Yakshagni - An odyssey of unbroken devotion - II

 23) The Unforeseen Attack

At Vasukinath's house, Rashika and Maurya continued to accept good wishes from the guests.

Rashika remarked, "I didn't know Tapan is dating Dharma. Trust her to catch the most eligible bachelor in the company," her aversion to Dharma was obvious. 

Maurya questioned, his displeasure apparent, "Meaning?"

"I mean that for a nobody like her, Tapan must be a great catch."

"Don't judge everyone with your disposition."

"Why are you so riled up?"

"If you make sweeping statements about someone you hardly know, then I will have a say," Maurya retorted.

"I know that bitch. She has been working under me for months now. Let me be the judge of my employees," Rashika hissed.

"Then keep your opinion to yourself. Do not say it aloud."

"Don't tell me that Dharma has made an impression on you!"

Maurya snapped at her, "With such enormous talent, she would make an impression on anyone."

A guest came up to greet them and Rashika heaved a sigh of relief. She did start the bickering with Maurya, but she had not expected him to come to Dharma's defence so quickly. It infuriated her.

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

When Shankaran Murthy and Dushyant found an ancient manuscript that had some text about rivers, they were quite excited and hoped that they would find what they were looking for in the manuscript.

"You know Shankaran, in olden times, rivers too were accorded legal status," Dushyant divulged the piece of information that he had heard from his grandfather.

"You mean like human rights?"

"No, it means giving legal rights to non-human entities. Rivers were considered sacred then, of course even now some of them are venerated, but during those times, the law enforced legal standing to rivers. So, they could not be polluted. There were care-takers of the rivers who took responsibility for them."

"Who were the care-takers? Weren't the kingdoms, the official care-takers?"

"Yes, the natural resources were like these corporations that exist today...Aren't they provided legal rights? Similarly, there were societies then, that took care of such resources. All rivers were not used for commercial trade, only specific ones, and then there were other rivers which were used exclusively for hydro-therapy and healing," Dushyant explained what he had understood from his ancestors.

"No one could be more aware of the significance of water than our ancestors...From birth to death, our ceremonies use water. Without water, nothing can be consecrated for us."

"Yes, also those kingdoms had set very high standards for water and ecology conservation."

"Speaking of conservation, why did they burn down a thriving forest then?"

"There is a serpent in every paradise. I guess some monster started the ruin. It spelt the beginning of the end," Dushyant sighed, taking a brief break from studying the manuscripts. "Would you like a cup of coffee?"

"Sure, why not? I will take you to a place where you get the best filter coffee."

Later, sipping the aromatic coffee, Dushyant expressed, "It has been almost a week. I wish we find something in the palm leaf manuscripts. I know that one of the rivers held a staggering secret."

"The black hole?"

"Not black hole exactly."

"Right! Do you think global warming could have caused the rivers to dry up?" Shankaran asked thoughtfully.

"Maybe but it may not be the only reason. The rivers are shrinking under the weight of monstrously growing cities."

Returning to the library, they began to peruse the old manuscripts that had hymns dedicated to rivers. Names of many rivers had changed over time and some of the rivers like Sarasvati had dried up and some others had dwindled to a stream.

Reading aloud from the leaf of a text, Dushyant excitedly pointed out a verse that was an ode to a river,

"O Brahma O Vodya,

First united and then divided,

Flowing across three lands,

Like a chariot, you race towards

The churning ocean..."

"See, this is about the river Brahma-Vodya. There were five great rivers in those times, one of them was Brahma-Vodya."

"What are the others?"

"That is what I am trying to find. If I can trace one of them, then I can unravel the mystery."

"By tracing the river, what can you find?" Shankaran asked mystified.

"The modern cities on the bank of the rivers are like a palimpsest; rewritten on the history of the old settlement. Traces of the old way of life can be found somewhere. If we look in the right places, we can find something."

Despite the slow progress, Shankaran was very happy to read through the old manuscripts and acquire knowledge of the bygone times. He was taking down the names of unheard-of kingdoms when Dushyant cried out, "Oh god! Look at this Shankaran. We have found the rare name of a river..."

"Oh, what is it?"

"I believe people of the ancient kingdom of Alaka worshipped this river..."

"And?"

"It was called River Yakshagni! There is a poem on the river."

"Read it..."

