Chapter 36 The Shadow of the Golden Lotus
The Dark Hour of Night
The night was deep in Nirag chamber but this was not the peace of an ordinary night There was a cold shiver in the air that crept in through the edges of the window glass The curtains swayed lightly as if an invisible hand was patting them
Nirag lay on the bed but his sleep was restless His body trembled slightly An irregular pulse like shiver that rose from deep within the bones His fingers clutched the sheet so tightly that white marks had formed on the fabric
Just then something emerged from his body
It was not smoke It was like a deep black light that crawled out from his chest It undulated in the air and then began forming a shape Human like but crooked Like a distorted image seen in a mirror
That figure leaned over Nirag face It had no eyes but it seemed to be looking It paused for a moment and then a terrifying smile emerged on its forming and dissolving face The lips curled upwards A laughter that left no sound only coldness
Then it re entered Nirag body Slowly Like something sinking into black water
Nirag body stopped trembling He became completely still like a stone statue His breaths became deep and regular Too regular Too calm Unnaturally calm
Dawn A New Face
The first rays of the morning entered through the window and fell upon Nirag face He opened his eyes and sat up as if someone had woken him
He immediately looked towards the mirror The bronze mirror in the corner in which his reflection appeared blurry
Nirag smiled
This was not the smile that belonged to Nirag It was broad and slow filled with a satisfaction that felt deep and venomous He examined his face The cheeks The lips The faint circles under the eyes
Ah He whispered and his voice held a deep echoing tone After so many years I am seeing my true form
He looked into his own eyes in the mirror The red and blue eyes were not completely black now but they held a strange gleam Like a fire burning somewhere far away and its shadow flickering within them
Now the real game will begin
He walked out of his chamber smiling
The Encounter And a Worry
Outside in the courtyard Agni and Neer stood together The cool morning wind gently swayed their clothes Agni was saying something and his brows were slightly furrowed Neer was listening with his head bowed but his gaze was not on the ground It was lost somewhere in worry
Nirag gave a mysterious smile The same smile that was in the mirror And came to them
Pranam Pitashree Pranam Tauji
Agni and Neer turned towards Nirag There was a faint relief in Agni eyes as if he had been freed from some fear
Son you are awake Agni said and his voice carried a fake lightness We were thinking
Yes Nirag said and he nodded A fast mechanical nod I am awake
He walked away from there without saying anything else and his steps held a new firm pace
Neer kept watching him leave His brows furrowed slightly and a question emerged in his blue eyes
Agni Neer said softly and his voice held a strange tremor Did you notice something strange in Nirag He seemed How is that What happened
Agni cut Neer off raising a hand Neer you think too much There is nothing like that You are overthinking
Neer watched Nirag for a while He had now gone far away and disappeared into another part of the palace Then Neer shook his head A shake that held no conviction And he began walking away
Just then Nirag came back
Pitashree His voice held a strange eagerness Neer turned back
Akshansh wedding is happening Nirag said and there was a gentle understanding smile on his face The smile that used to be Nirag before We have all been invited there You both also come with me please He will feel good
Agni nodded but there was a worry in his eyes But who will take care of the kingdom son One of us must stay here
Neer spoke and his voice held the firmness of a decision It is alright If Nirag wishes then we will go Anyway Agni it is only a matter of a few days We will return soon
Agni looked into Neer eyes for a while In those blue eyes was an unshakable resolve that was impossible to break Then he nodded A heavy tired nod
Alright As you say Neer
Neer smiled A light gentle smile that stayed on his face for a moment
Agni said to Commander Karun Commander you will have to take care of the kingdom in our absence
Commander Karun folded his hands and said and his voice held a loyalty that was beyond words Maharaj be completely assured Do not worry You will find the kingdom exactly as you left it
Agni nodded yes but there was a worry in his eyes that words could not form
The Journey And the Inner Celebration
Agni and Neer went to their respective chambers to collect some essential items Nirag kept smiling and when they were far away he whispered
You both have so much faith in your friendship do you not Now that very friendship will become the reason for both your ends
He went to his chamber smiling to collect his belongings
A short while later all three came outside the palace The soldier had prepared the chariot A large gold studded chariot in which all three could sit comfortably
They sat in the chariot and it set out towards Nabhgadh
On the way all three kept talking about many things Agni was narrating tales of old wars and Neer would sometimes laugh A light memory filled laugh Nirag listened silently and sometimes nodded and sometimes asked a question
But deep inside Nirag was feeling happy That same smile was on his face and there was a gleam in his eyes The gleam that is in the eyes of a hunter when he approaches his prey
