CHAPTER 63 Tears, Laughter, and an Old Promise
The battlefield had now become calm, but this calm was not of dead silence. Where just moments ago death had danced, where the earth was soaked in blood and screams echoed in the air. There now the slow beats of life could be heard. The groans of the wounded, the tired breaths of soldiers, and somewhere in the distance, a bird sweet voice signaling the end of war.
Agni was still looking at Neer as if a child who had found his lost toy was afraid to let it go. His eyes were fixed on Neer face. Every moment, every posture, every expression trying to capture in his memory. Sometimes he would look into Neer eyes, sometimes admire his smile, sometimes watch his chest rise and fall. As if verifying that Neer was really breathing, really alive.
Neer was smiling. The same old gentle smile that melted Agni anger in a moment. Faint wrinkles at the corners of his eyes deepened with the smile.
Stop it, Agni, Neer said, laughing, giving a light pat on Agni back. Are you going to drink me with your eyes now? I am really here. And I am not going anywhere. I am in front of you. With you.
He pressed Agni shoulder. A friendly, casual touch that erased seven months of distance in a moment. Your eyes have turned red. People will think I hit you.
Agni quickly wiped his tears. With a strange hesitation, as if caught doing something wrong. He tried to return to his old stiffness. Shoulders straight, head high, trying to bring a fake seriousness on his face.
I. I was not crying, Agni said, annoyed, his voice having the same old frustration. Smoke ash got in my eyes. War smoke. You know. And you.
He raised his finger toward Neer, a dramatic gesture. You. You made me look like a fool. You stayed with me as Varunya and did not let me know. Talked to me, cleaned my wounds, gave me medicine. And I kept thanking you like a fool.
A spark of mischief lit up in Neer eyes. The same spark that used to drive Agni crazy. He tilted his head slightly, making an innocent pose.
Agni, Neer said softly, as if telling a secret, making you look like a fool is the easiest thing in the world. It is an art, and I am its master.
He walked a few steps and sat on a stone, gesturing for Agni to keep looking at him. Remember when I gave you that herbal decoction as Varunya? That green brown, bitter decoction that made you make a face as soon as you drank it.
Agni brows tensed, a bad memory becoming fresh.
Neer continued, a suppressed laugh in his voice. And what did you say? Ah, this is exactly as bitter as Neer hand, you said, and handed me the whole cup. I had to hold my breath to stop laughing. I thought if you found out, you would drink me yourself.
Akshansh and Anvay, who were standing nearby and listening to this conversation, could not hold their laughter. A suppressed chuckle escaped, then a loud laugh. Akshansh covered his mouth with his hand, but his shoulders were shaking. Anvay turned his head away, but his lips were smiling.
Agni face turned red with embarrassment. A deep red that spread to his neck. You. You were all listening, he said, a mix of annoyance and embarrassment in his voice. And that. When I was muttering at night.
He stopped and took a deep breath, as if remembering was painful. That when I was saying things like if Neer were here he would do this, if Neer were here he would do that. And then also when I.
Yes, Neer said with pleasure, his eyes sparkling. And also when you were crying and saying, without Neer my life is a dry tree, a river without water, a charcoal without fire. I heard everything, Agni. Every word. And believe me, you look very bad when you cry. Your voice gets cracked, and you sniffle like a child.
Shut up, Agni said, annoyed, covering his ears with his hands, a childish gesture. I never said anything like that. You are lying.
But the next moment, all his annoyance disappeared. He lowered his hands and looked at Neer. A long, deep gaze in which all the love, all the pain, all the relief was contained. He stepped forward and hugged Neer again. This time tighter, and for longer.
Never do this again, Agni whispered, his voice near Neer ear. Never hide from me like this. Never leave me. Whatever happens. Promise me.
Neer closed his eyes. He stroked Agni back, a calm, comforting touch. I promise, he said softly, stressing every word. Never again. From now on we will be together. In every battle, in every war, in every peace. I promise.
Just then Nirag, who had been watching his father spellbound until now, absorbing every move, every smile, every word into his heart, slowly stepped forward. His steps were uncertain, hands trembling. He lowered his eyes, then raised them.
Pitashree, Nirag voice was slow, full of hesitation. Can I. Can I bring you water? Quench your thirst.
Neer turned and looked at his son. There was still hesitation in Nirag eyes, a deep uncertainty reflected in every expression. He stood like a criminal. Head bowed, shoulders hunched, hands behind his back.
