Chapter 51
Raichand
June 27th, 1721.
A jagged piece of rock etched its color into the clay walls of the underground lair. He lowered his head, having completed the sixth month as a vampire. Six months as a different person. His days doubled in length, merged with the night. He needed sleep no longer, and found himself most comfortable under the rings of moonlight. It was a strange change of preference.
His ears perked up at the smallest hint of sound. Besides the rumbling wind and the trickle of water droplets through the cracks in the walls, all was quiet. He was alone.
Even supernaturals had their reasons for fighting amongst themselves. Greed possessed human and non-human alike; everyone wanted some sort of power over others, helplessly fighting for survival.
He had exited one conflict and entered another. It started three months ago, catching many off guard. Iolanda ordered him to stay behind, noting that young vampires were reckless and were prone to getting themselves killed much easily. Though with him, she worried more about him being captured than dying.
I’m not even the usual vampire, he thought, sandwiched between the powerful and abundant.
He stared at the ring of enchanted lapis lazuli, a new addition to his right hand, made to protect him from the sunlight, a raging fire in the sky. If he took it off during the day, his skin would rapidly burn and shrivel up.
But he wouldn’t die, only weaken. The one thing he wanted.
Release.
He was powerless, at the mercy of his new, deadly cravings. These alternate sensations and necessities were far from familiar, and far from wanted.
Are they safe?, he wondered, counting the time on his fingers. Those fingers then trembled, reached up, and scratched obsessively at his throat. A new thought took over.
So thirsty.....
His throat burned and begged at him for more blood, at the mention of any human, even if he went hunting just hours back. Animal blood just didn’t taste as good. His forehead pressed into the wall, bits of clay crumbling to dust at his feet.
I can’t go home.
He wanted to check on them, just one visit. But in this state, he would do more harm than good. Any smells of blood drove him mad. Until he practiced control more, he had to suppress his desires to be nearby.
The walls were suffocating. This skin on his throat bled and healed in cycle, staining his fingernails black. He ignored instruction to stay inside and wandered to the surface, staring up at the giant white pearl in the sky. Something new to comfort him.
Maithili had since vanished.
She might not know I lived....
He hoped he had the time and power to protect them. She was unhinged. She could do anything. She and her kind were wreaking havoc as of date, forcing other supernaturals to fight back.
It wasn’t over with her parents, his parents, or him. She wanted more than that.
He sat outside the house, pressing the back of his head into the stone exterior. Piya sat next to him, holding her head up high to admire the moonlight with him.
She heard him weeping.
Abhay....
His eyelids were shut, and tears fell silently in the dark. The dark was lonesome. He missed them all dearly. He wanted so much to go back home.
I don’t want to be alone.
Piya wished she could wipe his tears in this time. She remembered how fervently he promised her that he would always be at her side, that she wasn’t alone any longer.
She wanted to promise him the same.
I’m here for you, Abhay. Always, she thought, holding her knees to her chest.
Horatia sat next to her, unbothered. She seen this scene countless times; it failed to solicit any new reactions.
“Will Maithili come back?” Piya asked.
“To the three of them, not in particular. She’s just orchestrating from behind the scenes now.”
“Where are the others?”
From what Piya noticed, Iolanda and Jovan travelled as a pair almost all the time. When the latter wasn’t mentoring Abhay of his powers, he was with her. Like a guard of some sort.
“In a battle somewhere. In this world, its kill or be killed.”
Piya sighed and turned her head. A tiny ball of shadow manifested into Abhay’s palms, rolling into itself as it churned. It then enveloped his fingers, unraveling their fleshy form.
“And he said he wasn’t a ghost.” She pouted.
“In all technicalities, he isn’t.”
”You know what I mean.”
Horatia shrugged.
His fingers returned to normal, and his gaze lifted.
You’re so quiet now.
But it was what she herself was used to.
Piya followed as a peculiar change of attention drew him into the forest. His focus had honed in on something, eyes shifting color. She noticed that the red was appearing fewer and fewer times, making way for the cobalt that she was familiar with. They still glowed the same in the dark.
Once the fangs slipped out, she realized he caught a scent of something appetizing. It was probably a lost human.
“This area is only for vampires right?”
