A Blue Moon Interlude: Book II

By Viji

An ancient secret that sets off a chain of momentous events, a set of mystic hymns that transforms the lives of three millenials and an age old transgression that calls for vengeance

• Language: English
• Publisher: One Point Six Technologies Pvt Ltd
• Release date: Sep 7, 2020
• ISBN: 9789390040865

Viji

Viji is an educationist by profession. One of the reasons for her successful stint as a teacher was her story-telling sessions which her students looked forward to. Their keen interest in her stories led to her writing, a passion that she discovered a few years back. Viji loves to tell stories about the essence of human nature and the role it plays in larger social issues. She takes keen interest in discussions on international disputes, climate change issues and conflicts of human rights. Her first work, based on a popular television show, garnered 113k views, 6k likes and almost 300 comments on digital platforms. Her other publishing credits include, ""Tempest Love"" & ""Wild Summer Echoes"" which garnered overwhelming reader response. Viji believes that there is a story in every house, every village and every town. Her dream is to write novels that represent the vibrant heritage of every state in India. Capturing the varied cultures and weaving their richness together to create stories is her aspiration.

Book preview

1) RHYTHM & SOUNDS

Suffering utmost pain; I, your slave, plead to you to guide me to salvation. Thirumurai 7 (3-6)

The pub reverberated with loud music and the entertainment bar was filling up quickly with young adults and a few older ones. It was a regular Friday night club scene with some finding the music deafening and a few not finding it loud enough. Adding to the energy of the place, throbbing with revelers, music and drinks, was the DJ in headphones, who attracted plenty of attention with his choice of songs and good looks. He blended the music effortlessly, creating vibrant numbers from techno to pop tunes and enlivening the mood of the dancers, while some from the crowd screamed his name in high spirits. He called out to the audience and generated groovy effects by mixing melodies and bass guitar in his uniquely amazing style.

When Neel walked into the club, he was pleasantly surprised by the way Jeeva had truly captivated his listeners’ interest and enticed them to the dance floor with ease. He waved when he saw Neel and announced into microphone, And this one goes out to my friend Neel.

Neel…Thanks man!

And a famous Reggae song about hopeless love blasted out of the music system.

Many turned to stare at him, and Neel acknowledged his friend’s greeting with amusement, while grinning dubiously at the lyrics. He moved over to the corner stool in the bar. Neel and the owner of the club had studied together in school and had kept in touch through the years. When Jeeva requested Neel to find a job for him, Neel had made contact with his old friend. Now as his drink arrived, the owner of the club spotted him…

Hey man, good to see you.

Hi Dilip, he is good isn’t he? Neel pointed at Jeeva and asked him.

Yes, he is too good. See the crowd? They just love him. Thanks for recommending him. So how is life?

"Good! What about you? Rhythm and Sounds is gaining popularity."

That is because it is the only one in the heart of the city. So, you are here for good or going back to USA?

Don’t know. Right now, I am planning to stay put here, but I may go back later.

Good. Enjoy and we will catch up soon.

**********

Chandra Shekhar’s reaction puzzled Ranjan Rao.

What do you mean that you have read the verse before?

Some days ago, I received a message by post which contained the same verse, Chandra Shekhar explained, somehow perceiving danger after the appalling suicides.

Who sent it?

I had no idea but now I have learnt that the manager of our estate in Chidambaram had sent it. He has come down to Chennai.

Where is he staying?

He is staying at our guest house.

Can I meet him?

Of course! I will tell him about your interest.

No Chandra, don’t tell him. I would like a casual meeting with him.

"Alright, I won’t tell! So, who do you think killed that family in Kalahasti? Is everyone in the family dead?"

Ranjan nodded thoughtfully, They had a daughter, but it seems she disappeared from Chennai a couple of years ago.

Disappeared?

Yeah, she was living in Chennai but one fine day she fell out of the radar. Apparently, the family had no knowledge of her employers or where she stayed in the city. They were happy with the monthly allowance she sent them.

