Yakshagni - An odyssey of unbroken devotion - II

 15) The Savage Attraction

Dharma was taken aback by Chaitanya's presence.

"Hi Dharma," Chaitanya greeted, his gaze roaming over her face.

"What are you doing here?" Dharma asked, her distaste evident on her face.

"Ah, Dharma! What would I be doing here other than following you?" his words revolted her and she fumed at his nerve.

"Have you brought your wife too?"

Chaitanya angled his face to one side, "Dharma, don't you get it? It is this supercilious attitude of yours that I fell in love with. I love your snide remarks."

"Really? Then, you must hear me out; I wish you get this in your fat head that I have no interest in a contemptible man like you."

Infuriated at her disdain, he caught her hand. Disgusted, Dharma shoved his hand away and snarled, "Don't you dare touch me!"

Suddenly, the powerful headlights of a car flooded the dark road and its bright glare quivered over Dharma and Chaitanya. Dharma squinted her eyes, trying to evade the direct gleam of light on her face. The car drew to a halt in front of the hostel and the illumination dimmed as the ignition was switched off. Dharma's eyes widened in surprise as Maurya slid out of the car. His eyes glided over Dharma's face searchingly and then shifted to Chaitanya.

"Any problem Dharma?" he asked, his glance running over Chaitanya in derision.

"Who the hell are you?" Chaitanya asked, thrown off balance by the man's arrival.

Dharma was disconcerted by Maurya's arrival. Why did he come back? But neither Maurya nor Dharma felt it necessary to answer Chaitanya's question.

"You forgot something?" Dharma inquired.

"No, I thought I saw a glimpse of a potboiler through the rear-view mirror and got unusually excited. So, I decided to contribute my bit," Maurya's words unsettled Chaitanya.

 He raged at Maurya, "Hey, whoever you are, this is between me and her. Don't try to butt your nose into others’ affairs."

Maurya's brows went a notch higher and he turned to Dharma, "What have you landed yourself with, Dharma? An extremely unpleasant toad with a depraved attitude?"

Had Dharma been alone with Maurya, she would have burst out laughing, however, at that moment she chose restraint. With a straight face, she added, "And an ailing wife, recuperating in a hospital..."

"Amazing! So, how do we bring this play to an end? Any suggestion for the climax?"

Chaitanya's leery eyes spied on Dharma and Maurya. He bristled at the sarcasm and regarded Maurya with loathing.

"Hey, you think you are a smart ass? With that bloody car and suit, you look like a joker to me. Now, if you don't buzz off, I will smash your face, mind it!"

"Maybe, I should slap your face first, but I don't want to dirty my hands," Dharma's unconcerned answer peeved Chaitanya more.

Maurya, in response to Chaitanya's threat, stretched his arms, folded his shirt cuff, and loosened his tie. He got rid of his jacket and flung it on the car's bonnet.

"I won't mind slamming you to the ground. It will give me great pleasure..." Maurya's answer made Dharma realize that she had been too glib about the situation. She placed her hand lightly on Maurya's, holding him back.

"I think this has gone too far," she focussed her gaze on Chaitanya and spoke with a graveness that jolted Chaitanya, "Listen to me carefully, and this is the last time I am telling you; I have no interest in you and if I see you near me again, I will get a restraining order for you from the police," Pointing at Maurya, she added, "He is the witness here. He will testify if I must report you. And if you still don't accept it, then I will make sure that the world knows how a married creep like you stalks a woman and follows her to another city and her hostel. I will splash your picture on all the social media handles and let everyone in Bilaspur and Parijatpur know that you dumped your mother in an old age home for her property and how you instigated your wife to devise an accident to harm Kamya."

Chaitanya's eyes widened in shock and dismay. He balked from the wrath and determination on Dharma's face. She tapped something on her phone and showed it to him. Blanching at the images, he perused his pictures; sitting in the park in a hood waiting for the bus, lingering behind the tree with a cigarette in his mouth, and the final image, of his wife, Seema driving the car in front of Mohandham.

"Don't you think this is enough to file a complaint against you?" Dharma asked grimly. She did not see the flare of respect and admiration in Maurya's eyes.

Chaitanya took stock of the situation and backed away slowly. His mind furiously calculating the risk he had taken by accosting her on the road.

"A simple sorry to her will not disgrace you..." Maurya's suggestion drew an irked glance from Dharma.

Chaitanya, however, did not apologise to Dharma. He stomped away, his head held high without any repentance, causing Maurya to state contemptuously, "What a retard!"

"Thanks for being here but I can take care of myself..." Dharma wished none of it happened in front of Maurya. She did not want to be obligated to him.

"True, you will put Hercules to shame!"

Dharma glared at him, her gaze spurning his mockery.

Taking note of her expression, he proclaimed, "I swear!"

She rolled her eyes in exasperation and snapped, "Goodnight!"

A slow smile lit Maurya's face, its radiance filling her heart with a glow that refused to be doused even after he left.

"Goodnight, Dharma!"

He grabbed his jacket, and got inside the car, slamming the door. He gestured her to go inside the hostel and when she went in, she heard him drive away.

