My Name is Tamra...

Chapter 13

Suraj was very happy about the on goings. The tantric baba had told him, that coming new moon day was very good for sacrificing a pregnant woman. It was coming in ten days. Suraj was seated in the chair in his private chambers. Aditi was not be seen around. "Thank God! Aditi is not around, I want to think without any disturbance, then only I will be able to come with a plan." He thought to himself and looked around. Aditi's maid Niveda's presence always threatened him, because of her shrewd attitude. She was also not to be seen.

"I have to make Tamra and Birju stay in Jaipur for tendays, before that in three days I have to make arrangements to sacrifice a royal blood. Queen Gayathri is also a royal blood, but the king might smell some foul play. If the King is sacrificed instead, the queen is sick and dumb enough to believe any story I say. To make the King unconscious is easy. I will put Ganja in his drink and that will make him float. First, I will have to call Tantric Baba, and make sure Tamra stays here till new moon day."

Suraj got up from the chair and started dressing to meet Tantric baba. Aditi was still not there. Thanking his luck, he set out silently out of the palace walking. He chose to walk because he wanted no one to know the connection between him and the Tantric baba, also he might pay a visit to the place where Tamra was staying. Thinking deep he reached the place where the Tantric Baba's Ashram was temporarily located. There was no building only a thatched hut was standing at the corner of a big ground. Even in the bright sun light, the hut, and the ground looked very gloomy and dark. Suraj was used to that, so without hesitation he went knocked the door of the hut.

A man whose age could never be predicted appeared. His face was buried in the white beard and mustache. His eyes were very narrow and cruel. He was holding a staff in his hand. On seeing him Suraj became very humble and offered him respect. Without any word gesturing Suraj to follow, baba went and sat on the deer skin on the floor. "Ok! Have you made arrangements for the sacrifices?" asked Baba in a rough voice. "Yes Baba! As you have said, I have made all arrangements. Today is Monday, on Thursday, we can sacrifice the King, then on 7th day that is on the new moon day we can sacrifice a pregnant lady." Said Suraj in hushed voice. "Good! Who is the pregnant girl?" asked Baba. "Baba…it's like….I desired a girl in Dantla, now she had come here seeking justice. She is pregnant. So…." He was not able to tell the story completely. "Oh! I see!" Baba sat there with closed eyes. His facial expression changed now and then. After ten minutes, he opened his eyes which were red.

"Suraj! We have to be very careful. I sense a huge force acting against us. That means our plans may be hindered by someone. This force is so powerful even for me." Said Baba with rage. Suraj got sacred. "Baba, who is that? Can't you see? Can't we do something to eliminate him too?" asked in anxiety. "There is one way to see the person, I have to invoke Dakini, She, might show me who the force is and who is he?" saying Baba started preparing for an invocation. A girl assisted him to clear the place and prepare it of the invoke.

The place was cleared, a rooster and a hen were offered as sacrifice to Dakini. A doll made of thread was placed in the middle. Before starting to chant Mantras Baba spoke to Suraj. "I am going to invoke Dakini, she is a very powerful and angry energy. When I chant the Mantras, she would possess my body, then you can ask questions. But remember never contradict her or ask twice the same question. If you do, she might harm you and even me. Don't panic, ask the questions right away. Remember every answer she gives." After Instructing Suraj Baba started chanting Mantras. The girl silently withdrew herself .

After a few minutes, Suraj felt a chill in the air. As time rolled, the chillness increased and to his horror he felt he was sweating profusely even in that cold. After sometime it was very difficult for him breath, and his head started spinning. Suddenly he saw, the doll which was kept in the middle, was now in the upright position.

Suraj had done many things which were evil, but this scenario made him shiver with terror. Suddenly Baba opened his eyes and looked straight at Suraj. There was no Pupa, instead, his eyes were blood red. "Why did you call me?" thundered a voice which was not at all like Baba's.

"I pray to thee Dakini Devi!" said Suraj hiding his fears and remembering the instructions of Baba. "I am happy that you are humble. Ask me anything you want to know!" again the voice thundered.

"Maa! I want to become the richest, for that Baba said, If I sacrificed a royal blood and a pregnant woman? I can achieve that!" Suraj hesitated for a second. "For that you have to invoke Maa Kali." Came the answer. "Yes! You are right! But Maa! I was planning of sacrificing a girl named Tamra, but Baba sensed a force which is acting against us. Can you please tell me who is this?" asked Suraj with a bowed head. "Yes! You have an enemy, by birth, She, won't leave you!" said Dakini. "Who? Is it Tamra?" asked Suraj. "No! Her name is Arunika. She had taken Tamra to Dantla, she had sensed your plan. Your desire of becoming rich is not possible." Laughed Dakini like a roar. "Arunika? Never heard of her? What should I do Maa? Please advise me! I want to be the richest in Rajasthan. Please help me!" begged Suraj with folded hands. "If you want your desire to get fulfilled, you have to sacrifice Arunika and the forces helping her. But I warn you, Arunika and Tamra may not leave you peacefully, even after death. You will have to repent your decision. Decide carefully before going ahead with your plan."

