Anamika woke from her slumber when her ears picked up heavy but padded footsteps. Sitting up, immediately, she reached for her breastplate and fastened it around her noiselessly. A tall profile stood on the other side of the curtain. She was relieved when she recognized the silhouette. Not a moment later, she heard the familiar voice she had been searching for, 'Anamika? Are you decent?'

A laugh bubbled through her before she answered his question, 'Yes. You can come in.' She folded her legs to make herself comfortable and waited for him to enter.

Laksh pushed the curtain away from his path and entered the room looking flushed. He looked happier than usual. A swell of joy greeted her. She folded her arms and raised a brow, feigning annoyance, 'The timing is so wrong.'

He folded his legs and sat next to her. His armour clanged when he did. He rubbed his neck sheepishly, 'I'm sorry, Anamika. I just met-'

She interrupted him. 'Your one and only. Yes, I know,' she spoke nonchalantly but she could barely contain her excitement. She mocked him with an accusing glare, 'You could've told me sooner! Do you have any idea how much it hurt me that you told Yoshanhara but not me!?'

There was some truth in words.

'Well,' He took a moment to get his words together. She felt generous so she waited for an answer. He continued, 'I didn't tell Yoshanhara, she simply walked into us while we were consummating the relationship.'

'Under the torch? You consummated under the torch?' She asked, incredulously.

He nodded, bashfully. She wanted to laugh. The sight of her dear brother shying away was adorable. She nudged him teasingly, 'Tell me who's the lucky soul?'

'Yoshanhara didn't tell you?'

Anamika shook her head, 'No, she wouldn't say.' She muttered, 'She wanted me to walk into whatever you were doing.'

However, he heard it and chuckled, 'I'm glad you didn't.'

'So who's the lucky soul?'

'Shlok, he's the sahayudhayavan of the Eka Nayak.'

She noticed that he wasn't meeting her eyes. She giggled and was thoroughly impressed, 'That's a stretch,' she whispered loudly. His eyes widened at her slight vulgarity, 'Anamika!' He reprimanded.

She chortled merrily, ignoring him, 'I would love to meet him.'

'Keep up this charade and I'll make sure you guys never meet.'

She grinned ready for the challenge. She scoffed, 'That's not possible.'

He rolled his eyes at her childish behaviour but couldn't help being amused. He was glad she wasn't mad at him. Time hadn't mattered to him till the Eka Nayak had found them. It was only then had he gained his consciousness. There hadn't been much time as the Eka station were going to the Prithvilok on a hunt. This didn't give the Nayak much time to interrogate Laksh.

'What are you thinking about?' She asked.

He looked at her. She had her hands tucked under her chin and had this awed look on her face. He smiled at her innocence. He realized how much he adored her. He beamed when he saw the golden vartula on her finger. 

She was genuinely happy for him. Her bright eyes were looking at him like she idolized him.

'Nothing,' He played with her messy curls. Though he had told her many times to braid her hair, she never listened.

He motioned at the vartula, 'You finally got it, huh?'

She groaned, 'It is so difficult! No one gives a damn about the Asthadasha station. It's like I'm invisible!'

Just like the joyous atmosphere was sucked into the clutches of the problems that she was suffering with.

'Why do you think this way?'

'It's the truth,' she didn't dare look at him. She felt guilty for ruining his moment. Her shoulders slumped and she turned away from him.

'Oh come on, Anamika,' he cheered, 'It's too soon to expect anything from them.'

She shut her eyes. Her temper was rising, 'Too soon? All I'm asking them is to treat me like them, not like some low ranking scum! You know something,' her eyes were wide open and boring into his, 'You know the only reason anyone pays attention to me? Do you?'

He raised his brow. He had never seen her so riled up. He had heard a rumour that the Astha Nayak only talked to her but he knew better than to spill the beans when she was so aggravated. He feigned ignorance, 'Tell me.'

'It's because of the Astha Nayak. He talks to me!' She almost yelled, 'That's not a big deal! I think it's because I told him about my memory but I don't know.' Her face changed from expression rage to confusion.