For Dharma, the night had turned from dark and chilly to a delightfully vibrant one. She recollected each word of Maurya and treasured them close to her heart. Maurya's incorrigible sense of humour, his subtle gallantry, and his readiness to fight for her, wrapped Dharma in a glorious world of make-believe where, for an infinitesimal moment, she considered herself worthy of his love and yearned to be surrounded by Maurya's vital presence forever. But, like water that evaporates during summer, her spring dreams dissipated in cognizance of the reality of her life. She berated herself for even considering that she should be worthy of his love. In truth, he should be worthy of her love because, Dharma knew that if and when she fell in love with someone, it would be unshakeable; she would stand by it even if her very life depended on it. She was aware of the intensity of emotions that she was capable of and to earn that love, a man had to rise above the ordinary, in her esteem. No one, not even Maurya had risen to that expectation yet. She was a lone warrior and has been one through the years. To fight along with her, her man has to be her prince or the warlord.

*********

Maurya was sprawled on the sun deck chair on the balcony of his apartment and gazed fixedly at the flimsy night that encompassed him. The sky was barely visible through the haze and no star gleamed at him. With a glass in his hand and a cigarette in his mouth, his thoughts did not wander away from Dharma. They were stuck on her like a stranded ship on a remote island. There had been women who had approached him when he was in college and the university. He had also hooked up with a few, but no one had made an impact on him as Dharma had; right from the day, he saw her on stage in Mohandham. He had presumed that the attraction had been a fleeting one but this evening when she faced that creep dauntlessly, and gave a piece of her mind, he had been strangely aroused by her stance. She made it abundantly clear to Maurya that she could take care of herself. It was apparent that she was not some damsel in distress who needed a knight in shining armour.

And yet, Maurya wanted to protect her. He wanted to shield her from creeps like Chaitanya and bores like Akhil. At Tapan's party, Akhil had not left Dharma's side and Maurya had recognized from her tiresome expression that she found Akhil's presence tedious. Hence, he rescued her by sending Akhil on an errand. Dharma had neither thanked him nor had she been happy to see him. It made him speculate if she had a man tucked away in some corner of the world. He didn't think so...He didn't know what made him so sure.

Deep in his heart, he perceived that when Dharma loved a man, she would surrender unconditionally to her love. She would not tuck him away in some corner, instead, she would brandish him as her property and flaunt him to the world. He felt that Dharma would love a man with a profoundness that would overwhelm her.

He sighed, feeling jealous of the unknown man. The screeching halt of a speeding car put a brake on his vehement thoughts. It dawned on him at once...

He wanted to be that man!

The tip of the smouldering cigarette seared the skin on his finger and he winced at the burn, flinging the butt across. Swearing at his carelessness, he marched to the kitchen and showed the scalded finger under the running tap water.

He tried to convince himself that Dharma needed him and that she had been the one who had approached him for the job. He deduced that it was a pointless exercise.

Men fluttered around her, helplessly drawn to her. There was Akhil, then that jerk Chaitanya, and Vishu Marco who had made a stunning painting of her. Reminded of the painting, Maurya dashed to his study and extracted an encased canvas. He removed the layers and gazed at the painting that had been titled, "A Guiding Spirit". He had bought the painting on impulse. To this day, he did not know what made him squander the money on something like that painting. It had been the most expensive one in the exhibition and he had not thought twice before he had made a bid for it. Dwelling upon the purchase, his eyes roved over Dharma's face in the painting.

Dharma was like the princess of the painted jungle; savage, loyal, and unattainable; soaring beyond the realms of ordinary men like him. Men, who were not worthy of her love. Her loyalty to her friends was something he had seen.

Nevertheless, here was the twist in the story! Irrespective of his belief that he did not love or deserve Dharma; and certain that he would not let her govern his state of mind, Maurya was driven stubbornly to seek her passion for none other than himself. It was insolent of him to assume that she would fall for him. He figured that he was not different from the jerk who stalked Dharma.

Dharma was a challenge to Maurya that he could not refuse even if he tried. He was eager to be the one that she loved unconditionally, for whom her heart pulsed with an all-powerful devotedness. He let it slip from his mind that she had a childhood similar to his, and that like him, she was haunted by images from her past.

Right from the start, Dharma had, slowly and steadily, made a forceful impression on him that he was unable to shake off. She had sealed it finally with her face-off with Chaitanya. Now, Maurya was persuaded unwittingly to make a similar impression on her.

The first step to catch her attention would be to make her feel obligated to him. With that thought in his mind, he called an old friend from school the next morning.

"Good morning, Navin!"

"Hey Maurya, long time man!"

"Yes, I was caught up with too many things."

"Never saw you after your engagement party."

"True, how about catching up tonight?"

"Not tonight. I am flying to Bangalore on a work assignment."

"Oh, never mind! Actually, I wanted a favour from you."

"Spill it out. I am happy to oblige."

"Navin, can you engage someone to spy on a man? His name is Chaitanya. I will send his photo and details. I want someone to keep an eye on him all the time. He stays in Bilaspur and if he is seen anywhere near Delhi, I want the bully to be taken into custody."

"Woah! Slow down man...Never seen you so worked up. Is the creep harassing Rashika?"

"What?" Maurya asked, blinking at the question.

"I mean, are you stressed out because this fellow is troubling your fiancée? Don't worry, we will do something about it Maurya. I will get someone to trail this fellow. Send his photo and details at once."

With his mission accomplished, Maurya deliberated over Navin's question. Howsoever, he was surprised by the purr of excitement at the thought of going after Dharma. With renewed enthusiasm, he called Mitali to his office.

Yakshagni - An odyssey of unbroken devotion - II

 14) The Date

At the sight of Dharma, Maurya halted. She allowed a faltering smile as their glances clashed.

