It was the festival of Durga Puja, and the day was Maha Ashtami. The city was decked like a young bride, with gorgeous lights and colorful advertising banners. Every nook of the city had it's own Puja, be it a traditional one or themed, be it big or small.

The smell of dhuno and camphor seemed to touch every soul and make hearts skip a beat to the tune of the dhaakis. The speakers of respective pandals were announcing the commencement of Pushpanjali and urging people to hurry.

Bhairavi was almost ready. She pressed a tiny bindi to the middle of her forehead and stepped back, perusing her appearance in the mirror. She had gone all traditional today, a bindi, dark kohl lining her eyes, a hint of nude lipstick, and of course, concealer to hide the bruises.

Forget the concealing of a million bruises, wearing the saree the right way took an hour and several cusses. She had been up since five, getting ready.

"Bhairavi? Baccha how long are you going to take? The Anjali will begin in five minutes."

Bhairavi checked herself one last time before turning to move quickly and winced. Her ribs still hurt like hell, and her knee and wrist had to be bandaged. She would have required medical attention if not for Samanya. He had quickly brewed a couple of potions for her, one which made her injuries heal quicker, and another which healed her body on the inside.

She had used too much of her powers at one go without a lot of practice. Samanya said that she was lucky her mortal flesh had survived the heat of her Tapas, most probably because of her Divine blood. Either way, a week had passed since then and Bhairavi had spent all her time resting during the day and pandal hopping a little during the evenings with Namma, Samanya and Summer.

"She might be in pain or something, Namma. Let me check. I am coming in Bhairavi. I hope you are decent," said Samanya before entering. Bhairavi scowled at him, 'I wanted you to see me last. I wore a saree after such hard work. Not fair!'

But her words fell on deaf ears as Samanya stared at her with a gaping mouth. Even Bhairavi got distracted by his white kurta, with the sleeves rolled up and taut over his muscles. Catching herself before she could drool, she cleared her head with great difficulty of naughty scenarios, all of which included them getting really late and messed up.

'Samanya, Samanya, hey. Aren't we getting late?' Bhairavi snapped her fingers in front of him. Samanya snapped out of his daze with a shy grin and scratched his head, "Sorry. It's just...you look...breathtaking. Uhm, sorry. You fine, right? Does it hurt?"

Bhairavi shook her head, and smiled, 'I am fine. Let's go. Plus, thanks. Seems waking up at five paid off for me.' Samanya's eyes widened. "You woke at five in the morning to get ready!? Are you crazy?? Why on earth would you do that!? What does it matter that you wear a saree and...oh...." Realization dawned on Samanya while Bhairavi rolled her eyes, 'You are such an idiot.'

"I agree, mistress. How dare he tell me that I cannot go for the Anjali?? My father is being prayed to and appreciated for helping Maa Durga, while I, his daughter, am not allowed to enter? Who decides that!?"

Laughing, Bhairavi bent, ignoring the pain in her ribs and her screaming knee, 'My sweet Summer. The pandal people make the rules. And they don't know your parentage now, do they? They see you only as a cat. But we do. And I promise, I will get you fish cutlets today, if you stay at home like a good lioness. How does that sound?'

"You drive a hard bargain, mistress. Fine. Come soon. And get me some cheese too. Mozzarella, preferably." Summer sniffed, before settling down on Bhairavi's bed for a nap. Bhairavi grinned, before turning to look at Samanya and found him staring at her intensely.

'Oh, no no no. Don't give me that look. Not before Pushpanjali at least. We are not kissing now. When did you become so naughty?' And before Samanya could speak, Namma entered, "The two of you can kiss and do whatever you want, except make babies, but after the Pushpanjali. We are already late. Can we go now?"

Bhairavi blushed fiercely at that before poking her tongue at Samanya and walking ahead. Samanya shook his head and after petting a sleeping Summer, ran to catch up.

During the Anjali, as the three of them stood in front of the idol of Goddess Durga and her children, Bhairavi prayed hard, Maa Durga, please give me the strength to do the right thing and please keep my family, Namma, Samanya and Summer safe. Opening her eyes, she saw Samanya looking at her.

'Oi, pray,' after admonishing him, she further prayed with a smile on her face. Also if possible, please don't ever separate Samanya and I, because I love him, Maa Durga. After the Anjali, they bought breakfast and took it home.

Bhairavi remembered her promise and got fish cutlets and cheese as well. At home, they gorged on the store-bought kachoris, aloo sabzi and jalebis, while swearing that the quality was nowhere close to that of Namma's. Namma smiled at that, she had prayed hard to Goddess Durga to keep her Bhairavi, and even Samanya, safe and healthy.

She had been terrified when she woke up and heard all that had happened, how Bhairavi had fought, how Samanya had almost died, how Summer could talk, and how Bhairavi became Abhaya. It was then she had confessed her deepest fear, how Bhay had appeared to her as her abusive husband, the one she had left behind to protect Bhairavi's mother.

