Part 29

It was late afternoon and they hadn't stopped hiking since morning. Naina was starting to get restless. She wasn't sure that the deviation from the path was normal or was it a result of her questions. She was starting to worry if something was wrong. Though her psychic was dampened, her sixth sense kicked in and all those years of being wary suggested something fishy. But she decided to maintain a calm composure to handle the situation. She had also realized a few moments ago that she was no longer connected to Sameer, and it might have been a while that it was so. She smacked herself on the head mentally for not paying attention to that before, so lost she was in the excitement of the new site and trying to carve her own niche as a future archeologist. She was sure he must have been worried to death but however hard she tried, she couldn't establish the path to his mind.

It felt unusual coz that was exactly why she had carved out that piece of rock as this place was blocking her mind powers. She caressed her pocket wherein the rock was hidden but didn't feel anything. Avoiding all the eyes that were focused on the hike, she checked both the deep pockets of her jeans inserting her hand and feeing around. She pulled out empty-handed.

Now she was really alarmed because she had lost the only mode of communication with Sameer. May be that was the reason the connect was broken. But how did she lose the rock, she had it on her all the time. That's when she recalled that it might have fallen out from her pocket when she took a fall after colliding with Abbas. May be it was still lying there somewhere in the sand. She could only hope that no one spotted it and connected it to her, lest she be barred from the field forever for stealing an artefact.

Now she only hoped and prayed that the new site, allegedly had similar rocks and inscriptions, and hopefully have the same powers so she could connect with him. She also hoped that she could see those visions again and may be understand what it all meant. But answers to all her questions were at the new site.

"Abbas Bhaiyya, him kabse chal rahe hai, kab pahunchenge? Thoda thakk gayi hoon, 5 min rukkar paani pee le?" She asked as calmly as she could without showing the panic in her voice.

Everyone had stopped when she was speaking. Abbas was walking in front of her and the rear end was flanked by George and Mikhail. Abbas looked at the burly guys who shook their head in a no, even before Naina saw them.

"Madamji...hmm jyaada durr nahi hai. Buss pahunchne hi wale hai". He urged Naina to keep going, which actually confirmed her suspicions that something might be fishy. But gauging the two burly guys, she knew she had no chance to outrun or overpower them. However, either of them had not done anything untoward yet for her to doubt them, but Chachi had taught her that the sixth sense of a woman was never wrong and that she should learn to trust it rather than ignore it. Things may not always seem as they appear. So, she decided her only course of action was to stay alert and act accordingly.

So, she only nodded to Abbas's response and continued to follow him. After another 2-3 mile hike, they reached an area with very dense foliage and covering a narrow walkway leading up to a hill. From the foothill, Naina gazed above and though the caves were obscured from view, the hill was clearly visible.

"Madamji...buss thodi si hi chadhdhai hai...yahan se dikh nahi raha...par gufaein jyaada durr nahi hai!"

Naina looked at Abbas and processed the new piece of information while simultaneously gazing upwards to gauge the distance with naked eye. The climb didn't seem too steep but she wasn't yet very used to such treks. She had also started feeling wary of the whole situation but now that she was here, the archeologist in her was also curious to find out the hidden history in those caves.

Abbas took the lead and Naina followed in his footsteps but had yet to establish her own foothold. Seeing her hustling upwards to find balance, Abbas offered his hand. She thought for a second but without accepting or refusing, held on to the nearby rocks and pushed herself forward. Discouraged by her non-friendly response, she pursed his lips and turned around and took the lead. He didn't feel good about the situation that a young innocent girl was put into but the orders were from some rich, powerful and dangerous people, who he couldn't upset and stand a chance. As much as he wished, he couldn't help the poor girl.

Every few seconds though he would still turn around and check on her progress. Albeit a bit slowly, she was following him flanked on the rear end by the two burly guys. This gave a chance to Abbas to pause for a breather on the top till she caught up in a couple of seconds. Just as she approached him to find her last foothold before the hill plateaued, her right foot slipped. Before she fell, Abbas caught her forearm but the lightening that jolted through his body made him let go her hand immediately in reflex action.

Naina was also too shocked by the event but luckily didn't topple off the mountain. Mikhail and George were unruffled and almost moved out of her path in case she fell backwards. This was the moment when he realized why they were all instructed to not touch her at all. They were supposed to plan the circumstances such that she had to walk over here on her own two feet. She couldn't be kidnappped and carried off conventionally because she couldn't be touched.