"What are you doing here?" he asked, Shankaran's words echoing in his head. Looking at her, Maurya did his utmost to conclude that there was no undeniable attraction like the older man had implied. It was apparent that Shankaran had a way of convincing people with reasonable persuasion however, it did occur to Maurya that Shankaran had not taken any name and it was only Maurya who presumed that his source of attraction was Dharma.

"I came to meet Mitali and Nikhil to discuss our trip to Modhera."

"Oh yes, I wanted to talk to you about it," he checked his watch, "Right now, I can't. I have a meeting. Why don't I meet you in Index?" he asked

Dharma nodded, "I will wait for you then."

"Yes, I will be there around six," he confirmed and strode on.

The clock struck six and Dharma waited with bated breath. Should she go down or would Maurya come up? She was pleased with the choice of her dress because, when she had checked her collection of clothes that morning, she had opted for this simple long dress, keeping in mind her visit to the corporate office. The A-line dress in mulberry purple reached up to her calf. It had a white lace pan collar and three-four length sleeves.

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

Chaitanya waited eagerly for Dharma. It was almost eight and normally, she returned around this time from work. He hovered near the park, monitoring every auto and bus. A few of the hostel girls were dropped off by their colleagues, some returned in autos and a few others arrived in bus. Chaitanya planned to talk to her first and then if she refused to indulge him, he would drop the bombshell. Grinning with glee, he lit a cigarette and blew the smoke into the air. From somewhere nearby, he heard the loud throbbing beats of a marriage procession. He perceived it as a good omen to set his plan in motion. The stretch of the road that led to Dharma's hostel was dark and deserted. On that particular evening, the street lights were turned off, and consequently, the road was overcast with misty shadows. It was the perfect setting he desired.

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

It was eight. Dharma closed her desktop and cleared her table. Collecting her things, she went down. Except for a few people in the accounts department, most of the staff had left.

Stepping out into the open, she absorbed the undertone of the night. It was that time of the year when the days and nights fused with one another without a clue. At the cusp of seasons, between the Winter and the Spring; sunlight and twilight merged into a long spell; the day shrinking from the dazzle of the Sun and the night obscuring the glow of the Moon. Subsequently, the evenings were dark and windy while the mornings were dry and brittle. The chilly evenings had not yet subsided and Dharma wished that the Spring would bloom quickly, allowing the days to stay longer.

Dharma considered taking an auto and she sauntered towards the main exit. All at once, a car screeched to a halt in front of her and she jumped back startled. The window glass was wound down and Maurya leaned from his seat to open the door,

"Get in, we will talk on the way," he directed while she dawdled indecisively. He looked at her pointedly and she slid into the car clumsily. Clicking the belt into place, she smoothed her dress down as the car moved ahead.

"Have you eaten dinner?" he asked. In response, she shook her head. Then realizing that he was driving and not seeing her, she answered, "No..."

"Good, then we can discuss over dinner."

Dharma sat stiff, stifled by the enclosed space.

"So how was your day?" he enquired, stealing a glance at her.

"It was fine..." she wished she had something more interesting to tell him.

"When are you leaving for this Modhera?"

"Next week! Mitali will be booking the tickets tomorrow."

Maurya stopped the car in front of a brightly lit compound. A guard came hurrying and Maurya asked him, "Table for two?"

"The place serves good Asian food," Maurya let on.

Dharma viewed the garden restaurant where tiny bulbs glittered everywhere. They were shown an exclusive table that was concealed from others by the surrounding greens. Soft lounge music played on and a candle flickered on the centre of the table. It was an upscale restaurant and Dharma wished that she had worn a trendier outfit. She perused the menu card thoughtfully. She looked for items that she could eat decently in front of Maurya. She was sure that she would make a mess of noodles. Maurya asked, "What would you like to have?"

She gave her preference for food and he asked for red wine. Dharma debated if it was right to have wine with one's boss.

"You look too stressed out. Relax and enjoy the food," Maurya advised.

"I prefer orange juice," she conveyed and Maurya ordered for the same. Once the waiter left, Maurya asked, "So how do you plan to approach the authorities for permission in Modhera?"

"Haven't made any plans. But I am carrying some pictures of Tapan's show and newspaper cuttings, just in case..."

 The waiter approached and poured wine into Maurya's glass. Maurya swirled the drink in the glass and tasted it. He approved and the waiter added more wine from the bottle.

The candle glowed too brightly, throwing harsher shadows on Maurya's face. She watched him as he placed their order with the waiter. An old and compelling memory rose out of nowhere. Maurya was sitting on the rough floor of a cottage, enjoying the meal she had prepared. There was someone else giving him company. It seemed like reminisces from the past.

But whose past? Dharma drew her brows in a frown.

Maurya turned back to her and her gaze fell, hiding her expression from him. The food arrived and Maurya stated, "I hope you like Asian food..."

She nodded and an exasperated Maurya asked, "Are you on silent mode tonight?"

Dharma grimaced, "No, of course not!"

All the same, she could not let go of the images that assailed her. Out of nowhere, she asked him, "Have we met before?"

With a wry smile, Maurya answered, "Mm, I guess it was at the last meeting in my office."

"You know I didn't mean that."

With a long sigh, he placed the glass on the table and leaned back, "So what did you mean Dharma?"

Maurya's fixed stare and set tone flustered Dharma. She was aware that Maurya was miffed at her question, nevertheless, she was keen to get rid of these bothersome memories that troubled her.