Suddenly the place became warmer and Baba closed his eyes. The doll was lying again. When Baba opened his again that was looking normal. Not even for second Suraj reconsidered about his plan and the volume of the sin. "Did you ask?" "Yes baba! Maa told There is a girl in Dantla named Arunika, she is our enemy. Now Tamra is in Dantla not in Jaipur. Dakini also said even after death Arunika and Tamra won't leave me!" in a single breath Suraj told everything to Baba. He sat there for a while deep in thought. His face was worried.

"Baba! Are you afraid of a little girl from Dantla? What she could do? We will sacrifice her and her group of friends. No one will be there to stop us." Said Suraj confidently. Baba looked at him from top to bottom.

"You don't know the power of goodness especially when it comes to love, females have tremendous energy and force. Evan Dakini Maa had warned means…think and decide Suraj! You have already become the Son-in-law of the King. After his death, everything will come to you! Why unnecessary sacrifices?" asked Baba. Suraj looked at Baba keenly.

"I want to have the money when I am young. Who knows when the King will die, and I will inherit the property? Maybe he will pass on everything to my wife. Then I will be like a servant asking for money. I don't want that to happen. I have made the papers ready stating every single piasa will be given to me, and every arrangement to take the King's thumb impression after his death. I want those sacrifices; do you hear me? I want more money and riches. Tantric Baba, you are afraid of a girl? Shame on you! Where is your power?" said Suraj in a very strong voice.

Baba shook his head and did not say anything. "What do you say? Are you with me or not?" yelled Suraj. "Of course, I am with you. You are eviler than me. We have a long association, for that I am giving you an advice, beware of Tamra and Arunika. When first girl is born in your family name her Tamra. Also never ever go to Dantla, after the sacrifice. Don't let anyone from your family go there. I know my fate is nearing. After the sacrifice I may not survive, will you do me a favor?" asked Baba. "Oh! Baba! You are very powerful, don't talk like that. " Said, Suraj comfortingly. "Don't talk to me like I am a commoner. I am a Tantric, who can predict fate and I see my own doomed. You will attain the wealth alright, but darkness will prevail in your life. Your life will be a cursed one. Dark secrets, will haunt you every night. You have to keep many things secret form your family too! Arunika and Tamra will definitely come back for you." Baba almost cried.

"Are you trying to threaten me with curses and secrets? How can dead people come back? I am not afraid at all. Tell me what you want? You want me to construct a Samadhi for you and worship?" said Suraj arrogantly. "Exactly the opposite Suraj. Don't construct samadhi or Ashram in my memory. I want my soul to rest in peace. My death may be an eye opener for you. Don't take female power for granted." Said Baba with a smile. Suraj was astonished in the way Baba was talking about his own death and what should be done after that. Shaking his head, he came back to his present situation.

"I will remember every word you said Baba. But What should we do? The King is here in Jaipur and Tamra is in Dantla. How can we arrange the sacrifices?" asked Suraj. "That is easy Suraj, first let us perform a puja at the palace, sacrifice the royal blood then go to Dantla, there we can sacrifice Tamra to Maa Kali. But I want to ask you one thing Suraj, Once the King is sacrificed, you will take his thumb impressions on the papers, automatically the estates will come to you right? Then why sacrifice Tamra?" asked Baba with a catch in his throat.

Suraj laughed a sarcastic laugh. "Have you gone mad Baba? Even if I don't sacrifice the King, I have to get rid of Tamra somehow. She is a potential threat to my luxurious life. Got it?" asked Suraj angrily. Baba kept quiet. "When will you come to my palace?" asked Suraj Rathore. "Wednesday I will be there. But see to it that, your wife or anyone else are not present there to see our puja. We might be in trouble. One more thing, once you the sacrifice is over, you have to vacate that palace and move to some other house. Keep that in mind!" said Baba.

"I cannot live in that palace? Then Where do I live? I want to live like a King, that's this all about!" yelled Suraj. "Jaipur is full of palaces and mahals. Buy one and live there. Why Worry?" asked Baba with a smile. Suraj thanked him. It was arranged between them that on Tuesday itself, he will send Aditi and Niveda off to Jodhpur to visit a temple. After they were gone, he will give leave to all servants and make the King drink Ganja drink. After dusk, Baba will come to the palace and do the Puja. When the King is completely unconscious, they will make the sacrifice, and complete the Puja. Immediately after that, they will vacate the palace, go to Dantla with the same sword. There they will stay in secrecy, at the new moon night when Tamra and her old mother are alone in the house, stealthily they will enter. Tamra and her mother will be tied up with tape on the mouth, after the Puja, Suraj will ignite the house and offer the life of Tamra and the unborn in her womb as a sacrifice.

Little Suraj knew, what was to happen at the palace and at Dantla.