Immortals of Meluha

‘Well, you see...’
‘I am seeing Bhadra.’
‘Shiva, please don’t make him more nervous than he is,’ said Sati. Looking towards
Veerbhadra, she continued, ‘Veerbhadra, speak fearlessly. You haven’t done anything wrong.’
‘Shiva,’ whispered Veerbhadra timidly, his cheeks the colour of beetroot. ‘I need your
permission.’
‘Permission granted,’ said Shiva, amused by now. ‘Whatever it is that you want it for.’
‘Actually, I am considering getting married.’
‘A capital idea!’ said Shiva. ‘Now all you have to do is convince some blind woman to marry
you!’
‘Shiva!’ reprimanded Sati gently.
‘Well, I’ve already found a woman,’ said Veerbhadra, before his courage could desert him.
‘And she’s not blind...’
‘Not blind?!’ exclaimed Shiva, his eyebrows humorously arched in wide disbelief. ‘Then she is
stupid enough to tie herself for the next seven births to a man who wants someone else to
determine his marriage!’
Veerbhadra gazed at Shiva with an odd mixture of embarrassment, contrition and
incomprehension.
‘I have told you before, Bhadra,’ said Shiva, ‘There are many customs of our tribe that I
don’t like. And one of the primary ones amongst them is that the leader has to approve the
bride of any tribesman. Don’t you remember how we made fun of this ridiculous tradition as
children?’
Veerbhadra glanced at Shiva and immediately down again, still unsure.
‘For god’s sake man, if you are happy with her, then I am happy for you,’ said an
exasperated Shiva. ‘You have my permission.’
Veerbhadra looked up in surprised ecstasy as Nandi nudged him again. Krittika looked at
Veerbhadra, as a long held breath escaped with massive relief. She turned to Sati and silently
mouthed the words, ‘Thank you.’
Shiva walked towards Krittika and hugged her warmly. A startled Krittika held back for an
instant, before the warmth of the Neelkanth conquered her Suryavanshi reserve. She returned
the embrace.
‘Welcome to the tribe,’ whispered Shiva. ‘We are quite mad, but at heart we are good
people!’
‘But how did you know,’ said Veerbhadra. ‘I never told you that I loved her.’
‘I am not blind, Bhadra,’ smiled Shiva.
‘Thank you,’ said Krittika to Shiva. ‘Thank you for accepting me.’
Shiva stepped back and said, ‘No. Thank you. I was always concerned about Bhadra. He is
a good, dependable man, but too simple-minded about women. I was worried about how
married life would treat him. But there is no reason to worry anymore.’
‘Well, I too want to tell you something,’ said Krittika. ‘I had never believed in the legend of
the Neelkanth. But if you can do to Meluha what you have done to my lady, then you are worthy
of even being called the Mahadev!’
‘I don’t want to be called the Mahadev, Krittika. You know I love Meluha as much as I love
Sati. I will do all that I possibly can.’ Turning towards Veerbhadra, Shiva ordered, ‘Come here,
you stupid oaf!’