The howling gale is pushing him down, but he stood his ground.

It is cold and dark. Despite lost bearings, he remains calm. Breathing deeply, taking time adjusting to the darkness. A feeling of vast open space floods him.

A moonless night.

All senses alert, peering forward, he hears the gentle lapping of water against a shore. Ahead, where the ground is lower, the earth all around is glowing blue.

Then it hits him, what he thought was earth, is really water. A vast body of water glowing a gentle electric blue, lay ahead (and to the sides), for miles. He is on a rocky hillock, overlooking the glowing water.

It is an incredible sight. Something inside the water is causing it to light up blue.

What is it ?

An unexpected sense of vulnerability floods him. He has to get off that rocky outcrop, away from the water. An immense consciousness is fast becoming aware of him.

He must escape discovery. That is all that matters, for now.

Run ! Run away !

Screams an invisible voice

Turning his back to the ledge, he rolls down the hillock, tripping and falling over the unseen rocks.

It is now a sunny afternoon. He is in the forest, running away from the earthquake. Running, until he finds those Lantana bushes. He runs past them, squeezing into the unexpected opening in the bushes. Large enough to hide him, and no more. Not thinking anymore; exhausted from running, he's waiting for his pursuer to make the next move.

It has gone quiet.

There is someone or something standing near the Lantana. Several minutes pass in silence. The watchful presence that he felt, seems to have gone away. Chinappa inadvertently mouths biscuits from his bag, letting the sugar flood his bloodstream. His mind, seeking comfort of less exhausting times.

The scene change again. He is now by the secret lawn, that he had stumbled upon earlier. At the very same spot, by the western edge. It is a full moon night. The garden, trees and lawn are decorated with numerous lamps in multi-coloured hues, rather like the fairy lights, used for lighting homes during Diwali. A gentle breeze brings home the refreshing scents of flowers and pines. The soothing voice of the fountain and reassuring insect orchestra further add to the wholesome charm. The garden is warm and welcoming, beckoning Chinappa to enter. But a sense of caution halts his next step. Looking down, a rope of fire is seen wrapped around the lawn and belt of pines, surrounding the lawn and stream issuing from the fountain.

Not knowing, yet instinctively knowing, it,  as a magical boundary, not meant to be trespassed. There is someone in the Pagoda; a woman judging by her clothes and long hair. She's facing the eastern end, as does Chinappa.

Her voice comes floating to him, as she begins a song in a new but familiar language. It fills his heart with joy of knowing, unknown beauty. Effortlessly he understands.

"Fall greeted me that season

In the woods as I lay

The moist earth

took me, like mother

Untouched, by no sorrow

was I, there

Now my heart yearns for Fall

To wander again

in a green and gold world

To feel no pain

under the cloudless blue sky

By the feet

of the elephant lord

The snowbound king

of my pristine realm

In my dreams, I wander

in a green and gold world

I hear the sacred river, chant

Her voice louder

with the noon snowmelts

calling me to her valley, again

talk to her, like I once did

I yearn for her waters

cold and fresh, bringing life

to all it touches

In my songs, I wander

in a green and gold world

Dazzling among flowers

of the valley; my sibling

The winds bring me her tales

Her fragrance, healing me

of all that is ill

In my prayers, I wander

in a green and gold world

By the holy lake, I invoke

the blessings

of the great sages

who once dwelt here

Away from my land,

once more, I await Fall

To wander again

in a green and gold world. "

Chinappa's heart expands with every note expressed. He feels blood joyously coursing through his limbs. It is to realize living, even though one has been alive all their life.

Chinappa's vision is filled with the images of solitary, pristine meadows with numerous blooming flowers, jagged lofty peaks. The voice of stony brooks; a constant, along with the hum of the bees, seeking the company of the flowers. The air is crisp and cold. It is a world of sacred beauty and peace.

Yet again he feels a powerful presence, near at hand. Someone standing beyond the far end of the lawn, hiding in the intermittent darkness.

A sentient being, definitely not human.

Not hostile either.

