NIHAR ( HILL OF DEAD )

17-1

"Broke your imagination
Without thinking
You're a kind soul
Unlike me
My heart doesn't care like yours
Can't even think if they're not mine
I can't forgive liars
Even if I want to,
Cause a part of me knows
Maybe it'll happen again.
You know I won't leave you
And you use it as a tool
But what can I do
Trapped in my own decision
Thought of playing this game
Losing to it as I see
My feelings growing more
But with the lie underneath
It feels all fake.
But what can I do
The disgust has taken the place
Where it shouldn't have
And now I can't change
And maybe I don't want to,
Why should I?
To get broken again.
The shield I've built is better
Maybe not trusting is better
But what's wrong with giving it a try."
That was the last interaction we had shared.
The great Psychologist Aashwith, was now lying lifeless in front of me, and all I could do was
stare into nothing.
I just laid down there with the piece of paper in my hands.
It was the last thing Aashwith entrusted to me along with the promise.
Emotions were welling up inside me but instead of negative ones, they were warm.
Embracing my whole body and giving me the strength to move forward.
I sat up to see,
The whole room was a mess
The tables, the weapons, the floor and even the clothes were covered in blood or broken
during my fight with Aashwith.
Aashwith's body was lifeless lying under the stitched corpse.
I stood up removed the chains around Aashwith's neck and laid his body on the floor.
After saying my final goodbye
I started walking towards the door.
My movements weren't co-ordinated so it took me some time to reach the door
I unlocked the door and opened it.
The Bhavan was crowded as everyone was there except the dead.
They all were down, depressed and a thick fog of sadness covered them
But when they heard the sound of the door unlocking. Most of them were on their toes as anything
can happen and they'll decide what to do upon seeing the one who comes out of the room.
When I came out of the room
Everyone was genuinely shocked except Ayudha, Ira and Iva
Ira and Iva weren't surprised that I came back
But they were surprised by how many injuries I endured.
Even from afar, it was clear that I was in no state of walking even the impaled hand was shaking.
The one who supported me first was Ayudha.
" What a tough bastard you are."
He whispered in my ear and I simply smiled.
" Ayama.. i.. you are in a bad shape.. we need something to patch you up."
Ira concerned about me was crying
Is it because I came out alive or because I look like this? I'm never going to know the answer.
She wrapped her arms around my sore muscles which were crying in pain
" Ouch.. ouch... Ira it's hurting -"
I said to Ira who was clinging to me.
She was like a dog who saw her owner after weeks but I can't blame her
"It must be hard for you." Ira sobbed lightly.

"What's the time?" I asked, my mind racing with thoughts of how long I had been unconscious. Rai glanced at her wristwatch and replied, "It's 11:46 PM." It seemed like I had been out for quite a while, and I noticed that nobody had left the Bhavan. Ranav, curious about what had transpired, asked if we could go inside. I carefully chose my words and advised against it, but ultimately left the decision up to him. Ranav took the lead and everyone followed, their faces filled with a mix of curiosity and apprehension. As they entered, it became evident that they were trying to piece together the events that had unfolded. The secret room, once eerie, now lay in ruins with fresh blood staining the walls. Rai's question hung in the air, and I nodded, confirming her suspicions. "I see. We need to move the body," she declared, addressing everyone. I insisted that I would handle it myself, as I was the only one who knew what had truly happened inside. Iva, concerned for my well-being, asked if I was sure. I smiled at her reassuringly and confidently gave my answer.
..
"Ayama coming back is good and all but isn't that just another murder ?"
Nitya brought up a new problem which was arising in her mind.
" Now that you say it. "
The whole atmosphere which was cheesy just a moment ago is turning into a sunken depressed
one once again.
Ayudha firmly held me.
Everyone's face was intense at that time
They were either thinking of lynching me or taking my side unprotecting me
" I think we should first discuss it before taking any action."
Rai took control of the situation.
" I know but the outcome is obvious, even though I don't want it to happen. We already lost 2 of
us but for us to survive it's... it's necessary."
Nitya was hardly able to form her words
She probably remembered how Alida was killed and the aftermath.