(Chapter - 32)

  [Sealed By Time]

  Asroy, still in his uniform and with his hair slightly tousled, lies on the bed, staring at the sky through the window, his mind drifting restlessly through tangled thoughts.

  Asroy : *So many things have happened recently. Now that I’ve gathered myself, I need to think about how to handle Obhoy… He'll come to me again to hear an answer. Even though he knows what I'll say, he's still doing this. Just what is he really planning?*

  Karu arrives at the doorway looking for Tushar, but freezes when he sees Asroy still in his uniform.

  Karu : Hey Tushar-... Asroy! You're still in your uniform? It's been hours since we got back from school.

  Asroy : Yeah… I was lost in thoughts.

  Karu : You were so lost that I finished making snacks and you still haven’t even freshened up?

  Asroy : Okay, okay, I'll get changed now.

  Karu : Hurry up. Then come downstairs and taste the snacks made with my excellent culinary skills!

  Karu feels a bit proud talking about his cooking skills. Though it's nothing new, all of them are used to it. Asroy gets up then pauses again, thinking of something.

  Asroy : Hey Karu.

  Karu : What?

  Asroy : You know that I wanted to talk to dad about my name, right?

  Karu : Yeah. What about it?

  Asroy : I don’t know how to bring up the topic. Like… I have so much to ask him. I don’t know where to start… Why he changed my name, why he kept it a secret, how much he had known from the very beginning… And a lot more.

  Karu's expression softens. He leans against the doorframe and speaks in a calm manner.

  Karu : Look, you know how comfortable dad is with us. Even if he adopted us, he always treated us like his own sons. I'm sure whatever he did was for our own good… Your own good. So just… ask him nicely. Start with one question then move to another slowly.

  Asroy sighs. His head is still heavy with thoughts.

  Asroy : Okay…

  A case of theft: this story is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation.

  Karu smiles subtly and then switches back to nagging mode, since he has to be the responsible guy in the family.

  Karu : Now get changed this instant. I better not see you in uniform any longer.

  Asroy : Sure, I'll just freshen up a bit then come down right away.

  Karu : Go.

  He walks down the stairs, calling for Tushar again. His voice echoes in the corridor. Asroy mildly chuckles to see him be like that.

  Asroy : We can always rely on Karu, can't we?

  At night, Miraz is in the kitchen preparing dinner for everyone. Tori, Karu, Tushar and Asroy are helping him as always.

  Miraz : It's almost done. 10 more minutes to go! Go get yourselves seated at the table.

  “Okay!” the four cheerfully shout. As they hurry to get to the table, Asroy slows down. He stays near Miraz and gets himself together.

  Asroy : Um… Dad.

  Miraz : Hm? What is it, Asroy?

  Asroy : I have something to ask you. I've been meaning to for a long time. It's really important.

  Miraz : Go on.

  Asroy : Dad… When I was six and you heard that I was from the Newaz family, you told me to change my surname. You said it was for my own good. I know that you didn’t explain anything since I was too young to understand. But… I want to know now… You already knew something deeper, right? Something more complicated than I could ever imagine. Like… My family being the ancient enemies of Mehaki's family.

  Miraz looks at him for a moment, his eyes scanning Asroy’s eager face.

  Miraz : Yes. I’ve known for a long time. And I heard about the argument you had with Mehaki. Now, the thing is… If I had let you keep your family name back then, danger would've come looking for you. Back then, you were a child who had just gotten separated from his family. Your life was uncertain — filled with risks and instability. And being the descendant of the ‘Newaz family’ was like fuel to the fire.

  Asroy : But… Why only me? Why not the others? They were separated too.

  Miraz : They were. But as you know, the Newaz family is known to be one of the families that has a long-standing enmity with Mehaki's family. That means the Newaz family isn’t the only one — there are others as well. So the family naturally had rivals who'd secretly want to see them fall. What do you think they would’ve done if they discovered that the eldest son of their rival family was wandering around helplessly, separated from his home at such a young age?

  Asroy : …

  Miraz : And if you hadn’t changed your name, then Mehaki’s family wouldn’t have allowed her to be friends with you. You would’ve faced accusations you wouldn’t even have understood as a child. Things would've been a lot more difficult and hurtful for you than it is now.

  Asroy : But dad… My family… I… I'm not–

  As Asroy stutters, Miraz gently places his hands on Asroy's tense shoulders, with his expression gentle and his voice steady.

  Miraz : I knew you wouldn’t harm Mehaki and you don’t even have any intentions like what the Newaz family is rumoured to have. That's why I kept you safe, from both danger and heartbreak. I didn’t want you to be misjudged, so I didn’t even let you think about it until the right time came, and now is the right time. So you found everything out on your own before I could tell you.

  Asroy : Dad…

  Miraz : Hmm. Thanks for trusting me with your little head back then.

  Miraz says it in a playful tone with a subtle poke on Asroy's forehead, making Asroy feel happier and light. He smiles.

  Asroy : No, it's me who's thankful to you… For everything you've thought and done for me, for us.

  Miraz : Haha… Remember, Asroy, everything that has happened so far was already written in your fate long ago. It was written in the fate of all four of you that you'd come to me. And some parts of it… I’ve already known for a very long time.

  Asroy : You knew about Mehaki too, right? About her family, her powers and her connection to the Ariya flower…

  Miraz : Yes, I know much more. But sadly, I can't share it with any of you until the time comes.

  Asroy : But, how do you know all that?

  Miraz lets out a sigh with a faint smile. He turns his eyes away, as if lost in a distant memory. It seems clear that a hidden pain is buried behind his smiling face.

  Miraz : That… Is also a secret… Sealed by time…

  Asroy : …

  Asroy keeps looking at him with eyes full of subtle curiosity, but he lets his curiosity be aside this time, not pushing any further. Just as Miraz has always been with all four of them – patient, understanding, considerate. Seeing Asroy go quiet, Miraz turns to his normal self. He lifts the lid of the pot that has been simmering for 10 minutes and inhales the delicious smell.

  Miraz : There, it's ready to eat! Come on, Asroy.

  Asroy : Ah, yes!

  Things are going just fine, but peace never lasts for long. Later that night, Asroy stands in his room with his face tensed up, sweat beads forming on his face from sheer nervousness. Before him floats the lava-skinned figure of fire — Obhoy, with a wicked smile and narrowed, fiery eyes looking at him.

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