Vajra An Elven Tale

Chapter 8

Chapter Eight

Moths and Flames

Kolkata, 13th March 2015

Around him the night deepened, from silent city lights and passing by cars to still stars and cold breeze, everything seemed distant. Sanskar was no fool; he always knew when something was wrong. He felt uneasy, restless and unsettled, the feeling did not seem to wear off, but instead pushed him deeper in to its unknown pits, unless he found some distraction.

Swallowing hard, he pushed the accelerator further down, feeling the speed vibrate through the metal beast and reach his fingers swathed around the steering wheel. The engines, emitted power into smooth silky movements and he gathered speed with each passing moment. The roads were almost empty and lay ahead of him like an uncoiling serpent, promising hours of distraction and miles enough for a long drive that would clear his mind.

She was supposed to hold his gaze

Uncomfortably the line reminded him of those honey brown eyes. They were, wide, deep and clear, specks of gold dancing around the iris, the bottomless dark pits of her pupils. Those eyes reflected the fire underneath them and their look curious, unsettling, disarming...  He was not supposed to get lost in her gaze.

The thought made him stiff, as he preyed on more speed. He was not supposed to meditate over her eyes. They were just a pair of pretty eyes, after all she is a seer, and the eyes are their most important feature.

She was supposed to be indebted to him.

He recalled that this was the simple reason he went ahead and saved her from those devouring flames. But to be entirely honest, he did not remember those words at the moment. She had been so close to death that he could not stop and think about anything else. Even in the most draining situations Sanskar was proud of his ability to assess his surroundings. But then, at that moment, he had gone completely blank. That was because he had vowed to bring her back, Sanskar argued with himself. He would not be able to fulfill his promise to his mother, if anything happens to the eye. Yes; that was it. He wanted her safe, until his word is kept. But saving someone for our own reasons does not make them indebted to us, does it? By staying alive, was not she the one doing the favor? He was not supposed to take favors from her.

Feeling agitated with himself, he closed his eyes and punched the steering. A sharp pain shot across his knuckles. But it was not sharp enough to block the words that rang through his memory.

He was supposed to listen while she talked.

Her voice was mild, but with a tone that carved itself in his memory. Sanskar remembered her childish voice, the one that sentenced his brother to banishment. But her present sound was much more light and captivating. Please, please, don't leave me!' She had said. He could still remember how each of those syllables rolled from her lips. He was not supposed to memorize her words.

Sanskar now felt furious with himself. He did not stop being captivated by that eye's words but tried his best to reassure her. That certainly was not part of the plan. He was not supposed to make promises. But he had ended up doing the same thing.

She had to trust him.

That was the most important thing. She had to trust him with her life. Had not she done the same thing only a few hours ago? He wondered. She had trusted his words, when he said he would save her. She had held on to him, in a death grip, knowing her life depended on it. He recalled how it felt to hold her so close to himself. He had been truly lost in the sensation, her breath slowly fanning his neck, the warmth of her skin as he touched her. He was not sure he could handle her trust anymore.