25 Guidance
Part 25 Guidance
Pashupati walked on without responding to Arnav, who quickly blocked his path.
"I asked you something."
"Why do you want to know the way to the mountain?" Pashupati replied.
"So what if I do? It's just a matter of direction..."
"It's not just a matter of direction. There are a lot of important factors involved."
"I don't understand."
"People who inquire about the path often wish to go there."
"So what if they wish to? What's wrong with their desire to go?"
"It's not a simple journey to reach the mountain. Those who have attempted to go there have never returned. No one knows what happened to them. It's a dangerous party."
"But why? What keeps them from coming back?"
"Greed."
"Greed?"
"They wanted to become rich without putting in the effort..."
"How could they get rich by going to the mountain?"
"This is not an ordinary mountain; it's like the Sanjeevi Parvat. Do you know what Sanjeevi Parvat is?" He questioned.
"Yes, it's the mountain that Hanuman brought to Sri Lanka to revive Lakshman..."
"Exactly. This second mountain is filled with medicinal plants like Sanjeevi Parvat. Arvind sir is willing to pay for anyone who can bring back medicine for Ratna Amma's recovery. Many people have gone in hopes of that reward."
"So what if they expect money? Money is essential for survival. Wouldn't you agree?"
"Yes, people need money for their basic needs. But satisfaction doesn't come solely from fulfilling basic needs; they always want more."
"That's human nature."
"But the mountain doesn't allow entry to those harbouring such greed. People with selfish intentions can't step foot on the mountain... if they try, they risk losing their lives... just like my father..."
"Your father?" Arnav asked, trying to conceal his prior knowledge.
"Yes, my father was a greedy man. He had everything: a good salary from the king and ample agricultural land, yet he was never satisfied. That's why he resorted to black magic in pursuit of wealth..."
"Is black magic real?"
"Yes, it is very real, but finding true practitioners is hard. People use it to earn money. Will you believe, black magic was created by one of the Siddhas...?"
"What do you mean?"
"His name was BOGAR. He originally developed black magic to help people protect themselves from negative energies, but it has been misused. Using black magic to harm others would certainly anger Bogar. As the Pandit of the Kali temple, my father had no business engaging in such practices. That's why he was punished."
"Do you think Bogar punished him?"
"Maybe... This is a sacred village, a land of Siddhas. I wouldn't be surprised if Bogar took action against my father."
"I want to fetch the medicine for Ratna Aunty... I'm not doing it for money."
Pashupati looked at him, intrigued.
"Without money? Are you sure?"
"Yes, I'm not expecting anything in return."
"If that's true, I will help you reach the mountain because Ratna Amma is a wonderful woman."
"Really? Will you help me?" Arnav asked, filled with excitement.
"Yes, I will help you. I will accompany you to the root bridge that connects the second mountain with the first one, but I can't go beyond that."
"Why not? Aren't you interested?"
"It's not about my interest. It's not a picnic spot for anyone to visit. We need a valuable purpose to go there. If you cross the root bridge, then I will agree that your intention is pure."
"Is it that difficult?"
"Mm... There are poisonous snakes on the root bridge..."
"Snakes?" Arnav was shocked.
"What's the big deal? It's a thick forest, the place of Lord Shiva. A snake is an ornament on Lord Shiva's neck. But they won't harm good people."
Arnav sighed.
"Don't worry. I will give you an antidote."
"What antidote?"
"You should keep it in your mouth. It will act as a protection."
Arnav looked at him, dumbfounded.
"Why haven't you given it to anyone before?"
"Why should I help greedy people?"
Arnav sighed again.
"If you are ready to go, prepare for the day after tomorrow."
"Why the day after tomorrow? Is there a reason?"
"It's a no moon day. Siddha doctors collect herbs only on no moon days."
"Is it?"
"Yes, and Monday is an auspicious day for Shiv pooja. You see the combination..."
Arnav smiled.
"Thank you, Pasupathi. Please keep it a secret."
"Secret? From whom?"
"From everyone, especially the King."
Pasupathi was amazed.
"Won't you tell him?"
"Why should I? It's in my own interest," Arnav said, leaving Pasupathi speechless.
"I'll see you later." Arnav walked off, deciding to discuss going to the mountain with his Guruji.
When he returned to the palace, he saw Khushi coming from the kitchen with a plate. She froze upon seeing him, and then, regaining her composure, she went to Ratna's room.
At that moment, a servant passed by.
"Listen..." Arnav cadillac him.
"Yes, sir?"
"Where's the King?"
"He went somewhere, sir."
"Isn't he in the palace?" He made sure.
"No... He just left."
"Thanks..." Arnav headed upstairs to see Khushi under the pretense of checking on Ratna.
He found Khushi feeding Ratna. When she saw Arnav, she looked down. Ratna rushed over to him and held his hand.
"Where were you? Why didn't you come to meet me?" she asked.
"I was taking care of the temple work. That's why I couldn't meet you."
"You should not leave me, okay?"
"Okay..."
Arnav looked at Khushi, who was avoiding his gaze. He brought Ratna to the bed, made her sit on it, and then sat beside her. Khushi continued to feed Ratna, still avoiding eye contact with Arnav.
"You are angry with me."
Khushi didn't look at him and continued feeding.
"So, you won't talk to me..."
Khushi remained silent.
"Alright, don't talk to me, but don't blame me later."
Khushi stopped feeding and looked at him.
"I can tell you anything only if you talk to me. If you're not even ready to talk, I don't think you'll listen to me."
"I already listened, which you don't believe, and I don't want to talk about it."
"Don't you trust me?"
"I trust you, but it doesn't mean I shouldn't trust Uncle..."
"What I told you will happen. Mark my words: you can't be a queen without marrying the king!"
"Uncle has no such intention. You will regret it; mark my words."
"I would be happy to regret it, but I don't think that will happen."
Arnav stood up to leave, but Ratna grabbed his hand.
"Where are you going?"
"I can't be in a place where I'm not respected," he said, looking at Khushi.
She glared at him.
"Our words deserve respect. Just because people respect us doesn't mean we can say whatever we want without thinking."
"I said that after careful consideration."
"If you're going to be stubborn, I don't want to talk to you."
Arnav stood up and walked away, with Ratna following him.
"He is leaving," Ratna whined.
Khushi caught her.
"He will come back. He went to get jujube for you."
"Mmm?"
"Mmm..."
"Then okay..."
Khushi was fed up. She didn't like Arnav's assumptions.
When Arnav got to his room, he kicked a chair in anger and sat on the bed. Getting angry was pointless; Khushi wasn't at fault for not trusting him. It was clear she trusted Arvind instead.
Taking his phone, he dialed Guruji, who answered the call.
"Hello, Arnav..."
"Guruji, I want to tell you something."
"Go ahead."
"I will go to the mountain to collect medicine for Ratna madam. I met a man today who said he would help me."
"Oh, tell me more about it."
"Arvind sir mentioned that there is a temple at the peak. The medicinal plants would be nearby."
"If there's a temple at the peak, make sure to do something before collecting the medicine."
"Okay, Guruji..."
Guruji provided instructions, and Arnav listened carefully, agreeing to follow them even though he wasn't particularly fond of such things.
To be continued...
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