Page 74 - Musings 2022

‘You don’t need to tell me that it sounds insane – I am not denying it. However, it is also the
truth, and I am not going to ignore it anymore,’ I say with utmost honesty. I am keeping my
cool because lashing out won’t help my case.
‘Vicky, this is crazy! You are not acting like yourself.’ Seema, on the other hand, is freaking
out. But I don’t blame her – it will be disturbing if she does accept this immediately.
‘Crazy, you say?’ I chuckle. ‘Curses, demons, black magic… they are beyond crazy.’
‘Then why?’
I have a lot to unpack, but that is not tactful to be upfront with it. Besides, I just cannot overlook
how worried she is looking right now.
‘Have you heard of Probatio diabolica?’ I speak carefully after a slight contemplation. A
roundabout way is a better approach here.
‘Huh?’
‘It’s Devil’s Proof.’ This particular statement always comes out in a matter-of-factly,
condescending tone. I have no choice but to continue after this. ‘It means that in an argument,
it is impossible to prove that a Devil does not exist.
‘W-wait a second. What are you talking about? What was about that proba–something? I—’
‘Probatio diabolica.’ I corrected her, irritated. She knows that I am a lawyer and more often
than not, I like to use such terms when appropriate. It’s really stupid of her to keep repeating
herself. ‘It’s Latin for “Devil’s Proof” only. And I just told you what it is!’
I reply angrily, and that subdues her a little. She is no longer looking worried. Instead, she
looks mortified. Not an improvement, but it is easy explaining her like this.
I continue calmly.
‘Devil’s proof is something that you can apply to anything in the world to construct a rubbish
argument. It’s not practical in any way. Still, I am using it to prove the existence of demons
and magic.’
‘Listen, Vicky. You are not thinking straight. I mean, this all… you are under someone’s sway.
Yes. That’s it.’
It has started to feel like a routine now. And I am fed up with it.
‘Listen, Seema. This should be the last time I explain this to you, got it? I am not under anyone’s
influence. What I am doing is all on my own. There’s no other way to go about it.’
‘But why?’
‘Let me finish!’ I scream. She has tested all of my patience. ‘I have been running away from
my father for my whole life, but I must accept now that he was right. And this is a warning to
you too – don’t call his magic “witchcraft” or “black magic”. I don’t have fucking time or
patience to go over this every day with you. His magic is real. Real, not a hoax. You get me?
It always has been. There’s a demon called Tatakshya. And he is real. He was… no, he is
immortal. His body was cut from the middle and buried on either side of that hill.’ I
aggressively point outside in the direction of the hill, the place where I had the accident not so
long ago. ‘But he didn’t die then, no. He is immortal, still trying to regain his body. I don’t
know the reason, but he is after me.’ This is a lie – I know the exact reason why he is after me,
but I don’t trust Seema enough yet to divulge that. ‘I just want you to believe me. I cannot do
this alone.’
Her mouth is hanging out and there’s pity in her eyes.

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