Nabhgadh The Reunion
On the other side Anvay had also handed over his kingdom to his Chief Minister Uncle and set out towards Nabhgadh
As soon as they reached Nabhgadh Nirag Agni Neer Anvay Aksh and Kalpit were welcomed Flowers were scattered in the courtyard of the Nabhgadh palace and the fragrance of celebration filled the air
Prince Aksh said and his eyes sparkled Why are you welcoming us We are practically residents of your own kingdom
Akshansh laughed An open friendly laugh You are my friends too
Everyone began to laugh Together A laughter that reminded of old friendship
The Turmeric Ceremony And a Glance
The next day was Akshansh turmeric ceremony The atmosphere of joy filled the entire palace Music was playing Women were singing And the sweet scent of turmeric and oil filled the air
Everyone was applying turmeric to Akshansh Neer gently applied turmeric paste on Akshansh cheeks and his eyes held a motherly tenderness Agni sprinkled turmeric on his head with a light smile
Nirag was also there He stood in a corner smiling But his smile was different from the others It was limited only to his lips and did not reach his eyes His eyes were watching everyone Neer Agni Anvay As if he was counting
Anvay looked at Nirag and gave a smile That same old friendly smile He gestured for him to come over
Nirag nodded A light formal nod And turned the other way
Anvay smile vanished His brows furrowed slightly and he watched Nirag He had now moved to another group and was talking to Aksh and Kalpit
Neer saw all this His blue eyes fixed on Nirag and then on Anvay He took a long slow breath
After a while Neer came to Nirag
Son Neer said and his voice held a faint worry Why are you not talking to Anvay He is your friend
Nirag smiled That same superficial smile Pitashree I am just meeting everyone I will talk to Anvay later
But you ignored his gesture Neer said and a firmness came into his voice
Nirag nodded a nod that held no remorse Pitashree this is a celebration I want to meet everyone Anvay will understand Anyway He smiled We have plenty of time
Neer looked at him A long deep gaze Then he nodded and walked away
Henna and Music Growing Concern
The next day was the henna ceremony Intricate designs were being made on Vedika hands and the women were singing songs
Nirag stood in the corner again This time his smile was even less He was just watching Everyone Everything
Anvay tried again He came to Nirag and said
Nirag what happened You have been distant from me for the past few days
Nirag looked at him A direct empty gaze Nothing Anvay Just busy
Busy Anvay voice held a hurt We are friends Nirag You cannot be busy with me
Nirag nodded and walked away without saying anything
Anvay stood there and there was a deep pain in his eyes Neer saw this scene He placed his hand on Anvay shoulder
He is fine Neer said but his voice held no conviction Just a little different these days
Anvay nodded but there was a question in his eyes that remained unasked
The music ceremony took place in the evening A stage was set up in the palace garden and dancing was taking place Neer and Agni sat together sometimes talking and sometimes listening to the music in silence
Nirag stood alone under a tree His eyes were fixed on Neer A sharp deep gaze that held something Something that words could not carry
The Wedding Day An Announcement
The wedding day arrived The entire Nabhgadh was decorated with blooming flowers and colorful lights There was fragrance in the air and everyone was happy
In the evening after the wedding the dancing began Everyone was dancing Akshansh and Vedika Aksh and Kalpit Anvay Neer and Agni too
Nirag stood alone in the corner He was watching everyone Especially Neer who was dancing with a light smile and his blue robes fluttered in the wind
Anvay Aksh and Kalpit were in a group laughing and talking Agni sat on a chair with a faint smile on his face and his eyes were watching Neer who stood a little distance away
Neer was at the edge of the stage His blue robes shimmered faintly in the moonlight as if he had draped the ocean night over his body He was smiling lightly but his eyes Those deep blue eyes Were somewhere else Somewhere far away Lost in some worry
Nirag stood in the farthest corner of the garden in the shadow of an old Banyan tree The light there was dim and his figure appeared blurry in the darkness His eyes were scanning the entire garden Noting every face Every smile Every moving body
The music grew louder People began dancing with more enthusiasm Akshansh grabbed Vedika hand and spun her and her veil spread in the wind like a colorful cloud Women were clapping and men were laughing This wave of joy was so strong that no separate sound could be heard
Nirag lips moved
He spoke very softly so softly that the words faded before dissolving into the air
Dance Neer
His voice was no more than a breath The leaves of the tree rustled faintly as if the wind had touched them
This is your last sight
No one heard The music was loud The beat of the drum The notes of the sitar The thunder of applause Anvay was laughing Aksh was trying to make Kalpit dance
Nirag eyes gleamed For a moment that same black flash that belonged to Andhak Void ran through them Then they returned to normal
Because tomorrow
He whispered and this time his voice held a venomous sweetness
Your end will come
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