Yakshagni - An odyssey of unbroken devotion - II

 31) The Show-Stopper

Dharma viewed her reflection with cautious eyes. The full skirt was gathered at the waist and it flounced with flourish as it fell to her feet. Made of fine mulberry silk, the azure blue of the centre-piece fabric glowed on Dharma. Dark and bright shades of yellow, green, and orange represented the floral and leafy designs. The blouse in the same fabric buttoned down with tiny potlis in the front, dropped to a deep V at the back. Tiny mirrors dangled from the hem at the sleeves and the waist round of the blouse. Similar to a cropped top, the blouse ended at the midriff. A braided floral hip band was draped on one side of her waist. The crowning glory of the collection was the long scarf that Dharma wore on her head. The long train was filled with motifs that depicted the story of Modhera while the metal threaded heavy border fell over her forehead like a veil.

The show began as the heat rose off the paved platform. The wind shrieked, stripping the trees of leaves. The half-moon rose higher, struggling to peer out of the scattered clouds in the overcast sky. Somewhere close behind the ancient tower, the storm lingered, ambivalent about the course of the journey. The contorted streaks of lightning flashed, gleaming on the timeworn temple with luminance. The twilight seemed suspended on tenterhooks as if it waited with bated breath for the storm to spill out an eternal secret. The guests sighed in pleased anticipation as the enigma of the temple blended with the exotic night, evoking sighs of unfamiliar longings from the river and the surrounding greens.

One after the other, the models walked the ramp, their sway matching the strains of flute, sitar, and the beats of tabla. The musical piece that was called 'the secrets of the Cosmos' matched the theme of the show, 'A Walkway into the sunny past".

After two rounds of the catwalk, the lighting and the music changed. From backstage, Dharma began to narrate the story of Jalindra while a puppeteer dressed in traditional Kediyu and Chorno entered the arena to welcome the girls who had changed their outfits. They moved from one side to another transversely on the runway. The puppeteer demonstrated Jalindra's story through his art to the girls who sashayed around him. Dharma had added a twist to the story by concluding that Jalindra had been waiting for the love of his life and many decades later, he stumbled upon her as she walked out of the sun temple. She recited the verse that had been found on the cenotaph. Thereafter, Dharma handed the microphone to Sonia and prepared to make the grand entrance as the show-stopper.

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

Maurya sat with the guests on the first row, however at the sound of the rumbling sky, he excused himself and strolled to the end at the back. He felt an unspoken tension and deduced that he was feeling edgy due to the weather. Yet, like the building up of a climax, he sensed the advent of something very significant.

So far, the show was moving at a fabulous pace and Dharma's narration about Jalindra had captured everyone's attention. One more round of display and then it would be time for the center-piece and finale. He had learnt earlier that Jina had fallen sick and expected Dharma to display the final piece.

The lights went off for a second, plunging the area into darkness. A moment later, they were switched on, illuminating the steps of Sabha mandapa, and the spotlight zoomed on the entrance.

Dharma stepped out of the Sabha Mandapa and descended the steps with stunning poise. Her long skirt glittered as the special effects of the lighting focussed on her. With her hands on her hips, she posed at the midpoint of the runway.

Like a demigoddess, her compelling aura struck one with its power and effortless grace.

A standing ovation restored her confidence. Maurya was reminded of the first time he saw her in Parijatpur. Then, he had felt a sense of déjà vu. Now, he felt as if he had known her all his life.  Dharma reached the end of the ramp and pivoted on her heels unhurriedly as she displayed the headscarf. While she perched on the edge of one side of the Kund, a bolt of electrical discharge across the sky lit up Dharma's face. There was a collective gasp of consternation from the audience. Following the stroke of lightning, the crashing sound of thunder resonated from somewhere nearby.

Every part of Maurya's body went on a pause; including his brain. He felt like someone had punched him hard. He paled, and as the exclamations from the heavens reverberated on the Earth, Maurya's brain made a strange and forceful connection.

Without being aware of it, he whispered the name, "Hanneli"

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

When Rashika did not find Maurya, her eyes wandered around the area. Disgruntled at Maurya, she saw Dharma enter the ramp. She had to agree, albeit grudgingly that Dharma had indeed done a remarkable job of putting together the show with perfection. Nonetheless, Rashika envied the competence of Dharma. As the guests showed their appreciation with applause, the inklings of a potential danger plagued her. Her searching gaze fell on Maurya. He was staring at Dharma, arrested by her appearance. Rashika's body turned numb with shock as she noted his reaction.

