PART III
EXCAVATION.. OF TRUTH…OF RELATIONS
Where are they? Are the kidnapped? Who is behind it? How does anybody know they are in the trekking? Why only them? Any personal enemity? Does Laal has hands in this? Too many thoughts
Chakor was going through the list from the organisers and found that three boys were missing and declared not found and assumed dead. All the three boys were only child for their parents. Their parents were still not able to come to terms. All the three were missing and were in the age group of eight and at the same place of trekking where the boys have gone missing. The police were also working with the Forest Department to find out if they can seek permission and start search.
Too many questions were looked at by the Police and RagKor. He lost patience, he got up… ok I am going to go that place where they were to be picked…. He rose…. I don’t care…If its dense forest then lets hire a Chopper and go about searching….
She knew he is too anxious and said yes we will go there to the place … She went through the notes written by Arjun…. there are very few habitats and mostly tribal not connected to the outside world. Inaccessible. She glanced the note book of the Police which had the dates of the children missing…somewhat similar dates. she checked and found around the mid month during Purnima… she just stood up… something was bothering…. Purnima somebody spoke about it…. who who?? she was scrunching her brain.
Chakor…. Raagahv called, what is it…. every minute we delay is danger to our children….. Lets go…. She said yes Raaghav, Purnima somebody spoke…. The p..oen Karnad but why …has it got something to do with the trekking.
Raaghav eyes was red…. He had always been a mischief maker… the police immediately cornered Karnad and was interrogating. He said he knew nothing about the boys but yes he was being called by his folks to attend for the Purnima special function that night in his native…It doesnot happen regularly… But he was not going…
Chakor thought of something… Commissioner saab lets go….
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The boys were brought through bushes and were placed inside a hut …. They were brought to senses… it was dark and it was very quiet.. Aayansh opened his and started to panic looking at the weird faces that was seen amidst the fire torches. Ar he called…. He started to panic when they started to make noises. They were four dressed in tribal dress and very harsh and weird looking.
Arjun asked them who are you, why have you brought us, what place is this. Walked the tantric with ashes smeared on them… along with another guy who was in normal dress. He was translating what tantric was saying. You You Ar said you were in one of the trekking spot na he asked.. why have you brought us here…
You both are going to be blessed by the gods he said.
Ar scrunched his eyes. What do you mean and leave my brother.
Your brother is afraid but you are brave..
I donot fear anyone he said, let us go. What do you want? What place is this?. Remove the rope he said. The tantric infact was surprised at Arjun’s boldness. Yes we will set you free. You can eat and stay happy. Donot try to run as you cannot run anywhere. This is a very very remote village and there is only a way to come not to go.
They set their ropes free. They gave them food. The kids refused to eat. Aa was crying and shaking in fear. Arjun hugged him… Bhai donot worry…
The tantric said you are very rare children so be happy as in the evening you will be taken and blessed by the gods.
What do you mean? You donot know my parents?? They will come here.
He laughed not even the gods can take you from here. The tantric laughed and went away.
Aayansh was crying terribly, palpitating bhai we should not have come… daddy was right. I think they are going to kill us. Will we see our daddy and mummy ?? he asked crying.
Nooo you will not….. we did not …………came a very very feeble voice from the corner of the room.
Bhaaai sure there is a ghost here, he started to cry aloud. Ar calmed him… shhhh looked sharply holding the little flame torch …
The voice was feeble very very slow … the figure was crawling slowly they could hear chains tied…. Nooo you will not see anybody….. Who are you Ar asked….
There were two coiled in the corner while one was lying the other one tried to crawl towards them… he saw in the flame torch… the face was very haggered, dirty, hair knotted up…
Who are you? Do you speak Hindi??? Please tell.
Haaaannnn. Kaun hai thera baapu……. Raaghav Kumar
Kaun hai therea maai….. Chakor.
Ch..aaa…kkk….ooo…rrr the voice trembled…. The otherwise dead eyes brightened… thera maaai ch.aa..kk .. ooo the light revealed the face of an old lady… She could not speak… the one who was lying shook with that name….it was a man full of beard, un shaven haggered….