“Correct. And he’s been bound within the borders of it.”
But humans could wander anywhere. His speed was blinding, but they were able to catch up. He stopped, lurking behind the trees. His nose twitched, catching the sweet scent of a human nearby. Still thirsty, and needing more blood than he was given, he took off in its direction.
It was a man of his age, lost off the path. So lost that he behaved cluelessly in the face of a problem. Abhay couldn’t help himself. This catch was too easy. He relinquished control to the feral beast festering within him, who only wanted to drink blood at the least effort. He stood at a distance, hearing a pulsing heartbeat and smelling a tasteful scent.
Piya turned away. A switch flipped in his mind. Those were the eyes of a predator.
I’m not what I seem, Piya...
The body was torn through beyond recognition, blood smeared all over his lower face and hands. But he was satisfied. There was no remorse on his face. He was just thirsty.
His tongue swiped over his lips and palms, tasting as much as possible.
This became a frequent sight to her. It wasn’t until he regained control over his behavior, that the breakdowns happened. These deaths might have been accidents, but he felt horrible. He killed an innocent, for his own benefit.
I’m sorry.
He wandered in the cold night without direction, tears falling from his eyes. The sound of those cries echoed into the cloudy skies, where he wished to turn time back to when they were happier.
——————————————————————
August 21st, 1721.
The door to the main room creaked open, as Abhay was practicing shifting. The smell of the air changed to a strange mix of blood, from many sources. His nose wrinkled. Iolanda, Jovan, and several other vampires walked in. But he paid them no attention, his back turned. But there was this one woman that always caught his eye, closer to his master than anyone else. She came to see them often, though he never spoke to her much. Regardless, she was always kind to him. Haseena Raichand was her name.
“They’ve never mentioned her before.” Piya said.
Especially if they took her last name.
“They have. Under the guise of the term foster parents.”
Piya realized Horatia was right. Siddharth did mention that when she went to their place for coffee.
“She’s like a mother to them. You might have a chance to meet her yourself.”
Piya took a closer look at the individual vampires. Many were injured, and that many were more dead. It was evident on their faces. The look of defeat.
“What happened?” Abhay asked Jovan, who stood next to him, crossing his arms. There was a large gash cut through his chest, blood staining his clothing black. It was healing quickly, however.
“They’re getting stronger. And with each casualty on our side, they get more ammunition.”
He noticed Abhay’s entire arm was now shadow.
“Good job. Can you control it?”
He gave a small nod. It was strange, how he could feel cohesiveness in something so chaotic and deforming.
“It’s difficult, but I think I have some control....”
“Progress comes slow. You’re learning faster than I did, that’s for sure.”
Jovan was just like him, just more experienced. He was a de facto mentor to Abhay, seeing as no one else could teach him properly. Their numbers were small to begin with. Abhay was grateful.
“Well, what do we have here? Is this the fledgling Duralis vampire you made, Iolanda?”
A realization dawned that he was in the room with many vampires he hadn’t seen before, some of which knew him. Abhay turned, flashed them a glare, and clenched his fist, now whole again.
“Pardon?” Iolanda brushed her hair to the side.
“Isn’t he the lover of their queen? Or so I’ve been told?”
Jovan sighed and rubbed his palm over his eyes. Abhay’s wrists pressed into the table, snapping wood. He was angry. He didn’t want to be associated with her anymore. Then the vampire who spoke fell to his knees, grasping at his chest, in visible pain.
“Calm your anger, Abhay. You’re hurting him.”
He didn’t mean to, but the sound of his pain was pleasing to the beast’s ears.
“I’m....trying...” he hissed.
Piya was taken aback.
His anger.....is doing something?
The afflicted vampire stood up, and pointed fingers at him, blood frothing at the mouth in harsh coughs.
“You—-“
Haseena stepped forward, and held him back. There was no need for fighting amongst themselves.
“We are not here to fight each other, Paarth.”
Her voice was calm and soothing, and she behaved with composure.
“Haseena.....”
She was well aware, in conversations with Iolanda, of his circumstances.
“He is a victim himself. He is not at fault.”
