Sun Moon & Stars Volume II Call Of The Skull Men

CHAPTER 22

A strange night it was. The trio stood at the barren balcony of Ragnik's room inspecting an equally strange sapphire blue of the dark sky.

"Scary? Or peculiar? What should I name thee?" Nishi scratched her chin. Her left eyebrow arched up at a sharp angle expressing her deep curiosity.

"Why are you being so poetic?" Ragnik huffed.

Nishi sighed irritated with Ragnik's negative attitude while she was trying all means to lift up his mood. The arrogant man just wouldn't budge. His humourous nature transformed into that of a complaining old brute as soon as he stepped into his home. The place was more of a memoir of his estranged family. Shomak, on the other hand, wasn't helping either. He looked too disturbed to even join Nishi in cheering Ragnik. 

Both the men were currently on their second cigarette, Nishi counted. She, after quitting smoking two years back didn't enjoy being a passive smoker. As soon as Ragnik took a long puff she annoyingly stated, "That tobacco is going to kill you even before those filthy kapaliks get to you!" 

"Right now I am more concerned about the auction!" Ragnik stated back.

"Of course, I can see that! Considering the way you have disappeared from the opening party, you are really worried!" Nishi rolled her eyes.

"Could you please keep your mouth shut for a minute!" Ragnik snapped releasing the smoke in circles.

"No, I won't! And you know that. Anyways, let's get to more important matters. When are you two heading to Prathi?"

"Well, that's for him to decide," Ragnik turned towards Shomak who didn't answer. He seemed miles away from their conversation. Let alone reply to Nishi's question, she was sure that he didn't even hear a word.

"Shomak?" Nishi gently shook him. With a sudden jerk, he turned towards them.

Nishi and Ragnik exchanged a concerned glance. "Shomak are you still thinking about the morning incident?" Nishi wanted to avoid that topic but somehow looking at his state it was best to talk it out.

He didn't say anything, only nodded slightly.

"Ela cannot slip into PTSD. She is much stronger than that!" Ragnik patted his back but Nishi didn't agree with his words.

"It's not that easy Ragnik," Nishi's said looking down at her feet. The men frowned while giving her all the moment to gather the words and speak.

"What Ela went through is the biggest nightmare for any woman, be it our world or the supernatural." She paused. "Some incidents we carry with us forever even though we don't want to."

Shomak and Ragnik knew why Nishi spoke like a lost soul. She harboured more terrible memories of childhood than any of their friends. 

"Nishi, you don't have to go back even if your parents call you," Ragnik patted her back. She didn't answer; ignored him and turned to Shomak. "However, with your help, I am sure Ela would be alright but Shomak, you need to act stronger." Nishi held his shoulder and looked into his eyes. "What you did today is not acceptable! You cannot freeze when she gets a panic attack. I am hoping she would not get one any sooner but you need to be ready and think of ways how to deal with it. Not every time we would be around, and it's not us, it's you who she needs the most."

Shomak nodded. He knew what he had done was utter foolishness but somehow he couldn't go near her watching her pointing an accusing finger at him. And that scream! Oh! That scream! It had shattered Shomak's already broken heart into finer pieces. 

"Hey, if a relationship phobic person like me can deal with a brat, you two are still the mature ones! I mean the one I am dealing with is a crackpot! Ela is at least on the mature side!" Ragnik chuckled.