Flowers Of Salooma

Part 2

Many days passed by. Mr. Iyyer came to his hut, asking for his favourite sculpture. "No, Mr. Iyyer, it's impossible. If you want, I will make another one, just like her. In return, I want that horse and cart, you promised me. It is very difficult to walk all the way up there."

After some time, Mr. Iyyer came back with a horse cart, attached to a handsome black horse.

Hari was extremely happy. Excitedly, he began to work on his next sculpture. He looked at Pournami and said: "You are the most beautiful women in the entire world. I cannot carve another beautiful face than you. I don't desire such a thing and there are no other faces in my mind other than your's."

He spent his entire evening staring at the piece of wood without any ideas in his mind. Suddenly, his horse started neighing like he was frightened of something.

There comes the demon. She walked towards him. Hari sat up. She smiled at him. "Is it yours?" She said looking at the horse cart.

"Hey, Salooma! Where were you, these past days?" He asked smiling at her. "I wasn't here. I was very far away." They stood there in a comfortable silence.

"What happened Hari? I was watching you for a long time." She asked. "I wanted to make a sculpture, but I can't figure out a face for it." He said. She started laughing hysterically. "Only Pournami's face, right?" "Yes." He said sheepishly. "Can you help me Salooma?"

"Yes, of course. I'll help you." She said. He went deep in his thoughts. "Why are you so silent? Is something wrong?" She asked him worried. "Salooma, you are a real beauty." He said looking at her with admiration.

"How is that going to help you?" She asked laughing. "That's the thing. I want your beauty. I mean- I want to carve your beauty." He said slowly. "Is that it? I'm happy to help you." She smiled at him.

"Perfect! Then you have to be my muse until I finish this." Salooma became curious. "Fine. Will it be finished in one night?" He said immediately. "No!"

Salooma became distressed. "Then you have to wait for me till next Friday. Because we can only roam free in human form only on Fridays."

"No! But I have to finish within three days or Mr. Iyyer will take away my horse. Also, the museum authorities will head back. You have to be with me for three nights." He said nervously.

"Fine, there is a way. Usually, we don't share it with mundanes. Since you are my friend, I'll share it with you. As I said, we usually roam on Friday night, but for other nights there are some tricks." His ears perked up at this.

"At a height of seven mundanes together of this Pala tree, there will be a branch facing towards the east, having seven leaves' phyllotaxy. When you pluck the middle leaf, you will get resin with magical power. Add seven drops of it to turmeric and limestone, and apply it as a gopi on your forehead. You should mix the rest of it with water." She taught him everything on the rituals and he listened carefully.

"We should start today itself." He started carving with his chisels. She sat before him without any movements. He got excited.

It was almost dusk. "Hari, Let's stop now. It's time for sunrise. I'm leaving, don't forget about what I said." And then, she left.

He worked on his new sculpture, carving, and polishing. At dawn, he began to prepare for her arrival. At midnight, he went to the Pala tree where she lives and began to perform the rituals.

"I call upon you, the demon of nature, staying here." He repeated the chanting thrice. Suddenly, with a loud thud, she appeared before him. He was shocked at the sight before him. His eyes filled with horror.

There she stood, in her frightening demon form, with long canines, showing blood red tongue, long sharp nails, with her messy long hair.

He came back to his senses and sprinkle the mixture he made, on her. Within a second, she took her human form. She was Salooma again. He drew a gopi one her forehead and she became his slave. Silently, she began to follow him. Without any further due, he began making her sculpture. This continued for three nights.

His sculpture was ready. Just before sunrise, he sprinkled her with pure water and freed her.

She was amazed at his work. He had no words to thank her. "Thank you Salooma. Thank you so much."

"Am I this beautiful? You are an excellent artist." She said happily. "I only carved your beauty. I'm happy now. I feel satisfied." He said humbly.

"Hari. It's time. I have to go now."

And then she disappeared.

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Author's Note:

I'm sorry for not updating.

If you have any doubts regarding the terms, read below.

Gopi: It is a tradition following in India. It is a small vertical line drawn from the glabella(gap between the two eyebrows) to the center of the forehead.

Phyllotaxy: Arrangement of leaves.

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