He placed several leaves into a cup and poured steaming water over them. After a minute, he handed the cup to me and indicated that I should drink it. It smelled almost like a peppermint tea with a hint of spice similar to cloves. I sipped it and enjoyed the flavor. He shooed me over to the bed and sent Ren along with me. After dimming the lamp, he pulled a satchel over his shoulder, smiled at me, and left, closing the door quietly behind him.
I lay down on the bed thinking that sleep would be impossible, but before long I drifted off into a slumber that was comfortable, gray, and dreamless.
Early the next morning, Phet awakened me by clapping his hands together loudly. ‘Hallo, Kahl-see and fateful Ren. Phet is pray even as you sleeping. As a consequence, Durga makes miracle. You must awaken! Compose yourself and we converse.’
‘Okay, Phet, I’ll hurry.’ I pulled the curtain around me and got dressed.
In the kitchen Phet was cooking eggs and had already set a large plate of them on the floor for Ren. I washed my hands with the herbal soap and sat down at the table, pulled out my braid, and finger combed through my wavy hair.
Ren stopped eating, gulped his mouthful of eggs, and watched me intently as I worked with my hair.
‘Ren, stop staring at me! Eat your eggs. You’re probably starving.’
I tied my hair up in a ponytail, and he finally turned back to his food. Phet brought me a plate also. It had a small salad with a strange variety of mixed greens from his garden and a nice omelet. Then he sat down to talk to us.
‘Kahl-see, I am favorable man at present. Durga exclaim to me. She will help you. Numerous year in the past, Anik Kadam pursue remedy to comfort Ren. I advise him Durga be partial to tiger, but no one can alleviate him. He ask me what can he do? That nighttime, Phet dream two tigers, one pale like moon, one black, night resembling. Durga speak softly my ear. She say only special girl can break curse. Phet know girl is Durga’s favored one. She struggle for tiger. I tell Anik: watch for goddess’ special girl. I give indication – girl alone, brown hair, dark eyes. She be devoted to tiger, and her utterance are powerful like goddess melody. Help tiger be free again. I tell Anik: discover Durga’s favored one and bring to me.’
He placed his brown, crooked hands on the table and leaned closer to me. ‘Kahl-see, Phet perceive you are exceptional favored one of Durga.’
‘Phet, what are you talking about?’
‘You are strong, beautiful warrior like Durga.’
‘Me? A strong, beautiful warrior? I think you have the wrong girl.’
Ren growled low in his throat and Phet clicked his tongue. ‘No. Durga’s hatchling sing for you. You are accurate girl! Do not thrust away destiny, toss away like weed! Is precious, costly flower. Patience. Wait time and bloom open.’
‘Okay, Phet, I’ll try my best. What do I have to do? How can I break the curse?’
‘Durga help you at Kanheri Cave. Use key to open chamber.’
‘What key?’ I asked.
‘Key is distinguished Mujulaain empire Seal. Tiger knows. Find underground place in cave. Seal is key. Durga lead you to answer. Free tiger.’
I started to tremble uncontrollably. This was too much to take in at once. Secret cave messages, being the favored one of an Indian goddess, and going off on a jungle adventure with a tiger? It was too much for me to accept. I felt overwhelmed. My mind kept screaming, Not possible! Not possible! How did I get trapped in this bizarre situation? Oh, yeah. I volunteered.
Phet watched me curiously. He put his hand on top of mine. It was warm and papery and calmed me instantly.
‘Kahl-see, have faith in self. You strong woman. Tiger protect you.’
I looked down at Ren, who was sitting on the bamboo floor watch-ing me with a concerned expression. ‘Yes, I know he’ll watch out for me. I do want to help him break the curse. It’s just a little . . . daunting.’
Phet squeezed my hand, and Ren lifted a paw to my knee. I swallowed my fear and pushed it to the back of my mind. ‘So, Phet, where do we go next? The cave?’
‘Tiger know where to go. Follow tiger. Get Seal. Must hasten departure. Before you go, Kahl-see, Phet bestow you prayer and god-dess mark.’
Phet picked up a small arrangement of leaves we had picked through the night before. He waved them in the air around my head and down each of my arms while chanting softly. Then he pulled out a small leaf and touched it to my eyes, nose, mouth, and forehead. He turned to Ren and went through the same process.
Next, he stood and brought over a small jar filled with brown liquid. He took a thin twig that had been stripped of its leaves and lightly dipped it in the jar. Taking my right hand in his, he began to draw geometrical designs. The liquid had a pungent smell, and the swirls he drew reminded me of henna hand drawings.
When he was done, I turned my hand back and forth, admiring the skill it took to create the elaborate artwork. The patterns he drew covered the back of my right hand, as well as the palm and fingertips.
‘What is this for?’ I asked.
‘This symbol powerful. The mark stay lots of days.’
Phet gathered up all the leaves and twigs, threw them into the old cast-iron wood-burning stove, and stood over it for a moment to inhale the smoke. Then, he turned to me, bowing. ‘Kahl-see, now time to depart.’ Ren headed out the door. I bowed back to Phet and then hugged him briefly. ‘Thank you for everything you’ve done. I really appreciate your hospitality and your kindness.’ He smiled at me warmly and squeezed my hand. I grabbed my bag and backpack, ducked under the doorframe, and followed Ren outside.
Grinning, Phet came to the little door and waved good-bye.
10
A Safe Haven
Well, I guess that it’s back to the jungle for us, eh, Ren?’
He didn’t turn around to acknowledge my comment but kept treading slowly on ahead. I trudged along behind, thinking about all the questions I would ask when he changed back into a man again.
After walking for a couple of hours, we came upon a small lake. I guessed that this was the Suki Lake Phet had been talking about. There were, indeed, many birds here. Ducks, geese, kingfishers, cranes, and sandpipers dotted the water and the sandbanks looking for food. I even spied larger birds, maybe eagles or hawks of some type, circling overhead.
Our arrival disturbed a flock of herons, which took off in a brief frenzied flight and then settled again in the water on the far side of the lake. Little birds darted around everywhere in colors of green, yellow, gray, blue, and black with red chests, but I didn’t see any of Durga’s hatchlings.
Where the trees shaded the water, clusters of lily pads made good places for frogs to perch and rest. They watched us with beady yellow eyes and jumped into the water with a plop as we passed by. I saw more frogs swimming and darting among the other flowering water plants near the lake’s shoreline.
I spoke as much to myself as to Ren, ‘Do you think there are any alligators or crocodiles in the lake? I know one of those is indigenous to America, but I can never remember which one is which.’
He started walking alongside me, and I wasn’t sure if that meant there were dangerous reptiles to watch out for or if he just wanted to keep me company. I let him walk between the lake and me just to be on the safe side.
The air was hot, and the jungle drooped, sagging under the heat. The sky was bright, with not one monsoon cloud to provide shade. I was sweating hard. Ren led us through the shade of the trees as much as possible to keep us cool and help make the trip a bit more bearable, but I was still miserable. While skirting the edge of the lake, he kept up a slow and steady pace that I could follow easily. Even so, I could feel blisters forming on my heels. I pulled sunscreen out of the backpack and dabbed it on my face and arms. My compass indicated that we were traveling north.