Baba gives me an amused smile while Dad looks proud. What have I said that garners his pride, I know not. But I will take it any day.
“Damn. She doesn't do anything by halves,” Lexie says on an exhale.
“Nopes. She finds the biggest baddest question of all and goes for it,” Ash says. “But come on. We all know where she gets it from.” He slants an eye towards Dad and Baba, and all of them nod.
“Coming back to the topic, so?” I ask.
“What do you think?” Baba asks me.
And before he even finishes asking, I am shaking my head.
“I don’t know enough to form opinions or answers. That is why I am asking. Newbie here,” I say raising my hand.
He laughs and then puts his plate aside.
“Yes, Gods do affect our lives. Yes, destiny and fate are real. You may remember that different Gods gave blessings and boons to their followers, right? Most religions, or faiths, are passed down from family to family. Their faith in the God they believe in, plus generations before them following the same God, lends a direct connection to the Gods. Think of it this way. If you and the previous ten generations of you have attended one college, that college administration would know you pretty well, and would be on a first name basis with your family. Yeah?”
I nod.
“So, they listen to their direct followers’ pleas. The stronger the connection between people and their faith, the more Gods are attuned to what their followers want. Over the millennia, the Gods decided that it is easier if their worshipper asks for something, as opposed to granting them what they are thinking of. This ensured more followers, more people who would turn to god. If Gods were to give us everything without us asking for it, we would start taking it for granted. Hence the importance of asking the Gods, making sure that we are wording it well and properly, giving time to our prayers and faith. Hence, the importance of intentions and affirmations in law of attraction philosophy. All of this also ensured more power to the Gods. And instead of hearing trillions of thoughts, Gods would focus on only the millions of prayers.
“It is cyclic in nature. The more followers one God has, the more powerful they become. That is why so many sects instigate conversions on Earth. Like, the more buyers a company has, the more rich it becomes, right? Similarly, every God becomes more powerful the more they are followed and worshipped. That is why Paramaiah put the clause of not disclosing their real identities to the people. You will see that different ideologies on Earth that follow similar lines of mythology in their structure, have one God for all aspects. Elements, emotions, energies, you name it, they have a God for it. By prohibiting them to disclose their real identities, Paramaiah ensured that there isn’t an all out war between the Gods. The only one immune to this exception is Paramaiah, as He is the Supreme Being. He is known to be humble and forgiving. And takes a special interest in the wellbeing of Earth. Because it is His creation, first and foremost. It is said that He spends millenniums roaming the Earth, making connections, understanding the psyche of His creations. But it also gives him an ear on the ground. This helps Him understand which Gods are using their divine powers for evil and who is using it to truly be a guide and a blessing to the people.
“Now, most people have faiths and beliefs handed to them from their families. But there are some who choose to break away from their family’s belief, and go the other way. Convert, or find answers and connection in some other God’s ideologies. Their voices, to Gods, ring loud as well. Because they are choosing to follow a God. Their connection is stronger because their will and psyche is already tapping to that of their chosen God.
“So long answer short, yes Gods affect our lives. Now the question is how. Right?”
I nod. Fascinated by the story. Everything is how I had been thinking and I want to pat myself that most of my thinking is on point here.
“It is about what elements are strongest at the time of their birth. That is why you have zodiac signs. Some are water signs while some are fire signs. That is where you have seasons. All about elements, and Elements. Meaning, elements like beauty, destruction, growth, harvest, rain, etc. and Elements like fire, water, earth, and air. The strength and varying degrees of the elements throughout the year, specify a certain degree of shoulds and woulds. Rest comes into play depending on what you believe in and what your choices are. Karma has a God. So does choice and will.”
“So you are saying that it is all a calculation? A carefully crafted lengthy algebra equation? With variables and constants?”
Baba’s eyes spark.
“Yes! It is a calculation. A lengthy equation. Ancient Babylonians got something right. This is like what people call Astrology.”
“And what about atheists?”
“Not believing is also believing, Gudiya. For those who don’t believe in God, they carry on their lives based on some other principle. Remember it is not about a particular God. Since nobody really knows their identity. It is about God’s ideologies.
“So those who don’t believe in Gods, live their lives on some other principles. Like karma, for example. Or debauchery. Or free spirit, or nature, or something. Now, Earth might not have them classified as belief or religion, but they still are ideologies that Gods live by. So someone who chooses to not believe in ‘Gods’, but believes in living their lives by good actions and honorable intentions, has karma and luck favoring them. Does that make sense?”
I take a moment to take it all in, trying to fit it within the puzzle in my mind.
“Okay. I think so. So, since real Gods have not disclosed their identities, who am I worshipping when I worship Ganesha?”
“You are worshipping the Destruction and the Preservation, Knowledge, and Fortune. Focus on the ideologies. That is where many man-made belief systems have cut out so many ideologies. By telling people that they must not worship other Gods, they are affecting everyone’s free will. Fate, karma, luck, do not take nicely to it. Similarly, some philosophies and belief systems talk about actions and choices, even though they are part of an organised religious structure. And that ticks boxes of will, karma, luck, preservation, destruction, and so on. You all get the different layers associated now?”
