3. Dubious Guests

Mumbai

Savyasachi Agnihotri.

The name sounded familiar, yet I could not recollect where I had heard about him. I stared at the earthy-skinned man at my doorstep. His coppery eyes looked at my dark ones expectantly while I examined him and the lady with him.

She was the prettiest woman I had ever laid my eyes upon. Her midnight black skin was flawless. Her electric blue hair was tied into a neat fish braid that sat on her shoulder facing the front and accessorised with jasmines that complemented her teal silk saree with golden embroidery that she paired with gold jewellery. Ethereal.

Her emerald-hued eyes hypnotised me with her unparalleled charm. It was as if she read my soul despite my guarded self.

'Who's at the door?' Vayu's voice broke the hypnotised eye lock the midnight-skinned woman and I shared.

'Do you know him, jaan?' I asked, clearing my throat and turning in the direction Vayu walked as he adjusted his white t-shirt and straightened the creases.

'Savyasachi! Long time no see, man,' Vayu excitedly embraced Savyasachi in a friendly hug and blinked in assurance as our eyes met. 'Come on in,' he ushered the guests inside.

We seated the guests on the sofa. Vayu conversed with Savyasachi and his companion while I offered to prepare coffee and snacks.

'Didi, would you mind if I join you?' Savyasachi's companion asked as the men seemed to share a look between themselves.

I guess they wanted to talk. What about? I did not know, but I knew they needed their space.

'Yes.'

Savyasachi. Why did the name seem so familiar? It was as if he was my own heart, and surprisingly, I met him only today at the doorstep. I did not know what charm the man held, but I craved to learn more about him.

He was the kind of person who piqued your interest just by looking at you. There was something about him—something intriguing and unexplainable. I did not know what it was, but it was just that my heart and soul wanted more of him and his company. Maybe he had answers to the innumerable questions I had. I would never know until that moment came.

For now, I tried to put my feelings and thoughts at the back of my head and focus on the present.

The emerald-eyed woman walked side by side to the kitchen, which was just a few steps away from the living room. I reminded myself that I had to keep her company and play the good host.

'I'm sorry, I forgot to ask your name,' I awkwardly asked the woman's name, and she chuckled.

Her voice is so melodious and beautiful.

Beautiful. Beautiful is the word to describe this woman. Why am I crushing on her so much? She's supposed to be the companion - no, wife of Savyasachi, right? I had to beat myself to sanity as I noticed the nuptial chain on her neck that was almost invisible till now, at least to my inobservant self.

'Oh, don't be,' she laughed, and I took the saucepans from the cabinets. 'It's Diya, by the way. Diya Agnihotri, his wife,' Diya added and pointed to Savyasachi, who was speaking with my husband.

'A pretty name for a pretty lady,' I smiled at her as I portioned the coffee decoction for the four of us. 'And if you don't mind...' I hesitated a little as Diya raised a brow at me.

'Speak your mind,' Diya encouraged, ' I know a lot has been going on in that brain of yours,' she smiled.

A smile that said I know what you're thinking, but spill the tea, babe. It's more fun when the tea is shared.

'He's trapped in a mystical town?' I asked as I  almost eavesdropped on Vayu and Savyasachi's conversation while serving coffee.

Vayu's expression was concerned, and Savyasachi's was unreadable. I glanced at Diya, whose expression mirrored that of her husband.

Three weeks from now, a man and woman shall come. Trust them like you trust Dadda.

A man and woman. Three weeks.

Answer to Dadda's letter?

The people Dadda trusted were here.

Tears welled up in my eyes. I barely knew how to react and swallowed the tears. Now was not the time to be vulnerable. I needed answers. Answers to the gazillion unanswered questions. I almost sank into my seat next to Vayu, staring at Savyasachi and Diya expectantly.

' You said he's stuck in a mystical town.' My tears threatened to betray me. I steeled all the strength within myself, and my heartbeats quickened. Vayu squeezed my hands in assurance, perhaps - I don't even know; all I knew was he was with me as answers were to be given. 

'Your real hometown, not just a mystical town - ' Savyasachi said.

What was he even blabbering about? Did he know he was talking about my father and not a random person? Why was he bluffing? All the intrigue I had for him died and was replaced with anger. I did not know I held this rage within me until he called that place my own. 

Never. That mystical town can never be my hometown. That town is the one that has held my Dadda captive and is now a place I loathe. I loathe the town whose name I don't even know. My home is here. Mumbai is my home. Vayu is my home. Krishika and Kairav are my home. This - my present is my home, not a town I have never heard about.

'No!' - my eyes were red as I finally could muster up his claims - 'You can't just pop up one day, claim to know my husband and then claim I don't belong in my present. This is blasphemous!'

My anger shot through the roof. I can't, I just can not.

' If you truly want to fulfil your promise, leave your life behind and follow us. It's not an easy path, but I can assure you I will always stand by you and be righteous. This is Dhananjay's promise, Princess Archana.' Savyasachi was unfazed by my outburst; I could only stare at him.

Princess Archana?

Respect and subservience were evident in his tone.

I now glanced at Diya, who was unusually calm. There was no tension on her features, which surprised me. This woman was a maze I would never be able to solve.

'Please remember your father's words. He meant every word in that letter. You need to trust us. To leave behind everything is difficult, but it's for everyone, please,' Diya requested, kneeling down to my height as her palms caressed mine tenderly.

I felt myself being swayed by her words. They felt genuine. To do what the couple said felt right but a part of me was sceptic, dubious about their intent and them.

'Leave everything behind. Do you realise what you're saying, Diya? Leaving behind my family is out of question. I have children too, how am I supposed to leave them behind and be selfish?' I almost screamed and felt Vayu holding me back before I did something foolish and regret later on.

'You were ready to sacrifice yourself for your father weren't you?' Diya asked leaving me stumped and continued, ' You may not realise the power you hold on this world, but we are here to guide you. And as for the kids, I'm sure you trust your husband with them. I promise you will be able to return to them at the end of this.'

' I need time to process all of this. It's too much...' I barely whispered wanting sometime alone.

' Take your time, Princess,' Savyasachi and Diya assured together as I made my way to my room.

There goes the third chapter!!!

Everything looks so suspicious, well the story has just begun. I'm sure you guys are able to start joining the dots.

I hope this was enjoyable. Let me know your views through your precious votes and comments.

Until then take care and see you guys in the next chapter.

Love Siya.