They were surprised by his sudden admission of defeat and farewell, but then they rejoiced in happiness and joy after knowing that he wouldn't bother us for more than 1000 years and that they wouldn't exist after 70 or 80 years.
Hrida announced with a neutral tone, " Kali has disappeared for sure but the essence of his era won't disappear, cause then we all might disappear as well. You all did see what can shadows do to us, they can make us hurt our own loved ones and even ourselves.
You might be thinking that we humans are made of both light and shadow but it is only partially correct. Shadow scares us, and haunts us, then how can something that suffocates us be part of us, we are calling it wrong, the other side of our self is shade.
When the sun is too hot to tolerate, we reside/ stay in the shade but we don't say that a tree's shadow saves us from the blazing heat, we instead say, that a tree's shade not only protects us from overbearing heat but also soothes us.
And, when it is something scary, suffocating, or evil, we name it' Shadow' but we don't mention it when we feel safe. When you are engulfed in shadow, you are scared and uncomfortable but when you hide in Shade, you feel protected and calm.
Shadow is a cage but Shade is shelter, there's a difference. We humans are made of Light and Shade and imperfection lies on both sides.
Light can be magical sometimes and sometimes overwhelming, similarly, Shade can be overwhelming and magical."
Everyone is amazed by her wisdom, they clearly understood her message because she effortlessly made it simple and easy to understand.
Slowly, the criminals woke up, one by one, and the police officers arrested them before they could think of an escape route, Divit woke up as well, he felt pain around his belly, and he saw a coat wrapped around his stomach.
He recalls everything and looks around him and finds everything normal, he then notices Hrida surrounded by her dear ones, she appears cheerful, full of life, and glowing for some reason, his eyes filled with guilt remembering how he betrayed Hrida's trust and had almost hurt her.
Soma is trying to decide whether he should hug her or not but he can't decide either of them, so he just remains silent and stands by her side.
Divit decides to apologize to her, and he rises and tackles her in a hug, she gets a bit surprised but eventually returns the hug.
Divit rambles with a genuine tone, " Hrida, I am sorry. I am extremely sorry, I did promise to not behave like this but I did, no matter what the reason might be, I wronged your trust in me.
I deserve to be punished as well like those other criminals. Sorry, I am really sorry, everyone, I didn't mean to take part in this to hurt Hrida.
I just was afraid that Hrida would leave me alone since she had her own friends, who cared deeply for her. I made many wrong decisions but I want to make it right by doing the punishment whatever you and the police have for me. "
Hrida smiles and speaks in a gentle tone, " Divit, we are friends and friends don't leave each other alone, why would I leave you when I have a caring friend like you?
You don't need to feel guilty, rather I am proud and grateful that you listened to me when I confronted you and you put your life in line to save me.
That's brave and admirable. And, about punishment, I want you to do something else, can you vow to yourself that you will never give in to shadows and stay as my friend? "
Divit withdrew from her, slightly gasping in a bit shocked tone, " How...I mean how did you know I was feeling guilty, I mean, seriously, how did you know what I was feeling inside? Are you some kind of-"
Shashi intervenes in a playful tone, " Witch, you mean, right? She is indeed a beautiful witch, who can see through people in and out, don't you?" Hrida playfully hits strong over his arms, and he annoys her more by imitating her voice, Soma bursts into laughter.
Hrida playfully glares at him, feeling confident, he teases her with a mischievous glint, " Hrida, you didn't tell me, you had some kind of magical ancestry running in your veins?
Now, it makes sense, Tapish is a magician, you both are some kind of witchy duo in a good way, of course ."
Hrida remarks with fake annoyance," You too, Soma, looks like you have taken over the impression of Shashi's nature. He is silly, don't become like him, your logical soul will collapse with his jokes."
Soma responds genuinely, " Although I am more of a diligent one, but, I have a funny side to me as well, yeah but his influence.. I meant good influence expanded the funny range of me. You know, I am silly too, I am glad I met you both."
Hrida then asks him with a gentle tone, " Soma, would you like to have another friend or at least give a try to become friends with?
I have already asked for Shashi's opinion, he is okay with it but I also wanted to know your opinion/choice.
And, no matter what your answer might be, we will respect your choice. ...Umm..actually, I am thinking of including Divit in our group, so are you comfortable with him at least being his friend? "
Soma thought about it, and although he didn't like him, but still, had nothing against Divit. Most importantly, he saved Hrida's life and he apologized to all for his action, which indicates he has goodness within him, so he already made up his mind.
He silently walks up to him and extends his hand forward, asking with a friendly tone, " Divit, despite all the differences, do you accept my offer of friendship? " Divit gladly handshakes with him and pulls him in for a friendly hug, Hrida glees in joy.
Soma's mom is quite happy about his son making such good friends in his life and his reserved and defensive attitude is changing into a more open and friendly attitude.
After their warm interactions, the police officers asked the civilians to return to their respective homes since the situation was under control.
Kritak and Dhansi ji handled the rest duties along with other police officers while Lakshman and Soma's mom being injured were given a day or two-day break.
Soma reluctantly went along with Lakshman bhaiya and his mom to their home and the police officers were busy informing the Chief of the police and returning the city back to its normal life.
