Mithra

‘Promise me, you will do as I say,’ said Agneyastra outstretching his palm. Veera placed her hand in his palm instantly. ‘I promise father.’ ‘Then go and pick up that bow,’ said Agneyastra smiling serenely. Veera went and stood before the bow. It was a huge bow. She looked at her father with doubt and fear. ‘Pick up that bow Veera,’ said he with an unchanging expression and tone. She hesitantly touched the bow. It was hard and cold. Veera tried to lift it up, but she couldn’t. It was heavy. She tried several times but failed to lift it. Her hands seemed to slip from the bow every time. ‘Mithra…’ called out a familiar voice. Veera looked up to see Dhruva. ‘You can do it,’ he said looking into her eyes. His eyes bored into hers. Veera bent down and picked up the bow easily this time. She positioned the arrow securely on the bow and stood ready. ‘Shoot,’ commanded Agneyastra. She instantly released her arrow. Veera turned to look at her father. But his face was blank and he was staring down at her hands. She followed his gaze and looked down at her hands. They were stained with blood! Terrified she looked up at Dhruva. His face was contorted in pain. Blood continuously oozed from the wound, where her arrow had pierced his chest. ‘Dhruva!’ cried out Veera flashing her eyes open and sitting up. Her breathing was heavy. Her body was soaked in sweat. Her room in the tent was dark except for a small lamp glowing in the corner. Realizing that it was a nightmare, she slowly calmed her breathing. Veera drank little water from the copper jug placed beside her bed. She stood up and walked to the small window. It was still dark outside but she could see a few priests going to the river for their morning bath and prayers. Veera slowly walked to Dhruva’s room. He was still fast asleep, sprawling on his bed. His face had a soft glow to it in the dim light of the lamp. Veera knew that previous night’s wine still had its effects on him. She was glad, her scream had not woken him up. She closed her eyes in a silent prayer. Keep him safe. He is all that I have. She then slowly walked out of his room noiselessly. There was no use going back to bed now. She went into the bathing chamber and bathed in the cold water. She dressed in her kurta and dhoti and stepped out. Veera walked straight to the Shiva temple near the river. *** Kshini took a look at her sari once more and pressed it slightly at the folds. She then turned to leave. Before that she looked at Major Chandravarun once more. He was lost in his thoughts staring into the dark outside the window. ‘Chandra, who is she?’ He looked at her taken aback. ‘Who?’ ‘The one you are thinking about,’ she said calmly. ‘How did you…?’ Kshini smiled at him. ‘You were in my arms, but there was someone else on your mind.’ ‘Well yes, there is someone,’ said Shaurya slowly. ‘She is very lucky to have a man think about her even when he is in another woman’s arms…’ said Kshini and walked towards the entrance of the tent. Before stepping out she turned back and smiled at him bashfully. Shaurya turned to look outside the window again. The cool breeze caressed his bare torso. He ran his hand through his disheveled hair. Sleep was far from entering his eyes. He saw small flickering lamps in the Shiva temple at a distance. He knew it would be dawn after some time. He bathed and dressed in Devajit’s blue cotton dhoti. While stepping out of the tent, he noted that Ashwasena and Devajit were still fast asleep. He walked towards the Shiva temple with bare feet, in the dark. Shaurya washed his feet in the river outside and stepped inside the temple. It was an old temple made of stone. There were many stone pillars arranged in four columns outside the sanctum sanctorum. All the lamps inside were lighted and the carvings on these pillars were delicate and beautiful. The sanctum sanctorum had a black stone idol of lord Shiva seated in penance. Though it was a statue of penance, the Lord’s characteristic weapon, the Trishul was fixed to the ground beside him. It was an idol which instilled peace and fighting spirit equally in the worshipper’s heart. Shaurya didn’t go near the sanctum sanctorum. The priests were chanting hymns and pouring milk on the Lord Shiva’s idol. The temple was empty except for the priests and their assistants. Shaurya decided to sit near a pillar. When he turned to his right, he let out an involuntary gasp. His heart skipped beat! Veera was sitting there leaning against another pillar with her eyes closed. A tear had escaped her eye lid and was resting on her cheek delicately. She seemed oblivious to her surroundings. Her wet hair was not tied and gathered to fall on her left shoulder. She sat there cross legged with hands on her thighs. Her fingers were long and slender with neatly clipped pink nails. Now that was unusual because most women that he had been with had longer nails, well-shaped and preserved. Her dusky face had a golden glow in the light of the lamps. She had fuller pink lips…. Shaurya suddenly closed his eyes and shook his head to stop himself from ogling at her. He was standing in a temple for God’s sake! How could he let his mind wander like that? He slowly opened his eyes, but she remained unmoved. Shaurya stood rooted to the spot. He couldn’t tear his eyes away from her. He could spend days just looking at her. All he wanted to do was take her in his arms and kiss away the tear from her cheek. Dan! Dan! Dan!