For Naina, this was normal, anyone touching her without permission was almost electrocuted. And here, these three men actually invoked fear and insecurity in her, which was so strong that it rolled off her body, brain and heart in volumes. Sameer was loading his bag and necessary tools in his car when something pierced his heart. He gasped loudly while his hand was on the car boot to shut it. He jerked suddenly and a very dull ache began on his chest. He started breathing heavily as if someone was constricting his airways.

He came on the driver's side of the car on wobbly legs. "Yeh achanak se kya hone laga mujhe? Dil mein itni ghabrahat kyon ho rahi hai?" He tried to focus but couldn't talk to Naina yet. However, his heart told him something was seriously wrong. "Anamika se baat nahi ho pa rahi. Lekin dil mein bechaini ho rahi hai". He was scared and started rambling to himself, "pataa nahi aisa kyon lag raha hai jaise Anamika koi bahut badi problem mein hai!" He fisted and punched on the top of the car in frustration. Then rubbed the dull ache on his heart. Finally, closing his eyes, he sighed and took in a deep breath. A second later, his eyes snapped open as if something unusual happened. He closed his eyes once again and inhaled sharply. The familiar lavender fragrance though very faint filled his nostrils. He couldn't believe and took several deep breaths to confirm. He couldn't believe it but he opened his eyes wide and grinned, "yeh to wahi khushboo hai jo hamesha se mehsoos hoti aayi hai. Par jab jab Anamika se connection tut jata, yeh khushboo mehsoos nahi hoti. Aur pichle dou din se bhi bilkul nahi thi. Yani yeh Anamika ki khushboo hai. Wahi hai jo hamesha se sapnon mein dikhayi deti hai".

Equipped and exhilarated with this newfound realization, the same fist that banged the car top now hit the air in victory. "Yesss...mujhe hamesha lagta tha ki mere sapnon mein aanewali se mera koi gehra connection zaroor hai. I am so happy ki woh ladki woh connection sab kuch tumse se hai Anamika". It dawned on him suddenly, "ab tum jahan kahi bhi ho...main tumhe dhoondh nikalunga. Ab toh tumse milne ke liye tumhare baare mein sab kuch jaan ne ke liye dil tadap raha hai". With that strong determination, he got in the car immediately and smoothed out of the bangalow and into the inner lane of the residential area that housed his white mansion and started to battle the city traffic, unmindfully rubbing the dull ache on his chest intermittently.

Somewhere in the jungle, the group of four had reached the opening of the caverns. Abbas handed them the sturdy hats equipped with head torches to illuminate the dark path they were about to embark on. With practiced mechanical moves, Naina placed it on her head and fastened the strap below the chin. She also, adjusted her waist pouch and tightened it a notch as it carried the survival kit. She was standing and still staring at the narrow opening which was pitch dark and seemed like a fathomless abyss when Abbas prodded, "chaliye madamji!"

Naina glanced at him. His eyes still held that warmth but his face had a neutral expression. Her sixth sense didn't indicate much but this time she tapped into her psychic and was amazed that she came empty handed. That minuscle contact had made Abbas wary of her that he didn't let anything more divulge from his face of body language. On the other hand, all Naina had seen was flashes of darkness with several silhouettes. She hadn't been able to read or gage him as he had touched her and not the other way round. She took two steps forward but was skeptical of what the darkness inside would hold for her. She did have this nagging feeling in the pit of her stomach but ascertaining her surroundings and the company, she knew she couldn't even run, let alone escape. She knew that they weren't comfortable touching her but even she wasn't sure what resort they might stoop to if she wasn't co-operative. But definitely it would be very displeasing and then they might not care about those minor electric jolts. How she wished for once that she could just become invisible like Mr. India.

"Chale Madamji!" Abbas's intrusion broke her reverie. She took a deep breath and remembered something, "woh Dr. Khare hume yahan milne wale the! Kahan hai woh?" Naina tried to delay or find some leverage, unsure that if the last unknown personality might be of any help or not.

Abbas fumbled but once glance at Mikhail and he knew he couldn't give away anything. "Haan...woh hai na...andarr kisi paththar ki nakkashi jaanch rahe honge!"