She had never seen that expression on Maurya's face. All through her growing-up years, she had desperately wanted him to look at her with that need, but she grappled with the realization now that Maurya had never been in love with her.  Resentment arose as she watched him.

In his gazing eyes, she glimpsed the loverlike adoration, the craving for intimacy, and a man's pride for his woman. The realization defeated her with its unmitigable truth. In despair, she sensed that Maurya had never been hers. Like the quite recent thunderbolt, the thought came crashing down on her.

The music reached its crescendo. The models filed in a row for the finale, posing on the terrace and the steps of the water tank. The last model swaggered on the runway with the star of the show, Dharma. The guests rose in acknowledgement on learning that she was the designer. They gave a resounding applause.

Pictures were clicked and the lights were switched on. While the sky groaned with another rolling thunder, the clouds burst open; quelling the storm and cooling the scorched land.

There was chaos all around. The guests ran helter-skelter, looking for shelter. The models and Dharma rushed back to the halls.

Amidst the confusion, Modhera had awakened a moment of epiphany for Maurya. From an indecipherable memory, he recognized Dharma as Hanneli. He didn't know if it alluded to a haunting dream or another life. In consequence, that night took him on a backward journey on the timeline. Like Jalindra, he became haunted, unable to recall the place and time when he had met Dharma as Hanneli.

Since Ayesha, Dharma, and Sonia had expected the rainstorm, they provided the guests with an umbrella and an escort to their vehicle. Each one of the guests sought Maurya to express their gratitude and appreciation for the show and the location. Most of them promised to get back to him. Some of them wished to meet Dharma and Sonia introduced them to Dharma.

In spite of the rains, Tapan did not fail to meet the press members to declare, "So here is our designer Dharma. As you have witnessed, she is going to create ripples across the fashion industry."

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

Dharma was overwhelmed by the response. There were notable guests who sought her out to congratulate her; some of them handed their business cards to her. Others sounded rapturous about the choice of location even if the storm had given rise to a glint of primal fear. Apparently, the fearsome weather had added an otherworldly fascination to Modhera.

She saw Dushyant waving at her. He was carrying an extra umbrella and offered it to her.

"See, the storm waited for your show to get over."

Smiling fondly at his remark, Dharma thanked him for coming over to watch the show.

"I thoroughly enjoyed it. Great work. I am sure I will see your name soon on the papers."

"Oh, she will definitely appear there..."

Both Dushyant and Dharma turned around as Tapan made his observation aloud.

"This is Tapan, the star designer of Krishna Industries," Dharma introduced.

"You are the star now. It was a good show, Dharma. You were splendid..." He drew her into a friendly embrace. Dharma was touched by Tapan's words.

Despite the numerous compliments, Dharma's eyes searched for Maurya. She hadn't met him after the show and she was eager to know his opinion.

"The way you depicted Jalindra's story was amazing. Keep up the good work Dharma, and if God is kind enough, we will meet once again. I must take your leave," Dushyant patted her arm and took his leave. Other guests rushed back to their hotels before the weather deteriorated further.

The wind had slowed down so Ayesha and her team were able to dismantle the makeshift structures. Tapan took care of the press members, and Sonia ensured that all the guests left safely. Maurya requested Rashika to accompany the director of the state tourism development corporation of Gujarat to her hotel in Ahmedabad. He stayed back to oversee the wind-up. The models, makeup artists, and technicians left on the bus. Dharma, Pooja, and the rest of the team stayed behind to pack up.

"Thankfully, we didn't have to alter the settings due to the rain," Ayesha commented as her workers carried back the chairs from the halls.

"It was organized meticulously, Ayesha. Thanks so much. I hope we will work together for the next show."

"Oh, you bet! And you looked gorgeous Dharma. Best wishes for the next. Time to go now. I will see you in Delhi. I need to settle the bills at the office."

"Sure! I will take you out for a treat then..." Dharma's suggestion was received with a bear hug.

"I am looking forward to it. Bye and take care, Dharma!"

After Ayesha left, Dharma sauntered outside to view the surroundings of the temple. The rain had abated but the sky was still leaden. She went down the steps and watched some of the workers loading trucks with chairs and poles. Pausing near the tank, she felt the cool breeze brushing her cheeks softly.

