The next day Bhairavi and Samanya came back to Kolkata. Namma was angry of course, but Namma being Namma was more concerned and hurt than enraged after she heard the entire story from them, including Samanya's parentage. She frowned on hearing that Bhairavi had manipulated her, scowled when she heard how they went unsupervised to Aritar, laughed in spite of herself at the Homestay owner's antics, gasped at how Bhairavi defeated Jaragarbha, and was surprised to know he was Samanya's father.

"I don't understand Bhairavi. How could you keep all this from me? The awakening of your powers, the dreams, the truth about your birth, your plans of defeating a Rakshasa king...am I that insignificant to you that you cannot care to inform me and share these things with me face to face? Instead, you drop a sketchy letter about all these random facts and conclude that you are off to defeat a demon and might not make it back home?"

Bhairavi spoke in her mind, aghast at how sad Namma sounded, 'No Namma, never! It's just...I thought you would worry more than ever and...I didn't want to stress you further. Plus, I did not know how you would react to it all, my strange birth, Samanya's reality...'

"My dear baccha, I worry about you because I love you so much. Your strange birth would have not lessened it. And well, Samanya, you indeed look a bit...different and I did get a little scared when you showed me your real appearance, but it is nothing I cannot accept. I am made of sterner stuff, you know."

Samanya smiled guiltily while Bhairavi hugged her, 'I am sorry Namma. I promise to never keep any secrets from you again. Forgive me? For all of it?'

Namma turned to face her and smiled tenderly, "My darling, I am so proud of you. Yes, you did make mistakes and should have told me, but I admit I might have reacted adversely as well. But you defeated a monster!? And avenged the death of your parents. They would be proud of you as well. You are truly a blessing, baccha, not because of your Divine blood, but because of your kindness."

Bhairavi blushed at that, but what struck her was the word 'monster'. Even though she had defeated the Rakshasa who had killed her parents, she felt uneasy, as if there was more to it, as if it had all happened too easily. Namma's words pierced her reverie.

"But I have one question, Bhairavi. I understand all the powers that you have and that you have learned to carry the burden of grief. But then why don't you speak still? Is there something actually wrong with your vocal cords after the accident?" Bhairavi pondered on that, Namma was right, she had never thought about it.

"I have a theory about it," Samanya said, " When a person gains special powers, they often have to give up on something dear to them, not necessarily in a metaphorical sense. Suppose, your brain has activated regions of it which are unaccessable to normal humans, but you are still a mortal. Thus, so that your brain does not overexert itself, it has to compensate by letting go of important physical functions, or in your case, your ability to speak. Since earlier you were grieving and did not feel the desire to talk, and now you communicate telepathically, your ability to speak is embedded deep down and I would suggest you don't try to activate it. Your Divine blood helps you function at a far better level, otherwise your powers might have rendered you paralysed or worse."

Though previously Bhairavi had not even given it a single thought, it made sense to her. And she was okay with it. She thought Namma might protest and turned to pacify her but she nodded in agreement, "At least I can hear your voice in my mind. I am happy with that." As they sat and chatted and talked, Summer came and cuddled up to Bhairavi, finally her home had come back to her.

A couple of days had passed since then and Bhairavi's life had gone back to normal, or at least as normal as her life was before it all happened. Waking up, going to college, a new addition was coming back to the cafe and helping Namma while Samanya came to spend time with her and have coffee, while she worked and spoke mentally with him and he had a Bluetooth headset on to not appear crazy, after which she went home to do the evening puja and study, while Namma returned home at her usual time and they had dinner together. Post dinner, she played Ludo with Samanya online before going to sleep.

Life was good, and Bhairavi had even had tea with Mayuri in college, she knew she was slowly healing. But on Sunday, Bhairavi sent Samanya to the Cafe to ask Namma to come home immediately as she was feeling unwell. Stricken with fear, Namma hurried home with Samanya, asking him what exactly happened while they were at the park. Samanya explained that they were picnicking when Bhairavi felt sick, so he dropped her home at her insistence before rushing to inform Namma.

On entering through the gates, Namma saw that the entire house was dark, her poor baccha must have been too sick to turn on all the lights and lay groaning and unwell in her room. She hurried in and called out, "Bhairavi, where are you? Speak to me. What happened?"

Suddenly the entire house lit up and Bhairavi stood in the centre of the living room. "Happy birthday Namma!" Bhairavi and Samanya said in unison, one mentally and the other aloud. Shocked, Namma stared around the room and saw that it had been decorated. The naughty duo must have come here straight after Bhairavi's shift ended and instead of picnicking spent the entire afternoon planning and decorating.

