Read Online The Deadly Conch by Mahtab Narsimhan - Free Book Online Page A

get the better of Layla. And Ananth was going to help her. He would know what to do.
    She tiptoed to the kitchen, turned around at the threshold, and looked back at the sleeping faces of her family. After such a long time they were together again, and they deserved some peace and happiness. She was going to see to it that they did.
    Tara slipped her feet into her mojris, unhooked the metal clasp securing the back door, and ran out into the warm night, praying that her plan would work.

— six —

Whispers in the Night
    D arkness shrouded Ananth’s home. It was long past midnight and he was sure to be asleep. Tara tiptoed up to the mud hut and peered in through the nearest window. Darkness peered back at her . But she knew their home so well, that even without any light she knew how the cots were positioned and where Ananth would be sleeping.
    The cloudy night did not make things easier. Tara waited, trying not to drum her fingers on the windowsill, until the moon wrestled free from the clutches of the dark clouds and showed its face again. Its weak light illuminated the inside of the hut and her breath caught in her throat. Ananth’s cot was empty. His mother was fast asleep.
    Where was Ananth and what was he doing out of bed this late at night?
    Tara sank to the ground, her mind whirling like a leaf in a hurricane. Ananth had barely talked to her these last few days. She missed his teasing, his smile, but especially his protectiveness toward her ever since she had braved many dangers to bring him back to life.
    She remembered their escape from the forest when she had tricked them all into going off without her. Had there been fear on Ananth’s face or annoyance as the boat shot away? And the evening of the feast when she had recounted her adventure for her friends, he had been absent.
    A thought struck her — was he really busy or was he avoiding her? Now that she had thought about it, she had to get to the truth. Immediately. She couldn’t live for one more moment with this on her conscience.
    Tara stood up and wiped her damp forehead with her palm. Her kurta was plastered to her back and she reeked of sweat. If only it would rain! So many clouds in the sky, but not a single one lingered. They all rushed past, probably to another village that was worthier of their life-giving water. Was Morni really going through a bad time because of her?
    Stop being silly , said the small voice within her. Go talk to Ananth. That’s why you’re out here, anyway, right? She had come to trust that voice now. And that was exactly what she was going to do. But where was Ananth? In the kitchen getting a drink of water? Out with friends? There was only one way to find out.
    Tara kept to the deep shadows as she padded toward the back of the hut. Nothing stirred, no one spoke. More clouds sailed overhead, devouring the patches of moonlight on the ground. The darkness intensified momentarily.
    Tara rounded the side of the hut and heard whispers. She stopped immediately and dropped to her knees, listening hard. A boy and girl were talking.
    â€œIt’s late and you should not be here,” he said softly.
    That was definitely Ananth. Tara leaned closer. Whom was he talking to in the middle of the night? A secret love? The thought almost made her giggle out loud as she tried to imagine Ananth with a girlfriend. What a time she would have teasing him about it tomorrow.
    â€œI thought you should know,” said the girl. “You’re her brother.”
    Tara clamped her hand over her mouth to suppress the involuntary gasp. The world spun around her. She squeezed her eyes shut, willing it to stay still.
    It was Layla. She had gotten to Ananth, too. Lord knew what poison she was filling his head with. Tara tried to soften her laboured breathing and strained to hear Ananth’s reply. Don’t believe her, Ananth , Tara prayed silently. Don’t you dare believe a word she says about me.
    â€œNow I