यदा यदा हि धर्मस्य ग्लानिर्भवति भारत ।
अभ्युत्थानमधर्मस्य तदात्मानं सृजाम्यहम् ॥

परित्राणाय साधूनां विनाशाय च दुष्कृताम् ।
धर्मसंस्थापनार्थाय सम्भवामि युगे युगे ।।

Whenever there is decay of righteousness, O Bharata,
and there is exaltation of unrighteousness, then I Myself come forth;

for the protection of the good, for the destruction of evil-doers,
for the sake of firmly establishing righteousness, I am born from age to age.

****

An uncanny silence occupied every mind as the pyre burnt. Sundar took steps back, the fire of the torch flickering in his hand as the breeze toyed with the flame. Turning his back to the now burning corpse, Sundar fell to the ground and covered his wet eyes. He had to cry and release it all before going back home; he couldn't break down in front of Devika. The latter had not spoken a word after the news reached her. Sundar was worried about her mental health.

Aadi Babu consoled Sundar with as few words as possible and gentle pats on the back. The villagers hung their heads low, respecting the mournful moments.

"He was my brother. Will it be sinful if I cannot wholly despise him?"

"No one shall judge you. You must have seen a different avatar of the man, untouched by the tendrils of vice."

"He had always been too caring of me and our sister. Would he have not cared for us later? Would he have changed towards us too? I don't understand, Aadi Babu! He had a sister in his home and yet... he could do all these?"

"It is hard to understand Ravana. Your brother is a ray of that man. On one hand we curse him, and on a new day we smile at his goodness."

When the body was completely burnt, the remains were taken in an urn. Sundar gave it to Aadi Babu, who promised he would give it to the right person who shall pour the ashes in the holy Ganga.

After the last rites were done, Sundar along with Aadi Babu went back to the house of the babus. Anandi and Devika were taking care of Sahiba and Maya. The girl was indisposed with high fever and other symptoms of weakness, and Maya had to get stitches. While Aadi Babu waited in the hall below, Sundar went up to check on Maya and Sahiba.

Maya sat upright at the corner of the bed, near the feet of Sahiba. Her forehead was bandaged and her body was bruised with cuts, yet she looked stronger. There was a sublime shine of happiness on her face, her unlike pair of eyes accentuating the otherworldly beauty. Sahiba, unfortunately, moaned and uttered gibberish. Anandi had draped her in a light pink saree and on top covered her in a blanket, and wiped her forehead with a cloth dipped in cold water while Devika sat on a chair beside the table, preparing the medicines.

"Maya, you need to take painkillers on time. Don't skip those. You have to take one after breakfast. When will you be having the meal?"

Devika had dark bags under her eyes. Her nimble fingers quivered as she mixed the contents of vials and wrote in her notebook. The thick locks of hair were wisps tangled in a mess. She had turned pale and morose. Maya heaved a sigh, unsure of how to approach the sensitive issue.

"I need to clear some things, Devika."

"About your health?"

"No."

Devika put down the vials. "I am not interested in listening to anything else at the moment. My primary occupation is to treat you all. You and Sahiba are my first priority. I refuse to give my attention to anything else. Anyone else."

"Can I be sure that you harbour no ill feelings towards me? Because, it's me who brought his downfall."

"You did not bring his downfall. He dug it with his bare hands." Devika jutted her chin, gritting her pretty teeth like a hurt feline mother. Her beady eyes brimmed with tears which she denied accepting. "At present, I repeat, at present, I care about nothing else. I don't care. You have seen me as soft, Maya, but I have witnessed gruesome deaths in the little practice of my career. This means nothing to me. I am a doctor and that's my fate."

"It is good that you said something."

The heavy voice belonged to Sundar. Devika wiped her tears upon seeing him. Maya smiled at the man, happy to know that not all men were the same.

"What–"

Sahiba attempted to sit up. Sundar ran to her side and sat beside her, taking her palm in his. Anandi, though shocked by the gesture, didn't dare to question its purity. She had got answers to all her suspicions, and in a happy negative.

"Yes, tell me?" Sundar cooed.

"I-I don't re-remember."

Sundar rubbed her hands. "Easy on yourself. There's no need to pressure your mind on remembering everything. I will help you when time comes."

"La-lalita died..."

Anandi flinched and shut her eyes. Sundar shushed Sahiba. "The people of your community have completed her last rites, along with those of-of m-my brother."

Sahiba gripped his hand in a fierce intensity. "Hrishav?"

