The cravat felt warm on his still cold throat.
‘I will be back soon,’ said Shiva as he hugged Bhadra’s mother. He was amazed that the old
lady’s limp was a little less noticeable.
Their medicines are truly magical.
As a morose Bhadra looked at him, Shiva whispered, ‘Take care of the tribe. You are in
charge till I come back.’
Bhadra stepped back, starded. ‘Shiva you don’t have to that just because I am your friend.’
‘I have to do it, you fool. And the reason I have to do i that you are more capable than me.’
Bhadra stepped up and embraced Shiva, lest his frie notice the tears in his eyes. ‘No Shiva,
I am not. Not even my dreams.’
‘Shut up! Listen to me carefully,’ said Shiva as Bhai smiled sadly. ‘I don’t think the Gunas are
at any risk out here. At least not as much as we were at Mount Kailash. But e\ then, if you feel
you need help, ask Ayurvati. I saw her wl the tribe was ill. She showed tremendous
commitment save us all. She is worth trusting.’
Bhadra nodded, hugged Shiva again and left the room.
Ayurvati knocked politely on the door. ‘May I come in, my Lord?’
This was the first time she had come into his presence since that fateful moment seven days
back. It seemed like a lifetime to her. Though she appeared to be her confident self again,
there was a slightiy different look about her. She had the appearance of someone who had
been touched by the divine.
‘Come in Ayurvati. And please, none of this “Lord” business. I am still the same uncouth
immigrant you met a few days ago.’
‘I am sorry about that comment, my Lord. It was wrong of me to say that and I am willing to
accept any punishment that you may deem fit.’
‘What’s wrong with you? Why should I punish you for speaking the truth? Why should this
bloody blue throat change anything?’
‘You will discover the reason, my Lord,’ whispered Ayurvati with her head bowed. We have
waited for centuries for you.’
‘Centuries?! In the name of the holy lake, why? What can I do that any of you smart people
can’t?’
‘The emperor will tell you, my Lord. Suffice it to say that from all that I have heard from your
tribe, if there is one person worthy of being the Neelkanth, it is you.’
‘Speaking of my tribe, I have told them that if they need any help, they can request you. I
hope that is all right.’
‘It would be my honour to provide any assistance to them, my Lord.’
Saying this, she bent down to touch Shiva’s feet in the traditional Indian form of showing
respect. Shiva had resigned himself to accepting this gesture from most Meluhans but
immediately stepped back as Ayurvati bent down.
‘What the hell are you doing, Ayurvati?’ asked a horrified Shiva. You are a doctor, a giver of
life. Don’t embarrass me by touching my feet.’
Ayurvati looked up at Shiva, her eyes shining with admiration and devotion. This was