Chapter 15:
In the village of Dantla, Arunika was feeling very strange things. Since her childhood, she had been very practical, not interested in fairy tales. She never believed in paranormal activities which time to time, Tamra said she encountered. Arunika had told everything was the imagination of the mind, which liked romance in any form. But the day Tamra returned along with Niveda and Birju from Jaipur, she felt something aching her heart, as though a very bad thing was going to happen to all of them, as though some evil spirit was lurking behind. At nights she felt as if someone was trying to harm Tamra, and Birju too! She felt breathless and miserable.
But on that particular night, the feeling was immense. Arunika felt the beginning to the end had started. As usual after speaking to Tamra and Niveda she went to sleep. Normally she would keep awake only for a few minutes, sleep was evading her. Whenever she closed her eyes, a fear from the bottom of her heart, filled the entire body, felt a chill in the stomach and spine. Somehow, she managed to sleep, she saw something terrible. Whether it was a dream? Or hallucination? Or her unconscious mind saw the horror, she was not sure of.
Arunika was in the middle of a big room, somehow she understood, it was part of a huge palace. In the middle of the room, a man was reclining before an idol. Next moment a fountain of blood was visible and a few drops hit her face too! With a scream, Arunika woke up. Initially she could not understand where was she? Fear gripped her body. Slowly the surrounding came to her mind. There was a dim oil lamp lighted in the room. Of course, she was in Tamra's house to give her company. Arunika looked around, Niveda and Tamra's mother were asleep. But Tamra's bed was empty. Again, a chill went through her body. "Where has she gone? Why is she behaving in a very strange way? What is the meaning of my dream? Or was it a dream? "thinking, hard she sat there for a while. She wanted to go out and search for Tamra, but some sort of instinct told her, she was safe.
But still to assure herself, Arunika went outside. At open area of her thatched house, Tamra was sitting on the wooden bench. In the dark, her hair was flying all over her face, for a second Arunika was flabbergasted. "Tamra! What are you doing?" she asked in a small voice. Tamra reacted as if she was expecting Arunika's interference. She simply looked at her friend and turned her face again. "I am talking to you! You look like a ghost Tamra! Why are you doing this? In 4 days, you are getting married to Birju. Think of that life. Forget that rascal! Come inside and sleep. "Said, Arunika with affection. Tamra gestured her friend to sit next to her.
"Aru! Get used to seeing me as ghost!" said Tamra. Irritated, Arunika slapped her hand slightly. "My God! Tamra your hands and body are as cold as ice! What have you been doing?" exclaimed Arunika with concern. "I will be getting more than enough warmth from the fire soon. Will you ever forgive me for bringing you and Birju to this mire of death?" asked Tamra with tears in her eyes. That was too much for Arunika. "Tamra! I don't like this! Nobody is going to die! You are going to live happily as Birju's wife. This nonsense has to stop. You are cranky may be because of the pregnancy." Said Arunika with a little irritation. "Let me talk to you today, Aru! I don't know when I will get to talk to you again. I am not sure, whether you will recognize me? Or I have to tell you everything. Please let me talk to my best friend now as much as I want." Said Tamra.
Without saying anything Arunika hugged her. Tears swelled up in their eyes. "Aru! Because of me, we are in grave danger. I can feel as if a devil is coming here to take our lives. Suraj is the devil; he would take anyone's life for the sake of his wellbeing." Tamra cried bitterly. Arunika's heart skipped a beat. Because that was exactly what she thought after the bloodshed, she saw in the dream or whatever that was. "Relax Tamra! This is our place, our village. No one could harm us. Don't worry!" said Arunika hugging her shoulder. "I don't know Aru! But I think it is my destiny. But I won't leave him! Niveda is a very trustworthy person. Please take her into confidence. Save the poor Princess Aru! Save her. She is also a prey to Suraj Rathore! Promise me you will send her back to Jaipur tomorrow itself." Said Tamra.
"But, she wants to attend your wedding!" objected Arunika. "I feel in in my nerves, there is not going to be any wedding Aru! After I fainted at the palace, I feel some other force has entered into my body, which is directing me to do and say things. I know, you have some visions too! Tell me frankly!" At this, Arunika was speechless. Every word was true of course! "Aru! You and Birju must come back, because of me, you are not able to lead a life you longed for. But I assure you Aru! Once you come back from death, I will unite you both!" Even at this grave situation Arunika wanted to laugh. "Really Tamra? Are you even listening to yourself? Has anybody ever come back from death? This proves that all your perceptions are wrong, and just due to Harmons." Said Tamra smiling.
"Think whatever you want! But you will come back I know! Your love for Birju is immortal. Many people had come back from death Aru! They have taken punarjenam or reincarnation. You and Birju too will take punarjenam." "Ok Ok! I will! Shall we go inside?" Arunika pulled the hands of her friend. Smiling very pathetically, Tamra followed.
That was the day of new moon. The Sun rose in the morning as usual with or without the knowledge of the horror that would happen on that day. Birju and Ram were happy chatting about the arrangements for the wedding, and Arunika was worried how to ask, Niveda to leave? What explanation she had? Trikala came running to Arunika with something in her hand.