"Yes. I beg you, Sahiba, don't stress yourself into remembering."

"But–"

"For my sake, please. I love you. I want your good, trust me!"

Sahiba's eyes widened. She tried to pull away her hand from his clutch but he didn't allow her to flee.

"I shall come in a moment," Anandi excused herself. "The water has turned warm. I need to fetch fresh cold water."

Devika shot her brother a glance. "I have written all the medicines she needs to take. Make her understand. It's your job. Maya, come outside with me, I will tell you about your portion."

The three women left the couple in privacy.

"You can not lo-love me." Sahiba hid her face under the blanket. It was only now that Sundar noticed her pink saree. He had heard that this belonged to his mother. Though he remembered very little of that woman, he cherished this sight of his love being clad in the fabric of his life-giver.

"Why?"

"I am not like you."

"And what are you like, Sahiba?"

"I am supposed to be a veshya! Can't you get this in your head?" she shouted. The exhaustion washed over her in the next moment and she regretted showing her aggression. Taking erratic deep breaths, she calmed her stormy heart.

"And I am supposed to be your husband. That's what I understand."

"You are a grown up man. You are older to me, yet you have no wisdom."

"That's why I crave you. I wish you to grant me your wisdom."

"I refuse. I reject it."

Sundar chuckled. "I will persevere, Sahiba. If you think you will be successful in pushing me away, know that you are wrong. All this time I had kept my love a secret. Now I am going to make it public."

"Are you mad? Sundar Babu, I can–"

He brought his face closer to hers, feeling her hot feverish breath fan his face. Her eyelids struggled to keep open.

"Sundar. Call me Sundar. I am older to you, am I not? So listen to me. It's my order that you will not try to remember what happened without my permission, and if some glimpses return, immediately inform me. And, as of my feelings, you already know them. Also know that my intention is to make this union possible. However..."

"However?"

"However, I shall give you time to accept me. You need to know me not as some Babu but as a friend, a companion. A soul understanding a soul. You need to read me like a book, by heart."

****

Every prominent man and woman of the village, along with Sundar and Maya had gathered in the hall of the former's home. There, they had to make some collective decisions.

Who shall run the temple now? With Hrishav dead and Shekhar on deathbed, there was a dearth of capable people.

"Manas is the only one surviving," a man said. "He can handle it."

"My knowledge isn't so extensive. I need time before I can learn...and to be honest, I might not be comfortable," Manas replied. "The problem is there exists none in the village at present who can rival Hrishav in knowledge and expertise. Whoever steps up needs to be educated."

"It bewilders me, really."

All heads turned towards Sundar. The man puffed up his chest. "Look, I may not be the best in terms of divine knowledge or religious awareness, but I have more common sense than you all combined. I don't think Kalika would want to be worshipped by a man who is knowledgeable but dangerously lustful. She will better be satiated by the simple devotion of a child who offers her wildflowers and sweet water."

"You are right," Nathu agreed. "Yet we cannot just put someone in that position. We need to have someone who has the potential. Tantra is no child's play."

"Ma-may I make a... suggestion?" Rahul stuttered. His reputation being a subject of ridicule and gossip, no one seemed to acknowledge his request.

"What is it?" Sundar asked.

"I know someone who has read books on this matter, I mean, this matter of worship and Kalika. She can be the candidate, or if you ask my opinion, the only candidate..."

"A woman?"

The public asked in unison.

"I have never heard of a female priest," a woman chirped. "I don't think anybody has. We must be careful. Kalika is not like other deities. We cannot anger her."

"Exactly. She is not like other deities. She is a woman herself. She is the epitome of Shakti." Sundar's words cut the woman like a razor.

"Female priests were once a part of India. In ancient times," Aadi Babu said. "I like the idea."

"Maya, what do you have to say?" Sundar asked.

Maya trudged to the middle of the gathering as people parted to make way for her. Anandi brought a chair for the woman and made her sit.

"Long before religion came into being, female priests were ubiquitous in the world. Stretching from Yavana to Bharat, we had the feminine take the lead everywhere. Even now we have proof of it. Alas, in the presence of superstitions and blind faith, we have forgotten that we don't belong to any religion or 'ism' but Sanatana Dharma."

Sundar's eyes sparkled with interest, a pensive smile on his lips.

"Ancient India did have female priests, and being the people of Dharma it is our duty to think and question, not follow what books teach us blindly. We have been given a mind and a heart to put them to use. Being a sane woman I find no fault in seeing a woman as a priest. She will be just bringing back the old traditions, taking us closer to our roots."

