Tranav - Chapter 2

  TRANAV NOVEL

(Malikat Bloodline) 

CHAPTER 2

Back To Home

1957 AD,

A classic vintage Dodge Kingsway car glided into the small town of Malikat. A prominent town sign at the entrance warmly greeted visitors with the words "WELCOME TO MALIKAT." Local residents turned their attention to the stunning car as it made its grand entrance. As the car continued along the road, it passed various landmarks, including a new hotel named Kittu Graha, intended to cater to tourists visiting the village. The sights included a cemetery, houses, a church, a school, a hospital, and a temple.

Malikat was a charming small town nestled between the borders of Goa and Maharashtra, with a population of 30,000 to 40,000 residents. Its modest amenities included a single hospital, a lone school, a quaint church, a big temple dedicated to Lord Shiva, a cemetery, a few shops, and private residences.

The car finally pulled up in front of an imposing bungalow, undoubtedly the largest building in the entire town. It resembled a miniature palace, though it appeared to have been abandoned and left to collect dust and dirt for over half a century. The housekeeper hurried towards the gate, opening it with a respectful salute as the car approached. The vehicle entered the spacious front yard of the bungalow and came to a halt in front of the grand entrance.

Three young and handsome men stepped out of the car, dressed in modern attire that set them apart from the town's residents. They gazed at the house, exchanged smiles, and shared their thoughts.

"It's finally good to be back," remarked Dhruvya. "There's nothing more beautiful than our own home."

Abhimanyu chimed in, saying, "Yeah, I really missed this place."

Just then, a servant emerged from inside the house, approached the trio, and warmly greeted them. "Welcome! Welcome! I apologize for the dusty exterior, but rest assured, everything inside has been taken care of. The external work will be completed in a couple of days as well. I made all the arrangements as per your instructions when you telephone me last week, and your belongings arrived two days ago. I received them and placed everything exactly where you wanted."

Abhimanyu expressed his gratitude. "Thank you, Charan."

"It's my duty, sir," Charan replied respectfully.

As they were about to enter the house, a lady appeared with a Shagun thali in her hands. Rudra expressed surprise and asked about the purpose of the gesture.

Charan explained, "It's our tradition, 'Atithi Deva Bhava,' i know you are not exactly guests of this house, but it's your first time here after your grandfather, and this house has remained closed for 50 years. According to tradition, we should welcome you as honoured guests."

Dhruvya couldn't help but laugh, saying, "First time?"

Charan looked puzzled, and Rudra playfully replied, "Never mind. Go ahead, do what you need to do."

The lady conducted an arti ceremony, applying tilak on their foreheads and circling the thali around them clockwise. Dhruvya, Rudra, and Abhi exchanged knowing smiles and followed the tradition. Afterward, they entered the house, which turned out to be a magnificent mansion on the inside, resembling a royal palace. Everything was impeccably arranged and spotlessly clean, just as Charan had promised. An eye-catching portrait hung prominently on one wall, drawing their attention. It was a big painting of Sudha and Vishsha.

…

2981 BCE

"It feels like yesterday I just gave birth to them," Vishsha said, gazing at her young boys. "Time passes so fast."

Sudha and Vishsha watched their children playing together. It had been 12 years since their birth. Sudha smiled at her and put his arm around her shoulder as she rested her head on his shoulder.

"Sudha," she began.

"Hmm?" he responded.

"I never really thanked you for everything you've done for me. It's because of you that I'm still alive, that I have this wonderful family."

"Don't say that. I was all alone before you came into my life. It's because of you that I now know what family means."

They looked at each other, exchanged a kiss, locked eyes, and simultaneously said, "I love you."

As the boys ran, jumped, and enjoyed each other's company, Abhimanyu suddenly felt a sharp pain in his hand. He stopped momentarily, clutching his hand tightly.

"What happened?" asked little Rudhraksh.

"I don't know; my hand suddenly started hurting," Abhimanyu replied.

Due to the pain, Abhimanyu felt the urge to hit something to stop it. He struck a nearby tree with his hand, and to everyone's astonishment, the tree began to shake and crack. Vishsha and Sudha stood up, alarmed by the sight. Abhimanyu was standing beneath the tree, staring at it in shock. The tree appeared as if it were about to fall on him, and he was too scared to react. They were all terrified.

As the tree fell toward Abhimanyu, Dhurvya and Rudraksha screamed, "Brother!" But in an astonishing display of strength, Abhimanyu held the massive tree aloft with his bare hands. They all stared in shock at Abhimanyu as he flung the tree aside.

"How did you do that?" Dhurvya and Rudhraksh asked in unison.

"I don't know," Abhimanyu replied, still bewildered.

Vishsha and Sudha breathed a sigh of relief, grateful that Abhimanyu was unharmed. They exchanged knowing glances, realizing that the time had come to reveal all their secrets. They knew they had to answer their children's questions.

The boys rushed toward their parents. "Maa, baba, did you see that?" Abhimanyu exclaimed. "It was awesome! I held the entire tree with my hand."

Sudha and Vishsha had long expected the day their boys would discover their abilities. Vishsha replied calmly, "Yes, my dear, I saw it." As parents, they had to handle the situation with care and explain their abilities and the potential dangers.

Sudha asked the boys to sit beside him and said, "Boys, listen carefully. I know you have an incredible ability, Abhimanyu, but the thing is, you can't use it."

"Why, baba?" Abhimanyu asked. "I can do so many things now; I can even help you with hunting."

"I understand, my son, but sometimes having something special can also be a curse."

"A curse? What do you mean, baba?" Rudhraksh inquired.

"Okay, boys, let me ask you a question: what if you come across a snake? How would you react?"

"We would kill it," Dhurvya replied.

"No, we would pick it up and throw it away," added Rudhraksh, looking at Dhurvya.

"Why is that?" Sudha asked.

