable to touch either of them, thanks to the dome of light above them.
After a few moments, the barrage of attacks stopped. This time, Alina sank down on the forest floor.
'Alina!'
Alarmed, Abhay knelt down beside her. She was breathing,and her eyes were open, but her face had a deathly pallor upon her. She coughed, unable to speak.
A low growling made him whip around. Werewolves...forming a ring around them, snarling in the darkness, their yellowish eyes gleaming.
He finally pulled out the stake he had kept concealed in his jacket and waited for them to attack first.
Glancing around, he made a quick calculation- it was eight against one.
When the first wolf lunged at him, Abhay was more than ready : sidestepping it, he scored a direct hit as he staked it in the heart.
One down, he told himself.
Two of the wolves retreated, seeming unsure, but the other six advanced on him. It was harder to evade them, and Abhay felt claws on his arm : swinging around, he sent the werewolf flying backwards, but blood was already seeping out of the wound.
They were aiming at his throat, hoping to make a fatal attack, but something like a guide whispered in his brain, causing him to evade many of the attacks.
Then, suddenly, it all stopped. The werewolves stood paralyzed, while Alina stood upright before him, breathing heavily as they stared at each other.
'Get out of here,' she snapped. 'Abhay, for God's sake-'
'I'm walking you to your home,' he retorted. 'You looked pale not five minutes ago, and now-'
'I'll be all right,' said Alina.
'Abhay, can you even see how badly you're hurt? I can't heal you, not like this- go home- you have a family, don't you? Go to them- they would help-'
Abhay looked down at himself. His shirt was hanging by shreds, his own body covered in blood. His arm throbbed, and his mind felt heavy.
'Werewolf venom,' said Alina, gripping his better arm. 'Get home, Abhay.'
'Why...why did you do it?' he said. Alina's face swam in and out of focus.
'Because it was the right thing to do,' she said simply. 'Because when I am queen, I would like you as my ally. Because getting you killed is not in my plans.'
He inclined his head. 'I owe you a debt. Never have I- I have never needed help-'
She smiled, though her face was slightly hazy.
'Even superheroes need saving sometimes, Abhay,' she smiled.
Abhay nodded. He felt drowsy...was this what being drunk felt like in humans?
He took cautious steps forward, slightly tottering as he tried to regain his balance.
He heard a huff behind him. Then Alina was next to him, holding out a hand. 'So help me, but you're not going to make it like this,' she snapped. 'I'm getting you home-'
'You've done enough,' said Abhay tiredly. 'Go home-'
Alina let out a hiss, then her fingers curled around his hand. He had only a split-seconds's warning before they were hurtling through space and time, in inky darkness...before the world righted itself and they were both standing in front of his house.
'Fare well,' she said, letting go of his hand, and covering her face with the hood. She vanished into thin air.
The door flew open, and Haseena gasped in horror as she took in his bloodied state.
'Mom, don't...' he muttered, as he walked in unsteadily.
'Chand...' her call was a mere whisper, but Abhay saw his father appear within seconds. He watched Abhay impassively, but only Haseena saw the regret and guilt in his eyes.
'Get the things ready, Chand,' she said quietly. 'We're not losing him now.'
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In front of her house, Alina braced herself against a pillar, catching her breath. She felt faint...she needed to sleep ... To rest...
The door flew open, and Dipannita stood there, towering over her in blind fury.
There were two bangs, and Alina saw two suitcases fall to the ground beside her.
Her mother's hand rose and struck her across the cheek.
Alina fell down, hitting the ground, feeling blood in her mouth.
Her mother, having followed her, grabbed hold of her cloak, and dragged her into a barely upright position. 'You dare betray me!' she screamed.
'How dare you attack me! How dare you turn on your own clan, you filthy, misbegotten swine!' she screamed.
She slapped Alina, letting her fall again. Alina struggled to speak, trying to show some final defiance, but she had not the energy.
Her mother kicked her, sending her rolling a few feet away.
'Take your things and get out of my sight!' she screamed. 'Never darken my doorstep again!'
Alina watched silently, as her mother turned her back on her bleeding daughter and went back inside the house.
She closed her eyes, trying to get up.
Sid liked to drive around at night. He had reached Dehradun just an hour ago, but he did not want to be cooped up in his house. So there he was, driving casually through the roads, his windows rolled down and the wind ruffling his hair... He liked the solitude...the silence...
Then, his headlights picked out a shadow of what seemed an old woman, shakily walking on the side of the road, carrying two suitcases. He wondered if he should offer the woman a lift...surely, at such an age...
But then he moved closer, and he braked abruptly as he realised that the old woman was not an old woman...it was a young one...who wore a half-sleeved, muddied shirt and jeans.
But why would she walk like that?
As he got out of the car to help, the smell of something hit him, and all of a sudden he felt suddenly a burning thirst in the back of his throat.
'Excuse me,' he said politely, going up to the young woman. 'Do you need help?'
The woman stopped, and immediately began to totter slightly, as if drunk. Then she said, 'Not really... I'm fine, sir. Please go on...'
Sid stood aghast. The voice was thicker than usual, as though some liquid was filled in it. But he had no trouble recognizing her. 'Alina!' he said, shocked.
'What on earth- wait.'
He gently disengaged the suitcases from her, then said, 'Where are you going? Are you drunk?'
He couldn't even see her properly in the darkness.
'No,' she said, again in the muffled voice. 'I'm all right. Just...visiting...a friend.'
'Look,' said Sid,'I'm dropping you home. It's not safe- you shouldn't even be out at this hour. Didn't you have a car?'
She paused, then said...'Can't...drive...'
'Ok, I'm dropping you , ' he said, holding out one hand to her, mutely offering support. To his surprise, she took it without arguing, and he walked her to the car. As they came in front of the headlights, however, he suddenly saw her properly.
'Holy ****-'
Alina's face was covered in bruises. Blood seeped out from a wound on her forehead, and she had a bleeding, swollen lip. Her arms were badly scraped, as though she had tripped and fallen...
She turned away from his gaze, but then he picked her up in his arms and carried her the rest of the way, gently arranging her in the backseat. 'You won't fall off, will you?' he said. 'Do you want to be taken to a hospital?'
'No...' she said weakly. 'Please- Dishu...her house... I can direct you...'
'Wait,' said Sid. 'Let me get your stuff.'
He came back to the driver's seat after putting the suitcases in the back of the car.
'Where to?' he said, as he started the car.
'Straight,' she mumbled. 'Then left, by the sunset point.'
He said nothing, and drove silently, his mind going back and replaying the horrible sight of her wounds... He had to ask her so many questions, but they could wait...
Alina kept telling him where to go, and Sid had to forcibly bite his tongue to keep from asking her at her weakened state...why was she not going home?
Then he stopped at a house, reading,'Miss D.Gupta' on the nameplate.
He got out of the car and rang the bell and prepared to wait.
PS. Song credits :
Om Mangalam- Kambaqt Ishq
O Meri Jaan- Tum Mile
Monster- Skillet😳
Edited by bookworm-ALS-- - 12 years ago
Bade Achhe Lagte Hain
Anupamaa
Iss Pyaar Ko Kya Naam Doon
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