"What about when she is menstruating?" Anandi asked. "Wouldn't that be a problem?"

"Oh, I will be there!" Manas piped. "I can handle that when Devi will be going through purification. Just like our own Maa Kali rests during those days."

"So it's settled." Sundar clapped his hands to attract attention. "I pass the order that this woman, whom Rahul recommends, will be trained in the way of a priest."

"But is she really good? After all, it is Rahul's reference..." Nathu jibed.

"This man has truly been hopeless," Anandi scoffed.

"I may be hopeless and what not, but this girl has proved her worth last night. You cannot taint her."

"Last night you say?" Maya stood up in excitement. "Do you mean Sahiba?"

Rahul nodded. "Yes. I don't think after what she did you all have the audacity to comment on her flair and might. She is special."

"But will she agree to this?" Aadi Babu asked.

"I am there to convince her. She will have to follow me," Sundar declared with confidence. "Don't worry."

"Forgive me for my curiosity, Sundar Babu, but are you and Sahiba having an affair?"

Rahul wheezed upon hearing Anandi's words. Sundar turned red and abashed, unable to articulate anything.

"We can keep this aside for now. It's their matter. Let's arrange for Sahiba's priesthood, instead," Maya steered away from the topic.

"Yes. We need to contact Hrishav's Guru Maa who taught him tantra and the other teachers. They will only teach Sahiba," Aadi Babu said. "Let's go now. After whatever has transpired, we all need some rest, especially Sundar. We should give his family some space."

One by one each departed to their homes, but Sundar requested Maya to stay back.

"Come to my room. I need to talk to you," he said.

He helped the wounded journalist up to his room, making her sit on his armchair while he took his stand near the table.

"Do you have enough information to write an article?"

"Plenty. I did get time for those too, though not as much as I thought I would. I am planning to focus on the plight of the veshyas and of course on the choice of a female priest. I am going to skip the uglier parts, as you may understand."

"Keep the article as least religiously inclined as possible. Make it more spiritual and... loving."

"I have the idea for a story, you know."

"What kind?"

"Romance."

"And what's the plot?"

"The prince of a prosperous kingdom falls in love with the daughter of a witch, who, unbeknownst to all, is actually the lovechild of a goddess."

Sundar's eyebrows form a line beneath his creased forehead. He rolled his eyes. "Fine, whatever."

"You surely didn't call me for small talk."

"Yes. I wanted to speak to you about Sahiba."

"I like the idea of you two getting married."

Sundar shrugged. "I hope I can convince her into it? But the thing is, I am plagued with her health. About the... visions and hallucinations she was having."

Maya believed those were because of Kalika, but she wanted to know his perspective.

"I have read about one German woman who suddenly started speaking French. When she would behave like the French lady she had no idea about the German side, and when she was normal she would deny anything about the French lady. She wouldn't just remember!"

"Well, it does sound like Sahiba's case."

"Exactly! It is some kind of a disbalance in the normal functioning of memory and consciousness, a disorder of some kind. It is very peculiar; I have immersed myself in the study of articles regarding this, and felt this was what was going on with Sahiba. Perhaps she experienced this as a trauma that escalated after the demise of her mother."

"But how can you explain the inhuman strength she possessed in those moments? Last night I saw her freeze Hrishav in one spot and snatch the dagger from his hand. Her one foot kept him in place, restricting all movement. And her red eyes... I-I can never forget."

"That is what makes me tense, Maya."

"Why?"

"There is no explanation for these things. I am no fool who shall think what happened was an illusion. It wasn't, and I also trust you. The thing is, will this happen again?"

"What do you pray?"

"I want them to never repeat again. It's not that I do not want to see her as someone powerful, but the very strangeness of it can degrade the quality of her life. People will talk about her and think she is some magician. She won't be able to lead a normal happy life. I want people to accept her as a regular woman who is, probably, a little better to them, more prudent and sensible."

"It is noble, this thought, and I understand your concern very well. I too wish that for the rest of her life Sahiba can be a normal girl, just a little more erudite."

"I will be beside her, always. I will help her navigate these memories. It's just that she doesn't accept me!"

Maya smiled. "She will, Sundar. Give her time. She needs to grasp it. It is overwhelming for her."

"I desire for her well-being."

Maya was going to get up, but Sundar stopped her. "I have something more to share... now about Hrishav."

Maya sat back down. "Tell me."

"Aadi Babu knows about this too. Only me, Aadi Babu and Shashi do. No one else."

