The Deadly Conch

by Mahtab Narsimhan

  “Why?” asked Tara. She looked up at Gayatri, who was wiping her blood-stained hands on her saree. She looked serene.

  “Why what, Tara?”

  “Why did you do this? It was my job. That’s why I came back.”

  “I know,” said Gayatri. “I know more than you think I do.”

  The rest of the village, along with the Panchayat, arrived and gathered around them. Raka pushed his way to the front and stood beside them. “Oh my God, Gayatri,” he said when he saw Layla. “What have you done?”

  Both Tara and Gayatri ignored him.

  “Know what, Gayatri-ma?” asked Tara. She looked closely at the smooth countenance that had always been tranquil, and a source of strength for her. Even now, there was not a flicker of fear on that face. How could the son of one so strong, turn out to be so weak?

  “I know why you came back, Tara,” said Gayatri. “I also know what my son foolishly agreed to do, to save me. He told me after the deed was done and that is why I was determined to keep you safe with me. If you can find it in your heart to forgive Ananth, I will be very grateful.”

  Tara glanced at Ananth, who had been standing there staring at his mother. He seemed to be in shock. She looked at Raka, who hadn’t uttered a word. This would probably be the last straw for him. How would he and the villagers react to a widow killing a child even if it was Layla? Would they use this as an excuse to throw her out?

  “I wish you hadn’t, Gayatri-ma,” said Tara. She was angry at herself for letting Layla slip away. And at the villagers for being so blind.

  The familiar clip-clop of hooves broke the silence and Lord Yama rode up to them. “It is time to go.”

  Tara felt as if her feet had turned to lead. The realization that she would never see her family again crushed her. She hugged herself, trying hard not to sob in front of all the villagers. She wanted to beg Lord Yama for one more day, one more hour, so she could say goodbye to her mother. See Suraj’s face one more time. But she knew it was futile. No matter how much time she had with them, it would never be enough. It was best to go now.

  Tara sighed. “I’m ready,” she said in unison with Gayatri.

  ‘What are you talking about?” said Tara. She looked from Lord Yama to Gayatri, who had stepped forward.

  “I’m the one going with Lord Yama,” said Gayatri. “Not you, Tara. You still have a life to live.”

  “No!” yelled Ananth. “You can’t leave me, Mother, I’ll be an orphan.”

  Gayatri held out her arms and Ananth threw himself at her. “Listen to me,” she said after a moment. “You have to let me go. I’ll be a lot happier because I’ll be with your father at last.”

  “I cannot let you do that, Gayatri-ma,” said Tara. “Lord Yama, I was the one who came to the Underworld, I was the one who should have killed Layla. You can’t take someone else in my stead.”

  “But you didn’t, Tara. I killed Layla,” said Gayatri. She stepped up to Lord Yama. “Lord, you know that taking me would be a kinder, wiser thing to do. For all of us.”

  Lord Yama looked at Gayatri, at Tara, then at the rest of the villagers. “These two members of Morni are the most hated, and are better than all of you put together,” he said. He was quiet for a long moment. “All right, Gayatri. I will take you instead of Tara.”

  “No!” said Tara. “She did this for me. You said that once I came to the Underworld, I could not return to the land of the living.”

  “Tara, I make the rules, and I also have the power to make exceptions,” said Yama. “You did not kill Layla, Gayatri did, so really, you have not completed what you set out to do.”

  Tara flung herself into Gayatri’s arms. “Your son did so much to keep you alive and now you’re going to leave him, leave me?”

  “Tara, it’s also because of his foolishness that I must go. This is to make up for what he did to you and your family. Will you please forgive Ananth, for my sake?”

  Tara stepped back. “I don’t know if I can.”

  Ananth hugged his mother tight, his face streaming with tears.

  “You’ll be fine, Ananth. Just remember everything I have ever taught you. No good comes from harming anyone, even if it is for a good cause.”

  Lord Yama turned the bull toward the forest. “Stay well, Tara. I hope that I never have to meet you again in your lifetime. Suraj’s soul is already safe with me, but I will send someone for Layla.” The bull started to move away and Gayatri followed.

  Everyone watched her and Yama fade away into the dawn mist. Tara stood, listening to the sound of the hooves, until at last, it too died away.

  Tara looked at the very dead Layla at her feet. Soon mother and daughter would be together in the Underworld and she couldn’t help but feel a little relieved that she wouldn’t have to face their wrath. Tiredness pressed down on her with a giant fist, grinding her into the earth.

  “You were willing to sacrifice your life for Morni,” said Raka, “and we misjudged you. We let our beliefs and superstitions cloud our common sense. Can you ever forgive us, forgive me, Tara?”

  “Me, too, Tara,” said Ananth, very softly. “Please?”

  Tara stared at all of them for a long moment. She really did not want to, but what would she achieve by carrying the hatred around in her heart? It would poison the rest of her life. Was it possible they could change?

  A sliver of sun peeped over the horizon. Tara watched the glow spread across the sky, turning grey to gold, and knew that no matter what happened, there was one person whom she could always rely on — herself.

  And that was all she really needed.

  “I forgive you,” she said.

  — glossary —

  Arre Slang for “Oh.”

  Ayurvedic Medicine Ayurveda is a system of traditional medicine, native to the Indian subcontinent and practised in other parts of the world as a form of alternative medicine.

