The Silver Anklet

by Mahtab Narsimhan

  — twenty-three —

  The Evil Doubles

  “I’m waiting,” said Zarku.

  Tara was mesmerized by the bead of sweat trickling down his pulsing forehead. In a short while, Zarku would be in another, more powerful body. She had to act now.

  “But of course if you’d rather just get this over with,” Zarku continued, “I don’t mind at all. I want to finish this quickly, too. I’ve been in this miserable little body for far too long.”

  “I’d like to give you a hug.”

  Zarku’s mouth fell open, all other expression wiped clean from his face. Without thinking about it or waiting for Zarku’s permission, Tara embraced him.

  She felt a powerful, agonizing surge within her, as if everything inside had been ripped from their moorings and was trying to burst out of her body. She closed her eyes and focused on Suraj, his innocent face, the games they’d played, his fun-loving spirit, and all the love she felt for him.

  Zarku squirmed in her grasp, fighting her, trying to throw her off.

  Don’t let him go, Tara. Not yet.

  Tara hugged him harder, tighter, holding that writhing body to her, hoping her brother would remember his sister’s touch. The pain almost ripped her apart, but she held on.

  “I feel something within you, something strong,” screamed Zarku. “You’re possessed. What are you trying to do? LET ME GO!”

  He wrenched himself from her grasp and pushed her away, breathing hard. “Don’t you dare touch me again!”

  “Your mother told me to do that,” said Tara. She watched his face shadowed with fear.

  Zarku sucked in his breath. “LIAR! My mother died when she gave birth to me. She’s gone, forever.”

  “She’s very much here, within me,” said Tara. She lifted the hem of her shalwar. “Do you remember this anklet?”

  It sparkled in the firelight. Zarku gazed at it, tiny pinpoints of silver now reflected in his eyes. His hard expression melted. His lips trembled. He dropped the dagger and fell at Tara’s feet. He reached out and caressed the anklet.

  “That … that belongs to my mother.” He looked up at her, his eyes glistening. “I thought I had lost it forever. How did you get it?”

  His fingers closed over the anklet. Tara jerked her foot away.

  “That night at the temple when you caught me,” said Tara. “You threw me against the pole and it fell into the folds of my shawl. I’ve had it ever since.”

  “This was the last of my mother’s possessions. You stole it from me— thief!” Zarku beat his fist on the ground. “I looked all over for it, but never could find it. Give it to me right now or I’ll cut your foot off and take it.”

  “She’s in me right now,” said Tara. “That was what you felt when you hugged me. She has a message for you.”

  Zarku’s expression softened and Tara allowed a wisp of hope to linger. The next moment he grabbed the dagger off the floor. “Enough! I should have cut your heart out already. You think I’ll spare you because you hugged me and told me lies about my mother? All you’ve done is waste your last wish.”

  Tara found herself speaking without really knowing what she was going to say. The moment she heard the words, she knew it was Zara speaking through her. And it hurt.

  “My son, Tara is telling the truth. I am here. I have been with Tara all this while, watching you.”

  Zarku took a step back. “No, it can’t be. You’re playing games with me by changing your voice, Tara. Stop it, STOP IT!”

  “Only you can stop what you set in motion,” said Zara.

  Zara’s voice was deeper than Tara’s. It made her shudder to hear it come out of her own mouth, to say things that she was not even thinking about. Her insides were icy. It felt like someone was twisting them … the pain was unbearable, but she didn’t want to stop Zara.

  Not until she had gotten through to her son.

  “I am so ashamed at what you’ve done, what you’ve become.”

  Zarku was listening intently. His hands hung limply by his sides.

  Go closer to him, Tara, Zara silently instructed.

  Tara moved closer so that she was looking down at him. Zarku stared up at her, the anger and madness gone from his eyes.

  “I’m sorry,” he said. “But if you knew how I’d been treated. How everyone made fun of me.”

  “I know all that, but have you ever stopped to think that God might have given you that third eye for wisdom?

  Just like the one he gave Lord Shiva? Why did you think it was a deformity?”

  “Even Father hated me,” he said.

  “You mustn’t blame him too much,” said Zara. “He was grieving for me.”

  “Where did that leave me?” yelled Zarku. “How could you expect me to love when all I received was hate?”

  “I loved you,” said Zara. “And I still do.”

  Zarku stared into the fire that was burning low.

  Absently, he added another sliver of wood from the pile.

  Let this work, prayed Tara. Let him give up this mad plan.

  Zarku walked away without a word. He went to the opposite wall and laid his cheek against it as if listening to something. Could Zara really have gotten through to him?

  Kali had been silent all this while. “Is Zarku’s mother really inside you or are you just trying to be clever?” she asked.

  Tara gave her the ugliest look she could muster.

  Tara, tell her that the only reason she had a husband is because her father bought her one. She’s a pathetic old woman, doomed to unhappiness in life and in death.

  Tara repeated what Zara had just said and watched Kali turn white. “You’re lying! And what do you mean by ‘in death.’ I’m not going to die. You are.”

  “Zara told me,” said Tara. “And I think it’s true.”

  That shut Kali up for the moment.

  Zarku came back to Tara. His cheeks were wet and his eyes glistened. Had Zara got through to him? Was he actually feeling sorry for what he had done? A minute ticked by, as Tara watched, waiting for him to speak first.

  Zarku burst into laughter.

  “That was good, Tara,” he said. “That was really, really good. For a moment there you almost had me fooled. But enough. Let’s get on with the ritual.”

  “It’s the truth,” said Tara. “You’ve got to believe me.”

  “Zarku!” said Zara. Her voice was like a whiplash. “Enough!”

  Zarku stared at Tara. The dagger slipped from his hand and clattered to the floor.

  “Listen to me. You will leave Suraj right now. You still have a chance to save your spirit from roaming the Underworld eternally. Let me help you.”

  “What are you asking me to do, Mother?”

  “That you give up all hope of power, a new body, life, too. It’s time to die my son, it’s time to sleep.”

  “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.”