Dwandv:: The Battle for the Gate

by Dinkar Goswami

  Kally came to the dining room looking refreshed. “Good morning everyone.” She smiled brightly.

  “Good morning. It seems you have overcome your jet lag,” said Mrs. Anaya. “Would you like some breakfast?”

  “I think I finally have. And I would love some coffee. Thank you so much for your hospitality,” said Kally, expressing genuine appreciation.

  Kally and Gerua relaxed and enjoyed their breakfast, especially the mango pickle and parantha. They made polite conversation with Mrs. and Mr. Anaya. Soon, it was time to go to Tony’s party. They excused themselves to get ready and headed for their room.

  CHAPTER 4

  PARTY

  Tony’s driver arrived fifteen minutes early. Kally and Gerua occupied the rear seat, and they left for the farmhouse of Tony’s uncle. Soon, they arrived at the intricately designed wrought iron gates that opened electronically. A long brick-paved driveway shaded by monkeypod umbrella trees on both sides led them to the main house. The house had a single-story central circular building with adjoining but separate two-story rectangular buildings on either side about forty feet wide and eighty feet long forming the right and left wing of the building. A glass-covered corridor connected the right and left wing with the central circular building. The left-wing housed a dining room, a kitchen, and car garages. The second floor housed the quarters for the butlers, gardeners, chauffeurs, and other staff. The two-story right-wing housed the bedrooms for the homeowners and their guests.

  Tony was eagerly waiting for them on the porch. He opened the car door, and Gerua stepped out, followed by Kally. “Ladies… Welcome… Great to see you again.”

  “Tony, good to see you again too. Come here.” Kally hugged Tony, and Gerua did the same after.

  “Let’s get you guys inside.” Tony beamed.

  They walked through a veranda to an automatic curved sliding glass double door, eight feet across that opened into a spectacular circular room. The room was sixty feet in diameter with a roof as high as the two-story wings of the house. Kally gulped, and Gerua took a silent deep breath as they entered. The stunning setting was beguiling and seductive.

  The floor was made of colorful Grey Chigani marble slabs, greyish with a white and reddish natural design. These slabs were placed in such a manner that the natural pattern of the marble merged with the slab next to it, connecting the pattern seamlessly. This gave an appearance that one huge round piece of marble covered the entire floor of the living room. Enhancing the beauty of the marble floor was a centerpiece, a beautiful perfectly circular piece, eight feet in diameter of the darkest black marble. The centerpiece was bordered with turning square theme of Grey Chigani and Black Marquina marble alternatively. The floor was mirror polished to perfection.

  On the opposite side of the entrance door stood bay windows. They were huge and curved, running from the roof to the floor, replacing sixty feet of wall. There were no curtains, and natural light illuminated the room through the bay windows and the passageway on the sides. Above the central black marble centerpiece on the floor was a sparkling chandelier that matched its diameter. The circular walls that rose from the perfect circular floor were covered with curved white Calacatta Italian marble, which integrated with the pure white ceiling with a beautiful molding covering the joint where the walls joined the roof.

  Four feet away from the bay window on the far end of stained-glass entrance were five curved white leather couches with three seats each. On each side of the sofa was a small coffee table with a patterned yellow onyx stone top. A central coffee table wholly made of a multicolored onyx slab with a dominant reddish theme and a crystal flower vase in the center with different colored roses adorned each sofa. Swarovski decoration pieces surrounding a central lamp on the side tables completed the setting. The seating lined almost the entire length of the bay windows.

  On either side of the entrance were two huge inward curved bars matching the curve of the walls with onyx tops and crystal drinking glasses hanging from the onyx bar ceilings. An inward curved glass cabinet stood behind each bar lined with exotic beverage bottles from all over the world.

  Priceless paintings on the walls completed the chic setting.

  Gerua detected a Picasso surrounded by paintings by M. F., Tyeb, and other famous artists. The central part of the hall was empty, making the circular hall look spacious.

  It was a magnificent setting for welcoming handpicked people. Looking out through the bay windows, they could see a swimming pool that was surrounded by flawlessly manicured lawns. These lawns were adorned with roses of different colors, which grew in neat rows and completed the lush setting. Tony and another man, somewhat around his age, were the only ones there. Tony’s other guest was of medium height, about five feet ten, extraordinarily muscular with long black hair. He had intelligent eyes, but Gerua could sense cunningness in them.

