THE DIVINE ASTRAS

Chapter 1

5:00 A.M.
Gurgaon
India

Walking down a long road, trying hard to stay awake, Rudra was tired. Not just tired, insomnia tired, all his training, his work, and over time had taken a toll on him.
Even then, he had the survival spirit going on within him, his only rest from work and his training used to be on one day, Sunday, even then, he could possibly have to fight, if he didn't have any injuries from the previous fights, that is. All he had left in the name of family, was his brother Kārtik. Both of them acted as pillars of support for each other. They lived now in the metropolitan city of Delhi, having shifted from their village, whose name they couldn't even pronounce yet, properly at least. Shambhul, his brother used to call it, he smiled at his little brother's innocence.
Yes, he did love his brother more than anything in the world, yes, he sometimes gave him a hard time, but, there definitely were moments, that made it all worth it. At least, he had a brother, most people don't even have that.
Walking straight for some time, he came at a turn where the tea-seller used to provide hot ginger tea. On cold days like this, it could prove to be a life saver. Well, he could have had the cigarette, but then, his training and his fighting would have been compromised, and he couldn't risk that, fighting was a risky sport and undermining any opponent would be stupid, even though he was a proficient fighter with a record of 21-0, still, there was always danger.
"O Bhaiyā(big brother), chāi leni hai ke wahi khade rehnā hai( do you want some tea or you just want to stand there)?"
Brought out his thoughts by the tea seller, he suddenly realised, he had been standing near his stall for a long time.
"Yes, make me one special ginger tea, and make it strong."
"Bahut hi badiā, bhaiyāji(very nice, big brother). Wait for 5 minutes, I'll bring it to you. Till then, take a seat." He pointed to a stool on the left side of the small shop, Rudra sat on it immediately.
Sitting with an erect posture, he crossed his shins, crossed the fingers of his hand and stopped thinking about anything.
He called this 'blank meditation', in this you had to be in a relatively comfortable position, and not think about anything, according to him this was one of the ways, how a human could focus on the Shoonya, another way was sex, and everyone knows, how soothing and calming it is.
It was the only thing, apart from intercourse that could calm his mind, especially, when he couldn't have a romantic relationship with another person, he had to take care of his brother, he couldn't handle another person's love and affection.
In order to achieve this blank meditation state, he had made it a habit to do it in one particular spot, on this particular stool, at this particular time and focus on that one blue spot on the left side of the green shop's tin-made wall.
It would help him forget about everything, it was weird, but it did take his mind off things, set him straight, he found this funny and sad at the same time.
The man, working at the stall was about 40 years of age, and had a happy look about his face, no, satisfied look. He was satisfied. As the tea was prepared, he sang some old Bollywood number, so cheerful! At 5 in the morning! Amazing! Well, Rudra did have his brother, whom he adored and cared about with all his strength and passion.
He made the tea quite quickly and gave it to him in such a way, he made it seem, as if, well, as if he was doing something important. He wished he could be as happy as him, but then, maybe it wasn't his destiny.
When he finished his tea, he got up and took out his wallet, went to the hawker and asked him,
"How much bhaiyā?"
"Did you like it?"
"It was amazing, bhaiyā."
"Then, no need to pay. Not today. You look sad."
"You are such a nice man."
"Bhaiyā, you look so familiar to me."
"Like who?"
"Someone."
"Who?"
"Just have the tea and be happy, bhaiyā."
"Thank you."
"You are a regular customer, you need not worry. Maybe, buy something to eat someday."
"Okay, bhaiyā. Will do that."
As he walked away, slightly happier, he wondered, what if he could make someone this happy one day? What if he could be this happy everyday?
What he did not know was, his life would change soon.