Chapter 1
Kashish's world had come crashing down when just a few days ago, Sujal, the love of her life, had fallen off a bridge, and despite an extensive search, his body was nowhere to be found. The police had given up, but Kashish couldn't accept that he was truly gone. She couldn't imagine living without him.
As the household bustles with preparations for Sujal's thirteenth-day ritual, Kashish's mind wanders to a different plan. While everyone else is busy with the arrangements, she is consumed by the need to find Sujal. She is unable to shake off the feeling that he might still be out there, waiting for her.
Kashish's eyes wanders around the room, filled with people preparing for the ritual, but her heart is elsewhere. She knows she has to do something, but what? As the night falls, Kashish makes up her mind. She will sneak out at dawn and search for Sujal once again, following the same stretch of the river where he had fallen. Maybe, just maybe, she would find something that others have missed.
With a newfound determination, Kashish lay in bed, her eyes fixed on the ceiling. Tomorrow will be a day of judgement, a day that will either bring her the answers she sought or plunge her deeper into despair. But she is ready to face whatever comes next, as long as it means finding Sujal.
The darkness of the night envelopes the streets as Kashish slips out of her house, her footsteps barely making a sound on the wet pavement. The rain pours down, casting an eerie gloom over everything, reminding her of the night Sujal had met with his accident. The same relentless downpour, the same deserted streets.
Kashish quickly had prepared herself, dressing exactly as she had on that fateful night. Despite being a widow, she has applied the crimson sindoor on her forehead, a symbol of marriage that now feels like a haunting reminder of what she has lost. Her eyes are fixed on the road ahead, determination etched on her face.
As she reaches the bridge where Sujal's accident had occurred, the rain seems to intensify, enveloping the surroundings in a misty veil. The spot where Sujal had fallen is now a haunting memory, and Kashish stands there, frozen in time. She closes her eyes, the rain soaking her clothes, and whispers Sujal's name, hoping against hope that somehow, someway, he would answer.
The night is heavy with anticipation, and Kashish stands there, exactly where she had stood that fateful night, a figure of firm love and grief, calling out into the void, her voice lost in the sound of the rain. She screams Sujal's name through tears. The rain continues to pour down, and with a desperate resolve, she climbs up, ready to jump. But just as she was about to take the leap, a familiar voice echoes through the night -
"Kashish!"
Kashish spins around, her heart racing with shock and excitement. There, standing before her in the darkness, is Sujal, dressed in black. His eyes, filled with longing and love, lock onto hers, and for a moment, time stands still. Kashish's eyes, once brimming with tears, now shine with a mix of love and disbelief.
A faint smile begins to form on her lips as she whispers,
"Sujal... bohot... bohot yaad aati hai tumhari. Kahan chale gaye the tum. Please... please mujhe khud se duur mat karo. Main tumhare bina nahi reh sakti!"
Her voice cracks with emotion, her eyes pleading for him to come closer.
Sujal's expression remains serious, his eyes burning with an intensity that makes Kashish's heart flutter. He takes slow, deliberate steps toward her, his movements almost menacing. As he reaches her, Kashish's smile falters, and in a split second, Sujal pushes her off the bridge.
Kashish tumbles into the dark depths below, the same spot where Sujal had fallen. And as she falls, Sujal's voice cut through the rain, his words echoing with a finality that can send shivers down anyone's spine,
"Main bhi!"
●●●●●
The commotion eruptes as people rushes to the scene, whispering about the accident. Sujal's spirit stands frozen, his expression unreadable. Kashish's spirit walks up behind him, her eyes calm and devoid of the pain that had tormented her just moments before.
Together, they watch as the crowd gathers, their faces lit by the faint glow of phone lights and the distant hum of sirens. Kashish's voice is flat, emotionless, as she asks,
"Ab kya?",
without turning to look at Sujal.
Sujal's gaze lingers on the scene before him before slowly shifting to Kashish. A faint, sarcastic smile creeps onto his lips as he turns to face her. His eyes locked onto hers, and with a tone that is both mocking and resignation, he replies,
"Ab... ab sukoon ki zindagi."
The words hang in the air, heavy with irony, as they stand there, two souls bound by tragedy, now free from the turmoil of life. The rain continues to fall, washing away the chaos, leaving behind an unsettling stillness. Sujal's smile grows slightly wider, a dark humor dancing in his eyes, as if the peace they have found is the most bitter of all!
"Mujhe to laga zindagi khatam ho gayi hai?!"
Kashish says, her voice barely above a whisper.
Sujal's smile grows wider as he turns to face her, his eyes sparkling with an unsettling excitement.
"Nahi madam, abhi to ye nayi zindagi shuru hui hai!",
he says, his words dripping with an eerie enthusiasm.
Kashish's curiosity is piqued as she notices the twinkle in his eyes. She smiles wryly, intrigued, and asks,
"Aisa kya hai iss zindagi mein jo tum itne khush ho?"
