CHAPTER 62 The Rebirth of Neer and the Confluence of Tears
Margdarshak Vishrayan closed his eyes. Behind his eyelids, a deep peace spread, as if the stream of time had reversed and begun to flow backward. When he opened his eyes again, his voice carried the weight of centuries of memories.
Remember, Agni, Margdarshak voice had a strange echo, like an emerging resonance from ancient caves. Seven months ago, on that day of Akshansh and Vedika wedding in Nabhgadh. When we were floating on the waves of happiness, Andhak Void suddenly attacked us.
Agni body trembled involuntarily. That moment became fresh in his memory. Vedika red bridal saree soaked in blood. Akshansh screaming face. And that black strike moving straight toward his chest.
Margdarshak continued, To save you, Neer made a decision in a moment. He pushed you hard and came in front of that black strike himself. The force of the strike was so intense that Neer body fell into that deep, dark gorge of Nabhgadh. The same gorge from where no one had ever returned alive.
Everyones breathing stopped. Such silence fell in the air that even the sound of distant birds' wings flapping could be heard.
But, Margdarshak said, weighing each word, death was not his end.
Agni eyes widened. His hands instinctively joined. His fingers clenched so tight that his knuckles turned white.
As soon as Neer body hit the hard stone slab at the bottom of the gorge, Margdarshak continued, a calm wonder in his voice, the boon given by Mother Mayaangini awakened. Do you remember, Agni? Just as your body turns into a sphere of fire in times of crisis, similarly Neer was granted the boon that in mortal danger, his body would transform into a huge, impenetrable sphere of water.
Margdarshak raised his hand, palm upward. In the darkness of that gorge, Neer body did not perish. It became safe as water. Transformed into a huge sphere of water, it remained stable against the walls of the gorge. In that water, Neer consciousness, his memories, everything was preserved.
Hearing this, Agni was stunned. His lips began to tremble, streams of tears flowed from his eyes. First one by one, then without stopping. He kept looking at Margdarshak, as if there was some magic in his words.
So. So this means, Agni voice was broken, stuck in his throat. Margdarshak, tell me the truth. Is my Neer alive?
A faint, gentle smile appeared on Margdarshak lips. A smile that said everything. Yes, my son, Neer is alive. For seven months he has been with us in the form of water, then as Varunya.
Agni began to look around like a madman. His eyes moved across the field, scanning every face, finally stopping on the black veiled figure standing at a distance.
So where is he, Agni voice had the same old frenzy, but now filled with hope. Where is my Neer, Margdarshak. Tell me. My eyes are longing to see him. My soul is burning in his wait.
Margdarshak slowly turned his gaze and fixed it on Varunya. There was an order in his eyes, a permission.
Varunya, Margdarshak said in a calm voice, but his voice echoed in every corner of the field. Now the time has come. Reveal the truth. In front of everyone.
Silence fell in the field. Everyones eyes. Nirag, Akshansh, Anvay, Vedika, Aksh, Kalpit. Fixed on that mysterious black figure. The breeze also seemed to stop, as if nature too wanted to witness this scene.
Varunya bowed her head in front of Margdarshak. A deep, respectful bow. Then she slowly, with measured steps, moved toward Agni. With every step, Agni heartbeat grew faster. His chest was pounding, hands trembling.
She stopped right in front of Agni. Just three feet between them. Varunya joined her hands, then with trembling hands. As if she too was being pressed down by the weight of this moment. She held the black cloth tied on her face.
For a moment, time seemed to stop.
Then she pulled the cloth back.
As soon as the cloth came off, every person present stopped breathing.
That face.
That calm, gentle face, on which time had placed a few faint wrinkles, but the same divinity still remained. Those blue eyes with the depth of the ocean. The same eyes that were calm, but now had a new glow in them, a maturity. Light marks around the nose. The same gentle line of the lips.
Neer.
Only one word came from Agni throat. A word that came from the depths of his soul and dissolved into the air. He stepped forward, then stopped, as if afraid this dream would break.
Acharya, Akshansh, Vedika, Aksh, Kalpit, and Anvay all shouted together. Their voices filled with emotions, filled with wonder. They could not believe their eyes. One by one, their eyes filled up.
Pitashree. A whisper came from Nirag mouth. His body trembled, legs staggered. He hid his face in his hands, but his shoulders began to shake. He was crying.
Agni and Neer stood in front of each other. Only three feet apart, but that distance felt like seven months, seven ages. A flood of tears burst from Agni eyes. Hot, salty streams that carved marks on his cheeks and fell down. He could not speak, just kept looking at Neer. Looking into his eyes. Matching every part of his face with the face stored in his memory.
An uninterrupted stream of tears was also flowing from Neer eyes. Clear, blue water like tears that shone on his cheeks. He raised one hand, then stopped, as if he too could not bear the weight of this moment.
Neer, Agni said again, and this time his voice had the same old address. The same respect, the same love, the same belonging. He stepped forward, slowly, and held Neer shoulders. His fingers dug into Neer shoulders, as if confirming this was not a dream, this was reality.
You. Agni words were breaking. You were with me. All this time. And I. I could not even recognize you. Was I blind.
Neer said in a wet voice, a soft tremor in his voice. No, Agni, do not say that. You recognized me. Many times. Your soul called me.
He raised one hand and touched Agni face, wiping his tears. When I was healing your wounds, when I was sitting with you. You felt it. There was recognition in your eyes, a curiosity. But every time I had to distract you, because to defeat Andhak Void, my being dead was necessary. According to Margdarshak plan. I had to work in hiding.