"So it might not harm us," Abhimanyu explained.

"Exactly. Even though the snake didn't do anything to you, you assume it might harm you. Similarly, your powers are like that. Humans tend to fear things that seem different and might harm them. They try to destroy or eliminate them, even if there's no real threat. Your powers are the same. If people find out you're different, they might think you're dangerous, and they won't hesitate to harm you. So, promise me you'll never use your powers in front of others."

"But what if i could help them?" Abhimanyu questioned.

"Not everyone is the same, my son. Some people don't want our help; they betray those close to them, use others for their own gain, and harm those they no longer need. So, promise me you won't tell anyone about this and never use your power in public."

"I promise, baba," Abhimanyu affirmed.

"Not just you; I want the same promise from your brothers," Sudha requested.

The boys looked puzzled, and Dhruvya spoke up, saying, "Baba, we don't have any powers. Only our brother Abhimanyu has them."

"I know you don't have any power... but for now. Soon, you will discover your own abilities," Sudha explained.

"Really!" both boys exclaimed in excitement.

Sudha nodded and continued, "So promise me that you will never use them in front of others and always take care of each other. No matter what happens, never let go of each other's hand."

"We promise, baba," the boys replied in unison.

Sudha smiled at them. "But you'll need to learn how to control your power because without knowledge, it might be dangerous for us and for the villages. And always remember, villagers won't understand your gift; they'll just try to take it away from you."

"Don't worry, baba; we won't use our power unless you instruct us to," Abhimanyu assured.

Vishsha gazed at Sudha and their children with a bittersweet smile. "Okay, now go get fresh. Lunch is ready."

The boys cheered, excited for the meal ahead.

…

After a few days, a group of village children were playing in the woods with Rudhraksh, Abhimanyu, and Dhurvya. They were engrossed in a game of hide and seek. The three brothers were quite skilled at the game, consistently emerging victorious. This irked some of the other children, and soon, arguments broke out.

One of the kids, Balraj, accused them of cheating. Dhurvya, feeling offended, retorted, "How dare you call us cheaters?"

"Dhurvya, calm down," Abhimanyu intervened, "just because we're winning doesn't mean we're cheating."

"Exactly," added Radhika, another child, "just because they're better than you doesn't give you the right to accuse them."

Balraj, clearly envious, taunted, "Why are you taking the side of these hunter kids, Radhika?"

"What did you just say?" Dhurvya demanded.

"Guys, why are we fighting? It's just a game," Rudhraksh chimed in.

"We didn't even start the fighting. You want to see what a real fight looks like, baby girl?" Balraj provocatively challenged Rudhraksh.

"Sure, show me," Dhurvya responded confidently, "then I can show you who the real baby girl is."

"No, we don't have to prove anything to each other," Rudhraksh intervened, diffusing the tension.

"Guys, we can settle our differences later, but has anyone seen Divya? She's not with us, and I've been looking for her, but I couldn't find her," Mrunal expressed her worry.

"Maybe she just went home" suggested Balraj.

"No, i didn’t see her going back and even if she wanted to go back she might have told me, but she didn’t"

"No, we can't take any chances. This jungle is full of wild animals; we have to find her," declared Abhimanyu.

"Yes, Abhimanyu is right," agreed Rudhraksh. "We need to find her right away."

They all began searching for Divya as a group, calling her name loudly. Radhika turned to Abhimanyu and said, "I'm getting really worried. Where could she be?"

"Don't worry; we'll find her, I promise," Abhimanyu reassured her with a smile.

Jealousy brewed within Balraj as he observed Abhimanyu comforting Radhika. He glared angrily at Abhimanyu. Dhurvya, noticing Balraj's envy, approached him and taunted, "What's the matter, baby girl? Smelling a hint of jealousy?"

"I'll kill you," Balraj threatened.

"What if I kill to you first?" Dhurvya retorted playfully.

Rudhraksh intervened by lightly hitting Dhurvya on the head, causing him to let out a silent scream. "No one is killing anyone here," Rudhraksh asserted.

"I was just kidding..." Dhurvya grinned mischievously and whispered provocatively to Balraj, "…or was I?"

As they continued their search, one of the kids exclaimed, "Guys, look," said one of the kids, pointing at a shoe, "it's Divya's shoe."

Everyone looked up and saw Divya perched in a tree, trying to communicate something to them with hand gestures.

"What the heck are you doing up there?" Balraj demanded.

Divya signalled them to stay quiet by gesturing with her hands.

"Guys, I think she's trying to say something," Rudhraksh observed.

"She's not just trying to say something; she's warning us. Look around," Abhimanyu cautioned.

As everyone scanned their surroundings, they realized they were surrounded by a pack of large wild wolves.

"Where did they come from?" Balraj wondered aloud.

Fear gripped everyone, and some of the children started crying. Dhurvya advised, "Crying won't make them go away."

"What should we do now, brother?" Rudhraksh asked Abhimanyu.

"I don't know, Rudhraksh," Abhimanyu replied, "but we have to do something before it's too late."

"I have a plan. Why don't we run?" Dhurvya suggested.

"How can you run? Stupid! They've surrounded us," Balraj retorted.

"Who asked you to talk?" Dhurvya shot back. "Brothers, we can each pick one of them and run as fast as we can to the other side."

Abhimanyu approached Dhurvya and Rudhraksh and whispered, "Yes, but what about the others? We can't leave them here; they might get hurt. You know we promised baba not to use our power."

"Abhimanyu is right," Rudhraksh agreed. "We need to think of something else."

"What are you brothers talking about? We don't have time to discuss family problems here," Balraj impatiently interrupted.

"I have a plan. I will run toward the jungle, so the pack will chase after me. You all will have time to escape," Abhimanyu suggested.

"But that might be dangerous," Rudraksha voiced his concern.

"But we don't have any other option. Trust me, I will be safe. Just save them and come after me," Abhimanyu assured.

