Chapter 4: Dream of the Black Snake

“Hiss hiss—”

The little black snake slithered over. Tongue flicking, it raised half its body, eyes round and shiny. I almost thought it looked cute—maybe I was losing my mind.

It came closer, cold scales gliding over my calf. I shrank back, so it paused, waited, then continued, almost politely asking permission.

Finally, it curled around my hand, gently nudging my palm. For the first time, my fear melted a little, replaced by something like pity. Or was it affection?

I stood, gently cradling it, and sat back on the bed: “Let’s sleep, okay? Don’t let me squish you.”

I set it by my pillow. It curled up, head down. So I turned off the light, lying not too close, not too far. The moonlight filtered through the curtains, painting soft patterns on the wall.

The ceiling fan above us creaked, scattering a few dried neem leaves onto the marble floor. Somewhere outside, the milkman’s cycle bell clanged.

Drowsy, I thought—Snakes aren’t so scary after all. Maybe tomorrow I’d try touching another in the greenhouse. Maybe.

I didn’t notice the screen filling with comments:

[Arrey, hero, what are you doing? Don’t touch my soft, sweet girl!]

[Girl, don’t fall asleep! Look, the snake beside you is about to turn into a man!]

[I heard snake people can hypnotise… Am I the only one looking forward to what’ll happen tonight?]

In my dream—

A cold sensation slid up from my toes, over my calf, my thigh… inch by inch, winding higher. The feeling was strange, unfamiliar—a chill that made my breath catch.

I jerked my leg. But it felt like a cold rope… no, more like a snake’s tail, slowly wrapping around my leg.

“Mmm.”

Instinctive fear made me whimper. Its grip loosened. As if to comfort me, it stroked my cheek.

I remembered Dadi’s warning—never trust a snake at night. But when Arjun’s face appeared, I wanted to believe even Dadi could be wrong.

Then I opened my eyes. I was in pitch darkness. I sat up, called out:

“Arjun.”

“Arjun, where are you?”

Suddenly, the darkness faded.

“I’m here.”

A familiar voice sounded behind me. My heart leapt, but when I turned, the little black snake was there.

I froze. “Why is it you…?”

But it was different. Enormous, but gentle, lowering its head, coming closer.

“Arjun?”

No answer. Only the snake, tentatively using its tail to touch my calf—like a street dog hoping for a biscuit outside the temple gates.

“Little Black, why are you so big now?”

I reached to pat its head. Suddenly—

The outline blurred. It became a naked, well-built man. He covered my eyes with his hand, but through his fingers, I could see his face. Arjun.

My eyes widened. “You, you, you…”

“Shh.”

I’d never seen Arjun like this. His eyes were gentle, but full of heat. He grabbed my hand, pressed it to his neck. “Still scared?”

Suddenly—

I realised what I was holding wasn’t his neck, but a snake’s seven-inch spot.*

“A snake that bites should be strangled. Don’t be afraid,” he said, voice hoarse. I tried to pull away, but he held my hand tight.

All I could do was whimper, “No…”

Arjun’s Adam’s apple bobbed. He leaned close. “No what?” The heat from my ears spread through my whole body. I felt I’d burst into flames.

“Don’t you like it?”

But he pressed closer, holding my hand, guiding it down.

“When I called you a naughty girl, did you really never check me out?”

“Every time you walked past my door, didn’t you sneak a glance through the crack?”

“Are you leaving me because you hate me, or because you like me?”

I couldn’t think. All I could do was cry, “No, don’t do this, Arjun…”

“Don’t be scared of me anymore.” His voice was even rougher. He pressed my hand down, almost pleading, “Touch me. Don’t be afraid of me. Please.”