Abhay himself disagreed. The whispers and his existence already began to spring rumors. Those who defy Nature’s rules. He grimaced, remembering those dreams with their threats. Was all that happened with his family, his fault? Because he was so blinded in love that he didn’t pay heed to its warnings?
It’s unheard of, for a such a connection between our world and the human world to be made. Because Nature despises it, Iolanda told him, when he first talked of his past and origins.
It’s not your fault, Abhay, Piya repeated.
Nature kept butting in between them as well. She herself almost lost him because he didn’t want to bring that darkness to her life. That one fear, remained intact all this while, and was becoming more apparent to her.
It’s not your fault.
There was indistinct chatter that Abhay since tuned out. Not all vampires in the area were there, just those who were leaders to their respective clans. He began to pay attention after they left. Haseena stayed back.
“What is it you needed from me, my friend?”
Iolanda smiled and gestured towards Abhay.
“I have to go back to Romania, for the unforeseeable future. Those cursed Vitael are spreading their destruction everywhere; it needs attending to.”
Haseena frowned. They were facing troubles here as is. Losing their strongest fighters would be devastating.
“Your sudden absence worries me.”
“It won’t. Others are coming in my stead.”
Haseena nodded, and wondered what Abhay’s involvement in all this was.
“I offered Abhay to come with me, but he refused.”
He had nowhere else to go, and would be vulnerable without shelter or someone to watch over him. Haseena understood without explicitly being told.
“Of course. If that’s what he wants.”
She looked at Abhay. They only went as far as introductions weeks back. He was a quiet one.
“May I speak to him?”
“Why not?
Abhay sighed and followed. A walk at this time seemed dangerous. She stopped a good length away from the front of the house.
Her back was turned to him, but he could hear just fine.
“Don’t mind Paarth. There are those who fail to understand circumstances.”
He shook his head, staring at the leaves on the ground, rolling by in the gentle breeze.
“But he was right....”
Haseena shook her head.
“Are you sure you want to stay here? You’ll be safer if you go with Iolanda. It’s typical for a Duralis to stay with their creator. Jovan always stays with her.”
She gestured to the mark on his neck, Iolanda’s insignia. Jovan had a similar one. It bound them to her, but could be removed in rare circumstances.
Piya didn’t remember seeing it on him anymore.
“I’m sure. My family is still here.”
She didn’t understand the familial bond too well. She never had one. But he must’ve thought about it enough to reach this conclusion.
“I see.” She looked up at the distant moon. “Your decision is final then.”
Piya found his distancing behavior familiar. He kept to himself, and didn’t interact with others beyond necessity. Just like when they met. It started here.
Haseena looked to be kind, and tried to extend a friendly hand towards him.
The two chose to depart only a few days later. Abhay wasn’t upset about it. Now that he wouldn’t age, meeting them again would be very simple. No matter the distance.
“I hope I’m not imposing, Haseena.”
“Not at all.”
She turned to Abhay.
“Last chance, Abhay. Do you want to stay?”
“I do.”
Iolanda nodded and went to him, needing to complete one more task. She slashed her mark that inked his neck with her sharp nail, lifting its binding effects. The color faded to the human eye, but its outline remained there. It could only be seen if one looked close enough.
It didn’t hurt that much...
“You are free. But know that if I am in dire need, you will be summoned.”
“I understand. Thank you.”
Haseena bid her friend farewell, and invited Abhay inside her own home. It had been a while since she received company. The house was big, and strangely empty. But it looked like a place where someone would live.
He didn’t catch any other scents.
“Do you live alone?” He asked, holding his arms behind his back.
“I did. Not anymore.”
There were many empty rooms, all with beds that weren’t to be used for sleeping. He chose the one with a balcony, one that also housed a few bookcases. There was nothing to read in that small hovel of a home. He immediately gravitated towards it.
Piya loved the smell of old books and looked at the titles herself. Many were written in languages she couldn’t read. Haseena took notice.
“If you want more reading materials, there is a larger collection of mine in the back of the house. You are welcome to browse as you like.”
Piya finally saw some light in his eyes.
“Thank you.”
Haseena smiled and left him be. He ran his finger across the spines, scanning through the titles quickly. Books from all over the world.
After a long while, he felt a glimmer of joy. It was as scary as he thought it would be.
Am I allowed to be happy?