For the first time in her life, Dharma experienced blissful contentment. She looked up at the sky and bestowed a lovely smile on the infinite stretch of velvet.

"Careful! The steps are slippery..." Maurya's voice jolted her. She thought he had left with Rashika. She turned to him, and in the prevailing darkness, she observed his eyes searching her face.

"Good job!"

His simple words of praise exulted her. Her radiant smile clutched his heart. Except for one or two lights near Gudhamandapa, the rest of the place remained dark, refreshed from the rainstorm but raring to etch a place in the odyssey of the moving time.

The night closed in on them, enticing Maurya to brush her chin with the tip of his finger. A startled Dharma shrank from the desire that leapt in his eyes. Her reticence snapped something inside him. He leaned forward and drew her lips in an intimate kiss. The success of her show, the rain-washed greens, and Maurya's attention wrung her emotions erratically and she convinced herself these were what persuaded her to respond. The languorous pleasure that washed over Dharma, induced her to surrender her senses to him. Maurya's arm went around her waist and drew her closer. In an undertone, he called out longingly, "Hanneli!

Dharma’s mind reeled, absorbing the name with profound shock. She went still in his arms, her senses screaming in revolt. She pulled away from him abruptly and took a couple of steps back.

Bewildered by her rejection, Maurya regarded her in confusion, still dazed from the sensual assault.

"Who is Hanneli?" Dharma asked, outraged, and yet curious. She would have understood if he had called out Rashika's name but who was this Hanneli.

"What?"

"You said Hanneli. Who is the woman?" an irate Dharma questioned again, realizing that Maurya had not been aware when he had called out the name.

He ran his fingers through his strands and muttered, "I don't know."

Scowling at him, Dharma burst out, "You don't know? What do you mean?"

"I don't know who Hanneli is...It just came out of nowhere. When I saw you in that outfit, it dawned on me that I had known you as Hanneli."

Tremors of shock rippled over her. Abandoned images and their agonizing veracity once again shook her to her roots. Many times, she had undergone a similar perception, that she had known him before, and now that he was confessing that he confused her with someone called Hanneli, she wanted to flee from the tortuous world that had thrown them together.

"Are you saying that you mistook me for another woman called Hanneli?"

"Do I look like an idiot? Though it may sound cliched, I must say that I would remember distinctly if I had met a woman like you before."

Dharma didn't know if she was more offended or exasperated but the turmoil on his face conveyed his anguish.

"I am as puzzled as you, Dharma. Maybe I was remembering some character from a movie or a book I had read long ago..."

"Do you believe that?" Dharma questioned. He shook his head, "No, I don't."

Sighing, Dharma turned around to leave. He caught her wrist, "I am breaking up with Rashika."

Dharma's eyes searched his handsome face. The torment in his eyes galvanized her to disclose her innermost belief, "I believe we loved each other in another time... or in another life. I have often felt it." Unaware of the courage in her words, Dharma spelt them out with an innocent candour.

Her words wrenched his heart with their clarity. Maurya felt as if he had stepped out from the shadows of the night into a sparkling morning.

He pulled her into his arms and scalded her lips with broiling fervency. Threading his fingers into her glorious mop of hair, he said, "Come with me, Dharma... to a place that I want to take you..."

"Where?" she asked, pressing her face into his shoulders while his lips caressed the soft skin near her temple.

"There is a place in the South where my mentor wants me to go. He had advised me that I should take only the right person with me," he paused, and then cupping her chin, his warm eyes pleaded, "Will you come?"

"What about Rashika?"

"I told you I am breaking up with her."

"Will she accept it? And what about the company?"

"I am ready to abdicate my role in the company."

Perplexed, Dharma gaped at him, "Why would you?"

"To start anew with you."

A quiver went through Dharma at the explicitness of his words. One stormy evening was transforming her life. Was the universe conspiring to bring them together?

Maurya's phone buzzed. Irritated, he pulled it out of his pocket and scanned the number. Frowning, he answered, "Hello!"

Dharma watched as his face turned angry and then furious.

Yakshagni - An odyssey of unbroken devotion - II

 30) The Geoglyph

Bilaval Singh pulled away from the computer screen with a sharply indrawn breath. The skin on his bare arms was tight and tingling with goosebumps. He didn't know how to describe his state of mind. He wanted to call his boss but he remained speechless. He needed water to wet his parched throat but he was rooted to the spot.

