The Penumbra of Marchlands

The warm ocean waters tempted Hemadri to dip in and luxuriate in their depths. Often in the past, Hemadri and her boyfriend, Rauf, had swum in the sea. A wistful sigh escaped her as she wished that Rauf were by her side. At once, she censured herself for the self-indulgent yearning. How wicked could she get?

Turning her face away from the ocean, her gaze fell on the flock of birds that were taking off. These birds followed the coastline to migrate. They had no borders or boundaries to cross. They moved freely and nested in a place where they could survive. Hemadri wished humans, too, had similar freedom. With an indulgent smile, she watched the flock till they faded away from her sight.  

She crossed the verdant stretch of land, home to the rarest flora and fauna, and found herself near River Ichamati, the river that formed a natural border between India and Bangladesh. The transboundary watercourse meandered its way through parts of India and Bangladesh, forging a natural boundary between the two countries. Hemadri had no worries about crossing the border because the boundary did not exist for her. She was happy to wander in a borderless world where one was not forced to fill endless forms or count on officials guarding the boundary for permission.

A member of the Apollo 9 space mission, Rusty Schweickart said, “From space, Earth looked like one country; the countless borders and boundaries were not visible.”

Hemadri’s belief in ‘One world sans border’ resonated in those words. She advocated free movement across countries. When the wind, the animals, and the birds can travel freely, why then is the freedom of movement restricted to humans? From time immemorial, there has been a never-ending movement of people and animals in search of better survival, for it is a jungle out there where only the fittest survive. 

As an immigrant in the UK, Hemadri had faced innumerable difficulties. Like they say, adversities impel humans to migrate and seek shelter elsewhere. Similarly, around the time when the Windrush generation fled the Caribbean countries to the United Kingdom, Hemadri’s grandparents too sought refuge, escaping the terrible aftermath of a newly partitioned India. The United Kingdom had then formed a new act which gave the right of settlement to any native migrating from a British colony. Hence, Hemadri had grown up in an environment where she was not certain if she was a Brit, a British Indian, an Indian, or an Indian Briton. She had spent her school years trying to fathom her identity. Consequently, she began to dislike questions on her ethnicity despite having friends from all races.

Hemadri’s social network profiles showed her location as Planet Earth. In one forum, she wrote her current place of location as somewhere in the northern hemisphere of the planet, and in the column where she had to write her hometown, she wrote ‘hailing from the youngest ranges of mountains on the earth.’ Her parents had named her after the range of mountains, the Himalayas.  Her profile described her as a homosapien, for she believed in the human race rather than the nationality. 

Hemadri’s job was at a Research and policy centre for climate change, and she worked on a project that studied resource depletion and other environmental impacts due to the military establishment in the region.

Hemadri’s radical beliefs often sent her on a warpath with her peers, colleagues, and sometimes even her mother. Hemadri wished that instead of creating more boundaries, the world would unite as one to save the planet. Moreover, natural resources are considered the wealth of nations, rather than acknowledging them as the gifts of Mother Earth. Consequently, man’s avarice urges him to conquer more.  

Rauf hailed from Bangladesh. He was an illegal immigrant in the UK and struggled to get a proper job. His family lived in Bangladesh. Often, when Hemadri and Rauf met, he would describe his homeland with nostalgia. His village was located on the banks of the River Ichamati, and he would lovingly draw a picture of the river for Hemadri. His parents longed to cross the boundary and move to India so that they could strive for a better life. Many a time, Rauf had voiced his frustration at the boundaries created by the prevailing politics. A contented man stayed home, but when he is burdened by miseries or faced with calamities, he is forced to migrate to greener pastures.  With boundaries arose conflicting needs to gain access to natural and mineral wealth. When borders were formed, some were stranded in nations left with nothing, and others were nurtured by the fortunes that rose to abundance in their part of the region. Ultimately, it resulted in one being in the right place at the right time.

A year ago, Rauf’s parents died as their boat capsized in the Ichamati River while trying to cross the border. Rauf was detained at Heathrow airport immediately upon trying to leave the country for his parents’ funeral. He was taken to a detention centre, and Hemadri hadn’t met him since then.

Now, as she sat on the banks of the river, she remembered the dreadful year with forlorn agony. Unable to watch her parents’ depression over the loss of their daughter, she had travelled to this part of the world. Thoughts of her family directed her to her mother’s explanation about borders. Hemadri had been an excellent artist, and she used to make rangolis with admirable skill. Her mother had initiated her into the art of making rangolis. And whenever she had made them, her mother would insist that she draw a border around the rangoli.

Hemadri and her mother used to argue about the border. Hemadri would claim that borders take away the beauty of the art, and her mother would snap back that those borders ensured that the drawing was not marred by any external disruption.

Each time they debated about it, Hemadri would end up losing the argument. Hemadri could never discern her mother’s logic. So, to prove her point, Hemadri would take part in rangoli competitions conducted by the Indian diaspora and draw designs without borders. Ironically, the only time she won the contest was when she had made a border.

That day, her mother had explained, “Beta, we draw borders to discourage aggression. It would not give others freedom to walk over our space.”

Hemadri had not been convinced. She believed her mother was naïve to rely on the notion that borders kept one safe, for Hemadri felt that one’s safety was violated by one’s own homegrown reign of terror. And she had not been wrong.

Hemadri’s dream to travel in a borderless world was fulfilled soon. No margin stopped her now. She looked at the Earth as one country; the countless borders and boundaries were not visible to her.

She wished even Rauf and her parents lived in a borderless world like her.

Six months ago, when she visited Sri Lanka on an official trip, Hemadri’s young life had ended in a terrorist attack, liberating her soul to enjoy a borderless world.