"Pay yahan toh koi equipment na dikhayi de raha hai na sunayi de raha hai! Aur koi team bhi nahi hai unki help karne ke liye!" Naina tried some tactic again.

"Aap hi toh unki team jo Madamji. Maine bataya na, yahan jyaada kisika aana jaana mana hai taaki site expose or compromise na ho jaye. Aap chaliye na andarr". Abbas warded off all her questions and concerns. She was out of excuses now. Unknown of what the darkness held, but left with no alternative, Naina stepped into the deep cavern behind Abbas. After a few steps inside the clearing was completely illuminated with their headlights. The added fire lamps on the walls added to the illumination.

Naina was mesmerised by the sprawling sight before her eyes. The dark golden glow fell on the exquisite stalagmite and stalactite formations. Based in their length and structure, she arbitrarily dated them to at least a few thousand years if not more. For her, these formations were as old as time. The hue transformed the entire sprawling area into a mesmerising spectacle that she couldn't take her eyes off. She had read about and seen countless pictures of such naturally formed caves and the residence of mythological creatures in such places. But it was the first time today she actually saw it with her own eyes. As much as she knew that mythical creatures were just that, myths, she wondered if there were some in the deep dark crevices where not even the most sopohisticated instruments could penetrate for data. For the moment, she forgot all about her situation and simply drank in the luminous sight. She wished she could take pictures but none of the trainees were allowed to carry such personal stuff as they had all signed a disclaimer that everything seen, heard or taught and all samples would belong to the site and the designated authorities only. So, she committed everything to memory.

The lovely stalactites hanging from the ceiling of the caves were uneven in the length but hung low in long uninterrupted stretches in hues of frosty colours like aquamarine turquoise and ivory, indicating the minerals and alga that might constitute the aqua drippings held midway from the roof. Though these were hard formed, the glass-like luster gave the impression of glass-like fragile structure that might break with the slightest contact. Just like she had read, the source of water in such caves is usually unknown and if tried to trace, once ends up losing it altogether. So, although curiosity prevailed, geologists and archeologists had learnt it the hard way to leave alone some natural mysteries. It was mother nature's own way of protecting herself.

She was impelled to move forward and they entered another clearing still adorned with stalactites but the highlight was the stalagmite formations. The continuous ceiling drippings and the influx from the ground contained mineral, lava and amberta deposits that accumulated into long agony rafts in dark beige, amber and stone hues. Some were so sharp at the tips that even an accidental brush could lead to a deep wound. It was a glamorous sight to behold nothing like she had ever seen before. But instantly, while she was taking in the beauty of her surroundings in the golden glow from headlight and fire torches, some flashes crossed her brain. A woman had entered a huge mansion behind a tall strong man in midnight black robes, her hand safely ensconced in his and they made their way noiselessly to the basement and the secret chambers below it. The moment she entered those, through those eyes, she saw an exact layout that was right before her. The flash ended abruptly as some bats flew above them noisily, filling their nostrils with the never ceasing stench.

"Sambhalke Madamji...side se aayiye...hume aur aage jana hai". Abbas's voice pulled Naina back to reality that she had almost unremembered while awestruck with the natural royal decor of such ancient caves. She also took a moment to wonder that how much such hidden obscure treasures could just be distributed throughout the world waiting to be unearthed and that some might never be found and even the current time would be fossilised amongst these in a few million years. And these would still stand proud like some naturally carved put royal monuments, the only authentic witnesses to the bygone eras.

They continued forward deeper into the cavern and came across such small and big clearings, vast expanses and even tiny water pits that reeked indicating an overload of minerals and algae and planktons, several colours imparted by species that might ever find their place in taxonomy. It was all like a completely different world and very soon she started spotting some inscriptions around the rocks that were otherwise unadorned. The formations had also dwindled and almost ceased with now only sporadic appearances. It seemed that they were guarding these ancient scripts from the outside by serving as natural blockades and tools. Continuing on the path, she started spotting several more rocks deep within with similar scripts. But now all didn't look exactly similar. She didn't voice it out hut her brows furrowed when she spotted some mix of Old Norse language. She racked her brains and speculated it to be similar to Ogham, an ancient Celtic script. It was very surprising coz these languages clustered on the German tree and were spread out in the Baltic regions. But she also knew that the Vikings were an ancient civilization like the Greeks, Egyptians, and Dravidians. Some were still intact but some had faded and she tried to trace them out with featherlight touch.