Once again, he peered at the satellite image on the screen. With disbelief, he pumped his fists into the air. He had made an astonishing discovery, and when his findings become public, the independent research center would gain immense publicity. His boss would be ecstatic. He captured the images on his phone and mailed them to the director of the research center.

What a discovery he had made! Who would have thought that the simple boy who had never stepped out of his town would find something as astounding as a geoglyph on Indian ground? He was certain that he was going to be named in the annals of Indian history.

The only geoglyph he had heard about in India was the one discovered in the Thar desert. They were a cluster of sinuous lines found in the Jaisalmer district. The clear-cut geometrical lines and arranged motifs were the largest ever graphical depictions by humans in the world even though they were believed to be only 150 years old.

However, the ones Bilaval discovered in the deforested Baspa valley of Kinnaur district were much older, even if they were not as huge as the ones found in the Thar desert. Like the Nazca lines of Peru, the geoglyph Bilaval found that day could be as ancient. What he detected was a huge circle, and inside the circle, there were two lines intersecting each other at the center.

Due to the river and the grassy slopes, dense with pines and cider trees on the upper valley, it took time for him to discern the design. And yet, he was amazed at the ancient design that had been created on the valley.

Roused beyond words, he called the director of the institute.

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

At Modhera, Dushyant remarked, "Maurya Verma? Very unique name!"

Maurya quizzed politely, "So, you are here on holiday?"

"No, I am working on something...Thanks to Dharma, I found something that I have been searching for my whole life."

Maurya's glance shifted to Dharma, noting her crimson face.

"Remember, I told you about a local hero here," Dharma stated, reminding Maurya of the story she had heard from the caretaker of the temple, "Well, he was looking for Jalindra's cenotaph."

"Are you a historian?" Maurya asked, regarding the classically handsome face of Dushyant. Something about the older man's features nudged a distant memory.

"No, quite the opposite," Dushyant replied, as his phone buzzed. He ignored it and answered, "I am only making a record of important events in history."

"Which period of history?" Dharma asked, her interest piqued by Dushyant's answer.

"Well, I am tracing events that happened more than a thousand years ago."

"Do you have records of the events?"

"No, it is very difficult to find records but we are a perseverant lot.  I have been searching for the cenotaph for more than fifteen years and I had almost given up. And suddenly, I find Jalindra's memorial."

"Interesting!"

"Let me not delay you," Dushyant's gaze moved to Dharma, "All the best young lady! I will be there to cheer you."

"Thank you!"

"Do not be afraid of the storm. Learn to sail your ship."

His words boosted Dharma's confidence and she smiled tentatively.

With Dushyant's departure, Maurya broke the silence, "So, how are things here?"

"So far so good," looking up at the darkening sky, she added, "However this storm is messing my head."

"Seriously? I thought it was a messed one already."

"Having fun?" Dharma's sarcasm transformed his playful smile into a smirk.

"Three things cannot be hidden..." he uttered enigmatically.

"What are they?" Dharma knew she should not have asked the question the moment they slipped out.

"Well, the Sun, the Moon, and the truth..." his answer brought a glimmer of a smile on Dharma's face.

"Oh, so we are in a pleasant mood, are we?"

"You bet! I couldn't have asked for a better location for the show because every guest on the list has been calling me non-stop to know about this mysterious Modhera and the accounts department has been berating me for the exorbitant cost that is accumulating..."

Dharma's face flushed guiltily, "I am sorry. I should have thought..."

"Hey, chill...Did I complain? Sometimes, we have to take chances."

"Right, even if it turns out to be stormy," Dharma quipped.

"Well, one has to be like an eagle then."

"What does an eagle do?" Dharma asked, her anxiety dispelled by Maurya's affability.

"When the storm is coming, all other birds seek shelter whereas the eagle avoids the storm by soaring above it..."

Impressed, Dharma's eyes widened, "Wow, I have to think like an eagle,"

"Good! Now that you have been enlightened by my wise observation, let us have a meeting at the hall. Call everyone and ask them to give an update."

Dharma was grateful that Maurya was here. At least, she didn't have to worry about every small thing. Even if Maurya was not satisfied with the arrangements, she could fall back on him for last-minute glitches.

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

Dushyant stared in wonder at the images on his phone.

"What in the name...." the rest of his profanities did not come out as he gawked at his phone. The adrenaline rushing, he called his assistant.