——————————————————————
July 7th, 1722.
“It is a good news, your highness. She’s pregnant.”
It had been a while since she and Horatia went back to the palace. But its air felt heavy and unpleasant. In a state of perpetual mourning, and a breeding ground for bad luck.
Siddharth only managed to smile a little, perplexed at the slight of good news. A small blessing in the midst of ruin. He wasn’t expecting it.
He handed the physician some gold coins and thanked him, rushing inside to share the moment with Mandu.
Piya felt an ache in her chest.
“They had a baby?”
She saw nor heard a mention of one. And given that they only had a year or so of their humanity left, she assumed the worst. Her eyes widened in horror.
“Just when you thought it would end....” Horatia drawled.
“She can’t possibly.....”
“I think you and I both know she can.”
Maithili had become a corrupted shell of her former self. Nowadays, she stayed with her coven, slowly making attempts to subjugate other supernaturals. The werewolves caved first and most easily, rather convincing them to be allies.
Piya walked into their bedroom. Mandu was staring out the window, one hand stroking her belly, the other holding Siddharth’s hand tight. Both looked worn out, eyes sunken and tired.
“Our baby will be safe, right?”
He wasn’t sure. But he so desperately wanted to be.
“Everything will be alright.” He said, caressing her hair, with a wavering voice. This moments were meant to be shared with loved ones, many of which weren’t there any longer.
You would’ve been so happy to be an uncle, Abhay.
Piya noticed her color again, transitioning from a lighter to darker blue.
“How much do we have left?”
“A little more. I would love to show you everything, but the longer you’re out of your own body, the more you risk death.”
Piya shuddered. It made sense in hindsight; her soul was wandering freely so far from her actual body.
She noticed that they visited the empty manor every now and again, woefully unable to announce that their parents were now to become grandparents, or that Abhay and Maithili were about to be uncle and aunt. Everyone was presumed dead to them, and each visit grew more burdensome than the last. One night, on Abhay’s 27th birthday, they went back. Mandu began to show, clutching her stomach as the weight of child began to strain her body. But she still went with him, knowing this time the breakdown would be worse. Someone had to be there, and certainly not just the guards.
It took only a few minutes. He held one of Abhay’s favorite books in his arms, struggling to hold back his tears. They clung onto the hope that someday their siblings would come back unharmed, but two years and counting, that hope dwindled. They didn’t know what was beyond them, or that Abhay was a part of that beyond.
Piya was surprised to see him come by.
He never left you, Siddharth.
He stood just out of eyeshot, against the side of the window. Crying tears of glistening obsidian, as well as surprised that Mandu was pregnant. His fingers trembled, wanting reach out, but he curled them back.
I can’t. I’m a danger.
He ran off, disappearing into the night before anyone noticed.
——————————————————————
April 1723.
The little prince was born at the crack of dawn, healthy and strong. It was the first time they genuinely smiled in months. The laughter of their own child, it was the remedy they needed.
The priests announced the starting letter to his name at the naming ceremony. Mandu held him gently to her bosom, and leaned to Siddharth.
“Vaibhav.”
Piya smiled, for whatever time they had with their son, she hoped it was happy. The kingdom rejoiced after a gloomy spell, with the arrival of the baby prince. When not busy with stately affairs, they spent most of their time with him.
“He has your eyes.” She said, bouncing him up and down in her arms. The floor was scattered with toys of wooden horses and golden bells and trinkets. Siddharth smiled and let Vaibhav wrap his fingers around his thumb.
“He also stays with you most of the time. Like father, like son.”
She blushed and looked down. Vaibhav dropped a cloth doll onto the floor, and rubbed his eyes. It was time for his nap. She pulled him into her embrace, humming a tune, a lullaby.
Abhay had heard the news, and after holding back for weeks, couldn’t help himself any longer. He made sure he was well fed before going. Haseena didn’t question his whereabouts, trusting that he’d be careful wherever he went.
There were more guards than usual. He was far from mastering his shadow form, and opted to enter the palace as a bat instead. Small enough to escape unnoticed. Even Piya lost sight of him.
“Let’s make this easier on us.” Horatia said.
