When one-sided, it may be an illusion,

But on the same boat, it is a secret, love weaving a connection

****

Maya had never before felt the exceptional fear that clawed at her lion-hearted spirit. The fact that she was the next target of Lucifer, or that he was still running free made her stomach twist into a knot– either or both hampered the harmony.

Yes, he. She sniffed it. It was a man. And she could be killed. There was a chance that she wouldn't meet her parents again.

She was still unable to come to terms with what her heart whispered as the suspect. The latest signal came last day when she ran away from the library. But her mind also asked her to be cautious– there was another too, equally capable of committing cold-blooded murder.

She wished sometimes she had never come here in the first place. She could have fought against fate. She could have–

"But it was predestined. It was inevitable. I cannot escape this quicksand."

After having her breakfast despite not having any appetite, she went out to get some fresh air. Sometimes she wondered if she should just buy a ticket and run back to Calcutta.

"But the paranormal will pull me back. It will find a way to get to me."

Maybe it already has. Maybe I have been bewitched. Yet, an illusion is not ever-lasting.

She saw the market was bubbling with the chitter-chatter of the crowd and the devoted trade of merchants. This was where she actually had the very first date of her life with Hrishav. It would now remain as an unforgettable memory.

The sweat gliding down her forehead fell into her eyes, the salty prick igniting a burning sensation. She rubbed her eyes, wiping the little tear too that trickled along.

"Maya!"

She bumped into an unexpected acquaintance. The fatigue of her soul made smiling a hard struggle, but Maya tried to put up a good front to mask her withering strength. Whether she wanted to or not, she had to get to the root of this.

"Nice to see you, Shashi. Out for marketing?"

"Yes! Choto Babu is in the temple and Sundar Babu has gone out for a stroll. So I am out to get the necessities."

Maya gave her company. Shashi, as Maya had concluded after their two meetings from before, was very talkative and easy to extract information from. She also gossiped as cheerfully as a child would lick candy.

"From what I heard, Hrishav lost his mother at a young age. It must have been very difficult for him. Sundar was even more younger then right?"

"Yes memsaheb. You are right. Choto Babu's mother was the only one who protected him. His father didn't love him much."

Maya had caught the fish in the hook. "Is it because of his love for religion and spirituality?"

"Yes! Choto Babu, I mean Hrishav, being the eldest son was of course the favourite of the house. But after his grandpa died, things deteriorated. His father noticed his growing interest in the gods and mysticism, which he detested. Babu's mother tried to safeguard him, but relationships got strained. Choto Babu soon drifted away from his parents. He would spend time alone with his idols and his grandpa's books on what, in his father's words, opposed science and promoted superstitious behaviour."

"And Sundar Babu?"

"He followed his father's footsteps. Though, even he fell out of favour."

"Why?"

"He chose to go into fashion designing. His father wanted him to go for something more practical and less dreamy. Choto Babu stood beside his brother and supported him in pursuing his dreams. The brothers have always watched out for each other!"

"They must be inseparable," Maya mused.

"Indeed they are. But the real darling of the house is Didimoni. You know, when she was born, her mother died. The young boys were left without a warm lap. But Bade Babu had been a man of modern India– he didn't blame the baby girl of killing her mother. Instead, he took her in his arms and named her after his wife, Devika."

"Oh my god! I didn't know this."

"It was a heartfelt moment. I still remember how he cradled Didimoni with wet eyes. Bade Babu used to say that he saw his wife's image in his daughter, and could never hate her." Shashi sighed. "If only he saw the fruit of love in the souls of his two boys, things would have been better."

Some things got clearer in Maya's mind, while some things blurred even further. So, she decided to take a different road. "It's so sad that Hrishav's life is still haunted by misfortune. His priesthood is being questioned."

"Choto Babu has always been too good and people take advantage of that. He has been very kind to us servants and took good care of his family. He may not be the real breadwinner, but he's the pride of the house."

