Back to present—
Clink—
Setting his teacup down with a soft clink, Karan stated, "Mr. Acharya, I appreciate your hospitality and the tea, but there's been a misunderstanding that I need to clarify. I merely escorted Miss Aahana here. I am not her boyfriend or anyth—"
Before he could finish, Aahana quickly covered his mouth with her hand, silencing him, and blurted out, "H-he is! He's the one I told you about, Papa!"
Confused by Karan's abrupt statement and his daughter's odd behavior, Aahana's father, Mr. Acharya inquired, "But Dr. Karan just mentioned a misunderstanding, and—"
"We are! Papa!" Aahana interjected before her father could finish, "We are in a relationship. I-it's just—" She scrambled mentally for a plausible excuse to appease her father and quickly came up with one. "Yes! We had an argument yesterday, and he's still upset about it. That's why I didn't want to bring him here today," she blurted out, attempting to defuse the situation.
Her father, looking skeptical, sought confirmation from Karan, "Is this true, Dr. Karan?"
Karan, his mouth still covered by Aahana's delicate hands, met her gaze. His calm eyes caught Aahana soft lips mouthing 'please'—a silent plea audible only to him.
He shifted his gaze to her delicate hands, still silencing him. Following his eyes, Aahana realized her mistake, embarrassed, quickly withdrew her hand. Her face flushed red.
Adjusting his collar, Karan sighed and offered, "...You may trust your daughter's words, Mr. Acharya."
Phew—
Relieved by Karan's compliance, Aahana let out a breath she hadn't realized she'd been holding, relief washing over her.
"Hahaha, Dr. Karan, I didn't knew you were so vindictive. You shouldn't dwell on minor disputes," Mr. Acharya remarked cheerfully.
"Yes, indeed. One shouldn't be so spiteful," Aahana added, crossing her arms and nodding in agreement with her father, eager to escape her awkward predicament and join the conversation.
She glanced at Karan from the corner of her eye, only to meet his gaze with a frosty look. "I shall remember your counsel," he responded, his tone reflecting how annoyed he was from this situation.
Feeling his icy stare, Aahana flinched and laughed awkwardly.
After some light conversation, Mr. Acharya turned to her daughter. "Aahana, can you please get the dinner ready?"
"Ah, there is no need Mr. Acharya." Karan said.
"No doctor, you can't refuse. This oldman insist." With Mr. Acharya's vigorous insistence, Karan relented with a sigh and Aahana, though hesitant, rose and headed to the kitchen.
Once she was gone, Mr. Acharya's expression softened, apologetic. "Dr. Karan, I am truly sorry making you come here so suddenly. I know that you are a busy person, but I really wanted to see with my own eyes what kind of man my little girl is dating."
"It's totally fine Mr. Acharya." Karan said smoothly. "I didn't have much on my schedule today anyway."
Mr. Acharya's eyes crinkled with gratitude. "I really admire your gentlemanly nature, Dr. Karan. But still, I must apologize." He bowed his head slightly.
"Mr. Acharya, please!" Karan stood quickly, stopping him. "You're making things difficult for me by doing this."
"Please don't say that, Doctor. If I'd knew that you were the one dating Aahana, I wouldn't have insisted you come in person." The elder said apologetically.
"It's really okay Mr. Acharya. I am not upset. I really don't understand why are you so concerned about this."
"It's just how highly I regard you, Doctor." Mr. Acharya explained.
"What are you saying Mr. Acharya? I am just a youngling with little experience of the world. It's elders like you who are guiding us on our paths," Karan responded, humility evident in his response.
"Age is just a number beta. It doesn't reflect a person's true worth or wisdom. I realised this when your father, Dr. Ethan, recommend you for consultation."
At the mention of his father, Karan's smile tightened, his eyes briefly closing to mask a flicker of annoyance.
"To be honest, I was little sceptical when he recommended me to such a young doctor. But after talking with you and attending your sessions, I realised I was wrong. It's really hard to believe that people as talanted and noble as you still exist in this world."
"I am not worthy of such praise, Mr. Acharya. I was just doing my job," Karan said, trying to deflect.
