by Namita Singh
“In fact, I never pondered afterwards over why my maturation had taken so much time.”
“Now you know.” Neal replies. “Apparently, to sense my aura at a level that will classify me as your partner, your senses need to be far more sensitive than that of normal therians.”
“All because of the unhealthily diluvian amounts of energy in your aura.”
Neal scoffs quietly but doesn’t comment. We fall into a comfortable silence, though we are not meeting eyes. Neal’s hand is still wrapped around my wrist. I don’t know if he is intentionally keeping the hold or he is not paying much attention to it anymore. Either way, I am glad, as I sit back, quietly sighing and reveling in the pleasant thumping sensations humming through my body cells. I’ll have my life set if every day is to be like this, spent in peaceful, idyllic oblivion. But everything, good or bad, comes to an end.
“Um, Guys?”
“Holy shit.” I curse at the unexpected voice and sight.
“God, give a heads up before you show up next time.” Neal exclaims,as much startled as I.
Aakir hardly looks apologetic, as he nods somberly, thrusting his fluxed paw in the pocket of his trousers. Having appeared on the other side of the bed, he moves to stand right beside me, gesturing at my injured arm, “You’re up and about.” He comments.
I shrug slightly, “I am sure you believed that I would survive.” I say dryly, actually pleased to see Aakir here.
Aakir simply hums, his eyes diverting from my face. He looks solemn, making me wonder what has him so glum. Aakir’s eyes abruptly stop at a spot, his tall figure instantly going rigid, though his face hardly expresses anything except for the same glumness. Someone who may not know Aakir as well as I do will probably miss the sudden freezing of his posture. But I notice. Confusingly, I follow his line of vision, to know what has him distracted. Only, I find my eyes falling on my left hand, lying limply, the wrist of which is carefully, yet firmly, wrapped in Neal’s hand.
Wonderful.
24.Kissing Or Tricking
“Um,” Aakir begins, facing difficulty in tearing his gaze away from mine and Neal’s hand. His gaze and inept posture goes on for enough long duration to bring it to Neal’s notice. Neal realizes the reason behind Aakir’s muteness. As casually as he can, he loosens his hold on my wrist. A protest falls on my lips as I already feel the brimming sensation notch down a bit, but I bite my tongue to keep it at bay. Following his casual movement, Neal steals his hand away as nonchalantly as possible. He continues to casually raise his arms and fold them across his chest, his blank expressions suggesting that he is finding nothing amiss in the situation. Though, his neck which has started to flush doesn’t go amiss by me. By the looks of it, it doesn’t go amiss by Aakir either.
“What’s happening at the mansion?” Neal asks Aakir, acting as casual as he can. I am in no doubt that he wants the attention to be diverted away from him, preferably to something of great importance at this moment.
“Nothing good.” Aakir replies, finally tearing his suspicious eyes away from us. “The council is being an imperial bunch. They are keeping tabs on Mikhail uncle and they’re not being subtle about it. They have also somehow learned that Nik uncle is returning and they have started to prepare for the onslaught.”
And just like that, whatever is left of my good mood slips away from me. It’s astonishing that for a few minutes I had completely forgotten about the issue looming on our heads. Considering I was putty in Neal’s hands, literally, I am not going to blame myself on this one. I instead focus on the inevitable, unfortunate scenario that we are trapped in. Aakir looks glum, and his words are even glummer. I don’t know what can be more alarming to me right at this moment.
Neal heavily sighs making us look at him, “Maybe we should consider only me going back.”
“No.” I and Aakir instantly reply, making Neal glare at us.
I turn towards Aakir, ignoring Neal, “Is father going to face a lot of problem? What about Mikhail? They are not ill-treating him, are they?” I ask.
Aakir hesitates, “Literally, no. The council hasgiven an ultimatum of ten days to Mikhail. They have ordered him to ensure that you and Nik uncle, and Neal, return back. Ten days, obviously for the journey, else they would have demanded your presence much earlier than even today. The council will probably not take any harsh action against Mikhail till then.”
“All the more reason for me to go back.” Neal says. “I don’t think any issue will be solved till I don’t return.”
I glare at Neal. “Stop being a martyr.”
