Chapter 30:
In desert, Sanyasi, Tamra and Ravi were talking among them. The sanyasi expressed his concern about Trikala and Kamal.
"By the time they should have arrived. Why so late? Try Kamal's number Ravi" he said to Ravi. Obliging he tried his brother's cell phone. Switched off or not reachable was the reply.
"Tonight, is very crucial for all of us. Before midnight we must make Tamra's soul rest in peace. That wicked professor at the same time will try to make Tamra his slave. If that happened, no one could help her." Said the Sanyasi.
"You are talking about the Old Tamra, right?" asked the young one with concern.
"Yes. Of course. I am really worried about that professor. He was a typical example of a world class mind on an evil path. He is so greedy." Mused the Sanyasi. His eyes were fixed on the road. Three of them were sitting under the shamiana. It was almost 6'o clock in the evening. No sign of any one.
"But why would he want to enslave Tamra? What could she do? She is dead!" said Ravi.
"You people don't even have the faintest idea what she could do. But the professor does. That is what worries me. I am going to meditate."
The sanyasi crossed his legs while sitting as in meditation. He closed his eyes; his lips were chanting something. The wind felt chiller than ever. Tamra, was worried about Kamal's safety. She shivered even to think anything bad could happen to him. Ravi was equally anxious.
Suddenly they saw a cloud of dust at a distance.
"They are back! Oh! Thank God! They are back" shouted Tamra dancing happily. At her out cry, the sanyasi opened his eyes and saw a vehicle was approaching them. It was indeed Trikala and Kamal. The moment Kamal got down from the car, Tamra ran towards him and hugged. Ravi averted his eyes smiling. Returning her hug with haste, Kamal ran towards the sanyasi.
"Babaji, we could not bring Niveda alive. That crooked man out witted us."
The words had tremendous effect on the sanyasi as well as Tamra.
"My Grandma dead? Who killed her?" demanded Tamra with fury.
But no one answered. The sanyasi got up from his place, came near them. "What? That means she was sacrificed? At the end of the ritual?" asked the baba with great fear.
"I don't know that." Said Trikala and narrated the whole thing to them. After hearing the heroic death of her so called Grandma, she sat down heavily on the floor. But sanyasi reacted differently.
"Thank God! Niveda did not allow the ritual to get completed. She was really a loyal friend." Commented the sanyasi.
Tamra covered her face with hands and started crying. Kamal came near her and comforted her. "Don't worry Tamra! Everything is going to be alright. You will see your mother soon. But just remember still we have our mission unaccomplished".
That made Tamra to realise that not only her grandmother, but her grandfather was also dead.
"What about my father, mother and brother?" asked Tamra.
"Your brother was sent somewhere. But I don't know about your father and mother. I did not see them anywhere near." Told Kamal.
With a tearstained face Tamra looked at the sanyasi.
"Now that My grandpa and grandma dead! Everything is over, right?" she choked.
The sanyasi looked at her deeply.
"Don't let your emotions to run away with you dear! Nothing is over yet. It had only started. Tamra's vengeance is still remaining. Not to forget about the professor's attempt to enslave Tamra's soul." Said the sanyasi with pity.
"Now what do we do Babaji?" asked Trikala.
Instead of answering her, he looked at Tamra. "Do you feel ok? Shall we start planning the other half? Do you feel up to it?" he asked. Tamra Simply nodded her head. He sat down and asked others to sit down in a circle.
"Ravi if you don't want to be a part of this, you can leave." Warned the Baba. But Ravi refused and stayed on.
"Listen carefully dears! By no means Suraj is dead!" this announcement took the air out of Trikala.
"But Babaji, we saw him fall down like a statue. No life was left in him." Said Trikala shivering a bit.
"He fell down I agree. But he is not dead. Not yet. The enchanted root you threw will paralyze the human body functions but the brain will be very active."
"That means, he can hear and understand every word?" asked Kamal. He could not believe what he was hearing.
"Yes of course. I did it on purpose Kamal. You will understand. Please let us not waste time in our chit chats. Do you know what happened to that professor?" asked the Sanyasi.
"Yes Babaji, as we threw the lemons in the fire, he was temporarily blinded. We took the opportunity and fled. But I think he came around after some time." Said Kamal.
Without saying anything, Baba came round and round the shamiana. He did like that for three times sprinkling the sand with drops of water here and there. Others watched him in silence. A feeling of impending danger made them scared.
"Come here children" Baba beckoned them to the center of the shamiana. They obeyed.
"We have a lot of things to do before the evil professor arrives for his Chintamani. First Tamra must vanish."
At this everyone looked at him. They were not very clear which Tamra he meant.
"I mean this one. She has to disappear!" stopped the sanyasi with bated breath.
"My God! He is fast. He is in the vicinity of 10 kilo meters." Murmured baba. All of them understood whom he meant.
"He is after that Chintamani. It could only be fetched by Tamara's tormented soul. That is enough knowledge for you now. What we have to do is, prevent the professor from performing the ritual at the same time invoke Tamra to take the revenge. "
They all blinked.
"But Baba, Tamra wants Suraj Rathore, not the professor." Said Trikala.