Now, the grey region of the borders does not stop her from enjoying the lush greens. The penumbra of the Marchlands does not dare to cut short her wandering. It does not stop her from loving the rejected, the unloved, and the unacceptable. The barbed wire marks the frontiers, but not the species. They continue to co-exist in harmony with nature. The wind blows liberally over the land, birds fly freely, uncaring of the line of control, the Sun bestows its warmth on all without bias, and the waters of the river flow smoothly, heedless of the geopolitics of the riparian states. To these natural elements, the penumbra does not exist.

In a parallel universe, Hemadri and Rauf would have enjoyed the tender breeze blowing from the other side of the Ichamati River and visited Rauf’s family before they drowned in the river.

 

****************

 

 

 

 

KUNDALAKESI'S RANTS - 2

                               Random Ramblings

                   

This year’s Children's Day began with a tooth implant for me. So, you can guess my mood. As the day progressed, I planted myself on the couch in front of the television with an ice pack on my cheek. I browsed the channels and ended up watching “It Ends with Us”. The film ended with the same listlessness with which it began. The female lead giggled her way through the film. Wonder where in the world a neurosurgeon, the male lead, gets so much time; to romance, attend parties, and throw chairs around.

To my relief, the movie ended soon. I was once again looking for something else to do. The most valued object in one’s life caught my eye. I started browsing through the WhatsApp groups. Usually, I remain quiet in the groups. But that day, my state of ennui urged me to get active. So, I went on a rampage; commenting with my typical obscure humour on some group threads, tagging replies to some, and giving lacklustre comments to some. My comments were random and made no sense but kept me engaged. At the end of the ludicrous activity, I was quite disconcerted by my doing. Still, people were kind enough to reply, react, and give logical replies.

This made me ponder. Instead of Children’s Day, Teacher’s Day, and Grandparent’s Day; we should celebrate Kindness Day, Generosity Day, Humanity Day… Children prefer to stay in bed on their day rather than be forced to enjoy the entertainment that teachers try their best to put up. Likewise on Teacher’s Day.

However, to everyone’s dismay, the world is moving in another direction. We have megalomaniacs ruling the world. If one of them is hell-bent on driving away migrants, the other is kidnapping children from war-torn regions and a third one has promised to wipe away an entire belt. If one is making its military presence in Northern Europe which is against the norms of NATO, another is itching to use strong-arm tactics.

And here I am talking about compassion. Of course, if such a day is celebrated, I am sure there will be acts of kindness particularly on social media. In real life? Who knows? I am certain that with her dynamism, Kundalakesi would have initiated a Compassion day if she were alive today.

I am rambling about nothing in general. The implant is making its presence. Time to swallow another painkiller.

Yakshagni - An odyssey of unbroken devotion - II

 Epilogue

The next morning, Dharma, Maurya, and Dushyant made their way to the forest. Owing to the fact that the gale had crossed the mountains, and was hovering across the state border, it was a windy day. In a day or two, a gust of wind was expected to blow over the region. 

As the dark woods yawned open to them and the naked earth gave glimpses of giant roots that had taken refuge in the forest long ago, Dharma's fingers sought Maurya's instinctively. Their skin brushed each other's, allaying their fears and soothing their nerves with comfort.

The kind of forest that Dharma had seen or been to before was only on the outskirts of Parijatpur. Those woods had not been inaccessible; however, there was a stillness here that was disquieting.

The desolation of the forest affected them as soon as they entered the area. Nevertheless, the familiarity that invaded Dharma surprised her. She felt as if she had known the woods all her life. The unease that had clutched Dushyant when he last visited the forest seemed futile that particular day. He guessed it was probably due to the presence of Dharma and Maurya.

"Who had the heart to burn down such an enormous forest? And then we keep complaining about environmental degradation," Maurya grumbled, shocked by the withered jungle and scorched earth.

Their feet crunching over the dried debris ricocheted around the deserted land. Like a firebolt, a cluster of impressions burst forth in Dharma's head; a flourishing forest where long canopies of trees giving shelter to many; billowing whorls of smoke drifting towards the blue sky; a ring of fire inside which she was trapped. The flickers of images appeared in flashes. She wasn't sure if they were pictures, she had seen somewhere, or recollections from her childhood.

Retracing her thoughts back to the present, Dharma trailed after Maurya and Dushyant. At places, charred stumps protruded from the ground. If one was not careful, one could get hurt by the sharp edges of the charcoal sticks. As they ventured deeper into the forest, it grew darker. The forest seemed bare of any spirits or life forms. The savagery of the early act destroyed not only the forest but the entire ecosystem. None of the habitants had escaped the brutality.

The three of them made their way through thorny and sun-dried bushes, decayed and uncultivable land.

"Is this Alaka?" Maurya asked, his heart weighing heavily at the sight of such devastation.

"This is the forest that had been a significant part of the kingdom. The river Yakshagni passes through this forest. I am taking you there," Dushyant explained.

"The flames must have engulfed the forest completely."

"It is believed that the fire raged for years. None of the citizens or army could rescue it. Those who tried to extinguish the fire had been swallowed by the flames."

"It must have been a terrible time in the kingdom," Dharma reflected aloud.

"Apparently, the air in Alakapuri, that was the capital of Alaka, had become so toxic by the forest fire that people had begun to leave in exodus. The city was abandoned without delay," Dushyant stated what he had learnt from his forefathers.

Dharma tried to catch a glimpse of the sky and hence, she did not see the jutting driftwood. She would have tripped over it if Maurya had not grabbed her waist in time.

"Watch out. It is sharp..." he warned, steadying her.

