Sometimes, all we can do is enjoy life.

****

In her mind, Maya had almost solved the whole mystery. Sure, there were one or two missing pieces, and few more pending confirmations, but now when she looked at the puzzle, it came out as too easy. And yet, it made her wonder. How far could one go?

She smiled. One can go far in love. The Greek Agape.

And now when she knew who was who, it got really interesting to explore the village, being completely secure and confident. It wasn't the time to confront anyone; she would wait for the right opportunity to pounce. She wanted everybody's hearts to pound inside their chests and hammer against their ribcage. And Maya would watch in pleasure.

At present, Maya saw the Kali temple in the distance, and the very clear figure of the lovely doctor of Khatra.

Chandrasekhara, she believed, was above her too. He wasn't going to harm her. Maya, with a mind in harmony with fate that staged this clandestine meeting, called for him. "Raktim, where are you going?"

Now when she looked at him, he was  so fair one could call him karpuragauram. And with locks longer than the regular men, he indeed gave off a serene aura. Maya wistfully sighed. She missed this uncanny peace in life. "I was thinking of meeting the head priest. Wanted to have a talk with him. Are you going the same way?"

Raktim carried a basket of hibiscus flowers and sindur. "Yes. I wanted to offer something to Maa. I took a day off from duty today."

The two started walking towards the temple together.

"Sometimes one needs to relax and do more enjoyable things," Maya advised. "It brings back simplicity to life and grounds us."

"I would say that I do love being a doctor, even though it means sleepless nights. You must go through that too, given your profession?"

"I am still shocked about how I am able to sleep in a vampire's house," Maya whispered. "I think I need to be grateful for being alive. I am able to see the sunrise every morning. But, then I know why they aren't daring to lay a finger on me." Raktim looked expectantly for an answer. Maya beamed from ear to ear. "Chandrasekhara is above me, isn't he?"

Raktim's milky cheeks reddened like mixing ichor in a bowl of amrita. Surprise deluged the alleyways of his mind. He found himself glancing at the detective in awe. Then, he grinned. "He is always there to protect you. He protects every pure soul."

"You have a thing for crows, don't you?"

"Yes. They love me."

"Then–" Maya couldn't complete her question, as Shiroshini came running towards them. Raktim noticed it later. The woman came and stood with slumped apologetic shoulders. "Can I get some money? Just...just enough to buy some grains," she said. Her quivering hands opened themselves. Raktim didn't even hesitate for a moment. He asked Maya to hold his basket, took out his wallet and poured some coins on the woman's cupped palms. "Thank you so much. May Kali bless you," Shiroshini said, and left.

Maya mustered up the courage to pat him on the back. It was a brave move, and she applauded herself internally for having shown the audacity. After all, he wasn't what he seemed...

Raktim stiffened at her touch, thoroughly regretting when he realised how taut his muscles were. Perhaps this was the first time someone showed him encouragement like this, some woman who wasn't a relative. He felt lighter, as if her touch sucked out all the darkness from within. "They need me."

"I understand."

Raktim's gaze locked with hers. Reluctant to move. Reluctant to break the enchantment. But Maya broke it nonetheless with her sharp words. "Just be careful you don't overdo for the sake of their welfare."

Raktim furrowed his brows. "I will be. Let's go inside the temple."

The priest was a little shocked to see them together, a part of him being jittery at the thought of speaking to the detective. He did the puja and gave the offerings which Raktim had brought. Then, Raktim waited outside the garbha griha while Maya spoke with the priest in private.

While she was inside, another visitor came to the temple. It was Khirodh, the daughter of Kalikacharan Babu. She smiled at Raktim. "Good morning, dear brother. How are you?"

The way she addressed him always was so very endearing. Raktim loved it that he could receive her affections. "I am fine. Did you come to see Maa?"

"Yes. It's not often that I can go outside the house. Fortunately they allowed me today. But see, I have to wear full sleeves and always cover my head. It's too humid like this."

"If they can they would dress you in a complete bag and zip you inside. That's it. They don't want you to see the sunshine."