But who were they?

"They were basically kalamkari artists specialised in Nayanar folklore."

"What? That is uncanny because my father keeps talking about these ancient verses and even this morning he was saying that all the verses in Tevaaram had profound significance."

Ranjan pointed out to the verse and asked him, "Are they too from Tevaaram?"

"Yes, I think part of it is from Tevaaram. But the freak coincidence has astounded me."

"Hmmm…Anyway I will meet the man who sent you this. That will give us some clue. Is it alright if I come over tomorrow?"

Sure.

**********

Nedumaran regained consciousness, the awareness slowly seeping into him that he was travelling in a van. Fainting at the stuffy shed, he had no idea how long he had been unconscious. He recognised Ponmalan who had abducted him from Arunachalam’s house. Nedumaran could never forget the face because the man had a deep gash on one side of his face. The scar made his face frightfully menacing. But why would he want to kidnap Nedumaran who had no money, family or assets. Unless someone wanted to steal his knowledge! What kind of information did they want from him? He did not even have his pouch which contained the ancient gold coins.

The road was bumpy, and the vehicle rattled at places giving Nedumaran body ache. He guessed that they were taking him somewhere far from Chennai since they were halting at places overnight.

**********

Sindhu, are you sure you want to go here? This is a club, asked Akhil doubtfully.

Yes! the opulence of the luxurious hotel dazzled Sindhoora and they could hear the resounding beats of music from the club, housed in the premises of the star hotel.

Sindhu you wanted to talk to me, but this place is so loud… Akhil voiced, looking at the surroundings doubtfully.

It is alright. We will stay for a short time and then we can go somewhere else. A friend invited me here.

A friend? Who? Akhil questioned with a scowl.

Sindhoora shrugged her shoulders as she came face to face with two bouncers outside the club.

They will not allow us inside, Akhil scoffed.

Sindhoora showed Jeeva’s invitation to the bouncers. They let them inside after she entered their names in the register. They also gave each one a yellow band to wear.

The blaring music and electrifying ambience inside the club spurred Sindhoora’s spirit of adventure. She wanted to rush to the dancing floor and sway to the stimulating beats and rhythm of the music. She searched for Jeeva and found him on the upper deck of the booth with headphones and a cap. Engrossed in the mixing of tracks, he encouraged the crowd to sing along…

Where is your friend?

There… She pointed to the DJ and Akhil’s jaw dropped in bewilderment.

Swaying lightly to the beats, Sindhoora tugged Akhil, Come Akhil, let us dance...

Akhil resisted her tug and spoke loudly over the din of the noise, No Sindhu, I am not staying here. Have you gone mad? This is not the place for us. There is too much noise and drinks.

Sindhoora lost her cool, Why is it not the place for us Akhil? For once, just chill and enjoy the moment. I want to have some fun, so I am going there. It is up to you, whether you want to come or not. Sindhoora was about to turn when Akhil caught her arm, No Sindhu you are not going there. You are coming home with me.

Akhil I have said this before too. You are not my dad.

No but I will be your husband, so I have the right to stop you.

Sindhoora got furious by his presumption. She wrenched her arm free and raised her voice at him, Akhil I am not going to marry you. Do you get that? And if there was a husband, I would never allow him to dictate things to me, like how you are doing now. Goodbye…

She turned away but Akhil pulled her back, taking hold of her arm once again in a tight grip, his face flushing in rage…and exactly at that moment Jeeva spotted her. He changed the track to a slow number and announced, And this is for my newest friend who just walked in…

He jumped down from the booth and approached her while the voice of a female singer thrummed over the music system…

Hey Sindhoora, this is quite a surprise... he greeted her excitedly,

Hi… And before she could say anything else, Akhil intervened, Sindhu come on, let us go…

Hey hey….chill man…. Jeeva spoke mildly but Akhil’s domineering stance annoyed him.

