It is not often that someone sees Nandini angry. A woman like her has nothing to worry about, nothing to scare her. This too, doesn't frighten her, but she is awestruck by the audacity of the seer.

His hands, earlier sanctified with blood, now scream in burning pain. Blistered by her rage, the skin of his palms peel off.

"Why?" he simply asks.

Nandini smirks. It's amusing how he has the courage to look into her eyes. "Indeed, a spirit of Kalika," she muses. "You aren't afraid of me, are you?"

"I may be," he whispers through gritted teeth. "But I can't believe what you say."

Her fingers clasp around his throat, lifting him up in the air. His enormous weight and brutal strength is nothing to a woman who has crossed the stars.

"The spirits had told your blood was impure. You could come to me because I willed so." She watches him turn blue. "How dare you then go against me?"

"She-" The seer gasps. Nandini throws him at the wall.

"You monster..." She hovers above him, her scarlet eyes shooting fire at his soul. "You worship Kalika. She is your Bhagvan. How could you hurt the life that is a vessel of her Bhagvan?"

The seer blows on his severed hand. "Someone so commonplace like her can never be special. She may know a little about the stories beyond death, but she can't be my equal-"

"And that is why she is Shiva. The one residing in Death, in poverty and pain. Ashen and pale. Dirty to look at. Ugly her heritage. This is who Shiva is, my boy. Shiva is simple. Simplicity is his godhood."

The seer's eyes widen.

"Perhaps Kalika can place her feet on his chest, dance on his sleeping body to initiate creation. But a hand that hurts Shiva shall be swallowed by flames."

****

Servants to royals, all were summoned in the courtyard.

The Rajon sat with his face hidden behind palms. Rituja knelt before him, her arms decorated with haphazard cuts. Even her big, glowing forehead was marred by a blood clot. Her mother Rani cried beside her.

Everybody was there, except Hrishav and Tirtha. The former came down late, his eyes swollen and crimsoned. Amba couldn't help but study the intricate lines carved over his brows, appearing like lines of sandalwood. Melancholy dripped from his gaze. Their eyes met for a moment, but he pulled himself away as if she were the most unfortunate being.

"What took you so long?" Rajon Vijay narrowed his eyes.

Hrishav showed his right hand. "I am sorry, Dada. Yesterday I burnt my hand during the puja. I didn't tell you because it would make you anxious, and I didn't want anything to obstruct the worship of Maa. But then after everything was over, I couldn't take it anymore."

As far as Amba remembered, and was sure she was absolutely accurate in it, his hands were fine when they were in the sacrificial grounds. Her body warmed up with boiling rage when his phantom touch grazed over her throat. He was a beast. A living beast.

She didn't know how he got the burn, but she loved it. A smile quivered on her lips. As expected, Hrishav did notice. Amba didn't hide her pleasure and even displayed a conceited smile. Wrath danced in his orbs. She reflected his ire back. Not unless he gave her respect would she reciprocate the same. She would behave all well in front of the Rajon, but that was all she would do.

Everyone here was a mystery. Thus, Amba decided to take part in the game too.

Vijay gently inspected Hrishav's hand. His eyes softened. "Maa tested you. I hope she is happy. Her ways can be fierce. But you should have told me last night. Anyways, I will call the doctor. Did you take any medicine?"

"Why are you so reckless?" Shalini came and saw the wound. "You won't work for a week."

"Not one thing is going correct." Vijay heaved a sigh. "Now where is that brat?"

"He went out last night," Shalini said. "Told me he would drink with his friends. Maybe he is sleeping in his room."

"I checked already. He isn't there."

Shalini bit her lips. "Then I don't know..."

"You pamper him too much!" Vijay huffed. "He isn't your little nephew anymore. He has to be a responsible man. So teach him how to be accountable for his actions."

"I know where he is." Hrishav cleared his throat. "Umm, I gave him money."

"Why?" Vijay raised a brow. "Doesn't he get enough from me?"

"Well... He needed extra money. Outside his monthly allowance. He came to my room. Took the bundle and went to, uh, there."

Vijay scrunched his nose. "Be clearer, Hrishav."

"The prostitutes. I mean them."

Vijay got up from his chair and kicked it. Amba and the others stepped back in fear. The Rajon glared at his younger brother. Although Hrishav was considerably taller, he maintained humility and focused on the sandals of his elder sibling. "You are just spoiling him even further."

"You know there can be other consequences if we don't let him go there."

"He can take a mistress! A permanent woman! Why jump around? Won't marry. Hah, no one wants to marry him probably. Won't keep relations with a good girl. But will waste money mindlessly!"

"I think it's alright if he doesn't want to marry or settle down. He can go to the prostitutes. It's not like it's illegal. The prostitutes are here to serve. We need to make sure he doesn't go anywhere else, to anybody else."

"And who will handle the mess when he sires a bastard?"

"I have taught him to be careful."

"As if you know a lot about this field? Morons. Bloody morons." The Rajon spat. "If not him, I will get you married. Somebody please become more dutiful."

The servants brought back a new chair at the order of the Rajon. Now seated again, he turned his attention to Rituja. "Be fearless and tell me in detail everything."

Stopping her whimpering, Rituja spoke, "I had taken your permission to leave last night. Ira was here only for a few days. We were in her home. The girls and me. Five of us, including Ira and me. They all left, but I remained." She wiped her tears. "I was happy. We met after such a long time! My friend...she was my friend..."

Rajon caressed her head. Rituja gulped.

"When did the murder happen?"

"I didn't see the clock. But it was after midnight. We were awake and reading a book when I heard the main door unlock and the sound of footsteps. Ira didn't believe me. She kept narrating the story but I wasn't paying attention. Suddenly we heard the shout of her parents. They were in the adjacent room. I told Ira to not go, but she took a vase and headed for their room. She did a mistake."

