Chapter 8 The Vanishing Truth
The door to Sweet Dish restaurant swung open and a well dressed guard bowed in greeting. Welcome sir welcome madam.
Aarav Nayan and Karishma went inside and settled at a corner table. A waiter brought the menus.
Sir maam what would you like to order.
Aarav staring blankly at the table said I do not really feel like eating man. Something feels off.
Nayan looked at him. Bro have something at least.
Karishma told the waiter Bhaiya please bring three plates of vegetable noodles.
The waiter left. Karishma glanced at Aarav whose gaze was lost outside the window.
What is wrong Aarav. Is something bothering you.
No just feeling strange today. Like something is about to happen.
Nayan laughed. Bro watch fewer horror movies. You are getting jumpy.
Karishma and Nayan chuckled but no smile touched Aarav's face. Karishma looked at Nayan a question in her eyes. Nayan raised his eyebrows in response no idea.
Aarav look the noodles are here Nayan said.
The waiter placed three plates and left. Aarav picked up his fork but just twirled it in the noodles.
Seriously Aarav Karishma said softly. What happened. Tell us. Why are you sitting here so quiet.
Aarav suddenly looked up trying to force a smile. Hey I was just messing with you two seeing if you would even notice I was upset.
They all laughed but Aarav's laughter was strained a peculiar restlessness flickering in the corners of his eyes.
After eating paying the bill they stepped outside.
Alright guys I am heading off now. You take care Aarav said.
Yeah bro you take care too Nayan and Karishma said in unison.
Aarav returned to the hostel. Meanwhile on the other side of the city the flash of police lights illuminated a narrow lane. Inspector Abhi stood over an aged withered body its face deeply wrinkled yet clothed like a young man's.
This is the fifth such case in Mumbai Abhi said his voice tinged with exhaustion and anger. Where a young person's body suddenly turns ancient.
Prade a young constable spoke up. Sir something is wrong here. Something that makes these people old. Sir you do not think a Chhayagrasini (a witch like entity who drains age and life force) has come to our city.
Abhi snorted. Prade that stuff happens in stories and TV shows not in real life.
You are right sir but then who is doing all this.
Abhi scratched his chin. That is just it Prade I cannot figure it out. Because in every death the blood is not missing. The person is just aged. It is a weird case. Like some clever scientist's weapon that makes people old before their time. But how is that possible. Nothing makes sense.
Prade lowered his voice. Sir I have even heard that in the old days a Chhayagrasini (a witch like entity who drains age and life force) lived deep in these jungles one who did umr choosna (age draining). You do not think she is behind this.
Abhi's face turned stern. Shut up Prade. What kind of superstitious nonsense are you believing. Let us move. And do not ever talk like that again understood.
Prade fell silent. The constables loaded the body into an ambulance and the police vehicles drove away.
Hidden behind an Akshay Vriksh (immortal banyan tree) Kiyan listened to this entire exchange. A profound pain darkened his eyes. He turned and melted into the depths of the forest.
Aarav lay on his bed listening to music on his phone but his mind was not in it. He got up and went for a walk in the park opposite the hostel settling on a bench.
Just then a small puppy limped up to him one leg injured. Aarav's eyes fell on its paw it was bleeding.
Ah buddy Aarav said softly pulling a biscuit from his pocket. He fed the puppy but his gaze remained fixed on the wound.
He gently picked up the puppy. The wound was deep probably from a piece of glass. The poor thing was trembling.
Without thinking Aarav placed his thumb near the wound perhaps to wipe the blood away.
And then it happened again.
The moment his finger made contact the bleeding stopped. The edges of the wound began to knit together healing at an impossible speed. Within seconds the wound vanished entirely. The puppy's leg was perfectly healed as if nothing had ever happened.
Aarav's heart hammered against his ribs. He set the puppy down which now began to happily jump around. Aarav stumbled back then turned and sprinted towards his room.
He went straight to the washbasin and began scrubbing his hands furiously under the tap. Then he looked at his face in the mirror fear shock and deep confusion stared back.
What what is happening he whispered. First that flower now this puppy's leg what is all this.
He rubbed his eyes as if trying to wipe away a delusion.
Just then his phone rang.
He came out of the bathroom drying his hands. He picked up the phone. A notification a reply from his father.
He opened the message. Aarav there is nothing like what you read. Many people write such articles just for fame to stir up ordinary folks. I am perfectly fine. Do not worry son. Take care of yourself.
Aarav took a deep breath. Then he opened his laptop again and searched for Aagya Sangathan (the Aagya organization).
His breath caught.
That article was gone.
He searched repeatedly trying different keywords. But The Secret Explorer blog that article yielded nothing. As if it had never existed. It had been completely erased from the internet.
Aarav closed the laptop and buried his head in his hands. A cold gust of wind blew in through the window.
Outside across the street a car was parked. On its front grille was mounted a demon mask complete with two horns. Through the tinted windows a man was watching Aarav's room. His eyes glinted with a cold calculated light.
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