"Then I will come with you," Dhurvya volunteered.

"No, you have to make sure they are okay. Since Rudhraksha's power hasn't manifested yet, you have to stay with them," Abhimanyu instructed.

"Okay," the brothers reluctantly agreed. They had no other choice.

Abhimanyu threw a rock at the pack, egging them on to chase him, and he sprinted to the other side of the area. The wolves pursued him relentlessly.

"What the heck is he doing? He might get killed!" Radhika exclaimed.

"You don't know anything about my brother," Dhurvya assured her. "Okay, Divya, jump now; we have to leave quickly."

"But what about Abhimanyu?" Radhika worriedly asked.

"Don't worry; he will be fine," Rudhraksh reassured her. "We have to go now; we don't have time."

Everyone followed the brothers, racing toward safety. When they reached a secure spot, Rudhraksh and Dhurvya exchanged nods and turned back to head inside.

"Where are you two going now?" Balraj inquired.

"To find our brother," Rudhraksh responded. Saying that they both run toward jungle.

However, Balraj decided to follow them, saying, "I'll be back soon."

"Balraj, don't!" the others pleaded.

When Balraj reached the scene, he heard strange noises coming from one direction. As he looked, he was stunned to see the brothers subduing the wolves, almost like they were taming puppies. Balraj watched in astonishment as the brothers used their powers. The wolves attacked them, but a hidden wall of wind was controlling the situation, with Dhruvya manipulating it as if he had control over the wind itself. Abhimanyu suddenly picked up a large rock, then hesitated. He realized he could understand the animals' thoughts and feelings. He used this ability to calm the wolves, who eventually fled. Abhimanyu also had the power to comprehend the emotions and intentions of animals.

Balraj couldn't believe his eyes. He thought to himself, "Yaksh." Overwhelmed by what he had witnessed, Balraj hurried back home to tell his parents everything.

…

In the evening, Sudha, Vishsha, and the boys were happily having dinner, laughing and enjoying themselves. Suddenly, a large rock crashed onto Sudha's plate. They heard the villagers screaming in anger. They all stood up, and Sudha went near the window to see what was happening. Outside, many villagers were holding wooden torches, surrounding the tree on which their house was built. The villagers were shouting, "Come out, you Rakshash!"

Fear gripped Sudha as he looked at Vishsha. In her concerned eyes, they both realized they were trapped, and there was nothing they could do. However, they had to protect their children. People started throwing stones at their house, and the children got hurt. The boys managed to hide to avoid getting hit.

Confused and scared, Abhimanyu asked, "What's happening, baba? Why are they throwing rocks at us?"

Vishsha hugged all the boys tightly and reassured them, "Don't worry, my children. No one will harm you."

"Maa, I'm frightened," said Rudhraksh.

Sudha picked up his bow and arrow, approached his boys, and spoke in a brave tone, "Boys, I want you to promise me something. No matter what the situation is, the three of you must always stick together. Don't let anyone come between you. You must protect each other and always be there for each other. You are my pride. I know that one day you will make me proud, whether we are with you or not. I know you'll miss me, but just close your eyes and picture me. Know that I will always be in your hearts and with you forever."

With tears in their eyes, the children asked, "Why are you saying this?"

Sudha hugged them tightly and replied, "I love you, boys."

Sudha then approached Vishsha, gave her a final kiss on her forehead, and said, "You know what to do. We have no time. I will try to hold them off."

Tears welled up in Vishsha's eyes, and she didn't want Sudha to leave. However, she knew she had to make a tough decision to protect her children. She nodded at Sudha and whispered for the last time, "I love you," hugging him tightly.

"I love you too, my love," Sudha replied. He looked at his boys one last time and said, "I love you, boys," before jumping out of the window to confront the villagers.

The boys screamed in trauma, "Baba!"

Confused and worried, Dhurvya asked, "What's going on, maa? Where did baba go? If they try to harm baba, I will kill them."

How can I explain to you, my son, that this might be the last time we see each other? Now, I understand the feelings my own parents must have had when they tried to protect me, she thought in her mind, overwhelmed with sadness.

Vishsha didn't answer. She just looked at her boys one last time with a sad smile. She began using her power, manipulating the tree to create a path connected to their window, using all her strength.

Dhurvya kept looking at the window as Sudha fought the villagers, trying to stop them from entering the house so Vishsha could finish building the path. Sudha was badly injured, alone, and facing numerous villagers, but he was determined to protect his home. Suddenly, someone stabbed him in the back.

"Baba!" Dhurvya screamed.

Vishsha pull Dhruvya back looking at her children and took a locket from her neck, giving it to Rudhraksh. She said, "Whenever you're frightened, hold this tightly and pray to Lord Shiv. He will help you. No matter what happens in life, never lose faith in Him. He will always be with you."

She also brought out two daggers and gave them to Dhurvya. "I know you're skilled with aim. These daggers were given by your Nana, my father. He was the bravest man, and these were his secret weapons. They are perfectly balanced and will help you."

Finally, she gave her ring to Abhimanyu. "I don't have anything else to give you. Your father made this for me, and it carries all his love. I hope someday you will find someone you deserves. I know you're my bravest son. We will always be with you."

Vishsha hugged her children tightly one last time and said, "Remember what your father told you. No matter what happens, always have each other's backs. Your parents love you and are always proud of you. Just take care of each other."

People were climbing into the house, and Vishsha told her children, "Run and don't look back, just run."

At first, the boys refused to leave, so Vishsha promised to meet them on the other side but insisted they had to run first. Scared, the kids started running along the path their mother had created, hoping she would meet them. When the villagers entered the house, they found the path already closed, and the children were gone. Seeing this, one of the men stabbed Vishsha in the heart in anger.

As Vishsha took her last few breaths, she whispered, "Goodbye, my children. I am so proud to be your mother."

