Disclaimer: All characters described in the story are above the age of 18. All relationships described are also between consenting adults. The author does not condone any underage or unlawful sexual activity.
Note: The word Durmantravada in multiple Indian languages refers to black magic and dark arts.
Note to Readers- Thank you all for the comments and positive feedback given for the previous chapters. As a regular reader of this website, I know how excruciating the wait for new chapters of a story can be, and so will try to publish a chapter every 10-12 days. I have mapped out the current story arc to be completed in around 20 chapters. I hope you guys enjoy this chapter too.
Chapter 3- The Signet Ring
As Atharva sat down for breakfast that day, several questions plagued his mind. The rational side of his mind told him that when he had tripped near the tree, he hit his head, due to which he could not remember walking to the serpent grove. However, there was a part of him that accepted the supernatural nature of the happenings of the night. Primary was the fact that he could feel the changes that his body underwent after the experience. He felt fresher and fitter than he had ever felt before.
The breakfast and the rest of the morning was a dull affair. Veena had left early for work that day, and the rest of the morning was spent doing odd tasks and activities around the house. In the afternoon, he found himself alone with Asha while cleaning up their guest room. Their mother was taking a nap in her room. Looking at his sister putting away stuff, he was reminded of the advice that his ancestor had given him, to seek pleasure as a way of gaining power. He had to admit, with or without the prospect of power attached, the idea of seeking pleasure did appeal significantly to him.
Asha soon noticed him staring at her and averted her eyes. He sensed the awkwardness that had crept between them after that night and was immediately repentant. "I'm sorry, I wasn't staring," he said, trying to push away all sinful thoughts from his mind."
"It's OK," she said shyly in a low voice, "Even I haven't been able to push that night out from my mind."
"Really?" he said, suddenly hopeful.
"Yeah, I almost made up my mind to creep into your room multiple times yesterday," she said.
He trembled at this. He would need to be more careful of his nightly activities from now on.
"What stopped you?" he asked.
She was silent for a while and looked distraught. "I was afraid of walking from mom's room to yours," she said in an unconvincing tone.
The twins became silent for a while. He, however, decided to push his luck a bit more and asked, "What do you think we would have done if you came to visit me?"
She blushed at this and looked taken aback by the question. Taking a deep breath, she answered, "I missed spooning with you while sleeping. That's something which I enjoyed that day, the warmth of your body. And how you feel against me."
Atharva was taken aback at this. He loved her immensely, and it was quite touching to know that the desire she had for him was not merely sexual, but far more deep-seated. This fact both gladdened him as well as filled him with guilt. He moved near her and hugged her tightly, to which she responded. They stayed like that, holding each other close for a while. He resolved again never to hurt her and always respect her wishes while progressing with their relationship.
After releasing him, she looked at him seriously and said, "What I said the other day remains, though. We're never going to have actual sex."
He was disappointed at this but decided not to show it. "As you wish, sis. But don't think you can tease me and leave me high and dry."
"I won't," she said, "That's why I'm going to keep sleeping with mom for a couple of days. And don't worry, I won't climb onto your bed at night, either."
*********
Dinner came and went quickly, and soon it was bedtime. After the meal, Atharva offered to help clean up with his mother while Asha and Veena sat in the living room watching TV. Atharva hadn't had the chance to talk to his elder sister all day. He was annoyed at having his nighttime visit to her bedroom interrupted on both the previous occasions, once by Asha and yesterday by his weird experience with his grand uncle. He was determined to break his dry spell today and fulfill what he had dreamed of since the past month.
His mother looked at him suspiciously before speaking, "What happened to you last night? I noticed the bruise in your forehead during breakfast, but thought I'd ask you in private."
He touched his forehead and indeed found a slight bruise there. He guessed it must be from the fall, but did feel that the injury should have looked more severe than what he had.
"I slipped on the stairs while climbing it in the dark while going to the bathroom."
"Oh, does it hurt, son? It doesn't look serious though," she said, coming closer.
"It's fine, mom," he said. They both concentrated on the dishes for a while.
"I wanted to ask you something, mom," he said, "Can you tell me a bit more about your
durmantravadi
grand uncle?"
She flashed him a funny grin and asked, "Wow, you too? Is my rationalist son going to fall into the superstition trap too? Tracking ghosts in the house?"
"Not actually. I'm just trying to get the
thekkini
open and want to know a bit more about its last occupant," he said before continuing with a mischievous grin, "And I do know if I ever feel afraid to sleep in my bed, I can come and share yours."
She flashed him a naughty smile and let the snide remark slide before answering, "Well, my mother had great tales to talk about him. He was her uncle. Apparently, he was a good man who absolutely adored all the kids in the house and always helped the people who used to come to him for cures and solutions to their problems. He was quite long-lived too; in fact, he just died a few months before I was born."
"So, the
thekkini
was open till then?" he asked.
"Yes, our family was quite rich back then, mainly due to his handling of the day to day affairs. It was the time when communists were gaining power and influence in the state and had labeled affluent families like ours as their enemy. Fearing an attack by them, he hid some of our most precious stuff in some part of our land. So I wasn't joking about the treasure."
"Wow, I will find a way to get in then," he said, "What about the