Rather, any insecurity felt, is a person's own making it dawns upon Chinappa.

As if on a clue, the creature steps in the lamplight, revealing itself.

It has a gold coloured body of a dragon with the head of a lion, shining in the light of the lamps. The creature is at least thirty feet long and ten feet wide. Every step it takes shakes the earth. The forearms and hindquarters house, claws like long sharp daggers. The creature's intelligent eyes are acutely observing Chinappa.

It is a magnificent creature of wonder.

The lion-dragon lets out a earth splitting roar. The sound pierces Chinappa's heart as courage and hope.

With a start he awakens. Astonished to see himself in his bed. Sunlight streams in through the meshed, open windows. Almost immediately, the dream is forgotten in the rush to school.

While walking to school, Chinappa recollected, the events of the day earlier. It is still too unusual for him to digest. The easy part to understand is Gauri.

Chinappa, was lucky that she nosily interfered in his activities, otherwise he would have never found his way home. That very afternoon, the day of his foray in the forest, Gauri, happened to go shopping for party streamers (Tanya's birthday). Just as she returned, Gauri found Chinappa furtively making his way to the forest-lake meadow; enough to pip her curiosity.

A very good student(unlike Chinappa), deeply interest in science, an avid reader of detective friction, Gauri was fiercely independent. She always carried a Swiss army knife, magnifying glass and a compass in her bag. For, you never know when, an adventure may stumble in your path.

In the end of it all proved well for both, and set a strong foundation for a life long friendship.

He reminded himself, after school he would have to shop to replace those party steamers, he owned it to Gauri. On Saturday afternoon, they would go to the movies and then ice cream.

For now, he had enough bizarre. There will be time for it, in the future.

Right now, there was the more pressing matter of football selections. Rather than Chinappa, father ( Mr Iyengar) was excited, for it meant his introverted son would get a better shot at making new friends, an attempt Chinappa had resisted, the last couple of months. First, the visiting cousins and then, the trip to Coorg, kept him occupied. At school, he discovered  the lake and forest, that had him mesmerized.

Some thirty boys showed up at the trials. Sharma sir ( the chief sports instructor), and his assistant Pawar sir divided them into six teams of five each. All together they played three fast-paced matches, each lasting thirty minutes.

Sikander Pandit was his name, he was on the team playing against Chinappa's. An unassuming fellow, who played with a great heart. They clicked instantly.

The following day at school, the second period was interrupted by a new boy joining the class. The maths teacher Mrs Paes introduced him as Kabir Kyshap Rawat. She escorted Kabir to an empty seat next to Chinappa.

When Mrs Paes turned, Kabir waved at her receding form. An audible 'oooh' was heard by the class. Mrs Paes turned back, narrowing her eyes on Kabir, she said in a stern voice,

"Kabir, this institution stands for excellence and churning out model citizens. We intend to keep it that way. Remember we are watching you."

"Yes Ma'am", said Kabir in an injured voice.

He turned to Chinappa and smiled. Mischief dancing in his eyes. His smile; a window to his heart.

Chinappa didn't know what to think. He looked at Sikander, sitting diagonally a row behind. Sikander's eyes were twinkling, a smile playing on his lips.

Kabir was an unquenchable livewire. This was to the great annoyance of his teachers, and to even greater delight of his classmates. His move to Chinappa class was to ensure stricter supervision.

One day, when Tilana Raman, walked past them in the corridor, Kabir funnelled his mouth with a palm and loudly trumpeted like an elephant. Luckily, Tilana found it funny.

Sastry sir; the science teacher, was the only one not offended by Kabir's antics. In class, when he asked, if the class wanted to draw and label the human heart; while everyone answered yes, Kabir answered no, in a high pitched girl's voice that was lost in the chorus reply.

But not to Sastry sir. He made Kabir draw the human heart on the board, while explaining and discussing the heart and its associated parts with the class.

The three were now firm friends, spending time together after school. Between his new found friends and Gauri, there was little time for the forest and the lake.