They were teleported back to the bedroom. Vaibhav was the only one awake, staring at the moon that was visible from his line of sight. Its light illuminated his face, and his palm reached out for it. Abhay flew in by then, transforming back and quietly in the darkest corner of the room.
Looks like you can’t sleep either.
He carefully picked Vaibhav up in his arms and kissed his forehead. This was the last time he’d make contact with them, for their own good. The scents were beginning to bother.
Vaibhav smiled and reached for Abhay’s face. He reminded Abhay of a chubbier, smaller version of Siddharth. The tiny wisps of hair on his head tickled his palm.
I know it’s too much to ask from you now, since you’re so small, but keep them safe and happy. I want you all to have long lives.
“Be careful what you wish for.” Horatia commented, shaking her head.
Vaibhav cooed and protested to being put down. It seemed like he didn’t want Abhay to leave. He burst into tears upon being placed back into his cradle, arms stretched towards one he could recognize as family. His cries woke up Siddharth, as Abhay made his escape, the former almost certain he was around.
He checked every corner, before eying his son, who was staring out the window and crying out. Mandu woke up, and rushed to their side.
“What happened?” She asked, rocking Vaibhav against her chest. Siddharth kept staring outside.
“Nothing....”
——————————————————————
November 10th, 1723.
Maithili sat on her throne, unappeased by sudden weakness in their forces. The werewolves were faltering first, too reckless to make proper fighters. It was then she remembered that it was the perfect time to strike Pandher. She could take over the kingdom, and gain more souls.
Ayushmaan returned with some beneficial news. He requested an audience with Maithili alone.
“My queen, have you heard? Pandher has an heir now. You have a nephew.”
She rolled her eyes and leaned back.
“And what of it? I have no interest in whatever goes on in that palace. They’ll all perish soon anyways.”
“It will interest you. It seems like your nephew’s soul is a special one. You must know about these kinds, blessed by the moon.”
The revelation grasped her attention.
“Really?”
He nodded triumphantly.
“Our spies have confirmed this news.”
She looked up, tapping her nails on the stone throne.
“Bring him here. Just him.”
“As you wish, my queen.”
He bowed and vanished.
“What does that mean?” Piya grasped at straws, unable to understand how a soul could be blessed in such a manner.
“It’s uncommon, and really a random choosing. People with souls like that are naturally drawn to the supernatural sphere in some way. The moon and their world is strongly connected. The soul itself is more powerful due to this affinity.”
She looked at Piya.
“Like yours.”
Mine?
And that’s when the burning began. Abhay was fighting alongside the vampires this time. She saw other supernaturals, like witches and fairies, in the mix.
The palace and kingdom were in shambles, flames spreading quickly between closely packed houses. The cloaked Vitael entered the palace on all sides, a thickening fog mixing in with the smoke.
The guards were dead, and the royals trapped in the throne room.
Siddharth drew his sword. Mandu had Vaibhav tied around her front side, wielding a small dagger behind her back.
“Stay with me, love.”
Inside the stone cold throne room, the remainder of the Pandher royal family was cornered on all sides. A creeping fire edged its way into many of the side entrances.
Siddharth brandished his weapon, not knowing what these people were. They appeared out of nowhere, and killed their guards without visible weapons.
“Oh, how I missed this beautiful palace.”
Ayushmaan walked closer to them, pulling off his hood. They looked at him in shock.
“I wish Maithili came with me.”
They looked at each other.
“She’s....alive..?” Mandu breathed, inhaling traces of smoke. She covered her nose with her free palm.
“Why? Did you hope she wasn’t?” He sneered. “She’s the one who sent me here. To receive her nephew.”
Vaibhav burst into a cry. Mandu shielded him in her arms, as Ayushmaan’s dangerous gaze fell upon him.
“Where is my brother?” Siddharth pressed, pointing the sword at his neck.
“Dead. Unfortunately. She didn’t want to kill him, but accidents happen.”
Maithili.....killed....
Every movement in their bodies froze. The hilt of their weapons shook violently in their hands.
“Your parents, however, those weren’t accidents.”
“You’re lying! She could never do this!”
“I’m not lying. You’re just lying to yourselves.” He looked Siddharth in the eyes, amused by the anger. “Sorry about your brother. I wish he were here so I could personally slaughter all three of you together.”
