The Kailashanath Diamond

Chapter 23

Ashwin was confused. The last few minutes had been a blur – the ship starting an abrupt countdown, the makeshift raft, the blast … and most of all, the swirling inferno on board that would have definitely killed any human present in its vicinity. Ashwin was very sure he had checked the functioning of the ship – it was flawless, for something so old.

The normal oar-ship system had been replaced very recently with a high-end engine room. This had intrigued Ashwin at first: except, his suspicions would be of no use now. The continuous wailing around him inspired some kind of vague feeling of loss … Jyoti. How could they have forgotten her? She was very crucial. Not that he was thinking in business terms … it was just, an asset had just been lost to the licking flames above.

A sensation in his stomach almost made him imagine violins shrieking in the background. But no: this was reality. There was no crew that’d delightfully say, “Cut.” And Jyoti wouldn’t come back. Possibly ever. Probably this was the reason the raft floated with such vigour. The waves were high, almost like the ship had reached the shore again, in the coastline of some other country.

Ashwin realised almost everyone was looking out far into the sea, nobody remotely interested about their adventure. For now at least. Nandita was shaking with silent sobs, Madhumita was staring into the horizon, Swati was … ah! Ashwin spoke in a hushed tone.

‘Swati … um, could you tell me where we are?’

Swati gave him a glare that would’ve silenced anybody. He started to retaliate, but stopped. With the solemn atmosphere, it’d be highly unwise to actually get into a verbal match. It was one thing he stopped himself from doing.

‘Five miles north of Sisophon in Cambodia. Quite close to the Angkor Wat temple. This is a small lake, but not the one Pitashri was talking about. So, what to do, now… Nandita? You okay?’ she whispered.

Nandita didn’t look up, but it felt like she’d heard Swati. She nodded softly. Her words following the nod were heavy, careful.

‘We should proceed to Angkor. There isn’t much time … the spring arrives very soon. In that case, it’d be a waste of time and resources even if we reach on time.’ This mature translation of panic was enough to bring the others out of their grieved stupor. The one who looked the most cheerful was Gaurav, despite his pale face.

‘I sense nothing’s bad. No, there isn’t much, just I have to act like a Khmer translator. I’m warning you now: I just know basic phrases, okay? Not complex explanations. Leave those to Ashwin. Nothing’s wrong at all.’

This carefree statement was enough to add fuel to the fire. Nandita’s eyes glowed with pure rage and hatred before the slight swish and a sliver of silver shone brightly against the early morning sky.

As the Trinayan found its mark, Gaurav clutched his side as he tumbled wildly, breathless, over to the edge of the raft that was idling over the vast expanse of liquid. He flailed wildly, hoping to get hold of something; but alas, his uncontrolled fingers didn’t catch anything. His fingers shook as he tried desperately to cling on to the raft.

It seemed Nandita’s rage hadn’t calmed yet, though it wasn’t easy to tell. She was turning the other way, her face obscured by the predawn fog. Her shoulders were shaking, like she was sobbing and failing to control them. Swati looked at her, concerned, obviously stunned at this impulse.

Makes absolute sense. Nandita isn’t the impulsive one of the two, is she?

Ashwin knew after some time, Gaurav would fall over, anyway; the human mind always gave up when there was no hope. Gaurav should have known that he could be saved easily … except, his face was pale, his eyes closed, and the only movement his shaking fist.