Chapter 21 The Disappearance and the Chameleon
The darkness of the forest Andhkaar Guha (dark cave) was being torn apart by the first rays of morning. Dust particles danced through the air like magic. Kiyan lay stretched out on a rock his eyes closed but it was not sleep that held him. It was a deep alert stillness. Then from outside came a rustling sound. Leaves shifting. But very faint. Very careful.
The Chhayagrasini's (a witch like entity who drains age and life force) eyes snapped open immediately. A sharp predatory gleam flared inside them. She jerked to her feet and without a word slipped toward the mouth of the cave like a shadow gliding over husks. Kiyan sat up his brows furrowing. What happened Maa.
But the Chhayagrasini's silhouette had already dissolved into the darkness. Kiyan moved forward slowly his fingers brushing against the damp walls of the cave. His ears were straining. No sound came from outside. Only the silence of the forest. A silence that felt heavy now. Dangerous.
Then without warning the Chhayagrasini reappeared. Her reversed feet made no sound against the stone floor. Her face wore a strange expression. A calm that looked forced.
Nothing she said. Her voice was very low. Very controlled. I thought someone had come outside. An animal or a human. Or perhaps those people from Aagya Sangathan (the Aagya organization). But there was no one out there.
Do not worry Kiyan said but his eyes stayed fixed on his mother's hands. They were trembling faintly. There is no one. You rest.
The Chhayagrasini smiled but there was no warmth in it. Just an empty stretch of her lips. Yes my child. Come you sit too.
You sit. I will come back in a while Kiyan said and walked out of the cave. Behind him his mother's gaze clung to him as if she was solving some calculation in her head.
Aarav's house. Eight in the morning.
Aarav was buried deep in sleep when the sharp ring of the doorbell tore through his dreams. He heard the door open downstairs. Arushi's voice. Then a familiar voice. Nayan.
Hey Nayan. You came. Come inside.
Nayan walked in smiling but the smile did not reach his eyes. There was a restlessness in the way he moved.
I am fine Didi. How are you. It has been so many days.
I am fine Didi. Just busy with college work. Where is Aarav.
Arushi said He is sleeping in his room.
I will go see him.
Nayan climbed the stairs and entered Aarav's room. Aarav was curled up under a blanket. Nayan walked over and said loudly Aarav. Aarav wake up. It is morning already.
Aarav shifted and mumbled Leave me alone man.
Nayan pulled the blanket aside. Wake up Aarav. I need to talk to you about something important. Get up.
Aarav sat up rubbing his eyes. What now. Tell me.
Nayan sat beside him on the bed. His voice turned serious. Brother why have you not come to college for so many days.
Aarav put a hand on his head. I had some work. I went to my grandmother's place.
Okay. And Kiyan. Kiyan has also not come to college for so many days.
Aarav looked away. How would I know about him Nayan. Why has he not come.
Nayan said Brother. Karishma.
Aarav said What about Karishma. Did you two have another fight or something.
Nayan's face fell. Brother. Karishma has not come to college for two days.
Aarav said So what is the big deal. She probably had some work at home. She must have gone. You.
Nayan's voice was thick with worry. Brother I even asked at her house. Her own family has been searching for her for three days. They have no idea where Karishma has gone.
Aarav froze when he heard this. What. They do not know either. Just tell me from the start. What exactly happened.
Nayan took a deep breath. Two evenings ago Karishma and I were coming back from college together. I dropped her off at her house but Karishma said she wanted to watch me leave. So I started heading toward my place. Karishma stayed standing there watching me. After that I went home. I thought Karishma must have gone inside her own house. Since that moment I have not seen her. I have no idea where she went. How can this even happen. Where could Karishma possibly go. You do not think Aagya Sangathan could have.
Nayan stopped. What. Aagya Sangathan. What is that.
Aarav said Nothing. Do not worry. We will find her brother.
Nayan said Yes brother. We have to find her. The police are searching for her too but they have not found her yet either.
At that moment the flower vase near Aarav's room suddenly tipped over and shattered into pieces. Both of them looked toward the door.
Kiyan was standing there.
Aarav said Kiyan.
Kiyan stepped into the room. I heard everything.
Aarav said Kiyan where could Karishma have gone. We have to search for her. Could the Aagya Sangathan people have. No. It cannot be.
Nayan looked at them with wide eyes. Aagya Sangathan. What even is that. Why do both of you keep bringing up that name. And what does it have to do with Karishma.
Aarav placed a hand on Nayan's shoulder. Calm down Nayan. Everything will be fine. Do not worry. We will find Karishma. Let us go Kiyan.
Nayan said I am coming too. To search for Karishma.
Aarav put his hand on Nayan's shoulder again. I understand that you love Karishma very much. But right now right now you need to trust us and let us go. We promise you we will bring Karishma back.
Nayan was about to say something when Aarav said Do you trust us.
Nayan nodded yes. Aarav and Kiyan both walked out of the room and Nayan went home.
Aarav and Kiyan got onto Aarav's bike and set out to search for Karishma. Aarav was driving. Kiyan sat behind him. Kiyan was watching Aarav and Aarav was watching Kiyan in the bike's mirror.
Kiyan said to Aarav What is it.
Aarav smiled. Nothing. Just looking at you.
Kiyan smiled back. If I had not come back. If I had died in that pond.
Aarav stopped the bike suddenly. Kiyan grabbed onto him tight. Aarav looked back and said Then I would not be here today either Kiyan. I would be lying somewhere. Or lying lifeless on a bed. You gave your life because of me. I would never have been able to forgive myself for that guilt.
Kiyan smiled and looked into Aarav's eyes. Really Aarav.
Aarav looked back into Kiyan's eyes. Really. They both smiled at each other.
Then near the forest where the bike had stopped Kiyan said to Aarav Karishma.
Aarav looked ahead. There she was. Karishma. Both of them froze in shock.
Karishma. Aarav called out.
Then his eyes locked onto her face. Something was wrong. Her eyes. They were not normal. There was an empty glassy gleam in them. Her lips were stretched into a strange unnatural smile.
Kiyan placed a hand on Aarav's shoulder. His voice was a sharp warning. Aarav. What happened to Karishma.
Aarav saw it now too. Karishma's movements were robotic. Jerky. And then just as she stepped out from the shadow of a tree her shadow was not her own shadow. It was too long. Too twisted. It looked like someone else's limbs were woven into it.
Kiyan whispered. His voice carried the terror of a horrible recognition. How. How did this happen. Karishma. Is a Chhayagrasini.
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