Kaalika-The Rise of Rakthbeej
Kaalika-The Rise of Raktbeej
Poonam Desai
Author
Chapter 21
They met the next day to decide the strategy. Kasar spread out a chart. It was the layout of the Havan ceremony.
“Where did you get your hands on this?” Sharvari asked patting Kasar on the back.
“Let’s just say not everyone has sold their souls at the CBI. I still have old reliable friends there.”
They all bent over the layout as Kasar explained the lay of the podium.
“Near the bank of Saraswati is going to be a huge podium, about 10 feet higher than ground level. The actual Havan and pooja will happen here.
Our honourable PM, Home Minister, and few other trusted ministers from the cabinet along with PM’s private guard will be there.
The next line are seatings for the who’s who of the country, who of course are funding the event as well.”
Dilan interrupted, “You mean big business honchos?”
Kasar continued, “Yes business families, builders, educationists etc. CBI is dealing with the security at this level along with the home guards.”
“The event is not open to public?” Dhaigham peered at the diagram.
“No, the temple and its yard is small. So, clearing in case of emergency is compromised.
Am sure the CBI chief isn’t gung-ho about the location, but the PM insisted.”
Sharvari scratched her chin. “That is odd.”
Dhaigham smirked. “Raktbeej is getting bolder. Whatever he plans to do, doing it at Kaalimath is like a slap in our face. He is mocking the power that once annihilated him.”
“But what is his plan?”
Dilan’s question left them all silent. They knew the why, where and the who but not the how.
Sharvari broke the silence first. “We don’t have answers to all our questions, but we need to go in ready to do whatever it takes.”
Dilan’s brow furrowed, “But this could be a trap. Without knowledge we would be sitting ducks.”
“True,” Kasar agreed.
While Kasar went off to find more details, Dilan and Dhaigham began reading scriptures for summoning the Suryastra.
Sharvari, tired from the day before, fell into a nap. She dreamed about a forest on the banks of a river. She navigated the trees and followed the sound of the river.
The opposite bank of the river had a fire raging, its flames licking the sky. There were people around the fire.
She squinted to see better and gasped. All the people on the opposite bank were now staring at her and they all wore the mask of Raktbeej’s face.
She stumbled back, only to realize that suddenly she wasn’t on the opposite bank but stood within the fire and all the masks stared at her and laughed. She screamed in agony as the fire charred her skin.
“Sharvari, Sharvari!”
Dilan shook her awake. She was sweating and rubbing her hands.
“Did you dream of him?” Dilan asked. She could only nod, her throat dry from fear.
“What did you dream?”
“There were people….people wearing his face. They laughed as I burned in the fire.”
Dilan frowned and looked at Dhaigham. “She isn’t making sense.”
Dhaigham sighed.
“He is controlling all people who will gather at the Havan and he I going to sacrifice Sharvari in the pyre.”
Dilan pursed his lips. “Not the premonition we expected.”
He called Kasar and let him know. Sharvari remained dazed and her skin was hot. Kasar called back in moments. “Switch on the news.”
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