It was the first time Ishar had seen Venkatesh look so scared and uncomfortable. It almost made him feel guilty for taking advantage of him (though you couldn't exactly call it that, as no one was harmed, but let's just ignore that.)
"It's okay."Ishar called out to the team.
They all entered and Venkatesh looked up at them with suppressed anger, and- relief?
"You're not working on a heritage project after all, are you?" he asked quietly, in a tone that could send shivers up your spine.
"No we aren't, and we are truly sorry for lying to you. We are actually soldiers, Venkatesh, seeking refuge in your village. There is something going on in our world. Something big. And if we don't try to prevent it, well then, there won't be much of an India left for us to salute." Ishar said, trying to make Venkatesh understand the gravity of the situation. "
You should have told me sooner." Venkatesh muttered, and looked around importantly.
"Why?-" Gargi asked curiously, "-Do you know anything of importance? Anything…unknown?"
Venkatesh held up the papers in his hand and said, "Well, looking at the electromagnetic readings of CB-1 and its directed radio waves sent to the singular spot through an intermolecular array of-".
"-Wait!" Naren interrupted with an incredulous look. "-how do you even know all of that?"
Venkatesh grinned sheepishly and said,
"I may be able to help you guys figure out what's going on. This village isn't as plain as it looks, and I have had first-hand experience since my birth for this type of thing. I think it's time that the army knows the secret of Aralam…and why it's so important to protect it. Come on, I have something to show you."
Saying this, he turned away and back, heading towards Adinath's cottage. Ishar had to admit it now, even he was tensed by the suspense and revelations that mingled in the atmosphere. He could feel the adrenaline rushing through his veins. And as the team followed Adinath, taking all necessities along, he just knew that Tanik would have to wait.
Venkatesh knocked on Adinath's door thrice. The sun was setting down and the crickets played a harmony of silence around them.
"Isn't it er-, a bad idea to go into the forest at night?''Naren asked.
Venkatesh simply hummed and replied, "Ha! It was born in a time of darkness. It shines the brightest in the night."
Ishar was puzzled by the increasing riddles in Venkatesh's voice. Why couldn't he just put off the 'mystery voice' and tell the truth? Adinath opened the door, with a cup of tea in his hands.
"What do you all want?" he asked, surprised to see so many eager faces looking expectedly at him.
"Dad, come on inside. I want to talk." Venkatesh said, as he turned towards his father. Then he turned around towards the group of soldiers and said, "I will come back in a minute."