Sujal arches his right brow and smirks before saying,
"Let me warn you, Kashish, iss zindagi mein khushi nahi sirf dard aur junoon hai!"
Kashish's smile falters, taken aback by his words.
"Phir tum itne khush kyun ho?",
she asks, her voice laced with confusion.
Sujal's smile grows wider, his eyes glinting with a dark amusement.
"Madam aapne mujhe dard aur takleef se pyar karna jo sikha diya hai. Meri rooh ko ab usi mein sukoon milta hai."
His words send a shiver down Kashish's spine as she realizes the depth of Sujal's transformation. The excitement in his eyes isn't about happiness; it is about embracing the darkness that has consumed him. Kashish's smile fades, replaced by a sense of eerie, as she wonders what lies ahead in this twisted new reality they have entered into.
●●●●●
As they drive down the highway, Kashish's eyes widen up as she spots a sleek, high-tech dashboard in Sujal's car.
"Wow, this is pretty cool!",
she exclaims, running her fingers over the touchscreen controls.
Sujal chuckles.
"Yeah, I just got it upgraded. But I'm not sure you're understanding how it works.",
he says, his eyes twinkling with pride.
"But what am I supposed to do here?",
says Kashish, pointing towards a particular button.
"They made it simple, by the way.",
admires Sujal.
Kashish tentatively reaches out to press a button.
"Okay, but are we supposed to press this?"
As Kashish tentatively reaches out to press a button, Sujal quickly catches her hand, his fingers wrapping around hers.
"No, not that one,"
he says, his voice low and rough, a hint of irritation edging into his tone.
Kashish's eyes flashes with mischief as she looks up at him, her brow arching upward.
"So, what am I supposed to press?",
she asks, her voice laced with tease.
Sujal's heart skips a beat as he meets her gaze, his cheeks warming with a flush. He glances nervously into the rearview mirror, ensuring their children are occupied in the backseat.
Kashish's playful smile only intensifies, her eyes sparkling with amusement.
"Could you please tell me?",
she asks, her voice husky and seductive.
Sujal's resolve weakens as he gazes into her eyes, his own smile growing wider.
"Why not?",
he replies, his voice low and flirtatious.
The air between them seems to vibrate with tension as Kashish's heartbeat quickens. She holds Sujal's gaze, her eyes locked on his, as he takes her hand in his. With a tantalizing slowness, he guides her fingers towards his part, before guiding her hand across the dashboard, his this mischievous act that too in the presence of their children sends shivers down Kashish spine. Her heartbeat quickens further.
Finally, he places her hand on a specific part of the dashboard,
"You just need to touch this part, and it'll adjust the music volume.,"
he says, his words laced with a hidden meaning that only the two of them understood.
Kashish takes desperate deep and silent breath of relief. Sujal laughs secretly upon witnessing her state. Kashish could feel her cheeks emitting heat at high degrees and shakes her head in shock upon realizing that he is enjoying this.
As Kashish's fingers graze the control, Sujal's eyes never leave hers, the connection between them palpable. The music swells around them, the unspoken emotions fill the car. In that moment, it is as if they are the only two people in the world, lost in their own little bubble of love and desire.
The ring slips off her ring finger in the car. Sujal and Kashish instinctively lean down to retrieve the ring, as a result of which they bang their heads.
"Ah!",
Sujal exclaims, rubbing his head.
"Why did you bang?",
he asks, out of frustration.
"I did that? You just banged into me!",
Kashish retorts, rubbing her banged part of the head.
"You just ruined my hair,"
says Sujal, frustration palpable.
"You just say sorry!",
Sujal says.
"I should be sorry?",
Kashish raises her voice in disbelief and protest.
"You'll never forget your hair!",
Kashish rolls her eyes in anger.
Just then, their children in the backseat intervene,
"Guys! Stop behaving like kids. We are already getting late."
Kashish turns around, a mock-stern expression on her face.
"Like seriously Sujal, stop behaving like a kid. We're already running late.",
teases Kashish, looking back towards Sujal, her prior frustration gone.
Sujal mockingly salutes her, knowing ver well that what is she talking about.
"Yes Ma'am! Order Ma'am!",
he says mockingly, hinting towards who is going to play who tonight!
Kashish playfully rolls her eyes and says,
"Order Sir!",
and as if it is a promise that he would take the lead tonight, and not her.
Their playful banter continues, with Sujal asking,
"When do you let me order you, Madam?"
"Only when....",
she trails off, knowing that he knows, he knows it very well!
Sujal widens his eyes yet again in shock and looks again towards their kids in the rearview mirror. Kashish laughs throwing her head back. Sujal smiles, blushes and shakes his head staring Kashish lovingly.
Sujal mutters under his breath, careful that their children don't listen,
"Kashish, bacchon ke saamne to at least soch samjhkar bola karo."
Kashish laughs softly and replies,
"Sujal, relax, main soch samjh kar hi bol rahi thi."
Sujal shakes his head in disbelief upon receiving such a reply from her.
