“It is a long and tiring journey. Sit awhile and rest. I will give you food and water. Once you have regained your strength, you can go on.”
Tara was entranced by the beauty and the soothing voice of the Apsara. She suddenly realized that it had been ages since she had eaten a decent meal. Her stomach growled as the goddess passed the plate of sweets in front of her nose and beckoned.
“Come with me, Tara, and I’ll look after you.”
Tara took a step forward, relieved that she would not have to go through this ordeal alone. She had panicked for nothing. Obviously, Lord Yama had not known about this friendly goddess. He had scared her for nothing with his grave expressions and his silly bits of advice. She almost laughed aloud with relief.
“Lead the way, Apsara. I am right behind you.”
The Apsara turned and walked ahead, leading Tara deeper into the labyrinth of caves.
“Follow me.”
At every step, the feeling that something was not right grew inside her like a large balloon. I wish Ananth were here to guide me, she thought. She was so undecided that her steps slowed.
“What is it, Tara? Surely you are not afraid of me? I am here to help you. You will perish without me,” said the Apsara, her eyes flashing. “Come along now, it’s not far. Don’t delay or I am going to get angry.”
The misgivings in Tara’s heart blossomed. Lord Yama’s words floated into her head, his voice gruff yet tinged with concern, “People are not as they appear on the surface. Trust your heart, not your eyes.” She had been so happy and relieved to have a companion on this dangerous quest — a goddess, no less. Yet her heart was very troubled.
Stop NOW, the voice inside her screamed. She continued walking, unsure of what to do.
Tara’s eyes strayed to the little mouse clasped in the Apsara’s hand. It sat there quietly, looking at her with an intense expression. She was surprised. She had never known a mouse to sit still. Suddenly, the mouse flopped over, exposing its belly. The sight made Tara shudder. It had no legs! The mouse could not run because it had no legs.
Who would do that to a small, defenceless creature? A monster, the little voice in her head said helpfully. And it added, in case she missed the point, she was following this “goddess” willingly. Who knows what fate would befall her if she, Tara, entered her home.
Her eyes darted left and right, trying to decide which way to run. The mouse seemed to understand her dilemma. It flicked its tail in the direction of a dark tunnel that was coming up on their right. Tara looked at the mouse in confusion. Its eyes seemed to bore into hers. It flicked its tail urgently, always pointing at her, at itself, and right, again and again and yet again. They were almost past the tunnel. Tara finally understood.
She grabbed the mouse from the Apsara’s hand and dived into the tunnel the little creature had been frantically pointing to, then sprinted into the black void. Mud and slush underfoot made deep sucking sounds as she ran. She bounced off the walls and tripped over rocks as she hurtled blindly along the tunnel.
A shriek reverberated around her. The “goddess” had discovered that Tara was no longer following her. Tara heard thundering footsteps behind her. She turned back for a brief glimpse and her heart almost stopped beating. A massive monster pursued them. It was a pale yellow, as if suffering from a severe case of jaundice, with glowing, red eyes. Two white fangs stuck out from either side of the blood-red mouth. Its black, bushy hair flew back as it ran, resembling a nest of seething, writhing snakes. With a burst of energy, Tara sped up and ran for her life along the dark and endless tunnel.
“Turn right here,” said the mouse in a strained voice, gasping for breath.
Tara realized that she had been squeezing the mouse so tightly she had almost suffocated it. She loosened her grip as she continued sprinting.
“Come here, Tara,” said the monster. “I’ll help you. Come here, my juicy little tidbit. I can almost taste your delicious flesh. Don’t go.”
Tara galloped faster.
“Left, right, left ... left, right,” the mouse’s voice came in staccato bursts.
Tara obeyed without thinking or seeing as her aching legs swerved left and right at top speed. Her breath came in ragged gasps and there was a painful stitch in her side. Her body was soaked and the acrid smell of her own sweat enveloped her. Her hands were starting to turn slippery, and she tightened her hold on her companion.
At long last, the monster’s voice became fainter and then was altogether gone. Tara flopped down, panting heavily. Water from the damp floor seeped into her clothes and shoes, but she did not notice or care. She raised her hand and brought the mouse to eye level. His eyes glowed yellow so that she could see him faintly.
“Thank ... you,” she gasped as she kissed its black button nose. “Who ... are ... you?”
“My name is Mushika.”
Tara was shocked.
“But that is the name of ...”
“Yes,” said the mouse. “I am Lord Ganesh’s faithful servant. We meet again.”
“Again? Have we met before?”
“You saved me from the cat not too long ago in the Ganesh temple in Morni. Do you not remember?”
“Yes. Now I do. But how did you get here?” asked Tara.
“Lord Ganesh was moved by your prayers and the hardships you have been through. He sent me here to wait for you. But that monster captured me and took away my legs using a powerful magic. You’re the only one who can restore my legs, Tara. Lord Ganesh’s power cannot penetrate this evil place. In return, I will guide you to the fountain.”
“Thank you,” said Tara, stroking the mouse. “Do you know how to get there?”
“Yes, but the way is extremely dangerous,” said Mushika. “I’m not sure if you’re strong enough to survive this.”
“I have no choice. My brother’s life is at stake. I cannot fail.”
They sat for a few minutes in silence. Then Tara pushed herself up. Her legs shook and she almost fell over.
“Which way now?” asked Tara, gritting her teeth against the exhaustion that was spreading through her body.
“We have to go deep down to the heart of the Kailash Parbat. Be as quiet as possible. I’d rather not disturb any of the things that sleep here.”
“What things?” asked Tara.
“The less you know, the better. Let’s go,” said Mushika.
Impenetrable blackness surrounded them and she was starting to feel its oppressive weight. Mushika’s eyes glowed a deep yellow, casting a dim light in the thick gloom. The tunnel sloped downward. She took a deep breath, trying to shake off the feeling of claustrophobia in this close, dark place. They walked deeper and deeper and, with each step, Tara felt as if the entire weight of the mountain was pressing down on her.
Splash!
