the immortal of maluha

Shiva looked starled at Parvateshwar’s uncharacteristic thoughtfulness. ‘Thank you
Parvateshwar. This is very kind of you. But I believe Krittika, Nandi and Veerbhadra are going
to a flute recital tonight. That crazy Veerbhadra has even bought some jewels so that he won’t
look like a country bumpkin next to Nandi!’
Parvateshwar smiled politely.
‘But it will be a pleasure to dine with you,’ said Shiva.
‘Thank you,’ said Parvateshwar as he got up. After a few steps, he stopped and turned
around. Overcoming his hesitation, he mumbled. ‘Shiva!’
‘Yes?’ Shiva got up.
‘I don’t think I ever told you this,’ said Parvateshwar, uncomfortable. ‘But I would like to
thank you for helping Sati in her agnipariksha. It was your clear thinking which led to victory’
‘No, no,’ said Shiva. ‘It was her brilliance.’
‘Of course it was,’ said Parvateshwar. ‘But you gave her the confidence and the strategy to
show her brilliance. If there is any person in the world that I look at with a feeling beyond a
sense of duty, it is Sati. I thank you for helping her.’
‘You are welcome,’ smiled Shiva, with sense not to embarrass Parvateshwar further by
lengthening this conversation.
Parvateshwar smiled and folded his hands into a namaste. While he had still not fallen prey
to the country-wide ‘Neelkanth fever’, he was beginning to respect Shiva. Earning
Parvateshwar’s esteem was a long journey that Shiva had only just begun. The General turned
around and walked out of the room.
‘He is not a bad sort,’ said Brahaspati, looking at Parvateshwar’s retreating back. ‘He may
be a little surly. But he is one of the most honest Suryavanshis I have ever met. A true follower
of Lord Ram. I hope you don’t get too upset by the ill-tempered things he says to you.’
‘I don’t,’ said Shiva. ‘In fact, I think very highly of Parvateshwar. He is one man whose
respect I would certainly like to earn.’
Brahaspati smiled seeing yet another instance of Shiva’s large heart. He leaned closer and
said, ‘You are a good man.’
Shiva smiled back.
‘I had not answered you the last time you had asked me, Shiva,’ continued Brahaspati.
‘Honestly, I have never believed in the legend of the Neelkanth. I still don’t.’
Shiva’s smile became a little broader.
‘But I believe in you. If there is one person capable of sucking the negative energy out of this
land, I think it will be you. And I will do all I can to help you. In whatever way I can.’
‘You are the brother I never had Brahaspati. Just your presence is all the help I need.’
Saying so Shiva embraced his friend. Brahaspati hugged Shiva back warmly, feeling a sense
of renewed energy course through him. He swore once again that he would never back off from
his mission. No matter what. It wasn’t just for Meluha. It was also for Shiva. His friend.
It was over three weeks after Sati’s agnipariksha that the convoy set off from Karachapa.
The usual seven carriages travelled in a row. This time not five, but six carriages were
dummies. Shiva sat with Sati in the third and they had been joined by Parvateshwar and