"I don't know. I get flashes of images at times, like some memories from the past. I think they are some buried memories from my childhood."

"You don't remember your childhood?" Maurya asked, unwittingly stirred by the upheaval palpable in her eyes.

"I was found unconscious near a river. Some of the students of Mohandham found me by the wayside and they carried me back to the township. Jaydev Mohan sir and his wife took care of me and gave me shelter."

Maurya was utterly shaken by her revelation, "How old were you when they found you?"

"Seven..."

"Before that?"

"I don't remember anything before that...Hence, I asked you if we had met earlier," Dharma shed light on her question.

There comes a moment in everyone's life that suggests an unspecified sense of something ending and something else beginning, an impending shift in the planned scheme of things. So far, Maurya had been convinced by the knowledge that irrespective of his attraction for her,  he was immune to Dharma's magnetism. He had taken pride in the fact that he was capable of resisting strong feminine allure. And in spite of his refusal to be swayed by her beauty and personality, he sensed a presage about their connection. Added to it, was Shankaran's admonition which Maurya felt, played greatly on his mind at the moment.

"No, we haven't met earlier. Even if we had, it wouldn't have been so unforgettable that you are haunted by it," with a deliberateness that shunned her suppositions, Maurya began to concentrate on his food.

Sufficiently reminded of her absurdity, Dharma wished she had not been so dumb to talk about her silly beliefs. Swallowing her pride, she searched for topics to overcome the awkward silence. She recalled that he said he had wanted to discuss the trip with her.

"I am planning to meet this caretaker of the sun temple during the trip. I would like to depict some parts of his narration in the show. I hope it is alright?"

"How do you plan to do it? Your designs are already approved," Maurya asked, his gaze shifting to her.

"Either, I will do it as an anecdote in between the show or talk about it as the show-stopper makes an entry," she suggested.

"Have you decided on the show-stopper?"

"I thought I will ask Sonia. She might have a better idea."

"What about you? Why don't you participate in the show and be the show-stopper?"

"Me? I don't think so," Dharma replied, surprised by his recommendation.

"Why not? You have walked the ramp so what is the problem?"

"I did it only once. I don't think I will be able to carry it off confidently," she replied, sipping the juice.

"Think over it."

Dharma nodded, wishing she had many more ideas to share with him.

"How are your friends Kamya and Brahim?"

"They are good. I am moving into their apartment next month."

"You are quitting the hostel?"

"Yes, I share the room with six other girls and it is very cramped."

"The area where Brahim stays is much better than the one where your hostel is in..." he observed aloud.

Dharma realized that he knew more about her life than she did.  She wanted to know about his childhood, his hobbies, and everything else outside his work but she shrank from it. He always carried an air of remoteness that discouraged anyone from getting close to him.

"Anything else?" he asked her, catching her unawares. She shook her head and he gestured to the waiter for the bill.

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

Chaitanya scowled at the growing lateness of the hour. It was almost ten and Dharma had not yet made an appearance. Where was she? Was she staying in that scrawny friend's house? He hated those friends of Dharma. They regarded him so condescendingly; as if he was some misbegotten youth. In truth, he should be the one who should consider those strays with utter contempt. Growing up in an orphanage with no knowledge of their parents, they should be gratified that Chaitanya deigned to talk to them. And Dharma! Shouldn't she be pleased that a man like him born in a noteworthy community is paying her attention? God knows who her parents were! Probably, was born out of wedlock.

The night got colder and he felt the chill in his bones. He considered returning to his inn. At once, he saw the headlights of a luxurious car and he ducked behind a tree.

The car drew to a stop in front of the hostel gate. Chaitanya saw Dharma getting out of the car as he waited breathlessly for the car to leave. The moment the car pulled away; he crossed the road hurriedly.

In the process of opening the gate, Dharma paused when someone called out her name.

**********

As soon as Dharma was out of the car, Maurya lost no time in speeding away. There was a storm brewing inside him. Not knowing how to quell it, he recognized that the turmoil centered around Dharma. Even though he put up a strong resistance, he could not refute that the wall he had built around him was crumbling little by little. And it plagued him greatly.

Why was her childhood similar to his? He had no idea where he was from, like she had no memory of her parents. She was found near a river whereas he walked out of the sea. What was it that connected them?

He stopped at the signal at the end of the road and took a chance to glance at the rear-view mirror. To his surprise, he saw Dharma still in front of the gate talking to someone. He peered at the reflection through the outside mirror. There was a man, holding her hand. Dharma's body language indicated that she was agitated. She was trying to shove his hand away.

Maurya swerved the car and took the free left turn. Then, reversing the car, he headed back to the hostel.

Yakshagni - An odyssey of unbroken devotion - II

 13) Return of the Stalker

Chaitanya finished his breakfast and rushed out of the hotel to the next street where Dharma was staying in Roohi Manzil. He had been tracking Dharma's daily pattern for a week now and he knew the time of the local bus that she took every morning to her office. He strode quickly to his usual spot. There was a jogger's park opposite Dharma's bus stop and he took a seat in the park from where the bus stop was visible. He checked to see if his shades were in place, and the hood he wore concealed his face from her view.

Chaitanya's life was at a good node, where everything was happening as per his wishes. He had taken possession of his in-law's house in Bilaspur and his wife, Seema was in the hospital, getting medical treatment. From what he had learnt in the hospital; it would take many months for Seema to recover. Hence, he was free to pursue Dharma. When Chaitanya's father was alive, he used to say that Chaitanya was as stubborn as a mule. He supposed he was what his father had called because he had never let go of anything that he had wanted in his life. And now, he wanted Dharma, with a desperation that shocked him. He was willing to forego all the material acquisitions that he had gained, for Dharma.

