Kanyaka [Sequel to Durga] | ✓

3. The Island

Unknowingly, her breath had fastened. By Devi Shakti, who was that woman in my dreams? But her attire... it was so different. It looked like the dresses worn by Bharatanatyam dancers. She poured some water in the glass from a jug and guped it quickly. What was that name? Sahasyabhumi! What does this mean? A just a saw murder being committed in front of my eyes. Not one murder but two. Must be a bad dream; I should better sleep.

At the same time, Rudra's phone vibrated. She saw the caller ID which read 'Stupid'. She touched the green icon to receive the call. "Hello Ramaiah, what's the matter? Why are you calling now?"

"Hello, Ma'am, I am sorry for calling at this time. But please switch on the television and see it for yourself."

Durga blabbered under breath and heard her husband speaking in sleep. "I am sorry Your Highness. I won't do this from next time."

She shook him violently. "Rudra, wake up. Ramaiah had called to inform us about something."

He got up and gasped in breath. "What happened? Who was killed?"

She sighed. Both are crazy. No wonder they are best friends.

Switching on the television in their room, she increased the volume. He snatched the remote and tuned to news channel. A male reporter from TV9 news channel was nearly shouting on top of his voice.

"An island has appeared just next to Someshwara Beach in Ullal town of Mangaluru district of Karnataka. No one knows how it has appeared and why. Our news channel is the first one to report this news to you."

Durga whispered to herself, "How can an island appear like that?"

She saw Rudra picking his phone and furiously searching for a number. She knew what was going to happen next. Stuffing some cotton in her ears, she lay on the bed waiting for the volcano to erupt.

"Hello! Ramaiah? How are you? . . . I am good . . . I wanted to ask you one thing, are you mad? . . . no seriously you called me in the middle of the night to tell that an island has appeared? . . . you know I have a morning flight . . . next time you call me for such stupid things, I- I don't know what I will do . . . bye!"

Durga removed the cotton and smiled. He can't even get angry also. But what was he talking in his sleep? Something like I am sorry Your Highness. Why? Is he also getting the same dreams that I am getting? Is it connected? What could have he been in his previous life?

After a few hours, they got up and it was a complete hustle bustle as Rudra was getting late. He had to go to New Delhi to collect his prize, 'Trailblazer Entrepreneur' of the year. He badly wanted Durga to accompany him but they had an appointment with some foreign delegates. They wanted to print an encyclopedia where a small section of Indian history would be printed in Ancient History. It was a golden opportunity but they had a faint doubt as they hadn't specified the age or period.

Either of them personally had to be there to make sure everything would go fine. Rudra waved a good bye and left for the airport. He was in some pensive thought before leaving too. She had a habit of cleaning the things before leaving the home. Rudra would tease her telling that she had an OCD for cleaning. She was keeping the books in the shelf when she saw a book.

This is Rudra's diary! He used to write it when his uncle had died. That's because he was in depression. He has quit smoking then why is it here? Has he started writing it, again? Devi Shakti! Why am I so curious? I will take the book with me. I will figure out what to do later.

***

"I need to know what type of information is required in your encyclopedia," stated Durga in an assertive tone. They were in a conference room where matters related to their website would be discussed.

"See, it is not an ordinary encyclopedia. We did try to meet Archaeological Survey of India to get information about it but they have denied our request," explained one of the delegates.

She took a deep breath. She saw Ramaiah looking at her in a questioning manner. Probably he had the same question. If ASI has rejected their request, what could be the reason?

"Let me make it clear," she said. Her tone was indicating certain authority. "I don't like to beat around the bush nor do I expect anyone to do the same. Let's come to the point straight. What do you want to be printed in your encyclopedia?"

One of them replied, "Mrs. Durga, we want some information about this land of snake charmers. Not specific but anything that will make your country look wiser."

Ramaiah got up from his seat. "What do you mean? Our country is wise and quite advanced in terms of science and development."

"Really? Why do I see so many potholes? Why do I see so many beggars?"

Durga gestured her husband's excited friend to sit down. "Sir, you believe that India is a land of snake charmers, isn't it?"

The person nodded. She asked, "What is your nationality?"

"Excuse me?"

"Which country do you belong in?"

"I am from Italy."

"Italy! I see, the country where Leaning Tower of Pisa is there."

The foreigner puffed his chest in pride. Ramaiah understood from her evil smirk where the conversation would be going to.

"I believe it is the country of 'the most talented Western mathematician of the Middle Ages' -Fibonacci."

He nodded again. She continued, "I agree he was talented but not talented enough according to Indian standards."

"What do you mean?"

Durga sensed that his voice was raising. "No offence. He was greatest mathematician of his time but whatever he had discovered was already discovered by Indians. When I saw Indians, I mean the whole subcontinent of India."

"Care to give some explanation?"

"Have you ever heard about Jyotirlingas? Oh dear me! How would you, for you only know what snakes and snake charmers are."

"You said you don't like to beat around the bush."

"Well, I said so. Ever heard of Fibonacci spiral?"

"I have a fair idea."

"The twelve jyotirlingas are example of this Fibonacci spiral," said Durga with a triumphant smirk.