Shivatmika smiled at her grandmother, but inside, a seed of worry took root. If Avantika's story was true, as Grandma insisted, what did it mean for her? Was the young monk truly seeking her out, ready to bring upheaval to her life? The thought of leaving Ajmal, whom she dearly loved, gnawed at her heart. And what of the danger everyone spoke of?
The soft whisper of the wind by the river reached her ears, lifting her hair gently. She heard the familiar strains of the Shiva kirtan once more:
"Chandrachuda Sivashankara Parvati
Ramananinage namo namo
Sundarathara Pinakadhara Hara
Gangadhara Gaja Kacharambaradhara."
The melody, which had haunted her for days, filled her senses again. What did it signify? Was it a harbinger of the young monk's arrival, or was it something else entirely?
Shivatmika suddenly realized she had never asked the young monk's name. She glanced at her grandmother, leaning against the ashoka tree with her eyes closed, now lost in sleep. Gently, Shivatmika rested her head on her grandmother's lap, letting her own eyes drift shut, seeking solace in the moment of peace.
*********
The Blue Dragons Music Band was in the final stage of preparations for the musical evening to be held as part of Gajotsavam. Amidst the flurry of activity, Vaishnav was with them, his presence not unnoticed by Neeraja, whose gaze often wandered to his face.
"The two don't seem to go together any further," Deepak shouted suddenly, pulling everyone's attention towards him.
"Either her mouth-watching or practice, one or the other," he added, fixing his gaze on Neeraja, whose face registered shock at his words. Vaishnav, too, looked taken aback.
"See, Neeraja," Robin chimed in, "once the Gajotsavam starts, do whatever you want with him. Until then, focus on the song during practice."
"If I'm bothering you, I'll stay out of here," Vaishnav said, standing up.
"There's no need for that," Ajmal interjected, stopping him. "Guys, let's take a five-minute break. Let's leave these two alone. What do you say?"
Ajmal looked around at the others, his word always carrying weight in the group. The band members exchanged glances before nodding in agreement, acknowledging Ajmal's authority.
Neeraja set the mic down and led Vaishnav outside.
"Wasn't it enough for you to just listen to the song? Now we both risk embarrassing ourselves in front of everyone," Vaishnav teased, a playful glint in his eye. Neeraja responded with a sly smile. Ajmal Dada was always serious once regular practice started, his focus solely on song and rhythm. This brief reprieve was a rare concession, and Neeraja knew it.
"Dear Vaishnav, they've given us only five minutes. If there's anything to be done, it must be quick," she said, taking his hand and pulling him into a nearby room. Vaishnav gazed lovingly into Neeraja's eyes. She couldn't hold his gaze and looked down. Gently, Vaishnav lifted her chin with his left hand, meeting her shy eyes with his own.
He brought his lips close to hers. Neeraja felt a flush of warmth as his breath brushed against her nose. She closed her eyes. Vaishnav's lips met hers in a tender kiss. Even the gentle breeze outside seemed to pause in that moment, the leaves holding still.
When Vaishnav finally drew back, he trailed kisses over her cheeks, eyes, chin, and neck. He grasped Neeraja's shawl with his right hand, pulling her closer until she stumbled forward, her back against the wall. She turned to face him, her breath quickening as their eyes locked once more.
Vaishnav walked towards her, placing his hands on the wall on either side of her. Neeraja felt her breath quicken, her chest rising and falling with anticipation.
Her eyes blazed with love for him. She cupped Vaishnav's face with both hands and pressed her lips to his. She bit his lips with a maddened fervor, their tongues intertwining, their breaths and saliva mingling in a passionate kiss.
After a while, they separated, both breathless and flushed. Neeraja's eyes sparkled with excitement.
They returned to the practice room, adjusting their clothes and wiping their lips. As they entered, their friends burst into laughter. With smiling faces, they took their seats.
"Looks like we can get these two married, don't you think, Dada?" Sachin teased.
"The matter must be reported to both houses immediately," Manish declared. Vaishnav and Neeraja blushed, lowering their heads without a word.
"Let it go for now," Ajmal said, shifting the focus. "Didn't Surya get discharged? Any more trouble from him?"
"No, Dada. He took your beating well and hasn't come back," Vaishnav replied.
"Don't get too comfortable," Sanju warned. "You never know when he'll strike back. He's Minister Vasudevan's son, after all."
"Before, I had no one to turn to if something happened," Vaishnav said, looking around gratefully. "Now, I have all of you."
"Even if you don't know the ABCs of music, you're a member of our gang now," Ajmal said, clapping Vaishnav on the shoulder. "So, no matter what happens, we stand with you. And the most important thing of all..."
Ajmal paused, his expression turning serious again.
