Chapter- 5(1)

"Are you going to starve like this?" Aadhiyan annoyed seeing Rathi who not even touched her breakfast.

She cried the entire night sitting in her bed, and now she doesn't want to do anything than being silent. Aadhiyan came close to her and sat getting her attention.

"You know that she is going to die? Am I right?" she asked him out of nowhere.

"Yeah, I know. Everyone dies one-day Rathi," he commented.

"She won't come back and we can't see her hereafter, don't you feel bad for that?"

"Why should I feel bad. That's her life. You know what sometimes death is a freedom, a reward than a tragedy," he told looking at her eyes.

"She decided that she no longer wanted to be in this world then do you think anyone can stop her?" he questioned and Rathi can't answer and stayed mum.

"Now, don't be too sad and just have your food. After all, you hate her,"

"Yeah, I hate her but she has taken care of me for eight years,"

He chuckled.

"You're trying to be good but I hate it, Rathi. Don't be like that," he said sarcastically.

Rathi glared and turned her gaze to the other side.

"Eat the food, and do as you are told. That will be better for your innocent heart," he chuckled and patted her cheeks before leaving the room.

Rathi did as he told, not because she's afraid of his warning but she's actually very hungry. After that, she stayed in the room itself and didn't come out for the rest of the days.

Days started passing and it's the last day of their travel. Rathi was utterly bored and want nothing but to get out of the ship. She overcame the horror that happened before her eyes and accepted Shankari's death. She no longer cries or feeling sad about that. But she couldn't understand what made Shankari take that decision? Ending your own life isn't a simple thing. It needs a strong mind and more importantly a strong reason. Nothing comes to Rathi's head thinking about the reason. Reason. The past days were tiresome for her with those thoughts.

She has come to the point that there's something going to happen in her life after seeing these people especially Aadhiyan. Each day her fear intensifies to see this man who's nothing more than a mystery.

He's not a simple human. He knows me well, more than I know about myself. He has some magical power, maybe he could be a person who does sorcery and black magic. But he looks like a gentleman and an educated person. Last night while having dinner he was talking about blockchain with Das and then their talk continued to bitcoins. Aadhiyan complained that someone has transferred the money in bitcoins and he's going to resend it.

What that bothers her is that they don't even felt sorry for Shankari. They were acting as she has never existed. They didn't talk about it with her and it felt really weird. Are they really humans, don't they have small humanity? Rathi questioned.

Spending most of her time in her room she doesn't get many situations to talk with Aadhiyan and he doesn't disturb her too. He informed that they will be at his home by tonight in the morning when she saw him. Rathi started feeling nervous, she started imagining weird things like whether they will sacrifice her and much more evil than that. As Aadhiyan said, it's getting cold especially at nights and she's not well at all.

Rathi opened her eyes in the evening after a small nap. Her shoulders burned like someone punched hard and her eyes were still drowsy. She got down from the bed and took her watch to check the time. But it has stopped at 2.00 pm. She patted the watch a few times since Shankari bought it just a few months before. She gritted and put the watch back on her purse. The only connection she has with the real world is also stopped. She doesn't have extra watches and came out of the room.

The tides were huge today but Rathi managed to walk straight, after staying in the ship for five days she's used to it. While going to get her tea she saw Aadhiyan reading a book in one of the rooms. Rathi didn't mind it and went towards the kitchen.

She requested a tea and asked the time to that middle-aged cook in Tamil since that man looked like one. He replied it's going to be 6.30 pm in the evening and headed inside to get the tea.

He handed the tea and went in to continue washing the dishes, usually this time he starts to cook but today he didn't cook as they were going to the shore. Rathi went near the iron trail and saw the sky is too purple and it's getting darker. There's no moon in the sky and Rathi thought it must be Amavasai (Lunar phase of the new moon). She sipped the tea but it tasted terrible but she needed something to warm to get down this coldness.

The ocean waves are intimidating her and she mentally prayed all the Gods to keep her safe and give a longer life. After all, she wanted to be alive and live happily at least for a day. She couldn't drink the tea more than five sips and held the warm glass while looking at the dark sky which has gathered too close to the surface.

A warm sweater was put around her shoulder all of a sudden, she looked her side to see Aadhiyan. "I think a storm going to hit," he told and she watched him closely. He's wearing a brown shirt and a pair of black trousers and smelled like a burning cigarette. His beard has grown big, his hair looked lengthier than the first time she saw him, and he looked happy. His eyes glowed even in the darkness.

"Oh," she mumbled and turned her gaze to the thick clouds.

"But we will be safe. In an hour we will be in my land," he said.

"Okay," she replied in fear.

"Don't be scared. You will love my place, you will get everything you ever wished in your life," he assured looking at her eyes. It felt so real to Rathi, and she started feeling strange happiness inside.

Is he really telling the truth? Am I going to be happy? She intently watched his eyes. There's something in his eyes, she couldn't escape it easily. She wondered what kind of curse he is carrying?

"Tell me about your place?" she initiated.

With a smile on his face, "My place will look like a paradise, but I told you right beauty is dangerous so it has its own dangers and traps. But I am with you, just follow my words and you can live happily with me," he smiled. Shivers ran down her spine to see him. He reminded her that they were going to marry at the end.

How could I marry someone like him? She thought for a moment.

No, I can't! she thought, seeing his rugged, merciless face.

But he could be good to you and maybe he could love you the way wanted. You can marry him, Rathi, unless... he's a threat to your life, she considered that point and felt strange inside, her heart thumped hard. But her scar itched sharply and distracted from the moment that will spark something in her. She gritted since either she couldn't itch it or touch since the bruise it getting worse each day.

"Do you have a doctor on your Island?" she asked.

"What's your problem?" he narrowed his eyes.

"I asked a doctor,"

"There's no doctor in our land. We treat our own illnesses. Now tell me what's bothering you?" he asked.

Rathi was surprised but believed that he will know the cure for this scar.

"You know I am having a scar, it hurts sometimes and the bruise is getting big these days," she said.

"That's nothing, don't worry about it, the scar will soon fade away," he replied.

"I will give you medicine after we go home."

"You said you're also having that scar?" "Will it hurts for you too?" she asked hesitantly.

"Yes, but that's not a bid deal for me and you should endure it too. Soon we will come out of this pain," he smirked and Rathi gulped to see it. "You will be freed from everything," he added. The huge thunderstorm hit the next moment he told. Rathi jerked to hear it since it was so near and louder. They both looked at the ocean.

He doesn't know whatever the thoughts that running in her head right now. She is scared at the same time she is too excited and enticed by his presence near her. When he's away she hates him but once he comes closer there's no place for hate in her heart. How could that possible. She can't stop herself from admiring him.

"You go and stay in your room," he warned perceiving the awaiting danger and she nodded her head. His caring tone giving goosebumps on her skin and she's melting slowly by the effect...