In my Devil's Arms

Riya was in her college library. After she finished her work she went to college canteen to meet her friends.

They were discussing the future.

" I am looking for jobs", said Lisa. " Hospital pays well but I get bored.

" Salman has a lawyer friend who needs a typist", said Zoya. " Take up some typing work when you are free".

" Thanks", she replied.

" I am now writing a column in one of my dad's newspapers ", said Laxmi.

" I am attending society parties ", said Zoya.

" Well I am working on my thesis", said Riya.

" Riya", came a familiar voice.

She turned.

" Vishnu, what are you doing here"? She was pleasantly surprised.

" I came here for an art competition ", he said.

" Yeah I have heard about it", said Laxmi.

" Its nice to see you again", said Riya. " Come join us. Meet my friends".

" I am not sure if I am allowed", he said.

" Well this is college not an exhibition. No contracts here. Come", said Riya.

He joined them. He met her friends.

" So what inspires your art", asked Lisa.

" People, stories, places, beauty", he said looking at Riya.

" Are you flirting Mr. Pundit", asked Zoya cheekily.

" Heaven forbid", he said. " Her boyfriend Mr. Oberoi will kill me. Very possessive man that one".

" Boyfriend ", Zoya asked raising a brow looking at Riya.

" No Vishnu Vicky is just a friend", she giggled.

SO BEAUTIFUL HE THOUGHT.

" Well he defends you like I would my wife".

" You are married", she asked.

" Never thought of it before but now the wind is changing."

The girls laughed.

He gave Riya his address." If you want to look at more art", he said.

" Sure", she said. " I find similarity in your art with an ancient artist called Darshan".

" Did you say Darshan", he was surprised.

" Yeah why"?

" Umm one of my ancestor Sushant Pundit wrote a memoir. It is passed down generation by generation. My parents have it now. The memoir has some pictures by Darshan".

" Woww thats brilliant ", said Riya. " I can come to your house now".

" Not if you want him alive. Your so called friend promised to pick you remember", taunted Zoya.

" Zoya Vicky is nice and we have nothing going on".

Nobody on that table believed her.

" If you establish a historical authenticity can we recive any compensation from government ", asked Vishnu eagerly.

" Definitely ", said Riya.

" Good my parents will appreciate it".

" Okay tomorrow if you are free morning say 10 A.M. I and Laxmi will come".

" You both are most welcome", he said. Then he took his leave.

Next morning

Riya was highly excited to go to Vishnu's house. She did not inform Vicky but told uncle and aunty about the memoir. Aunty won't aloow the two girls to go alone. So Vikas uncle accompanied them. Laxmi took her new digital camera and a voice recorder. They wore Indian clothes as Vishnu has told them that his mother was conservative.

As they rung the bell Vishnu opened the door.

" Hi Riya", he said. " Please come".

His mother welcomed the girls and Vikasji.

They talked about the girl's careers.

" What is a journalist ", asked his mother.

" News readers", answered Laxmi.

" Those nice girls who wear sarees and seriously read news on TV. Not like heroines who show their skin", said his mother.

" Ohh aunty I would never be comfortable with it", said Laxmi.

" Neither would be us if our daughters do that", said Vikasji protectively.

" No good bred girls and their parents are", she said.

She was also pleased to find that Laxmi was a Brahmin and vegetarian.

Vishnu's father arrived next. He was also pleased to meet Vikasji and the girls.

" The original memoir is in very poor condition", he said. " But over the years our ancestors translated it in various other languages. ".

" Uncle aunty do you mind if I record this conversation ", said Laxmi.

" Not at all", said Mr. Pundit.

Laxmi st her handy cam and lights perfectly as Riya helped her. She also complimented aunty on her saree.

" Riya sit here and ask questions and for God's sake be confident. Forget I am recording you", said Laxmi.

She nodded.

Vishnu helped Laxmi as her assistant as interview commenced.

" The memoir was written by Sushant pundit one of our ancestors. The painter Darshan was probably his brother with a pseudonym as art was a taboo for upper class then", he said.

" What was the era when this was written", asked Laxmi.

" The beginning was post medieval. So is the timeline of memoir as in story British are not mentioned but Sushant wrote it in early British era as he mentions ships from west with fair skinned people coming to his place".

Riya really was excited now. The mention of British can prove its authenticity.

" What does the memoir talk about"?

" Mostly a chronological descriptions of event of his life and his elder brother Srikant".

" Does he describe a cursed king"?

" He describes the curse that befell his village, a king that was responsible for it but the pages are torn, few lost and some blotted too", answered Mr. Pundit honestly.

" Tell in brief the story", prompted Laxmi .

Aunty answered.

" Srikant was a poor but studious and hard working boy. He married his teacher's daughter Gunjan at young age. As they reached adulthood she came to his family. The union was blessed by Shiva. They lived happily until an evil king looked her and fell in love. To get her he killed her son, kidnapped and molested her, made her a courtesan and destroyed the village. Srikant killed him and tried to escape with Gunjan. But she was killed defending him from king's wife and her henchmen . He turned mad in his last days and finally drowned himself.".

" That's tragic", said Laxmi.

" It is", said aunty.

After they finished the interview Riya said to Vishnu.

" Lets have a look at your paintings ".

" This way", he said.

He was really talented. He drew local fauna and flora, a few temples, palace, some potraits etc. She clicked pictures.

As she was moving she saw a series titled EVIL.

A black snake like monster dominated the pictures. It had 3 snake heads and a tanned body of man in some pictures. In some he was a tall man with long black hairs of a snake. In some it was a multiheaded snake.

" What's this"?

" Pure Evil", came the answer.

But Vishnu was not the one to answer. It was his father.

" Evil", asked Riya.

" A monster who tries to influence men from our clan as his revenge", answered Mr. Pundit.

" Why"?

" It is a folklore that one of my ancestors killed him around ten centuries ago", said Vishnu.

" Is it true"?

" Its a folklore with no proof but the topic is interesting".

By now others were there too.

" Its true", said aunty. " And its not completely dead. It will rise again. And a brave boy from our clan will end it".

They felt goosebumps when they listened to it.

" Its mostly metaphor ", said Vishnu "To kill the evil inside you."

They enjoyed tea after that.

" Thank you Vishnu", said Riya.

Mr. Pundit gave her an English translation of original memoir.

" Thank you Mr. And Mrs. Pundit", said Vikasji.

" Aunty I will prove its authenticity ", Laxmi assured Mrs Pundit.

The senior lady liked this hard working and simple girl. If only she could be her daughter.

" Bless you beta", she said.

And they left.