The Secrets of the Elements

The Masked Man

Daksh's voice filled with delight as he called out, "Rio!" He dashed towards the galloping horse in the shed, his heart brimming with affection. Embracing Rio tightly, Daksh showered him with gentle pats on the back, a wide smile stretching across his face.

Rutuja made her way from the nearby hut, her eyes alight with joy as she stood before the magnificent horse. "Rio," she murmured, her voice filled with warmth as she exchanged a tender glance with Daksh.

Curiosity flickered in Daksh's eyes as he pondered, "How did he get here?"

Rutuja shrugged, her expression mirroring his bewilderment. "I'm not sure," she admitted. "Perhaps Master Indra brought him here."

Taking a cautious step forward, Rutuja extended her hand towards the horse, gently touching his velvety muzzle. Rio responded by playfully moving his hoof back and forth, as if acknowledging her presence.

Under the radiant sunlight, Rio's chestnut coat gleamed, showcasing his vibrant beauty. His black eyes remained fixed on Daksh, filled with an unspoken understanding as Daksh mounted himself onto Rio's back, anticipation coursing through his veins.

From a small window in the hut, Rishi watched the scene unfold. A tender smile graced his lips as he wiped away a solitary tear that trailed down his cheek.

Tears glistened in Daksh's eyes as he smiled, reminiscing about the past. "You know," he began, his voice filled with both nostalgia and warmth. "Dad used to take us for horse riding when we were just five, me and Danj."

Rutuja's gaze softened as she looked at Daksh, recognizing the vulnerability beneath his tough exterior. She understood that he wasn't the rebellious persona he often portrayed himself to be.

"Come," Daksh said, his voice gentle yet inviting, as he extended his hand towards her.

A flicker of uncertainty crossed Rutuja's face as she hesitated. "Are you sure?" she asked tilting her head, seeking reassurance. Taking a tentative step towards him, she observed Rio, the horse standing nearby. 

Rio shook his head and galloped away. Confusion etched on Daksh's face, he questioned, "Why?"

A wry smile formed on Rutuja's lips as she crossed her arms. "I remember you pushing me off Rio once because you didn't want anyone else riding him," she recalled, her words laced with a hint of playful accusation.

Daksh's smile widened, and he nodded, acknowledging the truth in her statement. "That was in our childhood, Ru," he replied, his tone tinged with fondness. "Things have changed."

"Yes, they certainly have," murmured Rishi, his voice barely audible as he staggered back towards his room, the weight of memories weighing heavily upon him.

Seizing the moment, Rutuja placed her foot on the stirrup and gracefully mounted Rio's back, settling in behind Daksh. With a firm grip on the reins, Daksh directed Rio towards the expansive land that lay opposite their humble hut, embarking on a new journey that held the promise of adventure, forgiveness, and a shared future.

                                                             ~~~~~~

Tej kept his head near his mother's feet. Tears welled from deep inside and coursed down his cheeks.

Advika's heart sank as she saw her beloved friend cry.

"How did all this happen?" whispered Maya.

"Accident," that was all that escaped from Tej's mouth.

"The police suspects something," added Ray and kept his hand on Tej's shoulder.

"As in?" said Maya.

"It looks like someone had planned this accident," said Zarna. "Dad said that the police asked the eyewitnesses, and they said that a truck driver purposely hit them."

"The police will do their work, Tej," said Advika. "How much ever tough it sounds, but you need to look after the business."

Tej lifted his head and looked at Advika. His face was expressionless.

"She's right," added Zarna.

"Tej," said Advika and sat next to him. "When uncle and aunt recover, they don't want to see their hard work, their business ruined."

"It's okay if you don't know how things work," added Zarna. "Dad's there to help you legally. Mr. Taneja is also there."

"At least just start," said Advika. "Nobody knows whether they'll succeed or fail before actually trying."

"It's getting dark," said Ray. Tej glanced at the clock hung on the wall.

9:00 p.m., it said.

"You guys should leave," said Tej and wiped his tears. "You should go home, Tej," said Ray.

"No, I'll wait here," said Tej and touched his mother's feet.

"Tej," said Advika. "You need to go to the office tomorrow. You need to rest."

"Exactly," added Ray. "I'm going to wait here; you guys are heading home."

                                                          ~~~~~

The night sky shimmered with a pale crescent moon, casting an ethereal glow upon the scene below. The frigid air wrapped around the surroundings, piercing through to the bone.

"They should have been dead," uttered a masked man, his voice muffled beneath the disguise, as he callously flung another man onto the unforgiving ground. Blood trickled down from the victim's forehead, staining the earth.

"I hit them with all my strength," the injured man protested, struggling to rise to his feet.

Dismissing the feeble defense, the masked figure pressed his boot against the victim's head, forcefully pushing him back down. His voice resonated with an unwavering authority, "You have failed me."

With gloved hands resting upon the victim's forehead, the masked man closed his eyes, a sense of determination emanating from him. In that moment, the victim's body stiffened, an internal scream reverberating through his being as the light within him gradually dimmed. A searing sensation coursed through every cell, spreading like wildfire. His once-familiar face contorted in agony, marred by the torment inflicted upon him. An achy, gnawing pain settled deep within his legs, an unwelcome companion.

Having completed his grim task, the masked man pulled up his hood, concealing his identity, and silently departed from the lifeless body, leaving behind a trail of dread and unanswered questions in his wake.

~~~~~~~~

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