The Hell Games (Kalki Chronicles)

Days of Despair

"Change is the only constant," once a Greek philosopher, Heraclitus said. That change is now visible to me also, thought Samaira.

Who knew that this was short-lived? The Change. Who knew that my happiness would be short-lived?

Samaira began the day on a positive note. She took two classes and solved some problems for the students when she was called by the receptionist.

"Mam, Keshav Sir wants to meet you in his cabin?" smiled Leena, the new receptionist in Learner's Institute. Upon receiving the information, Samaira rushed through the door and reached Sir's cabin.

"Yes. Sir, did you call me?

Samaira sounded a little serious and nervous. "Sir never calls anyone suddenly. There must be something serious to be discussed", she worried.

Inside the cabin, Keshav Sir looked at Samaira angrily. He began instantly -

"Samaira, I have received some complaints against you from the students. They say you don't use the board while teaching. Students find it difficult to understand the concepts. Please keep this in mind. And, he added, "This should not be repeated again"

Before Samaira could speak, Dev entered the room. He could not understand what was going around but sensed some tension in the surroundings. He wanted to say something but was interrupted by Keshav Sir.

Keshav Sir began scolding Samaira in the presence of Dev and two others in the cabin. "Consider this as my last warning to you. Now get back to your work", saying so, he turned his head towards Dev.

She left the room with teary eyes.

After Holi, things changed drastically for her. Rumors became the order of the day. At one end, she heard that Dev was a manipulative person who was using her to fulfill his interests while on the other she heard from another source that he had casted black magic spells on her as he was known to have used black magic (Vashikaran) on females. The food that he shares often is no ordinary food, said one of the persons in the Institute. It is given for some reason.

He then added – "You must have heard about Vashikaran. It is a ritual and a type of mantra used to gain control of someone, a situation, a person's soul or even an animal. Although an ancient practice in Indian religious traditions, today it is most associated with attracting love and is often used in Jyotisha (Vedic astrology), or even in the occult. Vashikaran may also be described as a love spell. The term comes from the Sanskrit, vashikara, meaning "subjugating" or "making someone subject to one's will." There is no single vashikaran mantra, but numerous mantras that fit this category, also referred to as captivation mantras. Depending on the tradition, the ritual may involve just reciting the mantra a specified number of times for a specified number of days, or it may involve bringing food and objects of worship for the deity associated with the mantra. It may also involve bringing some object belonging to the desired person, such as an article of clothing or a lock of hair. Dev uses food to cast black magic spells.

Samaira was warned by the guy to stay away from Dev Sir. He is no ordinary person, he said.

She smiled at the thought "Everyone is giving me warnings these days".

All of the rumors were however, discarded by her.

She felt drawn towards him even more than before. A strange attraction drove her crazy for him. She wanted to see him everyday. It became difficult for her to imagine her life without him. This was a turbulent phase for her. She could no longer concentrate on her studies. Day dreaming about Dev became usual. At the Institute, she would take turns to look at Dev whenever she could take out time.