A bird fluttered across the area, flapping its wings, its shriek amplified by the quietness of the forest. Startled by the sound, they paused and let their gazes drift around the woods.

"Do you know, Yakshis are dwellers of the forest? I think I must have lived here. Everything here seems homely to me, and I can vaguely recall images of animals grazing here," Dharma professed to Maurya. "I feel my friends could have been giant trees and mammals that might have protected me from sinister humans."

"You might be right. And I suppose I chased you across this forest then."

"Ha, you are good at chasing," Dharma teased.

Dushyant stopped, staring at the river that meandered its way through the coppice. He said, "This was Yakshagni, once a mighty river that had been worshipped for a long time. There is a story about how even the Sun and the Moon paused on their passage to salute the river. Earth had such wonderful children that even the cosmos was amazed by them."

"The river has become a stream now..." Dharma murmured, rivetted by the crystal-clear waters.

"Times change and the most powerful things shrink to a vulnerable state. Yakshagni's grassy banks welcomed poets and artists to produce great works. Under the moonlit sky, art in all forms was celebrated and conferred with awards. Here, in the forest, rituals were conducted to marry a flourishing tree to a fragile plant so that the young plant would survive...."

The beat of the drums reverberated around the forest... Moving in rhythm, the dancers laughed at his clumsy efforts... She grabbed his hand and led him away from the celebrations to introduce him to her best friend... Aranyani, princess of the forest...

Dharma blinked...In a daze, her glance fell to the ground. Instead of the designs that she had visualized just then, the land was discoloured in black and grey. Her chest constricted and an aching numbness clutched her.

The sense of a piercing loss... the heartache at the death of love... the distress at the ruination of her home...

The collective grief rendered Dharma forlorn, and without her being aware of it, tears flowed. She couldn't put a finger on her anguish but the feeling of immense loss overwhelmed her with its intensity. To Maurya's shock, Dharma fell on her knees and wept. The sorrow of yesteryears accosted her with excruciating pain. She did not remember her life in the forest but the hazy sketch she had formed was of a happy life, a loving family, and a blissful existence.

"Dharma, why are you crying? Do you recall something? Is that why you are distressed?" Maurya grilled, wrapping his arms around her. He stroked her head gently, trying to soothe her pain. Feeling helpless, he wanted to assuage her sorrow desperately.

Dharma burrowed her face into his shoulder and clutched his shirt. The searing grief did not dissipate. The painful sensation gripped her with nostalgia and homesickness.

"She is probably grieving only now for the loss that occurred long ago..." Dushyant interjected thoughtfully. He knelt at a spot near the river and began to shove away the lumps of clay. Brushing away the last layer of soil from the stone, he got to his feet, staring at the spot he had dug.

Maurya rose, helping Dharma to her feet. She had calmed down a bit. Dushyant gestured him to move closer, to where he was standing. Frowning, Maurya strode to the spot, only to stiffen and go rigid at the sight of the cenotaph.

"Do you know what is inscribed there?" Dushyant challenged Maurya. Since the script was unfamiliar, Maurya shook his head in denial.

"Our beloved Prince, Ekveer Bhadra – prince of Alaka."

Dharma's head shot up and she rushed forward to the spot. Maurya felt as if someone had squeezed the air from his lungs and knocked him dead. He felt his throat go dry, and the blood rush to his face. He wondered if it was really happening...

"This is where he was supposed to have died. But, the folklore around this area tells a different story. The songs extol his bravery and pay homage to his life, concluding that he and his princess jumped into this river and travelled to another era."

Lost for words, Maurya got down on his knees and ran his fingers over the inscription reverentially, brushing aside the fine dust. Someone had honoured him with this cenotaph. Unlike Dharma, he couldn't recall any memories of his past life. Only the nightmares had given an indication of his past.

"I can read the script..." Dharma threaded her fingers into his, "The beloved prince of Alaka, Ekveer!"

"I don't remember anything about the life of a prince..." he fretted.

"You don't have to...Time has revealed your past...You have come back to rescue Alaka," Dushyant pronounced.

Although evil had triumphed, and Saugandhika had been violated, unblemished love had defeated malevolent intentions. Even those who had prophesized the odyssey of an uncorrupted love could not have foreseen the return of the soul mates to Alaka. Maurya and Dharma had transcended all barriers conquering the relentless time.

Finally, time had set them free. It had untied them and let them loose into the arms of the universe. Maurya and Dharma had come together to face the storm, and their entwined fates had connected them at a matching span of time.

The darkening clouds and the sudden streaks of lightning halted the approaching storm. The huge drops warned Dushyant to leave the forest at once. They reached the hermitage just in time as the drizzle became heavy.

Maurya and Dharma watched the downpour in amazed silence – it was of a kind they had never seen before. It rained in sheets. The storm subsided as a result of the showers. By the next morning, the clouds had disappeared, and bright sunlight sheathed the mountain peaks in a golden halo. When Dharma and Maurya returned to the forest the next forenoon, a rainbow appeared right above them, flaunting its arcs of shades in the sky.

The magical sounds of life began to emanate once again from the ravaged forest. A frog croaked from somewhere, a dove flew across, and to Dharma's delight, a tiny squirrel perched on a lifeless stick of a tree.

Dharma's teary smile drove away the worries from Maurya's head. He learnt what true joy was when he saw the radiant smile on her face. His world exploded into a frenzy of colours.

Drawing her into his arms, he sealed their love with a deep kiss. Unbeknown to them but witnessed by the river and the forest a long time ago, it was the same spot where Ekveer had sworn to return from the battle, and where he and Hanneli had consummated their love.

