by T. G. Ayer
"And what if I don’t make it back?"
Yama paused to look at Maya. He sat back, stroking his beard while an odd expression darkened his face. She hoped it meant he approved of her stubborn streak.
Chapter 39
The door to the hall opened and someone, servant, soldier or guard, entered, hurrying to Yama. Maya stepped away from the dais, and Joss took the opportunity to slip her hand into the crook of Maya’s arm. "You don’t have to do this you know," she said softly, her eyes pinched and worried.
"Of course I have to." Maya smiled sadly.
"No Maya, you don’t owe anyone anything. This is your life. You don’t have to do any of this."
In a way, Maya saw the sense in Joss’s words. She nodded. "I know, I don’t have an obligation to do anything for Yama or for any of the gods for that matter. They seem to need me. But I feel like I have to do what they want. I do feel obligated."
"This is all my fault," Joss said, wringing her hands. "If I hadn’t goaded you into going to that stupid party, and if I hadn’t taken that stupid drink from Amber, and if-"
"Filling up on If Soup, Joss?" Maya shook her head and gave her friend a squeeze. "Is that why you came with Nik?"
"Yes," Joss replied. After a short pause she said, "And no. I came because I couldn’t let you do this by yourself. Yes, I do feel guilty because I helped those demon things to lure you out in the open but I came to help you. And your mom also told me more about what happened to Ria. I think she meant to discourage me but it made me all the more sure I wanted to come with you."
"Yes. Ria." Maya pushed Joss with her arm. "At least now she has a chance at a new life. When we get home everything will go back to normal. And if I don’t return, you promise to make him keep his end of the bargain." Maya tipped her head at Yama, who remained engrossed with the messenger.
"Oh yeah, sure. I’m supposed to take on the god of death?"
"Promise me." The hard edge to Maya’s voice brooked no argument on the part of her now meek friend.
"Okay, I promise."
A short silence went by as Joss patted her pockets, Maya assumed in search of sweets.
"Joss?" Maya asked, looking ahead at the dais, keeping her gaze off Joss’s face.
"Yes, Maya."
"Have you been putting on weight?"
"Umm, you could say that."
"What’s going on?"
"I happen to like food."
"You also used to happen to like your skinny jeans, and your belly button ring."
"Let me tell you the skinny on skinny jeans." Joss leaned closer, although she kept her eyes straight ahead. "The wearing of said jeans requires said wearer to hold her breath. A lot. If you hold your breath for too long you can faint. Fainting is not a good look. Worse, holding your breath makes it hard to eat. And eating is important."
Maya chuckled.
"What about the guys? You once told me being skinny guaranteed male interest, because skinny means sexy."
"Well firstly, male interest isn’t all it's cracked up to be, and any guy who looks my way better be more interested in me as a person than in the size of my ass."
"Preach it sister," said Maya. She nodded, feeling a rise of emotion clogging her throat. Joss had been there for her for so many years and though recent times had caused her to wonder at the merits of their friendship, it seemed she was mistaken to have questioned Joss at all.
At last, the messenger left and Yama beckoned the group forward. Even Chayya had all but faded into the shadows. They moved in silence, and like Maya, probably feeling the finality of the moment. This was it.
The god's voice rang out. "As a boon to you for risking your life to help the gods I am willing to ensure your friend Ria is given her second chance anyway."
Maya remained silent, contemplating the idea. Yama was giving her a huge reward, something she didn’t think many people received. She didn’t want to appear demanding or ungrateful in the face of Yama’s generosity.
But she stood her ground. "As long as Ria gets her chance even if I don’t make it back."
"It is done. You have my word, Maya Rao." Yama inclined his head and Maya hoped it meant he wasn't mad at her rudeness or her insistence in getting what she wanted. "Nikhil will help you prepare for your journey."
Maya shifted, turning to leave when Yama spoke again. "And remember, Maya. The gods are depending on you for their survival."
"I understand, my lord."
Talk about irony.
