Vaishali -4 p/2

Vaishali

4

Part-2

Neel got into the waiting car and started working immediately. The ride to the domestic airport would take some time as the evening rush hour would ensure a slow movement of vehicles.He would be able to finish with his speech for the convention where he was heading to by that time. 

The car came to rest as there was a jam.He looked out of the window for a breather and he saw a car on his right and few more two wheelers a taxi and a vendor selling leather belts on the pavement and behind him....His eyes registered something that was lurking trying to blend into the background. But could not, as it was starkly different from the vendors and hustle bustle of the city pavement.Neel's eyes widened in recognition! It was HIM!

------VAISHALI------

Tejas and Vaishali just stared while Rishi being a photographer and a very trained and experienced one at that started clicking. 

There was a sudden fog that descended from the mountains yonder and the birds were flocking towards them to avoid it. The air turned chilly as it slowly set over the valley on to the other side of Pinakini lake. "It was a clear sky just now! Tejas exclaimed! Its strange how the weather has changed suddenly!" 

There was a screech by some bird and Vaishali jumped and clutched Tejas's hand as he was nearest to her. What was that? she asked.It was not at all a pleasant song of a bird. It was eerie ! "Dunno some bird may be "Tejas replied still gazing at the fog that made the valley look beautiful and as well as a little creepy as the shadows of the setting sun started getting gloomy.

Rishi opened the fence gate and looked back. Shambu chacha was snoring away lying on the chaadar with a towel on his face! Rishi  chose a point that was narrow and hopped through on to the other side of the lake with the help of the rocks that were laid across shallow waters to give access for people to cross the lake when it was not overflowing.

Vaishali and Tejas looked at each other and a mischiveous smile lit their faces. The Shivgothri kids were well behaved but they were as adamant as their elders. Both of them followed Rishi. Tejas went first and Vaishali followed him. As she made it through the gate in the fence and set foot outside the fence, she felt a strange chill enter her body. She looked around still one foot inside the fence as if to see someone but laughed at herself for being such a hussy and dragged her other foot out. 

Bang!!! A loud crash reverberated on the far side of the lake and she immediately stepped back into the fence defensively. "What was that?" Rishi and Tejas yelled in unision! "Rishi baba Teju baba no! don't go outside the fence !"Shambu chacha was now up probably coz of the sound and he came running to where they were standing.

"Oh common! i am just taking a snap !"Rishi consoled him. 

Shambu was looking at the cliff not paying attention! A big smoke was coming up from it's side.

"What happened?"Tejas enquired? Shambu was not answering. He was scared and just huddled them back to the fence against their protests and even brushed Vaishali aside as she was still standing inside the fence but at the gate . 

He padlocked the fence gate and said " Amma and Amar Bhaiyya told you not to go out." 

"But we were hardly out and that must be some poachers or tribals blasting the hill!" Rishi defended himself!" 

"You crossed the lake Rishi baba! You should not have!"Shambhu was not ready to listen he already was making his way towards the house muttering something under his breath.

Vaishali looked back just in time to catch a moment on the cliff! But ofcourse there was somebody there she thought. They just blasted the hill for some granite or whatever. She walked with the others towards the house! It was a long day and they had to head back to the city. Tomorrow was a very big day again! 

------VAISHALI------

Neel's eyes widened and his eyebrows joined in deep consternation! It was Him!  or was it some anagain! He put a hand on the door knob to open it, as the car was still at a halt as the jam would not clear and the din with all the fellow roadsters honking indiscriminately added to the confusion. He turned to divest himself of the jacket and get to the man! This time he had better have some answers and turned to open the car door when he saw the man's face on the other side of the glass. 

The man was with long hair which was golden brown cause of weathering and it was amassed on the top in a knot and the rest cascading down to his waist. He had only a red cloth or was it some animal skin tied at his waist. His body was lean and weathered but strangely he looked very bright and not unkempt as it should have been with other vagabonds. His face was bright and there was a sandalwood teeka on it. He emanated radiance.. Today he was holding a strange vessel kamandal in his hands!

Neel made for the door but he put a hand as if to say stop! and then he said clearly crisply...through the glass of the door...

The night shall bring you the princess of dawn!

Remember her as your mind's eye!

Blessed are you for you have a mission to fulfill;

The three eyed lord drank the venom for the world then...

Lets see what this one would do now

For poison shall be spewed by the great serpent

The powers of the evil shall rise

WE  SHALL BE WITH YOU 

Now and ever As always!

Neel was dumb struck staring at him digesting his riddle while the din continued so much so that Mary who was in the front seat never even suspected someone was speaking to her boss in the rear.

Neel got out of his stupor and ... the car started moving he yelled at the driver to stop and got out of the car but could not find that man... an ascetic! What crap! He never ever believed in all this until well.... he had to admit that certain things happened even if he did not believe . But that was coincidence. People honking irritatedly made him realise he was just standing in the middle of the road obstructing traffic and Mary got down asking "sir what happened!"

Nothing! Let's go! Neel got back into the car. Nissar was off!Reluctantly at that! as Neel sent him home to see his three month son before he caught the flight with him to Delhi. Nissar was very loyal and even neglected his family for Neel. Neel had to force him to go for a couple of hours! Had he been there , he would have tracked the ascetic down!

Damn It! This was the fourth time this is happening. And Neel had a strange feeling! THAT STRANGE FEELING HE HAD FOUR TIMES BEFORE...WHEN THIS MAN APPEARED CAUTIONING HIM AND TROUBLE CAME IN SEARCH OF HIM!!!!

"WONDER WHAT IS GOING TO HAPPEN NEXT"... Neel thought!