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

Dharma finished work late and took an auto home. Through the last two days, her mind had padlocked itself on that moment when Maurya and she had feasted their eyes on each other at the party. She had seen the leap of interest in his eyes, but then all of a sudden, he had turned angry, and she had been flummoxed by his volte-face. What had brought it on? Her thoughts swirled in a vicious circle over and over again.

The auto stopped at the signal and she checked her mobile for messages. A man jumped into the auto, startling Dharma. She was shocked by the sight of a bulky man in a hood beside her. Violently offended by the brazen manner in which he planted himself in her space, Dharma shrank into the corner of the auto and snarled contemptuously, "Who the hell are you?"

The auto-driver turned around and ordered the man to get out. The man pushed the hood back from his head and regarded Dharma with glee, "Hello Dharma, we meet once again."

The despicable face of Chaitanya enraged Dharma, "What the fuck are you doing here?"

The driver glanced at Chaitanya and then at Dharma, "do you know him?" he asked her.

"Yes, we are old friends..." Chaitanya answered, stroking her cheek. Jerking her face away, she tried to jump out of the auto from the other side but Chaitanya caught hold of her tightly, "Don't move girl or I will slit your throat."

At his threat, Dharma whipped her face back at him and viewed the pen-knife in horror. The signal turned green, and the auto driver hastened the vehicle. Understanding the gravity of the situation, he drove towards the nearest police station.

Chaitanya cupped her face and declared fervently, "I love you so much, Dharma, come with me. I will make you the happiest person in the world."

Chaitanya's eyes were fixed intensely on her face, and hence, he did not take note of Dharma's left-hand sneaking into her bag. She found the spray tin inside and removed the cap without making a noise.

Wrenching her face from his hold, she slapped him hard in the moving auto. A furious Chaitanya raised his hand to slap her back but she extracted the tin of spray from her bag swiftly and sprayed the fiery liquid on him.

Screaming in agony, Chaitanya covered his face at once; the auto driver turned around in fright. Dharma asked him to slow down.

"Didi, I am driving to the police station. It is just ten minutes away."

"Take him to the station but I am jumping out."

Thrusting Chaitanya away, Dharma tried to bounce out of the auto. Rubbing his eyes, Chaitanya realized that Dharma was escaping. He grabbed her ankle quickly and held on to it hard.

Dharma struggled to break away from Chaitanya's hold. The driver noticed her struggle and slowed the auto once more. Using the only option she had, Dharma jammed her two fingers on Chaitanya's neck, precisely on the running veins. His hold slackened on her ankle. She pushed him back and jumped out of the auto. Chaitanya shut his eyes in pain and lost consciousness.

The driver gaped at his passengers and shrieked, "Is he dead?"

"No, I have only rendered him unconscious. Now, take him to the police station and inform them that he was troubling a girl." The driver nodded his head approvingly and stated, "I wish every girl learnt that trick. I have two daughters and I am always worried about them."

"I learnt it in my school. Thank you!" she crossed the road and took another auto. This time, she was going back to her office.

***************.

The day was coming to an end and Maurya stared at his laptop screen without really seeing it. He viewed the figures and numbers abstractedly but nothing made sense. Of late, he found no pleasure in work. The uncontrollable desire to work non-stop had come down and the frightening compulsion that made him prioritize work over everything else had waned in the last few days.

"May I come in?" Tapan peeped from the doorway and Maurya's eyes glittered with cold fury. He nodded but feigned to be engrossed in the screen.

Tapan waited, and after fifteen minutes of silence in the room, he sat down. Maurya seemed absorbed in his work.

"I can come later if you are busy," Tapan suggested.

"What do you want?"

Tapan placed a sketch in front of Maurya. "That is a special outfit I have sketched. I was hoping that it would be displayed along with Dharma's at the Modhera fashion show."

Maurya studied the sketch, "Why are you so keen on showing your piece in Modhera?"

Relieved that Maurya was not angry with him, Tapan began to explain enthusiastically, "A ramp walk in Modhera is such a brilliant suggestion. I would love to have a show in a place like that. I looked up online about the monument the other day and I fell in love with it. Now, I am desperate to show at least one piece there."

"The show is Dharma's baby. Do you want to spoil her day by displaying your creation?"

"No, no, I don't want to spoil. I just want one piece of mine to be part of the show."

"No, it will be Dharma's exclusive show. Tapan, you are a sought-after designer. You will get many chances to have your own runway, especially in exotic fashion capitals."

