Part 15 - Change is Inevitable

Tashvin had come home after two days. The changes that occurred during those two days were shocking. At first, he was disappointed for not being selected but then he was very happy for Vysna.

All of them had arranged a small welcome home party for him. The entire house was decorated and a table was arranged out in the backyard. Cheese-grilled sandwiches, crispy chicken drumsticks, broccoli almond soup and most importantly, the sweets that he loved, like gulab jamun, Rice payasam, Malai burfi, and his favourite Dutch chocolate truffle cake, were on the menu. Markand and Neela were also invited to the party. Tashvin guessed that Aaden must have been happier than he was at this point. The food was delicious, and the company was delightful.

He had seen his mother's pain and hard work to keep their family together and to see that she had finally succeeded gave him joy. Of course, he felt a bit sorry for himself because he had lost a big opportunity. It didn't bother him much because, over the years, he had learnt that he was the only one who could help himself and that hard work always pays off. He believed that if he truly wanted to achieve something nothing could stop him. He had learnt it from his father who was always optimistic and always looked at the better side of things.

He was grateful to Vysna for saving his life. He couldn't imagine what would have happened if he was not able to send her a wave. Every time he thought about the lake it shuddered him. He was being pulled by something under the bottom of the lake. At first, when he swam, he felt only a pulse that reached him from the bottom. But when he responded to the pulse by sending a wave, a force started to pull him underneath, he lost control and started to drown. The pull was too strong. With every passing minute, he was being pulled lower and lower underwater.

He knew something had to be beneath the lake but he didn't discuss it with anyone because he was in too much of a shock to talk about it. The incident brought back memories of him nearly drowning in the river when he was a child. This had left him even more scared of water than he was before and he didn't want to recall the memories.

" We will be doing all the formalities tomorrow," Markand said, as all of them sat in the living room, " We will get Vysna's name registered in the records. She will officially be a part of the Partham world. She will be a Partham tomorrow."

A tinge of disappointment washed over Aaden. He had never lost a race in his life. Even if this was not a race and here he was competing against his siblings, he truly believed that he'd be selected. The circumstances had taken an unexpected turn and he hoped that there were no more surprises in his life henceforth. Another part of him was relieved that he didn't have to leave his school and friends, particularly Ishil. But then there was Neela. When he found out that she was leaving school he, after days of contemplation, had finally accepted the fact that he was not going to see her again. But, here she was, just at his reach. He felt awful at the thought. Being a part of Partham's world meant that he would have to choose between Ishil and Neela but the circumstances had not given that choice to him either.

These mixed feelings were overwhelming so he got up from his place and went to the dining table in the kitchen. He stood there fidgeting with the glasses that were kept on the table.

" Hey.." he heard a voice.

Startled, he knocked one of the glasses off the table. It crashed on the floor and shattered.

" I am so sorry; I didn't mean to startle you," Neela said as she tried to pick up the scattered glass pieces.

" Oh, no don't be sorry. I should have been more careful." He replied," Don't touch that, you might hurt yourself." He said and moved her hand away from the glass pieces.

"Are you guys okay?" He heard his mother enquire from the living room.

" Yes, Mom, we are fine. I am picking it up." He said. " Stay where you are, I will get the broom." He said to Neela and went towards the pantry door, brought a broom and started sweeping the glass in a dustpan. Neela patiently waited for him at the kitchen door. After he was done he disposed of the glass pieces properly and went to the door. " Uh, do you need water or something?" He asked Neela.

" Oh no," she replied," I came to talk to you."

He was surprised. " To me, about what?" he asked. What on earth did she want to talk to him about? He thought.

" Things didn't go as expected. I mean, I never thought that Vysna would get selected and that too during lessons." She looked hesitant.

" I always thought that you would get selected. I mean, I wanted you to get selected... "

Aaden smiled, " even I wanted me to be selected. I don't feel bad, though; my mom had petitioned for an exemption from the tests. At least now none of us are leaving." He genuinely felt it. The idea of anyone being absent from his family was horrifying.

" Don't tell this to anyone," she said as she leaned in closer," if you keep practising and using your powers, you won't lose them after you are twenty-five."