…

The boys reached the other end of the path, finding themselves in a dense jungle, hoping to reunite with their mother and father. Deep down, they knew their mother had not been entirely truthful. They jumped from the tree path and began running as they heard voices approaching – the villagers were still after them. In their frantic escape, they stumbled upon a man ahead. It was Sage Dhurvha.

He noticed them, offered a warm smile, and said, "Just stay there and remain quiet," pointing at a concealed pit beneath a tree. The boys looked at the sage, trusting their instincts, and did as he suggested. One by one, they entered the pit and kept their voices hushed.

The villagers, in their search, eventually reached Sage Dhurvha. They respectfully greeted him, saying “Pranam munivar."

The sage nodded.

They ask him "Have you seen some children running into the woods?"

"Yes, I believe I saw them heading in that direction," the sage responded, pointing in the opposite direction.

"Thank you, munivar," they replied and followed the direction indicated by the sage.

Sage Dhurvha then called out to the boys, "You can come out now."

Relieved, the boys emerged from their hiding place and expressed their gratitude to him for saving their lives.

"I've heard that sages never lie," said Dhurvya.

Sage Dhurvha smiled and explained, "You are right; I didn't lie. I simply twisted their words to tell them what they wanted to hear. They asked if I had seen children running, but they didn't specify human children. Just a few minutes ago, I saw three rabbit children running in that direction, so I told them what they wanted to hear."

The boys looked at him, still shaken from their recent ordeal. They had lost their parents and had nowhere to go. They realized they had to fend for themselves.

Seeing their hesitation, Sage Dhurvha reassured them, saying, "Don't worry; you are safe now. Come with me to my ashram, and you will have a home and food."

The boys weren't entirely sure if they could trust him, but when the sage mentioned their father Sudha's name and promised to help as he had promised their father, they decided to trust him. They followed his lead, and with a glimmer of hope in their hearts, Sage Dhurvha introduced himself, saying, "My name is Dhurvha, but you can also call me Vasudeva."

…

1957 AD, Malikat

Amidst the suffocating darkness and blurred vision, Abhimanyu lay sprawled on the floor next to his bed in the dimly lit bedroom. His body was drenched in blood, and a sinister silver knife was ruthlessly embedded in his abdomen. Agonizing pain wracked his every nerve as he desperately tried to crawl towards a small bag resting on his table. His trembling hand inched closer to the bag, but just as he was about to grasp it, an unseen force jerked him backward, slamming him onto the unforgiving ground.

A strained whisper escaped Abhimanyu's quivering lips, "This isn't you... someone's controlling you. Wake up, fight! Fight for me, fight for yourself." He locked eyes with his assailant, a silent plea echoing through the room.

However, the attacker remained ominously silent, his features hidden in the shadows. He moved closer to Abhimanyu, his fists clenched with relentless fury. Blow after brutal blow rained down on Abhi's battered face. Drained of all strength, he gasped for air, realizing that his moment of reckoning had arrived. There was no escape, no way to save himself.

With a hauntingly serene smile, Abhimanyu looked up at his assailant and uttered, "I know this isn't you. Even if you end me tonight, remember, it's not your fault. I forgive you. I know you love me, and you'd never willingly hurt me. Find happiness in life, not in guilt. I love you, my brother."

In a chilling twist, the attacker extracted the knife from Abhi's stomach and ruthlessly plunged it into his heart. At that very moment, Dhruvya burst into the room, letting out a blood-curdling scream, "Brother!" He bore witness to the grotesque tableau, the knife thrust into Abhimanyu's heart, and Rudra gripping it in his trembling hand.

 

Rudra jolted awake, his body drenched in sweat, and his heart hammering as though it sought escape from his chest. The nightmare had been a horrific vision of himself murdering his own brother, a scene etched vividly in his mind. Gasping for air, he frantically reached for a nearby jar of water, hastily filling a glass and gulping it down. Clutching his locket tightly, he attempted to steady himself, but the grip of fear refused to loosen.

This was the second time he had been haunted by this gruesome dream. Desperation gnawed at Rudra as he grappled with the overwhelming sense of guilt and dread. He knew he had to get some fresh air to shake off the nightmares that clung to him like a suffocating shroud.

With determination, Rudra made his way to the balcony, the darkness outside offering a chilling backdrop to his turmoil. There, under the moon's eerie glow, he stood, taking in slow, deliberate breaths. His eyes, clouded with guilt and anguish, stared sombrely at the celestial orb, silently begging for answers to the horrors that had plagued his sleep.

In another room, Abhimanyu remained wide awake, engrossed in a novel as a solitary candle cast its warm glow. Suddenly, a noise from outside pierced the stillness. Intrigued, he ventured to the balcony, only to be met by an astonishing sight—a thief scaling the wall.

"What in the world?" Abhimanyu exclaimed.

The thief, having reached the top, paused to catch breath. As they turned to make their escape, Abhimanyu blocked path, a wicked smile playing on his lips. "You couldn't find a more unfortunate place to rob. It seems luck is not on your side, for you'll soon regret this."

Silent as a shadow, the thief retaliated by swiftly grabbing a handful of sand from their bag and flinging it into Abhimanyu's eyes, creating enough distraction to evade him temporarily. However, Abhimanyu's incredible speed enabled him to apprehend the thief effortlessly.

Masked and cloaked in a hoodie, the thief had concealed identity expertly. Abhimanyu attempted to unveil the culprit's face, but much to his surprise, the thief demonstrated remarkable agility, resembling a skilled player. Eventually, Abhimanyu managed to remove the mask, revealing a woman beneath.

"What the..." Abhimanyu uttered in disbelief.

He stood there, captivated by her. Her countenance was a striking combination of mocha-hued eyes brimming with depth, impeccably porcelain skin, and lips that curved with subtle allure. He remained motionless, the thief gently freeing herself from his grasp before darting away. She glanced back to see Abhimanyu still rooted in place, a faint smile playing on his lips, and then continued her escape.