As he waited breathlessly, he saw her arrive. In a purple tunic and black cotton trousers, she looked so appealing that it made a mockery of his conception of beauty. He spied her as she checked her mobile and then drank water from the bottle.

The vision of Dharma, like the rainbow on a pristine blue sky, made him blink in wonder. It was hard to catch sight of a rainbow but it was harder to find someone as lovely as Dharma. Even if she was unobtainable; he was going to hunt her till she became a part of his world.

All of a sudden, Dharma glanced up. Head tilted, her eyes wandered around the road and the park. They fastened on him but he had turned his face away. Although he had wanted her to acknowledge him, he knew it was not the right time to get her attention. In a week, his plan would unfold. Till then, he had to watch her from a distance.

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

Dharma saw him once again in the park; the man with the hood and shades. She had noticed him in the same spot for the last couple of days. At first, she had ignored him but later, her sixth sense forewarned her. Reflecting upon her intuition, she studied him. From this distance, it was not possible to identify. Moreover, his hood and shades hid his face from her vision. The bus arrived and casting aside her suspicion, she surmised that she probably suffered from a disorder called scopophobia. Forgetting the stranger, she considered the tasks that she had to finish at work. Mrs. Singh had promised to message Dharma about the accommodations available in Mehsana.

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

Maurya was once again haunted by a nightmare and he woke up in a sweat. It was the same harrowing dream where he was drowning in darkness, engulfed by gushing waves. But this time, he was not searching for anyone. Wide awake, he rose and checked his messages and emails.

There were many missed calls from Shankaran Murthy. In exasperation, he returned the call after a cup of black coffee and breakfast.

"Hello, Mr. Maurya, how are you doing?" Shankaran greeted.

"I am good! If you have called me to persuade me to come to Anuragnicheri, I am sorry it is not possible," Maurya informed the older man bluntly.

"Listen to me first. I am coming to see you tomorrow. Please be available and if you are a busy person, make an appointment for me. Message me the time and I will see you then."

"You are quite a persistent man, Mr. Murthy. I must give you that. Anyway, I am free tomorrow. You can meet me anytime in the office."

"Message me the address. I will be there," Shankaran Murthy affirmed.

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

"Done!" Shankaran Murthy declared with a smile.

"What did he say?" Dushyant asked his friend.

"Well, he said he was free tomorrow and he can meet me anytime."

"At least he is polite. Some of these young men are so abrupt with elders now."

"I agree but Maurya has always been gracious to me even when he was not so pleased about owning a run-down house."

"Where did you say Mahendran sir found him?"

"Maurya was being taken from a boat to a bus by a group of child traffickers. Sir found him in the nick of time," Shankaran repeated what Mahendran had narrated to him.

"How did sir reach the place in time? Did he get any information?"

Frowning, Shankaran answered, "That I don't know."

"Hmm, which place was this?"

"Near Mangapuram. Why so much interest in Maurya?"

"Nothing, I just wondered if sir has got anything to do with Maurya's past," Dushyant voiced his thoughts.

"I don't think so. If that had been the case, sir would not have left Maurya in Delhi."

"True! Anyway, I will be travelling next week to Chanderi. I will leave you an address, you can contact me if required."

"What an enchanting life you lead! Look at me, all the time looking at dead bodies and studying them..." a long sigh escaped Shankaran.

"But I remember you told me once that they fascinated you and the stories behind the lifeless faces persuaded you to find out their truth," Dushyant reminded Shankaran.

"Yes, that is true! It fascinates me to dig into their former existence. That is how I came to know that the human bone found in the house called Avadhi was more than a hundred years old."

"But who lived in the house? Someone in the village should know," Dushyant queried.

"I have asked everyone but no one seems to know. They say that the village had only a small number of houses, hundred years ago. And no one is aware that a woman had lived in the house. As far as they know, the house has been locked for several years. Some even say that it has a treasure buried underneath, while others whisper that it is haunted."

"Sir never revealed anything to you?"

"Never, he only handed me the letter and keys, and asked me to inform Maurya about it at a particular time."

"Typical of Mahendran sir!"

"Yes!"

"You know there is something else I discovered about the bone," Shankaran's voice dropped lower and Dushyant chuckled, "You are scaring me now Shankaran."

"There is something different about the DNA," Shankaran said thoughtfully.

"What? Don't tell me it is not human."

"Of course, it belongs to a woman. I don't know if she was poisoned or murdered but there is something odd about her."

"What do you mean?"

"I just got one piece of the bone. I am curious to check for more of them."

"Oh, that is why you are so eager to get the house opened."

"That too and also it was Mahendran sir's wish. I want to carry them out."

"Yes, I understand."

"I was an orphan and he took care of me, brought me up like a son, and ensured that I had a good life."

"He was a father figure to so many of us."

"Yes, but Dushyant, you had a family, then why did you come to him for studies?"

"Well, like I told you I was entrusted with a lifelong task. And to get an idea about it, I joined Mahendran sir's class. He had knowledge about such things."

"So, he knew you were searching for your ancestor's cenotaph?"

"Yes, he knew that I was devoted to my mission. He was the one who directed me to find a clue in the cenotaphs. You know, he does not disclose anything. He only directs you," Dushyant recalled his mentor's traits with affection.