Everyone nods.
“So let me summarise,” I say, raising my fingers, “You are saying that most of someone’s destiny is written based on the elements’ and the Elements’ position during the time of their birth. Like, their Gods’ position. Add to that their own belief system and choices, the rest is added. Someone who has formed a connection with Gods has a stronger voice than others who are only following based on what has been told to them. And Gods ensure that they only respond to or offer boons when they are asked for something, rather than someone thinking of something. Right?”
Dad and Baba nod.
“Okay so, in that case, how does Vyhdir tell what future someone holds?”
“You smart little devil,” Baba chuckles. “Remember that calculation? That lengthy algebraic equation with variables and constants? Only Vyhdir can see the final outcome. But only for the Gods. The variables are forever changing. But if in some cases, the variables become constants, then Vyhdir could see that. That is what happened with Ida-Samara.”
Vee sits forward. Talk about mathematics and his inventor's brain skyrockets.
“What are you saying? Are you saying that Vyhdir can only tell the destiny for Gods and for those born of Gods?” he asks.
“Yes. But also if something really really tugs at his attention. Or, like I said before, most of their variables become constants. Like, let’s say Nicola Tesla. Or Mother Teresa.”
“So what about us?” he asks, pointing at all of us.
“What do you mean?” Baba asks.
“Do we not have a destiny? Our variables are still variables. Right?”
“You have a destiny. I had said that Vyhdir could tell the destinies of only the Gods. And for the few people whose variables are more like constants. Not everyone. Because he cannot see the fin
al outcome. Does that make sense?” Baba asks, and Vee nods. “Do you know why he could tell the destiny of only Gods?”
“Umm, because they don’t have variables?”
I chuckle at that.
“No,” I say. “I think it is because there was no equation when the Gods were created. No other Elements or elements, and their positions affecting the outcome. Gods were just created. Right?” I ask Baba. He gives me a nod, while giving a slow clap.
I take a fake bow, and then start asking again.
“So how does he know what the destiny is? Since there is no equation or anything for him to go by?”
Baba starts laughing. “Gudiya, he still is a God.”
Oh yeah.
‘Forgot that little thing, didn’t ya?’ Kali teases.
‘Oopsie,’ I tell her.
“Explain please? I know he is a God. But how can he only see and not the others? Why not Paramaiah? He is the supreme being after all, no?” I insist.
“Call it premonition, if you must give it a name. Like people on Earth dole out prophecies for things, situations, and people. Vyhdir tells one or two statements. And sometimes, he gets flashes of things happening that a certain God must know. That’s all I know and have read.”
“So he is a clairvoyant. And no other Gods are like that?”
“No.”
“What about the God of Luck?”
“No. Not even him.”
“Luck is a him?”
Everyone chuckles at that. “What? It is a valid question.”
“Yes, luck is a him,” Baba says.
“Well damn, moody much he is? What’s with bestowing good things on some people and nothing on some. I always thought luck would be female. Hormonal and emotional, you know?”
Baba barks out a laugh. “Hormonal?”
“Yeah,” I shrug, “like, moody, PMSing, irrational, favouring beauty, and gossipping.”
“Where did you get that thought from?” Baba asks, laughter evident in his voice. “Well, never mind. Don’t answer that. Please. But I will have you know that Luck never favours someone without hard work and opportunity. So you can say that it is a combination of all those three for this. Philosophies, Ada, philosophies. Remember that.”
I nod, giving it some thought. What he says makes sense.
“Holy shit. You actually rendered her speechless,” Lexie whispers from next to me.
I roll my eyes and turn to look at her, when Baba speaks up. “Nah. She isn’t speechless. She is thinking of what to ask next.” And with that he points at me.
I give him a sheepish smile.
“Lovely ladies and gentlemen,” Ian announces over the PA. “We are half an hour to touch down. Please fasten your seatbelts as we start our descent to the Vieux Fort.”
We all strap on our seatbelts.
I look at Baba and find him looking at me. His smile tells me he was waiting for my next question.
“So, Oogway,” Lexie slides down on her seat when I call him that. “If only Paramaiah and Gods with a clear intention can enter Kailamat, how are we getting there?”
Chapter 47
Lexie
We disembark from the jet, our bags in hand, and walk over to the exit. It is essential that we exit and move across to wherever we are going before the day is over. Because come tomorrow, nobody would remember us.
“Lex,” Ada asks from where she is walking next to me, “where will we stay? I mean, it’s not like we can check in a hotel or anything, right?”
“I think we will have to figure it out. Why don’t you ask Sensei?” I tell her.
She looks at me. I can feel her eyes on me even though they are covered behind her aviators.
“Why don’t you ask him? I have asked a lot of questions. Besides, he should remember all of your voices too.”
“No way, you ask him. I have never asked him anything.”
She reaches out and places her hand on my upper arm. “Well, that needs to change, doesn’t it?”
Fuck.
I know what she says makes sense. But I am so scared of him. What am I supposed to do? Just walk up to him and ask this?
“Hey Baba?” Ada’s voice rings out.
He turns around to look at her.
“Lex has a good question.”
Fucking hell.
I gulp. I look up and find him looking at me with intense eyes.
