Chapter 2: Demonstrations and Revelations

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I turned to Kabir, giving him a mischievous look. “Let’s use your ability as an example. Yours is, hmm… ‘A deep affection that can kill anything in a second.’ What a strange ability—definitely has that over-the-top anime vibe.” I winked, making a face as if I’d just tasted someone’s oversweet gulab jamun.

Kabir gave an awkward smile, his cheeks turning redder than a tomato in summer. “I awakened a useless power—sorry to make you laugh. That’s why, even though I’m an ability user, I can only work as a clerk in the Seventh Bureau. My coworkers all joke that I’d be better off on a reality show.” He scratched his head, the way people do when they’re embarrassed and hoping for a little sympathy.

I laughed, the sound bouncing around the little cell. “No need to sell yourself short. Your director, Uncle Anil, always said: ‘There’s no such thing as a useless ability. If you know how to develop it, you’ll always find your moment to shine.’ For example, let’s take Mr. Rohan. His ability is: Summon the Domain of Fire to Burn Everything. That’s a strong one—at least A-rank, right?” I raised my brows, looking at Rohan with a half-serious nod, the way elders weigh in on a young one’s exam result.

Rohan nodded, pride flickering in his eyes. “You really are the strongest ability user in history. You figured out my ability just by looking at me.” His shoulders squared a little, as if he’d passed some invisible test.

I continued, “Now, I’ll activate my ability… There, it’s done. Mr. Rohan, please use your power.” I snapped my fingers for effect, the sound sharp as a dholak beat in a Holi procession.

At that, Kabir quickly scooted aside—he knew Rohan’s ability was an indiscriminate area attack, and for a support-type like him with zero defence, being nearby was dangerous. He muttered a soft, “Arrey, let me get out of the way,” before shuffling to the edge of the room, trying not to trip over his own feet.

Rohan nodded, taking a deep breath like a cricketer stepping up to the crease. He closed his eyes, and when he opened them again, his pupils glowed crimson. A surge of psychic energy radiated from him, and in the next instant, scarlet flames erupted—engulfing the tie on his chest.

The crimson flames radiated intense heat. The burning was so fierce that Rohan yelped, “Arrey, it’s hot!” The smell of burnt polyester filled the air, making Kabir wrinkle his nose and mutter, “Bas karo, bhai, meri maa will kill me if I come home smelling like this.”

He frantically slapped at his tie, trying to put out the flames, but powers don’t go out so easily. If he didn’t have innate fire resistance as a fire-user, he’d probably be toast by now. The burnt fabric curled up, smoke rising in lazy spirals to the stained ceiling.

“Uh, maybe try withdrawing your power first?” I suggested, my tone light as if I’d just advised him to turn off a leaking gas stove.

Rohan hurriedly retracted his ability. Instantly, the flames vanished from his tie, though his jacket was already scorched and tattered. The tie drooped, singed at the edges, the acrid smell lingering in the small space.

Seeing Rohan’s sorry state, I snapped my fingers apologetically. In the next moment, his clothes were restored to their original state. His jacket looked as fresh as if it had just been pressed by the dhobi at the end of the lane, and the tie hung straight, no sign of the earlier chaos.

I explained, “That’s my ability. Just now, I changed the word ‘domain’ in your power’s description to ‘tie,’ so your ability became: Summon the Tie of Fire to Burn Everything.” My voice held a trace of mischief, like a kid who’d swapped the salt and sugar jars in the kitchen.

Rohan’s mind seemed to short-circuit, eyes darting between his clothes and me, but Kabir, peeking from the side, exclaimed, “That’s incredible!” His tone was equal parts fear and admiration, as if he’d just witnessed a magic trick from the colony magician during Diwali mela.

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“Let’s get back to my story. The moment I awakened my ability, I saw Meera’s power: Every time she kills someone who truly falls in love with her, her own strength doubles.” The words hung heavy in the air, like the silence that falls when a family’s darkest secret is finally spoken aloud.

“In that instant, I understood why Meera treated me so well at college. I used to think I’d lucked out, finding someone I could entrust my life to. I never imagined her real goal was to make me fall for her, then kill me, so she could become stronger. With normal adult fitness, after five or six doublings, there’s probably nothing ordinary in this world that could kill her.” I let the memory ache a little, the way old wounds do when the weather changes.

“But by the time I realised, it was already too late. That day was the very day Meera planned to kill me. She laced the paneer tikka she’d cooked for me with knockout drugs, and by the time I noticed, it had already taken effect.” The paneer tasted a little too sharp, but I thought maybe she’d just used extra amchur that day.

“So how did you get out of that one?” Kabir leaned in, eyes wide, all fear forgotten. “Phir kya hua, bhaiya? How did you escape?”