Shut up! I am not speaking to you... Akhil lashed out at Jeeva.

Akhil, will you stop this? I was invited here so I am going inside. Calm down…

You heard her bro. Now leave…

Akhil did not budge from the spot staring at Jeeva belligerently.

Akhil for god’s sake leave. I will go home on my own, Sindhoora was fed up of Akhil’s overbearing attitude.

No Sindhu. I am not leaving you here. Either you come with me or I will call your father.

She is old enough to decide man, Jeeva sneered, getting angrier by the minute. The manager of the club tapped him and asked, Jeeva is there a problem?

No… he ignored Akhil and extended his palm to Sindhoora and she was glad to escape from a livid Akhil. When Akhil tried to follow them, the manager stepped in front of him and asked him to leave. He whispered a few unkind words to him. One of the bouncers guided him to the exit and Akhil had no alternative but to leave the venue.

**********

Neel adjusted his steps to the tempo while trying to match them with those of the girl who had asked him for a dance. When Jeeva dedicated this song to his newest friend, Neel was curious about the friend’s identity, but the cluster of dancers blocked his view. He was not aware of the commotion at the entrance.

But now as he slowed down to the beat, he turned to look at the couple who were trying to find their way through the throng of merry makers. And he did a double take as the girl behind Jeeva came into his view. He gaped at her in stunned surprise.

Neel, look who is here!

Sindhoora had not expected Neel at the club. But his presence added thrill to her already excited mood.

Hi Sindhoora greeted Neel while Jeeva excused himself briefly.

Hi, what are you doing here? he asked her, I thought you were going out with that friend of yours. And where is he?

He left. He didn’t want to come here.

You came alone?

No, I insisted on being here and my bull-headed persistence annoyed him, so he left.

Neel laughed at her description and Sindhoora was captivated by the warmth in his eyes. While Sindhoora stared at him, Jeeva returned.

Care for a dance? Jeeva asked her and added, I swear I won’t try to step on your feet.

Are you such a bad dancer?

They headed to the dance floor while Neel stared at them, walking back to his seat at the bar stool.

The voice of the most famous Asian American singer crooned from the speakers.

Neel watched them as they laughed and swayed to the number. Sindhoora was in the same outfit that he had seen her in office. He had been so wrong to assume that Sindhoora would feel out-of-place in a club like this; she looked completely at ease and confident. Her jeans and shirt stood out among the little black dresses and shorts, but she didn’t look as if she cared. She and Jeeva were cracking jokes and grinned when a tipsy couple stumbled on them. Jeeva casually put his arm around her waist to tug her closer…..

Baby let me touch you,

Let me feel you, your love

Tonight, let us rise high,

Among the stars that gleam,

Let us make love,

You and me alone…

Looking at them, Neel for the first time in his life felt a range of uneasy emotions overpowering him. He felt edgy, angry and disturbed. His frame of mind seemed bewildered and he did not like the easy camaraderie she shared with Jeeva. He walked out of the club in need of fresh air, the atmosphere inside the club stifling and too warm for his comfort. He wanted to blank out the image of Sindhoora in Jeeva’s arms. The stirrings of jealousy startled him, and he ridiculed himself for the feelings. He hated to cave in to such emotions. He felt helpless and tried to curb the feeling at once. He went back to the club.

Jeeva was in the booth mixing tracks on demand. Neel searched for Sindhoora and found her seated in one of the couches in a corner. She had a drink in her hand, and he frowned. He strode towards her and slid into the couch beside her.

Did you enjoy that? he asked her while giving his preference of drink to the waiter. Sindhoora nodded her eyes fixed on Jeeva. Neel stared at her side profile, the wisp of strand touching her chin, the curling lashes and the straight nose. She turned her head and their gazes locked on each other, both aware of the heat that smoldered beneath the surface.

Neel felt powerless as he surrendered to his compulsions. He leaned closer and scalded her lips with the heat of his desire. She trembled as his kiss deepened.