"I understand why... The sun weakens us."

"But it's not just the sun that weakens them. It is the prosperity of you women, your kind, that burns their butt."

Khirodh pressed her lips, in a dilemma to welcome the bitter truth or not. "We can do nothing but accept."

"I saw that day, what Manihar was doing to you."

Khirodh flinched. She fidgeted with the ends of her pallu and covered her face even further in embarrassment. "I should have died. But even that is a luxury."

"You need not be ashamed. You are a warrior. You won't be tainted by his malicious touch. If only he would be sanctified in your company."

Khirodh steered away the conversation. "How are your days going?"

"Don't change the topic, Khirodh. You know I was there that night. Thank Shiva she saved you! Or else, you know my limitations. I cannot save–" He swiftly turned to the tapping of sandals behind him. Maya. Oh. She heard. "Hello...err...you are done? I hope you got your clues."

"I did."

"So, uh, let me drop you two back home."

"It won't be required, Raktim," Khirodh said. "I will go back on my own after spending some time here. This place makes me feel safe and loved. You two can go."

Raktim chewed on his lower lip. "Maya, let me drop you–"

"I don't think Kalikacharan Babu will be happy to know you came. You two don't exactly go along well. So... I will go on my own. But thank you."

Raktim waited for her to leave, but she didn't.

"I actually wanted to tell you something. Raktim, you look like your mother. I suppose it was her whom I saw in the picture inside your wallet?"

"Ah! Yes, it was her. I got her genes, haha! I think I won nature's lottery."

"And what about your father?"

And that forced a stake through his heart. "My... my father?"

"Yes. Like, how is he?"

"I-I am in a hurry, Maya. I just forgot I have an emergency appointment! Excuse me, we will talk some other day." He sprinted down the stairs of the temple and ran at the speed of a cheetah, vanishing in the horizon. Khirodh's brilliant eyes turned moist. She could feel her tongue grow heavier under the weight of unspoken words.

Maya clutched her heart. Maybe she was still unaware of a lot.

****

Sitting in the room of the abominable palace, Maya meditated on the mystery. The ticking clock hypnotised her senses to go in a deep state of comprehension. Maya twirled the silver bangle in her grip and then slipped it on her wrist.

She hadn't talked with her parents since she came here. She had to tell them that she was fine. "They must be worrying for me," she thought aloud. Her mother, she felt, would be particularly anxious.

Even if it was night and not the right time to make a call, Maya knew she wouldn't be able to sleep unless she conversed with her parents. So she came out of her room walked towards the stairs, but a screeching scream burst her eardrums on the way. She stopped in her tracks. Outside, a swooshing wind slurped all the dust and created a whirlwind of natural yet disturbing noises. It was a storm, uprooting fragile viridescent trees. Rain slammed against the windows in an attempt to break open and barge in. For a moment, Maya thought of rain as a wronged maiden, banging her arms on doors in search of justice.

The scream... She looked at the floor above. It came from there, where the portraits were present.

Maya caressed her silver bangle. At least she had one good protection, and she could try reciting the Hanuman chalisa if required...

But I need to go.

So she climbed up and stood in the sordid darkness.  No– no one was there.

Then, it struck her. Piya had told her about the room of Benoy Das. It was somewhere around here. As if pre-planned by destiny, a moaning cry came to her ears. Maya quietened her adrenaline pumping heart and followed the sound. It grew louder and more ghostly with time. Maya began reciting the name of Lord Hanuman. Bhoot pisach nikat nahi aave, Mahavir jab naam sunave...

And then, the door to the room came to her sight. It was left ajar. Now, she could hear another voice coming from inside, that of a male. An angry, ruthless male, ready to claw at the flesh of innocent women.

Maya took her position behind a pillar. The very darkness she was being afraid of now was protecting her from being seen. She prayed that the heightened senses of the vampire wouldn't work, and she would be able to know what was going on here.

That very moment, came a woman, running out from the room. Her saree was torn in various places. She covered her chest with her hands and went crying down the stairs. Maya knew that tone of voice and also recognised the face.

