The Silver Anklet (25 page)

“No!” said Zarku. “I haven't suffered for so long only to give up at the end.”

“Son, the life you will lead will be a waste. And if
you go through with this, I'll fight you. I'll fight you with
everything I have. The Gods are on my side.”

“You'd do that to your own son?” said Zarku. “You hate me so much?”

“It's because I love you that I want you to stop this, Zarku.

Come away with me now. Give my spirit the rest it deserves.”

Zarku backed away. “I can't betray Lord Kubera.

He's depending on me.”

“Yes you can,”
said Zara.
“I'll help you.”

The walls of the cave trembled and from its depths emerged a shadow, the first that Tara had seen. The large, shapeless shadow moved restlessly, from wall to ceiling to floor so that Tara, following it with her eyes, didn't know where it would appear next.

“Zarku,” said the shadow, its voice but a faint whisper in the darkness. “Who saved you when everyone else had forsaken you? I did! Who gave you the power to control men? I did! Who will restore you and fulfill your dreams? I will! You cannot forsake me now.”

“Don't listen to him,”
said Zara.
“You owe him
nothing.”

Zarku cowered, clutching his head. Tara's insides ached viciously.

The shadow approached Zarku. He backed away into a corner. The shadow followed. It enveloped Zarku — there was the hint of a whisper. The shadow towered over Zarku and then it was gone, swallowed by the black wall behind him.

Tara held her breath. Zara was quiet.

“All right, Mother,” said Zarku after a long silence. “I'll do as you say.”

Tara breathed deeply. Had this really worked? Would he let her and the children escape?

Kali ran up to Zarku. “You can't do that. What about our plan? We were going to be powerful and rule over all those idiots who had hurt you. Have you forgotten? Are you going to let a little girl play tricks on you?”

She retrieved the blade and slapped it into his hand. “Finish what you started, Zarku. Stop being a coward.”

“Don't listen to her,” said Tara. “Listen to your mother. For once listen to someone who loves you.”

Zarku walked up to Tara. “You win.”

He stepped up to the urn and threw in some more wood. The dying flames leaped up hungrily. Zarku closed his eyes and chanted a few words. A low humming sound filled the room. The next moment a howling wind barrelled through the small cave, churning up the dust and dirt. Rocks and pebbles flew in the air, whipping around Tara, grazing her exposed skin. The fire in the urn went out. The wind caught it up and smashed it against the wall. Kali screamed in agony and the hyena fled the cave, laughing. Tara shielded her eyes. Zarku stood motionless in the centre of the cave, staring at her.

Then he fell to the ground in a swoon.

At that precise moment the wind stopped. Tara coughed. Her throat was so dry and scratchy she wanted to tear it out. They were in a thick fog with dust and debris still floating around them.

“Suraj,” she whispered, “are you all right?”

Suraj stirred, whimpering softly.

Tara wiped his face and kissed him. “Suraj, wake up.”

Suraj opened his eyes. “Didi?” He spoke in his normal voice.

“Yes, it's me,” she said. She cupped his face and stared into his eyes.

“Suraj,” said Tara. “Is this really you or this another sick joke, Zarku?”

“It's me, Didi,” he whispered. “I'm so tired. Take me home. Take me home to Mother.”

Tara ran a finger over his forehead. Nothing bulged or pulsed there. Could this miracle really have happened?

She had gotten Suraj back and she was alive!
Thank you
Zara, thank you so much.

The cave was suddenly very cold. The hair on the back of her neck tingled. Something was not quite right.

“Zarku?” said Tara. She looked around her. The dust still hadn't settled. Nothing stirred. No one said a word.

Silence.

“Kali?”

No one answered.

“Kali, answer me!” said Tara.

There was a groan at the back of the cave. Tara plucked the lantern from the niche and peered into the gloom. Kali shifted, groaning softly. There was no sign of Zarku or the last hyena. She ignored Kali and helped Suraj to his feet. She turned around and there was Kali. Right behind her.

“Don't just stand there,” said Tara in a cold voice. “Your plans for wreaking havoc have gone up in smoke, but if you behave, I might tell the villagers to show some mercy.”

