Chapter 8
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"Breathe in," the soothing voice of Apeksha Bhagini washed over the still, steadily breathing bodies of her students. They sat on the cold stone floor, in neat rows as their spines stood erect, their eyes closed, and legs folded into the lotus posture.

"Hold, two... four... six... breathe out..." Her voice faded into the distance as Surya rubbed her hands together softly, eyes still closed. She shivered a little when the cold wind of the dawn stung her bare forearm.

"Why does Bhagini have to drag us out even before roosters awake?" she whispered, mostly to herself but also to her older friend sitting beside her. Surya cracked an eye open and snuck a quick glance to her right. She made a low disgruntled noise at the back of her throat. Charulatha was pretending as if she didn't hear her.

"Bhagini! Psst!" she whispered with the same quiet but more harshness this time.

"Shhh..." the hush came from Charu, using the music bowl's sound to mask her next words. "You mustn't talk, sit quietly."

"It's too cold," she whined softly as the sonorous sounds dwindled into the former peace and quiet. She quickly shut her eyes as she spotted Apeksha making her way towards them.

Her voice got closer and closer until she felt a tap on her shoulder. Her eyes fluttered open as she slowly shifted her gaze above and saw Apeksha crossing her arms, looking down at her with a slightly displeased expression on her face as she repeated the meditative instructions to others.

She pointed to the side. Out, her hand seemed to say.

Surya suppressed a sigh, getting to her legs quietly and walking past her after bowing to her. After a few paces, she turned back to see Charu with a faint grin, shaking her head lightly. She glared at her, huffing she turned her back towards the meditating group and stormed back into the Shyamakund building. She relaxed as she stepped into the warm hallways.

I better head to the kitchen, I haven't even had the morning Kashāya!

* * *

Suryakanti followed behind the others, Charu trailing beside her. She had finished telling Charu how she'd stabbed the dacoit when Netra joined them. Surya seemed happy to have her, Charulatha only smiled. Mayhap she was tired of completing Bahula's assignments as the good student she was.

The eldest Veer Naari of the three bent her head a little. "Remember, don't talk during dinner. It isn't polite, nor healthy. Finish up fast and the talking will come later."

"Yes Netra," Surya agreed. "Charu Bhagini is right, talking comes after the food."

"Er, Chhaya?"

"Hm?"

"I was talking to you."

Netra covered her mouth, snickering. Charu straightened up, a grin on her face. Surya glared at the two of them who entirely avoided her gaze. Charu ushered them in before their friend decided to bore them to death with a lecture on sisterhood and friendship.

The long dining hall was well lit. Numerous small deepas were set including several large ones. Windows were closed to keep the chilly air out and long bamboo mats were laid out in rows. They all took their places with Charu and Netra on either side of Suryakanti. She brought her left hand in front and poured out the water from the copper tumbler into her cupped hand.

She then sprinkled the water onto the banana leaf and cleaned it with her hands. She turned to her left to see Netra raising her short hands in an attempt to wring the leaf. Surya took the leaf from her and cleaned it of excess water properly. The girl accepted it with a smile, in a wordless thank you. First came the serving of a pinch of salt at the left edge of the leaf. Followed by the methodical order of other dishes laid out in a certain symmetry.

Surya tapped her foot impatiently, waiting for the elders to start. Finally, when they joined their hands together, everyone chorused the prayer together before starting their meal. Suryakanti's hands immediately went to the pickle first.

Charulatha cleared her throat. Twice. Pointedly.

Surya internally sighed, her hands reluctantly moving away from the pickle to the payasam. She finished the meal, although not as fast as her older friend, and went to wash her hands with Netra. She picked up a mugful of water with her left hand and poured it onto the little girl's hands to wash.

Then she washed her own hands and came out, wiping her wet hands on the side of her clothes.

"Chhaya listen-"

"When did you spawn here?" a startled Surya asked her.

"Ha. Ha. Funny," she said with a dry smile. Turning towards the seven-year-old, "It's bedtime, Netra. See you in the morning. And you," She faced Surya once the girl left. "Lady Suruchi has asked to meet you. Tonight. After a while, just before bed, you are to meet her."

"My aunt?" Surya raised her eyebrows, clearly surprised. "Well, that's unusual. The last I talked to her was a few years ago and it was in the afternoon. Where must I meet her, Bhagini?"

"You know where. Same place. See you in the morning." Charu left with a smile.

Surya nodded absently. "Goodnight, Charu Bhagini," she muttered.

* * *

She was outside the room, in front of a door. Lady Suruchi's door. Her aunt's door. Suryakanti was feeling nervous all of a sudden. She cracked her knuckles, fiddled her thumbs, but that restless feeling didn't seem to leave her.

Why? Why was she this nervous to meet her aunt whom she had already met before? She wasn't like this the last time. Was it because of the knowledge of her parents' identity? Her identity? 

Surya did not know.

Better find out and end this curiosity of mine. She held in a breath as her fingers gently rapped on the door.

"Come in, Chhaya." the distantly familiar voice told her from within those four walls. She pushed open the doors as quietly as she could and stepped in. A slim, shadowy silhouette of a woman in her saree sat on a wooden board directly opposite to the open window.

"Close the door and take a seat," the woman's calm and collected voice floated back to her. Surya made a quick motion in doing so and slowed down as she sat cross-legged on the floor in front of the silhouette. Surya could see her more clearly now. The shadows on her face, the details of the saree... But it was still dark. Their figures were only illuminated by the dull moonlight.

A sense of deja vu transported her back four years ago when she had visited her aunt. It was exactly how they had sat. But back then it was noon. Her aunt's head blocked the mid-day sun, her face shadowed by the position of her seating as always. Now, her head blocked the moon, letting light seep through all around her form.

She was her aunt, but she had never seen her face. 

Not even when she was an infant and stayed with her most of the time. Surya had heard her voice, conversed with her, had kashaya with her, but had never interacted with her nor shared any words of true emotions. She had always known this was her aunt but only now did she truly know that this was her mother's sister. Not a distant relative as she had assumed.

The gravity of the situation came back to her as she remembered her manners with a start. "Namaskaaram, Bhagini Suruchi."

"Namaskaram, Putri Suryakanti," Her face broke out into a faint smile as she called her by her full name. The teen's breathing quickened, a sort of thrill filling her upon hearing her true name tumble down from someone's lips. And that too, to be addressed by the term 'putri'. The woman had always called her that, but this time, it felt different.

"So, er, Bhagini? You had called for me..?" Surya asked, her tone turning into questions mid-sentence.

"Aam, putri. I'm sure Bhagini Uma might've told you all there is to know?"

"All that is vital, yes. But not all there is to know."

Her smile broadened. "You were always an inquisitive child, Suryakanti. And that is a good thing. Never hold back your questions, for one day, you will not need to hold back your answers like the others. You may ask me any question, ask me the first question that comes to your mind right now."

"Why do you hide your face?" she blurted out without thinking but slapped a hand over her mouth as color rose to her cheeks. "I'm sorry, I shouldn't have been so bold as to-"

"It's alright, Suryakanti," the woman stood up turning towards the moon. She gestured for her niece to join her. "This is why."

Surya let out a horrified gasp as her aunt's face came into full view. She gasped. Not because of the aged lines marring her face, not because of the terrible burns on the left side of her face, but because of her eyes. They were was glazed over, a misty tint to them.

"You... you are blind," she whispered, tears lining her eyes.

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Really very sorry for the late update guys, and for the cliffhanger :D

But, I hope you liked the chapter! If you did, don't forget to leave a vote and comment below :)