…

It was late at night, and Aditi anxiously paced her room, awaiting her sister's return. Suddenly, she heard a noise from the balcony. There, she saw Abha climbing up a rope to enter the room. Abha, the same thief who had narrowly escaped Abhimanyu's grasp.

"Where have you been?" Aditi scolded.

Abha apologized for her lateness, promising it wouldn't happen again. "I'm sorry, my little sister. I promise, next time it won't be this late."

Aditi warned her that this was the last time she'd cover for her. If Abha got caught someday, she'd be on her own.

"Yeah, yeah, I get it," Abha responded. But then she heard something. "Did you hear that?" She detected approaching footsteps. "I think someone's coming."

"Oh, no," Aditi whispered in fear.

Suddenly, the bedroom door opened, revealing their father. He had come to investigate the noise from his daughters' room. Finding them apparently asleep, he quietly closed the door and left. The two girls, hidden under the blanket, emerged.

"That was a close call," Aditi said, exhaling deeply.

"Yeah, dude," Abha replied with an excited grin.

"So, did you bring it?" Aditi asked with eager anticipation.

"Yeah, I had it in my bag," Abha said with a broad smile.

But when she reached into her bag, it was empty. She turned it upside down and shook it, but nothing fell out.

"Where on earth did it go?" Abha wondered.

"Did you even bring it, or did you drop it on the way home?" Aditi asked.

"No, I remember putting it in my bag and closing the zipper. But how is this possible? Where could it have gone?"

"I don't know, maybe a ghost took it," Aditi teased.

"Ha-ha, very funny. But seriously, it might have been the guy who almost caught me," Abha said, her anger evident.

"What? What did you just say? You got caught? By whom and where?" Aditi's worry was palpable.

"I'm not sure. This person just appeared out of nowhere in front of me."

"That's why I told you to go in the morning. Why did you insist on being the queen of the night? So, what happened next?"

"Well, I did go there in the morning, but there was a guard today who wouldn't let me in. I think the owner of that building was present. Now, I realize it might have been the owner who caught me. I managed to escape somehow, but he was skilled in combat. The way he caught me, I've never seen moves like that."

"Wait a minute. You're saying someone nearly caught you, and you're actually appreciating him? Are you going crazy? I need to sleep now. I don't have time for your nonsense. I have to wake up early," Aditi said, lying down.

"And why is that?" Abha asked with a mischievous smile. "Do you have a meeting with Ashok?"

"Shut up, we're just good friends," Aditi replied, blushing.

"Yeah, that's what everyone says," Abha taunted sarcastically.

"Go to sleep, you idiot," Aditi said with a yawn.

"Yeah, yeah, I will. But remember, what I did tonight was all because of you. You begged me to get it," Abha said.

"Yeah, yeah, I know. Thank you for not bringing it," Aditi replied sarcastically.

Abha smiled and settled into her bed, her mind filled with thoughts of the mysterious person she had encountered. "Who are you?"

…

Abhimanyu reclined on his bed, cradling the stolen flower in his hand, lost in thoughts of the enigmatic girl he had recently encountered.

"A flower thief, how peculiar," he mused aloud, questioning the very reason for her presence. "Why on earth did she choose this flower? Who are you?" he wondered, silently.

Her visage lingered in his mind, from the depth of her eyes to the curve of her lips, and the way she had gazed at him. He turned on his side, a soft smile dancing on his lips, and closed his eyes.

…

The following morning, Abhimanyu strolled towards the kitchen, sporting an infectious grin on his face.

"Good morning, brother," greeted Abhimanyu, catching Rudra heading in the same direction. Rudra appeared oddly quiet, his gaze fixed on Abhimanyu. Abhimanyu quipped, "What's up? Why are you staring at me like you've seen a ghost?"

Rudra grinned and deflected, "Oh, it's nothing. I was just lost in thought." He thought back to his eerie nightmare from the night before, but he had no intention of sharing that with anyone just yet. He continued, "Anyway, good morning! You seem awfully chipper. Are you thinking about that girl you saw last night?"

"What?" Abhimanyu was taken aback. How did Rudra know about last night's incident? He pondered, "What are you talking about?"

"I couldn't sleep last night, so I was wandering around," Rudra explained. "I happened to see you with that thief and witnessed my dear brother standing there, letting her escape with a smile on his face."

Abhimanyu blushed, retorting, "Oh, come on...it noting like…"

Suddenly, their conversation was interrupted by a scream from the kitchen. They exchanged alarmed glances and rushed towards the commotion. A lady stood there, horrified, her gaze locked on the other entrance to the kitchen. They followed her terrified gaze, only to find Dhruv's face transformed into a monstrous appearance. His eyes were a deep, bloody red, his skin had darkened, and his teeth had become large sharp and menacing.

"What? I just got here, I didn't do anything! I don't know why she's screaming," Dhruvya protested, looking at his brothers.

"Your face, you idiot," Rudra chuckled.

Dhruvya touched his face and exclaimed, "Oh, crap!" He quickly reverted to his human appearance. Turning to Abhimanyu, he said, "I just woke up, I didn't realize... It's like a morning thing I can't control. That's why we should consume human blood instead of animals."

Rudra laughed at his explanation, while Abhimanyu shot Dhruvya an angry look, saying nothing. He approached the shocked housekeeper and gazed into her eyes, using his powers to erase her memory and generously compensating her before she left.

Abhimanyu turned to Dhruvya, his expression stern. "You need to be more careful, Dhruvya."

"Yeah, I understand. It won't happen again," Dhruvya promised.

Rudra couldn't resist taunting, "Now, because of you, our maid has left, and we have to do our own chores."

Dhruvya justified himself, "What did I do? We could have just erased her memory. It was Abhimanyu who told her to leave."