It was Piya.

So she has been inside this room.

Next, a drunken tippling Mrinjay came out. He groaned like a beast and chugged down wine from a bottle. Swaying to the sides, he too went down the stairs, probably still hungry for another seedy affair.

Maya had two choices now. To follow them, maybe for futile, and to enter the room herself. Maya was asked by Piya to explore the room, so she took in a deep breath and took a peek of the room. And then slowly stepped in.

The room was musty and dimly lit. Cobwebs hang from the ceiling and sliders crawled over the bloody crimson walls. The carpet below her feet was velvety but stinking. Some of the parts were moist. Some mice scurried out of dusty old trunks and escaped the room. Maya realised she was holding her breath for too long and tried to relax, running her fingers over her mouth, lost in a castle of chasmic thoughts.

Suddenly, the door closed on its own, and Maya was stuck. She hurried back to see if it was locked. And yes, it was. Whether the old hinges turned crazy or was it actually something paranormal, Maya didn't know. Maya didn't want to know now. She did a mistake by coming here.

Curiosity kills the cat.

"Oh, it's the one who glows red."

Maya was stunned. As if performing a drama on stage, the farthest wall of the room brightened up all of a sudden. There, on a table, was kept a paper and a silver dagger with a wooden hilt. Above the table was another portrait of Benoy Das, bleeding from the eyes and carrying a smile. His black fangs shone like onyx.

Maya gasped. Her feet were frozen on spot.

"You are here to end us, aren't you?"

"I-I..."

"You, who with an aura the colour of blood charms the spirits, is here to put an end to us."

Maya ran for the door. "Help!" she called. No one answered. She was caught here, all alone, with the soul of a dead vampire.

The script on the table came flying towards her and landed on her hands. She held it with quivering fingers.

"We kill our own. We have no mercy. We drink the blood of our family."

"Stop it, please!" Maya could feel a numbing pain crack open the back of her skull in an excruciating manner. Tears welled up in her eyes. "I am not here to end you all. I am here–"

"My son did a sin by falling for a whore of your kind. It's his love that shall now kill us all."

Maya's ragged, uneven breaths became a little steadier. Was Benoy Das spilling the secrets?

"Fathers and sons of our lineage don't go along well."

Maya's eyes widened. Before she could utter another word, something heavy hit the back of her head. She saw stars in the paralysing black all around, engulfing her. Her legs gave away and she fell to the ground, defeat swallowing her whole.

Benoy Das smiled and went back to sleep. The dagger glinted in the light, dried blood still sticking to its edge.

****

At dawn, when the roosters woke up the humans, Ram opened the door of the late vampire's room. He had brought with him a bowl of fresh water. Seeing Maya unconscious, he sprinkled some water on her face and called her name. "Memsaheb, open your eyes!"

Maya fluttered open her eyes. The world was a spinning wheel of colours and a haze of foggy delusions. Things became clearer after some time. Ram helped her sit up and checked her. "No, you aren't bleeding. You are safe."

"How did you know I was here?"

"Piya said she heard someone, but she was too scared to come back here. Memsaheb, I hope... I hope you didn't get a bite?"

Maya massaged the bridge of her nose. "No. I don't think so."

"Please go back to your room before they find out."

Maya quickly hid the script in her fist. "Yes." With wobbly knees she got up and went outside the room. Ram followed and locked the door. "Thank you," she said.

"Just do not tell anyone what you saw. I... I need Piya to be safe."

"I get it."

Ram supported Maya till she was back in her room, and ensured no one had seen them. "Mrinjay Babu was inebriated last night. He wouldn't remember even if he saw you. I don't think he had noticed."

"Probably he didn't see."

Ram was going to leave, uninterested in dragging the conversation further, but Maya held his hand. "Tell me one thing."

"Yes?" he said in his shaky voice.

"Do you know Binodini Devi?"

Ram staggered back. "Memsaheb, I won't step into this mess!" He ran away.

Well, Maya got her answer.