Flowers Of Salooma

Part 4

After some time, Salooma came back. She said to Hari, "I had some unfinished business. I needed your help, and you helped me. I am so happy now. Thank you for your help." He was silent and after a few seconds, he said, "I am a fool, that's what everyone is saying. And now..now you made me a fool??"

Salooma was quiet and slowly she said: "I will explain everything to you one day." Hari was now again back to normal and continued. "I trust you Salooma. I trust you with my whole heart. I would never have come with you this far if I had no trust in you. Otherwise, who is so courageous and fearless to go out this far with a demon!?" And slowly he gave her a slight smile.

"Please don't call me a demon always. I feel so annoyed when I hear it from you." She said uneasily. Hari was now laughing hilariously and said:"Okay, I will not. Leave it, Salooma." He smiled at her in a manner which comforted her. "Hey, so what is the deal with that clairvoyant?" He asked her curiously. "Oh! I will tell you." Salooma said as he laid down his head on her lap and was ready to hear her story.

Salooma said:"I was an angel once. Many years ago when I was travelling over that mountain, I saw a lotus pond nearby that clairvoyant's house. As you know I am really very fond of lotus ponds, I stopped there to take a bath. Time passed very quickly, I wasn't even aware. It was early morning when he came to bathe. He was really angry and wild when he saw me. He said:"How dare you enter my property without my permission!" And then she said:"I am really sorry. I didn't ask your permission." The clairvoyant was annoyed. "You bathe here before me and turned this water impure. I curse you! You can never quench my anger." He said furiously.

"Please forgive me..please..please forgive me!!" She cried pleading but it was worthless. The clairvoyant said:"You will be a demon for hundred years and live on this earth. You can quench my anger through a human. Until then you have to be a demon."

Hari was listening with great astonishment. After a deep breath, he asked,"Then what happened?" Salooma continued."Then I became a demon. I was in different form then itself. My hundred years are coming to an end. Hari was surprised at this and asked,"So that angel's form..was it yours?  I mean..was it your real form?" Salooma smiled and said:"No. Now  I have a different form." They fell silent.

Hari started speaking."Let's go back Salooma. Pournami..she is alone there. Even if she isn't alive, she is alone." Salooma gave him a smile and said:"Yes..let's go. Did you like here?" Then her wings came back behind her shoulders floating in the air. "Come on Hari..let's go." She flew away with him.

*~~~~~~~*

Hari had made many life spluttering statues which were arranged in his hut. His chisel was moving day and night. Pournami was the only one who accompanied him all the time. Salooma will show up once or twice a week.

One day, Hari went to meet Mr.Iyyer. "Hey Hari, what a surprise! Your statues are now famous and they are being exhibited worldwide. Every state is thinking about putting up a stall. They called me from New Delhi. As for our Kerala, I promised to put up a stall. We will exhibit the statues which are with you right now. I promised them. It's only a matter of two days." Mr.Iyyer explained.

Hari let out a sigh of relief and said:"Now that you have decided it all, there is no need to change your plans. I have some of my works." Mr.Iyyer was about to leave when he called him:"Hari..and one more thing. The authorities from the museum informed that they are coming for the exhibition. They want to meet you. That's their main aim..and not only that, they even want a demon's sculpture." Mr.Iyyer was speaking with eagerness and he continued."They said that you are the only one who is capable of doing such amazing works." 

Hari was listening to him silently. "What happened Hari? Is it not possible? I am not forcing you. It's for displaying in their museum. They really liked your latest sculpture-Salooma. People all over the world are coming just to have a look at your sculpture. The visitors' diary is full of compliments just for your sculpture-Salooma. Now they have a separate diary for your sculpture!" Mr.Iyyer said proudly.