Kali stood motionless, staring at Tara.

“Don't just stand there like an idiot,” snapped Tara. “Have your brains disappeared along with Zarku? Help me.”

Kali smiled. The smile became a wide grin. The chill inside Tara grew.

“Why are you smiling?” said Tara. “He's gone! Forever.”

Kali stepped closer. Tara stared at her. Kali took another step, her eyes fixed on Tara. Tara lowered Suraj to the ground. This was not right. Kali should be defeated, broken. Instead here she was, staring at her defiantly.

Zara, what is this?

Oh, Zarku, what have you done?
said Zara.

But before Tara could ask another question, Kali lunged at her.

Tara sprinted away, the lantern knocking against her knees. Behind her the thump of Kali's footsteps kept pace.

Tara stopped short of the chasm. She turned. There stood Kali grinning maniacally. On her forehead an all-too-familiar bulge pulsed ominously.

— twenty-four —
The Silver Anklet

“
No!” breathed Tara. “NO!”

“Yes, Tara, YES.” Kali spoke in a voice that was much thicker, stronger. “It's me, Zarku.”

“But, you promised that you would give up, that you would leave. Are you really so evil that you would lie to your own mother who loves you?”

“Yes!” said Zarku. His smile chilled her; it was a combination of his and Kali's, malevolent through and through. “How could I give up this life of power? I couldn't do it, Tara. I just couldn't.”

Tara stared at Kali, her skin crawling as if a hundred insects were swarming over it.
Zara, how could this
have happened?

I'm sorry, Tara. I didn't expect this, either. Zarku is
under Lord Kubera's influence. Much more than I ever
imagined.

“And now
with
Kali,
through
Kali,” Zarku continued, “I can still carry out my plans. “She and I love and hate the same things.”

“NEVER,” said Tara. “I'll never let you carry out the plan. I'll stop you or die trying.”

“We know,” said Zarku. “Because we're going to kill you — now.”

Tara wracked her brains; she was too close to give up now. If only she could keep them talking, she might be able to find a way. She looked behind her. They were almost at the chasm.

“You'll never get away with it,” said Tara. “Kali has been banned from all the villages. The moment she shows up, she'll be stoned to death.You'll die along with her.”

“I could still go back to my former plan, Tara,” said Zarku. “My Lord has not forsaken me yet. He whispered to me just before he left. I'd tell you what he said, but then I'd have to kill you.” He laughed long and hard.

“Oops, forgot. I'm going to do that, anyway.”

As he was speaking, the glimmer of a plan emerged from the gloom in her mind. It was her last chance and it had to work.

“The first thing we have to do is get rid of all of you,” said Zarku. “Suraj and Sadia will be no problem at all. They're half dead anyway. They won't feel a thing when we tip them over the edge. You, Tara, might be a problem. You won't give us too much trouble, will you?

It'll be a quick push, an exciting fall, and then it's over.”

Tara moved back a step, very slowly and cautiously.

What are you doing, Tara?

Tara tried to keep her mind absolutely blank. She did not want to reveal her plan to Zara just yet, didn't want her blurting it out to her son. This was
her
plan and it had to work.

“Think about what I said,” said Zarku. He turned to go. “I'm going to take care of the children first.”

“No!” said Tara. “Deal with me first.” Her heart pounded. What if this didn't work? She pushed the thought aside, not taking her eyes off Kali.

Tara inched backward, glancing quickly behind her. The edge was a few feet away. Darkness billowed out from the chasm like steam from a volcano. It seemed to tug at her. Her foot hit a rock. It clattered over the edge into silence.

Kali advanced, one sure step at a time. “At last, Tara. Do you know how long we've both waited for this moment? Ahhh, it will be sweet …”

Tara inched sideways. She heard a low growl and stopped, her heart almost stopping, too. Yellow eyes emerged from the darkness; the third hyena. Tara had forgotten all about it. It advanced on her slowly, hemming her in, pushing her back.

Lord Ganesh, you couldn't have brought me all the
way here to fail so miserably. I can't die! This has to work.
Please help me …
Tara prayed, see-sawing between hope and utter despair.

