Percy Jackson and the Incarnate- 1: The beginning

CHAPTER 20 POV: Percy Jackson

I woke up early the next morning. I didn't know why, but I didn't feel groggy or tired every time I wake up earlier than usual. I sat on the bed, looking around the room. It was painted sandal and green, with two beds and a wardrobe with a bathroom door next to it. I went to the bathroom and saw a note next to a new toothbrush.

Percy,

This is your toothbrush. The paste is at the counter near the mirror. Meet me outside for a good hot bath.

Hari.

I took out the toothbrush. It was blue. Maybe it was just a coincidence or Hari must have known my obsession for blue. The toothpaste scared me. The toothpaste was in a red carton. I opened the nozzle and a slightly reddish-brown paste was squeezed out. I reluctantly put it inside my mouth. It burned! I knew Indians have a way with spices. But spicy toothpaste?? That was unexpected. I spat all the toothpaste and rinsed my mouth thoroughly. My tongue was slightly numb as I came out of the bathroom. I opened it expecting to see Hari's clothes, and I was partially right. After rummaging through, I found something unexpected. It was a few skirts. I can say with certainty that it was worn by a girl, maybe about six to eight years old. I shoved my thoughts away and found a basic tee-shirt and surprisingly jeans. Maybe, Badrinath is a colder place, so we could wear jeans here. I wore my sweater and came out. With the clothes in my hands.

Hari was still there doing his yoga, bare-chested??? In this cold!!!

"Hari!!" I screamed.

"Hi, Percy. Had a good sleep?", he asked back.

"Yeah. After a long time. Why are you bare-chested? I am a new-yorker and still feel my spine shiver in the cold.", I asked incredulously.

"Practice. I am still shivering, but I am practicing. I need to train my body to withstand the different temperature variations.", he said in a matter-of-fact manner.

"Well, should I too?", I asked back.

"Not necessary. And I am bare-chested only when I do the Nityakarma and Yoga. Other times I also wear my sweater.", he said and continued his Asanas.

After five minutes, he finished and folded his mat. He looked at me for a moment with fear in his eyes.

"What?"

"Where did you get this dress?", he asked.

"In the wardrobe. All my other dresses were too dirty, so your father gave them to the laundry yesterday and instructed me to use your clothes for the day.", I replied.

"Well. Good for you. Take a bag with you to dump your dirty clothes, we are going for a bath.", he said as he rolled his mat and went inside. He looked a bit stiff.

"Where are we going to take a bath?", I asked curiously.

"Tapta Kund.", he replied.

I found a plastic bag and kept my new clothes, that is, Hari's old clothes, and waited for him. He came out wearing just a sweater over his Dhoti. I had no idea how tolerant his lower body was to the cold.

"Did you brush your teeth?", he asked.

"Was it a prank?", I blurted.

"What prank?", he asked.

"The toothpaste?", I asked and he chuckled.

"Oh! You used that toothpaste. I forget that not all love its taste. Too spicy for some.", he said.

"Why is it that spicy?", I asked.

"Because it has a lot of cloves in it.", he replied, "Come down, we have tea, and then go for a bath."