Part 2
Day after day passed, without much change. No change, except that he was greatly lagging behind in his studies, and the authority was becoming more and more reluctant to let him continue. The two-fold journey through the forest seemed to sap him of all his energy.One day, he revolted. He thrashed around in his bed, screaming and shouting and sobbing as his mother tried to wake him up for school. After a long hour of fighting his dilemma- whether or not to tell his mother, he broke down. He recounted every single thing that had happened and every single sneer that was thrown at him.
His mother was taken aback. She needed some time to think and so, she decided to give him a break. She told him that if he did not like the school, then he was free to stay back and continue with his old teacher, the assistant priest of the temple.
A few days later, his mother dressed him for school again. She ran her hands through his hair, and said, "I know you're afraid to cross the dark forest. It's my fault that I forgot of the solution."
"Yes, the solution. You thought you were alone in the forest, but you weren't. There was always someone who kept a watch on you. It'd my fault I forgot to warn you of him."
"Not one of the ghosts, I hope." he said, his voice quivering a little.
"No, no, my foolish boy! It was your brother. Your Madhusudan dada."
"I have a brother? You never told me."
"I am sorry, dear. I know I should have told you before."
"But, if he was there with us all along, why doesn't he visit us ever?"
"Oh, he's very sensitive. He doesn't come until you call for him with all your heart."
"So that's that. Whenever you feel afraid, you will have to call him with all your heart.He will come."
With this strange bit of information, Gopal set out again for his dreaded school.
Today, as soon as he entered the forest, he called out with all his might, "Madhusudan Dada? MADHUSUDAN DADA! Where are you? I'm afraid of the dark forest!"
A faint, but clear music floated towards him. Hearing footsteps, Gopal turned around with a jerk, to come face to face with the most beautiful person he had ever seen.
He wore a simple yellow dhoti. In his hands was a bamboo flute. Though he wore no jewellery, a strange light seemed to emanate from him. In that light he could see the usually dark path clear and green. He turned round to have a better look at him. He realized, with delight, that even his cloth had got a tear. Even as he stared, he hid it with one hand.
This must be my brother, he decided.
"Called me, little bro?" he grinned. "Ah yes, I am a bit afraid of this forest. Maa said I could go with you."
"Of course you can. Well, to the school I guess. Well then, we must hurry up, that's a long way to go."
With this, he thrust Gopal's slate and chalks in his sling bag, grabbed his hand and quickened his pace.
Gopal, almost running to keep up, asked, "Dada, why don't you come to visit us? Maa said you don't come unless you're called, but I think that's hardly a reason."
The boy chuckled, "Yes, that's not the reason. You see, I live in the city, and you know how busy life can get there. I hardly had time for anything!"
"But then, you came for me?"
"How can I not, when my little bro calls me?"
"Now, now, no more questions now. Buck up, and run! We gonna be late! Again!"
Together, they ran the whole length of the forest. When they reached the end of the darkness, Madhusudan stopped. "Now, you go alone. I do not want anyone to see me. I, erm, I'm not very popular with them, you see." he said, scratching his nose. "Well, here are some tuck-ins for you, in case you're hungry. Of course you can have Auntie's ones too. I 'spect they'll be tastier than this poor chef's masterpieces."
"Dhat!" he replied laughing. He did not remember for that split second, that his mother had not been able to provide a tiffin at all.
"And yeah, I'll pick you up in the evening too. Just give a shout when you're here."
And he turned and departed. Vanished, Gopal thought.
In the evening, when Gopal was on his way to home, Madhusudan was by the entrance to the forest, as promised.
"Glad you came. I was starting worry whether you'd come or not."
"Never worry, when your Dada is here."
They chattered all the way down to their village. "Come to our house! Maa will be so happy to you!"
"Never mind Gopal, but I have some work today. You tell her, I came to take you. I'll come over some other day. Okay?" he said kindly.
Gopal bounced off to his house without a second thought. As soon as he reached, he began excitedly chattering about his day at school, which surprisingly was better that the other days. A packed lunch seemed to have give him a status rise.
"Maa! I almost forgot to thank you! Madhusudan dada had come to take me today! He promised to come, tomorrow, the day after that, and the day after that, and..."Annapurna, who had been half-listening to her son's chattering stared at him in disbelief.
Gopal did not have a brother!
Madhusudan had been a a figment of her imagination to soothe the panicky boy.
Book Talk
Shiv Shakti
