Eklavya #Book I

Chapter LXVIII

The gloom surrounding him was palpable, a suffocating presence weighing heavily on his broad shoulders. It clung to him, seeped into his skin, and wrapped around his very being like an unrelenting shadow.

Vines of uncertainty stealthily crept in, winding around him like shackles, and tightened their grip until they threatened to crush him whole.

A future without her vivacious presence seemed hollow. He felt hollow and empty, and it was becoming harder to breathe with each passing second. All he wanted to do now was run and hide in her arms.

As he knew her mere presence would ward off all the darkness that threatened to engulf his existence.

Even with the full moon shining brilliantly in the sky, this night felt unbearably long and terrifying. The shadows surrounding him made his heart shudder in fear—an emotion he abhorred vehemently and hadn't felt in a long time.

Eklavya exhaled sharply and tried to force some air into his lungs, but the shadows made it hard as it continued suffocating him in its tight embrace.

His reverie broke when urgent knocks on the door rang in his ears. Taking a moment to come into the present, Eklavya went and opened the door. Rudra stood there with a long face.

Too sapped to even feel irritated at the glimmering pity in Rudra's eyes, Eklavya went back and fell on his bed. Blank eyes fixed on the boring ceiling.

Softly closing the door behind him, Rudra quietly pulled the chair and sat on it. Many a time he opened his mouth and ultimately closed it. Having no idea what to say after a long moment finally asked, "What's all this happening Eklavya?"

Eklavya let out a slow breath, his gaze still fixed on the ceiling as if searching for answers in its blankness. His voice was low, almost distant, "Ira di must've told you already by now..."

"She did." Rudra admittedly quietly then heaving a sigh he asked, "What now? Did you talk to Anamika yet?"

"I did..." his voice a broken whisper, "She was... crying..."

Rudra sucked in a sharp breath, hearing the sheer vulnerability in his otherwise courageous brother and the thought of tears in the lovely girl's eyes made him shift uncomfortably in the chair.

Seeing as the clock was about to strike midnight, Rudra deliberated whether to say it or not. Huffing he wished with a stiff smile, "Happy Birthday Brother..."

Eklavya's lips curled up in a mock smile, "Happy Birthday huh... Some birthday it turned out to be," derision dripping from his voice. And forced down the rising bitterness in his throat. His life seemed to be playing a cruel joke with him right now.

The tense room once again fell silent save for the eery ticking of the clock.

"Don't be so glum and tense. I'm sure everything will be okay. Just give it some time." Rudra spoke optimistically, trying to see the silver lining in the dark clouds.

Eklavya chuckled humourlessly, then shook his head and said, "You already know, Rudra. Patience is not exactly my forte."

"Then master it, Eklavya," Rudra stated sombrely, "Tame and become its master. Instead of building walls around you build up your patience."

Wordlessly listening to his brother, Eklavya just nodded and said, "It's quite late. You should go and sleep now. We've to write our final exam tomorrow."

Seeing him using a dismissive tone, Rudra gathered that his brother wanted to be alone for some time. Standing up lithely on his feet, Rudra gave a last look to Eklavya and reminded him before walking out, "You should try to get some sleep too. With the way things are, I'm guessing a long, tiring day awaits you,"