Love and fear

(Sorry, the chapter was a little late 🙏. Enjoy the chapter, and don't forget to leave the power stone.)

_________________________________________________

At the rooftop

My feelings were suppressed with Damien's help. He said I would not feel much sadness because of my isolation from my class, but he said they would still be present.

I only have Arya and Alexander; I can't talk to both of them about my feelings of isolation. I don't want Arya to feel sad, and Alexander would not understand me in this regard.

And Damien would always divert my attention towards power and money.

"Now even my big sister is annoyed by me." As I was crying, I heard a voice behind me.

I hurriedly wiped my tears. As I looked back, because of the darkness, I wasn't able to see much, but I was able to confirm that she was Big Sis as she got close.

"Daemon, what are you doing here at night alone?" she asked, getting close. I unknowingly took a step back.

"Nothing big, sis. I was just gazing at stars," I said, trying to be nonchalant about it, but my voice cracked. Hearing me, she sat down and beckoned me to sit next to her.

I was hesitant at first, but I slowly sat down.

"Now tell me what happened, and it's an order this time," she said in a stern voice.

"Nothing really–"

"Then why were you crying?" I stopped saying anything and looked down at the floor. Her hand reached towards me, and I flinched.

But as I felt the warmth of her body, I relaxed.

As Preeti hugged me, I felt a mix of emotions flooding through me. Her warmth and comforting presence brought a sense of security that I hadn't realized I needed. I couldn't hold back the tears any longer, and they started to stream down my cheeks.

"It's okay, Daemon. You can tell me anything," she whispered gently, her arms wrapped around me protectively.

"I just... I feel so alone sometimes," I admitted, my voice trembling with vulnerability. "I miss my parents, and being isolated in class makes it hard to fit in."

Preeti's fingers gently brushed through my hair, soothing me. "I know it must be tough for you, but remember, you have me, and you have Arya. We care about you deeply."

"But why did you talk to me like that back in the day? I was just worried about you?" I asked her sadly in her embrace.

"It was just the effect of fever; don't worry, your big sister loves you very much. Now tell me why you didn't tell me that you were isolated in the class," Preeti asked, looking into my eyes and wiping my tears.

"Because I don't want to burden anyone with my problems," I mumbled, feeling guilty for unloading my feelings onto her.

"You're not burdening anyone. It's natural to have ups and downs in life, and it's okay to share your feelings with those who love you."

Preeti reassured me. I was happy with her last line.

[Hey, kid, this is your chance; ask her if she loves you like Arya; if she does, then I will help you; if she doesn't, then it's your problem; I know you must be angry at me; you can curse me later; for now, just do what I said.] I widened my eyes a little at his words.

"Do you love me? Big sis, Like Arya?" I asked hopefully.

She grew silent at my words. I was sad. I was about to leave her embrace, but she held me tight.

"Yes, I also love you like Arya," she whispered in my ears. I was happy to hear that, but now comes the problem of how not to hurt Arya.

[Don't worry, everything will come into place eventually; for now, you should worry about Preeti, because even though she loves you, it doesn't mean she will accept it fully, and maybe she will fall in love with someone else.]

All my happiness went down with his last words. It's true what he said. I am younger than her, and unlike her, I can fall in love with someone else. Just the thought of seeing her with someone else fills me with anger.

If she were to see my face, she would certainly be surprised. I tightened my grip on her arms and pressed and rubbed my face on her chest like a kid asking to be spoiled, but I was just trying to hide my expression from her.

[Don't worry; as long as you follow my advice, nothing like that will happen.] His words made me relax a little.

After separating, I asked for a kiss. She made a troubled face but complied.

"Daemon, now you should understand that I am not someone who will agree to do anything. Did you forget I have your secrets now that I am okay, so be ready to be my errand boy again?" She teased me after the kiss. I was happy she was back to normal.

We went down. I was about to go into Arya's room, but Preeti stopped me.

"From tomorrow onward, you will take turns sleeping with me and Arya. Do you understand?" She whispered in my ears and kissed my cheeks.

My heart rate accelerated at the thought of sleeping with her again. Maybe we could do it again. I blushed; all my sadness from before was already gone.

I went inside Arya's room and closed the door.

I saw Arya was already sleeping with a frown on her face, which looked cute on her. I climbed the bed, lay next to her, and hugged her slowly so as not to wake her.

Her frown visibly disappeared, and a smile formed on her face.

As I lay next to Arya, holding her gently in my arms, I couldn't help but feel a rush of warmth and contentment. Her presence always had a calming effect on me, and it felt like the world's burdens were lifted off my shoulders.

"Arya, I promise I'll always love you," I whispered, though she was asleep and couldn't hear me. "No matter what happens, you mean the world to me."

As I closed my eyes, I failed to notice Arya's eyes opening.

In the morning, I greeted Arya with a smile, but she seemed a bit flustered, probably because of our closeness while sleeping. I decided not to mention it and just act as usual.

With exams starting tomorrow, I knew I had to focus on studying, but my mind was still preoccupied with the conversation I had with Preeti last night.

During breakfast, everything went normal. Preeti was acting normal now, so I was relieved.

After Uncle Ethan went to the office, I decided to visit the nearest temple with Aunt Meera. It was the same temple I visited on my birthday.

Arya and Preeti wanted to stay at home, so only me and Aunt Meera were going.

After arriving at the temple, I was about to go inside, but a big hand grabbed my wrist from behind and yanked me back. I was surprised as I looked back at a beggar with little to no clothes and ashes all around his body, with a very long beard and hair, staring at me with his red eyes. I was scared.

"Ahhhhh! Someone save me!" I screamed. Aunt Meera came to me to separate me from him, but she was unable to do so. Other people came to my rescue as I was separated from him.

I was scared as my aunt hugged me, and the beggar stared at me the whole time. Looking at him, I started to cry in Aunt Meera's arms because my wrist hurt.

The beggar got apprehended by people, after which they called the police. 

"Does this aghori baba have any mental problems?" I heard from one of the passersby.

(Aghoris: they are devotees of Lord Shiva who seek freedom from the cycle of reincarnation, samsara. This freedom is a realization of the self's identity with the absolute.)

The police took the Aghori the whole time he didn't utter a single word and just stared at me.

After the pain subsided. I was a little calmer because of Damien's help. So I decided to go inside anyway. Even though I was a little shaken and Aunt Meera wanted to just go home,

In the temple, I sat quietly, closed my eyes, and began praying to Lord Shiva. I sought his blessings to help me overcome my fears and find peace within myself. As I immersed myself in prayer, I felt a sense of calm wash over me.

After we arrived home,

"Aunty, can you not tell my parents about the incident today? I don't want them to worry about me," I said to Aunt with a sincere voice because I don't want my mom to worry about me.

She agreed reluctantly with my puppy eyes.

After we walked back home.

I decided to go study. When I was solving some math problems. A flashback of today's incident came before my eyes, my hands were a little shaken, and I broke the tip of my pencil.

[Don't worry, daemon, this is not your fault; it happened because you are a weak child. In the future, I will teach you how to fight, so don't worry.] Damien consoled me.

My eyes glowed a little with his words. Yes, in the future, I have another reason to become strong.