Abhimanyu stepped in, explaining, "We can't take any risks. We can't let anyone work here; it might expose our secret. What if someone finds out?"

Rudra reminded them, "Get ready quickly. We have a meeting with the Mayor."

"Oh, I totally forgot about that," Abhimanyu admitted.

Rudra's mood shifted as he muttered, "Hmph, as if you'd remember, with thoughts of that girl in your head."

"Girl? What girl?" Dhruvya inquired, growing increasingly curious.

Abhimanyu tried to deflect, "It's nothing. Rudra's just spinning wild tales. Now go and get ready." He look at Rudra and said “I will kill you”

Rudra couldn't resist adding, "Of course, but only after I see you getting married." And left the room.

"Married? Where did that come from?" Abhimanyu exclaimed, following Rudra out of the kitchen.

Dhruvya stood alone in the kitchen, bewildered, and sighed, "Could someone please clue me in? What girl? What marriage?!"

"Just get ready" Abhimanyu shout from next room.

…

On that sunny afternoon, the brothers ventured into town to meet with Mr. Krishna Rao, who served as the minister of Malikat. He was not only a family friend but also a kind-hearted individual and one of the most esteemed figures in the town. His lineage was steeped in the town's history, as his father had once held the position of minister and had been among the town's founding members.

As they stepped into the house, Abhimanyu caught sight of Abha tending to the garden, diligently watering the flowers. Playfully, he exclaimed, "A flower thief!" Abha turned to look at him, her expression one of surprise and trepidation.

Brother, directing his attention to Abhimanyu, inquired, "A flower, what?"

Abha was taken aback, thinking Abhimanyu had followed her home. Before she could respond, they heard the welcoming voice of her father, Mr. Krishna Rao, ushering them into the house with enthusiasm.

"Welcome! Welcome! My wife and I have been eagerly anticipating your arrival. Please come inside," Krishna Rao greeted them warmly.

"Namaste," replied the brothers in unison.

"I'm Krishna Rao, and this is my wife, Radha Bai. You three must be the Suryavanshi brothers," Krishna Rao deduced.

"You guessed correctly," Abhimanyu smiled, introducing themselves, "I am Abhimanyu, and these are my brothers, Rudhraksh and Dhurvya."

Krishna Rao apologized for not visiting them at their place, explaining that his doctor, who happened to be his daughter, had advised him bed rest. He jokingly added, "When your own daughter is your doctor, you have no choice but to follow her orders."

"Oh, please don't apologize. We're delighted to finally meet you. We've heard so much about this town from our grandfather that we couldn't wait to see it with our own eyes," Rudra expressed.

"Ah, your grandfather," Krishna Rao mused. "I was just telling Radha Bai that I've heard so much about him and his two brothers. My father used to regale me with stories of their meeting, their friendship, and their contributions to building this beautiful town. Sadly, I never had the chance to meet them because they had left the town before I was born. They are still greatly respected figures in our community due to their significant contributions."

"Yes, he told us about that. They had to leave due to a family emergency, but they never forgot about this place. He always described it as if we were a part of this town," Abhimanyu added.

Krishna Rao inquired, "So, how is life in London?"

"London? Oh, yes, that's where we live," Dhruvya confirmed. "It's quite different from our homeland."

"It may be different, but I assure you, not as wonderful as our own country," Krishna Rao chuckled.

They all shared a laugh, and Radha Bai chimed in, "Alright, enough of this talk. But before we continue, allow us to extend our hospitality." She instructed the servant, saying, "Kaka, please bring tea and breakfast for our guests."

Krishna Rao intervened, "Why stop at breakfast? They've come here for the first time. We should have lunch together."

"Oh, no, please. We've already had breakfast, and we have other plans. We're eager to explore some places. But we promise to visit again," Rudra explained.

"Please don't deny us the opportunity to host you properly," Krishna Rao insisted.

"We sincerely apologize for this inconvenience, but we'll make it up to you next time," Dhruv reassured them.

"Very well, then. At least enjoy some tea," Radha said, her smile lighting up her face.

"Well, if you insist. I mean, with tea on the table, who could refuse?" Rudra replied in a playful tone, eliciting laughter from everyone. They proceeded to discuss the town, its development, and various other topics.

Abha had been discreetly eavesdropping on the conversation from the adjacent room. Initially, fear gripped her as she suspected Abhimanyu might have followed her. However, as she realized he was here for a different purpose, her anxiety began to dissipate. She observed Abhimanyu for a moment, and suddenly, he caught her gaze and offered her a friendly smile with a playful wink, causing her to startle and hide.

Abha's mother noticed her daughter's covert listening and called her out, saying, "What are you doing, Abha? Come outside." Abha had no choice but to comply and joined them.

"Allow me to introduce our elder daughter, Abha," Krishna Rao said, gesturing towards her. "She's a doctor."

"It's a pleasure to meet you again, Miss Abha," Abhimanyu greeted her.

As Abhimanyu and Abha locked eyes, Radha Bai inquired, "Again? Have you two met before?"

"Mm, yes, actually we ran into each other yesterday at..." Abhimanyu began, but Abha swiftly interjected, saying, "the temple. Yes, now I remember; we saw each other at the temple. Right?"

"Yes, the temple it is. You were helping an elderly lady pick flowers. That was very kind of you," Abhimanyu remarked, gently teasing Abha.

"Thank you," Abha replied in a sarcastic tone.

Rudra grinned as he observed the exchange, having witnessed everything that had transpired the previous night.

"Oh, i am proud of you my daughter," Krishna Rao remarked.

"Dad," Abha responded, giving him a look that conveyed her embarrassment.

"What? If someone praises my daughter in front of me, it's obviously a proud moment for me. Tell me, am I wrong here?" Krishna Rao defended himself.

