The Weeping Stars

Agonising Wait

Indra waited with I'll-concealed impatience. Earlier, they had tumbled down the narrow passageway, into a Long and shallow pool. It was fortunate they had all the swimming gears with them. Swimming also took them ahead in less time. He was finally convinced he preffered swimming to scrambling in narrow tunnels. The swim had taken them into a small chamber, perhaps a round room, wheretge6 had to climb up the wall to gain access to another tunnel. Then the going was smooth. It seems, this part of the tunnel was comparatively less broken. They climbed steadily up until they reached An ornate door, carved with ivory images.

After lots of pushing and prodding, the door did not budge, but it did open from within. The men stood dumbstruck, as a wary Biju stood on the thresh hold, with a look of utmost relief, on his face.

Indra pushed pasted him into the room and frantically waved his torch in all directions in his haste to find Isha. The room was the old temple, filled with boxes and small jars, some of which Biju had opened. They obviously contained gold and jewels, among other things.

'Where is she', Indra asked with suppressed fury. 

Biju grimaced. 

'Baba, had gone back to get her. We had to swim our way in. We left her on the ledge in a circular room to see if it's safe to go back.'

Indra wanted to throttle him. How dare they leave her alone. He took long breaths to calm himself. 

'When is he expected back? Is it a long swim?'

'Not long, maybe 10 mins. But they would need to cross a tiny stretch underwater, but nothing impossible'

Indra cursed under his breath. Isha might not find it so easy. He reached himself to go after them.

Meanwhile...

Raghu wished he had brought Biju along. Together it would have been easy to take on three men. But alone, he was not too sure. He made himself watch silently as the man hurt Isha. Raghu has always had a calm mind. Although, his blood was boiling, he did not utter a sound. He sent out a silent prayer when Isha fainted. She will get some respite, while he gets some time.

They are not going to leave her here, and will have a difficult time climbing up. That would give him enough time to get Biju back. With that though, he silently slipped back into the water. 

Indra was at the edge of the water, when Raghu emerged. He expressed no surprise at his presence. In fact, hwas deadly calm. He wasted no time to tell Indra what he had seen. Indra showed no emotion,but his clenching fingers betrayed his inner turmoil. Someone's going to die tonight.