Siddharth saw red, and charged at him with the sword. Ayushmaan was faster, unfortunately, and grabbed his head then threw him into the marble floors. There was a loud cracking sound. The back of his head bled. He was unmoving, limp.
The other Vitael stood around and watched, as Mandu tried to kill each of them. Instead of her blows landing on them, they passed through and allowed them to land blows on her, leaving her injured and exhausted in front of beings who clearly weren’t human. She crawled to Siddharth.
“It’s no use. Your beloved king is dead.”
Mandu shook her head and laid her ear upon his chest. His heart was still beating. Her vision became blurry.
“You will soon join him. But don’t worry, we’ll take care of your little heir. He’ll be useful to us.”
Piya watched in horror as Mandu made a last ditch effort to protect them, as she drew her dagger and tried to stab Ayushmaan with it. It went through, clean. Again and again, it didn’t draw blood. He kicked her in the stomach, knocking the air out of her, and directed his friends to snatch the crying Vaibhav from her arms.
“Don’t...touch...him...”
Her arm reached out to her son, then fell at the side once the darkness pulled over her sight. Two werewolves waited for orders to drag their bodies away down a secret passage, as Abhay began his search for them. All vanished without a trace.
The flames began to steer clear of the throne room from this time forth.
“My apologies, there’s a lot of chaos to take in.”
And the last nail in the coffin, Abhay turned them both, after an agonizing search. The twisted misery on his face, and the guilt from what he had done, kept him wide eyed for the rest of the night. They took them back to Haseena’s house, where Abhay would wait cautiously for either one of them to wake up.
Haseena checked on both. Siddharth was faring much better than Mandu was.
“They’ll be okay, regardless. They just won’t wake up at the same time.” She fared her hand over his hair. “Don’t worry. You saved them.”
He might have saved them, but he wasn’t sure of how to face them.
He heard a shout from their room an hour later, of Siddharth’s voice. It was an angered shout, emotions amplified. Abhay immediately started towards it, but stopped just shy of the door handle.
Haseena was there and lifted his hand away.
“Stay back for now. I’ll handle this.”
Abhay reluctantly nodded and stood out of the doorframe, listening in to their conversation. It was similar to what he was told after waking up for the first time.
“There’s someone who been waiting long for you.”
It was his cue to step inside and reveal the truth. Seeing his brother’s face, alive and well, pressured the emotions he suppressed to spring forth. He was at a loss for words.
“Abhay....is that really you?” Siddharth stood up and hugged him tight. An illusion would have disappeared. The burn in his throat subsided, distracted by sudden joy.
You’re alive. Ayushmaan was lying.
“I’m here.....” He whispered back, returning the embrace. He missed it.
Siddharth was as unsure of what was going on. The explanation was too far-fetched to be believed immediately. He noticed Abhay’s tears were black. He noticed his own were red, like blood. Whatever Haseena had told him, he found it to be increasingly true.
Their human lives had ended.
“Why....is my throat burning?”
Abhay broke the hug, slapped in the face by reality.
“Ah...”
Heavy and strained breathing.
“Siddharth....?”
Seeing his brother with strangely colored eyes and fangs was another thing he had to get used to. And he didn’t like it.
Haseena intervened before things got complicated, making sure Abhay had chances to calm himself before things got out of hand. He was still very prone to his emotions.
“Come with me, Siddharth. Abhay, why don’t you check on your bhabhi?”
He nodded, and walked inside. She was still asleep, though her wounds had healed. The pain was evident on her face. And Vaibhav was missing. Something happened to him.
He pressed his palms to her head, and tried to peer into her memories. She struggled as he did this.
Cries of a child, and cloaked figures. He recognized the grisly scar.
Ayushmaan.
He had to find him. No doubt that Maithili had a hand in the kidnapping. His feet carried him outside, speeding through the air towards an unknown destination. He didn’t know where exactly to look.
A scent. I just need a scent.
The Vitael stronghold was out in the open, but surrounded by an impenetrable barrier. Coupled with an army of werewolves, entering was highly dangerous. Abhay made several circles around the perimeter.
