Cry of Shadows - Chapter 7

Moopan seemed visibly upset. They have never seen him sad before. Even during the brutality forest rangers engulfed them, Moopan stood strong with his people. He arranged separate security for his tribe members. He had an intelligence system of his own. They informed him about the raids for Ghanja plantations, but most of these raids were merely a gimmick for the Media and people in urban area. During these raids his people were tortured ruthlessly as if to identify the source.

Nariyan reached SahyaMudi late evening. Sun was about to set, he was running all the way from the dense forest of Akaleyan. As soon as he reached he went to Moopan.

“Akaleyan disagreed to our request. He wants the virgin girl to reach his place for Amavasya”

“No….” Moopans voice echoed in the forest. “He will have to pay for his mistakes, but we are helpless. He will destroy our entire community. I wish he accept me, I am happy to be killed for my people”

Moopans voice was quiet broken. No way could he continue his words, tears rolled out of his eyes. People around him felt as if the land beneath their foot is eroded. He was the source of inspiration for all of them. They thought he will bring a ray of hope.

 Oldest among the community walked forward. “ I am with you Mooppa”.

“I will send my child to him to save my people. I am sure, one day Akaleyan will lose his powers in front of us, but I am scared how many lives he will take to enjoy the privileges he acquire by doing these actions to the deity”

“No, why you should be the first one, Let our deity decide who need to go to Akaleyan tomorrow” Moopan walked towards a small banyan tree.

There was a small idol which was carved with strange symbols. Rest of the idol was covered with a Red Silk. The smoke from incense stick and lights around made the atmosphere sacred but it was visually scary. He took few banyan leaves and marked something in it with the mixture of soot and oil. He shuffled each banyan leaf and placed in front of the deity. He called a small kid to take a leaf.

He took the leaf and read it out, “Chenna, it’s your daughter’s turn. I am sorry”. Chennan felt as he was hit by a lightning. His daughter already fainted. Few women helped her to be carried out into the house. In the chaos no one noticed those few drops of tears which rolled out of a pair of eyes.