Water, Neer smiled, a special softness coming into his voice. My son, I am the embodiment of water itself. Every molecule of my body is water, my soul is a river, my existence is an ocean. I do not feel thirst.
Nirag face wilted. He lowered his head, as if he had failed at something big.
But Neer stepped forward. He took Nirag hand and pulled him toward him. But yes, he said, and this time there was seriousness in his voice. If you pour it with your own hands, I would drink even poison. Water from your hands will be nectar. Your service will be the greatest gift for me.
A spark lit up in Nirag eyes. A spark that had been dim for seven months. Hope bloomed on his face, trust returned. He nodded his head. A vigorous, enthusiastic motion.
He ran. Dust flew under his feet, a childlike excitement in his long run. He went to his water skin hanging from a tree. The same water skin he always carried, even if he was not thirsty. He opened the skin, filled a bowl, and ran back.
Neer took the bowl. He first looked at the water. Clear, sparkling water in which the reflection of the sky was visible. Then he put the bowl to his lips and slowly drank the water. With every sip, his eyes closed, as if he was not just drinking water, but his son love.
When the bowl was empty, Neer returned it to Nirag. Then he stepped forward and placed his hand on Nirag head. A gentle, blessing touch.
Thank you, my son, Neer said. This water was the sweetest water of my life.
Anvay, Agni suddenly called, as if remembering something. Why are you standing there. Come here. Today forget guru disciple tradition. Today there is no guru, no disciple. Today we are just a family. No king, no prince, no warrior. Just a family that met again after breaking apart.
Anvay, who had been watching all this standing against a tree, came closer smiling. There was a calm satisfaction on his face, as if a long standing pain had finally quieted down.
The four. Agni, Neer, Nirag, and Anvay. Sat in a circle. Agni and Neer on one side, Nirag and Anvay on the other. The field between them was still full of war marks, but the small circle around them looked like an island. An island of peace, an island of love.
The soldiers and others around were also watching this scene. Vedika stood with Akshansh, her head resting on Akshansh shoulder. Aksh and Kalpit sat on a stone, tiredness on their faces, but peace in their eyes. Margdarshak Vishrayan stood at a distance, eyes closed and a faint smile on his lips.
So, Agni leaned toward Neer and asked, a new enthusiasm in his voice. Now what next. Varunya drama is over. Now will you return as Neer, or do I have to solve another puzzle. A new form. A new name.
Neer looked at the sky. The clouds were clearing. Those black, heavy clouds that had covered the sky for hours were now dispersing. Between them, the sun rays were coming out, a golden sunlight falling on the field. This sunlight was not hot. A soft, pleasant warmth balancing the cold air.
For now, Neer said with relief, closing his eyes and lifting his face toward the sun rays, we will just live. We will laugh. We will be together.
He opened his eyes and looked at Agni, a challenging smile. And I will defeat you again in sword fighting, like before. Remember that day when I laid you on the ground seven times. And you were swearing that next time.
Stop dreaming, Agni laughed, but a spark of competition lit up in his eyes. Now I am not that old Agni who used to fall for your tricks. Now I have experience of the void. I have experienced what it is like when everything ends, when the soul drowns in darkness. That experience has changed me.
And I have Varunya tricks, Neer replied, his eyes sparkling. I have learned new techniques in seven months of living in a different form. New strategies. I know all your weaknesses, and now I know how to attack them.
We will see, Agni said, clenching his fist. Once I am fully healed, we will have a duel. And this time, I will win.
You always say that, Neer joked. And always lose.
Nirag and Anvay looked at each other and smiled. This old fight, this old competition. It all felt familiar. It was the return of normalcy. It was the return of life.
They knew this peace might not last forever. They knew dangers still existed. The curse of Andhak Void was not completely broken. Threats from other kingdoms remained. And Nirag internal battle was not fully won yet.
But today. Today was their day. Today they had found each other again. Today they had found hope again. And sometimes, hope is the greatest weapon.
Somewhere in the distance, a breeze created a strange rustle. A sign that something was changing in nature. Leaves of trees moved in a special way, a flock of birds suddenly flew away, and the direction of the wind changed.
It could be a warning. A sign that this peace is temporary. A reminder that battles are still to be fought.
But for now, that sound was drowned by bursts of laughter. Agni loud laugh, Neer sweet laugh, Nirag and Anvay suppressed voices. All together creating a music that was more powerful than the rustle of the wind.
Because today, love had conquered fear. Today, hope had defeated despair. And today, a family had found itself again. From broken pieces, but still whole.
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