●●●●●
Their attention is diverted by their children's argumentative voices from the backseat.
"Nahi, Dad mere se zyada pyar karte hain.,"
says the daughter.
"Nahi, Papa mujhse zyada pyar karte hain."
Kushal countered.
Sujal and Kashish exchange concerned glances.
"Paakhi-Kushal! Kya ho raha hai? Tum dono larh kyun rahe ho?",
Sujal asks, his voice calm but firm.
"Dad, aap mujhse zyada pyar karte hain na?",
asks Paakhi, frustrated by the argument.
Kushal chimes in confidently,
"Nahi, Papa mujhse zyada pyar karte hain. Hain na Papa?"
Sujal smiles patiently and says,
"Okay, okay! Main apne dono bacchon se equally pyar karta hoon. Got it?"
But that doesn't satisfy the kids.
"Tujhe to Dad dustbin se uthakar laaye the!",
teases Paakhi.
Sujal and Kashish look towards each other, widening their eyes, trying to hide their amusement.
"Mujhe to dustbin se uthakar laaye the, magar aapko to kabristan se laaye the!",
Kashish and Sujal look towards each other in utter shock.
"Kushal! Now no more fighting!",
scolds and warns Sujal.
Paakhi and Kushal sit back, still looking a bit sulky, and gaze out the window. Sujal smiles lovingly and shakes his head.
Kashish gazes at Sujal, her eyes filled with love and gratitude. Sujal catches her look, smiles, and blinks reassuringly, letting her know he hasn't lied to their kids about loving them both equally. Kashish smiles out of warmth and love for him.
●●●●●
The silence in the car was palpable until Kushal's innocent question breaks the ice.
"Dad, where are we going?",
he asks, looking at Sujal with curious eyes.
Sujal's heart swells with joy, and his previous mood vanishes. Kashish smiles, glancing briefly at Sujal before focusing on the road ahead. Sujal's voice fills with excitement as he commanded the car's AI,
"Hey KIA, take us to the Big Fork!"
The kids in the backseat exchange excited whispers, their eyes wide with anticipation.
"Big Fork?!",
they mouth to each other.
As Sujal accelerates, the car's speed increases, and the excitement inside the vehicle grows. Kashish turns to check on the kids, ensuring they are safely buckled in.
To lighten up the prevailing atmosphere inside the car Sujal chooses to divert his family's attention from the anticipation of the mysterious encounter ahead to his dear KIA.
Sujal's voice rings out, filled with excitement,
"Kia, open the sunroof!"
As he gives the command, he turns to Kashish, his eyes sparkling with anticipation.
Kashish's eyes widen in amazement as the sunroof slides open, and the cool breeze rushes in. She couldn't help but gaze up at the open roof, her face tilted towards the sky. Sujal's heart skips a beat as he watches her, his excitement growing at her reaction.
Kashish's eyes remain fixed on the sunroof, her expression one of wonder. Sujal's eyes twinkle further, his heart throbbing with excitement. He couldn't help but smile, thrilled to see Kashish's reaction.
The car winds through the roads, Sujal takes sharp turns with ease. Tall trees canopying them, creating a sense of adventure. The journey is filled with laughter and excitement until suddenly, a group of people in black, stand in their path, bringing the car to an abrupt halt.
The atmosphere inside the car shifts, and Sujal's eyes narrow, his grip on the steering wheel tightens. Kashish's expression turns cautious, while the kids' excitement gives way to curiosity and a hint of fear.
Sujal and Kashish exchange a cautious glance before asking the children to stay inside the car. As they unbuckle their seatbelts, their eyes remain fixed on the group of men and women standing in front of them. Slowly, Sujal and Kashish step out of the car, their movements deliberate and measured.
The children, sensing their parents' unease, hesitantly emerge from the car, their eyes wide with fear. Kashish wraps her arm around Kushal's back, holding him firmly by the shoulders, her gaze still fixed on the leader of the group.
Kushal looks up at Kashish, confusion etched on his face.
"Kon hain ye log Mumma?",
he whispers, trying to understand the reason behind her nervousness.
Paakhi, sensing her mother's tension, instinctively moves closer to Kashish, her eyes fixed on the strangers. The group's silence is oppressive, and the air is thick with anticipation.
Sujal walks forth towards the men, his eyes locked on the group, ready to protect his family if needed.
The only sound was the distant hum of crickets and the soft rustling of leaves in the gentle breeze. Kashish's grip on Kushal's shoulders tightens, her fingers digging gently into his shirt as she waits for the next move of Sujal and the group.
The air is electric with tension as Sujal and the head of the group lock eyes, their gazes piercing and intense. The kids hold their breath, their hearts pounding in their chests like drums. Kashish's eyes dart nervously between Sujal and the group, her anxiety palpable.
But then, without warning, Sujal and the man's faces crack open, and they burst into fits of laughter. The kids' eyes widen in confusion as they stare at the two adults, unsure what to make of this sudden change.
