Bolshva Den
They all were looking at him in controlled fury – he was just slouching on the couch , his legs up and his suede shoes clicking together – he was just looking at them calmly – with those two bowls of green ocean water. Natasha, Ruhaan , Kim, Ashlesha, Sonam, Donna, Meer , Sharin – the core Bolshva leaders were standing in the opposite direction , with their arms crossed and their eyes narrowed at him. They actually wanted to pounce on him and rip him apart . But they could do nothing of that sort. There were strict orders by Majesty that Abheer shouldn't even be touched. We are calling him here because we want to speak to him. DON'T TOUCH HIM. So, they were just waiting for Majesty to show up as Abheer was drinking a tall glass of a witch's blood , looking at all of them and just smiling inwardly.
Abheer ( sipping the glass)- You all want to eat my jugular vein so bad , don't you? Or am I a little short in the competition of your hatred for Czens?
Natasha( glaring at him with her cat eyes )- You just have Majesty's order saving your neck, Abheer. If we have to finish you , we can do it in a minute. And unlike Abhay , not werewolf, witch or human being is going to come and save you!
Abheer's amused boyish grin leaves his sharp face and he puts the witch's blood on the table. He gets up and walks upto them.
Abheer ( pointedly)- Of course you can. You all can. I mean it's the 8 of you and am just 1. But….( runs a finger over an enraged Natasha's neck and collar bone making her shudder in arousal )…the first one to open his or her fangs on me , will be burnt in a fraction of a second. I know I don't have the world running in to save me , the way it would come for Abhay…but I don't need a witch, a werewolf or a vampire to save me You know why?...( grabs Natasha by her hair and brings her face within breathing distance , making everyone clench their fists )… because they all run in my blood!
With this , he leaves Natasha with a jerk , making her head bang against a wall .
Ashelsha ( furiously )- YOU….
Abheer ( stopping her where she is )- If you come any closer, I will actually bite your gorgeous lips off your face !
Suhaan holds Ashlesha back by her arm and Abheer's adorable smile returns. He looks at his hands . He has a tuft of Natasha's beautiful chocolate brown hair in his fingers. Natasha gets up in an instant and is livid.
Abheer ( putting the hair in the pocket of his denims )- You need better shampoos , catty. At this rate , I could just turn you bald, if you came in my hands thrice more……
Suhaan( raising a finger at Abheer )- Abheer! Its our den and don't you forget where you are!
Abheer ( checks himself out in a mirror )- It maybe your domain, Bolshie but you all know who the king is R.I.G.H.T N.O.W.
Just then, the lights go dim and the chandelier above shakes a little as the wind chimes clink in an eerie tune – as though to announce someone's arrival….
Donna ( whispers )- Majesty….
Abheer ( rolls his eyes )- Good. I was tired of all the fun and NO games…..(dramatically )….Holla Bolshva Uncle. Am not compelled to call you Majesty. So, even if you mind my offenc e , there is not much that I can do about it.
The surrounding echoes of a man's shoes , his low breathing and the scent of pine wood filling the air – yes, Majesty had arrived. Upon hearing Abheer's not-so-pleasant welcome he gives a short laugh.
Majesty ( his deep baritone ruling the wind)- You have not changed one bit, Abheer. Untamed forever. Anyway, I can safely say its good to see you again. How has life been?
Abheer ( picking up the witch blood and drinking it down )- BLOODY good , Uncle. I have been here and there , drinking , making merry , missing Abhay and Anushka . And….( finishing the last sip and dropping the glass to the floor )…..then, I heard what you heard and we all heard. Now , can we please come to the point? I gotta go and see my baby brother.
Majesty ( seriously)- You know the point, Abheer. You want what we want. Abhay. Abhay in the control of the ring. Right ?