What happened next was totally unexpected. Some of the scriptures started to glow un first light and then shone brightly with an intensity that almost blinded everyone except Naina whose eyes were closed, as usual so she could feel the script rather than read. It was just natural to her and she hadn't intended to read it because though she recognized the scripture, reading such an ancient archaic inscription was not yet in her realm of expertise. But like the rocks on the previous night, she could feel their mystical power and her eyes had closed involuntarily so that the script would talk to her.

The luminosity increased so much that it engulfed Naina as well as Mikhail and George who were standing almost at her back. When the bright orange glow subsided, the three were gone and Abbas was left in the dark cavern all by himself. The only light coming was off his headlight. He was completely astounded as to what had just happened. The three had vanished without a trace. He looked around, searched helter skelter a few feet in all direction that had openings, also called out Madamji a few times. But no answer, no response. He scratched his head and was scared to go back and report as this was not in his schedule. He was only told to bring the girl to the caves and till the inscription rocks and Dr. Khare would be waiting for her. She was to be delivered unharmed and untouched. There was no sign of Dr. Khare and the three disappeared too. Seeing no other alternative, he decided to go back and report the incident and let them all decide what had to be done.

In another city, Sameer slammed the brakes hard on the NH47 from Ahmedabad to Bhopal and swerved his car off the road on the shoulder just in time to avoid collision with those following him. Trucks and cars passing blazed angry horns and some also rolled down their windows and cursed him a word or two. But Sameer was oblivious to all that. He had slammed the brakes as a reflex to the incessant burning on his chest. It had been been a dull ache but suddenly it had scorched him as if somebody had imprinted him with a skewer. And just before his car came to a complete stop, the heat dissipated returning back to a dull but constant burn. He rubbed the spot, but in curiosity opened the top two buttons of his mint green shirt and pulled it aside to examine the spot. The eye-shaped tattoo was glowing faintly and it ached at that constant spot. He didn't understand what exactly happened and why but had no time to ponder over it. He decided that when he would find Nanu, someday he would ask him what did his birthmark mean after all and why it glowed sometimes and not at other times and why it ached occasionally and why not always.

For the moment, he decided to put aside those thoughts and questions and focus only on finding Anamika. Checking the lane behind, he eased back into traffic and continued on the highway. A few miles further as he started leaving Ahmedabad behind, the dull ache started subsiding and a few more miles later, it ceased completely. Though he wasn't paying much attention to it, the moment it was gone, he felt great unease. He again thought his breath was choking and as if his heart was being squeezed. The faint fragrance had almost dulled and was now gone completely. Somewhere in his stomach, he felt a pit and the unknown fear gripped him. He had no choice but to pull up again on the side of the road. He got off to breathe in some open air, took a long swig from the bottle that was in the side of his door and tried to calm down but to no avail. He had this sinking feeling that he was going away from Anamika...he somehow felt a long distance and an emptiness in his heart. He had just crossed Sabarmati and could still spot the long western flow of the tributary in the distance from the end of the city bridge highway. He walked over to the parapet. The pull of the water or the city, he didn't know which, was so strong. He wanted to go back, as if his heart told him he needed to be back there. But his mind searched for logic, he knew Anamika was around Bhopal and he had to find her. He was sure by now that she was in some kind of trouble. But he also knew that he had no idea how he was going to find her or identify her.

His heart told him to turn around but his mind asked him to follow the logical path. He rubbed his tattoo unknowingly and closed his eyes and focused on his Anamika. Sure he couldn't yet establish a connection but he breathed in and focused on her thoughts. "Kahan ho tum Anamika? Kahan dhoondhu tumhe? Please mujhe khud tak pahunchne ka raasta dikhao!" He called out to her as if she would just pop into her brain and guide him. She didn't but Nanu's words echoed like a guiding light, "jab dil aur dimaag alag alag raaste dikhaye toh aankhein bandh karke focus karna aur hamesha apne sachche pyar par bharosa rakhna".

At that moment he decided, he had to follow his heart, he was sure his love for his Anamika would guide him to her, no matter where she was!