Kashish, too, is laughing, her earlier nervousness dissolving into amusement. The kids turn to look at her, still perplexed, but as they see her laughing, they couldn't help but smile.
The tension dissipates, replaced by the warmth of shared laughter. Sujal and the man clap each other on the back, their laughter growing louder as they embrace each other into a big hug. The kids giggle, feeling a sense of relief wash over them. Kashish smiles, her eyes shining with happiness, as she wraps her arms around the kids, pulling them close.
"It's okay, everything is fine.",
she says, smiling, looking towards her kids.
●●●●●
The winter bonfire crackles and spat, casting a warm glow over the faces of Sujal and the other men as they sit together, watching the flames dance. The cold air is filled with the sweet scent of burning wood and the distant howling of wolves.
As they sit in comfortable silence, Sujal's expression turns serious.
"Vidyut, bohot jee li insaanon ke beech apni zindagi. Ab laut kar yahan...",
Sujal looks around before looking back towards Vidyut, then continues,
"Apne asli ghar... apne apno ke beech aya hoon."
The weight of Sujal's words hang in the air, his eyes telling the story of a deep longing for a place to belong.
Sujal's fingers intertwined, his elbows resting on his knees,
"Kya mujhe yahan rehne ki ijjazat hai?",
Sujal folds his hand in front of Vidyut.
Vidyut holds his folded hands in between his hands and asks,
"Sujal, tumhe kabse mere saamne aise haath jodne ki zaroorat parh gayi?"
"Jabse maine tumhara prastaav thukraya tha!",
says Sujal, feeling guilty, cascading his eyes in shame.
"Mujhe tumhari baat maan leni chahiye thi jab tumne mujhe yahan aakar rehne ko kaha tha.",
a hint of guilt laced his voice.
Vidyut's chest swells with pride, but he tries to hide it, his face neutral. Sujal continues, his voice tinged with sadness,
"Rehne ko to hum kayi jagah reh chuke hain, lekin iss jagah ke alawa aisi koi jagah nahi jisey hum apna ghar keh sakein."
Kashish leans against the ancient tree, its gnarled trunk a comforting presence as she watches the procession unfolds before her. Her children, Kushal and Paakhi, stand on either side of her, their eyes fixed on the man and Sujal as they interact with animated gestures.
Kashish's brows are knit together lightly, a faint furrow of concern etched on her face. She couldn't help but wonder will they be allowed to live in this community?
Kushal and Paakhi exchange a curious glance, their minds buzzing with questions. Who are these people, and why are they here? Why is their father being so friendly with them? Kushal looks towards his mother and a wave of satisfaction washes his face, extinguishing his curiosity to know the truth. And the sudden change in his expression doesn't go unnoticed by Kashish's heightened senses. And Kashish understands!
As the procession continues, Kashish's thoughts drift to the past, to the whispers of this alliance and forgotten histories. She feels a shiver run down her spine, a sense of unease that lingers just beneath the surface.
She slowly looks towards her kids and wonders how would they break the truth to their kids?!
"Ye tumhara hi ghar hai Sujal. Tumhara ghar sadiyon se tumhara intezaar kar raha tha. Tumhare log tumhara intezaar kar rahe the." ,
says Vidyut, smiling wide.
Sujal's eyes twinkle with joy and gratitude. They hug each other.
●●●●●
Kashish stands by the window, her gaze lost in the serene beauty of the crescent moon. Sujal enters the room, his eyes softening as he sees her silhouette bathed in the moon's gentle light. He walks up to her, his footsteps quiet, and gently places his hands on her upper arms, rubbing them lovingly.
"Kya soch rahi ho?",
he asks softly, his breath whispering against her ear.
With a detached voice and a gaze still fixed on the moon, Kashish says,
"Kya tumhe lagta hai Kushal humare darr ko bhaamp leta hai?"
Sujal's expression turns stern, his brows knitted together.
"Tum bhi na Kashish! Aisa kuch nahi hai.",
he scolds her mildly and wraps his arms around her waist, pulling her close, and resting his chin on her shoulder.
Kashish shakes her head, her intuition whispering a different truth.
"What if ye such ho Sujal?",
she asks, her voice laced with fear.
Sujal's arms drop, and he steps back, frustration etched on his face.
Kashish turns to face him, her expression unchanging, but her heart racing.
"Kyun Sujal? Kya main kuch galat soch rahi hoon?",
she asks, her voice rising slightly.
Sujal's face tightens, his eyes clouding with uncertainty. Kashish's words strike a chord, and he fails to find the words to reassure her.
"Aisa hona koi badi baat to nahi?!",
says Kashish, as her frustration increases.
She tilts her head, her index finger pointed at Sujal, she says,
"Aur ye baat tum aur main, dono, bohot achhe se jaante hain!"
Sujal's eyes drop, and he looks away, the lines on his face deepening. He hates admitting that Kashish's intuition might be right, and the weight of her words hangs heavy in the air.
"Mere paas iss baat ka filhaal koi jawab nahi hai Kashish,"
Sujal says, his voice soft and reassuring.