"So where to from here?" asked Maya, as the group left Yama's hall. The pressure of Yama's presence dissipated but did nothing for the weight of the task on her shoulders.
"Well, first we eat and rest, and then we set out in the morning," Nik answered.
"Do we really have time to waste?" Maya snapped, impatient to just get on with it. The longer they took, the longer it would take to restore Ria to health again.
"Maya, when was the last time you slept? Or had a decent meal? How efficient will you be in a fight if you're falling down with hunger and fatigue? You may be the Hand of Kali but you are still human, you know." He raised an eyebrow. "And besides, Varuni has been held captive for a hundred years. I don’t think one more day will make much difference."
Maya couldn't argue with his common sense, considering sleep seemed a distant memory, but she still didn't see the point in waiting.
"So, what can we expect when we get there?" Joss asked.
Maya admonished herself silently. She should have been the one asking that particular question instead of concentrating on the weight of Yama's request.
"Well, the planes of existence are divided into the upper and lower planes, of which there are seven in total. Earth or mortal living is the first of the upper planes, while Swargaloka is the third plane of consciousness."
"So it’s like another dimension or something," Joss asked, frowning.
"Exactly the right idea." Nik nodded and so did Chayya. "It is a kind of paradise, where people go before they are reincarnated into their next lives."
"Er, so people who go to Swargaloka, are they spirits or ghosts or something?" asked Maya. She’d heard somewhere that a person's soul went to the higher planes, stepping further up the levels as they lived more righteous lives, but she’d always wondered in what capacity they went there. Were they little lights with intelligence and consciousness floating around?
"They're the spirit or the essence or soul of the person. But they are corporeal. The life they live in any of the celestial planes are lived in solid existence. Each soul still retains the ability to travel between the planes."
"So how will we, living beings as opposed to spirits, be able to travel through?"
"For a living human it can take many decades to reach a higher consciousness allowing one to enter Swargaloka while still alive. But you gain entry because we will take you there."
Maya nodded, feeling slightly overwhelmed.
Before she could say anything else, Chayya spoke. "I shall meet you here after you have rested." She gave the group a regal nod and then the goddess disintegrated into multicolored streaks of shadow and was soon nothing but a wisp of grey in the air.
"Come ladies, I will show you your rooms. You can freshen up and rest."
"Nik, we left home at dinnertime. What time is it here?" asked Maya as they walked onto a terrace. The balcony on one side opened out onto a large, lush garden where the high-pitched call of peacocks could be heard, interspersed with the almost mournful wails of a band of whip-poor-wills.
"Considering we have no sunrise or sunset here in Patala, we work on Kailas time so it's just after 5pm."
"What’s Kailas?" asked Joss as Maya digested the information. A thousand questions sizzled in her brain but she knew she’d have plenty of time to ask them all. Something told her she wasn’t going home very soon.
"Kailas is the center of the world. It's the abode of Lord Shiva and an important religious location for Hinduism, Buddhism and Jainism," Nik said.
"Something like that, only without the pilgrimage."
"Why do people not go there if it's such a holy place?"
"Because the mountain cannot be climbed. The shape of the rock faces make it impossible to scale. Many people have tried but each time they realize it can't be done. And perhaps they decide it is something best left alone."
"So where exactly is the mountain?" Joss asked as the group walked along the passage. Maya trailed behind, running her fingers on the stone balconies, tracing the shapes of the dancing girls carved into the pillars placed every few meters.
"It’s in Tibet. So technically it falls under the governance of China."
"Oh. Okay. Have you been there?"
"Yes, a few times."
"What’s it like?"
"Beautiful. From the outside it looks desolate, barren. But there are two lakes set within the mountain, the land is lush and Lord Shiva’s palace is nothing short of majestic. Think Angkor Wat in white marble."