"Good lord Bilaval, what have you discovered man?"

Bilaval laughed, "Sir, I couldn't believe it at first. But this is some serious crap."

"Where exactly is this place?"

"It is in Kinnaur, on the Baspa Valley."

"Near the Baspa River?"

"Yes, I think it was deforested earlier. Later, over the years, the valley became green again."

"Bilaval, do you know, from where the name Kinnaur was derived?"

"No!"

"Well, in ancient times, there was a demigod race of people. Some called them Kinners and others called them Kinaras. They lived in the region."

"Did they make the geoglyph?" Bilaval asked curiously.

"Doubtful! There were also other tribes who were much more intelligent. Bilaval, do me a favour. I want you to check on an ancient forest called Saugandhika. Trace its existence.”

"When are you coming here, sir?"

"I have to attend a fashion show. I will leave after the show."

Bilaval was pleasantly surprised, "Sir, you are attending a fashion show? When did fashion interest you?"

"My dear boy, nothing is uninteresting in the world..."

"That is true. Do you know sir, this is the second geoglyph that has been discovered in India?"

"So, our research center is going to create waves!"

"Yes! Sir, we will have to fly over the region. I will arrange for it."

"Good, take care Bilaval. And don't breathe a word to anyone please..."

"I won't. What do you think that design means?"

"I don't know Bilaval. I will do some research. I found a similar one on a cenotaph here."

"Oh, you found it finally."

"Yes, I found it in a tiny village but the monument is magnificent. I will tell you all about it soon."

Dushyant returned to Mehsana, his excitement upsurging at the discovery. Geoglyphs were large designs or a type of land art produced on the ground with durable elements of the landscape so that it could be viewed from any height or distance.

The ancients had left a mark on their land. He scrutinized the image carefully. There was a circle and inside it was two lines intersecting each other. Incidentally, on Jalindra's cenotaph, he had found a ring around the inscription. The etchings had been made on a raised piece of circular stone. There was also something carved on the four corners of the hollowed outer of the ring.

All the way to the hotel in Mehsana, he speculated about the motif.

At night, around eleven when he heard the rumbling of the thunder, he strolled to the window, hoping that it would rain so that the show, the next day, would escape the wrath of nature. But to his disappointment, there was not a drop. Riveted by the streaks of lightning across the sky, Dushyant stood gazing at them. Without warning, he was taken aback by a startling connection. Rushing to his laptop, he signed in to his account of the program. At once, the images flashed on the screen. The satellite images through the Earth viewer confused him initially. But slowly and steadily, the geographical directions became clear and the man-made design over the slopes of Baspa Valley began to make sense. He understood the cardinal directions used for navigation.

Thumping his palm on the table, he called Bilaval.

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

The night was perfect. There was no natural light and at this time of the hour, the electrical lights had been switched off. Chaitanya switched on his mobile torch. There were three of them. The second man broke open the lock with the duplicate key. He pushed the grill door gently, making sure that it didn't make the usual creaking noise. Stealthily, the three men walked out of the room and tiptoed to the bathroom. As planned, there were two buckets arranged upside down, one above the other. The window at the top was open. The buckets were arranged in such a way that one could climb over them and escape through the window. First, the man who broke the lock clambered up crawled through the window and jumped down, landing on the ground outside. Next, Chaitanya tried, but the bucket could not bear his weight so it broke. Swearing at his ill luck, he asked the other man to help him go up. The third man, without thinking, obliged. He bent and Chaitanya mounted on his back and reached the sill of the window. He crawled through it with much difficulty and jumped down. They had decided earlier, that none of them would wait for the other and once they were out, they would leave without a backward glance. Hence, Chaitanya fled without waiting to see if the third man who had helped him, was able to escape.

Dark though the night was, Chaitanya traipsed through the roads and alleys to the building where Dharma worked. Before morning broke, he had a few things to do. He had made lethal plans to kidnap Dharma. If he failed in his mission, he would kill her first and then kill himself.

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

Bilaval's sleepy voice did not deter Dushyant from bursting out, "Bilaval, can you guess what the diagram means?"

"What?"

"It is a compass."

Frowning Bilaval asked, "What is a compass?"

"The geoglyph, idiot."

"What? How is it a compass?"

"See the design. Inside a circle, the four points of the lines are the directions; east, west, north, and south. The paramount representation of a compass."

