(Chapter - 12)

  [Silent Surface]

  “I’m finally seeing the power of the Ariya flower with my own eyes??” Thinking so, the red haired boy lowers his hand down and puts the Ariya flower into his pocket. As Mehaki passes by him, he exhales softly, with a calm face.

  Boy : Guess life hasn’t been kind lately, right?

  Mehaki : Huh?

  Mehaki halts and looks at the boy, who lifts up his head as well, talking with a bright, friendly tone.

  Boy : Indeed. It wasn’t any better 12 years ago either, at least not for me. But let's hope for a better future.

  Mehaki : …Who are you? And what are you talking about?

  Boy : Let me tell you about myself. I'm Shomoy, 15 years old. And I'm-

  Mehaki : Your hair and eyes give it away, you’re also a supernatural human like them.

  Shomoy stops for a second after hearing Mehaki's cold, stern and bored voice. Then recomposes himself.

  Shomoy : ‘Them’? Haha… *Who’s ‘Them’?* Well, how can you tell though? Anyways… My abilities are-

  Mehaki : Time travelling? Or anything like playing with the time? Your name clearly means that.

  Shomoy : Something like that, yes! You're quite intelligent. Everyone somehow turns out just like as their name suggests.

  Mehaki : *What does this guy even want?*

  Shomoy : You must be Anami, the companion and power of the Ariya flower?

  Mehaki : !!!

  Mehaki's expression suddenly changes into a face alarmed by danger, as Shomoy's words strike her with shock. Mehaki raises the notebook she has been holding and points it to his face, almost close enough to touch his chin, like a whoosh of wind, ruffling a few strands of his red hair.

  Mehaki : How do you know me? Who are you exactly? Tell me right now!

  Her gaze is strong and fierce. Taken aback, Shomoy stumbles and leans back slightly, raising both hands to calm down Mehaki.

  Shomoy : W-Whoa! Hey! Hey! Calm down. I'm not here to harm you.

  Mehaki : Are you from the Zaheer family?

  Shomoy : What!? No, haha…

  Mehaki : The Alam family?

  Shomoy : …No.

  Mehaki's tone sharpens with each question, eyes narrowing.

  Mehaki : Then maybe you’re Shomoy Newaz?

  Shomoy : Shomoy Shunil Newaz. That's right. You know a lot I see… *Put that notebook down please?*

  Mehaki : Are you… A relative of Asroy?

  Shomoy : Umm, I'm his youngest brother… Wait- you know him!?

  Mehaki : *Sighs* Okay, listen…

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  She finally lowers her hand, but her strict tone remains unchanged. Shomoy's startled face eases.

  Shomoy : *Phew.*

  Mehaki : I don’t know why this is happening to me, meeting the people I shouldn’t out of nowhere. But let me get this straight, I don’t want to talk with any of you or your family!

  Shomoy : B-But! Where's–

  Mehaki : Just keep yourselves out of my business! And don’t talk so nicely knowing you’re from my enemy bloodline. Since you know who I am–you must know that too, right?? Just. Stay. Away!

  Mehaki turns away and continues to walk at a faster speed. “Why am I suddenly meeting all the red haired Newaz descendants one after another!? What's wrong with my life now? I want peace– ugh!” Thoughts burden her mind. Shomoy, totally stunned, keeps staring her way.

  Shomoy : Enemy bloodline? Well, she's not completely wrong, but there's-... Oh! Now where do I find brother Asroy?

  Shomoy's senses and worry come back to show up on his face. He turns to walk on his way, the opposite of Mehaki's.

  Shomoy : *Looks like she won’t help me, even though she knows everything. I should keep looking for my brother.*

  Continuing his footsteps, he leaves the place as well. Meanwhile at Miraz Monjil, Asroy sits on the bed in his room. It's actually Tushar's too. They share a room, just like Tori and Karu do. Seeing him upset and lost in thought, Tori quietly walks in, hoping to comfort him. Little does he know that he won't be of much help, but he believes it's his duty.

  Tori : Asroy.

  Asroy : …What is it?

  Tori : Look, don't feel low. I understand the pain.

  Asroy : You don’t…

  Tori : I faced it too… I got detached from my family, when I never even wanted to, you know that…

  [A memory of 6years old Tori with a backpack, bruised and breathless, running through a forest for his life. Tears in his eyes, not even looking back.

  Tori : Mom! Dad…! Huff… Sis! Hah…!

  “The people I loved the most, life tore me away from them before I could even understand why…”

  Tori : Is anyone here?? Please! Help me!!

  He cries as he keeps calling out for help. A scared little kid, whose steps are faltering as he runs for safety.]

  Tori : Sometimes, life takes us through unexpected incidents. Just like how things have become a bit complicated between Mehaki and us. But, I’m sure we’ll figure it out. Everything will be fine… And trust me, Mehaki is not someone who'd-

  Asroy : That's not the only thing, Tori!

  Asroy snaps, his voice cracking under frustration. Tori gets startled as his loud tone cuts him off.

  Asroy : It's not as simple as you make it sound. The fact that I was told to hide my real name, and dad knew exactly why but never told me… I just can't take it… Why did he hide it? What did I even do!?

  Tori : Hey, it's not-...

  Asroy : Don't say a thing anymore! You weren’t told to conceal your identity. You'll never know what it feels like! So, just don't bother saying anything to me now…

  Tori feels a sting. It's not like he wasn’t told the same thing. The only difference is, Tori was given a choice, while Asroy was given none. He looks down and Asroy gets up from the bed.

  Tori : *Right… He doesn’t know I was told the same thing long before him. It’s better if he doesn’t find out right now…*

  Asroy : Ugh, I need to cool down my head. I'm going outside… When dad comes home, I'll just ask him… For sure!

  He storms out of the room, Tori stands still. Tushar comes in after seeing Asroy leaving like that. He mutters in a low voice so only Tori can hear.

  Tushar : Man, Asroy is something! Instead of figuring out how to clear up the mess he deliberately created with Mehaki, he's still stuck on that one thing! Duh… Acting all tough when he's not even doing what he should do. And Karu says I'm the one most childish. Ha!

  Tori : Leave it, Tushar…

  Tushar keeps looking at the stairs, with a raised eyebrow and a confused face. A face that asks why is Asroy like that. Tori wonders, his calm yet tense eyes keep scanning the tiles of the floor. “How did it come to this…? Mehaki… I told you that we’d wait for you to open up, and we’ll do the same. But I failed to keep the word… It’s all messed up now. I’m sorry… What do I do now…?” aching thoughts flood his mind. A storm suppressed within his heart, visible only through his calm, ocean-like blue eyes… In the meantime, Mehaki reaches home. Clutching the notebook, she walks to the stairs and hears someone familiar’s voice coming from the living room. She peeks, and sees her great-grandmother, Nishuki (Age-76), talking with grandmother.

  Mehaki : Great-granny! What a surprise!!

  Mrs. Onuki : You're home, dear.

  Mrs. Nishuki : Ah, Anami… How much you've grown!

  Mehaki walks to her great-grandmother and hugs her.

  Mehaki : How have you been?

  Mrs. Nishuki : Just fine… I was having an urge to see you, after I heard about you bringing the Ariya flower to home. You have yet to awaken your powers…

  Her calm, loving voice and gentle smile keep Mehaki from feeling nervous or worried. Rather, she is at peace.

  Mehaki : Yes… I don’t know how to use it.

  Mrs. Nishuki : Oh, you will know. First, you have to learn how to control it, how to focus and of course, how to believe in yourself…

  Mehaki listens to her attentively, knowing she's about to learn something really important. Her eagerness shines in her eyes.

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