He lovingly pinched her nose with his fingers and smiled, 'You're overthinking, Anamika. All of those things shouldn't bother you.' She opened her mouth to give him a piece of her mind but he didn't give her a chance to, 'And if all of that bothers you, use it to serve your purpose.'

She pondered over his words. They made a lot of sense. Suddenly, she wasn't cross anymore. She beamed and engulfed him in her arms, 'I knew I could count on you, Laksh!'

He guffawed and hugged her back, 'Of course, Anamika. Always.'

When they parted, he teasingly asked, 'So the Astha Nayak,' He smirked, 'Not a bad choice, Anamika.'

She glowered at him, 'It's not funny.'

'Of course, it is!' He argued, 'He's got some looks, not saying that they're the best but he's got some.'

Anamika almost told him that Keval looked nothing short of majestic. There was something so regal about him. The way he walked, his back straight with perfectly measured steps. His chin always parallel to the ground. Even the way he trained was different.

His wonderful silky hair that glided in the air unlike hers.

She was horrified at her thoughts. She folded her arms and chose to remain silent.

He poked her arm with his finger, 'You don't agree with me, do you?'

She narrowed her eyes, 'Don't you have better things to do?'

'Pray tell what 'better' things I could do?' He humoured her.

She shrugged, 'I don't know. How about all the training that you've missed?' She placed her hands on her hips.

'Shlok made me promise that only he could teach me.'

'Love birds,' she chortled. When she stopped giggling, she asked him, 'So how do you know when someone is your one and only?' 

He grinned, widely, 'You see them glowing, Anamika. It is so beautiful.' There was a dreamy look in his eyes. 'When I saw him, I was enthralled. It was ethereal, the way he smiled when he saw me, he captivated me.' He glanced at her, 'I wish you could understand what I'm saying, Anamika. It's wonderful to find your one and only.'

***

Keval's mind was a mess. He cursed himself for being foolish enough to stay in the company of a Yamdhut. Even though the words Kasa had spoken were plain, he searched for an underlying intention. He played the scene, again and again, depriving him of the rest he desperately needed.

He decided he needed to watch Kasa closely. There would be no subtle way of doing so but he had to try.

He felt dumb, dumber than the dumbest daanav he had ever met.

He groaned, covering his face with his hand. He flipped on the uncomfortable mat. In his frustration, he sat up. Resting was no use. Whatever he had worked for was already gone... Or was still in the process of leaving him.

Determined not to let his work go to waste, he stepped outside his room. His room opened to the courtyard. The sight was as same as before. There were Rakshaks training and scouts on the tower. Of course, there were some who were just happily chatting. The sight seemed so familiar and yet so strange.

He noticed Eka Rakshaks standing in one corner. He was surprised that they'd finished the task soon. Anamika was there too, with another boy. Those two were the centre of attention. Frowning at the weird emotion he felt when he saw her wrapping her arm around his muscular ones, he turned away. He decided to go to the armoury. A report about that would dampen Ainas' rage.

There was a huge armoury on the ground floor and smaller ones on the others. It was stacked with all sorts of weapons. He was taken back. There were hundred and seven Rakshaks residing in the station. Even though the numbers weren't that great, they would need all of the weapons and all of the skills required.

The war that was staring down their faces wouldn't be easy.

He stepped out of the armoury and made his way toward one of the four towers. He wasn't positioned there but he wanted some solitude to come up with a plan.

'Keval!'

He stopped short and turned to find Anamika beaming at him waving her hands to get his attention. It made so many Rakshaks stop whatever they were doing. He was taken aback by her sudden action. He knew it would be better to walk away from her without a word. He had done it so many times to so many others, he'd done that to her too.

It seemed different to him this time. He found himself walking toward her. Her grin widened. He couldn't understand why she was so happy to see him.

Keval, the unique.

Did he really have that in him?

He noticed that the boy she was with earlier was assessing him. Keval gripped Sakhi. He didn't like him. He was taller than him and was ripped with muscles, even the armour couldn't hide them.

He was struck by a wave of jealousy.

Shlok was there too.

'What?' Keval asked, rather harshly. He tapped his feet and folded his arms, clearly annoyed.