"Oh right! But why should the ancients mark a compass on the ground? I mean didn't they use the Sun and the Moon and the sea for directions?"

"No, this representation is spiritual. You know, Bilaval, this is not a usual compass. It is a compass rose which mystically represents the infinite possibility, the present, the past, and the future."

Bilaval was bewildered. His boss was talking Latin and Greek, also on top of it, he was half asleep.

He tried to explain, "Sir, I don't get it..."

"Oh Bilaval, this is a brilliant representation to say that, not all who travel aimlessly are lost..."

After several attempts to make Bilaval understand, Dushyant gave up. His assistant was very smart but sometimes, he failed to perceive understated theories.

Dushyant specialized in time travel. He hadn't revealed the subject of his research to anyone, not even to his family or friends like Shankaran Murthy. He wanted to prove to the world that time travel existed and that the ancients in India had evidence. If the river Yakshagni had a wormhole, and Jalindra's journey was recorded, Dushyant would be able to make a testimony.

Now that there was a geoglyph designed in the region of the Baspa Valley, it would be easier to record. Also, he was certain that the cenotaph of Jalindra had the same etching. Over the years, the clarity of the etchings had faded but the circle around the verse of the poem indicated that the design was similar to the geoglyph that Bilaval had discovered.

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

Two more hours were left for the show. Ayesha had organized everything meticulously and the area around the monument dazzled brilliantly. Running her eyes around the preparations, Dharma murmured, "There are butterflies in my stomach. I just wish that it would get over soon. The weather is giving me sleepless nights."

Laughing at Dharma's expression, Ayesha placated her, "Don't be so tense Dharma. This is your first show. It will be over soon...."

"Keeping my fingers crossed..."

Dharma and Ayesha did not go back to their hotel for a change. They had brought their belongings to Modhera and they swiftly changed into their outfits in the makeshift tent.

The late afternoon darkened ominously and the streaks of lightning over the temple towers brought a flicker of uncertainty but Dharma held on to her hope. She lingered on the top of the steps of Sabhamandapa and viewed the Kund.

It was indeed a magnificent place to begin her career. Instead of worrying over the doubtful weather, she should thank her stars for allowing her to conduct her first show here. She corrected herself; not her stars, she should be thankful to Maurya. He was the one who had given her a break. If he had not given her an opportunity in Index Fashions, she didn't know how she would have survived in the capital city. In a way, Maurya was her saviour.

The electric lights came alive, staggering one with the reflection of opulence. The first bus arrived with models, makeup artists, and technicians.

Dharma moved forward to greet them. One of the models rushed to her, "Dharma, Jina won't be able to make it..."

"Oh, why?" Jina was the show-stopper.

"She is down with a stomach infection. She has been vomiting and howling with pain."

"Did she see a doctor?"

"Yes, Sonia showed her to a doctor. I think it is food poisoning."

"Oh, dear! What will we do now?" Dharma uttered worryingly.

Yakshagni - An odyssey of unbroken devotion - II

 29) Jalindra

"Yakshagni?" the name evoked a dim memory of an untamed river for Dharma. She blinked, unable to grasp the nebulous images.

"Yes, that was the name of a great river. It used to flow from the Himalayas to the Indian Ocean. And I believe it had many tributaries. Pushpavati is one of them."

"This verse is an ode to the river?" Dharma asked, intrigued by Yakshagni. It sounded familiar and yet mysterious.

"Yes, this is just one verse of the poem. The entire poem was composed in praise of the river. I found it on a palm leaf manuscript in an old library."

"What has that got to do with Jalindra?" Dharma's question reminded Dushyant of Jalindra's perplexing life.

He sighed, "I hope I will get the opportunity to tell you the whole story one day. Now is not the time. Come, let us go." Throwing one last glance at Jalindra's cenotaph, Dushyant began to climb up the steps, followed by Dharma.

Dushyant was certain that Jalindra was the king of Alaka who had deserted the kingdom to escape with his love, a tribal princess. There could not be better evidence than the verse itself. The story went that, subsequent to the king's disappearance, his queen had cursed the tribe and her people with ill will and unhappiness in love. Dushyant's mission was to find the truth about the journey of that king and pay tribute to him.

Sighing, Dushyant wished he knew more about Jalindra. Nevertheless, he was pleased with himself for the tireless search. It was a strange coincidence that he met Dharma, without whom, he wouldn't have known about Jalindra or the cenotaph.