"Yes, you are absolutely correct. You should definitely be proud of your daughter," Abhimanyu chimed in, giving Abha a sarcastic smile.

"See," Krishna Rao said triumphantly.

"Alright, enough about me. So what has brought you to Malikat after all these years?" Abha asked, her smile carrying a hint of sarcasm.

"Well, our grandfather had a dying wish to do something special for this town. So we are here to contribute to the town's development," Abhimanyu explained.

"That's wonderful to hear that someone out there is showing interest in our small town," Krishna Rao remarked.

"But what's in it for you? I mean, you might be one of those corporations that first acquire farmers' land in the name of development, leaving the farmers with nothing," Abha inquired with a sharp tone.

"What kind of question is that, Abha?" Krishna Rao scolded her. "I apologize for her."

"No, baba, my question is entirely valid. We've been hearing so much about foreigners these days—how they come in the name of development, and the townspeople end up losing everything—their homes, farms, and more. I mean we just got our Independence we must be more concern about these things."

"Your question is indeed valid, Miss Abha. I can't even ask you to trust us right now because we don't know each other well, but I hope we will get to know each other better soon," Abhimanyu said with a smile.

Abha awkwardly glanced at Abhimanyu, and before he could continue, Rudra interjected, "Just to put your mind at ease, we can provide a legally binding contract outlining our terms. We won't purchase anyone's land; we will only develop projects on land that is available for sale. We won't seek profits from it either. It will be a 100% charitable initiative, such as hospitals and schools."

"We're here solely to fulfil our grandfather's last wish; we don't expect anything in return," Dhruv added.

"It's truly generous of all of you, and I don't know how to thank you," Krishna Rao said, visibly moved.

"Oh, please, it's you who is thinking about this town development, and we're merely offering our assistance," Rudra replied.

"No, really, now our town can truly develop, and people won't have to leave for larger cities," Radha Bai said.

"It's our pleasure to be here to develop this beautiful town. Alright, I think it's time for us to take our leave," Rudra suggested.

"Why in such a hurry? We should at least have breakfast together," Krishna Rao proposed.

"Some other time, we promise," Abhimanyu said, casting a glance at Abha.

"Yes, you're always welcome here," Radha said with a warm smile. They all sought permission to depart and made their way outside.

Dhruvya and Rudra sat inside the car, while Abhimanyu lingered outside, engaged in a conversation. Suddenly, Rudra broke the silence, asking, "What was that?"

"What was what?" Abhimanyu replied.

"Oh, come on, we weren't born yesterday we are literally 5000 years old. What was going on between you and that Abha girl? We both saw that," Rudra remarked.

"And since when do you go to the temple?" added Dhruv.

"Oh, the temple thing? That's a long story. I'll tell you all about it when I get home," Abhimanyu replied in a playful tone.

"Wait, there's no temple story. And where are you going now?" Rudra inquired.

"You should understand, brother, he has some business to attend to," Dhruvya chimed in with excitement.

"Oh, I get it now. Go on, we won't stop you. Say hi from us," Rudra teased, and both of them burst into laughter.

"Shut up, you guys. You're incorrigible. Anyway, I'll catch up with you later," Abhimanyu said, his cheeks flushed.

"Did you see that? Our brother is blushing," Dhruvya remarked as he started the car and began to drive.

 

Meanwhile, Abha was in her balcony, watering her flowers and muttering to herself, "Oh God, I thought he followed me home to tell my father about what happened yesterday."

Abhimanyu's voice suddenly interrupted her, "I was going to, but you cut me off."

Startled, Abha turned around, and Abhimanyu was standing right in front of her. "What the hell? How did you get here?" she asked, a mix of fear and anger in her tone.

"The same way you did, by climbing the wall," Abhimanyu retorted

"First of all, that's creepy. And how did you climb two floors, and did anyone see you?" Abha inquired, her voice filled with concern.

"Okay, first of all, it's not creepy, or maybe it is, but it's better than stealing something and as for climbing, let's just say I'm a Rakshasa, so no one saw me," Abhimanyu responded nonchalantly.

"Rakshasa! You definitely are one," Abha retorted

"Ouch, that hurts," Abhimanyu teased.

"And by the way, I wasn't stealing anything," Abha asserted, her anger evident.

"So what is this?" Abhimanyu questioned, holding up a flower.

"I knew you took it," Abha conceded.

"See, you just proved my point," Abhimanyu pointed out.

"Okay, but technically, taking a flower isn't the same as stealing," Abha defended herself.

"Yes, it is, especially if that flower is on someone's private property, and you're doing it at night by climbing the wall. It definitely falls under the category of stealing. By the way, why did you need it?" Abhimanyu inquired.

"And why should I tell you?" Abha countered.

"Okay, don't tell me. I'll ask your father why his daughter needed a flower so badly that she had to sneak out in the middle of the night and climb a wall," Abhimanyu threatened.

"Okay, wait-wait, I'll tell you. So, my colleague needed it, and my sister likes him, so she begged me to get it," Abha admitted.

"Rakshasamaniik," Abhimanyu teased.

"Yeah, right," Abha agreed. "He told me it has some magical effect or something like that. I didn't believe him, so we made a bet about it."

"Why didn't you just ask for it?" Abhimanyu inquired.

"I did, but your security didn't allow me, that's why. I needed that flower today, and your house was the only one in town that had it. Unfortunately, you arrived here just yesterday, and my bad luck is that you caught me," Abha confessed.

"I don't think it was bad luck that we met," Abhimanyu said, cryptically.

"What do you mean by that?" Abha asked, curious.

"I think you know better," Abhimanyu replied with a sly smile.

"Are you flirting with me?" Abha inquired.

"What do you think?" Abhimanyu teased.

Just then, Abha's mother's voice came from the room door. "Abha, are you ready yet? Open the door."

Abha whispered in panic, "Oh, no, Mom is here. What are we going to do now?"

