📅 October 2 – Vijayadashami – Devgarh
The Celebration
Dusshera night set Devgarh ablaze with color. Effigies of Ravana, Meghnath, and Kumbhkaran towered in the fields, waiting for the flames. Children balanced on their fathers' shoulders, vendors shouted over the crackle of sparklers, and the dhol drowned out even the restless growl of the river.
Ishanvi came with Vrinda and Vivaan, her scarf drawn close against the wind. Abhay walked nearby with Aariv, scanning the crowd as though shadows themselves might move.
For a few moments, they almost looked like ordinary teenagers — part of the festival, not apart from it.
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The Misstep
Near the sweet stalls, two older boys blocked Ishanvi's path. Their grins were sharp, words sharper.
"Arre, Devi ji, alone today?" one jeered. His hand reached too close, brushing her scarf.
Before she could react, Abhay was there, his grip iron on the boy's wrist. For an instant, water shimmered along Abhay's knuckles, cold enough to sting. The boy yelped and stumbled back.
The second muttered something foul — but stopped when the diya flames on the stall flared high, bending toward Ishanvi as if she commanded them. Her eyes glowed with restrained fire.
The crowd bustled on, unaware. To them, it was just festival chaos. But to the four who stood frozen, the air was thick with something more dangerous than Ravana's burning.
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The Line
Ishanvi's voice cut, steady as steel:
"Even during Navratri, when goddesses are worshipped, girls are still afraid to walk at night. Nine nights of prayers, and then again, we're scared."
The boys shrank under her words, retreating into the festival haze.
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The Twist of Power
Abhay didn't relax. His hand still trembled, the phantom chill of water coiling tighter around his wrist. He turned to her, voice low, protective but shaken:
"If I lose control, I can drown someone."
Her gaze didn't waver. The lantern light flickered across her face as she answered:
"And if I lose control… I can burn everything."
For a heartbeat, silence. Then, above them, Ravana's effigy erupted in flames, arrows piercing the night sky. The crowd cheered, celebrating victory over evil.
But between Ishanvi and Abhay, the question lingered like smoke:
What if the evil isn't outside… but inside us?