There were several bodies piled up behind the tower pillars, falling outside the barrier. Werewolves dragged them by remains of clothing, abandoning them in the woods as fodder for wild animals. He flew over, and inspected the bodies. The pungent smell of decomposing flesh gagged him. He covered his nose, and trained his eye.
Not here.
He had no faith that he was still alive. It had been too long.
Someone emerged from the tower, carrying a bundle in their arms. Abhay followed, feeling dread on his shoulders. This Vitael stepped outside the barrier, about to toss the bundle into the woods, before Abhay caught them and snapped their neck in his fist.
Piya didn’t want to see what was in the bundle; she already had an idea. Abhay’s shrieks expressed her horror well.
I’m too late.
Vaibhav was dead, tossed like an object into the dangerous forests. It seemed like Maithili didn’t hesitate. The body was cold. He carried it back with a heavy weight in his chest. His little nephew was wrapped in a cloth bundle, eyes closed as if he were just asleep.
I’m sorry. I couldn’t save you either.
Siddharth hurried to him as he came home.
“Abhay, where did you—-“
He looked down at Abhay’s arms.
“No.....”
He stepped back.
“This is a lie! No!”
Abhay shook his head, tears falling on the cloth.
“I’m sorry.....”
Siddharth took Vaibhav from his arms. His son had left him too.
“What am I going to tell her?” He murmured, in tears.
Haseena came down with news they weren’t ready for.
“She’s awake, and—-“
She found the corpse of the son Mandu was screaming for.
“Oh no....”
“Siddharth, go. She needs you. I’m coming.” Abhay urged, clenching his jaw. He took Vaibhav from his arms.
Her screams could be heard from anywhere inside the house, and out.
“Siddharth?! Vaibhav?!”
Siddharth rushed in, startled by the violet in her eyes, and held her tight.
“I’m here, my love.”
“Our baby...where is he?!”
She hated his silence.
“Tell me!” She shrieked.
Abhay walked in just then. She looked up in shock.
“Ab—“
He hugged them both. She was confused, and thought this was all a dream.
“Is that really you?”
He nodded into her shoulder.
“Do you know where my baby is?”
“He’s gone, bhabhi....”
She laughed, and shook her head.
“Nonsense. If you’re here, then he is too. Tell me....where is my Vaibhav?”
The brothers exchanged a painstaking glance. Haseena brought him inside with great difficulty.
She reached for him eagerly, only to find a sleeping corpse before her.
“Vaibhav?”
Siddharth held her shoulders, shedding tears.
“Look, he’s not waking up.”
He shook his head.
“He’s gone, dear.”
She refused to believe it, and tried to wake up her baby somehow. It took great difficulty to pry him from her arms. She screamed and screamed, then broke down in tears, tearing at her hair. Abhay carried Vaibhav to their old home, and buried him in the soft grass of the garden. Siddharth stayed back to console Mandu, not having the strength to help with the burial. Once she calmed down, they would go together.
Piya stood quiet.
Why? Why them?
What did any of them do to deserve this?
As her thoughts wandered to find blame, the end was reached. It was a story of tragedy. Of love and betrayal, of meetings and separations, of life and death.
All sounds stopped. Colors, lights and darks, everything around them began to fade into nothing, an empty void. Piya looked around. To her, it looked like a box with no visible ends.
“What is this?”
She reached to touch what looked to be the sides, which weren’t there. This place stretched to infinity. Her voice echoed.
“This is what is normally beyond the gate. We’ve gone through everything I could show you with the time we have. And I believe that some stories are more interesting to hear from those who experienced it.”
Piya nodded. It was time to go.
“Are you okay?”
“There’s no universe where I would be.”
Horatia pushed out her palm and revealed the large doors once again. A gentle creak of metal echoed into the chamber as the doors began to open on their own. They were greeted by the massive bookshelves on the other side. And above them, Future happened to be lounging atop of bed of floating books. Napping, or daydreaming?
“You’re just in time.” He opened his eyes and said. “You are lucky to receive an opportunity to be here, mortal. Pray you won’t need another one.”
Piya kept tight-lipped and followed Horatia out of the labyrinth of text.
One time is all I need.
She wouldn’t be able to witness that again.
I’m coming back, Abhay. You won’t have to run away anymore.
Anupamaa
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