Saugandhika smiled, her good spirits inching back into her domain. At last, goodness had won over evil.

A new movement had started in the world, to save forests. There were organizations and groups fighting to regrow forests and help save the planet. Dushyant founded a company whose members regrouped every month to discuss and verify the operations of projects that seemed to pose a threat to the environment. If they did, the members launched campaigns to stop it or make it more sustainable.

Maurya and Dharma began their new phase of life in New Delhi soon. Dharma left Almora on the advice of Dushyant. To Maurya's surprise, Vasukinath Krishna left Krishna Industries to Maurya in his will when he moved to Mauritius with Rashika. Hence, Maurya had no time to start a new company immediately. He made Sonia the head of Index Fashion House and Dharma as his head designer. Tapan became a Managing Director at Krishna Industries.

Once in two or three months, Dharma, Maurya, and Dushyant visited Saugandhika Forest to plant saplings or spend a day in the forest to ensure its growth.

With the help of Bilaval, Dushyant chronicled the story of Alaka and its prince.

Rashika did not recover much from the accident. She yearned for the life she had messed up and spent most days in remorse. Furthermore, her health remained a case of worry for her father.

Maurya and Dharma's life was what the ancients had prophesized. They were the protector and defender of each other. Together, they found peace. With every new dawn, they discovered a different side to their love. With every breath and touch, they climbed greater heights of happiness and contentment.

They travelled to Anuragnicheri every year to meet the residents of Avadhi. The women who stayed there, waited eagerly for Dharma to bring them new stories and gifts. Shankaran enjoyed the importance he gained during Dharma and Maurya's annual trips to Anuragnicheri.

Rivers, forests, and mountains became an integral part of Maurya and Dharma's lives. Sometimes with friends like Tapan, Brahim, and Kamya, and at other times only the two of them, Maurya and Dharma explored new places that were wonderful creations of nature. They trekked to rugged mountains, swam in warm oceans, and idled on ivory beaches.  Sunsets and Sunrises at remote corners of the world were captured in their cameras. Snorkelling, Canoeing, and underwater diving were some of the activities that Dharma learnt from Maurya. He, in turn, learnt to enjoy simple pleasures of life; like plucking a bunch of wildflowers for her, eating street side food with her under a moonlit sky, and sharing meals with the staff occasionally. There was nothing more right or precious for them than being with one another. When they were away from each other even for short hours, their souls felt their absence and yearned to be closer.

And time...well, time moved on; but very rarely, it stumbled upon such breath-taking love like that of Maurya and Dharma or rather Ekveer and Hanneli.

Love like theirs happened only once in a lifetime or twice in many lifetimes. Like the river that flowed endlessly, their love continued to grow with eternal bliss.

The End

 

Yakshagni - An odyssey of unbroken devotion - II

 42) Return to Alaka

"Maurya?" Dushyant exclaimed in puzzlement.

"Good morning, Dushyant! I am sorry to barge in like this."

"Never mind! How are you?"

Dharma’s gaze coasted over him. In blue jeans, a T-shirt and a backpack, he looked more like a tourist than the chairman of a company.

Aware of Dharma's scrutiny, Maurya did not allow his eyes to stray to her, although it was an extremely difficult task; given the fact that he hadn't seen her for a month. He set his bag down and brushed his wind-tousled strands back.

"So, you were saying something about Ekveer?" he inquired.

Frowning, Dushyant's gaze swung from Maurya to Dharma and back to Maurya. As his brain made quick calculations, his eyes widened in incredulity. He cried out, "My god! Ekveer..."

Instinctively, Maurya's glance slid to Dharma. The charged-up air conveyed their implicit attraction to an onlooker, and Dushyant recognised their deep affection with wonder. Here were two people who had travelled through time and had devotedly gravitated towards each other in a perpetually chaotic age. It was incredible and called for documentation for future generations.

Bilaval breezed in, "Here sir, I got this..." he stopped abruptly at the sight of Maurya, "Oh! I didn't know we had guests."

"It is alright Bilaval. Meet Maurya Verma. He is the chairman of Krishna Industries."

"Oh, glad to meet you, sir..." Bilaval enthused, offering his hand to Maurya.

"I have quit Krishna Industries. I am an aimless drifter now," Maurya quipped, surprising all.

"Have you?" Dushyant questioned, making myriad associations. He regarded Maurya with curiosity, disbelief and awe. This was the man who had given up his life and kingdom for his love; who had travelled through the wormhole to meet his soulmate in another life and who was here to rescue Alaka from the great storm. It took time for Dushyant to accept the astonishing truth.

"Are you here for Alaka?" Dushyant questioned.

Maurya shrugged, "I am here to see Dharma...." At Dharma's questioning glance, he explained, "Kamya gave your address."

Maurya tossed a perfunctory look at Dushyant, "If you give us permission, I would like to take Dharma out for lunch. I have some things to discuss with her."

"Sure, you can take all the time in the world but there is a more compelling task you both have to do urgently."

"What is that?"

"To proceed to Alaka at once."

"Alaka? I have no clue where it is..."

"I will guide you."

"But why do we have to go there now?"

"I will tell you," Dharma answered. She sought Dushyant's permission, "Would you excuse us? I will explain everything to him. Then, we can go to Alaka."

"Alright! Will leave as soon as you are back," he deduced from Maurya's arrival that the younger man and Dharma had a lover's tiff before she left Delhi.

Unable to understand what was happening, Bilaval's startled gaze moved from one to another in confusion. Whenever Bilaval was clueless about a situation transpiring around him, he became sullen. He liked to be abreast of everything.

When they were alone, Dharma bit out, "What are you doing here?"

