'What is that one thing you are willing to sacrifice but you are not willing to for the sake of something that is just a fleeting shooting star in the sky?', that's how being in love feels like and I was in love indeed. Although all those cheesy things made me puke, I couldn't deny that those little exchanges of words, observed emotions, sacrifices we made for each other and many other things made me so happy. He was very rare, to me he was that only-once-in-a-lifetime love. He was funny, mischievous, I never got bored being with him.
One day morning, I was up earlier than usual and I found an Ojas standing beside my bed staring down at me without batting an eye. I freaked out in astonishment and Swara came running to my room to find me alone and freaked out in my bed.
"Was it a nightmare, sweetie?", she came in hugged me and patted my back softly to calm me down.
I saw the real Ojas-down on this very earth-where I reside-and-not in the Ajopavana-there was no Ahim either. I told Swara that I was alright and "Could I get some water?"
She left to get me some meanwhile, I took my phone from the table beside and looked up for Prakash's number. I lingered whether to dial his number or just swipe for a text message and then it occurred, I couldn't let any other know this. Just in case, I texted him 'I'm coming up to your room in an hour. Have something to show. IMPORTANT'
Swara was not seeing the Ojas while I was constantly anxious for no reason at all. I already knew that he couldn't talk, I just wondered the reason for him to come down. Swara walked away after checking on me and was convinced that I was doing okay. I rushed to Prakash's room, ran to the elevator and then sprinted to his apartment and I was already in his room. He was waiting and I couldn't wait for catching some breath.
"ThereisanOjasinmyroom!"
He gave a weird confused look and said, "Now, I see one in-my room…", he pointed his finger out, "-beside you…"
"OH!! YEah!", I resisted jumping.
"To Ahim!", nodded and I walked to Prakash. Suddenly I remembered the last time we went up, Prakash was about to die, the thought of that incident put me in a very tough spot. So I secretly went to Ahim without telling Prakash to request for the removal of Prakash from this mission. I was told that it would make Prakash lose all his memories of me. It was too cruel, we got together after a long time. I had been wishing for that for very long years, now that it happened, we were on the verge of losing each other. I took a deep breath and let it out through my mouth.
The taste of anxiety was making me puke. It might have shown in my face for Prakash to ask me, "Are you sick anywhere?" when we landed on Ahim's place. There he was seated on the throne with a very relaxed face. How could he put that face in front of us? It sometimes made me furious. It made me regret accepting Ahim's offer, we were reckless indeed. I said to Prakash that I was okay.
"Oh! You are here!", Ahim welcomed us.
"You must have seen Ojas, am I right?"
Prakash and I shared a look and said that he was right. "Why is there one on the earth now?"
now?"
"Hmm-mm! There is one more on the earth, on a mission to find a weed."
"We don't get it."
He laughed softly, "Hold the hands of the Ojas when a wound breaks."
I was mad at Ahim but I couldn't be mad any longer. We already knew what exactly those Ojas were doing in Ajopavana.
"Can he heal humans?", I couldn't believe.
"NO! Not humans but they can heal you."
"If you are doing this after witnessing the damage we had to bear last time, then I am very grateful.", Prakash was happy knowing that he could jump into a fight if he had to, without any fear.
But, "What's it about the weed you were saying?"
"The soul you were attacked by, he's still on the hunt. When it comes to evil things like that, you never know what appearance it might take the next time you see it…", he took a pause, "it is safer to give the first blow."
"Are we—giving the first blow?", I looked at Prakash and then at the blindfolded Ahim.
"Do not fear!"
"Don't make me regret, Ahim!", I felt the cold sweats drenching my palm.
"The mission might start any time now. Don't worry, Sita.", Prakash assured me with a nod. I knew it wasn't the time to have second thoughts, we had a card.
"You won't regret it. The Ojas I sent to you will protect you at all costs."