"I agree...Anyway, I will let you know the progress I made with Maurya and you tell me about your discoveries."

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

Dharma and the team would be staying in Ahmedabad and travelling to Modhera. There was Dharma and, Mitali and Nikhil, from Krishna Industries. Nikhil was also familiar with the local language. They planned to stay for three days and Dharma was asked to make appointments with the concerned authorities to seek permission for the show. Engrossed in the work, she did not realize that it was already eight when she finished her calls. Most of the staff had left and Dharma ordered take-out before leaving.

Dharma left the office, snacking on the burger. When she took a seat on the bus, she thought she saw the same hooded man near the rear of the bus. She turned to check but did not see anyone. Grimacing at her hyperactive imagination, she settled near the window to watch the passing view of the city streets. As usual, she took great pleasure in viewing the mundane way of life on the streets. It gave her a sense of peace to watch children playing unconcernedly on the streets, to see people hurrying home after work, to observe shop sellers urging their customers to buy their products and someone else haggling with a roadside vendor. When she caught a glimpse of other lives moving at a sedate pace, she felt an ephemeral assurance of the equanimity of her life. Often, Dharma had this impression about time rushing her; that she had to dash somewhere to complete a task. Nonetheless, when she watched the humdrum life getting along, it accorded her a sense of tranquillity.

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

The next day, Maurya waited for Shankaran Murthy. In fact, he was curious to meet this very cultured, at least he sounded so on the phone, and persistent man. All the same, when he met Shankaran Murthy, he was surprised to learn that he was a forensic expert and an orphan like him.

"Mahendran sir was kind to me and like in your case, he took care of me," Shankaran's words broke the ice. Somehow, Maurya warmed up to the man as soon as he heard about his life with Mahendran Namboodri. He felt he had found a compatriot in Shankaran Murthy. They talked about Mahendran Namboodri and discussed Shankaran's reason for the visit.

"Maurya, I have to check if there are more bones scattered in the house and I need to verify them. For Mahendran sir's sake, you have to open the door of Avadhi. If not to take possession of the house, at least to uphold sir's wish, come to the village."

"I will come but I have only one problem," Maurya answered sheepishly.

"What is it?"

"Mahendran sir has mentioned in his letter that I should visit Avadhi only with my soulmate."

"So? Is that a problem? Don't you have a girlfriend?"

"I have a fiancée."

"Problem solved. Take her along with you," Shankaran advised.

Sighing, Maurya uttered those words finally, "She is not my soulmate."

Shankaran's eyes widened in a mixture of confusion and sympathy. His glance seemed to question, "Then why did you get engaged?" but Shankaran did not ask.

"You may not realize that she is your soulmate now but you have chosen her to be your lifelong partner. Hence, I don't think there will be a problem."

"It is not that simple," Maurya extracted Mahendran's letter from the folder and showed it to Shankaran.

"Please read it..."

Shankaran's expression went through a transformation after reading it, a thread of fear in his eyes. Shankaran repeated a line from the letter," One wrong step and you will wind up in the jaws of hell...Good gracious!"

"I know right?" Maurya smiled at Shankaran's reaction.

Shankaran read aloud, "Only your true love will guide you in the right direction to accomplish your task," he glanced at Maurya and quizzed, "And you think that your fiancée is not your true love?"

Maurya nodded, revealing his innermost thoughts to Shankaran, "Frankly speaking, I don't know what true love is. How do you perceive true love when you are not even sure that it is what you want," he paused and asked, "Does a human not follow his needs? Then where is this demand for true love?"

Shankaran chuckled, "Today's youth have no concept of love. You people get engaged to post pretty pictures on social media."

Maurya grinned, "A) I am not a teenager, and B) I did not get engaged to post pictures." He pondered how Shankaran would react if he told him the truth behind his decision to propose to Rashika.

"You may not but most others do that," Shankaran smirked.

"What about you? Didn't Mahendran sir ask you to find a soulmate?" Maurya asked curiously. Shankaran Murthy was handsome in a classical sense. He mulled if Shankaran had ever found an appropriate partner.

"I never looked for a partner. I was happy being single. And to answer your question, no! Sir never insisted on me finding a partner. And sir must have been certain that you would find yours. Hence, he gave that instruction to you."

Maurya shrugged, not believing any of the stuff that Shankaran was saying.

"Anyway, you have to come to Anuragnicheri sometime. I suggest you bring your fiancée and get the job done. Then, at least you can dispose of the house and move forward in life."

"Let me get back to you. But you will certainly see me soon," Maurya promised, not certain what he was going to do.

After talking to Maurya in person, Shankaran was satisfied that the young man would keep his word.

"My driver will drop you back at your hotel."

Maurya accompanied Shankaran to the exit door.

"See you soon Maurya. And remember to bring your soulmate to the village," Shankaran teased, adding, "You know who is a soulmate, right?" Maurya gave a dry amused glance at Shankaran who continued, "Someone with whom you feel comfortable, someone who understands you...."

"Got it. I think most of the staff in the office feel comfortable with me and understand me. So, I guess, that explains it..."

Shankaran's face beamed with humour, "According to theosophy, a subject I have learnt and I presume that I am an expert at; when two souls seek each other to fulfil a karmic debt, they will come together for the ultimate." He paused to discern Maurya's face, "And mark my words, there will be undeniable attraction and union of hearts. You will be drawn to her helplessly," Unaware that his words had made an impact on Maurya, Shankaran nodded as the car pulled up to the patio of the entrance.