Maya watched Nik as he spoke about a mountain that had existed as a mere figment of her imagination, a tale to be told to believers. A tale to be believed by the devout. How had it never occurred to her to find out if Mount Kailas really existed? Through the years her parents had made attempts to educate her on Hinduism and the myths and legends. Although to most people in their community, the gods were real, they were never anything but just stories to Maya.
And Maya’s parents had never forced her to believe. They told the tales, gave her the books, and left it at that. Maya assumed they hadn't forced her to accept the beliefs because they knew one day all her disbelief would evaporate in a puff of smoke.
A little warning might have been nice.
Before long they passed the unusual garden - Maya had to still accept the concept of a garden in the underworld - and entered a plush seating area. Numerous doors opened off the large room, and as Nik led them to the first one on the right, Maya began to long for a bed. Seemed odd that until this moment the idea of rest felt wrong. Now all she wanted to do was cuddle down into a soft mattress and yawn herself into slumber.
Nik waved Joss into the first room and Maya caught a glimpse of rich greens and shimmering purple silks. Maya almost giggled as they left Joss to squeal over her beautiful sleeping quarters. A few steps more and Maya was shown into a large room, deep burgundies, reds and yellows enveloped her in an explosion of rich vibrant color.
"Rest. I’ll get some food sent up to you later on."
"Thanks, Nik," said Maya as he turned to leave. Maya hesitated, still unsure of why Nik helped her at all, but she didn’t ask the question. Gone were the days when she would have blurted it out, uncaring of whether it hurt his feelings or not.
"It is my duty, but it is also my pleasure." Nik bowed and closed the door behind him, leaving the glow of his smile still warm on Maya.
Her heart thudded as he left the room. A part of her wanted to call him back, wanted to talk to him, and tell him she wasn’t angry anymore. But maybe for the moment the best thing was to leave it alone.
Instead, she inspected the room, the floor to ceiling, satin-curtained four-poster bed, pillars carved with dancing girls and peacocks and rushing streams. The walls all hand painted in rich colors depicting scenes Maya knew were from the ancient texts like the Ramayana.
Everywhere brass vases and lamps sparkled with lights and the subtle scent of incense bathed the air. When Maya landed on the mattress it was soft and comfortable, definitely not cheap hotel comfort. She pulled the silken comforter over her body and curled up right there. She stared up at the fabric swathed on the inside of the top of the four-poster, listened to the squawk of the peacocks in the distance and the trickling of water.
Nik had said rest. And although she resisted the idea because it felt like time wasted, maybe rest was in order. After all, tomorrow would be the day she stole a goddess from a demon.
Chapter 40
The threads of exhaustion had just begun to weave themselves around Maya, almost lulling her to sleep when a knock sounded at the door. She pushed off the bed, then sat back hard with shock as the door opened and a girl strode into the room, and began to set up a place at a small table by the open window. Maya had grown used to the scent of the Rakshasas and there was no denying the serving girl was one of them. Maya's throat closed.
Maya barely heard the demon-girl telling her to enjoy her meal. The girl appeared not to notice Maya’s rudeness, nor did she wait for Maya’s response. A quick bow and she was gone.
Maya walked to the table, more interested in the food than she cared to admit, given it had been served to her by a Rakshasa. Stuffed parathas - probably potatoes, and a tall glass of what looked like mango lassi. Fragrant rice and spicy tandoori chicken. A mouthwatering dinner served in hell.
At first Maya hesitated, remembering her meal had been delivered by a demon, but it didn’t take long before hunger won out and she polished the meal off lightning fast.
It was, in the end, only enough to take the edge off, so Maya began to look forward to dinner more than she expected. She leaned back, sinking in the cushion filled seat, listening to the trickling of water again. Maya shot to her feet. Water. Water might mean somewhere to bathe.
She followed the sound around a wooden screen and stopped short in shock and delight. A small pool occupied half the closed off area. A statue of a dancing girl poured water into a bath set into the floor, a little larger than a spa bath. Rose petals and holy basil floated on the top of the water and a scent lingered reminding Maya of sweetmeat and prayers.