Maya squinted. "Something about Hrishav's past?"

"He-he was molested back when in Calcutta. It's why he was brought back here and his education in the city came to a stop."

The sky broke over Maya's head.

"I am not saying whatever he did was right. But whatever happened to him was also not right. That's what I see it as."

"He faced abuse in school?"

"He was bullied because he was different. It didn't stop there and, you know now..."

Maya grimaced. "I am sorry. It should not have happened."

Things were beginning to make sense to her now. When she had hurled at Hrishav that he would get a taste of his own medicine, referring to what he had done to Catherine, he turned extremely violent. That reaction, even though it was a mere symbol of his insanity to her then, now held a lot more meaning and depth.

"He became the monster that he hated. He became what he feared. He felt navigating life this way would have brought him what he lacked."

"My brother lost to the perils of life. I am not at all defending him, no; but think, he deserved a better life, didn't he? Something which Father failed to provide."

Maya closed her eyes, and Hrishav's face floated in the darkness. Goosebumps crawled on her skin. She felt her throat become parched like the desert. "Maybe he did."

****

Two days had passed. The idol of Raktabeej was buried deep inside the earth and the jinxed book was burnt. Devipuram was slowly going back towards normalcy. Maya was showing signs of recovery, even though she was worried of getting some smacks when back home.

"Maa will kill me if she sees me in this state. What will I tell her?"

"Tell her the truth. Just don't inform your boss. Go to the office after you are healed."

"Yes, Aadi Babu. I have written my article and will post this when I reach Calcutta."

"Here is your ticket." Aadi Babu handed her the paper. "I wish you a safe and secure journey."

Nathu brought down all her luggage. Anandi had packed her some delicious potato curry, pickles and Bengali's favourite luchi.

The whole village had come to bid Maya goodbye at the outskirts. A teary-eyed Maya waved back, promising to return some other day.

"Please do come during my initiation ceremony," Sahiba requested. She had accepted it as a part of her fate. Sundar boasted to Maya it was him who took the pain of pushing her towards it.

Sundar, Aadi Babu, Nathu and Anandi went to the station to see her off. Before Maya would board the train, Aadi Babu handed her an object.

It was the urn which contained Hrishav's ashes.

"There is Ganga flowing in the banks of Calcutta. Can you please pour his ashes in there?"

"Me?"

"Yes, you." Sundar came up. "I shall be indebted to you."

Maya touched the object. She was reluctant, yet her heart melted in mercy. What use was abhorrence after death? But the memories were still fresh as yesterday...

"I know it will pain you." Aadi Babu caressed Maya's head. "But you have been a very important person to us. You have been a wonderful girl, so bright and intelligent, bold and brave, shining like the sun. Without you we would have failed, maybe even died!"

"If it is still very uncomfortable, then–"

"No Sundar, it's alright. I will do it."

Sundar sighed in relief. "Thank you, thank you a lot!"

"I will return again," Maya gave her word. "I will come to attend Sahiba's priestess ceremony."

"And perhaps a marriage too," Aadi Babu said, clearing his throat. Sundar blushed in the shade of beetroot. "Aadi Babu, there's still a year or so before she becomes eighteen. And we aren't marrying before that."

"Wise man."

"At least he now has the guts to say he is marrying," Anandi mocked in a light-hearted manner.

The train whistled. It was time.

"Goodbye for now."

"Live well, Maya. Be happy. Be fulfilled." Aadi Babu placed a kiss on her forehead. The four watched her ride the train, and soon it headed off for Calcutta, leaving behind a flurry of smoke and soot.

Inside the carriage, Maya looked at the urn.

"The ashes."

Which belongs to Hrishav.

She had wanted to put an end to him, but he stuck to her like lice. It irked her, but she had to be strong. He was dead and never returning. Never ever.

"Never ever."

Maya gasped. Her co-passengers looked up at her. She put down her head in embarrassment, waiting for the attention to die down. Then she stared outside the window, looking at the sunny golden fields from where she fathomed the voice had come.

She imagined she saw five women, all hand-in-hand, running in the fields. They were draped in the red of sindur. Following them was a man in a dhoti, carrying all their possessions in his hands. He sweat profusely, exhaustion obvious on his face.

She knew them very well.

Maya's eyes met with those of the six. They smiled at her before vanishing like a mirage.

Maya covered the urn before the breeze could take away the ashes.

"Say goodbye to Devipuram, Hrishav. And be ready to greet Calcutta."

----- সমাপ্তি -----

'THE END'