Part 1 in Devansh Series
The Mantri sisters have been thrown into a familiar yet unfamiliar world of devas, asuras, devansh, and age-old enmity. When faced with a choice, they have to follow into a mission to the lands of the enemy. Will they prove...
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Alaknanda
The Gurukul had two tapt kunds. A tapt kund is a naturally occurring thermal spring that has several medicinal properties. They say that the temperature of the water there is the exact temperature of the water that relieves stress and helps in soothing muscles. That kund was where we took bath. They were large kunds. The water inside them has high mineral content. Sulphur, silica and other minerals. The water is hot enough to have steam emerge. Of course, there is this distinctive smell that comes with sulphur. They were known for being really very effective in several things. Pain relief, smoothing skin, detox and de-stressing.
One of them was used by boys and the other by girls. A stand was kept where we could put our dry clothes.
I kept my clothes there and turned towards the kund. I saw that a girl was already there. Her shoulders were perfectly carved. She turned around and a familiar face greeted me.
"Nandini?" I asked, shocked. My heartbeat shot up 144 beats per minute. Water dripped from her face. Her lips curved into a smile.
"Adya?!" Her eyes twinkled with surprise. Her eyes have already reminded me of dark chocolates. Her brown skin glistened in the sun. It was close to sunset.
Nandini and I have studied in the same school since our childhood. We were in the same class several times. Often times we were paired together in our chemistry classes and for several projects. Unlike me, she came off as more mature and grown-up.
I could feel my heart in my mouth. I have always been self-confident about myself but at that moment, a tinge of self-consciousness made its way into me.
"Adya, you can come in. It is alright." She assured.
I felt really shy. I'm generally not shy. People who know me will tell me that I'm nothing close to shy. The slight feeling in your stomach when you're close to your crush.
"I..."
Nandini smiled. Her smile was really pretty. She walked towards me and offered her hand. I took it.
"Just relax. That is the whole point of you taking a bath. Thermal baths are meant to relax you after a hectic day. It isn't going to serve the purpose if you go frozen like that." She told me and helped me inside the water.
She continued on with her bath while my heart kept beating like crazy.
"No... I'm not used to us... I mean used to this." I answered.
"You'll get used to it soon."
"I never imagined to find you here. I mean I never expected anyone I know to be here."
She smiled.
"Hmm... Life gives us surprises more than we can understand. So, just go with the flow."
