3rd October

The weather was gloomy since morning. Both outside and inside the Isha mansion. Today was Maha Navami, the last day of Devi Aradhana (worshipping). So, it was special than all the other days. Although, all days of Durga Puja were equally important, Navami was extra special. Because, after this day, Devi would return to her husband's place, to Kailash and everyone would be waiting for a whole year to meet her again.

After last night's argument, Gyan retired to his room and no one saw him since then, which meant, he didn't even come down to have breakfast or lunch. Although Dona took his food to his room, he didn't let her in and rejected any kind of unsolicited intrusion.

Astonishingly, Ritu successfully avoided paying attention to this whole scenario. When she learned at the breakfast table that Gyan wasn't going to join, she simply let the matter go and concentrated on her food instead.

Shreya was surprised to see how surface-level Roy siblings were. Although, she hadn't yet met Mr. and Mrs. Roy, she had developed a basic impression of their personalities. Probably, they were as rigid as their children. If it was her family, she couldn't even think of going hungry for more than 3-4 hours. They'd just force the food down her throat – by hook or by crook.

More to that, Ritu informed during the breakfast, she and her friends had planned for a whole day pandal-hopping and she would spend the night at one of her friend's place. Her friend was throwing a party for no reason.

When Shreya heard so, she raised her brows slightly taken aback and fed Dev a mouthful of his porridge. She honestly confessed, "I've never heard such thing."

As a response, Ritu laughed it off. "No one can understand Sophie. Myself included. She's just... special." Ritu blushed while talking about her friend, which was again something in the eye. Cause, as far as Shreya had seen and observed Ritu since the first day, she could clearly say, it looked rather animated and against her natural personality.

So, Ritu left after breakfast.

And Abhimanyu. Although he didn't join them in the morning, he did come at the table during lunchtime. So, it was only him, Dev and Shreya herself. Undoubtedly, it was awkward. The silence that came after Dona served him food and left, was deafening. Shreya still didn't know how to behave around him, because she didn't want him to get the wrong impression of her which she was afraid she had already made after what happened last night.

So, she just avoided looking at his way and focused on feeding Dev. Although, the boy was learning very well how to eat, he was still a slow eater. So, Shreya took this opportunity to avoid attracting Abhimanyu's attention. Or was she just over-thinking too much? Because obviously, she did not possess any importance of that sort.

Much to her surprise, it was Abhimanyu himself who broke the silence at one point.

"I hope last night's interaction didn't give you any kind of a wrong idea about my family."

Shreya visibly startled by his sudden choice of words he uttered coming straight to the point. She jumped back and turned towards Abhimanyu slightly and stuttered, "Uh- no. No-no. It's fine. It's alright."

Abhimanyu paused the spoon midway, lifted his eyelashes and looked at her way through his spectacles. Their eyes met for a quick second until she blinked and looked down getting flustered.

Abhimanyu explained nonetheless. "Good. Cause it wasn't a real representation of my family. Truthfully, I'm slightly disappointed that you haven't meet my parents till now. But that's okay. If it doesn't interrupt your work, then you're good."

Uhm! She didn't know how to respond to that. She nodded uncertainly and made several failed attempts to look at him.

Abhimanyu said again, "I've planned a short trip to Kaushani. If possible, I'd like to take Dev with me." He didn't finish and resumed eating.

Oh! What did it mean anyway? What was his intention behind telling her about this planned trip? Was he asking her to accompany Dev as his caretaker? Would that be necessary? Most naturally, his mother would go along with him. Wouldn't she?

"That's nice." Instead of asking clearly, she only settled for these two words and mentally slapped herself. When would she stop making a fool out of herself? 'That's nice'? Seriously? In fact, she had no authority to say such thing to her infamous employer.