Unusual were the ways of the Universe!

He must thank Dharma properly one day, enlightening her about his mission in life. However, right now, he had duties to perform. He needed to talk to his father about his discovery and seek his advice for further action that had to be taken.

While the Sun drew the curtain for the day at Modhera, Dharma and Dushyant made their way back to their respective hotels; Dushyant to Mehsana and Dharma to Ahmedabad. Each engrossed in their own thoughts. While Dushyant mulled over the unexpected discovery of the cenotaph in Modhera, Dharma speculated about Jalindra and his connection to the ancient Yakshagni. Whispering the name of the river to herself, Dharma was gripped by an unusual absorption in the tale of Yakshagni. Her mind had conjured up an image of a swollen and turbulent river at the mention of Yakshagni. She was not certain if it was something that she had seen in her childhood or something that her thoughts had drawn from the umpteen dreams she had. One could never be sure of one's memories; for Dharma, they were either manifested from the past or surfaced as a comforting illusion from a nightmare.

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

Dushyant made his way to the river early the next morning. Following his father's instructions, he performed the rituals according to his family's tradition for the purification of Jalindra's soul. From Dharma's account of the caretaker's story, Jalindra had spent a traumatized life. Dushyant was convinced that Jalindra's agony had begun after crossing to the other side of the time. He believed that Jalindra had travelled through time to another era and landed on the banks of Pushpavati; when Modhera had begun to make a mark in the history of the region.

After the rituals were performed, he waited for the gates of the temple to open so that he could peruse the inscription once again, and when the complex opened for visitors, he went down the steps to the cenotaph. Dushyant was dazzled by the intricate and breathtaking architecture. He realized that the steps were built in such a manner that water could flow without hindrance to the tank during monsoon.

When he reached the cenotaph, he let his fingers run over the rough etchings on the wall.

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

Dharma's tryst with the storm did not happen the next day. Highly strung over the emergence of dark clouds at frequent intervals, Dharma communed with the god of the storm to spare Modhera from its fury.

Dharma was waiting for the models in Modhera for the trial run.  She wished for Maurya’s presence for guidance. They had not met after their argument over the show-stopper.

"Dharma, I have arranged one corner in the hall for a change of clothes."

"Thanks, Pooja. I hope Ayesha is fine with the arrangement."

"Yeah, she will arrange a makeshift cubicle for the girls."

"Great!”

"Hello, Dharma..." Dushyant greeted, "I hope I am not disturbing you."

"No, no... how are you?"

"I am fine. I wanted to thank you for telling me about Jalindra and his cenotaph. I have been looking for it all my life. And this morning, I discovered something else," at Dharma's inquiring glance, he answered, "I will tell you after the show."

"Sure..."Dharma murmured thoughtfully, "The storm hasn't arrived yet."

"Who knows? It may just skip Modhera. One can never predict Nature. She has her own will..."

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

Shankaran surveyed the old map, tracing the route of the river. To his astonishment, he found that River Agni in Anuragnicheri was a tributary of the old river Yakshagni. Agni begins its journey at Agasthyamalai hills, flowing through the southernmost tip of the western ghats to the plains, and joins another river (which he presumed to be the old Yakshagni or Maitsaya) on its way to the ocean near Mangapuram. Shankaran was stunned to learn that the river he saw every day in the backyard of the village was connected to the legendary river Yakshagni. How did he miss this story about Agni?

He could not let go of the fact that some of the elders of the village warned anyone who tried to swim or wade through the waters, of danger. They believed that the swirling waters of the river hid powerful currents. Shankaran wondered if that was the only reason or like Yakshagni, Agni too concealed a perilous secret of the universe.

Energized by the sensational finding, Shankaran went for a walk and ended up on the banks of the river. He stood staring at the flowing waters. He wished he could communicate with the waters or better yet; dip into the river to know more. However, like every other person, he too was fearful of the currents. He sat on the steps connecting the river to the village. A few years ago, the district administration banned activities like washing and bathing on the banks of the river. Now, except for the ceremonial customs of the temple, no one used the steps. Some of the village elders who visited the temple regularly lingered on the steps to enjoy the cool breeze.

Shankaran's contemplation was broken by the greetings of the temple priest, "Hello Shankaran, you are back from your vacation..."

"Yes. How are things here?"

