sound of thunder rolled across the sky and jagged lightning stretched from one end of the horizon to the other. A soft pattering started and a cool wind swept through the trees. A few drops of cold rain touched their faces. Tara shivered. Without further warning, the skies opened and needles of rain came hurtling down, drenching everything with an equal mercilessness.
Within seconds, Tara and Suraj were soaked. The rain had come so suddenly that they had had no time to pull out the reed mats from their bundles. Their icy clothes clung to their wet skin as they pressed closer to each other, huddled under the tree. It afforded very little shelter and the rain continued unabated. Tara tugged at the bundle she carried but she was shivering so much that she could barely undo the knot. She gave up and moved closer to Suraj. After a few hours that seemed like an eternity to them, the deluge stopped. It was pitch black. Water dripped steadily onto the forest floor. The sounds of the night prowlers came back in full force.
Cold and shivering, they waited for daylight. The forest was alive around them, roaring, hooting, slithering, and howling. They jumped each time the noise came too close. Occasionally, Tara heard the squeal or yelp of a helpless animal uttering its last cry. She wondered how long it would be before it was their turn. She chanted every prayer she knew, to every deity they had ever worshipped, with a special prayer to Lord Ganesh.
“Didi, please can we light a fire now?”
“No Suraj, there are too many wild animals around. We cannot risk it.”
“But I’m s-soo cold,” he stuttered, his teeth chattering.
Tara cuddled him and massaged his thin body energetically. Cold, wet, and exhausted, they finally fell asleep.
•••
When Tara awoke, it was noon. The sun was directly overhead and it caressed her with warm fingers of golden light from between the treetops, driving away the chill in the air. Suraj was nowhere in sight. Tara looked around, her heart hammering.
“Suraj,” she croaked. Then louder, “Suraj, where are you?”
A tuft of black hair peeked out from a sal tree directly in front of her, followed by twinkling eyes and an impish grin.
“Good morning, Didi. I was searching for some dry wood to start a fire. Let’s eat, I’m sooooo hungry.”
When she saw him, Tara let out a deep breath. They had both survived the first night in the forest. She stood up and stretched her stiff limbs. She undid one of the bundles and pulled out a small steel vessel. Suraj had already arranged three flattish rocks for a makeshift fireplace. Tara poured enough water to make tea. Using one of the matches, she lit a small fire with the dry twigs Suraj had gathered. She huddled close to the fire so that her damp clothes could dry out. Suraj hugged his knees, staring into space.
“Didi, about last night ...”
Tara shot him a sharp look.
“Zarku is the one turning the villagers into Vetalas. He’s the one pretending to cure them, too.”
“Yes,” said Tara.
“Shouldn’t we go back and warn Rakaji?”
Tara continued making the tea, turning the question over in her mind.
“Grandfather is our only hope. We have to find him — fast!”
“Where will we find him, Didi? The forest is so big.”
“We’ll start at the Devi Temple. He meditated there years ago.”
The water started boiling. Tara poured some milk and added four teaspoons of sugar. The brown liquid bubbled up to the top of the vessel like a small volcano spewing brown lava. She lifted it off the fire using the edge of her shawl and placed it on the ground to cool. She took a few chappatis from the bundle and flipped them on to the warm rocks. Within seconds they were toasty brown. She called Suraj and they sat down cross-legged near the warm fire to enjoy their simple breakfast. The vessel had cooled sufficiently and they took turns dipping the chappatis into the tea and sipping it straight from the vessel. Around them, sunlight swirled and danced as a light wind rustled the treetops. An occasional leaf drifted loose and spiralled lazily to the forest floor. Tara revelled in the serenity and freedom, free from constant abuse, free from painful taunts, and free from the endless housework. She could not remember when last she had enjoyed a meal in such peace.
She took a deep breath and closed her eyes. A distant growl reminded her that she did not have all day to dream. She jumped up and started packing.
“We have to find shelter today, Suraj. We were lucky last night. We may not be as lucky again.”
Suraj nodded. He was enjoying his freedom, too. He ran from one shrub to another, examining the colourful flowers that had sprouted in the aftermath of the rain. He jumped up to catch a yellow and black butterfly. A burst of red, yellow, and green sailed from one tree to another.
“Parrots,” said Suraj, pointing.
“Come on, Suraj, we have no time to waste.”
They walked with a spring in their step, energized by the breakfast and the cool morning, and headed north toward the purple smudge of hills in the distance.
The land was gradually sloping upwards. A few hours passed as they traipsed on. They saw monkeys, deer, a few squirrels, and a couple of brown hares along the way, but no shelter. Suraj was starting to lag behind.
“Hurry up, Suraj. Why are you so slow?”
“I’m so tired, Didi, and I feel funny.”
Tara frowned as she came up to him and touched his forehead. He seemed warm. Could it be the exertion of carrying the heavy bundle?
“Let’s rest for a short while.”
They chanced upon a small, cold stream that bubbled through the thick foliage. Tara would never have discovered it if she had not stepped into it and felt the cold water trickle into her shoe. Both knelt, scooped the water into their cupped hands, and let it trickle down their parched throats. Tara filled up their animal skin with the water and then bathed Suraj’s warm forehead and face. He was looking flushed and her heart thudded with anxiety. They had started late in the day and evening was already upon them. If they did not find a place to shelter soon ...
Suraj dragged his feet for the next couple of hours as Tara peered at every crevasse and crack with hopeful eyes. Once again, night threw her black cloak around them and the light went out like a snuffed candle. The night chorus started.
Suraj was sagging against Tara now and she was very worried. She put a hand to his forehead. He was burning with fever.
Oh no, not now. Not when we are so exposed, thought Tara in despair. She would have to get Suraj comfortable and bring his fever down. She headed for the nearest tree and sat Suraj down. She dug into her bundle and groped for matches. She knew the fire would attract animals, but she had to boil herbs for medicine to bring down Suraj’s fever. Tara said a fervent prayer as she undid the bundle of dry twigs they had gathered earlier that morning and struck the match to give her some light. A distance away from the tree she put down a few twigs and threw the lit match on them. They caught fire immediately and within a few minutes she had a strong fire going.
“Suraj,”