Abheer ( shrugs his shoulders )- Well, who won't want the control of the most powerful 'creature' in the world? Its like having a dragon as your pet. Abhay is more useful than he thinks he is. And we all know the day is coming again….the solar eclipse that will be equal to Abhay's age – 666 . And we all know what 666 stands for? The mark of the beast …or should I say satan? That is the solar eclipse that you all, the werewolves, covens of witches are waiting for. On that day , when the soar eclipse occurs , whoever manages to get control of Abhay will have his evil powers in control forever. In short , Abhay's dark side will come into action till eternity – because he will turn 666 years old when the eclipse happens with divine light getting shadowed. But all this, the prophecy will happen only if that RING is on Abhay's finger. Phew! Man, I can beat google and Wikipedia any day. So, yeah, that's that.
Majesty – Abhay doesn't know his age, thanks to manipulations of Chaand and Haseena . He has no idea that he is going to turn 666 and his next birthday is going to be a solar eclipse. He doesn't know who he is. He has no idea that all his powers have been sucked out of him and cast in a gold ring. And nobody knows where that ring is. Nobody except Anushka . Anushka who cannot be even touched because she is undefeatable and sits on the top order of witches.
Abheer ( recalling her fondly )- Oh yes, Annie. Such a livewire she was… but poor victim of love. I think I just hated breaking her fragile heart. But hell no! Don't touch Annie. An army of witches will come flying down to shut you all in tombs with some supernatural serpents for company. Look, you know the whole prophecy. Abhay is meant to find that ring on his own – the ring will call him and he will find it. And the prophecy is taking shape already , isn't it? You , Natzie, Maithli and T are plotting already to set the game. Poor Piya has been kicked out and that devilish Metz is busy trying to seduce Abhay . T is already on the job of frying Sam's brains so that at the crucial moment the werewolves work in your favour. Cool! You guys are preparing already .
Majesty ( mysteriously )- We are not prepared yet. We know what we have to do. But you are a problem. And we have called you here to reach an agreement. Work with us, Abheer. Help us with the brains and we help you with the force .
Abheer ( feels amused )- Excuse me? Help you? And you will help me?...Holla, man! Do I even look like I need any kind of help? And why should I help you guys and share Abhay when I can have him all to myself and just rule the hierarchy of evil? ….Sheesh! This is what you called me for? A business deal where am supposed to sell my brother to you like a toffee lollipop? I mean, okay , I don't exactly love Abhay but I think I will treat him best as my pet pooch than give him to anyone else.
Majesty ( his voice getting darker )- Don't be too sure, Abheer. You are overestimating yourself and underestimating us. You cannot do this alone.
Abheer ( shakes his head) – I have done everything alone in my undead life- simply because vagabonds like me don't fit anywhere. Czens rules are as bland as chalk and Bolshvas are a bloodline of poison. Rest of the vampire clans are too wishy washy . So, am not worried about being alone ….or getting to Abhay alone. Anyway , good to see you all guys… oops, sorry Bolshie Uncle , I have never seen you. You are just well,…thunder , lightening , good shoes , alluring pine and an awesome voice. Am off now. Adios!
Majesty ( sternly )- You are going to be sorry for this, Abheer. Sooner or later.
Abheer stops in his tracks and smiles to himself – a slow killing dagger smile.
Abheer – Are you threatening me?
Majesty – I'd rather call it a warning.
Abheer ( clucks his tongue )- Warning? Cool. You will have my answer soon. Very soon.
Donna ( furiously )- You are going to be sorry for this, Abheer! Really sorry.
Abheer looks at her and digging his deep greens into her eyes, he pulls her closer , and his pupils diluting into two fireballs of flaming red , his fangs protruding , he bites into her neck . She screams and rest of the Bolshvas run to her help but Majesty's voice stops them in their tracks.
Majesty ( bellows)- NO! Don't go near him! The first one he bites will catch fire!
Abheer leaves Donna with a jerk and as soon as his fangs leave her flesh, her body catches fire and Abheer wipes the blood off his mouth , licking the dripping blood from his fingers.
Natasha ( horrified )- DONNA!
Ashlesha – Somebody do something !
The fire dies down on its own and a superficially burnt Donna collapses on the ground.
Suhaan ( screams at him)- You should be kept in chains, you monster! Oh, Donna! Donna?