His sardonic glance barely concealed his feelings and he refused to answer her question. Instead, he asked, "Can I keep the bag here? I will pick it up after lunch."

After Maurya learnt that Dharma had left for Parijatpur, he had been on a warpath, picking a fight with everyone he had come across. Finally, one day he had made peace with himself, concluding that he would leave no stone unturned till he met Dharma.

"Why did you want to meet me?" Dharma pried, settling on the table of the café.

"Why do you think?" he came back, wondering how he had spent the last one month without a glimpse of those magnificent eyes. "Do you know, when I learnt that you had left Parijatpur, I was furious at the universe? I quarrelled with anyone who crossed my path."

"And I purposely distanced myself from any news of Krishna Industries or the accident," Dharma recounted.

Snatching her hand in his, he stroked their softness, "I missed you so much, Dharma. I hadn't realized till then that you had become an integral part of my life."

His impassioned words warmed her heart. Yet, Dharma wanted to know about Rashika and his status with her. With her pulses galloping in a frenzy, she put the question to him tentatively, "What about Rashika?"

Maurya sighed in displeasure, "Rashika met with another accident. I believe it was after meeting you at your flat. She and her mother were hurrying to the helipad when their car was hit by another."

"Oh my god Maurya! How is she?"

"Rashika survived but her mother died in the collision."

"Oh god! That is so sad!"

"Yes, the accident left her paralysed, and there was partial loss of memory. But the doctors have assured her father that she would recover even though it would take time."

"Her father must be devastated."

"Yes, he is. He shouldn't have sneaked her out of the hospital."

"What?"

"Yeah, they were trying to flee from the city. He was waiting for her in the helipad. That was when Rashika met with the accident. There is another rumour that the accident was intentional. Arjun's brothers may have known that Rashika was escaping, and hence they could have caused the accident."

"Good lord! Can someone prove it?"

"No, it is all hearsay. By the way, I had broken up with Rashika the day I dropped you home. And I had quit Krishna Industries before Vasukinath planned their escape. He had wanted me to accompany them. I refused, sold all my shares to him and made my exit from the business."

"Oh!"

"Yes! Dharma, Brahim told me that Rashika had come to visit you and that she had hit you."

Dharma nodded reluctantly, "Yeah, she was furious."

"I am sorry. She had no right to vent her fury on you."

"Where is she now?"

"Her father had planned to take her to their ancestral village but there is no proper medical facility there. Hence, he is planning to fly her to Mauritius."

"Why Mauritius?"

"Vasukinath's ancestors were traders in Mauritius during British times. His grandfather came to India to marry and subsequently settled down here. Vasukinath has some properties there. So, he is taking Rashika there to start life anew."

"What about Krishna Industries? He is going to run it remotely?"

"I suppose..." Maurya demurred and pondered if it was the right time to ask Dharma.

They drifted into a contemplative silence, each engrossed in their own thoughts. The morning breezed into a sunny afternoon, giving clarity to their confused thoughts.

"What are you planning to do now?" Dharma asked him.

"I have been meaning to ask you but since you joined the research centre recently, I was hesitant. Dharma, would you be my partner for a new venture that I am planning to start?"

"What venture?"

"I am planning to start a company where exclusively designed garments would be available online. No brick and mortar right now. We will have our own brand. These designs will be available in select countries too. I want you to be my business partner for this venture."

"But Maurya, I have no experience."

"I don't need experience. I need your designs. I have asked Tapan too to be my partner."

"I don't know. It is too soon for me to leave Almora."

"I know. I am not asking you to quit here immediately. You can take your own time. But I want you to be part of my business later."

Dharma dithered, not sure of joining Maurya. He perceived her feelings and confessed, "I love you Dharma, and I have been in love with you since I saw you on that stage in Parijatpur. I know you think I am this indecisive idiot, and you are fed up with the mess. But you can be sure of one thing, and that is, you are not going to get rid of me easily. I am here to stay. So, decide accordingly."

So forthright and yet so compelling; Dharma felt her face flushing at his confession.

"Do you?" he asked

"Do I what?"

"Do you love me?"

Dharma's brows shot up and her eyes glistened with mischief, "And so asks the dashing prince of Alaka..."

Laughing, he queried, "How do you know that I was dashing? Maybe I had been a ghastly and gruesome prince, and hence you fell into the river to escape from me...Who knows what happened then?"

"Well, I definitely know that we had been in love, and as a Yakshi, I couldn't have been in love with a ghastly and gruesome prince. Moreover, the universe isn't that cruel to thrust me once again into your arms in another life."

"You haven't been in my arms yet. I am still waiting," Maurya murmured softly, his gaze revealing his unspoken longing.

Dharma blushed, unable to halt the rush of heat, "That was a figure of speech..."

Maurya chuckled at her scarlet face, "Why don't you want to be with me?" he pressed, "Don't you care about me?"

"Of course, I care about you. I love you Maurya, but I am afraid of the consequences. What if we get separated like our previous time?"

"We don't know what happened exactly, but we are here now, aren't we? We were destined to be together. The future may seem uncertain, Dharma. But we have to take our chances. That is life. And I have no intention of living without you. So, be prepared. If you don't want to leave Almora, fine with me. I will park myself somewhere close by and follow you."

Grimacing at his words, Dharma clutched his hands tighter, "No need for so much drama. I will come with you but before that, we have to visit Alaka. Dushyant sir will take us. We have to stop the storm."

"Tell me about the storm..."

While Dharma explained the situation to him, Maurya was stunned that they had travelled to the present time through the wormhole in Yakshagni.

"I can't wait to explore Alaka."