As she recounted those terrifying days, Bhairavi and Samanya sat holding her hands, never shirking away from loving her and supporting her and accepting her. But she had realized one thing that day, her Bhairavi was not little or sad anymore, she was a strong woman now, and a powerful one at that.

Blinking the tears which stung her eyes, Namma smiled affectionately at their banter, "Now listen you two. I cannot be bothered to cook today. Let's go out for lunch?" As they chimed in their agreement, Summer complained, "And you will leave me behind Namma!? Et tu, Namma?"

Amidst the roars of laughter, Namma managed to ask, "I am not even going to ask how you read Julius Caesar, Summer. But hear me out first. We are going out to eat but not in a restaurant. We will opt for takeout and have a picnic? How does that sound?"

'Yes Namma! Finally we can have a picnic together. Yay!' Bhairavi exclaimed. Samanya grinned in agreement while Summer tried to roar in appreciation, however only a loud mew escaped her.

Bhairavi, Samanya and Namma changed their outfits before going out, since Indian attire and picnics don't exactly go together. After buying three Maharaja Thalis from a Rajasthani restaurant, as one did not eat non veg on Mahashtami, they got a plate of fish kebabs for Summer. 'Hey Summer, why don't you try vegetarian for a day? It's Mahashtami after all?' Bhairavi teased.

"Uhm no thank you, mistress. I am happy with my fish kebabs," replied Summer, hastily. As they lazed about and ate dal bati churma and papad sabzi and drank Pepsi, Namma got a call from the insurance company regarding 'Fudge you'. She got up to take the call and Summer took her spot, rolling in the warmth before falling asleep.

Finally getting a moment alone with Samanya, Bhairavi decided to fire away all the questions she had bottled up. The last seven days she had been ambushed by Namma all the time, barely getting a private minute with him. 'Samanya, about your birth...'

"You want to know why I never told you, right?"

Bhairavi nodded, 'Even your mother had hinted something about it over video call.'

"Ah dear mother. Yes. The thing is, when Gandharvas are cursed to be born as something else, they don't remember anything from their previous life. I didn't either. But my birth was special because when I was born, a divine voice had announced from the skies that I was cursed to be born as a Rakshasa and that I would only be liberated if I died in the arms of my...of the person I loved.

My mother was the only one who had heard that, my father was too busy cavorting with his human lover. He had come to visit mother and I the next day. My mother had hidden the truth from him, but not me."

Bhairavi nodded, digesting that. She would never stop feeling bad for Samanya, he had a nice mother but the rest of his family was horrible. 'Why do you call her mother?'

"Huh?"

'I mean, why the indifferent 'mother', why not Maa or mom or mummy?'

Samanya chuckled before answering, "Because I like calling her that. Mother sounds formal. I can't call her matashri in public now, can I? My relationship with her was very formal. After she went to France our bond relaxed a lot, but I still like calling her mother."

Bhairavi nodded, she understood, 'Hey, you should go and visit her. She misses you, you know. '

"I will. But I would like you to come with me, if you are okay with that?" Samanya asked, peering anxiously at her. Stunned, Bhairavi stared at him. She was saved from answering when Namma came back, "Bhairavi. I was told to give you this note by the kid standing over there, under the tree."

Curious, Bhairavi took it and after reading it, she stared hard, trying to look for the kid under the tree. 'I will be back in minute, Namma. Samanya, do you want to accompany me?'

As they walked towards the tree, Samanya kept asking her what was wrong. As they neared the tree they saw a young boy sitting. "Hello you two, I hope you got my note." His unflinching, unseeing gaze was proof enough, the boy was blind.

"Who are you, kid? What do you want?" Samanya asked. "Ask her. She'll tell you," the kid smiled. "What is it Bhairavi? Tell me!" Samanya demanded. Bhairavi rushed at the boy, before Samanya could stop her. But she hugged him instead of attacking.

In a tremulous voice she spoke in his mind, 'He is the son of Lord Kal Bhairava, and has come a long long way to find me.' The boy sighed in peace in her arms, "Finally I found my elder sister. Oh didi, I have been looking for you for so long. Baba told me I had to find you and warn you. Bhay was just the beginning. The other demons have woken up from their Tapasya. They are coming for you."

A/N

So...this is how this book ends! It has indeed been a journey for me, writing this saved me from going insane in this lockdown period to be honest. However, a few things. I have planned its sequel already, but I will only begin with it after I have edited this book completely. So, till then, do give me your reviews on how you like it and vote, while I sit down and edit this book, make it foolproof. Hopefully, with your love( and lots of vote and comments) I will be able to do it pretty fast. Till then.

Love and many hugs,
Kaushiki.

P.s- Have to thank TheNerdyReader1729 for reading the chapters immediately after I wrote them, and giving his honest reviews. Thank you bud, I owe you big time and lots of phuchkas for your help❤️❤️

Edit 29.6.2020:

I have to thank for this lovely cover, which she made for me in a very short time period under loads of stress and work pressure. Thank you bestie❤️