Sun Moon & Stars Volume II Call Of The Skull Men

CHAPTER 44

Nishi hadn't come back from her expedition. Hence, that left Shomak and Ela in the small hut to plan out the next day. Madhumita had called to remind that they had just a day left. And in the midst of that tension, Nishi was suddenly acting weird. 

They did wait for Nishi till late at night but there was no sign of her. She had left a message to Shomak, quite vague, that she would be back as soon as she got what she was looking for. It did confuse Shomak as Nishi had never behaved in such a mysterious manner. He tried calling her but she didn't pick up. He was worried but also knew she was not someone to walk right into danger foolishly. She would rather analyze before jumping straight into it. So that relaxed him a bit.

Ela took a small walk to the neighbour's hut and was coming back from the little storytelling session they had organised. The countryside had fascinating histories if one had the time and interest to listen. 

The village had started to experience cold nights, though the beginning of winter was far away, and rather than complaining Ela enjoyed the cool air. It reminded her of Birbhum, her hometown; the familiar chill of the hills in Darjeeling and the mystery of big city Kolkata. 

Her mind wandered off to a probable near future. She didn't know what would she ask or tell when she meets Purnima for the first time. Even when for the first time when she came to know about her birth parents she was unable to accept. For her, Phalguni was her mother and whatever she knew of the mother-daughter relationship would remain with her ashes forever. With Purnima, everything would be new. Just like a new moon; the meaning of her name.

She came back to find Khemi's family deep in sleep. Washing off her hands and feet she went towards their tiny guestroom and saw Shomak standing in the dark. He was staring at the healer's pendant. 

It has been three days in Prathi and yet no sign of her birth mother; she mentally snapped at herself again. During their stay, she had started to think and Shomak was gradually opening up. But with Nishi's sudden take off there was again a gap in between them.

It took them a long time to even have a conversation properly after that fateful night. She knew Shomak was still cursing himself and no matter how much she denied the memory was still like a sting to her as well. It wasn't Shomak and she craved to experience the real him. 

The soft kisses they had shared were not enough to overpower the memory of that night. She acted strong but from inside she was broken too. For once she wanted Shomak to hold her hand and erase that night from her memory and replace it with his love. But that would take time.

Khemi had left a small cauldron of coal in case the nights turn too cold. Ela placed it in the centre of the two mattresses that she had earlier spread on the floor. Poking with a stick she blew over the coal and it started getting hot. She sat in front of the stove and rubbed her hands trying to ignore Shomak's presence.

Shomak noticed all her actions; including her efforts to ignore him. There was a gap between them, he knew. Ela was trying to bridge it but hesitated, as he didn't reciprocate. He had tried but failed. It was extremely hard for him, yes, but it was harder for her and yet she tried. The least he could do was accept. 

However thanks to Nishi's lectures he realised he was only drifting away from Ela at a time when she needed him the most. "Sometimes it just takes one strong will to tighten the grip on the thread and it is high time you do that Shomak," Nishi had advised. He sighed. Putting the pendent into his pocket he went to sit beside Ela.

Ela felt the soft brush over her hands. A gentle swipe. She could sense Shomak's presence very near to her. This close proximity which was nothing but normal for them seemed like the very first step of awkwardness now.