Celestial Love

Part 2

Little Kalpi was about to run into the woods behind her favourite red ball unaware of the danger that lay ahead... when she heard a heavenly music float in the air from the opposite direction. She smiled and stood there for a minute but then the red ball wouldn't go from her head. She turned around to search for her elder brother Pakya who was also playing with her but was nowhere to be seen now. Baba had strictly told me not to go there alone. What should I do? Without further hesitation she walked on ahead and kept walking till she reached the Yakshapala tree. She loved the smell of the flowers and looked down to see a white carpet of the fallen flowers. She ran and sat on it and picking up the flowers forgot about her red ball! Suddenly she felt strange and got scared! It is was so silent there that it became a bit spooky even in the noon time. All she could here was a rattling noise. Kalpi winced and jerked her leg. Something bit her and she looked down to see if there were ants down only to see a 3 feet long rattlesnake. She got up and began to run when she tripped and fell down to pass out but before that she had seen him coming close to her. Somehow she felt at rest and she closed her eyes thinking now all will be fine. At the house, in the work area facing the backyard, Vitthal was making a scene! He was shouting at Pakya as he had left his kid sister all alone. Now what will happen. Will he not be able to keep the promise to his wife!? She had asked him to keep Kalpi away from the backyard and he did so too, as he lived in mumbai with his kids and now he had to come here only because his Aai was unwell.He did not know what to do as the servants and neighbours advised him not to follow her into the woods. He had tears in his eyes and sweat on his brows. His mouth went dry and his heart suddenly felt ripped at the moment.He pushed some of them and tried to run towards the woods but they held onto him. It was already 2 hours since Kalpi went missing and the whole family were dead worried. They all decided that they will all go together to search for her. They all carried burning torches in their hands and left together. My poor child can not even cry for help worried Vitthal! I will sell this godforsaken place! And I will never ever get Kalpi here for sure! The moment he thought this a cat jumped from the tree onto his shoulder giving him and others a sheer fright!But soon they reached the Yakshapala and were shocked to see the scene. Kalpi was playing under the tree with her red ball and a rabbit. Vitthal ran towards her and cried oh my rajkumari how r u? Are you fine? Only to be stopped by a native. Wait Vitthal dada we need to first check. Check what asked Vitthal all confused. He wanted to carry his child in his arms now that he had found her. Dada you dont know all these years anyone who would spend the night here would either return insane or never return then how come a child like Kalpi is sitting here hale and hearty? I think something is wrong. And what they heard shocked them to the core!They were busy discussing about it when they heard the sweetest voice on the earth calling out, Baabaaa? It was Kalpi calling out for Vitthal as she had seen him. Baaabaa aale(dad's come)!She left the rabbit on the ground and ran towards Vitthal and hugged his legs with her tiny hands. Vitthal lifted her in his arms and lifted her and she cried ouch! Dukhtay! (It hurts she cried.) What beta? ASked Vitthal and others. When he checked her leg he was shocked to see a snake bite and he informed everyone. They consulted a vaidya jee (ayurvedic doctor) and he said someone had taken out all the poison and Kalpi is fine. KAlpi replied I had to be! He was there na to help me. He told me no one could hurt me! And he plays such good music! This was enough to make Vitthal's whole body tremble with fear and guilt. He remembered how Kamla had told him that it was a daughter and some he had told her that he would take her away! He hugged his daughter tight and rushed towards home while Kalpi was chattering non-stop. At home everyone gathered around Kalpi asking her different questions, everyone trying to know how did this miracle happen. A doctor was brought in by one of the relatives. He checked Kalpi and when he was informed that Kalpi was born mute but is chatting away happily as if she was never dumb, he was surprised at this miracle. He asked if she was in some danger or some shock or gone through some trauma recently when Vitthal explained what happened. Oh said the doctor! Then there is nothing to worry, Sometimes a child is born mute but the vocal chords are normal they are mute maybe because they are deaf or else due to some shock. And if they undergo another shock or traumatic incident in life then they may regain the power of speech! Its completely normal.Vitthal had tears of Joy in his eyes!His rajkumari could now speak and communicate and express her worries to her baba! He kissed her on both her cheeks and placed her in his lap. Hi mother called out to him from her bed. She then told him see I had told you not to talk about selling off this place. Today we escaped such grave danger! Only God knows who saved her but we were plain lucky.Vitthal asked his Aai to take rest. He then took Kalpi to her room after dinner and asked her about the man she spoke about. Which one asked Kalpi? Vitthal got confused! How many were there dear? I will tell you about the nice man who played with me and taught me to sing. After the snake bit me I went to sleep. When I woke up I found this man near me. He asked if I was alright or scared. When I asked him who he was all he said was his name is Raghav!I like him baba and will get married to him when I grow up! Vitthal who was worried till now laughed at his daughter's words! He had tears in his eyes but laughed crazy! Is he very goodlooking! Kalpi nodded with a smile and a twinkle in her eye. One could easily tell the little girl had fell in love with him. So is he more handsome than ur baba? Kalpi thought for a second and hugged Vitthal, my baba is most handsome man but he is also nice. Ha Ha! Laughed Vitthal, So uou want to get married to him when you grow up?, well by then he would become too old!Will you marry an old man then? Oh is it? Asked Kalpi honestly! Well what do I do? I promised that man I will marry him in future! Vitthal put her to sleep and kept worrying when Pakya came up to him with tears in his eyes. He was 8yrs old and felt guilty that he did not take care of Kalpi!I am sorry baba, from now on I will be with Kalpi all the time. I should have been with her. But baba nothing bad happened right?Vitthal pulled him into a hug! It was my fault too son! Listen we can at no cost lose Kalpi ok ? I had promised your mom that I will take utmost care of her only daughter Kalpi! Yes baba! Dont worry I am sure Aai must have sent someone to look after Kalpi!Soon everyone fell asleep and the clock struck twelve when Kalpi got up from the bed smiling. She could hear the music. He is calling me she thought!She went towards the backyard and tried opening the door but couldn't. She then opened the window with no grills and had only doors to it. She jumped through the window and went back into the woods!

Author's Note:

Where did Kalpi go and what is her connection with the music that Raghav plays. Who is Raghav? and why did he save Kalpi? Will Kalpi return home? Will Vitthal realise his daughter is not in her bed? Get your answers to all these questions in the next update. Till then keep reading Celestial Love!