11. Durga is now a goddess

CHAPTER 11

Durga is now a goddess

Durga was given head bath with saffron water. She was now looking like a doll.

Villagers were gathering at the village centre. The drummer was beating the drum hard. Jaidev was shivering with fear.

Looking at the villagers with fear, Jaidev asked, “Why are you doing this to me?”

Chikka said, “That girl will come and tell you what you have done.”

 Villagers were all excited. Jaidev was looking at them with fear. 

Hakeem said angrily, “I feel like peeling your skin.”

The girl Durga prayed to the forest goddess at the temple. She was given kunkum. Pujari said, “You are now goddess Durga. You are now filled with the power of forest goddess.”

Ladies shouted, “Jai Durga, Jaik Durga.”

Pujari said, “Through the forest goddess, you will take your revenge for the injustice done to you.”

Ladies said, “Jai goddess Durga.”

Pujari said, “May this burning forest cool down due to the forest goddess which has come over you. Go.”

All shouted, “Jai Durga, Jai Durga”

 They took Durga away from there.

Drummer announced. “Durga is returning after bath.”

The sound of the drum increased as Durga approached. She was acting as if goddess had come over her. Chikka went near her and caressed her head.

With tears in his eyes, Chikka said, “I know and this forest knows how much fire has fallen into your stomach. What should not have taken place in this forest has taken place.”

Pointing angrily at Jaidev, Chikka said, “What a demon you are.”

Getting up and approaching Jaidev, Hakeem said angrily, “I cured your leg with these hands. Now with these hands I will take your life. You have cheated such a golden girl.”

Jaidev looked at Durga. “I don’t know who that girl is. What have I done to her? You are all mistaken.”

Going near him angrily, Chikka said, “I will pierce your eyes if you tell lies.”

He put his finger near Jaidev’s eyes.

Jaidev got scared. He pleaded, “I am telling the truth. I promise on your forest goddess that I do not even know who that girl is.”

Looking at Jamali and pleading, Jaidev said, “Jamali, you have always been with me. Please tell them that I do not know that girl. Please save me.”

He looked at Jamali. But she was looking somewhere else sadly.

Chikka said, “Where is the kerosene box?”

One man brought the kerosene box and kept it in front of Chikka.

Krishna Naik took it. But Chikka stopped him. “Not you.”

Looking at Jamali, Chikka said, “Jamali, pour kerosene on that demon from head to feet I tell you.”

Jamali got up. All look at her. Jaidev was watching with fear. Jamali took the kerosene box and approached the Jaidev seriously. Jaidev shivered.

Jaidev said, “Jamali, please don’t pour. Please understand me.”

But Jamali kept approaching him staring at him angrily.

Jaidev said, “Jamali, you only looked after me from morning to evening. Please believe me. I don’t know who that girl is. You only tell them.”

Jamali looked at him seriously.

Jaidev pleaded, “Will you save me from these demons?”

Jamali spat on his face with disgust. Jaidev was shocked. Jamali poured the kerosene on Jaidev’s head.

Jaidev said, “Oh god, please save me from these demons.”

He shouted loudly.

Chikka Naik looked around at the villagers once. “Oh Mali, light the torch.”

Mali lit the torch and took it to Chikka.

Looking at the torch in fear, Jaidev said, “Oh god, please save me from these demons.”

Villagers were all watching. Chikka took the torch in his hand and went near Jaidev.

Staring at Jaidev, Chikka said, “The forest will not forgive you. Only ash will remain now.” 

Shivering, Jaidev said, “Naik, what mistake have I done that you are burning me?”

Chikka said, “I will not burn you; the injustice done by you will burn you. The girl in whose stomach the fire has fallen will burn you.”

Going near Durga, Chikka said, “Durga, you are not Durga just by name.”

Giving the torch to her, Chikka said, “You are real Durga.”

Villagers shouted loudly, “Durga mata ki jai. Durga mata ki jai.”

Durga’s body shivered. She was possessed. It was as if the forest goddess had entered her body. She moved step by step towards the Jaidev. 

All shouted, “Jai Durga.”

Jaidev shouted, “Save me, oh god save me. They are doing injustice by burning me.”

Durga was approaching him slowly with the burning torch in her hand.

Chikka pointed to Jaidev, “He is the one who put fire to your stomach. He is the one who put fire to all our stomachs and to this forest.”

Durga moved forward.

Jaidev shivered. “Naik, please don’t burn me. I am a brave soldier.”

Angrily, Chikka said, “If you say that again, I will tear your tongue.”

Chikka said to Durga, “We must reduce him to ashes. He must burn.”

Touching his stomach, Chikka said, “Then only all our stomachs will cool down.”

Durga was approaching the Jaidev. Villagers were shouting and cheering.

Villagers shouted, “Durga mata ki jai, Durga mata ki jai.”

Jaidev pleaded, “Save me, oh god, save me.”

Durga stood close to Jaidev. She looked into Jaidev’s eyes. Something clicked in her mind. She remembered all that had happened to her and her family many years ago