In the meantime, Shashi's mom requested Navya to visit their home and relax for a while since Hrida, Divit, and Tapish needed dressing and food to fill their hungry stomach and low-energy bodies.
Navya instantly agreed since she didn't mind the offer, she was exhausted as well and she needed to refill her energy as well and a homemade meal by Shashi's mom was the perfect rejuvenation for all of them. She did ask Soma's mom as well but she politely denied the offer for later since their family is waiting for them with worry in their minds.
At dinner time, Divit had already eaten his fluid-only food dinner earlier after the doctor sewed his wound and did his dressing, he is already asleep with Tapish, who is also dressed in bandages on Shashi's bed since the guest room felt lonely and uncomfortable Divit.
Meanwhile, in the hall room, Shashi and Hrida are playing videogames but Shashi seems distracted, which makes him lost in the game again for the 10th time, Hrida calls for his attention, and Shashi is lost in deep thought, and this sparked her mischievous streak in her.
She sneakily hid behind the sofa and slightly tugged his hair, then hid behind the sofa, Shashi snapped out of his thought, and found his nearby seat vacant, ruffled his hair with puzzled expression.
She again tugged one of his hair strands, then hid behind the sofa's arm, he immediately looked behind the sofa, still, there was no one there. He scratches his head in confusion; she muffles her giggle as he looks funny to her.
Shashi heard her chuckle, he then understood her mischief, he pretended to be clueless and purposefully made funny weird faces, she burst into laughter and she didn't realize she had been caught.
Shashi stealthily stood behind her, Hrida's laughter stopped when she noticed Shashi's absence, she looked around but didn't find him, then when she turned around, Shashi tried to jump scare her, but she did let out a gasp.
Shashi rolled on the floor in laughter, she felt irritated but soon she joined him in his laughter, they were rolling in laughter.
Navya enters and chuckles seeing them carefree and happy, Shashi's mom appears next to her, and following her loving gaze, she finds Shashi and Hrida goofing around.
Shashi's mom comments with an excited tone, " Don't you think, they look adorable together, since childhood, they always stood by each other's side and they always behaved carefree, happy, and cute around each other but I sense something different in their gazes now than before, like something beautiful is growing between them."
Navya grins, " Aunty, I think you have found your future daughter-in-law and I too sense a beautiful and unmatched chemistry between them."
Hrida noticed Shashi's mom and rushed to her, embracing her torso, she dramatically complained, " Aunty, he is troubling me and he also seems distracted as well, he needs a study hour punishment * devious smirk directed at him* "
Shashi made irritated faces towards her, he teased her, " Hrida, aren't you being too naughty nowadays, hmm?" Hrida blushes at her hidden implication, Shashi's mom defends her, " Rather than Hrida, you have been acting a little naughty, it seems, Shashii, hmm?"
Shashi stutters and confesses the truth with a mix of shy and honest tone, " Wh-what.. what do you mean, I didn't do anything...* felt their obvious stare upon him*
Fine, fine. I did kiss her cheek, but she did it first. She kissed me....on the cheek twice, I just..Whatever, let's forget this.
Hrida, come, let's play whatever game you want. Let's go." Shashi extends his palm forward to her, she shyly places her hand on his hand, and they start playing a board game.
Shashi's mom's grin widens, " Did you hear that? That is really cute, right? My son and Hrida are just .....adorable."
Navya agrees with her, " I think the same as you. I wish their bond grow deeper and deeper day by day."
On the other hand, Hrida has been feeling the urge to ask him something, which is bothering her but she didn't want to make him uncomfortable, Shashi has been noticing her trying to speak but then keeping quiet.
Shashi mentions with a confident and warm tone, " I didn't mean about the kiss on the cheek if that's what has been poking your brain.
You know, I never do anything out of impulse or regret. I just..want to let you know...I don't regret anything." Then, he cheekily smiled at her, making Hrida melt inside, she found her confidence back by his statement.
Shashi then remarked with a playful tone, " But this secret must lie between us until we figure out what's going on, and until that period, can I expect such sweet surprises from you in the near future? "
Hrida feels suddenly shy by his question, witnessing how much he is enjoying teasing her, she reverts to her confident self and playfully remarks, " Cheeky Shashiii! For your kind information, don't forget I know your charms, so they won't work on me.
After all, I only know how you enjoy acting funny in front of girls, seriously your friendliness makes me wonder how can be someone so...."
Shashi completes her sentence with a soft tone, staring at her eyes, " Beautiful. * Clears his throat* That's what you were going to say, right?
I do enjoy making friends but only with those who do not try to mess with my best friend. And, I enjoy others' company but I love your company. One more action is left to do, if I didn't I wouldn't be able to sleep. Shall I ?"
Hrida gets curious and gives her permission, he softly grabs her hand, hums out-of-sync tunes and twirls her around, Hrida stumbles as her foot gets caught on the long curtain, but Shashi catches her in his arm, Hrida breaks into laughter.
Shashi grins and suddenly swiftly kisses her cheek and confesses, " Now, I can sleep, good night, Miss Colliding girl." He runs into his mom's room, while Hrida's cheeks are on fire, she is melting inside, she chuckles and shakes her head in fondness.