Silent Downfall

Chapter Twenty-One

"Great to see you, Aavin," said Vaibhav. A faint yet mysterious smile was spread across his lips.

Although utter silence was maintained on Mayank's part, the hunger for a way out of the intricate maze was blazing in his eyes. It was certain that the leader could sense it, for the grin on his face grew wider.

"You have been outstandingly patient, young man." He continued, knowing that it was pointless to await a response. "Now I would be testing it again. For the final time, hopefully."

"Ah, don't worry!" Vaibhav added hastily as the all-rounder's limbs displayed quick sparks of fury. "I'm not going to assign you another mission. That part is done and dusted. Just sit calmly and listen to the story of my life. I promise your time will not go to waste."

Mayank sank back to his chair. The fire in his eyes nevertheless refused to fade away.

"Let me begin where it all began," said Vaibhav as he abandoned his seat and walked toward the window. Although total darkness prevailed, his gaze rested on the silent yard.

"I was born to a poor farmer and his fragile wife as a pleasant surprise. Everyone thought my mother was barren. My father was, in fact, considering the villagers' advice that he should drive away this accursed woman. She was all set to put an end to her life, but God had other plans.

"After nine long months of anticipation, I finally filled the lap of my parents. A healthy child after a long wait. A boy."

Vaibhav chuckled. "I can barely picture their joyous faces."

"I'm sure you can guess that they spoiled me with their boundless affection." He carried on, following a brief pause. "They turned a blind eye to all my faults. The complaints of the villagers fell on deaf ears; my parents were too dazzled by my mere existence. Days after days went by, and I continued to go further astray. All the attempts at educating me went in vain."

Mayank seemed to be immersed in the story; his eyes were no longer burning.

"My offenses grew graver each day, but I roamed around without a care in the world. Years after years passed, and one day... I heard that my mother was going to give birth again.

"What do you think my reaction was? I am sure you are guessing that I was afraid of losing my throne. Would you believe me if I said that I wasn't? Oh, how fascinating the news was to me! I had always dreamt of having a little sister. And there I was, standing just a few months away from...

"I spent countless nights with my ear against my mother's belly, trying to hear what the little one had to say. At times, I used to insist that I had heard a few words. My parents always laughed at my desperation.

"Not much was left of my mother after I was born, and her second pregnancy continued to drain the last bit of her. Finally, the day came. Our house was once again filled with the cries of a new life. But this time, it was in the company of the wails of the grown-ups, as that was the sad end of my wee mother. I sat numbly against a wall with my screaming brother in my arms. I remember one more thing. I didn't cry. Not even a bit. Not until a couple of days had passed."

Mayank could sense a mild yet curious pull in his heart.

"Despite the fact that I deeply loved my mother, the wound eventually faded," continued Vaibhav. "My brother became my entire world. There was hardly a thing that I would not do for him. He was just as fond of me as I was of him. Our dominion stretched across villages. People were tired of our mischiefs, but we could not bother less."

The all-rounder shifted in his seat. Something in him insisted that he was not ready for what was about to follow.

Vaibhav carried on nevertheless. "Ah, those merry days were not meant to last! My father let me go astray, but he could not do the same to my brother. I should have known he was up to something the day he took him to 'see a relative'. I was asked to stay back and watch over the house. I had enough reasons to be suspicious, including the bag that he was carrying, but I did not argue for too long. When he returned alone in the afternoon, I realized that I should have."