"Aru! Listen, the entire village is going to the fair in Khuldhara. They say many city people, agents have come for the fair. It will be nice if we go too!" she almost jumped with excitement. "Yes! Trikala is right! I want to go too! We may get some contacts for our career. What I suggest is we all should go! What do you say?" said an excited Ram. "You all go! I cannot come. Remember? Before the wedding the bride should not step out of the village?" said Tamra. "I am sorry Bhaiya! I cannot come too; I have to be here giving company to Tamra. You people go!" said Arunika. There was a discussion and it was decided that Ram, Trikala, Niveda and Birju would go to the fair, Arunika would stay behind with Tamra. All four of them would return before midnight.
After lunch they set off. Tamra walked here and there restlessly. She was murmuring something to herself. As the evening approached even Arunika's heart was racing, she did not know what was to happen. Tamra was frequently watching the eastern direction. "Don't panic and make me also tensed up Tamra. Please come inside the house. It's not safe outside, the entire village has gone to Khuldhara." Said Arunika. She herself was feeling something very bad was going to happen. At least she had saved Birju and Niveda!
"Funny how destiny works eh?" said Tamra with a sigh. Before Arunika could say something, she saw an outline of two persons coming at a distance. Her heart gave a chill. But as they approached, she felt even miserable. Because they were none other than Birju and Niveda. Just a few minutes back Arunika had thought she had saved them. But now they were walking towards the house. Arunika ran towards them "Why did you come back?" Niveda stopped at the rudeness of Arunika.
Without uttering word Birju went and sat near Tamra. "As we were walking, suddenly Birju had a panic attack. He was rolling over the sand blabbering something is to happen to Arunika and Tamra! He was yelling your names. Ram said, it's called wedding blues, nothing to worry. He asked me to take Birju and return!" said Niveda. She sounded worried.
Tamra laughed again and said "Funny how destiny works eh?". Arunika felt furious about their return. "You are a coward, Birju! Why are you making such a fuss over nothing? I am here for Tamra; her mother is there too! Why worry?" asked Arunika with anger. "He was worried about both of us Aru! His love's outer is me. The real inner layer is you Aru! It's You! He had come back for you! Not for me!" said Tamra with feeling. "Don't feel jealous! I came for both of you! I had a feeling; something was wrong here. Thank God! Nothing like that. As Ram said, it's wedding blues may be!" said Birju.
As they were speaking, again two figures were approaching the hut. This time everyone felt a chill. Niveda was the first to identify the figure. "It's Suraj! The one with him looks like a Baba! Probably a Tantric. Please Arunika take Tamra and run!" she urged Arunika. "First you leave Niveda! Suraj should never know you were here in the village of Dantla. Go fast and hide behind the Banyan Tree. Run.." Tamra gave a violent look. One look at the stern face, Niveda ran towards the Banyan tree. She fervently wished Ram and Trikala were with her.
Suraj and the Tantric Baba approached the hut and saw Arunika and Birju. "So, this is the girl you were talking about?" asked Suraj pointing a finger at Arunika. Baba simply nodded. "You wanted me, Suraj? Why sudden interest in Arunika?" asked Tamra smiling. But the smile gave Birju's stomach a churn. "Why you are here? Tamra knows all about your cheating nature you cunning fox!" said Birju with contempt. "Oh! Is it? No problem! You all can take them with you to your grave!" said Suraj taking out a huge bottle of Chloroform. "What you are planning is a great sin, an evil deed! Tamra won't leave you!" said Arunika pointing a finger at Suraj. "Baba! You were afraid of this girl, but she says Tamra is more powerful! Haha!" laughed Suraj and put the cloth on Birju. He fell down unconscious.
"We get the strength of love from each other. Suraj, You are doomed! Listen Arunika, I want you remember one thing before we die, Birju is in love you, for me he has only crush. Trust me Aru!" said Tamra looking at her friend with warm eyes. Arunika simply nodded her hear. "Oh! There is a triangular love story here? Eh? Am I the villain?" asked Suraj, approaching Arunika. "Yes! There are many things you don't know! I will come for you! Tamra will wait here for you with full wrath!" said Arunika. Laughing he stuffed some clothes in her mouth too. Tamra did not even bother to move. This puzzled Suraj. "I won't leave you Tamra! If you want you can run. We have enough time for a game of Peek a boo!" said Suraj heartlessly. Tamra did not show any reaction. Suraj made her unconscious too! After 2 hours the whole house was set on fire by Suraj while the Tantric Baba was chanting Mantras like crazy.
From behind the Banyan tree Niveda was watching everything with horror. Her brain refused to believe what her eyes told her. Closing her mouth so as to not make a sound, she sobbed pathetically for those 4 poor souls who were burnt to death. As she was watching, the flames reached a height of 10 feet. In a flame Tamra's fierce face appeared. From her open mouth blue flames emerged. "Won't leave you Suraj Rathore! I won't leave You! Beware of Arunika and Birju!" the face disappeared into the fire. Even then Niveda watched, a big fire ball came rolling towards the Tantric Baba and climbed into his chest. "Don't forget whatever I have told You! Name the firstborn female as Tamra!" next moment he fell on the ground.
Not at all sure about the happenings, Niveda sat down and sobbed in shock. At a distance Ram and Trikala were returning from Khuldhara.