The morning after, the butler's gentle voice broke the silence. "Miss Jemisha, the Asthi Visarjan ceremony will take place on xxxday I've arranged for a wheelchair to ensure your comfort."
Jemisha's gaze drifted out the window, her eyes clouding over as memories flooded her mind. The butler's words barely registered, lost amidst the ache in her heart.
Days passed in a blur, and the day of Asthi Visarjan arrived. Amiya stood by the river, the urn cradled in her hands. Her voice trembled as she recited prayers, her eyes brimming with tears.
"May your soul find peace, dear father," she whispered, releasing the ashes into the flowing river.
Jemisha watched from her wheelchair, her eyes welling up with sorrow. The gentle lapping of the river's waters against the shore seemed to echo the grief within her.
As the ceremony concluded, the aroma of traditional dishes wafted through the air, mingling with the somber atmosphere. Amiya's hands moved with precision, offering guests plates filled with fragrant rice, aromatic curries, and freshly baked bread. Her serene expression belied the anguish in her eyes.
Guests gathered around the table, sharing memories of the late duke. Laughter and tears intertwined as they reminisced about his unwavering strength and compassion.
"I remember our training sessions with the duke," one guest said, a smile trembling on his lips. "He pushed us to our limits, but we became stronger because of it."
Another guest spoke up, her voice cracking. "He taught me to harness my powers with precision and control. I owe him everything."
A few guests shared stories of their daring monster hunts with the duke, their voices filled with awe and reverence. Amidst the anecdotes, one theme resonated - the duke's legacy of courage and kindness.
Jemisha's eyes wandered, her gaze drifting across the faces of those gathered. She felt the weight of her loss, the ache of her father's absence.
In the midst of the lively exchange, Jemisha's eyes shone with interest as she absorbed each narrative from her wheelchair. Amiya sat beside her, their unspoken tension hanging in the air like a challenge.
As guests shared stories of the Duke's bravery, Jemisha's gaze drifted to Amiya, her expression a complex mix of emotions. Amiya's eyes met hers, then swiftly looked away, her jaw tightening.
The silence between them grew thicker, heavier, until Amiya abruptly stood up. "Excuse me," she murmured, her voice barely audible.
Jemisha watched, her chest tightening, as Amiya departed with a small group of companions. The room seemed to fade into the background, leaving only the ache within her.
Weeks passed, each day stretching the silence between them like taut wire.
Dr. Shikha's regular visits became Jemisha's sole respite from the emotional turmoil. One day, as the doctor entered her room, Jemisha's gaze lingered on the window, her thoughts elsewhere.
Dr. Shikha approached, her voice gentle. "Jemisha, how are you feeling today?"
Jemisha shifted slightly, wincing as she moved her hand. Her eyes remained fixed on the window, her voice barely above a whisper. "It doesn't hurt... but my hand..."
Her words trailed off, and Dr. Shikha's brow furrowed in confusion. "Your hand?" She glanced at Jemisha's chart, then back at her patient. "There were no injuries on your hand from the beginning. Can you describe the pain? How is it feeling?"
Jemisha's gaze drifted downward, her voice cracking. "It feels like... thousands of needles piercing through my hand, burning me from the inside out."
Dr. Shikha's expression turned thoughtful, her eyes filled with concern. "I'm going to prescribe some painkillers. Let's see if they help alleviate the discomfort. Are you experiencing any other symptoms?"
Jemisha hesitated, her eyes darting around the room before settling on the doctor. Her voice barely above a whisper, she admitted, "Ughh, I'm just tired of being stuck in bed all day... feeling caged." She smiled trying to not show her emotions.. but,
The truth, however, was far from it. Since the Duke's passing, Jemisha had been plagued by strange, accusatory voices that kept her awake at night. The whispers surrounded her, blaming her for the Duke's death and her unforgivable mistakes. They echoed from all corners, their intent clear and chilling.
"It's her fault," they hissed, each syllable dripping with accusation and malice.
The words hung in the air like a challenge, their venomous tone piercing Jemisha's heart. She felt the weight of their gaze, the crushing pressure of their judgment.
Dr. Shikha's eyes narrowed slightly, as if sensing Jemisha's unease. But Jemisha's focus remained fixed on the whispers, her mind consumed by their relentless assault.
As night descended, the maid ensured Jemisha's comfort, then departed, closing the door behind her. The silence filled the room, a heavy blanket that suffocated Jemisha.
Her eyelids grew heavy, surrendering to the exhaustion that had become her constant companion. But as she drifted into sleep, a chilling laughter echoed through the darkness, the eerie whispers piercing her eardrums like daggers.
"You killed him, Jemisha... Your recklessness, your arrogance... He's dead because of you..."
Jemisha's eyes snapped open, her body rigid with fear. She tried to move, but her limbs felt heavy, as if weighed down by the crushing guilt.
The voices continued their relentless assault, their words swirling around her like a maelstrom.
"No... It wasn't my fault... I didn't mean for it to happen," Jemisha whispered, her hands clasped over her ears in a futile attempt to block out the tormentors.