**************

Driving from Almora to Kinnaur took them a day and a half. Dharma and Maurya were enchanted by the mountains surrounding the Baspa Valley. Dushyant described the geoglyph that was drawn on the slopes of the valley.

"The ancients had believed in time travel. Otherwise, why would they create a compass on the valley?" Dharma asked.

"Yes, indeed! The tribes who had lived in this region did believe in time travel. Moreover, they must have been aware of the wormhole in Yakshagni. Hence, it had been a revered river in Alaka."

Dushyant took them first to the Ashram where they rested for a break. Anand Acharya was surprised that the beautiful couple had come to seek his blessings before proceeding to the forest.

"Begin your exploration in the morning. That is when the forest is not hostile."

"But, isn't the storm approaching fast?" Dushyant wondered aloud, afraid that the storm would beat them in their race to save Alaka.

"No, the wind may seem strong but the storm is still away. I advise you to not disturb the woods at night."

Following his advice, they took shelter in the hermitage that night. When the Sun set for the day and the satin smooth range of white peaks glowed under the star-lit sky, Anand Acharya began to recount the story of the land, "This is an ancient land. It has witnessed astounding glory at its peak, has plunged into devastation in its darkest hours, has been battle-scarred, and has withstood natural disasters. In spite of all that it has endured, it is still here, providing livelihood to those who depend on it. Do you know why? Because the land and the forest would strike back at the right time. Not because we were thankless to the land...No, long ago, it had been a mute witness to the massacre of a thriving forest, two innocent lovers and an entire tribe. It had watched the forest go down in flames with helplessness. Hence, it has frozen to a bleak existence, suspending its growth. If we make right what had been wronged, then there is a chance that the forest would flourish, and the land would prosper once again."

"How can the wrong be reversed? This happened aeons ago. The land is bound to undergo changes," Maurya questioned.

"True!" Dushyant agreed with Maurya, even if he knew the answer.

"Ah, that is the strangest thing. The ancients had visualised something extraordinary. They had predicted an unusual solution to rescue the land from catastrophe."

"What is that?"

"The land is eagerly awaiting the return of its timeless lovers who had fled from the brutality of the kingdom."

"Fled?" Dharma tendered.

"Yes, the prophecy would not have portended their return if they had been killed. It was believed that the lovers had escaped to another world only to return and save Alaka."

Filled with amazement, Maurya and Dharma stared at the wise man awestruck. Dushyant experienced a tingling sensation on his skin at the knowledge that he was instrumental in bringing the lovers back to the land.

Smiling at all three of them, Anand Acharya stood up, "Go to sleep now. You have a long day ahead of you. Always remember that, "Time creates all things in the world, and Time destroys them all...even when you are going back in time, you are moving forward."

**************

The tears of Saugandhika had dried long ago, however, over the centuries, the vivacity had not returned. The fire that destroyed the forest had left a trail of calamities. Saugandhika never recovered from the tragedy. The forest had lost the will to live. Each morning, the rising Sun willed the forest to wake up. Each day, the forest existed in lost and lonely despair; each night, the woods descended deeper into darkness. Saugandhika was powerless to stop the flaring pity of the stars and the Moon. Under the enlivening rays of the sun, some seedlings grew into saplings; except that the nascent plants could not survive the harsh environment. During monsoon, the river flooded and the soil became too moist for survival. In summer, the heat parched the land to nothingness. The winters made it impossibly barren to exist. Saugandhika remained in grief, mourning for the lost inhabitants of the forest. It hoped that the approaching storm would annihilate it from Earth and end its misery.

 

Yakshagni - An odyssey of unbroken devotion - II

41) The Great Storm

Vasukinath was grilled by the police officers for hours over the complaint of negligent entrustment of the vehicle to his daughter. Since Rashika had been warned for careless driving before twice, she was charged with a criminal offence for rash driving, thereby causing death.

While others gave their two cents worth of advice to Vasukinath, their legal counsellor stayed with Vasukinath through the questioning. Vasukinath wanted the criminal complaint against Rashika to be withdrawn. Along with his lawyer, he tried his best to convince the officers. If he was influential, then Arjun's family was more prominent in the legal circle of associates. It became a tussle of power and influence between the two families; coming down to who wielded more clout.

Maurya persuaded Arjun's family to withdraw the complaint against Vasukinath. The FIR registered against Rashika was criminal which would take its own course hence he or Vasukinath had no say in it.

Finally, after a spate of discussions and stipulations, Arjun's family withdrew the complaint against Vasukinath. They agreed only because Maurya convinced them of its futility.

The police had not yet arrested Rashika due to her hospitalization. However, they did keep a watch over her. Meanwhile, Vasukinath made diabolic plans to escape with his family from the country. If he stayed in the country, and Rashika recovered, it was only a matter of time before the police arrested her for the accident. With the best of lawyers, she might be able to escape detention but it would take years. Vasukinath refused to allow his daughter to suffer over her friend's death. He decided that they would flee from the country. He was in for a rude shock when he discussed it with Maurya. Maurya used the opportunity to make a pact with his mentor. To buy his silence, Vasukinath had to accept Maurya's break-up with Rashika. Maurya had no intention of retaining his power in Krishna Industries. He willingly transferred all his shares to Vasukinath. There were some recriminations, few appeals and many questions from Vasukinath. Nevertheless, he had to accept Maurya's decision of exiting Krishna Industries and breaking all ties with the family. Maurya firmly rejected Vasukinath's pleas to go with them. He was dismayed that Vasukinath had no desire to reprehend his daughter, considering how she deceived both Arjun and Maurya. Instead, he was helping her avoid the sentence.

A fortnight later, Maurya relinquished all his stakes in the family business.

