The Lines of Fate

7: The Return

Warning: Some parts in this chapter may be slightly triggering. It also contains superstitious practices. I do not encourage such things but for the plot, these are necessary.

The picture above resembles a scene from the chapter.

9:30 pm.

The guests were leaving as the party was over. Radhika's mother went to arrange everything that was needed to perform the ritual of choosing the leader of the Arc. Ishaan was nervous as well as excited to chant the prayers.

Rishav and Vaarsh were teasing Radhika. They clearly understood that Keshav was showing interest in her. Most of the time he was beside Radhika talking about different things and Radhika...who was never fond of talking, much to her surprise was listening to everything he was saying, without getting bored.

About ten minutes later Radhika's mother came followed by a butler carrying some things with him. The members of the Arc took the dark brown cloaks from the butler, wore them... and formed a circle.

Ishaan went and took the book from the butler and stood in between them. His fingers shook as he flipped the pages. Radhika felt her anger rising again. Why did her mother choose Ishaan to do that? Why?

There was no point to talk with her also. She would not listen and there would be chaos.

"He is nervous," Keshav said from her side.

"I know. Ma shouldn't have told him to do it." Radhika said. "By the way you are also a member of the Arc. Will you not join them?"

"No...I don't believe in those." Keshav said which was quite a surprise for Radhika.

"What? You being a magician is telling you don't believe in those." Radhika turned toward him.

"Magic is all about tricks. You do it correctly...you can deceive the person in the front. You can surely do it if the opposite person is not getting harmed. Magic makes people happy.... that's my main goal." Keshav replied.

"Following unrealistic rituals...is just another reason why we are lacking behind. It's the 21st century, people should stop believing all such superstitious things."

"Hmmm....." Radhika agreed before looking back at the others who were going to perform the ritual. She saw Vaarsh, Rishav, and Yash were curiously watching it. It was the first time; they were seeing something like that.

Ishaan went closer to his mother and put the crown on her head, "You are the goddess, you are the light and happiness. The dark doesn't exist without you." Then he went to his dad and handed him the mask, "You are the devil, the turmoil, but without you, we can't understand light."

Mr. and Mrs. Sen walked inside the circle with the others outside.

Ishaan went towards the bowl where the names of the members were written and slowly picked up one. "So, the new leader of the Magic of Arc is...." He said opening the folded page, "Bristi Ahuja!!"

And again, Radhika's visions came true. Earlier when Bristi hugged her she saw this moment.

"I offer myself to the supreme powers...." Ishaan said before kneeling.

"I offer myself to the moon." Mrs. Langston said before kneeling.

Mr. Langston stood for a little longer. Radhika could feel he was not happy with the outcome. It was natural though. Uncle Patrick was his father and after someone so experienced, the next leader shouldn't have been Bristi but he had to complete the ritual so he kneeled hesitantly finishing with, "I offer myself to the earth."