Abheer ( closes his eyes )- Hmmm… blood of a woman . And that too a sexy Bolshie. This is the real thing. The blood in the glass is just not happening. ….and cut the drama , will you ? Donnie baby is not gonna die or get infected . The fire is her body's exothermic reaction to the heat I released in her body. She is still as undead as she was…. ( rolls his eyes)….you guys need to brush up your biochemistry. ….( looking at a groaning in pain Donna)……at least, now the strength of your accusation matches my actions. Huraan tastes bad. Really bad. I guess I will go back and brush my teeth.
Abheer winks at the furious Bolshvas and walks out , his hands in his pockets and a grin on his face.
Majesty ( calmly )- Tend to Donna, first. Make sure he has not infected her. If he has, she will not live to see tomorrow morning.
Natasha ( angrily )- But Abheer…
Majesty – Donna! Bother about Donna. Leave Abheer to me.
Maithli's House.
Standing in the shower , the water running down his chiseled Greek body , his eyes closed Abhay had his forehead touching the frigid tiled wall of the bathroom. His hands on the wall and his body bent and drooped as that of a tired crumbling man , Abhay was wishing that this cold water just washes away all the weight that he is feeling on his head and heart. It was getting too much for him – deciphering everything , handling everything and above all trying to deal with everything. Piya…..oh, Piya. It seemed as though those big baby brown eyes , that full innocent pink mouth always full of questions and defenses , her lovely black tendrils and the warmth of her heart and her beauty as a person. Now, Piya never left her thoughts . Infact , she was slowly taking over Maithli's thoughts . And this sabotage of his mind and heart had been resulting in his irrational behavior – his growing passionate aggression with Piya , the translation of his troubled heart into fights that mostly disturbed Abhay and hurt Piya. He had manhandled her , hugged her , consoled her, kissed her , tested her . And yes , he knew that she loved him. To hell with that poetry man who wrote those moving letters ! Piya loved Abhay and Abhay could just feel it. The way she had kissed him back ,hugged him and cried . It had seemed as though Piya had let go of some emotional suffocation inside her – her whole body was shaking when she cried in his arms. Abhay opens his eyes and looks back at his reflection in the mirror.
Abhay ( looking at himself )- Maybe she misses the man she loves. The man in those poems. Do I remind her of him that she behaves like that in front of me?...( rubs the water off his eyes)…but why did I cry? I cannot be falling in love with her . Its WRONG! There can be nothing more immoral than this… this feeling. She is my Maithli's niece…..( struck at a recall)…. And why the hell was that kiss so familiar. I have felt her lips before and this is… this is no hallucination.
Abhay looks at his mirror image – thoughtful , determined and intense.
Abhay ( wiping the water off his face )- Piya is hiding something and there is something screwed up in my head. Its almost as if a whole chunk of my life is missing. How do I find out what and why?...( thinks )….A witch! Only a witch can help me get out of this labyrinth. Anushka is not around. Zeenia would rather flirt with Kabir than even listen to me. Can I even trust anyone? …. ( looks at himself in the mirror)… No Abhay! You cannot break down at this point. And you are…. Alone. Can't you just feel it? Piya is playing an emotional rollercoaster with me. Mom and Dad are playing secretive with me….its not just something , a whole lot is up. And……Abheer. This whole web that he is weaving… its to get to me. It cannot be a co-incidence. Nothing ever is….I have to get to the bottom of this. By myself. Starting with pushing Piya's buttons. I will have to rip her apart to get the truth out. …( a winning grin comes on his face)….and I can do it without even having to touch Piya again….
Just then , the bathroom door opens and Maithli walks in , peeping in , dressed in a black silk spaghetti and shorts of the same colour. She sees Abhay standing near the washbasin, leaning on the sill and looking at his reflection thoughtfully. Maithli's eyes traverse over his wet body and her eyes seem to twinkle and fog with the old passion and want that she used to feel for Abhay. Sigh! What a beautiful beautiful man. Maithli slowly walks towards an unaware Abhay , like a child who has just sighted her favourite candy. She goes and stands behind Abhay and lifts her lovely fair hand to touch his back as he is standing with his head hung and calculating how he is going to sort the mess that everyone has put him in.
