ASTRA

CH-6 The Ring

Sometimes you just don't know where your steps take you. The broken idols in front of me seethed my heart in a strange manner. There was a stream nearby so I went up there and immersed them in the stream with utmost guilt in my heart. I quickly called one of my friends in Doon and asked him to send others for me. When I went back to my house I was drawn by a mysterious unknown force towards Naman's room. With each step by breath hitched and sweat trippled over my face in the cold of the surroundings.

As I opened the door, I felt as if I was nomore in my own house. The scent of the incense sticks I used was no more around me, instead the smell of an animal that seemed to rot the air made me unable to breathe. I could sense evil in there. I reached in front of the cupboard, there was nothing inside it, what was I expecting? To be honest the cupboard had to be empty 'cause I had kept nothing in it and Naman was away.

Then I went to check other cabinets in the room but all were empty except one. This was the one having all the essential items like soaps, toothpastes, toothbrushes, oil and many other things. While I was still brushing my hands towards these things a strange solid came into my contact. I took it out and saw a ring, so mesmerizing that it made me forget the world around. It was made with silver probably with a red carbuncle. I felt a sudden urge to wear it so I sat on the bed and slid it in the index finger of my right hand and it fitted so perfectly as if it was made for me only.

Suddenly, I felt as if the stone was drawing me in, and now within a fraction of seconds I was standing in the middle of a valley with almost red clouds covering the sky. In front of me was me?!

Yes it was me, I was on my knees in a vulnerable state with an unknown person in front of me pointing a bullet towards me that hit me right on my shoulder. I cried, now I was being taken to the hospital, the next second I was out of the campus, all defeated. Another moment I had come to the house, that lady came and shouted on my door. I went to her help when suddenly everything slowed down, and I saw Naman staring at me all the time.

Another moment I saw myself back in the house with Naman, having food and now we were on the door receiving the parcel when it fell from Naman's hands. Now I was sitting in the bed with my eyes glued to the ring when someone stabbed me with a knife!!

I shouted, I was out of my trance now. I looked around, there was no one in sight. The ring was still on my finger.