************

Kamya in a gorgeous red saree and Brahim in a white and red silk sherwani made a picture-perfect couple. They had written their own wedding vows and planned to deliver them at the traditional ceremony that they had planned at the temple after the civil marriage. They gifted Dharma a framed photo of the three of them in Mohandham. It was taken when they had been sixteen or seventeen. Kamya also gifted Dharma a beautiful crepe saree that she wore for their wedding. Not certain if Maurya would make it, Brahim had invited one of his colleagues too as the second witness for their civil marriage.

Dharma hoped that Maurya would not make it to the wedding. She would be a nervous wreck if he did decide to make his presence. She hadn't been able to get him out of her head since they had parted. She had been pouring over different versions of Rashika's accident that the tabloids carried. Maurya's name was featured frequently. She gathered from the news reports that he was sorting out the legal complications that had arisen after the accident. Apparently, Arjun's family had filed a case against Vasukinath Krishna. Dharma was not aware of the details but she guessed that Maurya was trying to resolve the problems.

Dharma had mailed her resignation to him, also copying it to Sonia. Sonia replied that she would discuss it with Maurya but he hadn't answered Dharma's mail.

The registrar officiated the marriage. When it was time to put down their signatures, Maurya breezed into the room, pleasantly surprising one and all.

"Sorry, I am late..." Maurya apologised running his gaze over all. Not willing to miss an opportunity to see Dharma, Maurya had made a note of the day in his organizer.  He had been hopelessly waiting for a chance to lay his eyes on her.  This morning, she looked too ravishing for his own peace of mind. The pink saree clung to her curves with a sinful glee and the deep cut of the blouse at her back grabbed his attention over and again.

The ceremony concluded quickly. When Brahim and Kamya thanked Maurya, he presented them with a gift-wrapped box which Dharma guessed was jewellery.

They proceeded to the temple that stood in the same complex for the traditional rituals. Post wedding celebrations included a lunch for all but Maurya excused himself as he had a meeting to attend. While everyone was busy clicking pictures, Kamya teased Dharma, "Maurya has been eyeing you like a besotted lover boy. He is crushing on you very badly, sweetheart."

Making a wry face at her friend, Dharma was actually surprised that he had turned up. She was pleased as a punch that despite the furore in his life, he hadn't forgotten her friends.

Brahim and Kamya had invited their new friends and colleagues. It was a fun-filled afternoon with touching speeches and plenty of jeering, clapping and drinking. Brahim and Kamya made a heartwarming acknowledgement of Dharma's contribution to their love story; she, in turn, thanked them for their constant support. Brahim sprang a surprise on Kamya by announcing their getaway. He had booked a honeymoon suite for them in Agra and they left immediately after lunch. 

Thoughts of Maurya accosted Dharma when she reached home alone. Jumpy and excited, she was eager to do something physically taxing.  The kitchen was a mess. She began to wash vessels, clean the gas stove, and mop the floor. She bought groceries from the nearest shop and stocked the kitchen.  She then packed her stuff. She would be leaving for Parijatpur soon. It had taken her a couple of days to convince Kamya and Brahim of her plans. They had relented finally when she told them of her predicament about working under Rashika. 

When she finished her chores, she got an unexpected visitor that night.

******************

Vasukinath managed to sneak Rashika out of the hospital by bribing two of the night staff and the constable who had been keeping a watch over Rashika.

Rashika was disheartened that she wouldn't be able to see Maurya again. She was desperate to see him one last time however her father forbade her from contacting Maurya. She pondered if Maurya would have gone with her, had he not met Dharma. The question troubled her so much that she decided that the only way she could find peace, would be to make Maurya suffer as much. And she knew the best way to do it.

She was travelling with her mother in the car to the private helipad. Her father would reach there in another vehicle. On their way, she appealed to her mother,

"Ma, can we take a detour please?"

"Detour? Why?"

"I would like to meet someone. Please, one last time?"

"Rashi, I cannot allow you to see Maurya. Your father would be furious."

"No, not Arya; someone else... Please?"

"It is dangerous Rashi. We are running out of time and if someone finds us, our plans would be ruined."

"One last time, Mom...please please...."

"Ok! Whom do you want to meet?"

"My designer..."

She gave the direction to the driver. Her mother waited in the car while Rashika stepped out to see Dharma.

***************

Dharma was startled to see Rashika at the doorstep. She thought Rashika was still in the hospital.

"Hello, Dharma!"

"Hello..."

"May I come inside?"

"Yes, of course..."

Dharma admitted her inside but she left the door open; a sixth sense cautioning her.

"Would you like some water?"

"No..." Rashika looked around, noting that Dharma was alone.

"How do you feel now?"

"How do you think?" Rashika countered and Dharma realized that the other woman was in a belligerent mood.

Dharma waited...

"How dare you go after my fiancé?" Rashika bellowed.

"I am quitting the company. You are welcome to have him...." Dharma answered but her poise enraged Rashika even more. She couldn't swallow the truth that Maurya had fallen in love with this woman who was no more than a guttersnipe. She slapped Dharma hard.

Dharma felt the pain inside her ear and her vision was blinded momentarily from the impact. She stumbled back. Dharma had not been prepared for Rashika's vitriolic move.  Her scalded cheek began to throb with pain. She grimaced in shock as the other woman rushed to grab a glass vase from the side table.

Rashika raised the vase to hit Dharma.

"Rashi...…."

Someone screamed from the doorway. Rashika swivelled around.

"What are you doing? We need to hurry. Your father is getting worried. He has already reached," Rashika's mother squealed. The glass vase slipped from Rashika's hand and it splintered into tiny pieces. The older woman quickly grabbed Rashika's hand and hauled her towards the staircase. A moment later, they were gone and Dharma locked the door hastily.