The Brahminy Kite faithfully visited the tree outside Chinappa's window, who didn't notice, until father, an avid birder, excitedly remarked about a Kite visiting their garden regularly.

A few weeks later, Sastry sir, made an announcement that got the trio, interested. They were all to bring packed lunch and drinking water in reusable containers, for a nature awareness walk in same forest, where Chinappa had his venture. Accompanying them would be Sharma sir, Sastry sir and a recognized guide who knew the forest well.

Sikander and Kabir were excited, everyone had heard tales of the dangerous forest, carefully fenced off and guarded from the town and encroachment. Chinappa welcomed this trip with wary enthusiasm. On Saturday of the same week, a group of eight girls, seven boys and their teachers set off to the forest. At the gate to the forest-lake meadow, stood someone, who would grab eyeballs anywhere. Dressed in Khaki bermudas, white collared tee-shirt and shades; he had had shoulder-length, reddish-black hair, pinkish fair complexion and sharp features. His looks would sell anything, from fairness & shaving creams, to baby food and insurance. As he saw the teachers, he took off his shades, warmly shaking hands and greeting them. Sastry sir, introduced the man as their guide; Shakti, to the students.

Shakti smiled at them

" Welcome to this Nature Awareness Walk, I hope you enjoy your time in nature, taking back valuable learning, that you can cherish for the rest of your lives", he said; green eyes lingering on Chinappa, a little longer than usual.

They entered the gate and turned to the left, following a five feet wide grassy path, lying between the barbed concrete fence and the forest. Marigowda was standing a little away, amongst his goats, watching the group. He politely nodded at Chinappa, who returned the gesture.

"So you met the guardian of the forest and lake"

said Kabir, to Chinappa. They were straggling a little.

"guardian?, like Guardians of the Galaxy," smiled Sikander.

"I spend some time by the lake side, after school, before I met you guys " said Chinappa

"Dude ! You are serious lucky. I heard, this crazy old man, fiercely prevents anyone from entering the forest- lake meadow", said a surprised Kabir.

Chinappa said nothing, remembering the old man's tale and warnings. After his experience in the forest, his respect for Marigowda had sky rocketed. Chinappa didn't think him to be crazy.

"So Mr Iyengar here knows more than he is letting us know", said Sikandar softly. He was unusually perceptive.

Chinappa looked at his friends, who were now studying him carefully.

"I have met Marigowda before, he told me a story about the forest", said Chinappa. Rapidly recounting Marigowda's tale to his friends.

They said nothing, staring at Chinappa, shocked.

"Come along boys, you don't want you miss the fun"

Said a voice; Shakti's, who was standing close by.

They had been walking for a couple of kilometres, when the path branched off to the right into the forest. A guard house stood to the left. It was occupied by two guards, who saluted Shakti and made entries in their log book. They walked on a jeep track, surrounded by very thick forest on both sides. It was not possible to see beyond twenty feet.

Everyone was silent. The air was filled with insect and peacock cries.

Shakti, who was leading, halted, turned back and addressed the group.

"There's nothing to be afraid, we are not in any danger so long as we stick to this path. This is the periphery of the jungle. Stick to the group, don't go off on your own seeking an adventure. You'll get lost, not to be found ever again." he said, his eyes resting again on Chinappa, longer than usual.

They finally arrived a large Pagoda of sorts, with a tap next to it.

"We have this resting place for visiting guests", said Shakti.

"But I thought the forest was out of bounds to public ? said Kabir

"It is, we have regular forest inspection to keep away encroachment" .

"If it is sealed so well, why will there be encroachment?", insisted Sikandar.

Shakti smiled at this question, and said,

"Deep in this forest there are sandalwood trees in adequate numbers, to attract sandalwood smugglers."

"That maybe true", whispered a girl to her friend, with long thick braids, standing ahead of Chinappa, a little to the right.

"I heard a notorious sandalwood smuggler disappeared in this forest. "

Sastry sir smiled, he had heard the conversation.

"Tatiana Goswami is right."

Kabir giggled and Sikander smiled.