Shankaran's words stirred a recognition of similar feelings in Maurya. Staring at the taillights of the car, Maurya acknowledged the depth of his attraction for the first time. He recalled the night when she had saved him from danger. Was he helplessly drawn to her?

He pivoted on his heels, only to stop short on seeing the woman who occupied his thoughts.

Yakshagni - An odyssey of unbroken devotion - II

 12) A Glimpse of Modhera

"Modhera? Where is that?" Maurya demanded.

"It is in Mehsana, Gujarat," Dharma displayed the pictures of the town on the screen, each slide showing the grandeur of the Sun temple.

"And here is the flight of steps from where the models will enter the ramp," Dharma moved to the next slide and continued, "This is the step-well, and a narrow platform around it allows us space for a catwalk. It is also a perfect venue for still photographs for the annual calendar."

"Will we get permission for such a show?" Tapan asked

"It is a protected monument, but they do conduct annual dance festivals," Dharma replied, waiting for Maurya's response.

"Even if the styles of my designs are trendy, their prints are traditional. It is a fusion and to showcase such outfits, it will be ideal if we offer a glimpse of it in the backdrop of a monument that belongs to another time. It will give us an exotic label," Dharma explained, trying to gain the confidence of others around her.

"I think it is an excellent idea," Akhil Sampat, the marketing executive who had appreciated her silently at the last meeting, praised her proposal.

"Yes, it will be a good opportunity for Index Fashions to gain some publicity," Sonia approved and Dharma conferred her a grateful look.

"I agree but what about the expenditure?" Tapan inquired

"We will have to work out the specifics," Maurya answered, gazing at the pictures on the screen. Dharma heaved a sigh of relief, at least he hadn't dismissed her proposal.

"But Maurya, how is it possible to invite guests and models to some godforsaken village? It will ruin our show," Clearly, Rashika disapproved and Dharma did not expect anything else from her.

"I agree, it will cost us too much to conduct our show in some unheard of place, plus, if we don't sell, we will accrue huge losses," Lekha, like always, reiterated Rashika's point.

"As it is, Index does not sell much, so, it hardly matters," Tapan's sardonic response drew much amusement around the table although Rashika and Lekha were definitely not pleased about it. Tapan continued, "To gain some, we have to lose some. And if we stand to gain more, why not try it?"

"I think Dharma's proposal will pave a new path for Index Fashion. If we cover the event adequately in the press, then it will be a drawing card for us," Sonia's viewpoint elicited more opinions, most of them in agreement with the idea.

"Mitali, work out the cost for the whole show and give me the details by next week. Dharma, provide details of the apparel, cost, and execution as early as possible. Find out the ideal time to have the show there. A team from Index and Krishna must visit the town and collect information about the permits and availability. Dharma, I want you to accompany the teams," Maurya directed.

Dharma nodded, excitement rising at the thought of visiting a new place, especially an architectural legacy like Modhera.

The meeting ended and Maurya, followed by Rashika left the room. Others streamed out gradually.

"Hey, congrats!" Tapan offered his hand and Dharma's vibrant smile took him by surprise.

"Thank you for the support. I hope I will be able to pull this off successfully."

"Of course, you will!"

"I will bug you if I need any clarification," Dharma said, sliding the bag over her shoulder.

"Thanks for the warning. I think I will go on a long holiday."

Dharma jabbed his arm with her phone, and together, they exited the room.

"Bye Tapan, see you later."

"Care for a cup of coffee?"

"In your room? Thanks! I will pass," Dharma's response evinced his indignation.

"Dharma!" he shrieked airily, and Dharma chuckled at his antics. "That was rude. I will keep in mind your disrespect," his mock outrage drew Dharma's laughter.

"Disrespect?" she teased

"Yes, my studio is my shrine."

"Right, I am sorry."

"No need. I was kidding," Tapan slid his arms around her shoulder in a warm hug and they parted.

In the car, Dharma thanked Sonia profusely for her support. Even if Dharma was aware that Sonia had taken advantage of the situation to settle her own score with Lekha, she was grateful that Sonia had stood by her till the end.  She learnt later that Sonia had been as naïve and enthusiastic as Dharma when she had joined the firm but Lekha had peeled away her innocence, baring her to a world where sincere friendships had no place. Consequently, Sonia had hardened herself.

"And you know Dharma when Index Fashion changed hands and Maurya became the chief, I was the happiest person. I could see that he was more open to new ideas and people. Rashika changed all that and once again, I was thrown back to the same situation."

Dharma listened quietly, hoping that she would not have to face what Sonia had in her career.

"But somewhere along the years, I learnt to voice my opinion and I am glad that I did today. I know Maurya would listen to me. I realize that we connect at a different level," Sonia's revealing words stirred Dharma's doubts. She shot a glance at the other woman and noticed the dreamy expression.

When she tried to sleep that night, she thought of Maurya, Rashika, Lekha, and Sonia and how their interpersonal relationships affected their work.

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

Maurya stared at the gossamer night through the large window and reflected on the day's activities. Amidst the clutter of images from the day, he recollected the architectural beauty of the monument that Dharma had displayed on the screen. Somehow, the pictures stayed with him. He browsed for the place called Modhera. When the pictures appeared on the screen, he was once again intrigued by the monument. There was something about the pillars and domes that piqued his curiosity. The dazzling and awe-inspiring structure took his breath away and tempted him to visit the place. When a strange yearning arose in him, he was startled to realize that he wanted to go to Modhera with Dharma.

