the immortal of maluha
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CHAPTER 15<br />
Trial by Fire<br />
The little boy hurried through a dusty goat trail, trying to avoid <strong>the</strong> sharp stones, bundling<br />
into his fur coat. The dense, wet forest encroached on <strong>the</strong> path menacingly. It was difficult to<br />
see beyond <strong>the</strong> trees lining <strong>the</strong> narrow path. The boy was sure that <strong>the</strong>re were terrible<br />
monsters lurking in <strong>the</strong> dense foliage, waiting to pounce on him if he slowed down. His village<br />
was but a few hours away. The sun was fast setting behind <strong>the</strong> mountains. Monsters love <strong>the</strong><br />
darkness — he had heard his mo<strong>the</strong>r and grandmo<strong>the</strong>r say repeatedly when he was being<br />
difficult. He would have liked being accompanied by an elder, as monsters didn’t trouble <strong>the</strong><br />
elders.<br />
His heart skipped a beat as he heard a strange heaving sound. He immediately drew out his<br />
short sword, suspecting an attack from behind. His friends had heard many stories about <strong>the</strong><br />
monsters <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> forests. The cowards never attackedfrom <strong>the</strong> front.<br />
He stood still straining to determine <strong>the</strong> direction <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> sound. It had a peculiar repetitive<br />
rhythm and seemed vaguely familiar. He felt as though he had heard it before. The heaving was<br />
now accompanied by a heavy grunting male voice. This was not a monster! The boy felt<br />
excitement run through his body. He had heard his friends whisper in giggles about it, but never<br />
seen <strong>the</strong> act himself. This was his chancel<br />
He crept slowly into <strong>the</strong> foliage, his sword dangling by his side. He did not have to go too far<br />
when he came upon <strong>the</strong> source <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> sound. It came from a small clearing. He bid behind a<br />
tree trunk and peeped.<br />
It was a couple. They seemed to be in a hurry. They had not even disrobed completely. The<br />
man was extraordinarily hairy — almost like a bear. The boy could see just his back from this<br />
angle. He had a frontal view <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> woman. She was astonishingly beautiful 1 . Her wavy hair,<br />
long and lustrous. The partly torn blouse revealed a firm breast, with deep red welts due to <strong>the</strong><br />
brutal intercourse. Her skirt had been ripped and revealed exquisite long legs. The boy was<br />
excited beyond imagination. Wait till his best friend Bhadra heard <strong>of</strong> this!<br />
As he enjoyed <strong>the</strong> show, his disquiet grew. Something seemed amiss. The man was in <strong>the</strong><br />
throes <strong>of</strong> passion while <strong>the</strong> woman lay passive — almost dead. Her hands lay lifeless by her<br />
side. Her mouth was tightly shut. She was not whispering encouragements to her lover. Were<br />
those tears <strong>of</strong> ecstasy rolling down her cheeks’? Or was she being forced? But how could that<br />
be? The man’s knife lay within <strong>the</strong> woman’s reach. She could have picked up <strong>the</strong> blade and<br />
stabbed him if she wanted.<br />
The boy shook his head. He tried to silence his conscience. ‘Just shut up. Ijet me look.’<br />
And <strong>the</strong>n came <strong>the</strong> moment that would haunt him for <strong>the</strong> rest <strong>of</strong> his life. The woman’s eyes<br />
suddenly fell upon him.<br />
‘HELP!’ she cried out, ‘Please help!’