The courtesan; The leader
Next morning Riya got up early. She wished to talk to Manav about breaking their engagement but he was still sleeping. She has already worried him a lot last night. So he let him sleep. She freshened up has some fruits, bathed and dressed in Indian attire. Then she decided to visit Shiva temple. She left a note for Manav that she was taking the car. It was Sunday anyways; a holiday.
Soon she reached the temple. She performed the puja and thanked Shiva for guiding her. She got a vision.
She was marrying Vicky in the very same temple under that Banyan tree. Friends threw flowers and elders blessed them.
She felt happy and blessed as she kept some prasad for Vicky. As usual she wandered off to the banyan tree in the hope of meeting the ascetic but she could not find him. Instead she saw a girl there who was crying.
Meanwhile
" So this suggest that now those same disappeances and rumours of a monster are now in the villagesnear to that temple", said the commissioner.
" Yes", said Salman. " The villagers filed complain. The local police is discovering bodies.. mostly drained out of blood".
" Odd", said Duleep.
" Yeah", said Sharman why the blood"?
" But there is more", Salman said. " The trustee of this temple is Mr. Ramcharan Oberoi. Vikram's father.".
" WHAT"?
" Sir we need to have a chat with them", said Salman.
" Okay he is a friend", said SP. " Let me call him".
SP called Ramcharan.
" Hello SP. Am I on the wrong side of law for some reasons", he joked. " You calling me in the morning. "
" Is your son home", asked SP.
" What did he do"?
" Sir this is ACP Salman. I met Vikram once. His life could be in danger. Can we meet you"?
Ram was scared. Vicky..
" Please come", he said.
" On our way sir", said Salman.
At the temple
" Why are you crying", Riya asked the girl.
" Because its my fate", she answered.
" Fates change sometimes", said Riya. " Trust Shiva".
This statement made her suddenly raise her head . And all she saw was a kind face and green eyes. The other girl was smiling.
A DEJA VU HIT HER..
" Fates change sister", said another girl to her with same green eyes and a kind face. " Trust Shiva".
Time has changed. That girl was dead. So who is this girl standing here in front of her?
" Who are you", she asked.
" I am Riya and you", the girl said.
" I am Shalini ", she replied.
" So umm if I am not intruding your personal space may I ask why are you crying", said Riya.
" I love a boy but he hates me",she said.
" Why"?
" I took something away from him", she said.
" Then you return it to him. And you can be together again", said Riya.
" I took away the love of his life", said Shalini.
Now you are going to shun me. Come on go ahead. Do it Gunjan.
Riya remained silent for some time.
Then she said
" You did a bad thing", she said.
" Well I am a sinner", she said haughtily.
" Do you really love this boy"?
" So you doubt my love", asked Shalini.
" You were jealous of the other girl. So no. I don't doubt your love", said Riya." Did he leave you for her"?
" Men leave wives for me princess", she said. " I am the honey pot they want".
" Who", Riya was amused by her change of behavior.
" I am the ultimate sin. The dancer, the other woman, the unattainable. The Courtesan".
" The courtesan", Riya was excited now. She wanted to interview a real one for her thesis now.
" Well we are called escorts these days", said Shalini.
" So this boy left his wife for you", asked Riya.
" No for the first time in my life someone left me for his wife", said Shalini.
" So it hurt your ego", Riya asked raising a brow.
" Judgemental aren't we", Shalini's tone sharpened. " Just because I have many admirers in men I can't love someone".
" Sorry", said Riya. " So lets talk about you and him".
" We met when I was a teenager. I really really love him. And I thought he returned my feelings ", she said dteamily.
" I am sorry again", Riya said touching her hand.
" Well as I said fate", said Shalini.
" Trust me they do change", said Riya.
" For better or worse is upto Shiva", came a voice.
Riya knew this voice.
" Punditji", she touched the ascetic's feet.
" Bless you".
" Pranam Punditji ", said Shalini.
" Bless you", said the ascetic.
" Child I see you have no questions today and are content with your life", the ascetic said to Riya.
" We are marrying soon", she said shyly.
" Then you have already started turning tide in the right direction. Be prepared", he said.
" For the war", she asked.
" It has begun too. And the leader of virtues is already decided too".
" I don't understand punditji", she said.
" You will find out soon. Remember when time comes for the good of mankind the leader gives an ultimate sacrifice".
" Sacrifice", she was scared.
But he just said.
" Be blessed".
She touched his feet and left. Before leaving she took Shalini's address.
" I want to meet you again", said Riya.
Shalini remained there.
" So the miracle finally happened", said Shalini as Riya left.
The ascetic remained silent.
" She is back. Isn't she?"
Still she was met with silence.
" Is she back wit him again", she asked. She was agitated.
Only more silence greeted her.
" Well they can be separated again just as before", said Shalini.
The ascetic quietly started cleaning the discarded idol.
" So you don't consider me fit to talk. You are devotee of Shiva and I am a fallen woman", said Shalini.
The ascetic looked at her now. He still remained silent.
" What if she dies again", smirked Shalini.
The ascetic shook his head and smiled.
" You dismiss a courtesan oh mighty devotee of Shiva but it was me who seperated them earlier. A woman scorned is dangerous".
The ascetic looked at her and smiled.
" Four centuries of curse taught you nothing Reshma. Gunjan died and escaped her miseries. Srikant still never came back to you. He waited patiently only for his wife in penance for his sin. But you rejoice and revel in her misery and death You even brag that you were the one to make them suffer.. Learn to rise above your selfish behaviour. Only then will Shiva forgive you".
Then he left as she stood there staring after him.