"Your father really raised you well. Sometimes I think he and I are pretty similar, you know?"
"Oh? How so?" Karan asked, his tone neutral.
"My wife was a very bright person," Aahana's father began, "She was radiant like the moonlight and strong like the brilliance of the sun, always shining brightly and positively. To be honest, she was such a great and dignified person that to this day I doubt my own fate, I still question how could it let someone like me have her? How could it be so kind to me?" Voice softened, heavy with emotions, his gaze drifted to the spinning ceiling fan as he continued, "I must've used all my luck just to meet her. After all, I think it was still too much to ask to stay with her together, forever."
Karan leaned forward slightly, "Why do you say so?" He asked slowly.
"She passed away after giving birth to Aahana," Mr. Acharya said, his eyes shifting to a small potrait on the shelf across from him. In the portrait, two youthful couples stood together, holding each other's hand and smiling brightly.
"Aahana is the precious gift my late wife left me. She never knew a mother's love and warmth. Just like your father, I've done my best to provide all the paternal affection possible to fill the void that was left by my dear wife, perhaps spoiling her a bit." He let out a little chuckle before continuing, "Yet, nothing can truly replace the gentle, nurturing love of a mother." He sighed, the weight of his grief palpable.
Wiping a tear from his eyes, Mr. Acharya brought his gaze to meet Karan's and said, "As you can see, this old man is starting to get senile and more aged with each passing day. Aahana, my daughter, is a gem that I have cared for and polishing my whole life. She may have her flaws, but I don't think I can continue on much longer." Forcing a lighter tone.
"Mr. Acharya..." Karan faltered, at a loss for words.
"Before the time for these tired bones comes, I cannot bear the thought of leaving my precious gem, my little girl, alone in this unforgiving world. I want her to have someone by her side—a pillar in tough times, to support her when she falters, share her joys and sorrows, shield her from life's cruelties, and above all, love her when she needs it most." Though the elder maintained a calm demeanor, his voice wavered as he spoke.
At that point, Karan realized he'd been drawn into a very complex situation. An image of June flashed in his mind—she winked at him with a thumbs-up, which really irritated him.
"I know I rushed things," Mr. Acharya continued, "but I think I just wanted to fulfill my final duty as a father by finding a good partner for my little girl, so I can rest in peace."
"Why are saying something so inauspicious Mr. Acharya? You are completely fit and healthy for your age. There is no need for you to think of this now " Karan said gently.
Mr. Acharya laughed. "I know very well how sturdy these old bones are, Doctor. You don't need to solace me like this." Brushing it off.
Before Karan could respond, "You can come out here Aahana." Mr. Acharya called out.
Listening to him, Karan glanced towards the kitchen and saw Aahana peaking from behind the kitchen wall.
"Papa.." her voice was strained.
"You disobedient child. I don't think I asked you to eavesdrop on our conversation," his expressions polar opposite to what he said. "Come, sit here." Aahana hurried to her father and hugged him tightly.
"There there." Rufling her hairs with his warm hands, he took her hand and he continued with a gentle smile. "Initially, I was quite anxious when she first mentioned being in a relationship. I didn't know who it was, the nature of the person—his character, his intentions—whether he might be upto any good for my precious daughter."
His smile widened as he went on, "But learning it was you she spoke of, I felt immense relief and joy knowing she has someone like you by her side."
"Papa…" Aahana's heart swelled with newfound understanding and regret. She realized the depth of her father's care and the mistake in her deception. 'What am I doing? Deceiving him and making him almost lower his head to someone! There is still time to come clean, Aahana! It doesn't matter how he'll react or what may happen.—just don't betray his trust!' Resolved, Aahana prepared to confess the truth.
"P-papa, actually I li—" She began, but her father turned to Karan with a grave question.
"Dr. Karan, may I entrust my daughter, my precious gem, to you with peace of mind?" His tone conveyed the seriousness of his question.
The room fell silent, the weight of his words hanging heavy.
Before the conversation could spiral further, Aahana attempted again to clarify the truth to her father. Yet, before she could even speak, Karan addressed Mr. Acharya.