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

The next day, there was a slanging match between Lekha and Sonia in the office. Their argument echoed around the building. Besides, Rashika was not present in the office that day. Dharma plugged her earphones and blocked the discord. She had no interest in listening to the war of words between Sonia and Lekha. However, it was a much-needed fight and Dharma hoped that they would resolve their differences by the end of the row. The bulk production of export orders arrived and Dharma was busy checking, re-checking, and then preparing counterfoil for the buyers. The documents for the shipment had to be drawn and hence Dharma worked in tandem with the respective departments. It took her an entire day to dispatch the cartons. By the end of the day, she had no time to work on the upcoming Index Fashions show. Meanwhile, Dharma was invited personally to a party that Tapan was throwing to celebrate his show's success. Dharma pondered if she should show up. Tapan had been very helpful to her and not attending the party would be impolite on her part. She also learnt that he had invited only a select staff from the office. Pooja was one of them and they decided to attend the party together.

Tapan lived in an independent house. Dharma, who had known about the party the previous day, had worn a jacket over a black top, for work. She removed the jacket before joining the party. In pastel green trousers and a black silk top, Dharma looked stunning.

Tapan welcomed them warmly. Other than the staff members from Krishna Industries, there were a few well-known designers and some talented artists. Tapan introduced Dharma to his friends. She mingled with ease. Some of them were pretentious but Dharma did not mind. She enjoyed discussing the latest trends and fashion. Drinks flowed freely and the snacks tasted delicious. Helping Tapan as a host, was a gorgeous model whom Tapan had known since school. Together, they took care of the guests. Kedar and Vishu Marco made a brief appearance but left quite early. Akhil Sampat, the marketing executive from Krishna Industries hovered around Dharma most of the time, hoping to catch her attention.

When she helped herself to a plate of snacks, he approached her, "Hi Dharma, remember we met earlier?"

"I do," she smiled at him.

"How long have you worked for Index? The last meeting was the first time I saw you."

"It is almost three months now. Have you worked here long?"

"Oh, I joined as soon as I stepped out of college. Maurya has been my mentor and guide."

"Oh!"

"But I haven't come across anyone who spoke to him as boldly as you did at the last meeting," Akhil gushed, surrounding her with a whiff of the overpowering scent of the cologne he wore.

"Really, I suppose I must thank my stars for the honour," she replied, meaning it in light humour.

Akhil burst out laughing, arresting everyone's attention in the room. Dharma mused if she had been really that funny.

"Sorry! You are so funny," he explained and Dharma gave a dry smile, picking a piece of Hariyali Kebabs and tasting it delicately. It was then that she saw Maurya at the end of the room. She tensed, swallowing the piece of food with difficulty. Akhil was narrating an anecdote from his school days but her attention stayed on Maurya. He had changed from his formal clothes and now, wore a light cream linen shirt and white cotton trousers. Dharma's eyes wandered around the room, trying to find another man as suave as Maurya. She failed to find one, chiding herself for the futile exercise.

Listening to Akhil was like hearing a tap of water flow continuously without any pause. The tediousness of his topic and the monotony of his modulation bored Dharma but politeness was second nature to her, and she indulged him, hoping that someone would rescue her.

Her guardian angel was none other than Maurya himself. As soon as Akhil saw him, he stopped his monologue and greeted his boss.

Nodding, Maurya asked, "Enjoying?" including Dharma in his amused glance.

"Yes sir, your glass is empty. Shall I get you something?" Akhil asked devotedly.

Maurya cast a glance at his glass and asked Akhil to get his favourite blend of whisky. When Akhil hurried to please his boss, Maurya grinned at Dharma, "You must thank me for rescuing you. Akhil gets carried away at times."

"He worships you," Dharma answered self-consciously. She saw Tapan and Pooja stealing curious glances at them.

Maurya shrugged, regarding the gathering with a distracted glance.

"How did you come up with a place like Modhera? Have you been there?" he asked with interest.

Her eyes clashed with his, "No, never been there but it popped up on my screen some days ago and I was enchanted by its rich architecture. Then, a few days ago, a friend of mine mentioned this place casually."

"It is a very engrossing monument," Maurya commented, his attention drawn to her magnificent eyes like a magnet.

"Yes, it was built during the reign of Bhima I of the Chalukya Dynasty around the year 1026."

"What? Is it that old?" Maurya asked in astonishment.

"It was built as a temple for the Sun Lord. The main chamber is designed in such a way that the first rays of the rising sun light up the image of Surya during solar equinox days and on the summer solstice day, the sun shines directly above the temple at noon casting no shadow."

"Whew, amazing!" Maurya exclaimed, watching her face light up with excitement.

"There are almost hundred and eight tiny shrines for various gods and demi-gods around the step well," Dharma added.

"Is there regular worship now?"

"No, regular worship stopped long ago when the main temple was destroyed and the idols were mutilated by invaders. You can learn many more stories from a priest who stays close to the vicinity. He has been taking care of the temple."

"How do you know all these?" an attentive Maurya queried.

"The one and only..." she named a popular search engine and a genuine smile appeared on his face, arresting Dharma's attention. He looked younger when he smiled like that, thought Dharma.

"Sir," Akhil returned with Maurya's favourite blend.

Someone else approached Maurya and drew his attention. Excusing herself, Dharma escaped from Akhil's cloying presence.

When she returned to the hostel, Dharma rehashed her conversation with Maurya like a broken record.