The Partham Chronicles

Part 15 - Change is Inevitable

Tashvin had come home after two days. The changes that occurred during those two days were shocking. At first, he was disappointed for not being selected but then he was very happy for Vysna.

All of them had arranged a small welcome home party for him. The entire house was decorated and a table was arranged out in the backyard. Cheese-grilled sandwiches, crispy chicken drumsticks, broccoli almond soup and most importantly, the sweets that he loved, like gulab jamun, Rice payasam, Malai burfi, and his favourite Dutch chocolate truffle cake, were on the menu. Markand and Neela were also invited to the party. Tashvin guessed that Aaden must have been happier than he was at this point. The food was delicious, and the company was delightful.

He had seen his mother's pain and hard work to keep their family together and to see that she had finally succeeded gave him joy. Of course, he felt a bit sorry for himself because he had lost a big opportunity. It didn't bother him much because, over the years, he had learnt that he was the only one who could help himself and that hard work always pays off. He believed that if he truly wanted to achieve something nothing could stop him. He had learnt it from his father who was always optimistic and always looked at the better side of things.

He was grateful to Vysna for saving his life. He couldn't imagine what would have happened if he was not able to send her a wave. Every time he thought about the lake it shuddered him. He was being pulled by something under the bottom of the lake. At first, when he swam, he felt only a pulse that reached him from the bottom. But when he responded to the pulse by sending a wave, a force started to pull him underneath, he lost control and started to drown. The pull was too strong. With every passing minute, he was being pulled lower and lower underwater.

He knew something had to be beneath the lake but he didn't discuss it with anyone because he was in too much of a shock to talk about it. The incident brought back memories of him nearly drowning in the river when he was a child. This had left him even more scared of water than he was before and he didn't want to recall the memories.

" We will be doing all the formalities tomorrow," Markand said, as all of them sat in the living room, " We will get Vysna's name registered in the records. She will officially be a part of the Partham world. She will be a Partham tomorrow."

A tinge of disappointment washed over Aaden. He had never lost a race in his life. Even if this was not a race and here he was competing against his siblings, he truly believed that he'd be selected. The circumstances had taken an unexpected turn and he hoped that there were no more surprises in his life henceforth. Another part of him was relieved that he didn't have to leave his school and friends, particularly Ishil. But then there was Neela. When he found out that she was leaving school he, after days of contemplation, had finally accepted the fact that he was not going to see her again. But, here she was, just at his reach. He felt awful at the thought. Being a part of Partham's world meant that he would have to choose between Ishil and Neela but the circumstances had not given that choice to him either.

These mixed feelings were overwhelming so he got up from his place and went to the dining table in the kitchen. He stood there fidgeting with the glasses that were kept on the table.

" Hey.." he heard a voice.

Startled, he knocked one of the glasses off the table. It crashed on the floor and shattered.

" I am so sorry; I didn't mean to startle you," Neela said as she tried to pick up the scattered glass pieces.

" Oh, no don't be sorry. I should have been more careful." He replied," Don't touch that, you might hurt yourself." He said and moved her hand away from the glass pieces.

"Are you guys okay?" He heard his mother enquire from the living room.

" Yes, Mom, we are fine. I am picking it up." He said. " Stay where you are, I will get the broom." He said to Neela and went towards the pantry door, brought a broom and started sweeping the glass in a dustpan. Neela patiently waited for him at the kitchen door. After he was done he disposed of the glass pieces properly and went to the door. " Uh, do you need water or something?" He asked Neela.