Chapter 1 - A Lone Girl
The onset of the winter season had brought a profound chill to the night air. It was precisely two o'clock. A silver half-moon was suspended high above, casting a faint, spectral glow. Far away from the city lights, deep within the forest territory, a subtle yet disturbing activity was unfolding.
Along a rugged, unpaved track, a burly,
towering man was forcefully dragging another individual, who was secured with heavy rope. He shoved the captive roughly with each step. The bound person's head was entirely muffled beneath a black cloth, and his hands were also tied. The man leading him, the captor, possessed a terrifying, formidable appearance.
After a tense, drawn-out walk, the two figures arrived near a river. On the dark, muddy bank stood an imposing and ancient tree with massive, gnarled roots. Beside this tree, a second man, dressed completely in black robes, waited, accompanied by an old woman clad in a dull brown saree. The man in black, the apparent leader, silently commanded the captive to be brought forth. The burly, frightening man complied, bringing the victim forward before brutally shoving him to the ground. He then reached down and pulled the suffocating cloth from the prisoner's head.
The captive was revealed to be a young man. His face was marred by several gashes and bruises; the marks indicated he had been subjected to a brutal, heavy beating. His eyes struggled to remain open, barely slits against the dim light.
The man in black then grasped the young man's hair and ruthlessly dragged him towards the huge, exposed roots of the old tree. He forced the victim onto his knees, positioning his head against the rigid wood of the root. The captured youth was entirely defenseless, weakened beyond the point of struggling for survival. The old woman held a large, ceremonial knife. She began to chant a mesmerizing, deep rhythm in a language that sounded utterly foreign and ancient.
A short while later, the old woman passed the sacrificial knife to the man in black. He took the weapon into his hand, his movements calculated and cold. Then, with chilling precision, he sliced the young man's throat, completing the ritualistic sacrifice. The lifeblood poured out, dark and thick, seeping rapidly into the tangled, thirsty roots of the ancient tree, spreading across the earth.
Meanwhile, on the opposite side of the river, a girl stood motionless. Her head was veiled by a bright red dupatta. In the deep night, her face remained obscured; she was nothing more than a haunting silhouette, a mere shadow witnessing the atrocity. She watched it all.
Who was that girl? This question hung heavy in the silent, cold air.
(Three Years Later)
In the outskirts of the city, there is a zoo rich in natural beauty, and right next to it, on the seashore, is a large, beautiful garden. This beautiful garden, built during the British era, is named Elphinstone Park. The last part of the garden, which connects to the seashore, offers a very pleasant view of the sea.
It is almost nine o'clock at night. Food stalls are set up in front of the garden, and there is a lot of hustle and bustle of people. Just then, a car pulls up in front of the garden. Inside the car is Vivek (age 27). Vivek parks his car in a suitable spot and gets out, looking towards the garden gate. His friend, Sameer (age 25), is standing there waiting for him, his gaze fixed elsewhere. Vivek sees Sameer and walks towards him.
Vivek goes closer and says:
"Who are you waiting for, friend? No one else is coming here besides me."
Sameer:
"Oh… I was waiting for you only, who else would I be waiting for?"
Vivek:
"I thought you were waiting for some girl here! Alas, this day of happiness will never come in your unfortunate life, ha.. ha…"
Sameer:
"Oh, everything will happen one day, you will see."
Vivek:
"So tell me, what's going on here?"
Sameer:
"Everything is the same here as it was before. You look quite great wearing this suit and boots."
Vivek:
"Yes! I do work in such a big company now. Anyway, this place is special only because of this zoo and the garden; otherwise, there is nothing here like the city."
Sameer:
"Oh brother, this is a natural spot. The natural beauty here is unmatched anywhere in the city."
Vivek:
"Alright, tell me… how is your two-bit job going?"
Sameer:
"Mind your manners, my salary is twenty thousand."
Vivek:
"That's less than my car's expense for three months."
Sameer:
"I'm not a born rich man like you; I got this job through my own hard work."
Vivek:
"Oh, what rich man, brother! I bought this car with a big loan. Don't feel bad, I'm just kidding, you know me."
