"Ritu, don't stare at the flower and go to school fast"- Shina exclaimed. Ritu then asked Shina, "Mom, what is all about this flower and why is this one petal kept with such care and protection?
Shina then said, "that's none of your concern right now. I would tell you when it is necessary. Now go to your school. It's late already.
When Ritu was a child, she saw that there were a couple of petals but now there was only one. She also used to ask where are other petals if these are this important. But Ritu was never answered.
She also has constantly witnessed that in every full moon eclipse, she fell asleep faster and the next day she had a terrible headache. But she never said anything to Shina.
Ritu always had her mother with her but she always dreamt about her father and thought about the love she would have cherished with him if he was alive.
She was never given a proper answer to her whenever she asked Shina about it. Shina used to tilt the conversation.
Shina was born in America and she married Rob who was from America as well. They both were happy living easy going couples. They were so fond of each other. But even after this Shina never disclosed the secret of Rob's Death.
On the contrary, Ritu is also with a similar personality to Rob. She also is an easy-going, enthusiastic, energetic yet lively person. She wants to try everything that the world is offering. She never wants to rest or lack behind.
"Did Shina tell about the petal's secret?"- Lily asked. Lily, Ritu, and Jacob were three best friends. Ritu used to share everything with them and they also knew about the conditions of Ritu and her family.
"No, Lil. She didn't. She said that when the time comes she would put forward all the conspiracy about the petal and why she protects it."
Ritu and Jacob were the love birds as Shina and Rob. They were also fond of each other and were always concerned about each other.
After school, she went home, did her assignments, and was thinking about what to do today as it was the night of the full moon eclipse.
"No, I won't do anything. Like always, mom would give me my food, and then I would sleep."
"Yes, This time, I would not have my food and then see what she does at every full moon eclipse."
These two thoughts were tingling in Ritu's mind when Shina called " Ritu, come for food baby"
Ritu went to have food but this time she wanted to know, what Shina does when she goes to sleep. Ritu said, " Mom, I am full today. I had my lunch with Jacob and Lily and I cannot have anymore. I will go to sleep now is it ok?"
" Ok ! go have a sound sleep Ritu"- Shina replied. Then Ritu went to her room and then she shuts the door.
Ritu didn't sleep and at midnight, she heard the sound of the lock opening. She then silently heard the footsteps going out of the balcony.
Ritu then followed the footstep out of the balcony and what she saw there was the worst nightmare of her life. Ritu saw her mother Shina there.
Shina was not looking like Shina at that time. She was looking very sick, her hair was very dry and unmanaged and she was looking very scary.
Ritu was in disbelief about what she saw and then she immediately went to her room. She was scared as well as didn't understand what was happening. Ritu was in this mental dispute about what is right and what is wrong.
Ritu fell asleep thinking about it.
The next morning Ritu didn't speak to Shina. She went to school without having food. In school, she said the things that she saw last night to Lily and Jacob. Then Lily said-" I think Shina is doing some witchcraft. This might be related to your father's death as well. Ritu you need to confront her."
Jacob also added-" If you want any help call us."
Rita after her school went home and locked herself in her room. She had to have the courage to speak to her mom. She had to showcase this effort. But she still is in dilemma about how to speak up.
Shina then called Ritu," Ritu comes for food, Food is ready." Ritu comes down but she is scared yet uncomfortable sitting together and eating.
Finally, Shina asked what was it that is bothering Ritu. She said," For the past two three days I have been noticing you, you're not talking with me nor you are having food with me. The last time we had a conversation was on the night of the eclipse. What is it?
With all suppressed mixed feelings of emotions, Ritu blasted like a volcano to her mother. She said, " What is it? Really Ma? What do you think? What could it be?
I saw you at the eclipse night. Now I guess what would have happened to my father. You are a witch, aren't you? You might have sacrificed my father to your rituals. I am sure, you will sacrifice me as well, right?
"Please don't bother Ma. I would make your work easier."- Rita said and she picked a knife from the dining and went to her room.
"No, Rita please listen to me once"- Shina exclaimed with agony and followed her. She said," I will tell you what I was doing. Please open the door."
"Neither I killed your father nor I am any witch. He died due to his peacockery, self-righteousness, and over-smart personality."
After that, the door opens up and Rita says-" What did you say? And what was that what I saw that night? Was I wrong?
"What you saw that night was not wrong. Yes, I was that person but I am not a witch."
"Then what was it? explain to me Mom"- Rita said.
" That was the last time I had saved myself from a curse and now I would die"- Shina wept to say this.
She added" I just wanted to live my life, see your wedding, play with my grandchildren and live a happy life as a normal person does" But,
"But what Mom, you still can."- Rita replied. But Shina exclaimed " No, Rita this is the last year now. I am cursed and I cannot live more now."
Shina showed the place where she used to protect the petals and said" don't you find anything wrong in this place, Rita?"
"Where is the petal?"- Rita screamed in surprise.
Shina stated that it was the last thing that saved her and now it's her last year and she is going to die.
Rita is still in disbelief. She is still confused about what the curse is and how it all happened. She then asked-" Mom could you please tell me what is this secret all about? How did you get cursed and when did it all start?"
Shina said it was prior to your birth sweetie. It had just been two years of our marriage. We were living a happy life but that one night at the club party changed my whole life.
Rob and I went to a club for partying that night when Rob got his first promotion. We were very happy as we were to be joined by our best friend Maddy.
All of us were enjoying and all of a sudden Maddy started the conversation. He said," Rob do you know about the mystics of Nepal?"
Rob replied, " I know only one thing about Nepal and that is Shina's origin is from Nepal."
Ha ha ha... Maddy again said, " Do you know, there is a forest in the Himalayas on the upper side of Nepal where every year a mystical thing occurs"
" What happens there?" Rob with enthusiasm asked Maddy.
"People there say that every year once at the time of full moon eclipse, a beautiful white lotus blooms for the period of eclipse. After the completion of the eclipse, the petals of the lotus itself would get dismantled."
"Petals are said to be able to treat every illness that is there in the world and make you somewhat close to being immortal."
"These are just myths. Nothing is going to happen as such. This is the twenty-first century. Grow up Maddy"- Rob jokingly said.
"I am going this year to Nepal to see if it really is or not. If you want to join then you can"
"No I don't have time for this joke Maddy"- Rob exclaimed.
Then the party was over and soon we reached our home. I only had one fear in my mind during all that time. I knew how passionate Rob is about trying something new, something adventurous. I was just praying that Rob wouldn't be stubborn on this.
But it is fate that decides everything. He started to show interest in going with Maddy on that adventure. Then he forced me to go as well.
Somewhere I wanted to go as well because though I originate from Nepal but I had never visited that place. I had known about the scenic beauty and the beautiful culture of the country but never had any chance to travel to it.
Eventually, I, Rob, and Maddy went to Nepal, and then it began the real game of fate and survival.