It was dusk, gradually night was knocking faster, they wanted to reach into Valley before it got too late, Sanghaya was driving safely, speed 120 Kmph.
The roads were bumpy now and fog made it a little difficult to drive, his eyes were strained by now, pain dimming the sight, the wiper outside and the air exhaust inside was helping in navigation on the untrodden path.
“Where shall we find that box?” Asked Aum.
“Inside that hermitage’s home behind the fountain.” Replied Rudraksh with little irritation in his voice.
“Why this wave Rudra?” Asked Dorjee.
“Ah! Nothing, I just feel tired and never knew it would take us too far, had I known, I would have stayed back at the Centre with other team members.”
“No one imposed you, you decided, didn’t you?” Suggested Aum.
“Yes, I did. At that time I hardly knew the repercussions. I don’t have the stamina, the route has already taken all out of me. I feel empitied.” Exasperated Rudraksh.
Smiled Sanghaya, giving a wink, said he, “that’s what the journey was all about. If it empitied, it surved its purpose and re-filled you…
“Surrender into the moment and open your heart!”
Before Sanghaya could complete the sentence a lady holding a baby in her arms along with her husband seemed rushing. They waved their hands and tried to stop them. There was a medical intervention required and due to remoteness they were unable to reach to the aid.
Aum immediately asked them to sit at the rear seat.
Sanghaya increased the speed and within half an hour they reached to Rumtek post. Rudraksh had suddenly melted looking at the condition of child. He was carrying Herbs Encyclopedia along, in that moment he self-surrender as if, his heart melting, he forgetting about the time to reach to Himalayan Centre the next day. They had to handover the feather to Madam Swastika. Rather, he felt an immiaditate connect with the family.
Sanghaya and Aum parked the car and rushed to find the feather within the yellow box behind the fountain statue.
Rudraksh and Dorjee took the available herbs and started making the potion. There was a set of instructions that Rudraksh was following and Dorjee guiding him, following the footsteps of his mother, who had been a renowned physician.
Aum and Sanghaya could pull out the yellow box that was kept inside a large antique trunk behind the fountain statue. The abandoned place had made it soiled and covered with webs. They had to hammer the lock to open it. In the process, the geometary of box was dismantled, however, with precision Aum made it intact again.
Uncovering the box, they found a golden feather inside the red velvet cloth. There was a written note attached along “अनुगृहिता अस्म्यहम्”!
With radiant faces they took the feather box and the written quote along. Rudraksh and Dorjee had tried their best to cure the baby, settle the cries, although, they had asked for the medical aid. When Aum and Sanghaya came with the box, they asked to see it.
When Aum handed the quote, Rudraksh’s eyes got wide open, he rushed to pic up his Herb Encyclopedia and reached to the last page. The same image of the herb and same quote was written there in someone’s handwriting!
“What does it mean?” Asked Rudraksh!
“I am blessed! said Dorjee.
Aum took that feather immidietly to the baby and kept it on his forehead! Lo, smiled the baby and flew away the feather!
“It served its purpose and now free! We rescued it or did it rescued us from the bound ignorance by making us realize the truth!” Said Sanghaya.
Smiled they all and took a selfie with smiling baby and the family.
Repeated they all in unanimity :
“अनुगृहिता अस्म्यहम्”
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