The Witch Hunt

"A Witch?" Rishi frowned.

"Yes Rishi. I was surprised to hear as well but as further enquired with the elder citizens they said our land was once home for witches," Raj explained.

"Father. Is that true? I haven't even read about them before," Rishi asked.

King looked at Rishi, made a sigh and said, "I too haven't seen one but I heard of them in my childhood from my father. Till a hundred years ago, our kingdom gave shelter to the witches believing them as friends. At first everything went smoothly and we became friends with them."

King paused and took deep breath before continuing, "Later witches slowly started taking advantage of people and started making them slaves. They threatened the people of our kingdom with their lives to get what they wanted. After knowing about their heinous acts, our ancestors tried to suppress them but it was too late and most of the damage already happened."

"So our ancestors made a pact with other kingdoms and with their help, destroyed all the witches' abodes and burnt them alive. This incident is kept secret from records," the King said.

"Oh, Were they really destroyed completely?" Rishi asked.

"No," the king sighed.

"But they destroyed most of them. A few flew away and led their lives in the dark. There has been no sign of them later. I wonder how Sumanth found them again," King said.

"Maybe someone informed him about their existence. Do you know any other information father?" Rishi asked.

The King thought for some time and said, "Yes, around the time when you were born, I heard someone took help from witches and gave them shelter. But we thought it's just a rumour."

"Ok father. Don't take stress, I will handle the situation now. Mother, please take good care of yourself and father," Rishi said and left the room along with Raj.

"What do you think about it Raj?" Rishi asked while walking.

"Do you mean witches and the story?"

"Yes."

"I think it is true since the king himself told us. Also, based on the investigation about Sumanth, we got to know they really exist."

Rishi stopped in his tracks, turned towards Raj, placed his hands on Raj's shoulders and said, "It seems you need to start a Witch hunt".

Raj nodded his head before looking at Rishi with wide eyes and asked, "You want me to go?"

Rishi nodded before walking away.

"Hey no! We both are going. I am scared of them and I am not even married yet," Raj shouted while looking at Rishi who is out of his sight.

Rose Kingdom

Abhijit has been taking care of his mother from the past 2 days but there is no improvement in her health. Actually, it is getting worse and Abhi is trying his best to get her health back.

Abhi's mother is a doctor who used to work in the palace and she suddenly fell sick. From then she started taking medicines and taking treatment but nothing seemed to be working. With lost hope, she sent a message to Abhijit to see him one last time.

Abhi helped her take the medicine and placed her on the bed. She held his hand and asked him to sit beside her. Abhi nodded and sat by her bed.

"Abhi.. you have always been an obedient child and never bothered me for anything. But as a mother also, I didn't do anything for you," Abhi's mother said with a weak tone.

"No mother. Don't say that because you did everything for me. Most importantly, you gave me birth. It is always the greatest thing," Abhi assured her by patting her hand.

"See you are always a nice child. You don't hurt anyone. I want to tell you something Abhi," she said with tears in her eyes.

"What is it mother?" Abhi asked.

"I don't know how to start. Recently I remembered something but I wanted to keep it to myself and at the same time I don't want to keep you in the dark side. So please listen carefully and don't misunderstand me," Abhi's mother said hesitatingly.

Abhi's heart is crept with uneasiness and he is having a feeling that something bad is going to happen. "Don't worry mother, whatever it is, I won't misunderstand you. So please tell me what that's bothering you lately," Abhi asked.

"Abhi, why didn't you ask for your father?" she asked, causing Abhi to freeze.

After sometime Abhi replied, "Because he abandoned us and whatever the reason maybe, he should face that and that is his responsibility."

"What if.. What if I said that your father doesn't know about you? Or that you are not my son?" She asked, looking into his eyes.

Abhi frowned after listening to his mother and asked, "What do you mean mother?".

Abhi's mother sighed and said "Abhi I don't know how and why I forgot that thing and I should tell you this before I die. You are not born to me and you are not born out of wedlock either. I just raised you," She said while sobbing.

Abhi freezed and he didn't understand what his mother was saying. So he continued to listen to her and remained silent.

"Recently, I got some memories back part by part and I am hardly sure whether or not those are real. Everything is just blurred. But one thing I am sure of was that my fiance called off the wedding when I brought you home. My parents asked me where I got you but I didn't remember where, so I lied to them that you are found on the streets," Abhi's mother said while trying hard to remember.

Abhi squeezed her hand to comfort her and passed some water. She drank the water in one gulp and looked at Abhi.

"Abhi I don't know how much time I have left but one thing is for sure you are in danger Abhi. So be careful Abhi... Abh...." She tried to say something but she lost consciousness.

"Mother.. Mother.." Abhi shook her but she did not respond. He checked her pulse and breathed a sigh of relief. She just lost energy. After making sure she is comfortable, Abhi left the room.

Abhi's mother's eyes moved underneath the eyelids and her body began to tremble, drenched with sweat. She is having another nightmare.