Trembling with relief and exhaustion, Dharma flopped down on the floor. Her cheek singed with discomfort.

********************

"Are you crazy? Your father has been yelling at me for allowing you to take a detour..." Rashika's mother berated her.

"I wanted to teach her a lesson."

"Who is she?"

"A bitch..."

"Rashi, forget what happened. Your future is what matters to us."

Their phones peeled in unison. One was Rashika's father and the other was Rashika's aunt.

Rashika disconnected the call and shrieked at the driver to go faster. Her mother became distressed as Vasukinath pressed them to reach sooner.

The driver was a young and inexperienced one. The confused and infuriated commands of the women in his car made him nervous. His concentration on the road snapped and the vehicle veered from his control.

In a span of a few days, Rashika met with another accident. When the paramedics reached the accident spot, the survival of the victims seemed unlikely.

****************

A month later...….

Dharma viewed the snow-capped mountains with wonder. Since joining Dushyant's office in Almora, she has been enchanted with the sight of the white peaks. They looked familiar, and yet so distant...

"Good morning!" Bilaval greeted. He switched on the radio. It was his morning routine to listen to the news and make notes.

"Good morning! There is tea for you on the table," Dharma stated.

"Thank you so much! Tomorrow, it is my turn to make tea," Bilaval uttered with a smile.

"If you can make it as splendid as mine..." Dharma quipped.

"You are putting me in a fix. But of course, I will try to match the esteemed expectations of her highness..." their banter went on for some time. "By the way, sir wanted geographical details of Baspa Valley," Bilaval reminded Dharma.

"Yes, I have it with me..."

They began their working days with taunts and jokes. It had been a month since Dharma had that unsettling meeting with Rashika. When Brahim and Kamya returned, they had been horrified to see her swollen cheek. They had wanted to inform Maurya but Dharma had not permitted them. She was fed up with Rashika and her allegations. Dharma wanted to get out of the mess. Hence, as planned she left for Parijatpur. A week later, Dushyant visited her. He offered her the job and she joined his research centre straightaway. Dushyant had arranged accommodation for her in the family guest house.

Dharma hadn't heard from Maurya after the wedding. No one made any contact with her; neither Sonia nor Pooja. It was as if they forgot that she had existed. Since leaving the city, she hadn't asked Kamya or Brahim about Index Fashions.

Bilaval raised the volume of the radio,

"The increasing speed of the wind in the North East mountains indicates a great storm that is heading towards the states of Himachal and Uttarakhand. Tourists have been warned to stay indoors. The high-velocity wind coming from the mountains of Nepal is expected to reach here next week. It may be accompanied by heavy rains. Experts believe that such a high-speed wind has never been reported in the region in recent times. The heading storm might be one of the worst that the region has ever faced."

The weather forecast was bleak and it frightened Bilaval.

"Good lord! My sister lives in Nainital. I hope she knows about the storm."

"Call her. It is better to warn her," Dharma suggested.

"Yes, I will do that."

When Bilaval left the room, Dharma wandered to the window. She sipped her tea and watched the busy street below. Their office was located on the first floor of a wooden building in the town centre and it was the last one on the uphill road. The view was fantastic and one could gaze at the sky uninterruptedly through the telescope.

Dharma liked the new job but she missed the challenges of the old job. There had been many missed calls from Tapan but she did not return the calls. She may be prepared to hear about Maurya and Rashika later, but she was not emotionally fit right now.

The door creaked open and Dharma was surprised to see Dushyant. He usually arrived post lunch at the office.

"Good morning, sir! You are early today."

"Yes, yes, I know. Dharma, I need to discuss something with you. Sit down. I have sent Bilaval on an errand."

Becoming curious, Dharma listened with rapt attention as he spoke.

"Do you remember that when we met in Parijatpur, you asked me about Alaka?"

"Yes, and you answered that you will talk about it at the right time."

"Now is the right time Dharma. You must know something about yourself."

"That I am a Yakshi? I know it already."

"No, that is not what I meant...This is about your lost life."

"What about it? I know I hail from Alaka and that I am supposed to return to Alaka."

"Haven't you wondered how you came here from Alaka?"

"I have, and many times. But I have not understood exactly how."

In a hushed tone, Dushyant murmured, "You travelled through time..."

"I gathered that but how is that possible? I have been breaking my head over it. How is it possible that I travelled from one eon to another? Did I take many births?"

"No, you travelled through a wormhole to this timeline."

"Where is this wormhole?"

"River Yakshagni... She had a wormhole through which man could travel from one timeline to another."

Dharma had surmised that she had come ashore through the river but travelling through a wormhole was bewildering.

"Are you saying that I travelled through a wormhole from one era to this era?"

"Yes, not only you, even Ekveer..."

Dharma became uneasy at the mention of Ekveer.

"Have you come across anyone here who could have been Ekveer in that period?"

"What?" Dharma realized that Dushyant had not yet connected Maurya to Ekveer. "Even if I had come across someone, what has that got to do with my life here?" she asked.

"Oh Dharma, don't you get it? You have to go to Alaka with Ekveer. Only then can we stop this storm?"

"Storm?" Dharma blinked at Dushyant in bafflement.

"Yes, the great storm that occurs once in thousand years. If you and Ekveer don't reach Alaka, the storm might destroy everything."

"But how would I know where Alaka is?"

"I will guide you, Dharma. I will take you there. But I need Ekveer with you."

"I am here...." someone claimed from the doorway.

Dharma's craving eyes gazed at Maurya with disbelief.