Unhinged

Chapter 23

Riva couldn't see anything. It was the darkest forest she had ever seen. What was this place? She wondered if it was even on the earth! They were walking through a pitch dark road. Shashank and Sharanya were taking Riva and Rachit to meet Navin.

Riva felt the eerie silence. Trees were standing tall but still. Even leaves were not moving. She couldn't even hear insects. The place was just quiet.

"We're almost there" Shashank said.

Rachit saw a big, creepy looking mansion through trees and felt knot in his stomach. There were no lights around that mansion but it was still visible.

"What is this place" Riva asked as she saw the oroborous sign on gate.

"It's a place for Society of anomalous" Shashank said "We meet here"

"You came here every night? Dar nahi laga tum logoko?" Riva asked "It's creepy"

"No. It's not. Wait till you meet Naveen sir" Shashank said.

They entered in building and came in the hall where Naveen was talking with newly added members of society.

"Sharanya" Naveen smiled as he looked at her "So glad to see you again.."

Sharanya smiled a little. Naveen understood that something was wrong.

"I see you have friends with you" Naveen said "Won't you introduce us?"

Shashank cleared his throat "Sir, this is Riva and Shashank" He introduced "Our friends"

Shashank expected Naveen to be surprised but he wasn't.

"Welcome my dear friends" Naveen said "Can you wait till I finish my interaction with new members?" He asked.

"Sure" Shashank said.

Riva and Rachit were feeling awkward. They saw a bunch of people sitting on ground and trying to concentrate. They were trying to meditate.

"Meditation is the only key.. It's the only answer.. It will get you whatever you want.. It can make your mind powerful
.. It will give you powers beyond your imagination.." Naveen was talking softly.

Riva was listening to him. She remembered Shashank telling her how influential Naveen is. How his talks made Shashank do whatever he did! Just his talks made Shashank forget about Riva and their relationship. His talks made him cheat on her!

Rachit was looking at Vaibhav who was looking like he was not present there. It was weird. As if he was physically there but his soul wasn't. His eyes were closed and he was sitting still. Not once he had opened his eyes since they came in.

When Naveen ended the meeting everyone left. Shashank and Sharanya went ahead and stood in front of him. Riva and Rachit were behind them.

"What is it that troubles you, my child?" Naveen asked.

Shashank was about to say something when Naveen stopped him "I am asking her.." He pointed towards Riva.

Riva looked at him. Straight into his divine looking eyes. How calm she felt just by looking at him!

"Come forward" Naveen said "What is your name?"

"Riva" She came forward and answered.

"Very interesting name.. Different in origin than everyone else's" Naveen said.

Riva didn't say anything.

"Shashank finally brought you here" Naveen said "I was eager to meet you.. Looks like he also told you the truth"