Devasena stared at Ella, utterly horrified.
" What am I supposed to make out of this? My friend Avanthika stole the very book we were searching for? And didn't even tell me that? Whereas it was me who had to read the book because she already had!! "

" I'm afraid ma'am, but that is particularly the case we believe. She had been in the library that morning according to the cameras and the security. Ma'am, the book isn't costly or significant, and hence we had not paid much attention to it even after it was stolen. But last night someone called me and asked if the book was available. I said it wasn't, in fact, stolen. He said he had a copy, and he was sure of who stole ours. He would like to gift the copy of the book to us, in return of nothing but informing you, that based on circumstances, it's Avanthika Mohan who stole it. After that ma'am, we checked thoroughly the CCTV footages of that day, observing her movements, concluding that he was true to the most extent. "
Ella stopped after a long talk.
Devasena's eyes were almost on the verge of toppling off the socket. Ella brought out the book from beneath her desk .
" He handed over the book last night itself. "
" Who is this person? "
" The renowned sculptor, Adway Mathur. "
Devasena's jaws almost dropped off her face.

++++++++

Last night

" Don't you think it's our duty to help her? I mean, we are at least not swimming in oceans of uncertainty. We are completely aware of the past, leave alone satisfied or dissapointed with it. But she's helpless! " Adway scratched his beard.

Adway and Amarendra had settled at the balcony. They were themselves surprised at the ease and spontaneity they shared.
" Brothers after all!" , Adway smiled.
" That is all, indeed. " , Amarendra smiled back.

The aftermath of rains was the best thing, they agreed.
" Have you ever searched for your mother? " , Amarendra asked.
" She was your mother as well. And to tell you, she died on the same day, broken, sorry, and murdered by Bhallaldeva. I hate myself. "
" Nope. You hate Bhallaldeva. But I tell you, there's no use. We should be hating so many murderers out there in this life as well. But we don't! And if that be the case, Amarendra too murdered so many, in wars. Were they all at fault? They were only fighting for their kingdom! He should be hated too then. There's no use you see! "

Adway nodded. " Did you search for Rajmata Shivagami ever? "
" Of course. In vain."

" I never searched for anyone to be honest. I had no urge to. "

" That's better of course. "

" But fate brought me here. And it's good. "

" indeed. "

" Does your current family know about your struggles ? "

" No."

" Hmm.. Everyone's fighting their battles. And that's how I feel, Devasena needs help. She might be more tired than us. "

" She is. "

" Then why don't we help her? "

" By? Telling her her own story? Do you even know her story? "

Adway fell silent.

Amarendra added, " Even the book, the book that could have helped her with a gross story got stolen. And even though I have read it, narrating a story and feeling it while reading the words are completely different issues! "

Adway kept staring at an Amarendra who seemed lot more perturbed now.
" I would love to be the first person to help Devasena Adway, but there's something different about my connection with her. I never forced anything upon her. Bhallaldeva never got our relationship, but I believe you will. "

Adway smiled.

" That I do get you, proves that my soul is almost free of scars. Anyways, are you talking of the only book written on us ever, ' The Demolished Dynasties ' ? "

Amarendra agreed and told him about how it disappeared from the library according to Devasena.

" Why do I feel I know the person who can steal the book, in order to not let Devasena read it? "

Amarendra stared back at Adway. They had already talked about Adway's meeting with Avanthika in details, and also how Avanthika had approached Amarendra with something weird.

" I don't want to believe that. But I don't see a choice. "

" Well before you get disturbed, let me tell you something. I have a copy of the book. "

Amarendra's eyes glittered.
" Are you serious? "

" I am. This book will definitely prove helpful to Devasena, I swear. We may not hand over it to her, but we can definitely hand it over to the library. "

" That would be great. But will they inform her that the book is back? "

" We will tell them to do so! And also of the prospective thief. Listen, Avanthika might not be dangerous, but why keep Devasena unaware of her? "

" She isn't completely unaware... " , Amarendra murmured.

" I will make a phone call to the White Club right away. And I won't inform my whereabouts. I'll just handover the book and the name of the prospective thief. I'm sure their cameras will help further. "

" Are you kidding me? You will go to handover the book and no one will recognize The Adway Mathur? Come on, give me a break! "

" I pray they don't. Even if they do, I don't care. Let Devasena meet me. I'll definitely force her into her past than leave her floating helpless. After all, Bhallaldeva has a history of forcing Devasena, in either way. "

Amarendra stared calm, expressionless. Then added, " tell me one thing, did you recently sell a miniature sculpture of Amarendra Baahubali..... "

".....to a curio in Ujjain. I did. My only way to say a sorry, and pay gratitude. "

Amarendra smiled. And then looking at the watch said,
" make the phone call to the library Adway. "

*****

" Are you sure you are not hiding something from me Avanti? "
Devasena asked for the final time.

" Deva, trust me. I swear. I don't know what this sign signifies. I found it at a curio before our college. I just loved it and bought it. They told me to keep it away from sunshine in a dark place. Only this trunk remains unopened. So I kept it there. "

After this Avanthika quickly retired to bed, without letting Devasena speak anymore.

While Devasena couldn't at all lie down even, let alone sleep.
Hadn't she seen this ring before? On the table? Hadn't she?
Was Avanti really hiding something?

A fear gripped her heart every passing second.
No, she definitely had to visit the library. To get the much awaited book, and to know why Avanthika wasn't to be informed about her visit there.

Escaping from her past, wasn't really possible anymore.....