2) A LABYRINTH OF OCCURENCES

Inspite of my indifference, his compassion released me from my sorrow and won my life-long servitude; the superior whose deeds are unfathomable… Thirumurai 6 (3-10)

Neel’s kiss ignited primal desires in Sindhoora. She wrenched her face away and stood up in nervous tension. Her heart skipped a beat at the storm of emotions in his eyes. She almost kissed him back, but a sudden surge of sobering awareness made her pull away. She excused herself and went in search of a rest room.

Neel took a long breath and combed his fingers through his hair. Damn! He had not been able to fight the feelings and had yielded to temptation. His perpetual control had slipped. His shallow breathing forewarned him of the effect she had on him and he agonised over his momentary lapse. He had not been wrong when he had considered her dangerous to his peace of mind.

Sindhoora returned and he could not help himself but admire the composure she had regained. She avoided his eyes and that annoyed him. He wanted to know her thoughts. She smiled at someone and he realized that it was Jeeva. Again, that green-eyed monster reared its head uneasily. He stood up…

I will drop you home.

No, it is alright. I can go alone.

Do you know what time it is? he asked her, annoyed by her refusal to accept his offer.

To her consternation, the time was almost 11pm. Sindhoora had forgotten about Akhil and her family. Jeeva joined them and he offered, Shall I take you home?

The party had almost wound up and another live band had taken over the stage.

I will drop her, Neel said in steely determination. Sindhoora did not mind his company but she was a wee bit afraid of her own emotions concerning Neel. And she was relieved when Jeeva said he would also go with Neel.

Taking the back seat, Sindhoora was overwrought by the events of the evening. Her fight with Akhil had left her edgy. And Neel’s kiss had left her shaken to the core. For a moment she had wanted to let him guide her senses but that was strange. She hardly knew him.

With every passing minute she was certain that she was going out of her mind. She lifted her eyes and met Neel’s through the rear-view mirror.

Did you enjoy the evening Sindhoora? Jeeva turned to look at her and asked.

Yes, I loved the way you mixed the tracks, she replied all the while aware of Neel and his brooding presence.

I know. Everyone loves it. I loved our dance better, Jeeva said unabashedly and Neel viewed him with icy displeasure. Sindhoora chuckled at his banter and asked him, You are not subtle, are you?

Jeeva laughed, You don’t think? By the way, that guy you came with. I hope he will not trouble you.

That got Neel’s attention, Why? Did he make trouble?

Trouble? That muttonhead was full of himself and can you believe it? He did not let her come with me. He created a ruckus at the entrance. How the hell do you tolerate him? Jeeva asked her and Neel scowled at Jeeva’s account of the incident.

Neel repeated the question, Yes, how do you tolerate him?

Sindhoora shrugged her shoulders, He has been my best friend since childhood.

Jeez, you don’t need enemies when you have friends like him, Jeeva scoffed.

He is not that bad, some instinct made her defend Akhil. She caught Neel’s eyes in the mirror, and he raised his eyebrows scornfully at her words.

Anyway, thanks for coming Sindhoora. It made me happy, Jeeva’s simple expression of gratitude warmed her heart.

The car stopped in front of her house and Neel stepped out of the car to escort, but she stopped him, I can go. Thank you.

Are you sure? Neel asked her some instinct in him wanting to protect her from the wrath of her family. He was not sure what made him think like that. But she seemed vulnerable at the moment.

Sindhoora nodded and waited till the taillights of the car disappeared from the street. While driving back, she had taken note of the number of missed calls from her father, brother and Akhil. She rang the bell in hesitation and her brother opened the door.

As soon as she stepped inside the house, she saw her mother, father and grandmother seated in the hall waiting for her. And leaning against the pillar was Akhil…

Jeeva spoke about Sindhoora and Akhil all the way back to the hotel. Jeeva was accommodated at the hotel where he performed, and he was happy to stay in the same hotel because it saved him from unnecessary travel while he had plenty of room to practice for his gigs.