Thankfully, Abhimanyu didn't react and continued eating. So, she shifted her focus back to Dev and scolded herself for not checking her words before speaking.

~~~

It was around 4 in the afternoon, when an unexpected visitor entered the Isha mansion. She and Dev were in the hall. Dev was watching some cartoons while Shreya was surfing through YouTube and stumbled upon an intriguing video on Carl Jung's shadow psychology.

As per Jung's explanation, every human personality has three aspects— the ego, the persona, & the shadow. The ego aspect of human personality stays there with him since birth, and which identifies the person's individuality, while the persona is only the highlighted part of a person's life.

The shadow however, is that part of our consciousness, we often do not recognise. As individuals, the ego needs to be aware of both the persona and the shadow, but it must stay separate from the both of them. Psychological maturity comes when the ego neither ends up in collusion with the shadow nor gets influenced by the persona.

This particular theory reminded her of Taoism.

Taoists believe in yin and yang theory. There's a concept of Tao in Chinese philosophy which roughly translates as 'way'; it can mean as the organizing principle of the universe. So, in Taoism, the yin and yang show the coexistence of two opposites, no matter how different they are. It represents the cyclical nature of universe. But it certainly doesn't mean the conflict between the opposite forces, like good vs. evil. It literally based on the theory of balance. A shadow cannot exist without light. And you cannot realize the importance of light without the existence of shadow.

"How are you, Shreya? Oh- Mr. Devdoot is also here. How are you doing?"

She raised her head from the phone screen and met with the smiling gentleman. Rishi.

"I am good," Dev responded quietly and then went back to watch the cartoons.

Shreya stood up. "I'm fine, thank you. How are you?"

"I am doing very well, thank you. Just got the invitation for the party, and an exclusive order from high command. So, I had to come early."

Shreya's brows furrowed in confusion. Party? Was he talking about Gyan's party? He told her about the party he was throwing at Navami night and she was invited too. But who was high command?

"High command who?"

"Oh! Aren't you informed?" Rishi asked while sitting down and gestured Shreya to sit down as well. "Although, it's a last time arrangement. Still, I thought you know about it. Where's Ritu?"

She had no idea what he meant. It wasn't last minute at all. Gyan had it all planned. "Ritu has gone to pandal-hopping. She'll be returning tomorrow."

"Oo..." Rishi nodded animatedly, then inquired about Abhimanyu. "Can't see AR. Hasn't he left his room?"

"He came to eat," Shreya answered before pretending she didn't know anything about it as per Gyan's instruction. "What is this party? With Dev in the house, and moreover, after the recent accident, I don't think it's a good idea to throw a party in this house." It was true nonetheless. Although, she was invited to the party but Dev was her first priority. She had to make sure he was healthy.

Rishi was about to say something but was interrupted by Gyan.

"Relax. I might have an impression of being an irresponsible, but I am a business student. I was taught to analyse the risks before taking an action."

His salty comeback made her flustered. She didn't see that coming. Note to self: Think before you speak. "I- I didn't mean..." She hurriedly arose and tried to explain herself while her eyes followed Gyan as he crossed the hall and came towards them. But she had to stop because of his intimidating stare and the way he held up his hand. As they stood facing each other, she noticed the slight changes in his appearance. He had trimmed his growing beard, and there was a lip-ring attached to his lower lip. Oh- where did it come from? Was the fake? When did he get it? Today? But today when? She hadn't seen him going out today.

Her train of thoughts abruptly stopped when Gyan said, "My room is soundproof, plus I've purchased a few tools that'd make this party a soundless party unless you're attending it."

Oh. Truthfully, she didn't understand anything he just said. She wasn't experienced in high class parties. Also, she wasn't inclined to. Middle class people like her weren't allowed to dream – that's a given.

Gyan blinked calmly then turned his head away and sat down opposite to Rishi. Shreya stood there for a moment, flustered until Rishi asked her to take a seat again.

"So why is this party suddenly Gyan?" Rishi asked.

Gyan cocked one of his eyebrows in arrogance. "Because I want to. What kind of question is that Rishi da?"

Rishi faltered for a second before managing the situation with a smile. "Er- I meant, it was so sudden. So, are the arrangements all done?"

Gyan shifted his eyes from Rishi to Shreya then looked down on his phone screen. "I've ordered everything. And the things that cannot be bought online, my friends will bring them. They will be arriving around 9. I asked you to come early because I need you to help me with the decoration."

"Okay." Rishi nodded enthusiastically. "Let's go. I'm already here."

Shreya was keeping quiet and trying her best to avoid looking like she was interested in participating in their discussion. She quietly asked Dev if he'd like to go to his room to do some painting or play. Fortunately, Dev agreed. She switched off the television and was about to leave with Dev when Gyan suddenly said, "Shreya,"

She turned and made eye contact with him. His hazel eyes looked so deep at this moment, as if telling the stories that were too difficult to read. Was he though? In fact, he looked handsome with the addition of the lip ring. It suited him well. "Yes?"

"Will you come?"

She knew the question was coming. She was well prepared this time. "No," she said and left the place without waiting for any further exchange. This boy was getting manly day by day. It'd be wise for her to stay at a distance from him to save herself.

Friendship is one thing. But sometimes the heart crosses the thin line between friends and something more and things just go south from thereon.

She couldn't risk it. She already had developed a dependency with Naveen. She couldn't add to that. Moreover, engaging with the Roys beyond professionally would be her audacity. She was undeserving and she'd like to keep it that way.