Please tell us how to get out of here…. How did you come here Ar asked ..
She spoke her horror very very slowly…. We came ten years back for teerthyatra when we missed the bus and fell into a ditch the ditch which brought us to this forbidden land. We tried to escape but then found there was no way to escape. The tribals here were angry that we tried to escape, they are ruthless, they beat us. They will not kill us, as per their tribal rule they are not supposed to kill anyone who donot harm but will be beaten daily after they make us do their menial jobs. We lost our hopes and were waiting for death…. The man feebly called oh.. kissey baath karath hai…..
Don’t worry we will save you said Ar…. She smiled….they heard some voice…. They kept quiet and the old lady crawled back
Look here, they gave them a tribal dress with head gear and accessories. Wear this we will come again to take you…. What are you going to do with us… shouted Ar… the man in normal dress caught hold of him … donot shout… tell us if you are bold, shouted Arjun…he pushed Arjun and went….Aa was crying….They are going to kill us… No we will not die Arjun said. Stay bold. Play the flute…. I cant… We are lions, we are not cowards, we have fought Karan, we have our mumma and daddy who will do everything to save yes. They will not be sitting idle.
We should not accept defeat he said. Evil will not survive, only Good will win.
Haan Haar math maaan… Chakoriaya the old women mumbled.. smiling…
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They reached the place where the boys were dropped. There was Forest checkpost. The police sought the permission of the Forest Department to go into the forest but as it was dark they could not get into. They also shared the information that there were two habitats but very very remote and interior and with very few tribal people who does black magic and none dare to go there as they were ruthless, no one ever returned. They had infact marked it as forbidden land, they were cut off but only one man the Raawat the powerful guy who is now in shambles would very very rarely go to meet them in a chopper… there is no accessibility and there was only one hanging bridge from the chopper landing spot but any chopper other than his will be pulled down by the tribals.
Raaghav said, Chakor the kids went with two guides but only one came back where is the other one?? .. the commissioner and the squad immediately tried tracing the guide but he could not be reached. The Forest department was also trying to get information through the local people who were in the upper land.
Chakor was thinking…. The Raawat…. The police had the information that he was very influential person politically and had communal strength but had had a downfall so was trying all means to get back to power. Communal background… Purnima… the missing boys.. all the earlier boys she looked at the dates they were missing and found it to be during Purnima days.. aged around 8… her eyes was growing in shock…. The ugly truth was coming in front of her. Her spine was chilling…..She jittered…. She was joining the dots. Is it that her boys are ………… NOOOO!!! Raaaghav she shouted!!! Lets go…. They boarded the forest chopper and got dropped well before the hanging bridge… She explained what she felt which made Raaghav and the police squad spine chills… I will not spare them if they even try to touch my boys he raged….. But today???… she said yes today is Purnima…..she prayed Chanduji please hamara madhadh kardhijiyey. Jai bajrangbali…. Protect my boys. they covered themselves with the bushes and the branches and walked through the hanging bridge… very very carefully for a single misfoot will make them see the valley down….
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The middle aged Raawat was boarding the chopper… Today is my day. Wickedly laughing . Kaal Bhairav will be appeased and I will be blessed he said. I will get back everything, all my power, wealth, fame….. The tantric words were flowing as grapes in his ears….
A small FB
Raawat saab you have a very very rare kundali and this is your downtime. But this can be changed by appeasing the Kaal Bhairav.. said the translator with the tantric.
What should be done.?? Balidhaaan he said…. Not one but according to your astrological calculations, we should appease the god with a twin sacrifice. They should be young boys but not identical. They should have just completed their eighth birthday. They should not have their biological parents. They should be from a very good well-to-do family. And they should be sacrificed during the oncoming Pournima day when the moon shines full during the midnight.
Where can we get such rare boys… Don’t worry… we will wait … we have waited long…very long…We did this with the earlier boys for Mr. X.. Mr Y and Mr. Z see they have got the power though Mr. X and Y died due to accident. My boy,… looking at the translator will find the rare species.