"Mujhe thoda waqt do, main sochta hoon iss baare mein."
Kashish nods her head in understanding, her eyes still locked on his.
Sujal's hand gently grasps her right shoulder, his touch sending a flutter through her chest. He turns her towards himself, his eyes never leaving hers. Kashish's face begins to flush as she understands the unspoken message in his touch.
As she meets his gaze, her eyes cascaded downward, her lashes veiling her emotions. Sujal's gentle gesture has awakened a tender intimacy between them, and Kashish feels her heart skip a beat.
The silence between them is filled with unspoken understanding, their connection palpable. Sujal's fingers still rested on her shoulder, a gentle reminder of his presence, his love.
Sujal looks back towards Kashish. His lips gently parts Kashish's, and his tongue intertwines with hers, sending shivers down her spine. As their tongues dance together, Kashish's pupils dilate, her excitement growing with each passing moment.
The kiss deepens, their lips moving in perfect harmony. Kashish feels herself getting lost in the sensation, her senses heightened as she wraps her arms around Sujal, pulling him closer.
The world around them melts away, leaving only the two of them, lost in the passion of their kiss. Kashish's heart pounds in her chest, her breathing quickening as she feels herself surrender to Sujal's touch.
In this moment, nothing else matters but the love they share, the connection between them burning brighter than ever.
Sujal's hands guide Kashish down onto the bed, his touch gentle and reassuring. As she lies back, he climbs onto the bed, his body covering hers. The weight of his frame pressed down on her, but Kashish feels no sense of discomfort, only a deep sense of security and love.
The softness of the bed envelopes them, and the world outside recedes, leaving only the two of them, lost in the intimacy of the moment. Sujal's eyes lock onto Kashish's, his gaze burning with a deep and abiding passion.
As he settles over her, Kashish feels her heart rate slow, her breathing synchronizes with his. She wraps her arms around him, pulling him closer, her body arching up to meet his. The connection between them is palpable, a living, breathing thing that pulses with every beat of their hearts.
In this moment, they are one, their love a flame that burns bright and true. The world outside, with all its worries and fears, fades into insignificance, and all that matters is the love they share, the love that binds them together.
Sujal rests his part on her, making her breath to turn shallower. They stare each other deeply. Sujal's stare - seeking for consent; Kashish's stare - giving her consent. And that is all Sujal was waiting for before pushing into her slowly. Kashish squeezes her eyes shut, waiting for the pain to go away. Her breath hitches when Sujal finally starts moving inside her. The initial few strokes slow and deep, when Kashish could feel him completely inside herself, but soon he starts pounding into her, not giving her enough time and space to adjust to the sensation and the sweet pain of the intial stroke before following it with another stroke hard and fast. Kashish's hold on Sujal tightens - a gesture of asking for mercy. But both of them know it very well that she doesn't want him to show mercy but turn rougher if possible! The friction causes Kashish to tremble under him. Sujal enjoys witnessing the change in her expressions every now and then. It helps him to understand how the magnitude of each stroke - sometimes high, sometimes less is affecting her. Tears roll down Kashish's eyes as his tease makes her go weak on her knees. She turns her head left and right in accord to the magnitude of his thrust, trying to adjust to each thrust silently. Sujal empties himself into her with a low grunt while Kashish tightens her hold on him to give support to his now weak body. Sujal falls on her chest lightly. Kashish embraces him into a tight hug, as tight as possible given the fact that her legs have turned jelly!
●●●●●
Kashish's head nestles against Sujal's chest, his arm wrapped around her, his fingers tracing lazy patterns on her shoulder. Lost in thought, Sujal's gaze drifts into the distance.
"Sujal, ek baat kahun?",
Kashish's soft voice breaks the silence.
Sujal's response is a nonchalant,
"Hmm...",
his body remaining relaxed.
Kashish's words spill out, laced with disappointment, frustration and anger,
"Iss duniya mein aane ke baad bhale hi maine kuch logon ke khoon ko pikar apna pyaas bujhaya hai, magar phir bhi meri rooh ko wo tripti nahi mili jiska mujhe intezaar tha shuru se!"
Sujal's demeanor shifts instantly, his expression turning serious as he grasps the underlying meaning of Kashish's words.
"Kashish, tum phirse...",
he begins, but Kashish cuts him off, her anger boiling over.
She pushes away from him, her voice rising,
"Khabardaar, Sujal! Agar tumne phirse mujhe ye samjhaya ke main sub kuch bhool jaun!",
Kashish's points her finger accusingly towards him, her eyes blazing with anger.
Sujal's eyes widen as Kashish's words cut him off, her anger and frustration palpable. He could see the pain and longing in her eyes, and his heart goes out to her. He knows that Kashish's transformation into a vampire has brought about a multitude of emotions, and it seems that the thirst for blood isn't the only thing that drives her.