Agni could not bear it anymore. He pulled Neer into his arms and held him tight. So tight that both their breaths stopped for a moment. Both friends, both brothers, crying in each other arms. Agni head was on Neer shoulder, Neer head on Agni shoulder. Their shoulders shaking, the sound of sobs echoing in the air.
This reunion was not just of two bodies. It was the union of fire and water. Two opposite elements incomplete without each other. The union of two halves of a soul that had been separated for seven months.
Just then a choked voice came from behind. Pitashree.
Neer separated from Agni embrace and looked back. Nirag stood there, ten steps away. His head was bowed, hands trembling, and his whole body seemed to shrink with guilt. His eyes were fixed on the ground, as if he could not gather the courage to face anyone.
Neer eyes filled with affection. A love that forgives everything, understands everything. His eyes softened, a gentle smile on his lips.
Come, my son, Neer said, a sweet urge in his voice. Why are you standing far away. Come to your father.
Nirag could not move from his spot. He stood there, his shoulders shaking even more. Tears were falling from his bowed chin to the ground, warm drops soaking into the dust.
Neer asked softly, What happened, my son. Are you angry with your father.
Nirag shook his head. A violent, negative motion. He fixed his gaze deeper into the ground. He was disgusted with himself. With those hands, that body, that soul that had struck his own father.
Neer spread his arms. Open arms, welcoming everything.
What happened, my son. Come to me.
Nirag composure broke.
He ran. Fast, without thinking, without stopping. Dust flew under his feet, and he went straight to Neer and fell at his feet. He grabbed Neer legs with his arms, head on the ground, and burst into tears.
Pitashree, forgive me. Nirag voice was broken, filled with crying. I struck you. I tried to kill you with my own hands. I am a sinner, Pitashree. I am not worthy of even hell. Give me death sentence. I am not worthy to be called your son.
Neer immediately bent down and lifted Nirag. He held his shoulders and made him stand, then hugged him tight. An embrace that contained all the love, all the forgiveness, all the affection.
Be calm, my son. Be calm, Neer said, stroking his head, running his fingers through his hair. It was not your fault. It was not you who was striking me, it was Andhak Void. All this was his doing. He had taken control of your body and mind. Now you are with me, and I am with you. Do not consider yourself guilty, my child. You are my son, and you will always remain my son.
Neer wiped Nirag tears with his hands. Gently, lovingly, as if touching a delicate flower. See, everything is alright. We are together. Now no one can separate you from us.
Then Neer eyes fell on another person standing at a distance, quietly shedding tears. Anvay. He was standing against a tree, one hand on the bark, the other trying to wipe his tears. But the tears would not stop. One after another, flowing down his cheeks.
Anvay, Neer called. My son, you also come to me.
Tears flowed from Anvay eyes. Tears of joy, tears of relief, tears of seven months of pressure. He ran and hugged Neer, so tight that Neer had to step back to keep his balance.
Acharya, you came back, Anvay voice was choked with crying, but there was a strange sweetness in it. You really came back. I never dreamed that.
Yes, my son, I have come, Neer said, stroking his back. Now I will take care of all of you. You will not have to struggle alone anymore.
Anvay sobbed, his voice muffled in Neer shoulder. Forgive me, Acharya. I could not free Nirag from that Andhak Void prison. I failed. I promised to protect him, but I.
Neer separated Anvay from himself and looked into his eyes. He gently wiped Anvay tears with his thumb. Wiping the tears flowing on his cheeks.
No, my son, do not say such things, Neer said, firmness in his voice. There is not even a trace of your fault in this. You did everything that an ideal disciple and a true friend should do.
He put his hand on Anvay shoulder. I know everything, Anvay. How you served Acharya Agni for the last six months. You worked day and night to heal him. You stayed awake at night, cleaned wounds, fed him, talked to him. I saw everything as Varunya, my son. What you did, I am proud of you. You have proved that you are not only a good warrior, but also a good person.
Anvay hugged Neer again, as if he had found the greatest comfort in the world. There was no longer that pain in his crying. Now there was relief. Peace.
Neer lifted his head and looked. Aksh, Kalpit, Akshansh, and Vedika. Everyone was watching him spellbound. Aksh eyes were red, Kalpit cheeks wet, Akshansh and Vedika holding each other hands, both faces filled with emotions.
Neer smiled. A smile that said everything. Do I have to invite all of you separately, he said. Come, everyone come. This is a family reunion, and all of you are part of this family.
Hearing this, everyone ran. Aksh came first, then Kalpit, then Akshansh and Vedika. They gathered around Neer, and formed a huge group hug. Everyone hugging everyone, crying, smiling. This was a family that had broken and come back together. Broken pieces forming a beautiful mosaic.
Far away, Margdarshak Vishrayan watched this scene. A satisfied smile on his face. The kind of smile that comes only when a teacher sees his disciples on the right path. His eyes were shining, and he nodded slowly, as if saying. Yes, this is what was meant to happen.
And Agni. Tears were still flowing from Agni eyes, but they were tears of joy. Pure, spotless tears of joy. He just kept looking at Neer, as if he had found his lost world back. The spark that had been extinguished for seven months had returned to his eyes. The same life, the same enthusiasm, the same strength.
Neer looked at Agni, and their eyes met. Without saying anything, without any gesture, they understood. The same old rhythm, the same old communication beyond words.
There was sweetness of tears in the air now, and somewhere in the distance, a cuckoo sweet voice was echoing. As if nature too was rejoicing at this reunion.
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