Her eyes filled with tears as she hugged them, "You mischievous monkeys, you planned it all out didn't you? Oh, but I left the cafe without telling them to shut the shop and..."

'Relax Namma, they know, I had informed them already in the morning. Even the newspaper was missing because I wanted you to not remember today's date and be surprised.'

"Oh, you two planned all this so carefully! I love you both. Come here, give me a hug. Thank you kids, thank you so much. This is the best surprise I ever had."

'Hey, then what about all the gifts and everything else we have planned?' Bhairavi playfully protested.

After seating Namma on the sofa, they paraded out all the gifts they had for her. Bhairavi got Namma a beautiful peacock coloured Saree and a matching bag while Samanya had brought an expensive, rare wine for her from Sikkim, and had made her a bottle of his special potion which helped joint ache and boosted energy.

Namma was surprised by Samanya's intensity of adoration for her, "Oh Samanya, you shouldn't have got me anything. Why would you, I mean..."

"You ask me to call you Namma and say this? Am I not like family to you? I had never met my grandmother, you are the only I know and love," Samanya choked out, his eyes moist.

Namma hugged him, finally letting go of all the inhibitions she had secretly held on to since she saw the real him. He had not only helped Bhairavi but had treated her with love and respect, and being a Rakshasa could not negate all that.

'Hey, don't get emotional before all the surprises are revealed, you two!' Bhairavi grinned at the sentimental duo. 'We have bought Chinese food from The Dragon and there are a few more bottles of wine chilling in the refrigerator. Remember you had asked me to have some with you? Well, today we are!'

"But what about college tomorrow?" Namma sternly reminded.

'Tomorrow is a holiday, Namma. College Foundation day. We planned everything.' Namma laughed at her foresight, "Then what are we waiting for? Let the party begin!"

While they munched on spring rolls and fried dimsums, Bhairavi made a video call to all of Namma's friends who wanted to talk to her and wish her. They promised to make it tomorrow afternoon, when Bhairavi had planned a real picnic lunch for only Namma and her friends. Overjoyed at seeing her friends after such a long time, Namma chatted away with them while Bhairavi ran to do the evening Puja and Samanya readied the cake.

They worked as a flawless team, and found a private moment only when she went to her room to look for Summer, who had a habit of sleeping in odd places, and was cornered by Samanya. Bhairavi blushed, 'You know we are at my house, right?'

Stepping closer he grinned, "And?"

'Namma might come looking for us any moment!'

"She is busy talking to her friends, and we can hear her from where we stand."

Running out of reasons to tarry and tease, Bhairavi smiled coyly before placing her hands behind his neck, 'Had it all planned out, huh?'

"When it comes to you? Always."

Smiling, Bhairavi stood on her tiptoes to kiss him and they were so lost in the moment that they did not hear when Namma's call ended till she called out, "Bhairavi? Samanya? Where are you? The icing on the cake is about to melt." They jumped apart and an embarrassed Bhairavi hissed at him, 'Go to her, quick! Say you were looking for Summer somewhere and haven't seen me since I went to my bedroom. Quick, go!'

Samanya nodded and ran, while she took a few deep breaths to calm herself, feeling like an excited teenager. After making sure her hair and lipstick were presentable, she checked under the bed and was relieved to find Summer napping away. Armed with an excuse, she went to the living room and as Namma cut the cake and they sang the birthday song, Bhairavi thought, I could get used to this.

After having a slice each, they put the cake back in the refrigerator and continued the party. When it struck eight, the alcohol was brought out and Namma loved the wine Samanya had brought, "The scent, the flavour, it is so unique and the taste is so light and crisp and delicious! Thank you for this beautiful wine, Samanya!"

After finishing that wine they turned to a Red one which went well with Chinese and gorged on the main course, which consisted of Chow Mein, Kung Pao Chicken, and Chili lemon shrimps. Time flew and by the time they had dessert, the third bottle of wine, a sweet Rose, was opened and Bhairavi was a little drunk.

Namma insisted on Samanya staying the night when it struck eleven. "Samanya, you are inebriated as well. Sleep in the guest room, it will be no inconvenience. We have a new brush and all. You can go in the morning after breakfast." Samanya must have been aware of how tipsy he was, for he did not protest but after helping Bhairavi clear away the table, he washed up before going to bed.

Bhairavi refused to let Namma clean up on her birthday and Namma refused to let her accidentally break something and hurt herself, so she left the dirty plates in the kitchen sink after soaking them well, before going to bed and falling asleep without undressing. Summer curled up near her chest, with a tummy filled with rice and fish.

A/N

Since am updating regularly now, how about some extra votes, comments and love for me?

Kisses,

Kaushiki.