Chapter 24(Abhay's POV)
I stood silently in the shower. The water fell steadily. Every second of the incident flashed in my mind. Piya's shocked and fearful expression, and her bleeding arm. Her tears hurt me each time they fell. I punched the marble tiling as hard as I could. A big gaping hole resulted. I couldn't face her, at least not yet. No risk could be taken from my side. I have to stay away.
(Piya's POV)
Abhay didn't come to college today. He still thought of himself to be guilty. Everything seemed so lonely and lost. I was lost in thoughts, until I bumped into someone in the hallway, my papers flying everywhere.
"Oops...so sorry." I said.
I looked up and saw Abhay, smiling at me. I almost started crying, that's how many emotions controlled me.
"Piya...where are you lost?" I was taken aback. That was his voice.
"Piya?" I returned to reality and realized I bumped into Kabir.
"Oh...you..."
"You forgot about me, didn't you Piya?" He chuckled.
"I'm so sorry Kabir. I wasn't watching where I was going...I was lost."
"It's okay Piya...here are your papers."
"Thanks...see you later." I said. He looked confused as I walked away.
I walked to my next class, wishing that the day ended as fast as possible. I wanted to see Abhay. Then I realized that I needed to train as well. I tried to contact Abhay, but his phone was unreachable. I texted Sid instead.
"Sid, is Abhay okay?"
"He seems like he is. Although, there is a large hole in his shower wall."
I answered quickly before the teacher came back.
"I'm coming after college is over."
(After college...)
I made an excuse of work in office, which I did have, but I finished it beforehand. Kaka was convinced, and he let me go. Maya was at a study session with Panchi, as she was failing in chemistry.
Sid answered the door.
"Come in Piya."
"Where's Abhay?"
"In his room." He quietly said. I rushed for the staircase.
I opened the door slowly and peeked inside. Abhay was sitting in the window sill. He was staring at my photo and smiling. I went inside and shut the door behind me. He turned and approached me.
"Piya..."
I ran towards him and wrapped my arms around him. He did the same. He rested his head against mine, then placing a sweet kiss on my forehead.
"Why didn't you come to college today?" I asked.
"I couldn't face you Piya. I'm a danger to you now."
"But you're stronger than that despicable man. You can fight it."
"I will try Piya. But if this happens anytime soon, you need to leave immediately. Okay?"
I nodded. Right then, he lifted my fave to his and gave me a short, but lovable kiss. He trailed kisses down my face, all the way to my neck and collarbone.
A knock on the door interrupted. He pulls away and opened the door. Mr. Raichand was standing there.
"Yes dad?"
"Piya needs to go to training. I hope you don't mind if I take her Abhay." He smiled.
"Not at all dad."
I left with him. I turned around and smiled at Abhay. He gave me a flying kiss, then shutting the door behind him.
We drove into a part of Dehradun that I didn't recognize. It was deserted and eerily quiet.
"Where are we?" I asked.
"We are in the witches territory. They chose this place because it holds abundant magic in its roots."
We soon reached a small house hidden behind the thick trees. Mr. Raichand escorted me to there. I saw Samarth standing outside, pacing back and forth. He noticed me by my loud footsteps. My light frock flowed with the breeze. I sped my pace. It was getting cold out.
"Glad you could make it Piya." He greeted me. "I want to introduce you to someone."
"Samarth...could I speak to you afterwards?"
"Of course Chand. I'll just be back."
He took me inside and sat me down in a cushiony chair. The house was small and made of wood. There was a small fireplace in front of it. It had a homey feel to it. Samarth came back with a lady. She was tall and slender, and had long, thick brown hair. She was beautiful, a perfect face and glowing eyes. She was wearing a long blue dress.
"Piya...this is Diana." Samarth said. Diana waved at me.
I stood up. She came forth and hugged me.
"It's always a pleasure to meet a new witch, especially a moonlight witch. You're Sugandh's daughter, right?" I nodded. "You look just like her." She stroked my head.
"Did you know my mother?"
"Know her!? I was her best friend! We were one of the first moonlight witches."
"Wait...I thought I was the last moonlight witch alive!"
"I didn't know either Piya...until I found Diana. Your father had captured her long ago."
"I can't believe my father could be so disgusting." I said.
"You can't stop fate..." She said. "Let's get started."
Samarth left us to talk to Mr.Raichand. Diana took me out the back door to a fairly large gazebo centered in the trees. The moon was coming up, unmasking the runes on our skin. I looked at Diana. Her runes were far more intricate than mine, mine were just simple swirls. Her's branched off into to a variety of patterns. I was so mesmerized by them that I almost hit the gazebo face first.
"You like them don't you?" She said cheerfully.
"I do." I said.
"Your's will become like mine soon. The stronger you are, the more complicated these will be." She paused. "Shall we get started?"
I nodded. She walked up into the gazebo and opened a secret compartment in the wooden floor. There lied an ancient leather bound book. She brought it to me.
"I'm assuming that you've tried some spells before. Chand was telling me that Abhay saw you use some."
"Yes. I have."
"Show me what you got. Let's start easy. Levitate my spell book."
I recalled the spell and focused on the book. I closed my eyes and chanted it in my head. I opened my eyes to see the results, and sure enough, it was hovering a foot in the air.
"Good." Diana clapped. I broke the hold on it and let it fall back into her hands. "Now let's try something new. I think you are ready."
She opened the book, flipping through until she found one that suited her liking.
"Let's learn this one." She pointed. I looked at the title. It read 'Healing'
"Wouldn't this be too hard for me?"
"Not at all. Every young witch learns this spell amongst the first ones they are taught."
She walked over to the tree and slashed her arm against the protruding bark. I rushed over there. She handed me the book. While she was bleeding, she told me to concentrate and recite the spell in my head. I touched her wound and did the same. I gasped when my hand glowed in response. I took it off quickly, but the wound was still there.
"Try again Piya...keep your hand steady for a while longer."
"Sorry." I said. I did it again. This time keeping my hand on her arm longer. The glow fused into her skin and repaired the cut instantaneously.
"Well done. You are picking up fast."
We practiced other spells until it was time I went home. She gave me a small pendant as well.
"This will cloak your runes at night. It is very important that you never take this off...especially at night."
"Okay...I'll keep that in mind."
Diana accompanied me up until the territory boundary. I called Abhay beforehand to be there. I hugged him as soon as we reached.
"I missed you beautiful." He whispered into my ear. I blushed.
"You two look so cute. Makes me want to fall in love." Diana interrupted. "Take care...I'll see you tomorrow Piya."
"Bye Diana." I waved. She disappeared shortly. I turned to Abhay. "Carry me?"
"Of course jaan." He chuckled and lifted me up into his arms.
We made our way to my house. He set me down my feet and kissed me just before leaving.
"I'll stop talking to you if you don't come to college tomorrow."
"I'll be there. I promise jaan." He kissed me again and vanished into the darkness.
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Next Mass Update: Nov. 9th 2014
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