Neal glares back while Aakir gives me a dry look.
Aakir turns to Neal, “Neal, no. Mikhail uncle is staying amidst all the tension.He knows how to handle the council. And Nik uncle will be there within eight days now. They are willingly facing all the tension, just so you two remain out of trouble.” Aakir says, darting his eyes from Neal to I. “You both cannot go and jump in there.”
“I don’t see anything coming out of that decision.” Neal rolls his eyes.
“Neither do I.” I hesitate, my vacillating thoughts torn between the idea of my family stuck amongst those mongrels and the prospect of Neal being in their claws.
Neal heaves a sigh again, biting his inner cheek as he considers speaking, “You guys do remember how some of the council members treated your family that first day, right? I don’t expect them to be kind to your father and grandfather.” He gives me a meaningful stare.
With my mind completely torn, I curse by getting affected by Neal’s words. I try to assure myself that my elders are far more knowledgeable than us; far more experienced, far wiser to have taken the decision to keep us out of the loop. They are acting pragmatically by keeping Neal out. To think with heart, I feel helpless to realize that the situation doesn’t go in my favor either ways. One side my father balances while on the other Neal. I don’t want to think of this as a choice.
Aakir spares me the need to reply to Neal by speaking first.
“That’s precisely the reason why Uncle Nik wants you guys to stay away.” Aakir says.
I close my eyes, feeling exasperated, rubbing my left hand on my face.My confused thoughts dominate. Our presence in the mansion will definitely divert the attention from father and Mikhail. But their sole attention will get aimed at Neal, something I am not comfortable about either. Neal isn’t all preppy and flowery since his return from the Ninth Occultist; and I can bet that he will not be keen to be in the grasp of another Occultist. He may not have yet put into words regarding how disturbing the event has been for him but it’s something that I can easily guess from the slight twitchy personality he has seemed to gain. I don’t understand Neal’s fervent intention of returning back because for sure he must have realized that going back makes him to be in a vulnerable spot. But not going back means our elders facing those Occultists instead of Neal.
“I am not comfortable with the idea of father being there.” I voice my worry, hating how doubtful I sound.
“None of us are.” Aakir says, exasperation clear in his voice at me having double thoughts. “But take comfort in the fact that he will not be alone. Mikhail uncle is already there and I’ll be there. The council saw me too. And now it is sort of keeping an eye on both Uncle Mikhail and I. But I am able to come here, so be assured that they are not being complete pricks. They just want you guys back, so they can throw you in front of the occultists on the eleventh day from now. The Occultists will approach their Realm then. Nik and Mikhail uncle are staying in contact and formulating on how to handle the situation. I am sure they’ll come up with something.”
Aakir doesn’t sound very hopeful, but I don’t point that out.
“Do they know what to expect from the Occultists? And is every Occultist going to be there?” Neal asks, not looking happy at his request being dismissed.
Aakir hesitates, “Most probably all will be there. And the procedure may be similar to a normal grievance issue…but on a much larger scale.”
The only
thing revolving in my head is Jermaine’s, sort of, execution by the Occultist. The whole scene doesn’t set well with me.
“You mean…” Neal says, “like a court case?”
“Yes.” Aakir nods, “But they’ll be quick, almost spontaneous with their decisions. And oh,” he rolls his eyes, “there wouldn’t be any jury of course.”
“Of course.” Neal mutters, looking more unsettled than me.
Somehow, the description assures me that the decision to keep Neal away would be a wise one. If Neal goes, that will end the story. My father, howsoever I don’t like the idea of him facing the occultist, can somehow manage to divert the situation by hook or crook.
Also, I’m just plain afraid for Neal. And more upset at the idea of me being devoid of his aura my whole life.
“But that is not something you both should be worrying about.” Aakir says.
I hum sarcastically, at loss for words.
“I am serious.” Aakir snaps, making me look at him. “Nik uncle will handle the situation somehow. I haven’t come here for your whining. You both don’t have to return to Krasnoyarsk, but you definitely have to leave Dudinka.”
Neal and I frown at Aakir.
“I overheard some members of the council talking about this whole issue. I was in my astral form, so they obviously didn’t realize they are being eavesdropped upon. I heard them discussing about some of the men dispatched