In My Hands by Sathya Achia

Author:Sathya Achia [Sathya Achia]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Ravens and Roses Publishing LLC
Published: 2022-06-28T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter sixteen

Sun versus Moon

The protection spell cast by Gowramma and the Elders of the Atīndriya tribe of Lambadi mystics allows us to remain hidden in plain sight. I envision it to be like living under an invisible dome the size of a small town maybe the size of Fortune Falls back home. With each passing day, our protected jungle hideaway deep in the green becomes home to nearly one hundred Lambadi and Bommandava villagers seeking refuge from Dakini and her undead army of destroyers.

A handful of the young, strong men and women, and teens like Tarun, Aarav, and their friends, Varsha, and Raya, are tasked with leaving the confines of camp to search for anyone in trouble or without shelter in the remote mountain villages of the jungle and bring them here. They report blight and famine in many areas outside the protected village. I join them from time to time because Gowramma has me on a hearty regimen of yoga and meditation, claiming it will help with my healing. Often, it feels like being back home in Virginia with Amma. Begrudgingly, I obey her commands, but as the days pass on I want to run away, find Leena, and go home.

Although there are more bellies to fill and food is becoming scarce, Gowramma and the Lambadi Elders don’t turn away anyone who comes seeking refuge and welcome them into their safe haven.

Village life is exhausting. I was prepared for all-out boredom, but there’s not been any time to let my mind wander. Our days start before the sun fully launches into the sky and end only when the moon hangs high against a black, blanketed night. Each member of this new consolidated village performs their assigned duties throughout the day. Within the protected area the jungle is still prospering.

Some days, Varsha and I help forage the foliage in search of valuable healing herbs the Vaidya use to create ointments, medicines, and teas. On others, I spend hours climbing trees with Tarun along the river’s bank, plucking juicy ripe guava, oranges, mango, and papaya. Once, when I was on hunt duty with Aarav, we searched for wild boar. But when I made an uncoordinated attempt to strike my prey with a rudimentary spear I tumbled to the ground, and we lost our chance with the boar. Laying there flat on my face on the jungle floor reminded me of that last day back in the yoga studio with Amma and how I never really mastered that step. Amma. Even now, it still hurts to think about her. Or to think about dance. Word about my debacle traveled back to the village and I was quickly rotated off duty and joined the cleaning and cooking crew. I haven’t been invited to go hunting since. But I did get to reap the rewards when the villagers cooked up pandi curry, a traditional spicy dish of pork belly infused in a thick masala of kachampuli, black peppercorns, coriander, cumin seeds, and bay leaves. Amma used to make it from time to time.

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