Chapter 9 Half Truth and Full Faith
Nirag hands were trembling His fingers were curled so tightly into fists that his nails dug into his palms leaving small red marks His breaths were short and uneven Anvay watched those trembling hands He stepped forward placing his chest between Nirag and the chamber door like a silent barrier
Both of them opened the door Inside Neer stood near the window of his chamber with his back turned towards them And there in a corner chair sat Agni His eyes were already fixed on the door as if he had been waiting for them The first rays of the sun streamed through the window and fell upon Neer face but his eyes were deep as if that light could not reach his heart
Nirag and Anvay joined their hands together Pranam Pitashree Pranam Tauji
Neer turned around His eyes went first to Nirag then to Anvay and finally to Agni Agni blinked without moving A silent command to stay calm
Neer walked up to Nirag His fingers reached towards Nirag face but did not touch Nirag You are hiding something from me
Nirag gaze glued itself to the floor His throat felt dry No Pitashree
Neer voice softened further but there was a stubbornness in it Has something happened recently Something you want to tell me
Nirag looked at Anvay A silent plea for help Anvay nodded barely perceptibly Stay calm
Margdarshak Anvay called out
Neer looked at him and raised one hand Stop Anvay fell silent
Neer gently took hold of Nirag chin and lifted his face upwards Nirag I am asking you something
Nirag fingers began trembling even more
Anvay watched Margdarshak forgive me but
There is no big problem Anvay said quickly I mean Nirag was with me last night as well He did nothing that would hurt anyone
Neer looked at Agni
Agni stood up His steps were heavy and they echoed on the floor Anvay You spoke the truth But only half of it
He walked to Anvay You spoke the truth that Nirag was with you But that he did nothing wrong That is false
Agni lifted Anvay hand He showed his elbow There was a large bruise of purple color there A burn mark still fresh
What is this
Nirag saw that mark on Anvay elbow His fist clenched so tightly that his bones seemed to creak
Anvay smiled a light carefree smile Margdarshak this is a very small injury It just happened like that
Agni looked at Neer and then back at Anvay Anvay I know you are trying to protect Nirag But why Whatever happened last night I saw it with my own eyes
Nirag eyes narrowed He shut his eyelids tightly
Anvay looked at Nirag Then without a word he dropped to his knees His back was straight and his head was bowed
Forgive me Margdarshak His voice was clear and calm This is all my fault I said something to Nirag that made him angry It is all my fault There is no fault of Nirag in this
Silence fell over the chamber
Agni and Neer looked at each other and then at Anvay who was still sitting on his knees
Son Agni said and his voice carried a strange irritation What are you doing
Agni stepped forward and lifted Anvay up
Neer said There is no need for you to apologize These things happen sometimes But you both need to control your anger Otherwise you could hurt each other
He looked at Nirag Come you also apologize to Anvay He got hurt because of you did he not
Nirag looked into Anvay eyes Forgive me Anvay
Anvay looked into Nirag eyes and smiled I forgave you long ago
Nirag smiled faintly
Agni watched Nirag clenched fist but said nothing
Neer exhaled Alright Now both of you go and rest And do not hold any grudge against each other Understood
Nirag and Anvay said together As you command
And they left from there
As soon as the door closed Neer looked at Agni What happened Agni Everything is fine now
Agni looked at Neer and his eyes held a heavy depth No Neer Everything is not fine Whatever Anvay said
Neer cut him off It was all a lie was it not
Agni gave him a sharp look
Neer said So what is wrong with that We both also used to lie to protect each other in the Tapobhumi
Agni gripped his sword tightly and the veins on his hand stood out Neer Our situation was different And Nirag and Anvay They do not know yet what they are doing If Anvay keeps covering up Nirag mistakes like this then Nirag will learn nothing from his mistakes
Neer placed his hand on Agni shoulder I know But they are both still children I know they do not have a powerful Margdarshak like we did
Agni cut him off But we did And that is the problem We are unable to teach them what Margdarshak taught us
Neer remained lost in thought for a moment Then he said It is alright Agni They both know how to handle each other We should not come between them
Agni said Neer you cannot see what I am seeing One day Nirag mistake will become so big that you will be able to do nothing
Neer told Agni to calm down and gave him water from the pitcher
Agni looked into Neer eyes You will calm me down Neer But if the neighboring kingdoms find out that Nirag is a threat They will not spare Nirag
Neer eyes tensed If that happens Then only one kingdom will remain on this earth Prakashgadh
Neer started to leave but Agni grabbed his hand and stopped him
No Neer You will not do such a thing Promise me you will never do such a thing
Neer turned back and kept looking at Agni He said nothing And he walked away from there
The clay glass slipped from Agni hand and shattered on the floor into pieces And he kept watching Neer leave
Nirag hugged Anvay Thank you Anvay You took my side Even though the fault was mine
Anvay smiled and looked into Nirag eyes I will do this again and again Every time If I have to fight someone to save you Even if I have to go against anyone I will do it
Nirag smiled And he went from Anvay chamber to his own chamber
He came before the mirror and began to smile Just then he saw the shadow of Andhak Void in the mirror looking at him and saying
This happiness is only for a few moments Nirag I will take everything from you
Nirag stumbled back in fear His back hit the wall In the mirror his reflection had now turned black as if some ancient shadow was breathing within it
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