She bent to touch the liquid. Steam rose from the pretty, flower filled surface and her fingers sank into delicious warmth. Maya wasted no further time. She chucked off her clothes, flinging them on the bed and headed straight in. Only after she sank into the enticing warmth did she think of towels and robes.
At the side of the pool sat a little tray with a pair of decanters, and what looked like a loofah. Maya smelled the contents of each - rose water and sandalwood essence. Both delightful and fragrant. A bar of soap lay on a separate tray and Maya used it to wash. Nothing untoward happened, and Maya relaxed, soaking in water that remained strangely clean despite the soap and oils. In the end, she gave in and washed her hair too, lathering the sandalwood and soap and rosewater until her hair was squeaky clean.
Maya emerged from the water to find a pile of towels at the side of the pool, and a fresh skirt and top laid out on her bed. Her jeans and other clothes were gone. Maya’s heart thumped as she grabbed for her satchel where she’d dropped it. She didn't trust the Rakshasa servants even if they were loyal to Yama. She breathed a sigh of relief to find everything inside untouched.
She pulled on underwear then dressed in the clothing that seemed far more comfortable than jeans anyway. She'd just slipped on her skirt when the door flew open and Joss bounced in.
"Ohmygosh, Maya, did you see the pool? And the food? Oh wasn't that drink delish? And who would have expected a laundry service in the underworld?"
"Laundry service?"
"Yes, the serving girl told me when she took my clothes away. Good thing she said so 'cos I was about to fight her for it." Maya wanted to laugh at the image of Joss fighting a demon. A sobering thought.
"Joss, did the serving girl seem odd to you?"
"No, she seemed fine. Shy, but still friendly. Why?"
"Because she's a Rakshasa and I don’t really have a soft spot for demons."
"Oh," said Joss. Then she shrugged, "Well she was nice and she didn’t seem too dangerous to me. You have to relax, Maya. Do you really think Nik would put you in a position where you're in danger?"
Maya shook her head. "I don’t think he would but he's grown up with these demons around him. To me, they're the creatures who want to kill me."
Maya remembered what Joss had said about fighting. She got up and faced Joss. "At least I can defend myself with my fire. You need to practice your moves.
It's a little different in a real fight from the controlled environment of the studio."
"What?" Joss looked like she was about to choke.
"Yes, don’t look at me all surprised. You must know you'll need to fight someone at some point. I thought you said you came to help me? How will you help if I have to keep watching over you all the time? I need to know you'll be fine and that you're confident you can defend yourself. Besides, you've always been good at sparring."
Joss sat still for a moment. "Okay, what do you need me to do?"
Maya decided the best course of action with Joss was to go through everything they'd learned in Kung Fu so they spent the next half hour revising. She watched jealously as Joss moved easily, performed all her strokes so fluidly. Maya sighed. Ah well I never was very good at martial arts anyway.
Joss fell onto a heap of cushions scattered around a low table near one of the room windows. "That was amazing," she said.
"Yes, you're a natural, Joss. You've always been a natural. I think we can get Nik to find you a weapon you'll be comfortable with," said Maya, determined not to let her own stupid jealously affect her friend's enjoyment of her talent. At least Joss can defend herself in a fight. That's the most important thing.
"Maya, you know, I have to tell you again how sorry I am."
"Come on, Joss. We’ve been over this already."
"No, I mean it. All this that’s happening to you? It’s huge. It can’t be easy to have so much to suddenly live up to, to be told you were this amazing human being in a previous life."
"Nope. It's not easy. I often wonder if they were maybe mistaken." Maya laughed. "I’m not anything like Mother Radha. She seems so incredibly good and kind, so generous and loving and wise. I’m far from any of those things."
"Don’t be silly Maya, you're everything she is. You have to realize it. And you will, sooner or later. Look at you and Ria."
"You mean look at how I put Ria in danger and got her possessed by a demon?" asked Maya, bitterness lacing her voice and her heart.