  “Wow... what a stunning home!” Kally looked around. “It looks like you only invited us. Are we the party?” She teased him playfully.

  “Thank you. Of course, you are the party... even though a few other friends will be arriving shortly.” Tony laughed lightly. “I wanted you to come over a bit early so that you had time to get to know KK, a school friend of mine. He claims to know tantric yoga although I feel he is an aghori…” Tony joked, “…and declares he has learned tantric yoga from a great yoga master in the Himalayas.” “Hi, KK, nice to meet you. So what do you do other than being a tantric yogi?” Kally shook KK’s hand, followed by Gerua.

  Gerua became instantly alert hearing Tony’s introduction of KK. She instinctively began evaluating KK’s every movement and was observing his reactions without being obvious. Mr. Anaya’s words of caution echoed in her head. Tony put his hand around Gerua’s waist, and before KK could reply, he said, “He is Indian royalty turned businessman, now working on becoming a politician. Can I get you something to drink, Kally? Gerua?”

  Kally saw that KK was having red wine. “I will have a glass of red as well.”

  “Gerua, you want to help me with the drinks?” Tony asked. Kally gave Gerua a knowing smile.

  “First time in India?” asked KK when Gerua and Tony headed for the bar.

  “Yup...” Kally looked around and at her feet and exclaimed, “I can see myself upside down in the floor! It is like walking on a mirror! Amazing!”

  “If you looked at the house from a height, you will think it is a space station. It looks like there are two solar wings attached to the central circular station via the glass passages to the left and right wings,” KK bragged. “The adjoining rectangular buildings are actually totally covered with solar panels, generating energy for the house.”

  “Unbelievably futuristic!” Kally murmured happily, watching Gerua and Tony walking toward the bar. Tony still had his arm around Gerua’s waist.

  As they walked, Gerua’s thoughts were about Kally. Gerua knew that despite her sociable nature, Kally did not trust people easily. She would go along with people even if she didn’t trust them. She relied on herself and almost never let anyone take advantage of her. Sometimes, however, she could be overconfident and stubborn. And once her mind was set on something, it was almost impossible to change her decision. Gerua silently prayed that Kally would not fall for KK’s charms before Gerua had a chance to find out more about him.

  A neatly dressed bartender was tending the bar. Tony ordered Kally’s drink and then turned to Gerua to know her preference. Gerua asked for a glass of water. Tony requested for some tomato juice and left Gerua briefly at the bar to deliver Kally’s wine. He returned to find Gerua’s water with a piece of lime and his juice ready.

  Gerua handed Tony the glass of tomato juice. “Is KK really royalty?” she inquired.

  “Of course,” said Tony. “I wouldn’t make up something like that, Gerua. I wanted you guys to meet so that you could understand something about yoga from him. He is planning to head north to the Himalayas soon. He had asked me to come along. I may finally get to meet his guru.” He seemed ea
rnest.

  “Really... you are planning to go to the Himalayas?” Gerua had a good feeling about Tony. Tony seemed sincere. She felt comfortable with him.

  “I do believe we are, Gerua. He has been trying to persuade me for years now. Finally, I have decided to go with him to meet this amazing super guru he talks so much about. His guru has been living on the Himalayas for countless years. Kally and you are welcome to join us if you want.”

  It is all happening too fast. “When are you planning to go?” Gerua asked wearily.

  “The date is yet to be finalized. But first, we’ll go to Leh and spend some time there and then head out from there. Frankly, I don’t even know our final destination. I can find out from KK and let you know the details.”

  “Hmmm... okay. I will talk to Kally and see what she says. How about showing us around in Delhi first?” Gerua thought she should divert the conversation.

  “Sure, anytime.” Tony smiled. He moved away from Gerua as more guests started to arrive. “I will catch you in a bit. Guests...” Gerua nodded sipping her water.

  As more guests arrived, Tony was busy welcoming them. Though he never missed a single opportunity to steal a glance at Gerua. His friends were of all ages and nationalities. Guests surrounded KK and Kally. Gerua saw Kally was enjoying herself, laughing and giggling, making new friends.

  People approached Gerua with introductions keeping her busy with polite conversation. A lot of people attending the party practiced some form of yoga. Everyone had a different view, and she made a point to ask about the aghori at any opportunity. She realized that most people knew of the existence of the aghori and their practices, and some even knew about aghor yoga and how the modern aghori had perverted it.