"Kashish, please meri baat suno...",
Sujal says, his voice calm and soothing, as he tries to calm her down and make her understand. But Kashish's anger wouldn't be easily calmed down. Kashish dresses up in a haste. Getting out of the bed she walks towards the window, in desperate need to distance herself from Sujal. She then turns to look towards Sujal, her eyes flashing with a mixture of hurt and accusation.
"Tum nahi samjhte Sujal.",
she says, her voice trembling with emotion.
"Tumhe nahi pata mujhe kitni ghutan hoti hai aise apne parivaar se duur aisi zindagi bitana! Har... har subah ek katra boond ki pyaas se jagna. Apne... apne bacchhon ko teen boond khoon se zyada khoon na dena iss darr se ke kahin unhe khoon ki lath na lag jaye!"
"Kyunki main jaanti hoon khoon ki lath lagna kya hota hai!",
Kashish raises her voice further out of suffocation.
"Sirf itna hi nahi Sujal, I want to feel alive again, to feel the warmth of the sun on my skin, to feel the beat of a human heart in my chest. Main chahti hoon ye sub phirse mehsoos karna!"
Sujal's expression softens, by now he has already left the bed and he takes slow steps towards Kashish, his right arm open in a gesture of comfort which he wants to provide to her. But Kashish's warning glance stops him in his tracks. He knows that she is on the edge, and one wrong move can push her over. After all this is not the first time he is witnessing her outburst.
"Kashish, main samjh sakta hoon tum par kya beet-ti hai.",
Sujal says, his voice gentle.
"Magar tumhe mujh par bharosa karna hoga. We can face this together. Hum koi raasta dhoondhenge."
Kashish's gaze lingers on Sujal's face, her eyes searching for something. And then, in a flash of anger, she turns away, leaving Sujal wondering what he could do to reach out to her, to bring her back from the edge she is living in at the moment.
"Main Archie, Sanya aur Swayam ko nahi chhorungi Sujal, and that's final!",
declares Kashish, making Sujal to wonder what is she going to do and how?!
●●●●●
As the moon casts its silvery glow over the deserted streets, Kushal stirs in the darkness. He slowly opens his eyes, his pupils constricting in the dim light. He is met with an overwhelming sensation - thirst. It burns within him like a fire, consuming every fiber of his being.
Kushal's fangs ache with a dull, throbbing pain, a sign that his body is crying out for sustenance. He tries to sit up, but a wave of dizziness washes over him, forcing him to lie back down. His mind is foggy. How long had he been asleep? Days? Weeks? Months?
As he struggles to regain his composure, Kushal's senses begins to heighten. He is able to smell the sweet aroma of blood coming from a nearby place. His stomach growls with hunger, and his body tenses with anticipation. A part of him urges restraint, recognizing the gravity of taking a life to satiate his hunger, aware that once he starts, his thirst might not be quenched until the last drop of blood is drained out of the person's body.
With a great effort, Kushal pushes himself to his feet, his eyes scanning the surroundings for any sign of prey. He opens the door of his room with a loud thud. His eyes raging with hunger.
Sujal's and Kashish's heads snap towards the door of their room in unison. As their highly sensitive ears register the sound of the kids' room door bursting open echoing through the hallway.
Their eyes locked onto the doorway, their expressions tense with anticipation. They could sense that something is amiss, and their parental and vampire instincts kick in. Who is coming out of the kids' room? And what is wrong?
"Kushal!",
exclaims Kashish in horror, as she uses her power of mind reading.
Sujal and Kashish exchange shocked glances!
As they reach beside Kushal with in a blink of an eye, using their supernatural power, their eyes widen in shock! Kushal's eyes have transformed to that of a hungry vampire. His fangs are razor-sharp, and his skin is deathly pale. Sujal and Kashish exchange a horrified glance, their minds racing with the implications.
"Kushal, beta!",
Kashish whispers, her voice trembling with emotion.
"K..ya.. hua?",
she asks in the same state, noticing his each expression minutely.
Sujal's eyes scan Kushal's face, searching for answers.
"How is this possible?!",
he asks, more like exclaims, his voice barely above a whisper.
"Tum... you're turning into a vampire!",
he couldn't help himself from uttering those words out loud and clear out of shock.
Kashish's grip on Sujal's arm tightens, staring Kushal throughout in horror.
●●●●●
"Su...jal... Sujal please kuch karo!"
The dimly lit chamber is filled with an air of tension as Sujal and Kashish sit facing Vidyut and the clan. The marble slabs beneath them seem to absorb the faint luminescence, casting an eerie glow on the gathered vampires.
Sujal's voice is laced with remorse as he speaks,
"Main nahi chahta tha ke Kushal ke saath ye sab ho."
Kashish's gaze drifts to Sujal, her brows furrowed in concern, her eyes brimming with unshed tears.
Moksh's question hung in the air,
"Magar kyun? Kya tumhe ye duniya pasand nahi? Tumhe kisise darr kar nahi jeena hota, kya tumhe iss baat ki khushi nahi?"
Sujal and Kashish turn to face Moksh, their expressions a mixture of pain and frustration.