"What, Dada?" Shivatmika asked, her voice filled with curiosity. Everyone turned their eyes to Ajmal, waiting for his next words.
The air was thick with anticipation as Ajmal stood in the center of the circle, his eyes scanning the faces around him. "The Gajotsavam is starting the day after tomorrow," he announced, his voice carrying a note of urgency. "It will begin and end on the seventh day of Trikartika."
A hush fell over the group as Ajmal paused, letting the gravity of his words settle. "The seven days of Gajotsavam are very, very important for us," he continued, his gaze steady. "The people Sachin mentioned that day, the ones searching for the treasure—we still have no idea who they are. Yesterday, Sachin, Sanju, and I climbed Muthimala again after days of planning. We scoured its forest, found one or two small caves, but none seemed to hide the treasure. We don't know which one it is. But it appears that those who are looking for the treasure have a definite clue."
"What sign?" Atul interjected, his curiosity piqued.
"Didn't I say then that the fat man by the pit held something upright in his hand?" Sachin chimed in, his face serious. "I suspect it was a map to the secret chamber in that cave."
"If that's the case, we should be careful, shouldn't we?" Abid's voice was edged with concern.
"Of course. That's exactly what I'm saying," Ajmal replied, his tone firm. "During the seven days of Gajotsavam, everyone in the land, from the old to the little children, will be preoccupied with the festival. No one will notice if someone comes or goes to Muthimala during that time."
"Understood, Dada..." came the unified response, their voices mingling as one.
Ajmal stood before his gang, his face set with determination. "So, be prepared. I'm assigning each of you tasks," he declared, his eyes scanning the wary faces around him.
"Sachin, Abid, Celine," he began, "you three will stay in the vicinity of Muthimala for the first six days of the Gajotsavam. If you notice any signs, call us immediately. Surya and his friends are likely to cause some trouble, so Manish, Neeraja, Sanju, and Naveen, you four will keep an eye on them the entire time. Atul, Deepak, and Robin, you should patrol outside the festival grounds. Vaishnav and Shivatmika will be our eyes and ears within the festival."
"Okay, Dada... we got it," they responded in unison, their voices steady despite the tension in the air.
Ajmal's expression grew more serious. "Remember, unlike before, we can expect an attack from any quarter at any moment. I'm not too worried about Surya, but there are others lurking around, looking for the treasure. It's the hidden enemy we need to be most vigilant about."
Everyone nodded in agreement, understanding the gravity of their mission.
"Alright, let's continue with practice. Are you ready, Neeraja?" Ajmal asked, turning to her.
"Yes, Dada," Neeraja replied, her voice resolute.
With that, the team resumed their practice, their movements precise and purposeful, each member acutely aware of the challenges that lay ahead.
*********
Satyanarayana Verma sat next to the table in his room, the warm glow of the lamp casting long shadows across the accounts of the estate he meticulously reviewed. The clock on the wall ticked close to eleven. In the kitchen, Asha Devi washed the last of the dishes, her movements a familiar rhythm in their nightly routine. The door to the room was left open, allowing the soft clatter of crockery to drift in.
Every night followed the same pattern. By the time Satyanarayana finished scrutinizing the numbers, it would be close to midnight. The air conditioner remained off, the December chill seeping through the open windows. Rising from his chair, Satyanarayana crossed the room and slowly pulled the window shutters closed, the cold wind from Muthimala biting at his skin.
As he turned, he started, finding Asha Devi standing silently before him.
"Oh, it's you," he said, his heart settling. "I thought some elf had snuck in without a sound."
He smiled, but Asha Devi's face remained somber. "After all these years, after marriage, and with a daughter almost grown, you think I'm a fairy now?"
Satyanarayana chuckled, trying to lighten the mood. "Oh, my dear, you know I didn't mean it like that."
But Asha Devi's usual radiant smile didn't appear. Instead, a sadness lingered in her eyes. Concerned, Satyanarayana led her to the bed and sat beside her.
"What is it, Asha?" he asked gently.
"Darling," she began, her voice tinged with worry, "our daughter... she's about to turn eighteen."
"Yes," Satyanarayana hummed thoughtfully, understanding the weight of her words.
Asha Devi's voice trembled as she spoke, her words heavy with unease. "My mind tells me that something is going to happen to our daughter. Lately, she's been wandering around outside more and more. Seeing everything, something, somewhere..."
She paused, her eyes searching Satyanarayana Verma's face for understanding. He met her gaze, a silent acknowledgment passing between them as he nodded slowly.
"I understand what you mean," he said quietly. "That sacrifice that took place in the palace twelve years ago... we have to do it again."
Asha Devi's eyes widened, a mix of fear and relief flooding her features.
"We can go to Ujjayani tomorrow," Satyanarayana continued, his voice resolute.
Will continue...