But they would not relent. Their tone dripped with malevolence, each word a fresh stab to her already battered soul.
"Mean for it to happen? You were warned, Jemisha... You ignored the signs, ignored the danger... And now he's gone, because of you..."
Jemisha's breath came in ragged gasps, her heart racing with the weight of their words. She screamed, her voice hoarse from the anguish, "Please, please, please go away! Stop it! Stop!"
The maid, alerted by Jemisha's cries, rushed into the room, shaking her gently. "M'lady, Lady Jemisha, wake up! Oh, dear lady, you're having a nightmare!"
Jemisha jerked awake, her body drenched in sweat, her lungs burning from the ragged gasps. The maid helped her sit upright, offering a glass of water, which Jemisha gulped down gratefully.
"Thank you, Elara," Jemisha whispered, her voice still shaking. "I... I couldn't breathe."
Elara's expression was filled with concern. "You've been having these nightmares for days, m'lady. Perhaps you should speak with Dr. Shikha about them?"
Jemisha looked at her and managed a smile, though it was somewhat halfhearted. "I'll try."
As Jemisha's physical strength returned, Dr. Shikha and her attendee guided her through tentative steps and gentle exercises. After each session, Dr. Shikha visited, her eyes shining with warmth and encouragement.
"You're recovering remarkably well, m'lady. A few more months, and you'll be back on your feet."
Jemisha smiled, her gaze drifting to the window, where sunlight danced through the curtains. "Thank you, Doctor. I feel like I'm getting better every day."
Dr. Shikha's expression turned thoughtful. "And how's your sleep? Elara mentioned you've been having trouble?"
Jemisha shrugged, downplaying the concern. "Oh, no, it's just... I'm getting less sleep, that's all. It's tiring."
Dr. Shikha's eyes narrowed slightly. "You're not able to sleep? And what about your hand?" She reached out, gently taking Jemisha's hand in hers.
As she did, her gaze fell upon the blackened fingers, and she gasped, her voice barely above a whisper. "Oh my...,"
Jemisha's fingers were now fully engulfed in the dark, foreboding markings. The dark markings from finger tips to her wrists.
"It's still aching," Jemisha admitted, her voice laced with worry. "I don't know why."
Dr. Shikha's expression turned contemplative. "Perhaps your powers are developing. Maybe now is the time for you to enroll in the Royal Academy. You'll receive guidance and support there."
Jemisha's gaze faltered, her thoughts drifting to the Duke and Ms. Maya, who had once offered her comfort and understanding.
"I... I don't know. When Father was here, he and Ms. Maya would help me make sense of things. But now, since Ms. Maya left and Father..."
Jemisha glanced at Dr. Shikha, her eyes welling up with tears. She let out a forced laugh, attempting to deflect the concern, and swiftly changed the subject by inquiring about Amiya.
"Have you heard anything from Amiya?" Jemisha asked, her voice barely above a whisper.
Dr. Shikha's expression shifted to a puzzled look. "Well, m'lady, I'm not sure... Is something wrong?"
Jemisha's words spilled out in a nervous rush. "Oh, no, no... It's just that... my birthday is approaching, and perhaps... I was hoping..."
Dr. Shikha's gaze narrowed slightly. "You wish to celebrate your birthday?"
Jemisha's cheeks flushed as she hurried to clarify. "Oh, no, no... I was hoping we could spend time together."
The ensuing silence felt like an unbridgeable chasm between the sisters.
Dr. Shikha's voice broke the quiet. "Certainly, you must be feeling bored, confined to this room for weeks. I'll ensure your message reaches her."
As Dr. Shikha turned to depart, Jemisha's heart sank. She hadn't meant to expose her longing for reconciliation, but the words had slipped out, revealing her vulnerability.
"Dr. Shikha?" Jemisha called out, desperation lacing her voice.
"Yes, m'lady?"
"Please... let Amiya know it's not just about spending time together. I need to speak with her, to mend things between us."
Dr. Shikha's expression softened, and she nodded. "I'll convey your message, Jemisha. But be prepared for any outcome."
Jemisha's gaze drifted aimlessly across the ceiling as she lay in bed, her mind consumed by the weight of her own deception.
She had used her upcoming birthday as a pretext to reach out to Amiya, but now she couldn't shake off the feeling of emptiness.
Did she truly want to celebrate her birthday, or was it just a desperate attempt to reconnect with her sister?
The silence of her room seemed to close in around her, a constant reminder of the distance between her and Amiya.
Jemisha's thoughts swirled with doubts. What was the point of celebrating another year of life when the person she wanted to share it with was no longer by her side?
She tossed onto her side, her eyes wandering to the window. The sunlight streaming in seemed dull, lacking the vibrancy that once filled her life.
Jemisha's heart felt heavy, weighed down by the realization that she had been using her birthday as an excuse.
She didn't care about celebrating; she just wanted Amiya back.
With a sigh, Jemisha buried her face in the pillow, the softness muffling her despair.