I didn’t like the way the bastard pulled her. He was in fact manhandling her.

Are they in a relationship? Neel asked, nurturing violent thoughts of beating her friend black and blue.

I am not sure. He seemed very possessive though. I don’t know about her, Jeeva explained reliving his dance with Sindhoora. He had dated many girls and had been in many relationships, but this was the first time that he had felt the need to take things slow. Somehow Sindhoora struck a chord in him.

Neel was concerned for Sindhoora. He had met her friend Akhil earlier that evening and he didn’t think Akhil would excuse Sindhoora that easily. He had been infuriated at Neel for asking Sindhoora out for coffee.

Though Neel could not for the life of him understand the reasons for his anxiety.

**********

Sindhoora paused as she took in the situation. Her father seemed angry and her mother looked worried.

Where were you Sindhu? We were all worried about you, her mother began.

How irresponsible of you! Why did you stay out so late? You could have informed someone. And why didn’t you take Akhil with you? her grandmother asked her severely.

"I did go with her Patti, but she did not allow me to be with her," Akhil complained.

Sindhoora looked at her father who sat quietly on the Oonjal waiting for her explanation. She wanted to talk to her father alone, not in front of everyone.

Where did you go Sindhu? her mother asked her once more.

I went to a music club. One of my friends had invited me.

Her friend is the DJ of the music club, Akhil intervened while Adithya looked at her in surprise.

She wanted to tell Akhil to shut his mouth. She could deal with her family. She didn’t need his provocation.

You could have informed us, her father spoke finally.

"I should have appa. Sorry."

Have you had dinner?

No…

Go, freshen up and have dinner. It is late, her father advised and Sindhoora was glad to escape the tense atmosphere.

Akhil was offended that her father let her off the hook easily. Her grandmother began to rail at her father.

Vaidya, how can you not say anything to her? Look at the time. And Akhil was saying… Vaidyanathan interrupted Kalyani, "Amma I don’t care what anyone says. I trust my daughter so leave it." Her father’s words left a deep impact on Sindhoora and she felt like bursting into tears. Did she deserve his trust? After dinner she locked herself in her room and did not care to talk to Akhil or anyone else. She dreamt of Neel and his kiss that night.

**********

When the sun rose brightly, someone pulled Nedumaran out of the vehicle and dragged him by hand. He was still blindfolded so he didn’t know where they were taking him, but he felt faint with fatigue and pain. He could smell the fresh morning dew and hear the birds chirping loudly. The morning breeze was invigorating as he felt the wet grass beneath his feet. The men shoved him down. When they untied his hands and removed the blind fold, Nedumaran’s travel worn eyes took time to get accustomed to the light. He was locked up in the cabin and he could hear the mooing of the cows. With a sigh, he waited for the inevitable to happen.

**********

Chandra Shekhar introduced Neel to Ranjan Rao. And it was Neel who informed them about Nedumaran’s absence.

What do you mean Neel? Didn’t you take him to the guest house? Chandra Shekhar asked his son.

Yes, I did but he left the next day without informing anyone, Neel explained not revealing his suspicion about Nedumaran’s abduction. He took them to the guest house. Nedumaran’s warning about the enemy in the house forestalled him from divulging his doubts. Reaching the outhouse, Neel explained the circumstance and showed the writing on the door of the bathroom. Neel had made it a point to seal the house with a new lock so that no one had access to it. Chandra Shekhar was shocked at the writing.

Who is this enemy Neel? And why would they try to harm us? This is so bizarre.

Ranjan Rao was bewildered by the turn of events that seemed murkier than he believed.

Why don’t you show me the message he sent by post? he asked Neel.

I will tell you the sequence of events. I was in two minds as to whether I should go to police about Nedumaran’s disappearance. Now that you are here I will explain.

So, Neel explained his misgivings about his cousin Shreekant’s death and showed the message that he received from Nedumaran. He informed Ranjan about the car accident