Ahmaya was deep in thought, but she snapped out of it when she heard someone knock on the door.
She stood up and opened the door, and there was Ayani. She enters and greets the Terrapin with affection; she is well acquainted with him. Her expressions reveal how much she adores him. After meeting him, she asks Ahmaya.
"How are you? Are you comfortable here?"
"Yes, this place is…beautiful and cosy." Responds Ahmaya.
"Well…." Feeling anxious, Ayani states, "I am here because my father sent an urgent message to me... all of my Aokma cousins and good friends are also here."
"Oh, is there an occasion...?" Ahmaya wonders.
"Father says there will be a war tomorrow…. Gyanwati came to warn my father that if I refuse to give up my powers, she will kill me in two days."
Ahmaya now understands why Gyanwati came to meet his father and what they were discussing when she spotted them, but she still wonders why he took her side when she asked him about her.
"What happens now? What are you guys going to do?" Ahmaya asks, concerned.
"We will fight; we have to. I know God is with us and will help us." Says Ayani "But you must stay here; don't leave this room or get involved; you don't know how to use your powers, and it's very dangerous. You need to learn your powers soon and go back."
"Sure! I will not get involved; can you guys defeat them? They are extremely powerful." Answers Ahmaya.
"Of course, we will. We are God's people, and he will help and shelter us. We had done nothing wrong; we were on the right path, and God always helps those who follow the right route." Ayani states.
"Please take care of yourself." Ahmaya shows concern, After a few seconds, she nervously adds, "Also, Can...Can I ask you something? Do you know anything about Kitbok? How is he doing?"
"He's getting married soon! ..... I know, I've loved before, and I understand how it feels to be apart from someone you still care about, but sometimes it's necessary." Ayani pauses for a second before continuing... "At the beginning I helped you guys to meet and all because I could see me and my lover in you and Kitbok, an Aokma woman and a human," she states with a sorrowful gaze, "but I soon realised it is not possible to be together for you guys too, as it was for me, and it was a stupid decision to help you guys meet because it only increased the longing in your heart for each other."
"You loved a human too?" Curious, Ahmaya asks.
"Not, just a human, a British man… Blake."
"Woohh… British… so why was it not possible for you guys to be together?"
"It's clear that our lives are different; he's a human, and I'm an Aokma. We met, fell in love, and had a wonderful time together, but I soon realised that we Aokma can't live with humans and can't adjust to their culture. I have a responsibility to protect the forest and fulfil my duties. I can't engage a human in our lives, and with everything going on with Pataallok, it's even more perilous."
Ahmaya now wonders if Ayani is unable to love a human while living in the same timeline; how can she even consider herself and Kitbok?
Blake was a gentle and handsome man with a stellar reputation among people. Ayani and Blake met six years ago and were together until last year, when Ayani decided to separate herself from him. Blake had no idea she was Aokma, but he sensed there was something odd about Ayani. Despite knowing her for 6 years, he felt like he didn't really understand Ayani, but he still loved her.
Ayani yearns for his presence, yet she must confront the truth that she cannot go back to him.
.
The entire family, including Ayani's cousins, friends, and parents, is in a state of high alertness.
It's a bright and sunny day with a cool breeze blowing. They've been on guard since the morning; Gyanwati and her followers could attack at any time.
Ahmaya locked herself with the Terrapin in the room inside the lake where she was staying, as ordered. As anything could happen, one of Ayani's family members is near that chamber.
They've been waiting since the morning, and it's already nighttime, but nothing has happened. They're all worried about what Gyanwati might be plotting.
Ayani feels quite frightened; she may appear to be unbothered, but she is afraid and so is her family; she knows how persistent the Patallok people are. The evil will do everything in their power to fulfil their ambitions.
It is the night with no moon, which is ideal for all ill practices. Everyone is awake and attentive, including Ahmaya.
*KNOCK*
Ahmaya's room is still and quiet, and the lake is motionless and dark, when someone knocks on her door. The terrapin and Ahmaya both become anxious, and Ahmaya looks out the window to see if there is something doubtful but sees the river completely deserted—silent, black, and devoid of any other signs.
*KNOCK*
When Ahmaya hears another knock on the door, she sits mute until she hears Ayani's voice saying, "Hey, it's me. Open the door." Ahmaya sighed in relief, but a worry crossed her mind. Before opening the door, she asked, "Is this really you?"
"Yes, of course it is me. Open the door; I have brought you something."
Ahmaya is sceptical, but she remained hopeful since she know someone is nearby to protect her.
She opens the door.
"NOO!" Ahmaya screams.
Ahmaya is wrong; she should not have believed that Ayani is the one knocking on the door.