Dwarpar Yug: The Chronicles of the Cursed One

Chapter Five

As they continued walking, the brothers were lost in their usual antics. Vishwas, still comfortably perched on Bhavya's back, swung his legs playfully, much to Bhavya's annoyance.

"Vishwas, agar tu zyada hila na, toh main tujhe yahin chhod dunga," Bhavya warned, adjusting his grip.

Vishwas smirked. "Bhai, tu kabhi mujhe chhod nahi sakta. Tujhe toh aadat ho gayi hai meri!"

Samaya chuckled. "Aadat nahi, majboori bolte hain usko."

Vishwas gasped dramatically. "Tum dono mujhse pyaar nahi karte! Main ja raha hoon!" He pretended to slide off, but Bhavya effortlessly tightened his grip, keeping him in place.

"Acha? Toh ja na," Bhavya said, unfazed.

"Nahi bhai! Yeh toh bas dialogue tha!" Vishwas quickly clung onto him again, making Samaya laugh.

They were about to start another round of teasing when suddenly, a soft cry echoed through the silent night.

Bhavya immediately stopped in his tracks. Samaya and Vishwas fell silent, their playful mood instantly shifting into something more serious.

"Yeh awaaz...?" Vishwas whispered, his arms still wrapped around Bhavya's shoulders, but his body tensed.

Samaya turned his head toward the river, his brows furrowed. "Woh wahan se aa rahi hai..."

The three of them exchanged a quick glance before moving toward the source of the sound.

The river flowed gently beside them, the moonlight shimmering on its surface. The night was still, but in the quiet, the faint cries became clearer—a soft sob.

Bhavya carefully put Vishwas down, his eyes scanning the area. "Koi hai yahan."

Samaya nodded, stepping closer to the water. "Lekin kaun? Aur itni raat ko yahan kaise?"

Vishwas, unusually serious, whispered, "Ek minute... suno.

Then, as their eyes adjusted to the dim light, they saw it—a small basket floating near the riverbank, adorned with shimmering pearls and precious sea jewels.

Inside the basket lay a baby, its tiny form wrapped in soft silken cloth, its cheeks damp with tears.

The three brothers stood frozen, their breaths caught in their throats as they stared at the infant in shock.

"Yeh...?" Bhavya murmured, unable to tear his gaze away.

Samaya took a hesitant step forward. "Ek shishu...?"

Vishwas, wide-eyed, whispered, "Yeh yahan kaise aaya...?"

For a moment, the three brothers simply stood there, staring at the basket. The sound of the river's gentle flow filled the silence, but it was drowned out by the soft, broken cries of the infant inside.

Bhavya was the first to move. He took slow, careful steps toward the riverbank, his expression unreadable. Samaya and Vishwas followed, their usual banter completely forgotten.

As Bhavya knelt beside the basket, he noticed the pearls and sea jewels woven into its structure, glistening under the moonlight. The fabric wrapped around the baby was of the finest silk, embroidered with symbols he couldn't quite recognize. Whoever had placed this child here had done so with great care.

Samaya crouched beside him, his gaze locked onto the infant. "Yeh shishu yahaan akela kaise...?" His voice was softer than usual, touched with something almost like disbelief.

Vishwas, standing just behind them, rubbed his arms as if a chill had passed through him. "Koi issay yahaan kyun chhodega?"

Bhavya slowly reached out, his large hands gentle as he lifted the basket from the water and placed it onto the grass. The baby's cries softened slightly at the movement, as if sensing the new presence.

Samaya leaned in closer, observing the child carefully. "Koi nayi kahani likhi ja rahi hai, Bhai."

Vishwas, still staring, took a shaky breath before stepping forward. "Hum... kya karein?" His voice was uncharacteristically unsure.

Bhavya didn't answer immediately. He looked at the child—so small, so fragile. A being untouched by fate yet placed directly in their path. Was this a coincidence? Or was this a part of some divine intervention?

Finally, Bhavya spoke, his voice steady but firm. "Hum isse akela nahi chhod sakte."

Vishwas sighed, running a hand through his hair. "Mujhe pata tha tu yahi bolega."

Samaya smirked slightly. "Aur sach bata, tu bhi yahi chahta hai."

Vishwas huffed. "Haan, chahta hoon! Bas soch raha hoon, hum teenon ne kabhi ek bacha nahi sambhala. Yeh kiski zimmedari hogi?"

Samaya and Vishwas both slowly turned their heads toward Bhavya, who narrowed his eyes. "Tum dono mujhe mat dekho."

"Par tu sabse bada hai!" Vishwas argued.

"Aur sabse responsible bhi" Samaya added with a smirk.

Bhavya groaned, looking between the baby girl and his brothers. Her tiny fists were clenched, her face scrunched up in distress, but the moment Bhavya carefully slid his hands under her and lifted her into his arms, her cries stopped.

Samaya and Vishwas fell silent, watching in awe.

The baby girl blinked up at Bhavya, her big, sea green eyes shimmering under the moonlight. Her irises held an unnatural glow, like the depths of the sea reflecting the sky. Her tiny fingers twitched before grasping onto his tunic, as if she had found something—someone—she trusted.

Bhavya exhaled softly, his grip instinctively firm yet gentle, as if cradling something more precious than time itself.

Her small face was soft and delicate, her skin a shade of warm honey and soft like cotton. Her cheeks were still damp from her earlier cries, but she now seemed peaceful in Bhavya's arms. A few strands of dark hair curled against her forehead, contrasting against her fair skin.

And then, Bhavya's sharp eyes noticed something on her left shoulder—a distinct birthmark shaped like a wave, as if the sea itself had left its imprint on her.

Vishwas, who had been peering over Bhavya's shoulder, raised an eyebrow. "Samundar ka sambandh? Matlab yeh...?"

Bhavya shook his head slightly, his gaze still fixed on the sleeping child. "Abhi kuch keh nahi sakte," he murmured, his mind racing with possibilities.

Samaya, who had been silently observing, nodded in agreement. "Haan, yeh samajhne ka waqt baad mein milega. Abhi chalo, ise ghar le chalte hain."

Without wasting another second, Samaya lifted his hand and traced a glowing symbol in the air. The space before them shimmered before splitting open, revealing a swirling portal leading straight to Bhavya's chambers in the palace.

Vishwas grinned. "Mujhe toh lag raha tha humein wapas chalne ke liye majboor kiya jayega!"

Samaya rolled his eyes. "Zyada khush mat ho, abhi bacchii hai isiliye tu bach gaya."

Vishwas ignored him and bent down to pick up the basket. "Agar yeh yahin mili thi, toh yeh bhi humare saath chalegi." He carefully held the intricately woven basket, its handles decorated with pearls and tiny conch shells, its edges adorned with aquamarine and sapphire gems—stones found only in the deepest parts of the ocean.

Bhavya, still holding the baby girl, stepped into the portal first. Samaya followed, and Vishwas, cradling the basket, leapt in last before the portal closed behind them.

________________________________________________________________________________

Hey everyone!

I hope you are liking the story,

Do Vote, Comment and Share!

Happy Reading!