An innocent smile playing on her lips and her eyes sparkling , she runs her fingers over the shapely terrain of his brown skin.Touching him as though he was some statue of marble waiting to be admired. Abhay's eyes fly open as soon as he feels the sensation of a hand on his back. He notices Maithli's dancing brown eyes blinking at him from behind his right shoulder. Abhay's ice blue eyes fly wide open at the reflection of his 'true love' . Okay, now why did her touch suddenly freeze him? Wasn't he supposed to feel turned on, passionate and carnal and all?
Abhay ( trying to be funny without turning back )- Maithli, in case you haven't noticed, honey , am in shower – all wet – shamefully exposed – with not a fiber of cloth on my body. And ladies don't walk upon naked men in shower! Go out , I'll just come.
Maithli shakes her head and hugging him from behind, she slides her hands onto his chest and hangs on to him. Abhay looks confused and clenches his fists. He was not feeling anything! How in the world was that possible? And this was Maithli ! Then , why was there no spark in his veins and no arousal in him on being touched by the woman he 'apparently loved across centuries.'?
Maithli ( kissing the back of Abhay's shoulder and resting her cheek on his wet skin)- If I had to wait for you to come out , I wouldn't have come in here….( turns him to face her and puts her arms around his neck )… and its not like am seeing you without clothes for the first time…..( fingering his wet hair away from his forehead and presses her body against his )….hmmm?
Abhay puts his hands on her waist – not to pull her closer but to distance her from himself. She was looking at him with such tempted seductive eyes – that surreal power of seduction that is basic to womanhood. Abhay looked at her face – her eyes were so intense actually – a dark temptation to them and that mouth – curvy , grinning and inviting. Suddenly, Abhay felt he was in the grasp of a temptress. The image of Piya's innocence and the feel of her raw and unintentional sensuality seeped back into his mind……
Maithli raised her hand to Abhay's face – touching his lips and then, snuggling up to him, she lifted her face up and pulled Abhay into a passionate lip lock. Her arms locking him in an embrace and her lips finding their way into Abhay's mouth. Taken aback by Maithli's surge of sexuality , Abhay puts his arms around Maithli and kisses her back. No. Tries to kiss her back, actually. His body doesn't give into Maithli's aggressive advances and his hands slide down Maithli's body , leaving her. Abhay feels Maithli is forcing herself on him or is it him who doesn't feel that fire in him to kiss her back and return her passion. Abhay draws back and his arms leave Maithli , as he looks at her half in apology and half in shock at himself. Maithli , still holding on to him blinks her eyes at him…
Abhay ( looking ashamed )- I…I am sorry, Maithli. I…. ( puts the slipping straps of her spaghetti back on her delicate shoulders )… I think something is….is not right with me. But…..I cannot do this….I…
Maithli ( grabbing his face and forcing him to look at her )- Abhay! What's wrong with you!... ( looking desperate and scared at the same time)… you love me! You love me more than anything in this world! You cannot say NO to me! ….I love you!
Abhay ( feeling guilty and helpless in a way )- Maithli I….
Before Abhay can say anything , Maithli clings to is body and hugging him, she kisses him on the face , his neck and his shoulders possessively and anxiously.
Maithli ( scared and anxious )- No! You love me, Abhay. Don't you just feel it? ….You are mine!
Abhay feels her lips on his body and every nerve of his screams that he needs to get her away from himself.
Abhay ( trying to gently move her away )- Maithli… Maithli… listen to me.. Listen…
Maithli ( almost suffocating him)- No, no, no! You are not leaving me and going anywhere!
Abhay finally loses his cool and jerks her off his body with a gentle but firm push.
Abhay ( to a shocked Maithli )- ENOUGH!
He pulls a bath robe off a hanger and slips it on , looking both angry and disturbed. A stunned and scared Maithli is looking at him in shock … tears rolling down her cheeks…
Abhay ( not looking up at her face)- Look , I –I love you, Maithli. I do… but…as absurd as it sounds, I can't do this, okay? I don't want to hurt you…but its not something I can explain. Forgive me, but we cannot ..I mean, maybe I need some time….
Abhay goes out of the washroom , without a second look at Maithli and she stands there , in shock and rejection, her whole life ebbing out if her…..
TO BE CONTINUED.
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