The Unfinished Poetry √

Part Three

However much she tried, Devasena couldn't banish the thought process that led her to the palace, the hall, the portraits..and most importantly, the man. What bothered her most was that, the man knew her name. But she did not.

Devasena's roomie, Avanthika, was totally taken aback when she said she wouldn't have dinner.

" What? Hadn't you texted me to order mixed chow? What's this now, of all times! "

But nothing could get Devasena easier. Avanthika was good in guessing her moods, but Devasena was really not ready to share anything with her tonight. Not because things seemed vague, not because something paranormal or unbelievable played on the line, but because she had been strangely gripped by an uneasiness ever since, the reason not being very clear.

While Avanthika fell fast asleep after carefully placing her dinner on the table, Devasena surfed through the official website of their college. But even after an hour of effort, she couldn't get enough of the faces of all the students of her batch, or even seniors. It was too cumbersome a process. And soon she found herself almost dosing off.

As Devasena lay down, the atypical eyes of the man in question began haunting her once again. She shut her eyes tight, in vain.

Devasena struggled on bed. Whatever she had gone through was really not fun, neither a very usual affair in a person's life. The man...

The fear was not baseless. The man almost vanished in thin air from the hall. And was nowhere to be seen again.

Devasena got up and went to the couch. She sat down with a thud, highly unconscious of Avanthi and her momentary stir.

" Considering Rajmata...a witness, I, ... ... swear to protect the people of Maahishmathi with all my heart, soul, body and belongings. "

" Devasena, you proved your greatness by loving my son...and I lie on your feet tonight. I become the worst mother in world. I killed my son, and snatched your husband from you , your son's father from him... "

"... ... is the next heir to the throne. He needs to live. He needs to return...for the people of Maahishmathi, and for a mother who awaits his return. "

Devasena woke up with a wail, and saw Avanthika hovering over her face. She found herself all drenched in sweat.

" What's wrong Deva? You were screaming! Why are you on the couch? " Avanthika looked highly concerned.

Devasena couldn't at all get over the faint visions she had been having all through her sleep. But the pathetic part was that, the faces were unclear. And the statements incomplete.

Avanthika brought her a glass of water. She gulped the whole at a go.

" Now tell me. Something happened? Something wrong? "

Devasena stared helplessly at Avanthi.

" I... I...am...having visions Avanthi! "

" Visions? Like? "

Devasena got up. It was really foolish of discussing vague things in the middle of the night.

" Nothing. I am tired. "

She quickly lay on bed covering herself entirely with a blanket.

Avanthika sat speechless for sometime. But she knew the ways of her stubborn friend. And so she decided to retire to bed as well.