PURPLE EYES

Before Vidyut could object I moved to an empty space to try playing 'Maya'. I stared at it for a few seconds noticing the peacock feather design on it, looking at it reminded me of Krishna. I was spell bound by its beauty when Sumedh tapped his fingers on my forehead "Ouch" I exclaimed rubbing my forehead.

"You can't play it by just looking at it" he joked and I positioned it below my lips. With my eyes closed I remembered Krishna and started blowing air into it. My fingers instinctively moved and the tune played was a mantra which I often pray to Krishna. The sound of this flute was far better than my previous one and the feelings were expressed well by it. When I opened my eyes Sumedh and Vidyut were smiling at me but Rishi was scared to death his face paler than chalk.

"Ku..ki… yyour.. eyes…" Rishi stammered and I blinked at him confused "what's wrong with my eyes?"

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When Kuki was playing flute a bright yet cool white peacock feather formed behind her, her hairs turned silver, shining like moonlight and when she opened her eyes, they were crystal purple. She looked divine.

These were too much for Rishi to handle, even though she looked ethereal but Rishi was scared to death, he went numb as if his soul left his body.

Sumedh was quick to react he pulled Kuki's 'Sakshya' and played a strange tune and Rishi forgot what happened.

Sumedh pulled her wrist and found the pearl bracelet was missing, he bent down and picked up the fallen bracelet and wrapped it again on my wrist and closed his eyes as if he was enchanting some mantra on it.

Vidyut knew that the bracelet was no ordinary, it would supress Kuki's real appearance from coming over and will send signal to Sumedh when Kuki is in danger. Last time when she was caught between those drunkards the bracelet was not on her wrist so Sumedh did not come to help her. He must have felt guilty so he is sealing the bracelet on her wrist with mantra.

"What a good guardian angel" Vidyut smirked at Sumedh which Sumedh completely ignored.

"What?" I asked confused, what the hell they are talking in code words.

"Ignore him" Sumedh coldly said not even glancing at Vidyut.

"Okay let's practise I have got something in my mind let's see if it's good enough" I cheerfully spoke trying to lighten up the tense atmosphere and luckily it worked.

"that's good then, tell me I can't wait anymore" Sumedh warmly answered with a smile just like his usual self which was more familiar to me. I smiled back at him with a nod. Vidyut was taken by Rishi for other works because Little Bell will come late, poor him.

I told Sumedh about the melody we were going to play, which was produced by me. The melody was slow and smooth in the start but then gradually the notes got higher and then back to normal. Sumedh liked the music a lot.

I wrote down the notes on a page and then started to practise. I used 'Maya' but to my surprise Sumedh was using my former flute.

"hey hey hey… do you plan to keep my 'Sakshya' with you forever" I teasingly asked but he gave me another unexpected response.

"yes" was all he said and then started to position the flute on his lips.

"Wait… you... I … who gave you the permission to keep it? Huh? Give it back, use your own flute." I blurted out without much thinking unsure of what was in his mind.

The Smile on Sumedh's face faded and then he pouted like a child "you got a new flute so can't you give this to me."

"it's not like that, I have kept it for a very long time and my heart can't bear parting with it after all it is 'Sakshya' of my different life experience. How about I buy you a new one similar to it" I tried to console him but it did not seem to affect him much.

"Please, rest assured I will keep it safe on cost of my life. You can always see it; I will always be by your side" his words were like magic and I failed to harden my heart and finally agreed. And his angelic face glimmered with happiness. I felt so warm at his smile as if he is my very close friend whom I always want to see happy.

After finishing our practice Sumedh left first because he had some things to do. It was time for me to become Little Bell so I went to the washroom and quickly changed into a full sleeve dress I brought with me. I had to make sure that he doesn't recognise me so I wore a purple colour lens to hide my eye colour because people say that eye's never lie. I initially thought to buy some natural colour lens but don't know why I ended up buying this crystal purple colour. Strangely, it looked very good on me, it gave me 'it is meant for me' feeling.

I made my hair in a cute half pony tail although my bangs were still the same but many girls keep bangs and if I change myself completely then it will be more suspicious. People have somethings on common. Finally, I put on a black mask covering half on my face. I took a final glance at me in the mirror. Perfect. But then my eyes fell on the pearl bracelet. I tried to remove it but failed. So, I just covered it with my sleeves and packed all the things in my bag and moved out towards Rishi's cabin and kept my bag there. Sneakily I moved towards the entrance.