What are you doing, Tara? You're too close to the edge.

Get back into the cave. We'll think of something else.

Tara ignored her.

Kali came closer, smiling. The narrow path was but a few steps toward Tara's left. Time slowed, even her heartbeat slowed, and she saw and heard everything clearly, sharply.

Kali was almost upon her. Tara planted her feet apart and braced herself. She knew what was coming. She tensed. With a triumphant cry, Kali ran at her, her arms outstretched. “Goodbye, Tara.”

Tara immediately threw herself flat on the ground.

Kali reached her at a full run, tripped over her, and flew over the lip of the chasm.

“NOOOOO!” howled Kali as she scrabbled at the crumbling edge, trying to pull herself up.

Tara tried to stand, but her legs shook so much that she had to crawl away from the edge as fast as she could.

“Help!” said Kali, still using that thick voice. “Tara, help me and I'll spare you. I'll give you unimaginable power … anything you desire.”

Tara laughed hysterically. “No, Zarku. It was your mother's wish that you stop this and I agree. And it's time for you, too, Kali. Time to die!”

She got to her feet, which seemed to have turned to jelly, and backed away. Kali peered over the edge of the chasm, still holding to the lip tightly, and screamed at the hyena, “Kill her!”

The hyena stood there, undecided. Then it turned around and vanished into the darkness.

“Come here!” she screeched. But the hyena had disappeared. Kali slipped a bit more. Tara watched her, filled with self-loathing.
I hate having to do this, Zara.
It's so hard to take a life, any life, no matter how evil.

I know, Tara. But finish what you started. Push them
over the edge. Don't let them get back up. My son had his
chance and he chose the evil of the Underworld where he'll
wander forever with the likes of Kali. Do it.
Zara's voice held so much pain that Tara felt it overflow into her. She was drowning in sadness.

Tara walked over to the edge of the chasm. Kali looked up at her, beseeching her silently. Tara raised her foot.

“No! Tara, don't do it,” she yelled. “Zarku will give you whatever you want. Believe him. He even showed me how to communicate with my daughter … from a distance.”

“I don't want anything but to see you both dead,” said Tara. “To rid Morni of all evil. Both of you in one shot!”

Kali cackled madly. “You think you'll end all evil by killing us, Tara? Think again! Layla is still in Morni and she will avenge my death, mine and Zarku's. You watch … ahhhhhhhh …”

Tara had stomped hard on Kali's hand and ground it with the heel of her mojri while she had been speaking. Kali let go, the expression on her face, pure, undiluted venom. Within seconds the darkness pulled her within its depths.

Tara peeped over the edge, trembling with exhaustion. They were both gone. She had done it. It was over.

Her knees buckled and she sat down, all the fear flowing out of her in huge, wracking sobs. Finally there was nothing more inside. She unclasped the anklet and kissed it. The silver was cool against her parched lips.

You did it, Tara. You did what I was not able to do.

Will you stay with me forever?
asked Tara silently.

No, Tara. You have to do one last thing for me.

Anything
, replied Tara.

Throw me into the chasm.

No! I want you to stay with me. I'm sorry I ever
doubted you.

Do it, Tara. I have no desire to return to the living
world again. Please.

Tara once again stepped to the edge. She stared at the anklet on her palm, kissed it one last time. Then she tilted her hand. It slid off, disappearing in a glint of silver.

Goodbye, Zara.

Tara walked back to the cave. Suraj had managed to crawl over to Sadia and wake her. They sat huddled at the entrance, two woebegone figures. They got to their feet with much effort as soon as they saw her.

The darkness pressed down on Tara's thin shoulders.

Every part of her ached with exhaustion.

“We're going home, aren't we, Didi?” said Suraj.

He stood up and slipped his hand through hers. Sadia looked up at her with a tired, watery smile. “I want to see Kabir.”

Tara squared her shoulders and picked up Sadia. She had a promise to keep. And one more person to take care of — Layla.

“Come on,” said Tara. “We're going home.”

The End

— glossary —

Below are English translations of the many Hindi words
used in
The Silver Anklet