"Rest assured, Mr. Acharya. How could I refuse such trust placed in me, even if I feel unworthy?" Karan's humility was evident.
Mr. Acharya's laughter filled the room. "No need for such modesty, gentleman."
"You said it yourself, Mr. Acharya. If not a gentleman, then who should embody gentleness and humility?" Karan quipped.
"Hahahahah! That's precisely why I hold you in high regard, Dr. Karan."
Their conversation continued, but Aahana found herself unable to interject. Overwhelmed by Karan's response, she was lost in a whirlwind of shock and confusion.
Amidst their amiable exchange, Karan's smartphone rang.
Ring— Ring—
Karan glanced at the message, his expression shifting to one of solemnity.
Observing his sudden shift of expression, Mr. Acharya tried to inquire, "What's the matter, Doctor?"
"I am terribly sorry, Mr. Acharya but it looks like it's time for me to take my leave."
"Why the rush? The night is still young," Mr. Acharya protested.
"I'm grateful for your hospitality Mr. Acharya, but there is an urgent matter that I need to attend to," Karan replied.
Mr. Acharya glanced at the quartz clock overhead, hanging at the wall,
8:00 P.M.
And conceded, "Very well, at least allow me to see you out."
"Of course, Mr. Acharya," Karan agreed, his humility unwavering.
"Humble till the end. Hahaha," Mr. Acharya chuckled.
With his car keys in hand, Karan made his way to the exit.
"Aahana, stay here. I'll accompany Dr. Karan to the exit," her father instructed.
"Okay Papa…" Aahana looked dejected. Her voice trailing off, tinged with sadness.
Sensing her distress, her father asked gently, "What's troubling you, my dear?"
Realizing that she was once again making her father concerned, Aahana bit her lip, feigning a smile. "It's nothing, Papa. Don't worry about me."
But her father saw through her façade. "If I don't worry, who will?" he said, patting her head with a gentle smile. "I'll speak with Dr. Karan about not fretting over minor disagreements. Okay?"
Aahana tried to protest, but her father had already left the room, leaving her to grapple with her guilt.
Clenching her fist tightly in self—directed anger, she mumbled in a low voice, "What are you doing, Aahana?"
She approached the center table to retrieve her smartphone and call June. There, she found a handwritten note: 'Meet me at 'la crépuscule' the day after tomorrow at 9:30 AM with that friend of yours. Don't be late.'
"La crépuscule?" Aahana whispered, puzzled. 'When did he leave this?'
Outside the house—
Karan settled into his car and rolled down the window as Mr. Acharya's approach. "You should stay for dinner; it's nearly time," Mr. Acharya suggested.
"I wish I could, but the matter is very urgent, and I must handle it myself," Karan insisted, apologetic yet firm.
"Can't be helped, then." Mr. Acharya sighed, a mix of disappointment and understanding in his eyes. "I'm relieved to have met you today," he said softly. "I trust you meant what you said earlier."
Karan looked at the man, his frailty apparent, and reassured him, "You have my word, Mr. Acharya."
Mr. Acharya chuckled, "Aahana may be childish, but she's also responsible and hardworking. Please be patient with her."
"I will regard your words, Mr. Acharya," Karan promised.
"Hahahaha, you can totally trust my words doctor." With a firm pat on Karan's shoulder, Mr. Acharya bid him farewell. "Let's meet again."
"Yes." Karan nodded and press the start button near the steering of the car.
Vroom—
The engine roared to life. Karan bid his farewell to Aahana's father and drove off into the horizon.
Seeing the car fade in the skyline, Mr. Acharya also returned indoors.
A short distance from Mr. Acharya's resident, Karan took out his smartphone. A message awaited him from a contact saved by the name 'Old Man', reading:
Old man—
'Place:- Las Vegas, Nevada.
Hint:- spirit.
Time left: 25 hours.'
"I guess it's finally time to 'hunt'," Karan murmured, his eyes glowing a fierce red as he pressed on to the gas pedal and accelerated into the night.
And so, through a small, unintended lie, fate once again wove together the paths of the Son of Darkness and the Daughter of Light, to fulfill a promise once whispered in the threads of time.