"Fine. By the way Shankaran, did you speak to the owner of Avadhi?" the priest asked, eliciting a thoughtful glance from Shankaran.

"Yes, he has promised me that he will be here soon. Why? Did something happen in my absence?"

"Some officers from the Railways came inquiring about the house."

"What do they want with Avadhi?"

"Since it is the corner house, they would like to purchase the land from its owner and demolish it for their own construction."

"What? That is not possible," a shocked Shankaran burst out.

"Well, the sarpanch has given your number to the railway officers. They will be contacting you."

"Thank you for the advance warning. I will talk to Maurya and find his plans."

"Do something fast about the abandoned house, Shankaran. It seems to have grieved enough. Let us find salvation for it."

"Yes, you are right," Shankaran rose, deciding to call Maurya and warn him about the railway's plans. “I will ask the owner to take a decision immediately."

*********

Maurya reached Ahmedabad a day earlier for the event. Sonia had informed him that the team in Modhera was concerned about the weather forecast. A storm was predicted to blow over the area in the next couple of days.

The projected bad weather may spoil the show. Hence, Maurya wanted to be there. He could have easily sent Tapan or someone else, but he couldn't suppress his need to be there for Dharma at this momentous occasion of her career.

Maurya suspected that he probably wanted to score a brownie point with her.

After Tapan revealed Dharma’s warning call to him like a clairvoyant, Maurya was starting to believe that Dharma and he had an age-old connection. Her heart-warming appeal touched his soul deeply. He surmised that it was his destiny to be rescued by her, not once but twice. He recalled Mahendran's words in the letter.

"I believe that your stars have destined you to find the right partner and when you find her, you will know she is the one! Your true love..."

The vehemence and the magnitude of his feelings for Dharma confounded him. It was shattering to realize that one person could provoke such a violent wrench of emotions in him. It frightened the hell out of him, yet at the same time, he felt a marvellous sense of freedom as if someone had released him from an airless room into an open space. And the bittersweet yearning that usually lasted longer each time she left him...

Like Shankaran had told him, they probably sought each other to fulfill an old Karmic debt and he was beginning to appreciate Mahendran's theory of soul mates.

Something also crystallized very clearly inside him. With such a compelling desire for Dharma, Maurya felt it was not right on his part to continue the engagement with Rashika.  He didn't know if Dharma felt the same but he knew instinctively that she would not acknowledge any attraction for him unless he was single.

Maurya planned to have a serious talk with Vasukinath Krishna and Rashika after the show. He didn't care if Vasukinath stripped him of any right to the family business. With his feelings evident for Dharma, he regretted taking advantage of Rashika’s affection. He felt contrite for manipulating her father. He wanted to make amends for his miscalculations. Maurya was young and hardworking, and with his experience and immense knowledge, he could start another venture from scratch.

His phone buzzed, "Hello..."

"Hello Maurya, Shankaran Murthy here. How are you doing?"

"I am good. I am sorry I could not reach out to you earlier."

"Maurya, I have some news for you. The railway authorities are planning to buy the land where Avadhi stands. I want to know your plans Maurya. When are you coming here?"

"I am travelling right now. There is an event tomorrow. I will reach there after the event."

"Good then. I don't want anyone else but you to open the door of Avadhi. Once you are here, you can decide what you want to do with the house."

"Fine. I will catch you soon."

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

When Maurya drove into the complex of the Sun temple, he was pleased by the amount of progress that had been made. After parking the car, he sauntered towards Kirti Toran where the workers were decorating it. The models were supposed to walk down the steps of the hall, enter through the toran, and sashay around the tank. The seating would be arranged on the lawn adjoining the reservoir. The guests were arriving the next day and Maurya had delegated Tapan, Sonia and a couple more executives from Krishna Industries to take care of them.

Maurya looked for Dharma and spotted her speaking to a tall man. Approaching Dharma quietly, he greeted, "Hi Dharma..."

Swinging around in bewilderment, Dharma's jaw dropped in disbelief at the sight of Maurya. For a moment, she thought she was hallucinating. Her heart raced erratically and her pulse rushed in a frenzy.

Maurya's glance shifted to the older man. Dushyant observed the exchange between Maurya and Dharma with interest. He offered his hand to Maurya, "Hello, I am Dushyant Bhadera."

Maurya took the man's proffered hand, "Maurya Verma."

Dushyant was pleasantly surprised by the name, urging him to pay keen attention to the younger man.