Flowers Of Salooma

Part 5

Hari was in the woods in search of timber suitable for making his sculptures. It was when his brothers and their bullying goons accompanied by a wizard, visited his place. They walked around his place. Salooma informed Hari as soon as he got there. He was anxious and asked,"Salooma, did you listen to any of their conversation? What did they say?".

"Yes". She said. "They said that there is a demon who is helping you and that demon is in this Pala tree. They came to know about this when the wizard used his powers. They even took a walk around this tree for some time." Hari then asked, "Did they say anything else?" "No." She replied.

Then slowly she added, "Tomorrow the wizard will come with their companions to trap me in a container and they'll bury it deep under the ground." She sighed. Hari was annoyed and said, "No, Salooma. I will not let them take you away from me." Then he raised his hand holding to the axe and said, "You see, not only woods but I know how to cut their heads off their body, let them come here, today I will show them how sharp my axe is."

Salooma continued,"But Hari, they are seven in number, you cannot defeat all of them. It is not strength that you must have but intelligence and common sense." Hari was normal again but inside he was angry and annoyed. Hari enquired about her plan.

Salooma instructed him."First, you have to make me your slave and trap me in a container and hide it before they find me." Hari said," And the second?" She replied,"Second, you should not allow them to complete the rituals." Hari said,"Yes, you are right Salooma. After two days Pournami has to come out so you must be here." Salooma replied,"Then let's not waste our time. You make me your slave and trap me in the container. You remember the rituals I taught you last time?" He was upset but then he has to do it for her sake. So he just smiled at her and nodded. 

Without wasting any more time he did as she had instructed him the last time. After some time he started chanting some mantras and trapped her in a container. He did all the rituals as she had instructed and hid it between the lotuses in his pond. He was relieved and went back to sleep. 

The next morning went very fast and soon it was dark. The wizard and his companions came to his place. Hari stepped outside his hut. "Who are you?" Hari asked them. "You don't know who I am? I am a wizard." The wizard replied with a little arrogance. "Which wizard?" Hari replied abruptly. "Wizard Vikram. There is a demon in your land and we are here to get her." The wizard explained. "My land?? Where?" Hari asked him. "In that Pala tree." The wizard pointed his finger to the tree.

"I have not seen any demon here. " Hari replied curtly. "Yes, there is a demon here." The so-called companions were the goons who once got nice beatings from Salooma. The goons started shouting and one of them said,"Yes..there is a demon. S-she beat us when we came here..he's a fool, don't believe him." 

Hari was now irritated, he said curtly, "I'm sure, there's no one here..you might have been mistaken." The wizard Vikram was furious and groaned angrily. "Yes!!! There is a demon here. Don't you understand what I'm saying??? I don't have time to argue with you. If I say there is a demon here..then it is here. My calculations have never been wrong and I'm sure about my powers."

Hari was raging with anger. "Even if there is a demon, then I will not let you take her away. Now, go away!! This-is-my-land." Hari said through gritted teeth. The wizard was not ready to listen to him. Hari quickly took his axe in his hand and stood before them. Hari continued, "If anybody dares to step on my land then I will cut off your legs and you'll have to get out crawling."

They all stood there astonished. Then the wizard slowly stepped back and turned. Vikram called out and said, "I'm the greatest wizard Vikram!! You are not aware of my powers..soon you'll regret this. I will show you!! I can make her come to me from outside this land. I will take her away from your land..and YOU!!!" He said half laughing, half raging.

Vikram started chanting mantras. His chanting became louder and louder. Hari's heart was pounding in his chest. He wanted to do something immediately or he'll lose Salooma forever. He quickly went in search of pots and utensils. Then he started to throw them which made clinking and clattering sounds. The noise made the wizard unable to concentrate on his mantras and rituals. Hari could see the difficulty in the wizard's face. So he kept on distracting the wizard. Hari was desperate to get rid of this wizard so he decided to fire the wastes which made a huge amount of smoke.The wizard was suffocated by the smoke and he could no longer concentrate in the ritual. He finally gave up and left the place along with his companions.

Hari was relieved and quickly went to his pond and took the container. He then released her out of it. He did some small rituals and brought her back to her normal form. Salooma said teasingly, " Hari, now you have become a wizard. You know how to catch and trap a demon and also know how to make her a slave. It's so simple..isn't it!!" She said smiling. Hari said laughing, "It's all your doing!! I am not a wizard and I don't want to become any. And how am I supposed to learn this stuff!! So stop teasing me." He was grinning at her. 

Salooma continued, "If the wizard really catches and trap us demons then we will never be free again." Her smile faded. Hari smiled and said," But they did not catch you! So don't get upset." She smiled at him thankfully.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

A/N:

Hai everybody. 

Sorry I couldn't update very soon. I'll try not to get too lazy. :D 

You can clear your doubts here:

Mantras: Slogans or words repeated to aid concentration in meditation

Thank you, guys!! And I need your support!!

Please VOTE, COMMENT, FOLLOW!!