"Isn't that illegal? He asked.

She leaned in closer, " Meet me tomorrow at the Renaissance Junior High School campus gate, sharp at six in the morning. I have-"

They heard footsteps approaching the kitchen. " Do not be late, sharp at six am. And come alone." She whispered quickly and walked out of the kitchen door.

Navil got in the refreshment tray and placed it on the kitchen counter. He looked at Aaden and smiled. Aaden had suddenly become conscious of his posture and gave a nervous smile at him.

" Come, let's go they are leaving," Navil said and started towards the door.

" Be there in a minute," Aaden said. He went through all that Neela had told him minutes ago and was confused as to why she had asked him to meet her there.

The guests had left and all of them had cleaned up and were resting in the living room.

" I am glad that we called Markand and Neela we had a good time," Leysa said.

" Indeed, Neela seems like a very sweet girl."

" I was sceptical about the entire thing at first but after Markand explained everything I don't think Vy will have a difficult time there," Navil said.

" But I am a little scared, Dad. Do you think I will be able to adjust there?" Vysna said, sulking in apprehension.

" You will do just fine," said Tashvin,

" Just try to make friends there, don't be a loner like you are at school."

" I have friends at school," Vysna said scowling.

" Tash, stop troubling her. She looks tense already." Leysa looked sternly at him.

Among all of them, Aaden was the only one who was lost in his thoughts. What would have been if it was him who was selected? Is his life changing now? Was he jealous of Vy? Or is he relieved? Why did Neela tell him to meet her? What was so secretive about it that he should come alone? He tried his best to be present among them but was failing. So he decided to go to his room. " Okay, I am tired... I have an early practice session with Ishil tomorrow so I will be going to bed early today. " He said as he got up and started walking but Navil called out to him and told him to wait.

Navil put a hand on his shoulder," I need your help in the kitchen for a minute. Come with me." He said and took him to the kitchen.

" What is it, Dad?" He asked when they entered the kitchen.

" I just wanted to say. That you are the best at whatever you do. You are not going to compare yourself with anyone else. I know that you have worked very hard and have always liked to get things on your terms. But if you ever feel like talking anytime to anyone just remember that I am always here. Okay."

" Yes, I know," he said and hugged his father. He remembered how his father had always encouraged him. How he used to get up early in the morning, get him ready, and take him to practice sessions every day. How he made sure that he had the best shoes, the best coach and the best time when he went for the races. He knew that he could confide anything to him.

The next day, Leysa took Vysna to the council hall, where Markand and Neela were already waiting for them. They entered the large office which belonged to Elder Siv Lokesh. It was a brightly lit office with an intricately carved teak table placed at the farthest end where Siv Lokesh was sitting and on his left stood Meera Surishi. She looked exactly like her twin sister. If not for her dressing style anyone would have mistaken her for Aveda. She was dressed in formal attire, a brown buttoned-up blazer and trousers. Her hair was neatly tied in a ponytail. She looked anticipatory to their arrival.

On his right side, an entire wall was dedicated to books, which looked very old; they looked more like record journals than regular books. Vysna wondered whether these were the records of all of the selected legacies.

Elder Lokesh smiled at them as they entered. He gestured for them to sit on the chairs in front of his desk. Then he told Neela to take out a book from the shelf. She did as she was told and then placed the book in front of Vysna.

Vysna saw her name written in bold capital letters on a page under the name of a boy named Sujoy. Under the column of the element, her element water was written, and beside that was a column for legacy with the name Bhaskara written under it. She drew in a long breath when she was asked to sign beside her legacy. After she was done signing they gave her an orb and asked her to send a wave into it. When she did as she was told, the orb opened up to reveal a metallic medallion which had a carving of a whale-like creature on it.

" That belongs to you now. That is your identity. From today onwards, you are officially Vysna, the legacy of Bhaskara of the element water. Never thought that I would see a water element reveal in my lifetime. Congratulations miss Vysna Bhaskara." Elder Lokesh was gleaming with joy.

Neela and Markand congratulated her and Leysa hugged her.

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Late as ever. Sorry for the delayed update.

Hope you all like the new chapter.

If you do give some love in the comments.

❤️ RTW