"Do you want me to meet her? Should I open the door?" Abhimanyu suggested with a smile.

"No!" Abha replied hastily.

"Then go and open the door," Abhimanyu urged.

"Where will you hide?" Abha asked, concerned.

"Don't worry about me; I'll find a hiding spot. She won't be able to find me. Just go and open the door before she breaks it down," Abhimanyu assured her.

"Abha!  Why are you taking so long?" Radha called from outside.

"Yeah, yeah, I'm coming," Abha responded as she opened the door.

"What were you doing? We're running late," Radha Bai inquired.

"I was in the balcony, just watering the flowers. You go ahead; I'll be there in a minute," Abha explained.

She closed the door and went outside, but to her surprise, Abhimanyu was gone. She searched for him, even leaning over the balcony railing, but there was no sign of him. It was as if he had never been there. However, he had left the flower for her, along with a note that read, "For our first meeting." Abha smiled as she looked at it and then closed the balcony door.

…

A man was running desperately for his life through the dark, unforgiving woods. Blood oozed from his battered body, each step causing him excruciating pain. His terrified eyes darted backward, haunted by the unshakable feeling of pursuit, the spectre of death etched upon his face.

Finally, he collapsed, his gasps for air echoing in the eerie silence of the forest. Seeking refuge, he cowered behind a massive, gnarled tree, his heartbeat reverberating in his ears. A quick, fearful glance behind him revealed nothing but the obsidian void of the woods.

Yet, as he turned his gaze forward, an unearthly horror seized him. His very soul seemed to flee his body as he locked eyes with a grotesque creature before him, a nightmarish fusion of man and beast. Before he could muster a response, the beast attack him.

 

The man lay on the cold, steel operating table, his body bound tightly with restraints. His cries for help echoed through the dark hall, but they fell on deaf ears. This strange place, hidden beneath the ground, was barely lit, with only a few feeble rays of light penetrating its depths. Wooden torches flickered ominously, casting shadows on the walls.

In the room were two more figures. The man who had arrange this nightmare wore a hood that concealed his face, shrouding him in an unsettling aura. He moved with purpose, preparing an unsettling ritual with the man's own blood. Another figure, also hooded, stood silently at a distance, a mere spectator to the unfolding horrors.

"I've told you before; no one can hear you," the hooded man spoke, his voice laced with a sinister calmness. He stood over the restrained man, meticulously tracing intricate circles and triangles on the floor with the victim's blood. The symbols seemed to pulse with an unholy energy, casting a strange glow in the chamber. Fear enveloped the kidnapped man, and he desperately attempted to reason with his captors. He offered them money, anything they desired, even pleading for his life, but his pleas fell on deaf ears.

"You humans are such fools," the hooded man hissed with disdain. "I can't understand how you are the favourite of the gods. When you arrive in the afterlife, you can ask them yourself whether you truly were their favourite creation. If you even make it to heaven of course."

The bound man's heart raced as he struggled to comprehend the horrors unfolding before him. "Why are you doing this? Why do want to kill me?" he stammered, his voice trembling.

"Who said I want to end your life?" the hooded man replied cryptically. "You've misunderstood, my dear child. I don't wish to kill you. I want to sacrifice you for the sake of our greater future, i mean not ours but mine and my kinds."

The kidnapped man was baffled, his terror growing with each passing second. "But why me?"

The hooded figure raised a finger to his lips, signalling for silence. The man's heart pounded in his chest, and the room seemed to close in around him.

"Because of your heart" hooded man whisper

"I'll do anything!" the captive pleaded, his voice quaking with fear.

The hooded man remained unmoved, his gaze fixed on his sinister task. He was determined to carry out his dark purpose.

As the blade drew nearer, the man's frantic pleas grew more desperate. The room seemed to pulse with an eerie energy, and an overwhelming sense of dread filled the air. In the shadows, a third figure watched in silence, their presence covered in mystery. The room was a chamber of horrors.

…

The brothers were casually strolling through town when they noticed a gathering of people near an ancient tree. Intrigued, they halted their car and ventured closer to investigate. Horror struck them as they gazed upon the lifeless body of a man hanging from the tree, his half-naked form covered in symbols and blood. Abhimanyu's eyes met Abha's in a strange, haunting moment. Her tear-filled, eyes bore into his before she leave the place. Overhearing the hushed conversations, the brothers learned that this was the second such incident in two weeks, with a woman meeting the same gruesome fate previously. Superstitions and tales of curses swirled among the villagers.

"Did you see that?" Rudra gasped.

"Yeah, those symbols look familiar," Dhruvya observed. "And there's an unnatural scent in the air."

"You're right, it smells like Ashvatika," Abhimanyu noted.

"Ashvatika? But I thought that plant only grew in Nag-lok," Rudra said, puzzled. "Could Nagas be behind this?"

"We can't be certain why the Nagas would do this. They hide in their own kingdom," Dhruvya replied.

As they discussed the unsettling scene, Rudra spotted someone that left him trembling in fear, as if he'd seen a ghost. A woman, standing at a distance, locked eyes with him and then inexplicably vanished.

"Rudra! Rudra!" Abhimanyu called out.

Startled, Rudra refocused on his brother.

"What happened?" Dhruvya asked.

"I saw her," Rudra stammered.

"Who, Rudra?" Abhimanyu inquired.

"Nitya," Rudra said, his tone filled with shock.

"That's impossible," Dhruvya countered.

"I don't know, but it was her. She looked right at me, but there was no reaction on her face," Rudra said, sounding convinced.

"You might be hallucinating. It can't be real," Dhruvya reasoned.

"Yeah, it must be," Rudra conceded. "But it felt so hauntingly real."

"We should leave now. We can discuss this at home," Abhimanyu suggested.

The word "Nitya" echoed through Rudra's mind, leaving him with an unsettling feeling that something was wrong.

 

…… ॐ ……