"He will bring Suraj Rathore. I am certain. Because he needs to invoke Tamra. For that Suraj's blood is necessary." Replied the baba.
Even though he said everything in a matter-of-fact tone, others were petrified of the situation. A man without movement, another man wants something called Chintamani, he is even prepared to kill Suraj for that. Invoking of a dead person. All seemed too much for them. They were in a daze. Ignoring their baffled gaze, baba continued.
"Our job is very difficult. But not impossible. Kamal, Ravi and Trikala have to wait in the periphery of shamiana. I will not appear unless needed. Let the professor perform the ritual. Then…"
"Please Babaji" interrupted Tamra.
"You just said, we should stop him from performing the ritual. Now you are saying let him perform it? What we to do?" asked Tamra confused.
Sanyasi threw his eyes once more on the road. He was very uncomfortable. In fact, restless.
"There are 2 rituals. One is to invoke Tamra. The next one is to enslave her. We will let him do the first ritual un hindered. Then …" abruptly he stopped.
"No time! He has come. I have to make Tamra disappear. All of you except Tamra don't even move from this place. When I sign you can act. Promise me, whatever happens you will not do anything drastic" without even waiting for an answer, he pushed them nearer to the center. He made Tamra sit on a small wooden stool. He sat opposite to her chanting mantras.
A heavy rush of air. As if a sand storm started to blow. But they saw other parts were not getting the wind. Then suddenly out of nowhere, a huge sand cloud was seen. From that, a jeep emerged. By the time it had become dark and the streaks of full moon were visible on the sky. The powerful headlights flooded the place. He almost collided with the shamiana, but did not seem to notice it. Now they understood, what Baba was doing by sprinkling drops of water around the shamiana.
The jeep came to a halt somewhere near a desert bean bush. From the vehicle came out none other than Professor Rastogi himself. He took out torches made of wood and lighted them. He drew a circle using a peculiar looking stick. Then he marked the center, drew a few complicated patterns chanting Mantras. He went up to the jeep, from the boot of the jeep he dragged someone. Trikala and Kamal were sure who it was. He placed Suraj Rathore on the patterns.
"Now! Don't any one move" came the warning from Baba. They were even terrified to breath heavily. With bated breath, they were watching. Kamal looked for Young Tamra. She was not there. No sign of her. He felt scared and opened his mouth. But the sanyasi shushed him.
In the middle of a desert, like a mad man, Professor Rastogi was reciting Mantras in front of Suraj Rathore. Now he was sitting. It looked as if, he was able to understand the situation.
Suddenly the wind stopped blowing. Even in the chillness of the night was replaced by a hot smoke. The heat was increasing steadily. As they were watching the professor chanted the Mantras very fast and furious.
Kamal was the first to see that. A girl, a very beautiful girl materialized out of thin air. She was pregnant, her face was glowing with fury. "Tamra" mouthed Kamal. His eyes were moist.
"Come on Tamra! I welcome you to earth again." Said the professor pompously.
But Tamra's eyes were fixed on Suraj Rathore. He was trembling all over. Unexpectedly the professor threw some powder towards Suraj, which formed a circle around him.
"You can take your revenge Tamra. I have arranged for everything. You have to wait for some more time for me to complete the chanting" said the professor in a convincing voice.
"What have you done to my friend Arunika? Where is she?" asked Tamra. When she opened her mouth red flames emerged. On a dark evening that was eerie to look at. Everyone was shivering.
The professor was not aware of any Arunika. He was taken aback. But still managed. "She is waiting for you. "Said Rastogi.
He started chanting Mantras again.
"Now! Arunika Now" Baba's voice was very feeble. But the effect it caused was great.
A girl with beautiful flowers in her hands appeared before the professor. She was wearing lehenga like in olden days. Her face was very beautiful but emitted fury. With horror Kamal realized that, it was none other than young Tamra. How she had transformed? Now she is not Tamra, But Arunika.
"Aru" cried Tamra with an outstretched hand. Arunika also cried. "My dearest friend".
"So, you are Arunika. Better 2 than 1. "Said the professor.
But both of them ignored the professor. Tamra flew across to reach Suraj, but as she flew near, she fell down and was not able to move.
The professor, now picked up a handful of some dried leaves and was about to throw at Tamra, Arunika snatched them from him.
Now Tamra was moaning with pain.
"Stop You fool! What are you doing? You want to protect this man?" saying, Arunika blew those dried leaves on the face of Suraj. Suddenly he became lively.
"You rotten bastard. You deceived me. You were giving me away to this evil spirit. How dare you?" Shouting Suraj hit the professor. The professor hit him back. But Suraj outpowered him.
"Tell me what do you want from this wretched soul? Otherwise, I will kill you" threatened Suraj with a knife.
All the time, Tamra was trying to reach and kill Suraj Rathore. But her efforts were futile. Arunika tried to help her, but she was also not able to reach the circle Suraj Was inside.
One side moaning Tamra, another side a furious Arunika trying to help Tamra. Both of them were in great pain. Kamal could not bear it any more. He took a step forward. Then….