“Avi, don’t you think we are lost ?” Kumara shouted at his brother, whose horse had gathered speed and was now galloping through the paddy fields like as if on fire.
Upon hearing his brother’s panic-driven voice, Avighna coaxed his horse to a standstill and turned around with a huge smirk on his chubby face.
“Why fear when I’m here, brother?”
That remark earned a frown from Kumara as his horse galloped close to his brother. Kumara struck out a hand and swung it at his brother’s shoulder as Avighna ducked, laughing.
“Amma is going to be worried. Let’s get back Avi.” Kumara pleaded, but Avighna simply smiled.
“Amma knows that as long as you are with me, you are safe, silly. Chill, Kumara. I know of a stream that’s not too far from here. C’mon let’s go. Our horses need a break too.”
Avighna turned back and galloped off with gusto, his huge frame receding as Kumara reigned his horse to follow his brother, shaking his head in defeat.
They soon reached the stream that was surrounded by a huge field of what were crops growing. The soft sound of water hitting the stream bed were refreshing to their ears as both the brothers freed their horses and let them graze. Taking a long drag of fresh water and becoming conscious of their aching muscles, Avighna and Kumara settled under the shade of a neem tree and sprawled across the grass lazily. Avighna’s huge frame and pot belly served as a great cushion for the athletic and lanky Kumara as the younger one lay on his brother, watching the horses while Avighna began to snore.
“What are those fields, Avi?” Kumara prodded his brother awake. Avighna groggily looked up.
“Those are millet corns. They are harvested in abundance here. Goes well with honey. See those on the far right over there ? Those are sweet potatoes. Extremely delicious when boiled right. “
“Who tends to them anyway ?”
“The forest tribes who live here. They are extremely particular about their crops, which is why extra security around the plantations are important. It’s their only source of food.” Avighna explained to a curious Kumara.
“Security ? I don’t see anyone, Avi.” Kumara laughed. Just then, they heard singing as Avighna beckoned Kumara to keep silent.
Someone strode into the fields. Her tresses were a shocking burgundy, that reached her hips in startling waves. Half of them were artfully pulled back into a bun, with a few loose strands adorning her face. Her eyes were a deep muddy brown, illuminated by the sun – and were that of a doe’s. Her dusty complexion complemented the ocean-blue sari that hugged her ample curves as her anklets tinkled in the light breeze, serving harmony to her nightingale voice as she skipped across the fields, her hair tossing behind her in wondrous motion. She skipped to the far end of the sweet potato crops and her voice faded together with her presence.
There was a pregnant pause before Avighna perked up first.
“That, Kumara, is what you call ‘security’. Imagine if she has heard us – she would have our heads for trespassing.”
Kumara didn’t reply. His usually handsome, warrior-like features were now re-arranged with expectancy as his eyes raked the fields back and forth.”
“Kumara?” Avighna prompted his brother, but was greeted with ignorance again.
Avighna started sniggering as Kumara snapped back to reality. He turned to his brother, with a flicker of annoyance.
“What’s so funny ?” Kumara retorted.
“Nothing. I’m surprised that you even held your gaze for this long.” Avighna smirked.
Kumara sighed, blushing for the first time as Avighna doubled up with laughter. He watched his brother nervously run his fingers through his hair, sighing and smiling like a mad man.
“I wonder who she is.” Kumara muttered, knowing that Avighna knew. His brother was a walking encyclopedia.
“According to my knowledge and what Appa has told me before, the east side of this forest area is inhabitated by the Kuravar tribe. Their chieftain is Nambi and their tribe deity is the great Rudra -“
“Avi, that’s not the question. Who is she?”
“According to -“
“Avi, I swear upon Rudra himself -“
“Fine ! Her name is Valli.”
File Photo : Pinterest.
