"

After reaching Kailash, Adishakti decided to change her wet clothes. While Shiva stood there watching her disappearing figure for a little longer before leaving for his meditation spot.

Today he just sat normally on his meditation spot for his Shakti to join him soon. He is well aware that she will soon come to him for answers. This time he wants to be there to support her in dealing with this. Unlike other times he doesn’t want her to wander in pain and anguish searching for answers on her own.

Adishakti changed her clothes and left to get her husband and others for dinner. Something clicked making her stop dead in her tracks. She closed her eyes, focusing on something. After a moment a flicker of energy left her body to disappear in nature. The rain stopped and the moon came out while the cosmos felt the shift of energy that brings back life in it.

After channeling her energy she felt more exhausted than earlier. Dragging her feet she reached her cooking place calling everyone in the way to join for dinner. Dinner was a very silent affair today, with no bickering, laughter, or any kind of chit-chat. The whole time everyone’s eyes kept going back and forth between the couple only to find their mother zoned out and Mahadev’s vision focused on her with worry lacing his face. After dinner, they quietly retired to their places leaving the couple behind in privacy.

“What happened today is my fault. I should remember that the cosmos is alive and working because of my energy. Going in complete meditation will channelize all these energies back to me to shield me. I acted carelessly.” Adishakti spoke quietly, breaking the grave silence transpiring between the couple.

“I knew that you would blame yourself for all this. Parvati, this is not your fault. You are Adishakti, nurturer, and creator of the cosmos. Your responsibility is to maintain the stability of energy in the cosmos but in the absence of Narayan and Devi Lakshmi, you have to fulfill their responsibility too to maintain balance. Also if any of the elemental gods took any break due to certain circumstances you have to cover up for this too. So it is quite obvious if you feel exhausted and need rest." Mahadev replied softly to comfort his better half.

"But this is not an excuse for what happened today, it was irresponsible from my side, swami. I am Adishakti and it is rare for me to feel this way.

" I know Parvati you are feeling bad for this but I assure you this is not your fault in any way. You are Adishakti but still, you have a mortal body and it has its limitations. Plus in the past few weeks, you have pushed yourself beyond limits that are taking a toll on you. Now finish your dinner and I will tuck you in your bed. You need a proper sleep of a few hours. Give your body some time to recover from exhaustion."

"But swami my works."

"Gauri, don't act like a stubborn kid. I said you are resting and that's it. I don't want an argument on this. Just sleep, your energy will retain balance when your body will get back its strength." Shiva declared in a firm tone leaving no room for further arguments. He is well aware of his wife's nature. An eternity with your companion does that to you. Adishakti finished her dinner scowling for being treated like a fragile girl. While Shiva smiles at his wife's open display of disdain.

"By the way in all this commotion Sulabh suffered the most swami. I almost forgot he is alive because of my energy so when my energy will be channeled back to me he will be in a state of death like he was when he was born."

They are walking towards the cave slowly talking about the incident of today. Shiva decided to stay by his wife's side till she finished her nap. Today's incident shook him from the core. He is not ready to be in such a situation anytime soon.

"He will be fine very soon, Gauri. Now that you are back your energy returned to him. Don't stress yourself too much."

"I am not stressing about it, swami. I am thinking of a way to avoid such situations in the future. They have our ansh; very soon their journey is about to take a turn. In all this, they will come out very different from others. This can lead them to troubles."

"I understand Parvati, what are you implying? Being our ansh they will be different from others in many ways which will raise suspicion in future."

They reached the cave where Mahadev made his wife lay on her bed of leaves and flowers. He kept her head on his lap and start caressing her head lovingly before continuing

"So what is in your mind regarding this. I am sure you must have thought of something already. Care to share it."

"I haven't figured out everything yet, swami but right now one thing I am sure about. We have to conceal their energy. We have to create a shield around them which won't let anybody figure out their identity, not even the other two members of the Trinity."

"This will consume a lot of energy, Gauri. There is already a lot of burden on your shoulders. This will exhaust your body. I am not sure your body can take that vast exchange of energy."

"I understand your concern, swami but we both know this is the only option we have right now. This is required for the upcoming. I promised myself I will always protect them."

Shiva nodded watching his wife drifting into sleep and muttered quietly "Not always…….. The best and worst of both qualities of the future is that it's always uncertain. You never know what's coming."

Mahadev kept caressing Gauri's head, bestowing her a peaceful sleep looking at her painfully.

:

Every minute is like ages for everyone present in the hospital at that moment. Tension is thick like a slice. Nobody dared to speak a word uncertain of what to speak. Doctors are unable to find the reason for Sulabh's sudden illness. Everyone is gathered outside his ward praying to the goddess for a miracle.

Shivang was still slumped on the floor beside the door where his best friend was lying. Outside the storm is still raging making the whole thing more grave. It was already midnight, the exhaustion started taking a toll on everyone making their eyes droop. One pair of eyes is still busy staring in space.

It was past midnight when the storm finally stopped making everyone a little peaceful. Everyone drifted to sleep in a sitting position however shivang got up from the ground walking in Sulabh's ward taking a seat a few steps away from him. His gaze is fixed on the sleeping form of his friend. All the moments from childhood till now, their smiles, bickering, their differences, and all the fondness passed in front of his eyes. His heart is empty. In the last hours of the night, he felt all the pain suddenly start vanishing, his heart started filling the void. He wasn't feeling empty anymore. His gaze was still firm on his best friend. The sound from the pulse monitor took his attention. He saw Sulabh’s heartbeat racing at a much higher rate than regular. Frantically he shouted for the doctor confused about what to do.

Shivang almost saw Sulabh's body glow before returning to life. He wasn't able to comprehend what transpired but he took a step towards his best friend's bed. One look at him and he finally felt able to breathe a sigh of relief. He wasn't awake yet but somehow Shivang felt him better.

A few moments later the medical team came dashing requesting him to stay outside during checkup. Anxiously everyone is pacing in the waiting room for the result. After what seems like an eternity doctor came out confused. He informed everyone of Sulabh's condition confirming he is completely fine. Though he is not able to believe this weird illness and his miraculous recovery. He informed Sulabh is sedated and they can discharge him in the evening after all the routine checkup. Everyone found themselves at ease.

Shivang hasn't spoken a single word since yesterday. Samay and Anubhav took their parents home for getting fresh and taking a little rest. Shivang shook his head in a no, refused to leave. No one is surprised at his refusal though his silence is bothering them. They knew this isn't just sadness, there is so much more underneath that exterior. They are just preparing themselves to brace for the inevitable upcoming.