The translator laughed.. yes that’s why I am in that trekking organizing company. When we register we get the details of the children and their family also. Also some of the school peons help with more details when money is thrown at them. We never tell them the reason nor they want to know either.
So we have got our rare species…..
No one can stop me from getting the blessings of Kaal Bhairav. I will get my power, he laughed..
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Arjun was looking around there was oil . He lighted the fire torch and kept below the hole of the ceiling…. It was like a ray shining through. He saw some bottles with liquid and small spikes. He soaked them in that and kept them in his belt.
He said AA to be bold and play the flute nonstop… Not to think of anything. What to play…. Hamko Manki Shakthi dena….
The old lady and the man said…… Haar math maan.. Haan Chakoriyaaa ….. Bachuwaa thu aaayegaaaa zarur aayegaaa…. Daak baba yeh dono ko rakhsakar. Arjun asked do you know my mumma??? She was about to say something when the men came in.
They forced them to wear the tribal dress. One stayed behind…
He played humko manki sakthi dena….
The others said we will come and take you when the moon comes. Arjun was shocked. Why to take them during the moon… He kept quiet not to scare Aa. He realized the danger that was impeding. Bhai why moon?? Nothing…. you play the flute.
Aa was playing the flute….it was calm everywhere the light streak was shining through
The music from the flute was very very feeble …. Very mild…. Extremely dark….. it was drizzling…….
They walked through the thick forest without making noise. Raaghav … what… shhhh… listen…..She heard…. She smiled… Raaghav we will get them …our cubs….they are bold. She walked through holding his hand… His eyes were scanning around. The boys…he said…. don’t worry nothing will happen till the moon does not come out she said. He was amazed looking at her. She walked firm holding his hands tight.
The sky was dark. The tantric with the few men was waiting at the place where there was a big altar in front of the big Kaal Bhairav…. The men were playing dol. Looking up to the sky.
The tantric was chanting mantras…. With a big fire place. He was also looking at the sky… restless…. How is that the moon has not yet come….
She smiled…looking up. The police squad were far behind them as they did not want to make noise..
Chanduji please please donot come out till I reach my cubs she prayed
The bells at the Kaal Bhairav rang!!!
The lion and the Eagle were together! She was going slowly hearing the music . it was becoming difficult as the dol was loud. Chakor dek Raaghav showed the sky…. The ray of light was beaming through the darkness. They went close the hut when the clouds were clearing and the moon was coming out. They stopped saw the tribal men going in . They hid themselves.
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Bring them they are the rarest……. The boys were brought out of the hut. Ragkor saw them, Raaghav just could not control his anger… Raaghav please hold yourself.
They were taken to the altar…. Arjun looked up while AA kept quiet…
What are you looking …. You are very bold but now the god is going to bless you .
No… Arjun was bold he said no the gods will not bless us and will not make you happy. You are doing wrong. Raawat spoke hey you are not afraid… you are going to be sacrificed and god will be pleased to bestow me with power. Arjun sensed… Daddy, Mumma …he saw in the dark the branches moving…
He said in which century you are in, if you kill us how will you get power. How can you be so stupid. Aayansh realized the danger but supported Arjun to divert them. Listen… my daddy and mummy has lots of money they will give you if you want.
You don’t know about our daddy and mummy they will not leave you he said.
Raawat and the tantric was angry. You little devils shut up they shouted. Hold them tight, pour the ghee…. Ignite them…. shouted the old man in an unknown language…
They are rare….. ….hara gobla hokabla gleemm gleeemmmmm he shouted in glee…
The men came to pour the ghee when Arjun quickly threw the spikes filled with the poisonous liquid the men fell down holding their cheeks and face. Aayansh quickly pulled the other guy who was holding the torch and threw it down. He poured the ghee at them so they were slipping and falling down. Ar quickly hit one in his groins using his power of martial arts. Come to me he pulled Aa.
What are you looking lynch them said the tantric to the few men standing shocked.
