A family reunion

It was no surprise that Tanvi was still there. Akileshwar's parents had died at a young age and Tanvi's parents had taken him in. But then he left.

At first, Tanvi stared at Akileshwar as though he was a complete stranger, which slightly hurt. Then, realization dawned on her as to why he looked familiar.

'Akil?' She asked, bewitched. Akileshwar nodded as Tanvi cupped her hands on her mouth, trying to stop the tears that were threatening to come.

Akileshwar gave her a small smile signaling that everything's ok. Upon receiving the signal, Tanvi jumped and hugged Akileshwar and sobbed uncontrollably, getting his angvastram wet.

They stayed like that for 3 minutes. To be honest, Akileshwar missed this slightly.

'I thought you had gone for good' Said Tanvi as she stopped crying. It was only now Akileshwar realized that she grown very beautiful.

'I overreacted that night, Tanvi. And I'm sorry' Upon hearing these words, Tanvi burst into a pair of fresh tears and hugged Akileshwar again.

A clearing of a throat was heard as Akileshwar and Tanvi glanced behind them where Kali stood. As much as Kali loved to see the reunion, it was getting awfully emotional and time was being wasted.

'Who is she?' Asked Tanvi.

'I am Kali, queen of the Asurans' introduced Kali. Tanvi's eyes widened as she glanced between Akileshwar and Kali. Guru Athreya's predictions had come true.

She was worried it would be wrong. Since she had heard the people say Akileshwar left with his tribe. The Mathakas. After some time, she had realized it was to destroy the Asurans, therefore, wronging Guruji's predictions.

'Come in. Ma will be very happy to see you' She said. Kali was astonished to see this woman take them in immediately. She had expected her to shun her out like the rest. but she guessed, just because she was with Akileshwar, she had to take them in.

Reluctantly, she followed Akileshwar and Tanvi into the room. Akileshwar walked into the house, staring at it in wonder. It had not changed.

The floor was red with a massive square hole in the roof on the top. There were pillars on the edges and a surrounding platform on the edge. Which led to separate rooms.

He walked into the center and gazed around with an awed smile on his face.

'Akil?' A shocked whisper was heard. He looked at the direction where the voice had come from. Standing in the doorway of one of the rooms, holding a basket full of clothes, was Tanvi's mom, whom Akileshwar considered him mom too.

'Hello, Ma'

She immediately dropped her basket full of clothes and ran to Akileshwar who had his arms open, ready for the hug.. Or so he thought.

He was crushed by his mother's hug and forgot what it was to be engulfed with love.

Now that he thought about it, the main reason he left was because of Tanvi. His Ma and Pa had not done anything to anger him. Yet, they had to suffer for Tanvi's mistake.

Tears threatened to come as he hugged his adopted mother, and Akileshwar let them flow. All the sorrow and emotion he realized he had been holding for the past 2 years came flooding down his cheeks.

She pulled away realizing she had visitors. Turning to Kali, whom she did not recognize, she stared curiously at her. Kali raised her eyebrow and folded her hands into a namaste, her expression changing immediately into a kind and respectful one. Frowning in confusion, She returned the namaste.

'I assume we haven't met' She said as they neared each other.

Kali just smiled. 'I am sure you have heard of me. Though we have not met. I am Kali, queen of the Asurans'

Her eyes widened. 'Ok. My name is Tanishka' Replied Tanishka, unsure of what to say. Meeting the queen of the Asurans and belonging to a city where everyone hated them, wow, talk about unexpected situations.

But the reason Tanishka dint panic on the spot was that she knew Tanvi's teachings and the things that she had learnt. And Tanishka trusted Tanvi.

Silence descended upon the two.

'May I ask what you are doing here?' Asked Tanishka, breaking the silence.

'Long story' chuckled Kali.

Eyeing her suspiciously, Tanishka got up to pick up her basket as Akileshwar left the main room.

He wandered among all the rooms, marveling at how similar it was to when he last came here. His adopted Ma's room was same as ever. She preferred to be a normal person, as a result, her room had nothing flashy. Just bland grey with a few family paintings, which considered Akileshwar in them. He realized all the paintings had been taken before that day, where his and Tanvi's friendship broke. If he recalled correctly, he never acted the same around everyone and refused to enter the groups for the paintings, though the artist had sometimes secretly turned to Akileshwar and included him. A smile played on his face as he remembered those times.

He exited and entered a new room. Which was a medium green and had a table in the center which was a polished brown. The farmer's plough hung in a glass case in the middle of the table. Remembering Tanvi's families ancestors, this belonged to the man who started their bloodline. He and his wife were part of a group that had discovered farming. The activity to grow crops and cultivate them. This was the first plough used in the history of farming.

Akileshwar found it insulting that nearly half the people in the world do not take farming as an essential service and treat them like dogs. Given a choice, he would have tried to make farming be recognized rather than destroying the Asurans.

'Who are you?!' Growled a voice behind Akileshwar. He turned around and immediately, the man's angry face was replaced by a look of shock.

Akileshwar just smiled at his Pa, who just stared, mouth agape, at him.

Getting over his shock, he staggered towards Akileshwar. Once he was near enough, he threw his arms around his adopted son, who returned the hug.

'How?' He whispered.

Akileshwar just smiled. Tears clouded his eyes once again. But he refused to let them flow. In front of his father he always remained strong, and would not show his weakness. There was no difference in showing it now.

He left the room and led his Pa to the main hall. Kali still stood there. Doing nothing as it was impolite to sit without anyone's permission in their own house. Seeing this, Akileshwar beckoned for her to sit and she nodded and sat on the floor.

'You must have had a long journey' said Tanvi's Ma, mainly addressing Akileshwar, who nodded in response.

'Sit down. I'll make some food. And I bet you have a lot to tell me!'

Bạn đang đọc truyện trên: AzTruyen.Top