"Did you see the killer?"

"He was cloaked. I-" She shut her eyes. "I screamed for help. I cried. I threw whatever came to my hands. But I couldn't fight that man. Yes, he was a man. That I know. He hit her unconscious and took her on his shoulders, then stormed outside."

"Did you follow them?"

"I ran after them yes, but he was fast. After some time the neighbours gathered. By then I was too exhausted and tormented. I fainted, so I don't know if they could see the man or get clues."

"I will send my men," Vijay said. "Ira's parents are alive. It's unfortunate to live with a barren lap, but I pray they will not go mad in grief."

Vijay scratched his chin and thought. Impatiently tapped his feet. Rituja sobbed near his chair. Hrishav and Shalini exchanged looks. After a brief pause, Vijay said, "So only Tirtha was outside last night?"

Amba shuddered. So did Hrishav. But both skilfully kept their composure. Amba remembered the attire of both the men from the previous night. Hrishav wasn't cloaked, but Tirtha was. Although she didn't know why either of them was out. Dhumavati had lured her there, but they probably weren't following the deity. Their faces would have otherwise spoken. And was Hrishav there in the mansion already before she returned, or did he come later? She hadn't inquired. It wasn't something she could ask without igniting suspicion. But Choto Babu Tirtha was obviously still not home.

"I will be very direct, Rituja." Vijay crossed his arms. "You are under my sovereign, my protection. No one here will be able to harm you. Tell me, do you think the killer was Tirtha?"

Rituja thought. Rani gaped and shook her daughter. "Are you mad?"

Vijay raised his hand. "Do not interfere."

Rituja exhaled. "No. I didn't see anything which can confirm it was Choto Babu."

"Dada, are you in your senses?" Shalini clenched her fists. "You may not like your son and yes, you have reasons for that. But he can't be a murderer. And what if Rituja does say it was him? Are you going to punish your son on the words of an ordinary slave?"

Amba was stunned. She was the first woman Amba had met in this mansion, and the only one besides the Rajon whom she assumed to be kind and considerate. Well, after the fact that the whole cremation of her father was a meticulously created lie, she could doubt anybody.

"It's up to me, Shalini." Vijay was stern. "I am not going to tolerate any injustice."

Amba itched to ask if the Rajon had thought of Falgun. Perhaps he had, but she could trust no one. No one.

"Oh, that reminds me," Vijay looked at Amba, "come here."

She wondered if the priestly Rajon had read her mind and was going to sabotage her. But his eyes appeared tired, drooping close. She sat down near his feet. "Yes, Rajon?"

"Tirtha had come to me and complained about you. How you are taking part in the puja despite being inauspicious. Not my words though, they are his."

Amba wouldn't spill hatred. She had to be cautious. "Forgive me." Her hands fidgeted. "Choto Babu is right."

"He told me how you disrespected him. I am not sure if you are capable of that, being Falgun's daughter. You have his blood. But if you have, please don't do it again. He is my son, after all."

Amba nodded. "I have always been obedient and shall be so." From the corner of her vision, she saw Hrishav make a funny face behind the Rajon. She longed to punch the man. This wasn't anything humorous going on.

"I think you already know, but I want to say that it was my decision to let you take part in divine activities and continue a normal lifestyle. I can't explain why I wanted this. Rather, it's not my wish, but someone above me sent the instructions. I merely followed. Again, I won't ever be answerable to you."

Hrishav squinted. The rest showed no sign of surprise.

"I have talked with Lalon and even though I did Falgun's cremation," Vijay paused to take a breath, "I...I have been asked to let you do the rituals of the shraddha. Have you eaten fish these days?"

"Fortunately, no."

"Well, that's good. It's ten days already. On the thirteenth day, then." He dismissed her with a wave of his hand. "Murders everywhere. Three, then Falgun, and now Ira. I am fed up with this."

"The death of Didi has only brought doom." Hrishav curled his feet inward.

Vijay stiffened at his words. His gaze shifted from the interior of the mansion to the door, then chased the invisible, lost in intangible feelings. Beads of perspiration trickled down the side of his plump cheeks. "Indeed."

"It's been a year since Didi died," Shalini said. "Nothing is same without her."

Amba studied their body languages. From what it seemed, they were talking about Vijay's late wife. She had died last year.

"Is her soul appeased?" Vijay asked himself, staring up at the shining chandelier. It mocked the darkness which flooded Chandaneshwar with blood. "She was close to you, Hrishav. What do you think?"

"I believe she is happy. I can only believe."

"Yes. We can only believe."

Rippling a shock through the unsettling ambience, the sound of horse hooves and carriage wheels brought back attention to the truth of the current moment. Carrying two suitcases with a toothy grin, Tirtha entered. Behind him was a lady well-known to Maya. Dressed in a leafy-green meghmayuri pichwai saree and bedecked in gold, she looked no less than the Rajon's wife. Perhaps scandalously so. Amba rubbed her eyes vigorously, then pinched herself. She wasn't dreaming.

"Look who has come." Tirtha kept the suitcases down and arched his back. "These are so heavy. Gained weight like you."

The lady twisted her lips. "Nonsense." She smacked his arm. "Your son has become more mischievous. Tame him, Rajon."

Mouth agape, Amba was convinced that truth was stranger than fiction. The lady coyly smiled upon seeing the Rajon.

"Cheer up, Baba." Tirtha clapped. "Bonolota has come. Your Bonolota."

word count: 2210 words

Bad timing. They were talking about his recently deceased wife and the mistress came lol.

What do you guys think?