Kashish's voice rise in anger,
"Pasand?! Har pal ghut-ghut kar jeena parhta hai. Ek boond khoon se pyas bujhane ke liye taras jaate hain hum aur tum poochh rahe ho humein ye zindagi pasand hai ya nahi?"
Her glare pierces Moksh, and the room seems to vibrate with her fury.
Sujal's attempt to calm her was swift,
"Kashish chup ho jao!"
But Kashish's anger wouldn't be silenced. She turns to Sujal, her voice cracking with emotion,
"Kyun chup rahun main Sujal? Haan?",
says Kashish in anger.
"Tumhe nahi dikh raha kya? Humein iske banaye hui jaal mein funsa diya gaya hai!"
The clan's anger is palpable, and Rudra's face twisted in rage.
"Sir, aap bolo to kardun khatam inn dono ko abhi?",
he growls, his eyes blazing with fury. Kashish's response is immediate, her voice dripping with venom,
"Aur tum kar hi kya sakte ho Rudra?",
shouts Kashish, turning to look towards Rudra.
Vidyut gestures to his man to stay quiet, without turning to look towards him.
"A.. Vidyut bhai ne haath jodkar nahi kaha tha tumhare pati se ke humare saath raho. Tumhara pati khud chalkar aya tha humare paas, haath jodkar minnate kar raha tha humse ke hum isey apne saath rakh lein.",
says Rudra, out of anger, ignoring Vidyut's gesture.
Sujal cascades his eyes hearing Rudra, silently accepting whatever he is saying.
Kashish boasts confidently,
"Sujal aisa kabhi kar hi nahi sakta!"
"Kar nahi sakta? Poochh lo apne pati se.",
challenges Rudra, gesturing towards Sujal with his hand.
Kashish turns to look towards Sujal. Kashish's face turns pale when Sujal cascades his eyes helplessly.
●●●●●
Vidyut's eyes seem to bore into Sujal's soul as he continues,
"Dekho Sujal main samajh sakta hoon ke jab apne bacche par kuch beet-ti hai to kaisa mehsoos hota hai."
Sujal's eyes well up with tears as he pleads with Vidyut, his voice cracking with emotion.
"Please, Vidyut, Kushal ko ye zindagi jeene ke liye majboor mat karo. Wo abhi baccha hai. Wo nahi samjh payega iss duniya ko abhi."
Kashish's sobs echo through the room, her body shaking with grief. Vidyut's expression remains calm, but a hint of curiosity flickers in his eyes.
"Tum chahte ho ke main yahan rehne ke neeyam tod doon tumhare liye?,"
Vidyut says, his voice measured.
Sujal and Kashish stare Vidyut with pleading eyes.
"But guess what, main tumhe ek choice deta hoon. Agar tum humare prati apni immaandaari prove kar sako, main shayad tab Kushal ko hum mein se ek banane ki soch badal doon!"
Sujal's eyes locked onto Vidyut's, a glimmer of hope flickering in them.
"Main tum logon ke prati apni wafadari saabit karne ke liye kuch bhi kar sakta hoon, Vidyut. Apne bacche ko apne jaisa banne se rokne ke liye kuch bhi kar sakta hoon.",
his eyes twinkling with hope.
"Main ab bhi tumhe yahi sujhaw dunga Sujal ke unhe hum jaisa bann jaane do. Unki zindagi sawar jayegi.",
says Vidyut.
Rudra intervenes his words cut deep, and Sujal's anger boils over,
"Iske alawa aur koi raasta nahi hai. Yahan agar rehna hai to unhe ye baat samjhni hogi ke wo hum mein se hi ek hain. Aur jitni jaldi unn mein ye badlaav aa jaye, utna hi achha hai."
Sujal's face twists in rage.
"Nahi dena chahta unhe ye zindagi. Nahi jeeyenge mere bacche iss tarah ek-ek boond khoon ke mohtaaj hokar."
He jabs a finger at Vidyut, his voice firm,
"Aur baap hone ke naate mera pura haq hai ke main apne bachhon ke liye ye faisla le sakun!"
Kashish's attention wavers, her sensitive ears picking up a faint sound. Her expression shifts from anger to concern, and she calls out to Sujal,
"Sujal!"
But Sujal is too caught up in his argument with Rudra to notice. Kashish's voice grows more urgent,
"Sujal, Mumma!"
Sujal's head jerks towards Kashish, his eyes snapping into focus.
"Suno!",
she whispers.
Sujal's sensitive ears picks up the sounds of destruction at the RnG house. His mother's cries and pleas mixed with the shouts of CG, Lalit, and Vasu. Sujal's face goes white, and he exchanges a horrified glance with Kashish.
In an instant, Sujal's priorities shifts. He turns to leave, his supernatural powers propelling him towards the RnG house. Kashish follows close behind, her voice barely audible,
"Ruko, Sujal, main bhi chalungi."