Ar…. Aa …. hugged….and ducked down… When the tribal man came near them rose the lion in full force and thumped the man with his elbow. He saw stars. He kicked the other with his left and throttled the other with his hands…. He raged his eyes was on fire. Dare touch my sons….. Dadddy shouted the cubs. They clung to his biceps… the tribal men did not anticipate this… he quickly swirled them and they hit them. Chakor quickly held Raawat and tantric on gun point. Don’t dare take a step the tigress roared…. How dare you try to harm my sons… She was carrying a gun with her. Who are you??… By the time the police force came in along with the forest officials. The tribals were running with their sharp spike but they were easily overpowered by the police who had their guns.
The tantric grew mad and so was Raawat … Who are you how did you come???…
You did wrong in touching my boys…. I am Chakor she said… Will not hesitate to kill you if you touch my boys. How can you even think of such a thing. Sacrificing the young kids. Who gave you the rights? And lalla you touched the wrong kids said Raaghav. Iski sasa moth he gave one hard punch in Raawat and Tantric’s face. the police held him. They surrounded them and took them into custody….
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It was a very very emotional moment for the kids… Ar and AA hugged them.. Mumma and daddy were kissing them all over… My Lions… I am proud of you… tears falling. I am sorry, its my mistake she said to them…. They hugged her back, mumma please no. Raaghav did not react but was hugging all of them. The police got a bigger chopper when Ar said daddy we cannot leave them and go.
Who RagKor asked. Come they pulled them to the hut… Torches were shown when they saw two people come out shaking….. Chakor was surprised…. Mummaa she knows your name Ar said…. Knows me…. Chakor was trying to see her in the dark the face was covered with the hair which was knotted The police held the old man….
Chakor held her hand and saw the mud smeared bandhuva stamp…her heart palpitated who is this…. Who are you…. How do you have this stamp.. she cried… Chaa…kkooo…riiiyaaaa bachwa…… that voice Chakoooriyaa bitiyaaa his voice… she trembled who is this… Raaghav came behind holding Chakor… Maaai……. She shouted Baapu…. She cried…. Oh god Is it you both….. in which state I am seeing you. God what has happened how did you both get here… I thought you stayed behind in one of the holy places. The police helped them… she hugged them both…..Ar and Aa were held by Raaghav… daddy…. yes they are mumma’s parents he said.
They took them back….. BhuKa had beenso traumatized, they were directly admitted to the hospital. Raaghav was holding Chakor while she was crying incessant….hearing to Ar as he narrated bhuka story
Girija stayed with BhuKa in the hospital…..
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It was too emotional for the Ra4gKor … Kaaka had a great relief he hugged the boys and thanked the gods. Raamu kaaka and Govind were there at the mansion.. The police were appreciating RagKor for their guts and were telling if they had not got into this this heartrending massacre would have been continued thus killing numerous kids in the name of appeasing gods. The roses were just stuck to their bros. The boys were with Raaghav….. on their big bed…Daddy they were explaining…. While Chakor was crying feeling guilty in the corner of the bed… The boys and the girls slept on the massive bed… the boys on both his sides while the roses were on his chest. She coiled herself beside Aayansh turning the other side, crying… I am feeling guilty…. It was because of me that they went to the expedition.. What would have happened if we did not go… She shuddered crying…. He could not turn with the roses on him but extended his arms patting her head… she turned… he looked at her with tears in eyes… held her hand with his left.…. He said I love you please don’t think much. Sleep… Raaghav…. Shhhh….
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Chakoria …. Maai Baapu please donot excavate what is buried… My life are they.
Thum teek bolath hai bitiya…. They packed their bags.
I am sorry….. its my mistake , you were right we should not have sent them. She was on and on. He was looking at her, and she was not stopping either. He …………………..
If the boys had not gone…..
I am guilty..... he sucked her lips...
Raaghav…hmmmm. They were working out in sync at the gym.. she in her track and sleevles half slip..he in his shorts…. The pushups were rhythmic….
The oil was cold but turned warm with their massage… she was shining in the oil.. she was on the bathroom floor with her hands up..her left leg half bent.. eyes closed… his toned torso was shining in oil… placing her right leg on his shoulders………….
His eyes were………
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