Threads of Destiny

7-Shadows of the Past

Kali, seated on a wooden bench, grimacing slightly as she repositioned her foot, which had sustained a twist during her fall. The sun was ascending, casting a warm golden hue over the temple grounds, while the air was permeated with the sound of distant chants intermingled with the aroma of incense. Despite her discomfort, she managed to maintain a reassuring smile for those around her.

"I'm okay," she asserted, her voice unwavering as she met her father's concerned gaze. The worry etched on his face was palpable, and she sought to alleviate his unease. Kali detailed how she had managed to brace herself with her hands during the fall, mitigating the risk of a more serious injury. Nonetheless, her father remained absorbed in his thoughts, his anxiety overshadowing her explanation.

As they sat in silence, Rekha broke the ice with a teasing tone. "So, the city boy is Ravi, that is why Kali cried out his name," she remarked, her eyes glinting with mischief. Her attempt to lighten the mood caught everyone off guard.

Kali caught sight of her parents exchanging curious glances, having intercepted the mention of Ravi. Their evident interest in his involvement in the day's events prompted an internal dialogue among them, yet, with unfamiliar individuals present, they opted not to delve into the matter further, leaving an air thick with unspoken questions.

Kali felt a flush of colour rises to her cheeks under their scrutiny, a wave of awkwardness enveloping her. She inhaled deeply, striving to redirect her focus onto her surroundings.

"Why don't you all proceed to the temple and complete the puja?" she gently suggested, gesturing towards the gathering crowd moving indoors. "I'll remain here for a few minutes."

Rekha, displaying a warm smile, turned her attention to her son, Barun, who had been lingering nearby. "Why don't you keep Kali company and look after her?" she instructed. Barun, albeit reluctantly, settled beside Kali, casting a sidelong glance at her injured foot. The atmosphere was light, yet an undercurrent of tension was perceptible.

Except for Kali and Barun, the rest of the group proceeded to the temple, their voices echoing faintly as they climbed the steps. Ishita hesitated briefly, glancing back at Barun, but ultimately followed the others, her steps reluctant and slow.

Outside, an uneasy silence hung in the air between Kali and Barun. Kali, her expression tight and guarded, tried to dispel the awkward tension. "You don't have to stay with me; you can go inside," she offered, her tone neutral yet edged with discomfort.

Barun leaned casually against a stone pillar, his arms crossed over his chest. His posture was relaxed, almost indifferent, but his eyes remained fixed on her, sharp and unyielding. "I'm not interested in puja and all that," he replied, his voice carrying a note of defiance. After a pause, his tone turned curious, almost teasing. "Is Ravi that boy who cheated on you?"

Kali stiffened, her jaw tightening as his words hit their mark. Anger flickered in her eyes, and she turned to face him fully. "You're not in a position to ask such questions," she retorted, her voice firm, each word laced with restrained fury.

Barun responded with a low, mocking laugh, the sound filled with an arrogance that only fueled her irritation. "You're simply desperate for a man; that's why you're getting married," he said, his words deliberate and cutting.

Kali's eyes flashed with a mix of offense and indignation. Her gaze locked onto his face, and for the first time, she really looked at him. The sharp lines of his features were striking-the way his thick, dark eyebrows framed a pair of intense brown eyes that seemed to peer right through her. His fair complexion seemed to glow in the soft sunlight, accentuating his high cheekbones and a jawline that was as sharp as a blade. He was undeniably handsome, his presence commanding and impossible to ignore.

Her anger momentarily faltered, replaced by an unbidden sense of distraction. Why did he have to look like that? The question lingered for only a second before her frustration returned, and she blurted out impulsively, "I'm 29."

Barun blinked, his confident demeanor briefly cracking as he registered her sudden statement. Her age? What did that have to do with anything? He hesitated before replying, "I'm 27."

Kali's lips curled into a sly, mischievous smile, her previous anger transforming into something lighter, more playful. Her eyes sparkled with a hint of arrogance as she tilted her head slightly. "You're two years younger than me, so shut up, boy," she quipped, her voice carrying a teasing lilt.

Barun's brows lifted in mild surprise, but a faint smirk tugged at his lips. He leaned forward slightly, his eyes narrowing as if accepting her unspoken challenge. "Well," he drawled, his voice low and teasing, "listening to your conversation with your boyfriend earlier, you don't seem a day over 19."

The words landed harder than he intended. The color drained from Kali's face as memories of Ravi came flooding back. Her eyes welled up, and tears began to spill. The smirk vanished from Barun's face, replaced by a sudden, overwhelming concern. She wasn't just crying-she was unraveling.

Through her tears, she began to speak, her voice trembling with raw vulnerability. "I don't know why I wasn't enough," she whispered. "I just wanted to wait until marriage... but now he's telling me I should've let him touch me." Her voice broke, and she covered her face with her palms, as if trying to hide from the world.

Barun sat frozen, emotions crashing over him like waves. He had never seen anyone like this, so open and exposed. He felt something shift inside him, a mix of empathy, confusion, and an unfamiliar ache. For the first time, he didn't know what to say or do, but he knew one thing: she wasn't a stranger to him anymore.

After letting her tears flow and speaking her heart out, Kali felt a weight lift off her shoulders. There was an unfamiliar sense of relief in finally being vulnerable in front of someone. Barun watched her closely, a silent understanding passing between them.

"So, is that girl your girlfriend?" Kali asked with a teasing grin, leaning slightly toward Barun.

"No," Barun replied, his tone flat, barely sparing her a glance.

Kali raised an eyebrow, undeterred. "Really? But I heard aunty talking about your engagement," she pressed, her tone light and playful.

Barun shrugged, his focus elsewhere. "You shouldn't believe everything you hear," he said, brushing off the topic like it didn’t matter.

Kali tilted her head, trying to read him. "Wow, so much drama and you're just...unbothered?" she said, laughing lightly.

Barun finally looked at her, a faint smirk tugging at his lips. "Why would I be? It’s not a big deal," he said, his voice carrying an air of calm disinterest.

They were just about to stand and head inside the temple when a sudden, sharp voice cut through the air.

"Kali!" Her father's voice, filled with anger and disappointment, echoed up the temple steps. He marched toward her, his face flushed with emotion. "I didn't expect you to be doing such shameful things under the pretense of going to the fields!" he spat, his eyes burning with hurt and betrayal. In his trembling hand, he held out his mobile phone. "He works at my bank... I want to die!" His voice broke as he thrust the phone toward her.

Kali's eyes widened as she saw the screen. It was a picture-an intimate moment frozen in time. Ravi was leaning in, trying to kiss her. She felt her heart sink.

"Papa," she began, her voice shaking. "It's true... but it's only a half-truth. Ravi cheated on me with his colleague. He-"

Her father's face hardened. "Half-truth or not, what if he sends these pictures to others?" he interrupted, his voice thick with despair. "Who will marry you then? You will marry the city boy. That's my final word. I won't hear another word from you." His chest heaved, and she could see the strain he was under, struggling to control his breathing.

Fear surged through her. She had never seen him like this. Desperate to calm him down, she quickly whispered, "Yes, Papa. I'll marry whomever you chose." The words tumbled out, hollow and empty, but necessary.

Barun watched the exchange, his heart heavy with an unspoken ache. The temple steps, which had seemed a place of refuge just moments ago, now felt like the stage for a cruel, inescapable reality.