" Tatiana, please tell us the tale in full"

So Tatiana marched next to Sastry sir, narrating the story of Shivappan, a dreaded sandalwood and Ivory poacher, who had killed several policemen and forest officers. He ruled the forests that formed the border between Karnataka and Tamil Nadu. He broke into this forest, despite pleas from his gang members, none followed except loyal Kootarasan. They were lost in the forest for days, only Kootarasan made out. Shivappan was lost to the forest. Kootarasan surrendered to the police. He is now is an activist for forest conservation. As to what happened, no one knows. Shivappan or his body was never found, no one bothered to look, they were quite happy to get rid of him.

"Given her inclination towards verbal diarrhoea, her folks must be calling her Tatti(shit in Hindi), at home", wisecracked Kabir

Chinappa and Sikander couldn't help giggling at this.

Tatiana, gave them an icy stare.

She seems to have heard Kabir, even though she was standing with Sastry sir, a little ahead.

They all sat within the shelter, where Shakti gave them a talk about the flora and fauna found in the forest. It seems the eastern side of forest extended well beyond the town limits, and was connected to a wider forest, unlike what was believed earlier. Deer, bison, tigers among others, did reside in this forest, deep towards the broadening eastern side.

Still faraway, from the western end, and the lake; which was a good thing, thought Chinappa. Then, he wondered, why he assumed this.

They ate their lunch at the shelter, laughing and joking about general things. When, Tatiana Goswami walked up to Chinappa.

She probably wanted tell them off, for giggling while she spoke, he thought.

Tatianna Goswami had a history of telling off people.

Instead, she stood a little apart and beckoned Chinappa to come forward, which he did.

There was nowhere to hide from Tatianna

"Can I have a private word with you, please",

she said.

"Ok", said Chinappa

There were already some students standing outside the shelter talking to Shakti.

They went a little ahead on path. Sikander and Kabir watched from the shelter.

"I saw you the other day"

"Sorry, what are you talking about", asked Chinappa

"Don't bullshit me, I saw you coming out of this forest with a younger girl, albeit using a different way.", she said

Chinappa at once realized, this was the girl sitting on the boulders watching the sunset as he and Gauri made their way home.

"You are that girl by the lake !!, he exclaimed.

At this, Tatiana said nothing, except continuing her stern examination of him.

"Let me get to the point ", she said finally.

"I want you to lead me into this forest via that other entrance. No one is willing to take me inside, as they consider the forest to be dangerous. Also, the government has levied a steep fine of five thousand rupees per person on anyone caught trespassing into the forest." All this she said very rapidly.

"and I have a photograph of you and that girl; enough to convince the authorities you were trespassing and to levy a fine, which will be like ten thousand rupees for the two of you ".

Her threat, if he didn't comply, was implied.

He stared at her in disbelief

" I can't take you, it is a dangerous place", words tumbling from his mouth.

" Is that so, what were you doing there ?", she said sharply looking at him.

"It was a bad idea, I got lost and very luckily got out", said Chinappa with utmost humility

Her eyes immediately softened; they were beautiful. In a kindly tone she said,

"Look, we don't have to go very deep, just a little bit inside and then back".

"You threatened me like a goon", he said quietly.

Seeing her chastened expression, he decided to change the topic.

"And what sort of name is Tatianna ??!!!"

She smiled at this; She was pretty

"It is a Russian name, my sister is Vanya and my brother is Demetri. We all have Russian names. My parents lived and worked in Russia for some time. That is where they met. You can call Anna"

"Your name is also quite exotic, never heard of any Chinappa Iyengar"

It was his turn to smile

"I am named after my maternal grandfather; a decorated war hero of the 71' war, he was from Coorg."

"That's wonderful, he must be a hero amongst your people", said a voice. It was Shakti again

"Bravado is best suited to a battlefield; to make things better. Not to be wasted on an ill-advised, to-prove-a-point endeavour"

Chinappa felt he had seen or met Shakti before.
Except he did not remember.

©Kirthi Satya Rohit