Dhampir of Kalika

১৪. a big appetite

Love and rain have a connection since the beginning of time.

****

Once she decided upon something, Maya was adamant on completing it. And even if evening had now transformed into a night sky of ugly grey clouds that could spook anyone, Maya still remained in the house of the priest, waiting for him to wake up. Mohini assured everything was in her grip, but the detective felt the determined urge to ask for an apology from the head priest.

Finally, his eyes fluttered open, and Maya exhaled in relief. "You are fine. At least you will be now. Your daughter will take care of you."

The man just blinked his eyes. Maya waited for him to adjust to the reality. He groaned and propped up against a pillow. "I am growing old. I don't know how long I will be able to handle this."

"Chandrasekhara will protect you."

The priest smiled. "He always does, but as I said, I am anxious about my daughter. She is too bold for a patriarchal society."

"Then maybe I can take her under my wing." She chuckled. "But forgive me, I didn't mean to make you fall sick. It was never my intention."

"I-I understand. I am sorry too that I couldn't be of much help. I hope, as a detective, you can understand that I am bound to chains. I cannot tell you everything."

"And yet, I can read your eyes. Don't worry, Ramlal, I won't tell anyone what your daughter trusted me with."

Maya took leave from them. Outside, the streets were as empty as the hearts of the Das, and full of looming darkness, illuminated just by the faint rays of a pasty, waning moon. Dogs stared at her as she passed by them, all alone, with no human nearby. Ofte she saw shadows dancing in the distance, vanishing like a mirage when she got nearer. Up above, purple-tinged lightning tore the black sky into two halves, and then attacked the tallest trees which kissed the azure. Maya knew dying at the hands of nature would be the worst scenario now, and she made a run. Alas, as soon as she sprinted for a shelter the downpour divulged its long suppressed rage.

Khatra was crying.

Maya found an abandoned stable and entered it. She had forgotten that the month of Shravan brought with it a bowl of raindrop. Too engrossed with the case, she had forgotten to carry an umbrella with her. It was the first time she saw rain since her arrival in Khatra.

The lightning thundered and all hopes of her reaching the Das mansion began to dwindle. Would she be able to make it on time? Well, she was already late. More than it being shameful for a lady to stay out of her abode for so long after the moon had risen, it was scaring Maya that she would be stuck here for an unprecedented amount of time.

"What are you doing there, Maya?"

Yet, the fair Chandrashekhara was there to shield his beloved people from distress.

The furious rain created a veil of silvery drops, and even if it was difficult to look through it, Maya saw the doctor coming towards her. He carried an umbrella, but it was doing very little to keep him dry. "You didn't go back to the mansion?"

"I-I got late."

"Foolish girl! Don't investigate so late till night. You should be more careful." He gestured Maya to come under his umbrella. "My home is just near. Maybe you have forgotten the directions but of course I know. Come, we have to make a run! It's better than being caught up here."

"But–" Before Maya could protest, Raktim dragged her under his umbrella and ran for his life. The umbrella was now all above Maya and soon Raktim was soaking wet.