“Umm, Sensei, no offence, umm, but… But, where will we stay?” I let it out, while cursing Ada mentally.
“We have to figure it out. We cannot stay in hotels and all. Because come tomorrow, nobody would remember us. Let’s get our car and then we will figure it out.”
He gives me an appraising look, then turns around and resumes walking next to Pa.
I let out a breath. I swear sweat has lodged into every pore of my body.
I glare at Ada, and she flashes her smile.
An arm wraps around my shoulders. I look to my left and find Ian walking next to me.
“What’s up, buttercup?” he gives me his cocky smile.
I look at him and shrug. “Just wondering where we will stay, that’s all.”
He twists his ring, the blessed ring that we all wear, around his finger, and exhales.
“Yeah. I was thinking the same. But Ry said that everyone together will figure it out.”
“Where are you staying? You are staying here till our work is done, right?” I ask him, before I can stop the words. Damn it!
He gives me a sly smile and says, “I am staying with you. You guys. Surprised?”
Yes. I am surprised. Yes. Well, fuck. What the hell. I decide to play it cool, even though my insides are twisting.
“No, not really. It would make sense considering everything that is happening.”
“You may want to let go of her shoulder now,” Ash speaks up stepping in between Ada and me. He looks threatening. Ada, and Ry who is walking next to her, look towards us with amusement blazing on their faces.
Ian chuckles, but doesn’t remove his hand.
“What is wrong man? You just have a problem with me being friends with any girl, huh?” Ian asks him.
I would face palm if I could. I can understand an iota of what Ada feels with everyone telling her or any guy she is talking to that they shouldn’t be talking. Ash has been protective of me always. He has beaten people to a pulp where I was concerned. This is not new to me. Still, I don’t like being here, the subject of their discussion, when Ian doesn’t even feel anything for me.
Ash jumps ahead and stops in front of Ian and me. His fists are clenched and teeth, gritted.
“Do not make me do anything that you would be sorry for,” he spits out. “Let go of her. Do not touch her.”
“What is going on with you? She is my friend and I am not holding her shoulder for the first time. Stay cool man, let’s go and find Pa and Sensei,” Ian tells him.
He tries to walk around him, when Ash puts his hand on Ian’s chest and is one second away from punching him when Ada jumps in front of Ash.
“Take off your sunglasses,” she tells him.
“What?”
“Take off your sunglasses. I need to see your eyes. Take them off.”
He shrugs her off and speaks, “I don’t need to prove anything to you.”
Ada catches hold of his jaw tight with her right hand. With her left, she snatches his sunglasses off. Ash fumes, and gives her a dead cold stare.
His eyes are devoid of any emotion, except anger. At Ada.
Realisation hits me. I whip my eyes to Ry. He is frowning, possibly perplexed at Ash’s behaviour. I try to catch his eyes and when he finally looks at me, I widen my eyes. He takes in the fear that is no doubt there, then turns around to Enzo and Vee, who are walking behind us. They must have seen it all happening too, ‘cause they hurry up and reach us.
Ada’s voice, calm and gentle, floats to us. “Surround us.”
Ignoring the looks we are getting from the people around us, Ian, Ry, Enzo,
Vee and I surround Ash and Ada.
My heart is beating a million beats a second. Twice in two days. Is how many times now Ash has been under the influence of someone else.
I am positioned right next to Ada and Ash, so I can see what is going on.
“Let go of me,” Ash sputters.
Ada removes her hand from his face. But Ash doesn’t move. I assume she has done something similar to what she had done to Enzo the first day she had met him. Because Ash cannot move.
“Ash, listen to me. I am going to see if I can get this fucker out of your head. For good. Just have faith, okay?” she tells him.
And then….. Then, the very air around us shifts. Ada stares into Ash’s eyes, unblinkingly. For what feels like fifteen minutes, might have been less though. She keeps looking in his eyes, and Ash doesn’t move an inch. But his eyes are spitting fury and venom like nobody’s business.
At last, she closes her eyes. A gasp leaves me as her forehead starts shimmering with something golden. What looks like a mandala can be seen there. My eyes fly to Ash, whose eyes are transfixed on her face. But this is not the way my brother looks at her. This is the way someone assesses a pound of meat in a butcher’s shop.
I look at Enzo, whose face is a mask of rage so pure that he is practically vibrating with a purple sheen on his body. His magic is dying to unleash and come out. He is not the only one. Everyone around, Ian included, is furious at this tag along who dared to take Ash’s mind in control. I hear footsteps behind me, and when I turn, I find Pa and Sensei coming to us with hurried steps.
The guys, including Ash, inhale sharply. I look at Ash and find a golden and black shimmer moving from him to Ada, or vice versa, from between their eyebrows. Ash struggles, or rather tries to struggle, to come out of whatever hold Ada has on him. But that girl doesn’t budge. She stands there like a pro, focussing on what needs to be done, and channeling her entire being into ensuring that I get my brother back.
Ash staggers a step back, and Ada opens her eyes. Ash’s eyes are back to his normal blue.
Circle of Time: An urban fantasy (The Kazi Chronicles Book 1) Page 32