"Dharma is also good," Tapan began but Maurya intervened.

"Yes, she is but this is her first show and I want her to be the focus of attention."

Tapan fell quiet. Maurya had not shown an iota of jealousy when he had taken Dharma to the party but now, he insisted that Dharma should have an exclusive show in Modhera. What the devil was going on in Maurya's head? Maybe Tapan was mistaken; Maurya, in all likelihood, considered Dharma as nothing but an employee. And if that was the case, then Tapan had no right to interfere. He must let things the way they are.

"Is that all or do you have anything else to discuss?" Maurya's curt tone reminded him that he was gawking at Maurya. The blandness of expression as Maurya stared at the screen could have fooled anyone but Tapan. He took a bet on his life that Maurya was mad at him.

Tapan sauntered to the door. Bingo!

"Next time, you want to spend time with Dharma, use your own turf," Maurya's voice rumbled across the room.

Tapan paused and whirled around slowly. If he had been alone, he would have pushed his fist into the air in delight.

"Care to explain?" Tapan challenged.

Maurya leaned back on his chair and sneered, "First the party, and now the fashion show? You want to date her, take her out to some other place. Don't use my territory..."

"I thought it was Rashika's territory."

Maurya's eyes narrowed at him, "What is your point?"

"Nothing. You are right I should take Dharma outside the office to get to know her," Tapan observed the savagery that gleamed at him, he continued in delight, "Thanks for the suggestion though."

Maurya threw a seething look at Tapan but was stopped from answering when his phone rang. Without glancing at it, he gnarled, "Hello!"

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

The moment Dharma reached her office, she asked the guard to let her inside, lying that she had forgotten something. Once she was inside the building, she gasped for air. She hadn't gone home because she had not wanted to reveal to Chaitanya that she was staying with Brahim and Kamya. She deemed it necessary to avoid exposing her friends to Chaitanya's evil schemes. He had known her hostel, and when he couldn't find her there, he had come to her office which meant that he was unaware of her new residence. Till she was certain that the creep was out of her life for good, she would prefer to stay put in the office. Who knows what he would do next! And by now, he may have already escaped from the clutches of the law.

That reminded her of Maurya informing her that he had asked a friend to take care of Chaitanya? She recalled the conversation with Maurya when she had pompously told him that she could take care of herself. What a fool she had been! She should have realized by then that Chaitanya was a dastardly human. Only someone as influential as Maurya could stop him.

Disturbed by the incident, she contemplated reporting it to Maurya. After all, he had made it plain that it was the responsibility of the company to take care of its employee's safety.

When Maurya answered her call, Dharma rushed along, "You said you took care of Chaitanya but he is still roaming around free. He jumped into the auto I was travelling in."

Hearing her incoherent words, Maurya rose from his seat in bewilderment, "What? I don't get you. What happened?"

"I was going home in an auto and he jumped into the auto forcefully. I tried to push him away but he threatened me with a knife."

Maurya's loud expletives seized Tapan's attention.

"Where are you now?" Maurya asked, battling with his inner demon for sanity.

"I am in the office. I thought it was safer to be here."

"Where is the bastard?"

"I knocked him out and asked the auto driver to take him to the nearest police station," Dharma confessed and it took a moment for Maurya to understand her.

"You did what?" Maurya flared, scowling at his watch and closing his laptop at the same time.

"I told you..."

"I heard you. Wait for me. Don't leave alone. This will be the last time the creep troubles you,"

When Maurya's phone rang, Tapan, assuming that it was Rashika, was preparing to leave, but seeing Maurya's outrage, he stopped.

"What is wrong Maurya? Who is troubling whom?"

Maurya marched out of his office and Tapan followed him.

"Maurya, answer me..."

"There is a piece of shit stalking Dharma from Parijatpur. I had asked someone to keep an eye on him. Apparently, he slipped out and now, almost attacked Dharma."

"Good lord!"

Maurya banged the door of his office shut with aggression.

"I am coming with you Maurya."

Maurya did not hear Tapan. He did not even protest when Tapan slid into the car. At the moment, all that mattered to him was Dharma. How frightened she must have been by the scumbag's perversion. Incensed by the gall of the man, he swore aloud, the bloody creep!

He put the pedal to the metal, almost disregarding traffic rules. He felt bloodthirsty. If he got his hand on that son of a bitch, he would kill him.