  Biryani A South Asian dish made primarily of rice, spices, meat, and/or vegetables.

  Blouse Most commonly refers to a woman’s shirt.

  Dupatta A long, multi-purpose scarf that is essential to many South Asian women’s suits.

  Ganesh Temple Place of worship for the elephant-headed god who is also considered the god of knowledge and the remover of obstacles.

  Ghaghra-choli A long, flowing skirt reaching the calves or ankles, worn with a fitted blouse with short sleeves.

  Himalayas A mountain range in Asia, separating the Indian subcontinent from the Tibetan Plateau.

  Holi Also called the Festival of Colours, celebrated by throwing coloured powder and coloured water at each other.

  Kalyug Or “Kali Yuga,” is the last of the four stages that the world goes through as part of the cycle of yugas described in the Indian scriptures. The other ages are Satya Yuga, Treta Yuga, and Dvapara Yuga. Hindus believe that human civilization degenerates spiritually during the Kali Yuga, which is referred to as the Dark Age because in it, people are as far removed as possible from God.

  Kurta-Pajama A loose shirt falling just above or at the knees, and normally worn with loose trousers with a drawstring waistband.

  Mantra A mantra is a sound, syllable, word, or group of words that are considered capable of “creating transformation,” normally of the spiritual kind.

  Mojri Also known as a “pagrakhi,” is traditional ornamental leather footwear originating from Rajasthan.

  Monsoon A monsoon is traditionally defined as a seasonally reversing wind accompanied by seasonal changes in precipitation or heavy rain.

  Pooja A form of worship, that relates to dedication and belief in a particular god.

  Poori A South Asian unleavened bread commonly consumed in India, Pakistan, and Bangladesh. It is eaten for breakfast, as a snack or a light meal.

  Prasad Anything, usually edible, that is first offered to a deity and then distributed in His name. The prasad has the deity’s blessing residing within it.

  Raat-ki-Raani A shrub that goes by the botanical name of Cestrum Noc
turnum. Its light-green flowers open at night and emit an intoxicating fragrance.

  Raita An Indian condiment based on yogurt (dahi) and used as a sauce or dip. The yogurt is seasoned with coriander (cilantro), cumin, mint, cayenne pepper, and other herbs and spices.

  Rakhi Holy thread tied by a sister on her brother’s wrist. The brother, in return, offers a gift to his sister and vows to protect her for as long as he lives.

  Saree Garment worn by females in the Indian subcontinent. A saree is a strip of unstitched cloth, ranging from four to nine metres in length, which is draped over the body in various styles.

  Shalwar-Kameez Is a traditional dress worn by both women and men in South Asia. Salwar or shalwar are loose pajama-like trousers. The kameez (shirt) is usually cut straight and flat. Women normally wear this with a dupatta.

  Shendi A long lock of hair gathered at the back of a normally bald head, resembling a pigtail.

  Sindoor A red powder (vermilion), which is traditionally applied at the beginning or completely along the part-line of a woman’s hair (also called “mang”) or as a dot on the forehead. Sindoor is the mark of a married woman in Hinduism.

  Tandav “Tandava” or “Tandava nrtya,” the divine art form, is a dance performed by the Hindu god, Shiva. According to Hindu mythology, Shiva’s Tandava is a vigorous dance that is the source of the cycle of creation, preservation, and dissolution.

  Thali A round tray made of steel or silver with smaller bowls or compartments in which a variety of foods are served.

  Turban The word turban is a common umbrella term, loosely used in English to refer to several sorts of headwear.

  — acknowledgements —

  My heartfelt thanks to:

  Rahul, Aftab, and Coby for putting up with me while I create my masterpiece. Mom, for always being there for me. Dad, who still continues to inspire me to do my best. The rest of my family in Toronto, Mumbai, and New Delhi, for your love and encouragement. Ayaan Indorewala, who brightens my day with his antics and adorable smile. Raunak and Simran Sood for your keen questions that make me think. Anne Lilly, Anne-Louise Gould, and Lies Weijs for your warmth and friendship. And finally, thank you to my wonderful editor, Shannon Whibbs, and the Dundurn team for continuing to believe in Tara and in me.

  — Also in the Tara Trilogy —

  The Third Eye

  978-1-55002-750-1

  $12.99

  For Tara and her brother, Suraj, the year since their mother and grandfather fled the village of Morni has been a nightmare. Their new stepmother is cruel and deceptive and the men of the village have been disappearing, often returning in a strange, altered form. When a new healer, Zarku, a mysterious man with a third eye possessing strange power, suddenly appears in Morni, all are mesmerized by his magic — all except Tara, who sees through his evil disguise. With nothing but her own courage and wit, Tara tries to find her missing mother and grandfather, the true healer, in time to save her village.

  The Silver Anklet

  978-1-554884-452

  $12.99

  What if the only way to get rid of your worst enemy was to sacrifice your brother? When hyenas snatch Tara’s brother, Suraj, and two other children from the local fair in Morni, Tara and her newfound companions decide to rescue them on their own. Tara soon discovers that Zarku, her nemesis with the third eye, is back and intent on revenge. A deadly game of hide-and-seek ensues, and Tara and her companions must work together to survive. But it is soon clear that Zarku is only after Tara; the others are dispensable. Should Tara risk the lives of her friends? Or can she once again defeat Zarku and save her brother, armed only with belief in herself and a silver anklet?