Sujal's gaze flicks back to Kashish, and he nods curtly. Then both were about to leave when Vidyut's voice arrest them at their respective spots,
"Ruko Sujal, tumne meri shart to abhi tak suni nahi.",
Vidyut's words halt Sujal and Kashish in their tracks.
Their hearts racing with anticipation. They turn to face Vidyut, their brows furrowed.
"Kya shart hai tumhari?",
asks Sujal, wondering what can he possibly ask him to do!
"Wahan mere do (2) dushman hain. Tumhe unhe khatam karna hoga.",
orders Vidyut, looking straight into his eyes.
That comes as a shock for Sujal and Kashish!
"What?!",
Sujal and Kashish exclaim in unison, out of shock.
●●●●●
Kashish's eyes blaze with fury as she shoots back at Vidyut,
"Tumhara dimag to nahi kharab ho gaya?! Sujal... Sujal kisi ka khoon karega?! Kabhi nahi!",
her voice firm and resolute, her words hanging in the air like a challenge.
Vidyut's smile is mocking as he retorted,
"Kyun Kashish? Sujal ab insaan to nahi, vampire hai, dusron ka khoon pikr zinda reh sakta hai magar dusron ka khoon karne mein itna jhijhak?",
his words are laced with sarcasm, and his men laugh loudly, their laughter echoing through the place.
Kashish's face twists in anger as she glared at Vidyut.
"Sujal ne apni insaaniyat nahi khoyi hai,"
she spats.
"Voh abhi bhi insaan hai, apne dil aur dimag mein.",
adds Kashish, knitting her brows.
Vidyut's laughter is cold.
"Hum dekhenge,"
he says, his eyes glinting with amusement.
"Hum dekhenge ki Sujal kitni der tak apni insaaniyat ko banaye rakh sakta hai."
The tension between them is palpable, the air thick with unspoken emotions. Sujal's eyes locked onto Kashish's, and he could see the fear and uncertainty reflected in them. He knows that he has to make a decision, and fast. Would he give in to Vidyut's demands, or would he stand firm and risk everything?
Slowly Sujal turns to look towards Vidyut and asks him unwillingly,
"Kon hain tumhare dushman?"
Sujal and Kashish hold their breaths as they wait for Vidyut's reply.
Vidyut, staring them throughout, says,
"Swayam Shergil aur Akshat Shergil!"
That comes as a shock for Sujal and Kashish.
They exclaim in unison,
"Akshat?!"
Sujal and Kashish look towards each other briefly out of surprise upon taking Akshat's name together, before turning back to look towards Vidyut,
"Akshat se tumhari kya dushmani hai?",
asks Sujal, knitting his brows.
"Ye sochlo ke inn dono ki wajah se hi aaj main ek jeeta jaagta insaan na hokar, ek vampire hoon!",
says Vidyut, anger laced around his words.
Sujal and Kashish's eyes widen in shock as they stare at Vidyut, their minds reeling with the revelation.
"Unki wajah se?",
they ask in unison, their voices barely above a whisper.
Kashish's voice trembles with desperation as she asks,
"Akshat aisa kyun karega? Usey kya faida hoga isse? Uski tumse kya dushmani?"
Vidyut's expression turns cold, his eyes flashing with anger.
"Mujh par ek aise insaan ke khoon ka ilzaam tha jiska khoon maine kiya hi nahi tha,"
he says, his voice laced with venom.
"Uss mrit insaan ke gharwaalon ne mujh par case kar diya. Maine bohot koshish ki court mein apne aapko begunaah sabit karne ki magar uss Akshat Shergil ke paas jitne bhi saboot the sub mere khilaaf the."
Sujal and Kashish listen in stunned silence, their faces pale with shock.
"Lagbhaag do (2) mahine tak mera case chala.",
Vidyut continues.
"Aakhir tak main nirdosh saabit nahi ho paya. Mujhe ta-umr jail mein rehne ki saza hui.",
Vidyut's throat turns dry.
Kashish's voice is barely above a whisper as she asks,
"Phir?"
Vidyut's eyes clouds over, his voice dropping to a whisper.
"Main ye baat bardasht nahi kar paya. Jail mein deere dheere meri tabiyat bigadne lagi. Maine khana-peena bilkul chhorh diya tha. Kayi baar mujhe jail ke hospital mein admit karaya gaya."
Sujal and Kashish feel a pang of sympathy for Vidyut, despite the circumstances. They could see the pain and suffering in his eyes.
"Reh-rehkar bus yahi sochta ke kab mujhe iss jail ke salakhon se mukti milegi!",
Vidyut's voice rises in anger.
"Maine soch liya tha jaise hi main jail se niklunga subse pehle uss Swayam aur Akshat se badla loonga. Unhe unke kiye ki saza milkar rahegi!"
Sujal's and Kashish's hearts skip a beat as they hear Vidyut's words, filled with venom and hatred. They know that they have to be careful, or they might risk facing Vidyut's wrath. The air is thick with tension as they wait for Vidyut's next move.
...to be continued
