The Games of Magic

"Riding a white horse armed with all the mightiest weapons of the universe, he will descend on time. Kalki, the last incarnation of Vishnu, is yet to descend on earth.' Parth reads the excerpt with pride. "The last incarnation of the Almighty has come," he murmured.

"She is not his favorite, but her father needs her. He needs her comfort. Aastha is the only special heart that holds the secret to everyone's happiness in the magical community. She is a magician's doll or a miracle herself! She is a necromancer's life."

Known to be a wanderlust, Parth never settled for peace. His yearning for something grew more than before as the days passed.

He didn't sleep for nights. He once thought - "I should visit a psychiatrist." The psychiatrist advised him of proper rest and good sleep.

Parth revealed his innermost desires to his friend, Mohan.

He once said, "I want her heart. When will it come to me?"

"Heart? And you? Since when have you moved on from platonic love to the transactions of heart".

"Are you through with romancing or what? Don't you want your food of sex and foreplay, that you are having cravings for a heart?" Mohan laughed.

"No, it is not about love. I need to do something about it."

"You look tense. At the moment, all you need to do is to get up from the sofa. Don't you want to get ready for class? Your students are waiting for you," he added.

Parth wouldn't budge. Mohan splashes some water on his face.

"Ugh... I hate you. Why did you splash water on my face?" spluttered an angry Parth.

"Yeah, I know..." placated Mohan.

"You will hate me now as all your love goes out to the heart you were talking about," laughed Mohan.

Mohan and Parth share a 2BHK apartment in Mukherjee Nagar, Delhi. While Mohan shares his room with Parth, Nachiket and Rehan are his other mates sharing the same flat. They are teachers teaching different subjects at the "Learner Coaching Institute" that provides training to students for various competitive exams at the national and state levels. One of the most reputed institutes in Delhi, the Learner Institute, was famous for teaching subjects like mathematics and reasoning, and its training to the students by Keshav Sir. He was a well-known figure in Maths.

"I need her heart?" continued Parth.

"Whose heart are you talking about? Is someone new on your mind? I know you had a break up with your girlfriend recently. I see you miss her a lot, but I cannot see you sad and missing her ".

"No, it is not so. I don't miss anyone. You know how I am."

"I believe you. Now, let us keep going. We need to reach the Institute on time".

The morning was cold. As cold and bone-chilling as winter mornings in Delhi can be.

Aastha sipped on a cup of hot chocolate when she received a call from her home.

"Hello, Mom. How are you doing? How is everyone at home?"

"Everyone is fine. How are you doing? Are you ready for your interview?"

"I was out to search for another job. Let's see what happens".

"I'm sure you will secure a good job soon. I have full faith in you".

"What time is your interview?" asked Rita.

"I will leave in the afternoon. I don't know what will happen today."

"Are you nervous?"

"Yes. A bit"

"Everything will be fine."

"My heart is a 'weak heart', it seems, and my worries are never-ending".

"I don't know when I will get someone with whom I can share my worries."