Kama: Liberation(Vol-II)

Chapter 13. Changing Tides

It is a time to celebrate, to rekindle faith,
For after a tempest so lonely and long,
The sky shines bright today.

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Rudra had never thought that bloodied hands would give so much tranquil pleasure. He had always seen blood and gore as methods of destruction, not creation. Lately he realised destruction and creation weren't very different.

Witnessing the birth of a baby, holding the crying newborn in his warrior's hands, it carved a memory in his mind. Maybe it awakened old scars too.

He couldn't help but be jealous of the way Rahul showered kisses on the baby, cradling it near his chest. Rudra had never got to feel it. He was close to it, once, but like a mirage, it fell into the grip of a dusty breeze.

"What is my most favourite man thinking?"

Looking up, he found the mother of his child standing with a beaming smile. She wore a pink skirt with frills that billowed with the gelid wind. Her little pink soles pressed on the blades of grass, sauntering towards him sitting on the bank of the river. Her sorrel skin glowed in the mellow dusk.

He wondered: How will our son look like, or daughter? Perhaps they will have such sparkling eyes like her, and they will twinkle more when I adore them.

Indumala pulled his cheeks. "Don't look at me like that."

"Why not?"

"I don't want to be red."

Rudra chuckled, entwining his fingers with hers.

"What were you thinking?" she asked. "Tell me. You appeared very focussed."

He gulped. She was all smiles and sunshine, so much of love stored in a mortal body. Her heart stretched like a womb to make a place for everybody, even the most callous souls who had snatched from them their perfect abode. He didn't want to remind her of her extreme perfection, so deadly sharp for her own fragile skin.

"Just thinking, how reality is often different to what we perceive. I had wanted to punish the one who used magic in the war, but see now, we know they were not at fault."

"I talked with Radha." Indumala drew circles on the back of his palm. "She didn't speak much, still so very shrivelled up. But I told her we aren't at fault. None of us is. The one who was at the root of it is dead."

"Let's not take his name." Rudra heaved a sigh. "I only want to think of good times. Which is now."

"We are having a competition, me and my guild mates."

"Interesting. On what?"

"About the baby. We are all supposed to come up with a name. Aunt Mithhi will choose which one is best, and if she chooses mine, I get to have a gift."

"So, am I on your team or should I compete alone?"

"Of course on mine." She raised a brow. "You won't win a game against me. Loser."

"Not that I mind losing. But you must let me choose one name for our child-"

Rudra pursed his lips. It slipped.