I acted as if I'm entering now and there he was, standing, his slender tall physique, long inky hairs, so handsome. How can a human look so ethereal? Next to him was Rishi who gestured me to come.

"Vidyut, she is Little Bell and Little Bell he is Vidyut" Rishi formally introduced us and I smiled but wait, smiling under mask was useless so I nodded in acknowledgement. But Vidyut stretched his hand for a hand shake so I placed my hand in his but to my surprise he gently took my hands to his lips and kissed my knuckles with a mischievous smirk on his face. I quickly pulled my hands back and straightened a bit.

"Your eyes… they are the prettiest I have ever seen" Vidyut complimented but this time his eyes showed mix emotions and I could not decipher them so I just lowered my head and blinked my eyes slowly to express my shyness.

I was deliberately avoiding any conversation so that he doesn't recognise my voice even though I had to sing with him but while singing recognising my voice will be a bit difficult.

"She is too introvert and chooses to speak less, so don't take it to heart. Just tell her the song and she'll sing with you" Rishi chimed in to save me from this situation.

"But in her concerts, she talks so well enough to mute the questioner. Is it that she doesn't want to talk to me? Huh?" Vidyut playfully smirked and winked at me, my lips parted but I sealed them at the exact moment he was provoking me to speak but I won't fall for it.

I just turned to Rishi and nodded my head and he understood what to do next.

"Vidyut don't waste time in these we can do it later. Just go and practise" Rishi pushed Vidyut towards the mike and I followed him.

In no time Vidyut became sincere and we started practising. His voice was so heavenly that I wanted to sing with him forever. After an hour of practising, we were both tired and sat down to have a rest. He passed me a cute blue thermos flask.

"Drink this, it will relieve your throat." This time he did not smirk, his dark brown eyes showed genuine concern. I took the flask from his hand and uncapped it a delicious aroma of chocolate got on my nerves but then again how was I supposed to drink it with my mask on. He must be on purpose to see my face; thanks to Krishna I fought the temptation and didn't remove my mask.

"it's okay you can turn around and I promise not to see your face until you want me to." He sincerely said, I stared into his eyes to see any lie but his eyes reflected his truth.

I tore off my eyes from his and turned around slowly pulling my mask down. As promised, he did not even look in my direction. I was so overwhelmed by the hot chocolate that I placed the bottle directly on my lips. After taking 3 sips, my throat felt warm and good, and the taste was still lingering on my tongue. But reluctantly I put my mask on and turned to him. Capping the bottle again, only then I realised that my lipstick has made a clean mark on the bottle and I apologetically looked at him.

"I I'm sorry…. I got overjoyed…. Sorry but you can't drink it… how about I buy" I had no choice but to speak so I tried to speak in my sweetest possible voice to sound different from Kuki. But before I could complete the hall was filled with laughter of Vidyut who laughed with his whole heart.

"Finally, you talk to me thanks to this" he took the bottle from my hands and placed it on his lips on the same spot of my lipstick mark "I don't mind it" he chuckled again.

'So, he is like this to every girl Kuki, Little Bell or anyone, he acts the same. What a fool you are Kuki to think he has special spot for you. He is from completely different world. He will never belong to you' I thought and my eyes felt hot threatening to tear up. I don't know why I always feel that we are from completely different world but anyways I can't let him play with me like this.

I did not speak anything and stood up nodding once at him and went straight to Rishi's cabin picked my bag up and dashed towards the gate. My heart felt pained as if someone has clutched it tight but I simply walked not wanting to look back.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~Mini Drama~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Reader- *rolls eyes* "so you're still alive? I almost hung your photo on my wall with a garland adorning it"

Little Bell- *laughs awkwardly* "well... umm..."

Reader- "well what?? huh?"

Little Bell- "sorry actually I'm still a student, and this is my year in high school and exams are coming over so.... anyways, don't expect me to post regularly. believe me I won't die this early ;)

Sumedh- *side hugs Little Bell* "Don't bully my little girl or else" *glares at reader*