"You have a brother?" he asked more out of having nothing to say at that moment than to assure himself, because somehow he knew she was speaking the truth.
"Yes. And he only comes when he needs my help, like now. I am possibly the only person he knows won't slit his throat in his sleep."
"Well, I could," he said in a threatening tone, but her eyes grew immediately larger with fear.
"Don't! Don't you even try that!" she almost whispered. "He will kill you! Devdas, please, just don't do anything.... You saw what happened today. And next time... next time perhaps he won't listen even to me. I can't bear a thought that he could murder you!"
"You don't have much faith in me, do you?" he asked, feeling insulted now.
"I simply know what he is capable of. That is enough."
"And that would be?!
She turned away from him. Just like she previously went on destroying things that got into her reach, disturbing the beautiful order of the room, she now started collecting the pieces of porcelain from the floor.
"He grew up on the streets. Since he was twelve he has trained himself in robbery and deceit, then murder. He is among the most feared men in Chitpore and beyond. A reputation he always wanted for himself, but didn't have power or money to gain it otherwise. You don't want to make him angry. How is Paro?"
The sudden change of topic took him aback. For a moment he almost felt protective of this woman, but she herself now reminded him he needs to sever every bond with her for his own well being. Alright then.
"Her husband and mother-in-law passed away. She is now a widow at such a young age. With nothing ahead of her, nothing but standing by watching others live as her own life is going to slowly pass her by. She has suffered and is still suffering. You cannot imagine her pain." He said that last sentence deliberately, waiting for her to hurtfully oppose that she very much can, or at least to give him an amused look indicating she knows what suffering is, but as so many times before his predictions concerning her behavior failed. She did not do either of that.
"Perhaps you should go to her," she said gently instead. "Maybe now, that her husband is dead, she would agree to elope with you, especially since she is faced with such a horrible perspective. She is too lively and eager for experience. And if not to elope, she will definitely find some comfort in your presence if you stay near."
What Paro herself did not even hint, Chandramukhi was now suggesting with all seriousness and without a shadow of jealousy on her face. Indeed, she did not even seemed interested to keep him! Confusion seemed to be what she would always bring to his mind. He lived with this woman for almost a year in an intimacy he had shared with no one else before. Yet she refused to be even jealous, she did not cry, she made no claims.
"Who are you?" he asked finally. No human being could ever behave this way. But she misinterpreted the question.
"Nobody," she said silently, reaching out now for flowers she had destroyed just a while ago, caressing them tenderly, as if in apology, and putting them into her lap.
"Oh why so modest, darling?" Devdas turned upon hearing the already familiar mocking voice. Ram stood there, leaning upon the door frame. His face was washed now, and his abdomen tightly wrapped with clean bandages. "Last time I heard we both were born higher than English sir right here."
"I told you to lie down otherwise the stitches will be destroyed," she nearly barked at him in manner so unusual for her.
"I had to check you described me to him in the true light, no? But what a disappointment you prefer to talk about something else. I would have thought I'm the most interesting piece of discussion around here. But apparently I will need to make my introduction myself."
There was no anger in his manner now, though the silent threat seemed to be ever present. Treated and safe, he posed almost as amiable, that kind of a joker who mocks all but even those insulted cannot hate him for long. A charming devil, that he was. Now in a broad daylight and with his face clean Devdas knew why he had seemed so vaguely familiar to him. Brother and sister, of course. Their faces held similarity, especially around the eyes, but where nature turned Chandramukhi's features into lovingly feminine and gentle, Ram's appearance was unmistakably masculine, with broader jaw and even more prominent nose. In contrast to Chandramukhi's pure, porcelain face his was marked by minor scars and his eyes, though of the same shape, placement and colour, held nothing of her calmness and peace, although they also burnt with intelligence.
"Why do you think I care for your introduction," said Devdas with a wry smile.
"You are right. Why call it introduction. After all we have met before," Ram answered and Devdas raised his eyebrow questionably. "Oh yes, we have met," Ram assured him. "It's just that you were so drunk you don't remember. I came to visit my dear little sister, and she nearly threw me out, because she was too busy trying to get you into bed. I was really surprised to hear she loved you. She surely wouldn't love me if I struck her in a face."
Strike her? Did he really strike Chandramukhi while being drunk? He looked at her now, but she ignored his gaze and focused on her brother.
"You gave me a much harder blow when I was only a child!" she told him in a cold voice. "Now get out of here and go lie down. Better not try my patience. Who knows? Perhaps one day I will not care if you bleed to death at my feet. Do you really feel like risking it?"
The siblings stared at each other for a while, then Ram decided Chandramukhi deserves a little victory.
"As you wish, darling," he said and turned to leave. "But when you're done with being this man's doormat he wipes his shoes at, send him to me for a while, will you? I like company, and you, sweetheart, have proved to be too obstinate and boring for a conversation."
He left then, leaving them in silence.
"Did I ever hit you?" Devdas asked, rather disturbed at the thought.
"Just wait here for a few days. Once he gets better and leaves so can you," she said, leaving his question unanswered, and thus giving him an answer he did not want to hear. "Don't mind what he says. He will do anything to provoke you. Then you can leave for Manikpur and your Paro."
It made him angry, that calmness with which she spoke, as if her greatest happiness was to get rid of him. But isn't that better? a little voice somewhere inside said. You can leave her now. Obviously her spell is no longer in action. You are free. Yes, he was free now. But why the realization did not make him happy. Instead he felt bitter. And something was aching inside his chest. Free. Free to go to Paro. Then why all he felt was a sudden urge to take Chandramukhi into his arms and shower her face with kisses in an apology for that hit he couldn't even remember? But how would that go with his new attitude? His pride was far too great. And with nothing to say, he walked out of the room, retreating from her.
"A real pain, ain't she?" Ram spoke next to him, appearing all of a sudden as was his habit. "Come, let's eat something." He took Devdas around the shoulders, as if he had found a long lost friend, and not someone he had tried to kill just several hours ago. He did not even flinch when Devdas shook off his arm in disgust and bewilderment. Ah! Brother and sister obviously created to torment him.