"People have no hearts. They go as far as questioning Kalika herself. You know, the police wanted to break the temple premises. I understand they wanted to search for it, but why break!"

"No! Who told you this? They never made such a demand."

Maya squinted. "They didn't?"

"It's right that they wanted to search the temple premises, but they never wanted to break it. People here respect Kalika like no one else. Even Sundar Babu, who's an atheist, takes part in the celebration of Kali Puja."

"Then why weren't they allowed to do a search?"

"Simple– it would associate ugly connotations to the temple. Choto Babu, as the head priest, decided that no search would be allowed."

Liar. Liar. Liar.

"I have to go, Shashi. Thank you for sharing."

Before the maid could properly greet her before leaving, Maya strode off in the direction her eyes pointed.

The sun was at the highest, heating up the cool waters of the pond in front of which Maya found refuge. Hot streams rushed out of beautiful eyes. Maya's lips curled like a paper being consumed little by little by flames. She bit on her lips hard enough to draw blood. Her nails dig into her palms as she clenched them. A pair of ducks swum together in the pond, grooming each other by combing the feathers with beaks. Maya knew the feeling it created was a far away dream.

"Getting some fresh air? You would find it everywhere here, the tendrils of citylife haven't touched its shores."

Maya wiped her tears and turned back. "I met Shashi on the way. She told me you were out on a walk too."

Sundar Babu came and stood beside her. "Even if I have grown up mostly in cities and dream of making Devipuram developed, I believe sacrificing nature and green isn't a compulsory consequence of urbanisation. It is rather a lack of empathy."

Maya didn't have the desire to nourish a philosophical conversation. She was plagued by the recent discovery and those that had preceded it. "I won't beat around the bush," she said, remembering Sahiba. "I want to know why you have been alien towards me."

Sundar Babu's pupils widened. He hesitated to speak. "I-I am a protective person. I have always been so. And I don't want you to, intentionally or unintentionally, destroy what I have begun."

"What have you begun?"

"In case you are wondering if I am the murderer, let me tell you I am not."

"I didn't mention–"

"You implied it. I am wise enough to understand."

"If not murder, then what is your motive?"

Sundar Babu turned his back towards her and lowered his head. "I cannot tell you. I cannot tell anyone."

"You know very well that I might know everything. I just seek confirmation. For your own good."

"You wouldn't understand. No one will..." Sundar's blue eyes became glassy. "What-what have you deduced?"

"You cannot yourself go to the slums in fear of your reputation being sabotaged. And of course, Rahul is a good pawn. He will obey you in exchange of money and also, him being Sahiba's uncle, there's no problem in the thought that he helps her financially. So his visit will not gain much attention." Maya walked around to face him. "But someone had probably lost their patience."

Sundar Babu kept mum.

"I am not going to share every detail with you," Maya said. "It's too risky, and you should know it if you are really not the murderer." Convinced that it was futile to push him to make a confession, she began walking away.

"Maya, wait."

For the first time today Maya smiled.

"Wi-will Sahiba be safe?"

"As far as I have got to know her, she is capable of ensuring her safety."

He blazed like a sudden burst of scarlet-hued colours and fire, seeing red everywhere."It's ridiculous! She's not even eighteen. How can–"

"I will give my best and see to it that she remains unscarred."

Sundar Babu's eyes closed half akin to Shiva. Moments before he had been boiling; now, he was a dormant volcano. "If you need any help, I will be there. Ju-just don't–"

"I will not tell anyone what I know. But Sundar, love isn't a sin. If you really love her, don't be afraid to showcase it. Though..."

Sundar's heart pumped faster than ever. He held onto the reins of his wild emotions. He whispered, "Though?"

"Though if the challenge is her own heart, I can only wish you luck."

Sundar sealed his lips in a line which reminded Maya of Hrishav's mysterious smile. The brothers did have some similar features.

"One day, one day..." Sundar sang to himself, heading home with a heavy heart.