Lost In Mari

Rendezvous with Kashid

Back in Devgadh, Shyam and Karamjeetsinh were watching the television when the entire party which had gone to Dholavira returned.

'Khamma ghani and welcome back,' Karamjeetsinh greeted all.

'Khamma ghani,' Dr.Jason too greeted him with his American accent. Kili tried to speak these new words making others laugh.

Just then the news reader started giving information about destruction in Talmyra. All started discussing about how world heritage sites were being destroyed by the extremists and how it could be stopped.

' You too have many monumental designs here, Karamjeetsinh,' Dr.Jason abruptly said looking at the mini statuettes of the Bull-Man around the fountain.
'Its a long and ancient story of our ancestor's times, would you like to hear?'
'Of course, we all would like to know.'

' Yes,yes, we all would like to know,' Kriya and others also showed their interest.

' This is the story of our ancestor Ramdevsinh who established his rule here 1500yrs back. Family history says he was a devotee of our God Lord Hanuman, and when he came here, he introduced him to a friendly ghost from Mesopotamia, who along with our family goddess helped him to defeat the local ruling tribes who were terrorizing people.' Karamjeetsinh said and Kriya and all others were awestruck on hearing this.
'Do you believe this story Karam uncle?' Kriya asked.

'I do, the friendly ghost still roams in our estates and his name is Kashid.

'You must be joking Karam uncle.'

' I am not joking, he roams in our ancestral home you visited in our estate this morning.'

' But what has that got to do with the statuettes?' Dr. Jason asked.

' This was his own suggestion so that he could keep himself away from us and not create any unnecessary harm. And if you want to meet him, he has Kriya's gold chain and the pendant with him right now. It came out when she fell down there.'

'What? My chain is with him?' Kriya reached out for her neck but found the chain missing. She hadn't realized it.
All were stunned on hearing this. But they all got up and agreed to go and meet the ghost.

They came out on the road and turned towards Karamjeetsinh's estate. The pathway had been lighted up as it was night time. Every one moved ahead chatting and joking with each other. Kili too seemed to be excited.

Finally they all stood near the ancient ruin. Adrenaline shot through them as Karamjeetsinh asked them all to be silent.

' Grand uncle Kashid, please reveal yourself!'

There was no sound, not a leaf moved.

'Its time to meet the two parrots and Ku-aya, great grand uncle Kashid, please appear.' Karamjeetsinh spoke once again.

As all wondered who was Ku-aya, the area suddenly started becoming smoky. And as everyone held their breath, slowly a figure of a man started appearing before them.  Everyone took one step back, and the huge smokey figure hovered high above them.
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