Anamika didn't even mind his rude behaviour, 'Let me introduce you to my brother-in-arms,' she gestured toward the muscular boy, 'Keval, this is Laksh.'

None of them moved. They assessed each other. Keval wasn't sure why the boy eyed him sceptically but he wasn't going to back down.

'Hey, Laksh, easy there. Keval is a great guy,' Shlok piped in.

Laksh grunted before the small boy punched his arm. Laksh's broke into a smile before he rolled his eyes, 'Nice to meet you.'

Keval was unsure if the words rang true. He didn't attempt to hide the fact that he was dubious, 'Same.'

'With that out of the way,' Anamika drawled and she gave him a quick smile, 'You look tired.'

Was he so transparent?

He pursed his lips. Her friendliness was too unnerving. He felt so vulnerable. He chided himself for being so careless around her. He managed to hide his internal turmoil, 'I'm sorry, Anamika, I'd love to talk but I must leave. I have scouting duty,' He lied. It did make him feel guilty but he thought his goal.

His freedom.

Her eyes dimmed but she didn't drop the smile, 'Oh. Alright.'

He turned to Laksh, 'Excuse me.'

Without waiting for a reply, he hurriedly climbed the steps to the top of the tower. He was glad that he was away. Socializing around her took him to another level. Around her, he forgot his training.

He ignored the stares and the whispers that floated around him.

He was a hot topic, there was no doubt in that.

He shut his eyes, for a moment as he thought about the dream he had been hoping to live, to be able to travel all of the three realms without any questions. The Daanavraj's promise to him for this small task. He reached out the inner depths of his consciousness to find his centre. He was too agitated to think straight. He needed to deal with that above all else.

He stood straight. One hand on Sakhi and the other hand limp on the other side. He became aware of the surroundings. He could hear whispers that were louder and clearer, he could hear Rakshaks swearing, he could hear blades colliding, he could hear some of the Nayaks barking orders.

Once he was aware, it was easier to ignore all of it.

He reached the state of temporary bliss. In his mind, he chanted the maha-mantra. He relished the transcendent state it sent him to.

When he came back, he came back knowing just exactly what he needed to do.

It was time to switch tactics.

***

'He's not that bad,' Laksh spoke after Keval left.

Anamika raised a brow. She could tell he was vacillating between his opinion and his caution. She placed her hands on her hips, 'It's okay, Laksh.'

'Thank the gods,' he said, 'I thought I would have to pretend that I like that boy. He's... different.'

She knew what he meant. He's strange and she should be staying away from him.

'He's not that bad,' Shlok repeated Laksh's words with confidence, 'It's true that he's a little socially awkward but he's got some mad skills.'

Anamika wasn't sure if there were some sexual undertones in Shlok's words until she happened to see the smirk on the boy's face and happened to notice the frown on Laksh's face. She groaned, 'You two take this somewhere else!'

But they ignored her.

'I'm pretty sure my skills are better,' Laksh argued.

Shlok tsked, 'Whatever.'

'Mine are!'

She smiled at their little charade but couldn't help but feel the loneliness inside her. It almost felt like Laksh's fortune was mocking her. She knew she was being thankless. Laksh had helped her. The least she could do it be genuinely happy for him.

She spotted Yoshanhara talking to Kasa.

She forced her giggles, 'I'll leave you two alone.' She winked at Laksh and then looked at Shlok, 'I trust that you'll take care of him.'

'Oh sure, that'll be fun,' the dainty boy grinned.

Laksh glanced at them, 'Are you two teaming up against me?'

'Lucky guess,' She walked away laughing before he could speak any further.

She found herself walking toward Yoshanhara. Kasa seemed to have noticed her approaching them because he gave her a courteous smile and took his leave. Anamika frowned at his gesture.

Yoshanhara was kind and understanding. She seemed normal. Anamika didn't even dare to think that her friend had any underlying intentions.

On the other hand, Kasa's understanding was the polar opposite. She found him a little unsettling. He knew what they needed without having exchanged a word.

Yoshanhara's pearly whites appeared when her eyes fell on her, 'My dearest friend.'

Anamika lost all her diffidence once she was welcomed with such a graceful smile.

