Gramani opened the door with a pissed expression on his face. He was abruptly disturbed by the constant knocking on his door. "Where is the gold?" A voice asked, before he could bash him for his idiotic time-sense.
"It's out theâ" He abruptly stopped realizing his mistake. "Who are you? And what are you asking about? Have you lost your mind that you are disturbing me in these wee hours?" He yelled, and the commotion led to the neighboring houses waking up. The village head rarely had time to process anything before he was dragged outside by Aditya who threw him onto the ground. The Gramani sat up, as Aditya and Maheshwar circled him. The villagers who gathered around hearing the chaos ran forward to help him up only to be stopped by Aditya and Maheshwar.
"Don't." Aditya spoke. "He is your culprit. He is the one behind all of these loots and destruction. He is the one who had orchestrated the robbery and smuggling. He wanted you all to leave the village so that he can gain access to all the gold."
"No he is lying. I would never do something like that." The Gramani spoke convincing the people around how wrong Aditya was. Maheshwar brought Prashant and threw water on his face, making him gasp in shock. He shook his head to let the surroundings settle before his eyes widened at the sight of his leader. The head signaled him to keep quiet with his eyes while Prashant lowered his head in shame.
"Tell them why did you do it?" Maheshwar nudged the Gramani and he spoke, his head hung in shame.
"About a month ago, we got a whiff of information that the Sindhi forests are rich in gold. At first I didn't believe it, because we have been living her for more than two decades and there has never been a trace of gold. I sent my men to search for gold in the forests. I didn't know that we would find them. Two days before the festival, my men had found out three ores of gold in the forest and had informed me. We had plans to excavate everything slowly and sell it to the traders overseas so that no one could get a hang of it. But on the day of the festival, Shankar's son saw my men digging the gold out and he came and informed me about it. He didn't know that I was involved too. I assured him that I would take care of it. But he didn't want to sit quiet. He wanted to inform all of you so that everyone can benefit from the treasure." The village head paused, his head heavy in guilt and repentance.
"Did you kill my son?" Shankar asked, his voice shaky as he mourned over his son's untimely death.
"I had to. He would destroy all my plans and I was compelled to do so." Gramani cried, but the father's tears were more powerful. Shankar wept hard for his lost son while the villagers grew furious at his words.
"He should be killed."
"He should be chased around until he dies."
"He should be left alone at the mercy of the wild animals."
People shouted as they hurled stones and pebbles at him.
"Wait." Aditya's voice boomed, making everyone stop in their tracks. "He should be reported to the King. He shall be given a fair trial and a punishment." The people were against this thought but reluctantly agreed to him. "The gold is in the pit near the big banyan tree." Aditya spoke and a few villagers immediately rushed to see if it was true. Within minutes they came running back with their hands full of stones that glowed in the dark. "This shall also go to the royal treasury. I shall ensure that all f you get proper compensation for all the loses you had to face because of this madman." The villagers reluctantly nodded and let go of the village head and the gold.
"We shall also take your leave then." Maheshwar said, bowing to the people. Aditya followed his lead.
"Wait son. You have done such a great feat and we couldn't even treat you well. Day after tomorrow, we have a small celebration. We wish to extend our hospitality and welcome you. Stay with us and enjoy the day before you leave." Kaka, who had sheltered Aditya, said. Maheshwar and Aditya nodded before they retired for the night.
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The next morning Aditya went to the river to take a bath and finish his daily prayers. Offering his salutations to the sun god, he stood in the waist deep water chanting mantras sincerely. Finishing his prayers he took a dip in the river, submerging himself in the water. As he rose from it, his eyes caught a sight of a figure sitting by the river bed. Aditya paused for a moment contemplating if he should approach the person or not. Deciding to pay a visit, he walked towards the person who was still oblivious to his presence.
As he neared, he realized that it was a woman. Hearing the sound of the water splashing, the woman came out of her thoughts quickly guarding herself. Her eyes locked with Aditya, making the time freeze. Aditya was smitten by the beauty in front of him while a look of realization passed through her eyes. She quickly averted her gaze, while Aditya drank in her sight. Clad in a simple white saree, her tresses left loose, she was a sight for sore eyes. She looked ethereal to him that his heart skipped a beat. Feeling his gaze on her, she looked at him who still had a mesmerized expression on his face. Feeling shy under his heavy gaze, she slowly stood up collecting her hair in a bun and decided to walk away.
"Mind if I join you in this serene moment by the river?" Aditya asked, as he got out of the river, water dripping from his body. The woman stopped and looked at him. She contemplated for a moment before she nodded. Aditya sat by the bank, where she was seated earlier and the woman sat beside him maintaining a sufficient distance. "I hope you wouldn't mind my company?" He asked.
"The river is free for all, but company is earned, not granted." She said.
Aditya teasingly responded. "Ah, a challenge, I see. But who could resist the allure of your company, dear mysterious by the river? I'm Aditya, by the way, a humble wanderer enchanted by the beauty that graces my path."
The woman smirked and spoke, "Names hold power, Aditya. I'm not inclined to part with mine so easily."
"A name as elusive as the morning mist, then? I must say, it adds an intriguing layer to the mystery. Perhaps, I can tempt you to share it with a tale or a jest?" Aditya joked.
"Tales and jests may entertain, but my name remains under lock and key."
"I don't think a name can do justice to a beauty like yours. What thoughts dance in your mind as you sit by the river's edge?"
"Thoughts are like ripples in the water, ever-changing and reflective. They are for the river to know and for me to keep."
Aditya let out a dramatic sigh. "A river, a woman, and the dance of elusive thoughts. I must say, this encounter is turning into a tale worth savoring."
"Tales have beginnings and ends, Aditya. Let's see where this one leads."
"Ah, the allure of the unknown. I look forward to unwrapping the layers of this mysterious tale. Until then, let the river be the one that holds witness to this beautiful meet. When do we meet again?" Aditya couldn't help but ask.
"Only time can tell Rajkumara." The woman chuckled softly, leaving Aditya both charmed and intrigued by the mysterious enigma he had encountered by the river.
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How's the story?
Any idea who the woman is? 10 Right guesses get an extra chapter.