The siblings walked into the house, each step taken with caution. The house was dark and dusty, the eerie silence giving it a mysterious touch.

Madhav walked around, wide eyed, taking in the place. This was to be their home after all. He stated at each portrait and jumped at every little sound. He peeped into the nearest room. Painted in white, it had an ancient wardrobe, at a corner of the room, a few chests at the other end and an old timber cot. The ceiling was made of ancient tile and the floor was painted in black. There was a small window on the right wall of the room from the door. To the left corner, a few floor mats were kept slanding. Thankfully, the floor wasn't too dusty.

"We must clean the house." Madhav heard his sister's voice near his ear. He looked at her and nodded.

"Perhaps tomorrow. Or maybe after. We can stay here, it's not that bad." Madhav replied.

Medhavi nodded. They kept their bags on the cot and spread a mat on the floor, sitting on on it. The mat was long, long enough to for the two of them to lay.

"I never thought Uncle Adithya would have a house here. Even an unused one." He heard his sister speak. He merely hummed in response.

As the tiredness of the day slowly disappeared, and the adrenaline finally withered away, all the actions and events of the day came rushing in. The place was marvelous, but it wasn't home. He missed his mother, dear loving mother, will he ever see her again? He missed her words, her smile, even her scoldings. Will she not be filled with worry? Why did he choose to touch the cursed powder? Why did he follow the ball? Why did he give in to his curiosity? He missed his home, his friends, the fresh air. He wanted to forget all this as a good dream, and wake up in his room. What will he do now? What will life be like?

The thoughts were rushing in, surrounding him, suffocating him, filling him with worry. He did not know when his eyes started getting blurry. Tears sprung, each after the other, despite his attempts to blink them away.

He could see his sister too shaking towards his side. He slowly and gently pulled her into a hug. She gave him a watery smile, squeezing his hand tightly.

The Kaalakaat siblings held onto each other and sobbed, providing each other comfort. They might play a big role in the destiny tomorrow. They might have to make more sacrifices and perhaps this sacrifice was permanent. But for now, they were just children, separated from home due to their mistakes, trying to get rid of their helplessness through their tears. They slowly fell asleep, still holding onto each other. Tomorrow they might more ready to face the new chapter of their lives. But the hole left today, will take long to disappear.

I know it's a short chapter and sorry for the late update since I've been very busy lately but this seemed like a suitable end and I wanted their first day here to be fresh and new.