HARIHARESHWARI 13 : DVOU PADOU VRISHABHAH

CHAPTER 10

The air crackled with anticipation as Balashree, radiant and beguiling, frolicked amidst the dense forest. Her eyes sparkled with mischief, twinkling like the brightest stars in the night sky.

She led her pursuers on a relentless chase, the sound of their heavy breaths was mingling with her ringing laughter. Like leaves caught in a whirlwind, they were hopelessly caught in her game, desperately trying to catch up to the smallest glimpse of her fleeting form.

With each step, the students of Bhairavnath grew more fatigued, their strength waning as they stumbled over rocks and tangled in vines. Yet, the little Balashree showed no signs of tiring.

Balashree stopped in her tracks and turned around to gaze at them. They were a distance, and till they reached her, they all fell down at her feet, panting heavily.

"Kab tak bhaagoge mere piche ?" She asked looking at them.

"Jab tak tujhe baandh nahi dete." One of them said raising his head.

"Woh asambhav hai." Balashree said folding her arms.

"Guru ki aagya na maanna humare liye asambhav hai...." Another one of them said.

"Kintu jab Guru ki buddhi bhramit ho gayi ho tab ? Aise Guru ka tiraskaar karna chahiye. Shaashtra toh aise Guru ko dandit karne ki bhi anumati dete hai." Balashree said.

"Kuch bhi mat bol kanya ! Tujhe shaashtra ke baare mei pata hi kya hai ?!" One of them said.

At that Balashree chuckled, only if they knew that she was Ved-vadini, who had taken birth in this very same Kashmirpur, as Vidyashree, the unparalleled scholar and tapasvini.

"Dekho, tumhare Guru ka annt nikat hai. Kintu tumhare paas pura jeevan pada hai. Bhairavnath ko chhodo, mai tumhe ek uchit Guru pradaan kar sakti hu." Balashree said.

She extended her hand at the student at the forefront, who was still lying on the ground breathing heavily, so he could stand up but instead of holding onto her hand, he grabbed the tongs that were tied on his waist, and in a cruel act of defiance, he struck her dainty forearm.

The impact sent shockwaves of agony through her tender flesh, immediately igniting a cascade of pain that spread beneath her skin. She felt a sharp stinging sensation as blood vessels beneath the surface were ruptured. The affected area began to darken, transforming from a rosy flush to ominous shades of purple and blue.

"Guru ki aagya karna humara dharm hai !" He said and then stood up, turning his head towards his fellow mates, "Bahut vishram ho gaya ! Bandhi banalo ise ! Guru ki aagya ka palan ho !" He told.

"Guru ki aagya ka palan ho !" They all said with determination as they too stood up.

Balashree stared at the bruise that was formed, right in the middle of her forearm. If she wanted she could've punished them here only for this transgression, but she had another plan in her mind.

"Dekhte hai kitna aagyakari ho tum sab." She said.

Without wasting another moment she ran down the hills, the students of Bhairavnath followed behind. The chase began once again. The young men were bewildered as to how swiftly she ran across the forest as if she knows this place like the back of her hand. Little did they know that she did, it was Kashmirpur after all.

Earlier she was running randomly wherever she wanted, but now the path on which she was running was calculated.

After running some distance, she saw a flag, belonging to a temple. She hurried towards it and within few moments, she rushed inside. The students of Bhairavnath followed her in, a terrible mistake out of ignorance.