'Is something wrong?' Yoshanhara asked.

Anamika nodded, wanly. She didn't say anything for some time. The Yamdhut waited patiently.

'I don't know why I am upset,' Anamika started, 'I want to feel happy for Laksh but...' she stared at the couple who were laughing. Her core ached with loneliness. 'I feel isolated... abandoned.' She was on the verge of tears.

Yoshanhara hugged her, 'Let it all out, my friend. I am here to listen to you.'

Anamika burst out crying in the warm embrace of the Yamdhut. Her tears would be golden but she couldn't see the rich colour. It made her weep more.

'I don't like this. Why must I be...' she sobbed, 'jealous!' It hurt her to even utter that word. 

'Anamika,' Yoshanhara brushed her unruly hair, 'It is natural to feel such a way. Don't fight it. It gives it more power over you. Acknowledge it, accept it. Everything becomes easier then.'

Anamika's mind despite being clouded with guilt and self-loathing, understood the words of wisdom expressed by the Yamdhut. In a few moments, she found herself wiping her tears. She faced Yoshanhara, 'I feel like I've got brilliant souls in my life.' She smiled through her tears.

Yoshanhara shook her head but didn't hide her smile, 'You have and we're always here for you.'

They let silence engulf them before she broke it, 'Hey, what about the Astha Nayak?'

Anamika grumbled, 'Not you too.'

The two of them exchanged a look before they started laughing. Anamika was grateful. She wondered if she had been surrounded by such people when she was living. There was one thing she was sure of, nothing could've been better than this.

She answered Yoshanhara's question, 'He's fine.'

'Kasa and I heard a little rumour going around.'

She rolled her eyes, 'Yes. I know, the one where he would only open up to me. It's not just a rumour.'

'No,' Yoshanhara shook her head, 'That's one of the rumours.'

'There are more?!' Anamika was exasperated. Her friend found that funny, 'Never mind all of them.'

'Which one are you talking about?'

'The one where they say that you both are made for each other.'

Yoshanhara's eyes bore into hers. Anamika's eyes bulged. She stared at the Yamdhut, cynically. She wasn't sure if her friend was being serious. She forced a laugh but Yoshanhara didn't react to it.

'You're serious? That's a rumour?'

'Yes,' Yoshanhara replied, 'I found it was little weird because you would've told me if it were true.'

'I'd tell you before anyone.'

'That's good to hear.'

Anamika couldn't get over the rumour. Disbelief was apparent on her face, She thought of what Laksh had told her. 'I don't see him glowing.'

Yoshanhara threw back her head and laughed, 'Is that what Laksh told you?'

The other girl nodded. 

She chuckled, 'Glowing is the clearest sign but there are others too.'

The Yamdhut smiled mischievously, 'Maybe later.  I have something that is more interesting than this.' 

Anamika groaned. 'Tell me what is it that you find so interesting.' 

'Guess who started the rumour?'

'You know who started it?'

Yoshanhara grinned mischievously, 'Yup.'

'Who was it?'

'Take a guess.'

'Somone I know?'

'Yes,' she replied.

Anamika thought for a while. She took longer than the Yamdhut expected. Yoshanhara let out a loud sigh as she shook her head, 'All this time and you still don't know. It was Gomedha.'

Flabbergasted, the Rakshak almost screamed, 'What? Her?'

Yoshanhara chuckled, 'Obviously. Who else could it be?'

'Why would she do that?'

'You took Dhurya's position. She's just as mad at him as she is at you.'

'What in the world!' Anamika exclaimed, 'It was his choice. He was the one challenged me and he was the one who gave me the ring!'

Yoshanhara laughed heartily at her friend's defensive demeanour. She patted her back gently, her eyes full of mirth, 'I find you quite innocuous when you're mad.'

Anamika pretended to be peeved by her remark. She folded her arms and straightened her back, 'Oh, you have no idea how lethal I am, Yoshanhara.'

'Really? I never took you for a lethal woman.'

'Pick up your arms and we'll see,' Anamika paused for a moment before she deadpanned, 'Oh, well, you can't do that, now, can you?'

'Real mature, Anamika, real mature.'

***