Priya and Visha headed to the administration office and Priya pulled out a form. Visha was still unsure. This was too rash. She thought. But Priya was determined. She would do anything to see Visha humiliated. After an incident like that, she really believed she stands a chance. Stupid. This will just be an even better stage to get to her. Priya quickly filled out the form and turned to Visha."So there are three rounds starting next week. First is a quiz, second is the fashion walk and last is talent show."
"Next week!" Visha exclaimed.
"Don"t worry. Everyone will help you prepare and perform." Priya consoled. Visha nodded and they turned back. She was nervous but Dhira"s words gave her strength. She won"t allow anyone to step on her. Not anymore.
Priya and Visha were talking as they saw Dhira and Shivam come out of the computer room. Shivam had a laptop in his hands. Priya quivered as the incident form morning replayed in her mind. Dhira looked at her coldly as she cowered in fear and looked down. Visha met her gaze and smiled. Dhira nodded at her and left. Dhira seems cold but she isn"t bad. If she was she wouldn"t have helped Visha today. Visha was grateful. But the incident this morning was confusing. Why could she hear that snake hissing? How did Dhira know she was looking at her? There were too many questions but no answers at all.
***
"This is too annoying." Yash complained and lied down on the couch Vir was moving. And Vir sighed. He has been complaining ever since they got here. He was the one who wanted to follow that blood scent. Yet he acted like he was forced into this. "It is almost done, Master."
Yash turned to him and Vir shuddered, he was the closest one to Yash but could never get used to his cold gaze. "Call me brother. We are among the humans."
"Apologies, ma... I mean brother." Vir said with an awkward smile and got back to setting the couch with Yash on it. They were just supposed to be pa.s.sing by. Instead he got stuck here because of his master"s whim.
Vir then moved to the other furniture. They bought a house and set it up like other human houses. This would help them blend in.
"Vir, humans need more of them to move furniture." Yash seriously doubted this man could ever blend among people. Vir turned back, "They will take too long." and continued to work. Yash laid back down and waited for him to finish. As soon as he saw Vir come back, "I"m hungry" he demanded. Vir bowed and left to get some food. He knew that he won"t survive this for long. Now they had to wait for the blood scent again. Vir could only hope for it to appear soon.
***
Visha was hurrying back home. It was already dark. She had spent too much time in the library. With all that to prepare for the quiz, she had lost track of time. She had issued a lot of books. She was determined to change the image that fake photo had made. She won"t be easy to bully. If someone wanted to bully her they will have to work a lot harder. Her mother might have already returned back home. Visha was too excited to share this with her. She opened the door and saw her mother frantically pacing back and forth in the room.
"Mom, what happened?" She saw Visha had safely returned home. She sighed in relief and rushed to hold her and broke down in tears. "Mom?" Visha was confused to see her reaction and leapt forward. She held her mother in her arms and let her cry.
"Mom, just tell me what happened?" Visha was starting to worry as her mother wouldn"t stop.
"Where have you been? I was worried sick. I thought something happened to you. I was about to call the police."
"But I"m fine. I was in the library studying and just lost track of time. You didn"t have to worry this much." Visha was too confused as this was a bit of an over reaction. She had almost called the police. But Visha was just two hours late. Why did her mother over react to such a small incident? But hearing her soft sobs Visha decided not to ask right now.
Payal and Visha had their dinner and Visha decided to stay with her mother till she fell asleep. Visha laid down in her lap and Payal gently stroked her head. Today was too much of a scare for Payal. She had felt a very powerful presence around today. So she hurried back home and when she didn"t find Visha. She imagined the worst. She looked at that face in her lap. She has sacrificed everything for this little girl. She has hidden her ever since she was born. And she will do anything to keep her safe. After all, she has always been a woman of her words.
***
"Master, we have nothing on her." Dhira sighed in disappointment and sat down. She had gone through all her profile, every doc.u.ment. But nothing was out of ordinary. But she still decided to bring some things back for him to see. He too went through Visha"s profile in detail. From one doc.u.ment to another, there was nothing abnormal. Until he stopped at one, "Who is this?" he asked.
"That"s her mother. Why? Did you find something?" Dhira finally had some hope. At her question he just smiled as a response. This confused Dhira.
"There is nothing to worry about." Rajesh smiled. He hadn"t seen this face in a very long time. "What do you mean?" Dhira won"t stop till she had a proper explanation.
"That is Payal. She was one of us. The most powerful witch I had ever seen. If she was still here she would be in this position." Dhira did not understand this. If she was a part of this coven why did she leave? Was she really more powerful than her master? For him to say that he won"t have been the leader with her around, this woman must be. Before she could ask any more questions Rajesh held up his hand and Dhira fell quiet.
"You will have your answers in time. For now, you don"t have to be wary of her. But I do have something in mind for you to do." Dhira nodded. If he trusts that this girl was not a threat then so will she.
***