Sameer:
"Yeah, alright. Shall we go inside? Look, people are finishing their walk and leaving."
Vivek:
"Yes… let's go."
They both enter the garden. Lights are set up everywhere. The light shining on the beautiful flowers and trees creates a very lovely scene throughout the garden. Since it is night and the garden is scheduled to close at 10 PM, most visitors are leaving, but many couples are still seated inside. Vivek and Sameer find an empty bench near a water fountain and sit down.
Sameer:
"Just look behind! How that boy and girl are sticking to each other."
Vivek:
"Are you feeling jealous looking at them?"
Sameer:
"No! I'm just pointing it out."
Vivek:
"There is a lot of work; these private companies make you work like a donkey."
Sameer:
"Yes, but you also get a higher salary, 50 thousand is a lot."
Vivek:
"That's true, but I want to travel the whole world, and that won't be possible with so much work."
Sameer:
"The world will remain the same even after 10 years. So, what are your plans for marriage?"
Vivek:
"Not yet! I want to live my life freely."
Sameer:
"Okay, how is your girlfriend?"
Vivek:
"She's fine, but she makes me spend a lot. Sometimes I don't feel her intentions are
noble."
Sameer:
"No problem. Let's walk around inside for a while and see the sea, then we can head back."
Vivek:
"Yes, let's go. It's been a long time since I saw the beautiful view of the sea from the garden at night."
Sameer and Vivek walked deeper into the garden. The park was virtually deserted now; only a few lingerers remained, confined mostly to the outer, brightly lit perimeter. The path ahead felt eerie and abandoned. A short distance later, near the very edge of the park, they spotted a solitary figure on a bench: a girl. She was sitting perfectly still, gazing out at the vast ocean with eyes that held a peculiar mix of longing and hopeful contemplation.
Vivek:
"Look there, Sameer! A girl is sitting all by herself."
Sameer:
"What on earth is that girl doing out here alone at this hour?" He shivered slightly, though the cold wasn't the only reason.
Vivek:
"We'll find out by asking her. Maybe she's troubled, facing some personal difficulty."
Sameer:
"You don't think… she could be a ghost, do you?"
Vivek:
"Stop talking like an imbecile. There is no such thing."
Sameer:
"So, what's your conversation goal? Just checking on her?"
Vivek's eyes sparkled with mischief. "I have
many goals. If the girl seems promising, I might just make her my girlfriend."
Sameer:
"And what about the current one?"
Vivek shrugged, a man supremely confident in his audacity. "Since when is it a rule that a man can only have one girlfriend? In the old days, valorous men had four or five wives without breaking a sweat. Can't I manage two girlfriends?"
Sameer couldn't help but laugh at Vivek's shameless logic. Just then, his phone rang. He took the call, listening intently. It was his father, commanding him to return home immediately for some pressing, unspecified family business. Sameer hung up, his face serious.
Sameer:
"That was Dad. I have to rush home, it's urgent. Come on, let's get out of here."
Vivek shook his head, his gaze fixed on the distant figure. "No, you go. I, however, am going to speak to that girl."
Sameer gave him a weary, knowing look. "Alright. Just be cautious. Make sure she doesn't accuse you of harassment. If things go sideways, don't even think about calling me."
Vivek waved him away with a grin. "You get moving. I'm an old player in this game; I'll handle everything perfectly."
Sameer left, his footsteps receding quickly. It was almost half-past nine. Vivek began to walk slowly towards the girl. She remained an island of stillness in the deserted park. With every step he took, a strange blend of nervous excitement and curious unease mounted within Vivek. His mind raced, tossing up a multitude of questions: Who was she? What compelled her to be here? Why was she alone at this desolate hour? And what treasures did that veiled face hold?
He finally reached the bench. The girl was still looking out at the expanse of the sea, lost in thought. Vivek positioned himself discreetly and finally saw her face up close. It was a face of exquisite, unblemished innocence; golden, wavy hair cascaded around her shoulders; she wore a distinct white and red designer dress, her head lightly draped with a pristine white dupatta. In that very moment, beholding her, Vivek was instantly and irrevocably captivated—a single glance had turned him into her ardent admirer.
Next Chapter…