Chapter 29 The Mirror and the Tears
Agni horse was crossing the hills of Pawangadh in the blurry light of early morning The sound of the horse hooves echoed on the mountain path and Agni face bore marks of dust and exhaustion but his eyes held the gleam of an unshakable resolve The palace of Pawangadh became visible from a distance It was smaller than Prakashgadh but its walls were strong and high
As soon as he reached the main gate of the palace two soldiers recognized him and immediately bowed their heads in greeting A senior soldier stepped forward Margdarshak Agni We had already received news of your arrival Please follow me
Agni dismounted from the horse without a word and followed that soldier He led him inside the palace through long corridors where the cool wind coming through the windows carried the fragrance of herbs Finally he stopped before a door The soldier knocked softly on the door and then turned to Agni and spoke and his voice held a tone of unbelievable joy Maharaj Prince Anvay and Nirag have regained consciousness after five days They are in this very chamber
Hearing these words Agni body froze for a moment His breath stopped Then he grabbed the handle of the door His fingers were trembling And he opened the door slowly
Inside the chamber in the soft sunlight coming from the window two figures sat on a couch Anvay was folding a piece of cloth in his hands and his posture was calm And beside him slightly shrunken sat Nirag with his eyes fixed on the world outside the window as if he had just returned from some other world
At the sound of the door both of them looked up
For a moment time seemed to stand still Three pairs of eyes melted into each other The disbelief and hope in Agni red eyes The relief in Anvay brown eyes And the wandering in Nirag black eyes that was slowly turning into recognition
Then Agni stepped forward His steps did not stumble but moved towards them with a determined pace He hugged Anvay first wrapping his arms tightly around his back and hiding his face in his shoulder Anvay breath hitched and he also clutched Agni and his fingers dug into the cloth on Agni back
Margdarshak Anvay voice was drowned in a whisper
Agni gave no answer and just held him tighter Then he slowly released him and turned towards Nirag
Nirag tried to stand up but his legs stumbled Agni steadied him and then hugged him This hug was different There was a caution in it and a fear that this might not be real and might be an illusion Agni body trembled slightly And then a deep suppressed sob escaped his throat which slowly turned into a wail His shoulders began to shake For the first time in years tears streamed down the cheeks of Agni who was known as the god of fire and they soaked his beard as they fell
Nirag who had been stunned until now suddenly seemed to come alive He also held Agni tightly and tears flowed from his eyes Not of shame but of a deep pure relief Tauji Tauji I am here I am fine
Anvay also came and stood beside them and all three clung to each other forming a group that no one could separate There were no words Only sobs Deep breaths And the patting of hands that said You are here You are truly here
After a long time when the tears began to subside Agni held Nirag shoulders and separated him and looked at his face He wiped the tear stains from Nirag cheeks with his thumb
Do you know everything Agni asked and his voice was heavy
Nirag nodded yes Yes Tauji Anvay told me Everything Suryagadh The war Everything
Agni took a deep breath Then listen son And listen to the full story He made Nirag sit down and himself sat on the ground before him looking into his eyes When the news of your and Anvay death came Your Pitashree What he did He destroyed Suryagadh He ended King Ravitej And now Now he has isolated himself completely He is locked in a chamber of the palace punishing himself
Nirag eyes filled up again Pitashree Why did he do that
Because he loves you immensely Nirag Agni said and his voice was gentle And hearing the news of your arrival He will be happy son Come Let us go to him
The journey back to Prakashgadh felt lighter this time Nirag sat behind Agni on the horse with his arms wrapped around Agni waist Anvay was on his own horse beside them There was silence along the way but that silence was no longer sad It was filled with hope
When they reached Prakashgadh Neer chamber was still locked Agni held Nirag hand and led him before the door He knocked on the door
No answer came from inside
Agni tried again Neer Open the door
After a while Neer voice came sluggish and lifeless No Agni I need solitude Leave me alone
Agni looked at Nirag and a smile played on his lips Then he said to the door Neer Someone has come to meet you
Silence fell inside Then slowly the sound of the lock opening came The door opened an inch and then two inches And in the crack Neer face appeared Pale Dark circles under his eyes Hair tangled
And then his gaze fell upon Nirag
For a moment Neer froze as if he had seen a ghost His eyes widened and his mouth fell open His breath stopped
Pitashree Nirag whispered
This voice ran through Neer body like lightning The door opened fully Neer stepped forward and his steps were stumbling He came and stopped before Nirag and raised his hand towards his face but was afraid to touch as if this was a mirage
Nirag grabbed his hand and placed it on his own cheek Pitashree I am here I am fine
This touch This warmth It was real
Neer body collapsed He clutched Nirag and wailed a cry that bounced off the palace walls and echoed This crying was pure and filled with unspoken pain The pain of losing The pain of revenge And now the unimaginable relief of suddenly finding Nirag also began to cry and both of them sat down on the ground clinging to each other
Agni and Anvay stood at the door watching and their eyes were also moist After a long time when the crying subsided Neer held Nirag face in his hands and looked at him as if memorizing every detail
I thought I had lost you Neer whispered and his voice was broken I did something terrible son
No Pitashree Nirag said and he wiped Neer tears You only loved That is all
Both of them wiped each other tears in a gentle patient companionship Then Neer said and his voice held a new tender tone Son now you rest I will have food prepared for you and bring it
Nirag smiled and nodded yes Neer stood up and stroked Nirag head once more and then looked at Agni There was a quiet deep joy in Agni eyes Neer sent him a small grateful smile and walked out of the chamber
Nirag went to his room To that room where everything was exactly as he had left it He slowly stood before that large polished bronze mirror hanging on the wall
Initially the mirror showed him as he was A tired tear soaked youth but his eyes now held a faint peace
Then slowly the reflection began to change
The lines of his face hardened The pupils of his eyes expanded and turned completely black And on his forehead the skin split and a black open third eye emerged within which pulsed a purple throbbing light
In the mirror Nirag was not smiling Andhak Void was smiling
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