The pankh that Rishi Ajan held fell out of his palm. He managed to turn around and grab Acharya Ashwini’s leg, elbowing it with all his strength until he heard the bone break. While the acharya writhed in agony, Rishi Ajan pulled out dried flowers from his dhoti, crushed them in his hands and blew them into Chief Brighu’s face. The chief’s eyes started to burn.

Sanaka tossed his kamandalu to the chief, who emptied it on to his face to relieve himself. Sanaka then grabbed Rishi Ajan by his hair and pinned him back to the floor.

Idhika broke free from the women and ran towards him, but one of the villagers stopped her in her tracks. However, fate afforded her a final glimpse of her father’s body being dragged away, with Sanaka leading the procession. Villagers joined, chanting, ‘Sinners of Madhu; they need to be banished; from the lands, they need to vanish! Sinners of Madhu; they need to be banished; from the lands, they need to vanish!’

The women had held her tight, just as Idhika now held her father’s pankh—thirteen years later. Idhika retreated to her hut. She knew that the time had come to visit him.

21

Hathi-Paun

The next morning, after getting permission from Aranyani to visit her father, Idhika invited Aman, Fayza and Ujal to tag along.

‘Prithvi?’ Ujal asked. ‘What about her?’

‘I’m not too sure,’ Idhika said. They stood by the tulsi shrubs just east of Pandayam Tal. A kamandalu was strapped to her waist. ‘Can’t we go without her?’

‘I know she still spends an awful amount of time with Aarti, but it is you she respects as the true leader. We must take her.’ Ujal hadn’t ever denied Idhika anything; he never wanted to stand in her way. But lately, he had craved a sense of belonging—not just for himself, but also for his sister. He insisted on her accompanying them.

Soon, they were on the way, Idhika leading them—with Aman, Fayza, Ujal and Prithvi following. From the gate in the wall near Kalanag, they charged towards the Dronagiri woods. It was a hot day and the sun beat down on their heads.

As Idhika walked with Ujal, she told him about her father’s exile and the letter she’d recently received. Ujal’s admiration of her went up a notch as the full force of her bravery was driven home to him. She dealt with the tragedy of her past in a mature manner. Despite the fact that the Souls weren’t allowed to be in romantic relationships, the Eka was an exception to the laws. He knew their developing closeness was not futile as Idhika would be allowed a partner if ever she sought one.

The further the Souls moved from Vanyasa, the thinner the trees around them became. The verdant bushes were replaced by brittle shrubs with drooping brown leaves, burnt to a crisp. The path bent and fell, and in no time, the Seven Hills looked like a place far away.