the immortal of maluha
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CHAPTER 18<br />
Sati and <strong>the</strong> Fire Arrow<br />
‘Nothing can be done, my Lord,’ said a visibly uncomfortable Ayurvati.<br />
She and Shiva were standing in a corner <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> hut, at what <strong>the</strong>y thought was a safe<br />
distance beyond <strong>the</strong> range <strong>of</strong> Sati’s ears. Parvateshwar was standing beside <strong>the</strong>m, holding his<br />
tears back.<br />
‘Come on, Ayurvati,’ urged Shiva. ‘You are <strong>the</strong> best doctor in <strong>the</strong> land. All we have to do is<br />
break <strong>the</strong> fever.’<br />
‘This fever cannot be broken,’ reasoned Ayurvati. ‘There is no cure for <strong>the</strong> agnibaan poison.<br />
We are only leng<strong>the</strong>ning Sati’s agony by keeping <strong>the</strong> fever low. The moment <strong>the</strong> medicines are<br />
stopped, <strong>the</strong> fever will recur with a vengeance.’<br />
‘Let it go, Shiva,’ mumbled a frail voice from <strong>the</strong> bed. Everyone turned to stare at Sati. Her<br />
face bore a smile that comes only with <strong>the</strong> acceptance <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> inevitable. ‘I have no regrets. I<br />
have told you what I needed to. I am content. My time has come.’<br />
‘Don’t give up on me, Sati,’ cried Shiva. ‘You are not gone yet. We will find a way. I will find<br />
a way. Just bear with me.’<br />
Sati gave up. She didn’t have <strong>the</strong> strength. She also knew that Shiva had to find his own<br />
peace with her death. And he wouldn’t find that unless he felt he had tried everything possible<br />
to save her.<br />
‘I can feel my fever rising,’ said Sati. ‘Please give me <strong>the</strong> medicines.’<br />
Ayurvati glanced at Sati uncomfortably. All her medical training told her that she shouldn’t do<br />
this. She knew that she was just increasing Sati’s suffering by giving her medicines. Sati stared<br />
hard at Ayurvati. She couldn’t give up now. Not when Shiva had asked her to hang on.<br />
‘Give me <strong>the</strong> medicines, Ayurvatiji,’ repeated Sati. ‘I know what I am doing.’<br />
Ayurvati gave Sati <strong>the</strong> medicines. She gazed into Sati’s eyes, expecting to find some traces<br />
<strong>of</strong> fear or anguish. There were none. Ayurvati smiled gently and walked back to Shiva and<br />
Parvateshwar.<br />
‘I know!’ exclaimed Shiva. ‘Why don’t we give her <strong>the</strong> Somras?’<br />
‘What effect will that have, my Lord?’ asked a surprised Ayurvati. ‘The Somras only works<br />
on <strong>the</strong> oxidants and increases a person’s lifespan. It doesn’t work on injuries.’<br />
‘Look Ayurvati, I don’t think anyone truly understands everything about <strong>the</strong> Somras. I know<br />
you know that. What you don’t know is that <strong>the</strong> Somras repaired a frostbitten toe that I had<br />
lived with all my life. It also repaired my dislocated shoulder.’<br />
‘What!’ said a visibly surprised Parvateshwar. ‘That’s impossible. The Somras does not cure<br />
physical disabilities.’<br />
‘It did in my case.’<br />
‘But that could also be because you are special, my Lord,’ said Ayurvati. ‘You are <strong>the</strong>