LEGACY ||Indian Historical Fiction||

28|| RED BLOOD PASSION

As Chavi walked Aloki to the yagna, the stillness in the air that had been lingering for past few days brought a sense of discomfort. The two reached the main hall where Rajat was already seated before the holy fire. Aloki sat down beside him and Chavi returned to the sidelines.

She looked at the brightly burning fireposts on the wall, an intuitive feeling of loss took over her. The sun was in his natural might but still the birds didn't chirp. Calmness at the wedding of the kingdom's adored princess was unusual to say the least.

She shuddered at the mere thought which did not go unnoticed by Adarsh who stood beside her. He raised a brow. Chavi sighed, blaming herself for thinking of sorrowful things at such a happy moment.

"Where is Acharyaa?" Chavi asked under her breath.

"She was supposed to be here an hour ago. I suppose she's running late." Adarsh looked around.

Darsh on the other end of hall was also growing cautious by the second. While he did notice the quiet atmosphere, he was more cautious because of the disturbance on Chavi's face. He saw her slip out into the hallway and immediately did the same.

He followed Chavi into the armory where she hastily picked out a dagger.

"Are you okay, Chavi?" He asked in a tone soft enough but it still made Chavi flinch.

"Ye- well, I am o-okay. Why... wouldn't I?" Chavi stuttered, pushing the dagger into the waistband of her saree. Darsh approached her slowly, holding her by the shoulder and calming her down.

"Let's go together." He said unaware of where she was going or what she was up to. He just needed to be with her at the time she was panicking. He also grabbed a dagger from the table and followed Chavi out.

"It's almost time for the muhurta." She said under her breath, "and Acharyaa is never this tardy."

•••

An eerie aura filled the academy walls as Chavi and Darsh entered eagerly. Darsh took it to check outside having not known what the inside would be like. Chavi stepped into the building, looking around. The swing that Hiranmayi always frequented was empty. She pushed the bedroom door to find it vacant as well.

The lamps around the Natraja idol were also off telling that Hiranmayi had been gone since the second quarter of the day. She would never miss prayers. Chavi stood in the middle of the hall for a minute, thinking of all the possible places she'd be in. Then, decided against it as she had little time to think. She'd not be able to calm down until she found her.

Darsh who checked courtyard outside, checked the ground for any disturbance in the soil. The recent rain had helped well with tracing out footsteps in the damp sand. He followed it, making footsteps of his own. They seemed to end by the we'll behind the house. Darsh, while praying it wasn't what he thought it was, hurried over and looked into the well.

"Chavi!" He called out upon finding Hiranmayi floating in the water around fifteen feet below ground level. Chavi ran out and looked into the well.

"Acharyaa." She called out but there was little to no response. Only a faint splash if water caused by the flexing of her fingers.

Darsh instantly grabbed the rope by the edge of the well and wrapped it around Chavi's waist, "As much as I hate hurting you, this is the only way." The rough edges of the rope rubbed against Chavi's skin dampened with sweat.

"I'll pull you up," Darsh said stringing the rope to the pulley. Chavi nodded and jumped into well. She reached Hiranmayi and tried her best to pick her up, Her left arm took her by the knees and the right under her arms.