"The evidence provided by the public prosecutor was insufficient. Though the case bore sensitive details and seemingly had a greater impact on the court, there is a lack of evidence against the village leaders. The court declares the accused as innocent and thus, they are not guilty."

The judge hammered the on the table.

"The court orders the Police department to find the victim's family and asks the government to provide them with the wanted necessities"

"And, the court congratulates the public investigators and the young journalists for showing interest in such a sensitive case and encourages them to work further, effortlessly", he concluded his verdict and the hall dispersed.

Crackers and garlands welcomed the village leaders as they stepped out of the court premises. Sushil and Chezhiyan walked out of the place, stuffing their hands in their pockets as the village heads smirked at their defeated state. The scorching sun of the early evening, blaze their skins but they walked in silence, unbothered about the stings of sunrays. It had been a week since the final hearing of their FGM case, and the final verdict was given today. And, their hearts blaze with the fire of anger, frustration and defeat.

"Crimes committed with power have no verdict, as they never come under the power that the judge's pen hold", Sushil breathed out, as he stared at the road, his eyes filled with grimace and guilt. Chezhiyan leaned on a tree's trunk, crossing his hands over his chest with his eyes closed. 

Sushil dropped on a bench nearby, resting his elbows on the knees, he sighed heavily with his head hung down. They stayed, hearing the hustle and bustle of the road and trying to collect their shattered self.  

'Case: Wood scandal and illegal logging near Vallipaadi village.

Evidence in the library'

Sushil's phone pinged with a message from an anonymous number.

Another secret informer!  He shook his head, reading the text.

Pulling the sleeves down to his wrists, he ruffled his hair. He stretched his limbs until he heard his joints cracking. 

"Let's go", he patted Chezhiyan's shoulders.

"Where to?" Chezhiyan pinched the frontal bone, sniffing the air as the aroma of freshly prepared coffee hit his nostrils.

"Library", Sushil sighed.

"Why would they choose the library? Such an uninteresting place!" he groaned. Whereas, Chezhiyan checked himself, looking at the rearview mirror of a bike nearby. 

"Ah, such a handsome fellow", he winked at his reflection in the mirror. The grimace and sadness which were present on his face minutes ago, vanished in thin air as he walked past Sushil, whistling happily. 

Sushil gave him a stink eye as he huffed in annoyance, "He is unbelievable."

"Move your ass faster. We don't have all day for you", he heard him yelling at a distance.

"Jerk", he muttered under his breath. Smiling at his friend, Sushil wrapped his arms around his shoulders, as he matched his pace.

"Why wouldn't you speak, Chezhiya?" he noticed his expression turning serious.

"One can rise when there is a tide, Sushi", he said with a faraway look in his eyes. Knitting his brows, Sushil looked at him puzzled. 

What does that mean?

"We're here", Chezhiyan said. Sushil snapped his eyes away from him and looked ahead. Nodding at him, they entered the library. 

"What was the case, again?" Chezhiyan asked, scratching his dark stubble.

"Logging without a permit and scandal of woods",

Chezhiyan stared at him for a few seconds and said, "Botany and environment it is."

"Hmm", Sushil cast a look around the library, scanning the shelves for botany and environment books. Chezhiyan strolled randomly towards a shelf and started searching for any environment books.

'Genetics and Indian history-Volume 1', 'Genetics and Indian history-Volume 2', 

I don't want you guys. Bye-bye. He pushed the books away.

'Evolution of human psychology'

Oh, I'm dealing with mads. So, you might be of help someday. His ebullient dark eyes read the book names under the dimly lit LED light, above his head.

'Molecular Biology- An Introduction, 'Cellular Biology- Complete guide', 'Flora and its classifications', 'Nature-Structured Bond of Flora and Fauna', 'Balancing Eco-system'

"Argh! Useless", he groaned in frustration and, narrowed his eyes, skimming the rack. 

"Ah! Here you are", he picked up 'The Overused Earth'. Opening the index page, he ran his fingers over it, reading the contents of the book. 

Uhm... Destruction of life. Page 289. Oh my dear, here I come for you.

He flipped the pages until he reached page 289. A small sealed envelope was kept between the pages of the chapter. Pushing the envelope into his pocket, he returned the book to its rack.

"Thank you, Mr Michel", thanking the author of the book, he whistled his way back to the reading area.

"Shush", an elderly lady nearby glared at him.

"Sorry", he scratched his head. Crossing his legs over each other, he rested on a chair. Texting Sushil about the envelope, he stared at the sealed cover in his hands. The cream coloured envelope had a stamp stuck on its top. 

Revise well?  he wondered reading the line written at the bottom of the envelope

"What does he mean?" 

He flipped the envelope and found an 'X' mark at the left most corner of the cover. 

"You are indeed a mysterious man", he mused looking at the envelope.

At the other end of the library, Sushil was busy reading, without any care about the world around him. Sitting on the floor comfortably, he stretched his legs and leaned back on a rack behind. The dim LED light above the rack flickered now and then, but he seemed to be unbothered, as the book in his hand, occupied his mind.

