The Partham Chronicles

Part 9 - Turn two

Leysa called Aveda Gautama and asked her if she could meet. The things that Markand had said scared her and she wanted to safeguard her kids at any cost. Aveda called Leysa to meet at the university.

She was the head of the anthropology department at VNS, a prestigious and reputed university in her city. She was considered to be one of the best in her field. She had papers published in various science journals and was quite famous.

Leysa was waiting for her to finish her lecture and then was called to her office in the building.

" Hello, Leysa good morning. How have you been? Please have a seat." She said.

" Good morning, Aveda I am doing well."

"How are the lessons going, are they able to cope? Unfortunately, they don't have enough time." She said as she took out a few papers from her bag, placed them in front of her on the desk and sat in her seat.

" The lessons are going quite well. I am not worried since Markand is in charge." Leysa said.

" Oh yes I had forgotten, Markand is guiding them that's good to hear, he is well-versed in the tests and procedures too. So, what is it that you wanted to talk about?" She asked.

Leysa didn't want to delay any further and decided to come straight to the point," I... heard that you and your sister are responsible for the order and designing of the tasks that are going to be assigned during the tests. Is it true that you are thinking of reconsidering the one with the water element?"

" Yes, Markand told us that one of your children has water as their element. I am very excited. It's been more than a hundred years since someone has shown up as a water affiliate." She looked chuffed.

" Will you consider changing the task?" Leysa asked hoping that she would understand. She was well-educated, intelligent and a social person she would surely understand, Leysa thought.

"Oh, that is out of the question. You see Leysa," she got up from her seat and moved to stand near her," these tests are not just for the sake of acquiring a rightful Partham but also to find an important new addition to our world. These are traditions, prestigious and important. And wouldn't it make you happy to see if any one of your children becomes a part of it? Your legacy, the Bhaskara legacy is to be carried through your child." She said smiling in anticipation.

Leysa got the underlying meaning behind her words. She had been a part of this world, she knew how it worked. She knew very well what prestige and power meant to a Partham. She was taught early on that their world was like a machine and each member was like a perfectly fitted cog in the system. The people who were in power knew how to assign these cogs and use them for their benefit. At the instant, she realised that it was useless to talk to her further.

" Yes, I understand it very well Aveda. Thank you so much for your time. I know that you are a busy person." She said as she got up from her seat and extended her hand to Aveda.

Aveda shook it," It was a pleasure meeting you. I am looking forward to seeing the tests take place. And the best of your kids will be a part of our world It would be a great achievement for your legacy," she said.

Leysa smiled and left. As she walked out of the office she was thinking whether it was a good idea to meet Aveda's sister. Would she agree or dismiss her the same? Even if she did agree, would she be able to convince her sister? So she decided not to approach her.

Tashvin came home early, he had a new design idea for the machine. He worked on it till he was satisfied and then decided to test it. He kept it near a window and started it when the bird in the cage chirped. The machine caught the sound of the bird and sent a wave throughout the room and out the window. The bird responded by thrashing around restlessly in its cage. Which shocked Tash and he shut the machine down immediately.