~~~

Honestly though, she actually didn't hear any noise coming from Gyan's room. It's been three hours since his friends had arrived, and still, she could hear anything coming from his room. He was being truthful when he said his room was soundproof. Wow, she could never relate.

To avoid facing him again (Abhimanyu too), she brought Dev's and her food in Dev's room before 9 and never left the room. Today only she understood the convenience of living in a mansion, literally. All of their rooms had attached washrooms. If it was her house, she could've never avoided the people present in the house at this moment. Her family couldn't bear privacy or even expect to have one. If they were engaged in certain event, most naturally that'd be their demand from Shreya as well. Expecting they'd leave her alone even if she begged for it, would be her hyper-fantasy.

Dev fell asleep sometime past 10. So, she was reading a book she found from the book shelf in the hall. The ambience was peaceful. Or so she thought.

"Hey..." Someone's slurring voice and unsteady steps entered the room.

Shreya jumped up on her bed and looked at the door. "What are you doing here?"

She was sure she had locked the door. Then how the hell? Gyan closed the distanced between them while Shreya got off the bed hurriedly and stood before him, puzzled.

"I-" he started then stopped and sipped the liquid from the glass he was holding. She didn't notice the glass till now. He was drunk already.

"Gyan, what are you doing?" She whisper-yelled, too afraid to wake Dev up.

Gyan looked at the empty glass, then his eyes darted towards Dev and back at her. He licked his lower lip; his tongue lingered on the lip-ring for a while before he murmured, "You're too nice."

She couldn't understand what was he doing here being drunk and his intentions didn't seem innocent at all. Exactly what she was fearing a few hours ago. Before she could understand anything else, he moved swiftly towards the table, put down the empty glass on it and turned towards her completely. With his half-lidded eyes and drunken state, he was already unnerving her, additionally when he unexpectedly reached and cupped her face in both of his big hands, her heart almost stopped beating. They were standing too close to each other for her liking. Instinctively, she reached up and grabbed his wrists to pluck them off her face when his next action and words froze her.

"All my life, I have always been the next in line."

Her brows crinkled in confusion. What? Why was he being too difficult? She looked into his hazel eyes which expressed this shadow of emotional unfulfillment. A sadness quite subtle to go unnoticed, but Shreya somehow recognised it from her own experience. He was in a desperate need to voice something but was holding back, and he was hurting inside. A lot.

Alike herself.

"But you..." He paused and searched her eyes for a moment before continuing, "You make me want to be the first."