'My Journey to the green lands by Ilangovendan'

The faint shade of yellow on the pages and, the smell of the old books made him excited as he flipped the pages of the book.

Preface

It was the year 1977 when a few of my villagers went to the green lands, to the deep forests of Western ghats in Tamilnadu went missing. The villagers declared that the immortal lady of the lush green forests, consumed them, for their decision to enter her premises. Their idealogy of an immortal lady, instigated my curious self, as I began searching for her. The goddess of the green lands.

In 1980, I started my journey into the deep forests. The lush emerald green would be a treat for the pathetic eyes of humans. Flora and fauna flourished by the nature are bonded with each other. Their roots are connected deeply invisible to the eyes of humans who're greedy and pathetic. 

Wandering across the dense and deep forests and mountains, I tried unveiling the intricate mysteries of nature. Every single creation of mother nature had hidden millions of secrets beneath a translucent layer called 'beauty'. Untangling the ropes of beauty, I found the mystery universe, a secret realm prospering magnificently with the magics of the angel of the green lands.

After 11 years of expenditure, I got to witness the beautifully dangerous magics of the immortal lady of the mountains. The enchantment of the magnificent emerald lands mesmerised my human mind. And, that's the moment I decided to disclose the secrecy of the immortal lady. Yes, the villagers were true. The green lands are indeed protected by an immortal lady who owns the realm, protecting some precious treasures.

This book encompasses the truths of the unknown kingdom, which is tangled skillfully with nature.

Ilangovendan,
Author.

"Immortal lady? Nonsense", he scoffed, shutting the book. As he stood up, the book slipped from his hands, landing on the floor. An old vintage paper kept in between the pages of the book fell. He picked it up and saw a few weird patterns drawn in a sequence. The corners of the paper were torn and a light brown coloured hue could be seen on the paper. At the top, he noticed three diamonds, where their vertices connected at the centre.

'Are you done? I have found mine.'

The buzz of his phone caught his attention. He pushed the paper into his pockets as he glanced at the book.

"Should I take it along?"

Not necessary. His words are unbelievable.

"But it's interesting", his mind countered. Fetching the book in his hands, he walked to Chezhiyan, who was waiting outside staring at someone, his face devoid of his usual chirpiness.

What's wrong? Sushil mused as he placed the book on the table, before the librarian. Putting up his glasses, the old librarian looked at the book carefully, his old eyes filled with surprise.

"You're taking this?" he couldn't help but ask Sushil.

"Why? What's the matter?" Sushil averted his gaze from his friend and looked at a rather surprised librarian.

"This is one of the most magical books, one could ever read. The author, Ilangovendan had collected the most intricate details of the forests of Western Ghats. A few believe his findings to be true and a few call him mad", the librarian said.

"Well, I am of the latter group. Either he should be mentally unfit or he is very much clever to manipulate people with his words and imagination", Sushil shrugged his shoulders.

"Certain things should be left untouched and should be considered as stupidity to protect them", the old man smiled softly, as he held out his book. Sushil looked at him puzzled as he walked out of the library to Chezhiyan.

"Now, what's with him? Why am I surrounded by either mysteries or stupids like him?" he groaned as he followed his friend's gaze.

"Ah, I knew it", he saw Aadhira, standing at a distance with Shilpi. He watched a man approaching them and noticed the surprised expression on her face. Letting out a sigh, he patted Chezhiyan, who was staring at her, without a blink.

"Jealous, are we?" he rested his elbows on Chezhiyan's shoulders.

Smiling softly, Chezhiyan said, "Jealousy and greed are of the pathetic. Love and respect are of the virtuous."

"Woah! Shakespeare in India?" Sushil giggled at his friend.

"Show me what you got", he asked and, Chezhiyan pulled out the envelope and handed it to him. Sushil hummed as he scanned the envelope.

"About you?" Chezhiyan asked. 

Should I show him? he pondered

"Have you lent another book?" Chezhiyan tugged the book from his hands. He scrolled the pages as his dark eyes read the lines carefully. Confusion and surprise flashed through his eyes. 

"Did you get anything?" he asked again, looking deep into Sushil's eyes and, he shrugged his shoulders in denial.

"Hmm. Let's get going", his bass voice whirled. He peeped through his shoulders, and his eyes caught her staring at him. Turning around quickly, he dragged his friend along. Sushil looked back and saw Aadhira entering the library, watching them keenly.

Throwing his arms around Chezhiyan, he said, "She looks quite reserved. Speak out as soon as possible."

Chezhiyan nodded his head and, they walked in silence as the crepuscule started to show up, blending with the orange shaded sky.

----------------------------

Note:

The name of the villages, books and authors are purely imaginative and, the resemblance of any books or names are purely coincidental. 

Pronunciation:

Vallipaadi- Pronounced as, 'Wall-e-pod-e'