  Gerua met an investigative reporter who actually claimed to have stayed with an aghori guru. He told her that he had been forced by the aghori’s disciples to witness practice of cannibalism as well as lewd acts on corpses. The aghori had professed fearlessness of any man or god. Gerua was so aghast with what the reporter told her that she almost admonished the reporter. The reporter, in his defense, told Gerua that he had recorded the video of the aghori guru showing off his deeds, all with the aghori’s permission. He was willing to share the video but Gerua had declined. It had taken her some time to recover from the conversation.

  Tony had sensed that Gerua was flustered, although he didn’t know why. He was quick to announce that food was served in the dining room in the left-wing. A delightful extravaganza of exquisite dishes from different parts of India was laid out on the counters by the wall. Guests picked dishes they liked from the buffet and seated themselves informally on the huge dining table to enjoy their meal.

  Tony ensured that he sat next to Gerua. He wanted to make sure that lunch was delightful and she was at ease. Tony’s intricate knowledge about food impressed Gerua as he explained how each dish Gerua savored was cooked. Gerua indulged him, even though her own knowledge about Indian food was extensive. Dining with Tony was a pleasure, and Gerua soon put aside any thoughts about her conversation with the reporter. The exquisite food and Tony’s delightful demeanor captivated Gerua.

  As they ate, Gerua felt a hint of attraction towards Tony. She exchanged expressive glances with a delighted Kally at the far end of the table. Kally, who was sitting next to KK, was being her usual gregarious self, whilst feeling internally happy with the knowledge that Gerua was enjoying herself with Tony.

  After spending almost two hours at the dining table with Gerua at his side, Tony excused himself to bid farewell to his other guests who desired to leave. Tony explained to Gerua that it was not considered rude in Delhi if guests left as soon as they finished eating. Tony escorted each guest personally through the glass corridor to the circular living room exit. He thanked them for coming and bid them farewell before returning to escort the next one out.

  Eventually, Tony, KK, Gerua, and Kally were the only ones left. Tony suggested that they move to the living room. Kally giggled, feeling a bit tidlly. Kally was getting along with KK as if they’d known each other for years. “Hon, did you have a good time? I really enjoyed myself. Tony is such a great host, and KK is a real smooth operator.” She giggled. “Thank you for inviting us, Tony! I met a lot of interesting people, and the food was awesome.”

  “Thank you for coming. You stole the show, and both of you were absolutely stunning,” Tony complimented.

  “Aww... come on Tony, stop kidding. You only find Gerua stunning. I know you really like her too... and she...” Kally snickered.

  “Kally, you have had too much to drink!” Gerua interrupted Kally, snatching the glass of wine Kally was holding.

  “Okay, babe, whatever you say.” Kally continued to giggle. “By the way, do you know that KK and Tony are going to the Himalayas sometime next weekend to meet KK’s guru and he has offered to take us with him? His Royal Highness nearly persuaded me to agree. I said I have to ask you first. What do you say?”

  Gerua was relieved Kally hadn’t agreed impulsively. “We have plenty of time to decide.” Gerua looked at KK. “We’ll let you know in a couple of days. Is that okay, KK?”

  “Sure. It will be really cool if you guys can come along. The drive will certainly be more enjoyable. You’ll get to see the countryside and do some serious mountain climbing. Just let Tony know,” KK spoke casually. “Would you mind if we get some pictures together?” They all agreed, and KK took pictures of Gerua and Kally with his phone, and then he asked the butler to take photos of all four of them.

  Tony put his hand around Gerua’s shoulders. “You have to join me for a drink. Let’s all get a glass of champagne each.” They all walked through the glass corridor to the bar in the circular living room.

  Tony signaled the barman to pour four glasses of champagne. They spent the next hour sipping Taittinger as they listened to KK’s stories about his royal treks and river rafting in the Himalayas. Gerua sat next to Tony. Kally flirted harmlessly with KK, giggling constantly. It was getting dark and Tony suggested that they have a light supper. They agreed and nibbled on leftovers the barman served them, chatting and laughing as they ate. After the meal, Kally and Gerua got ready to leave. KK bid them goodbye, and Tony accompanied them to the car. As they walked, Tony offered them to show around old Delhi the following day. Gerua and Kally both agreed. Gerua asked Tony if KK would be joining them. Tony told her that KK was busy and would be out of town for a few days. Tony added that he would share the pictures taken by KK, when KK sent them to him. What Tony didn’t know was that KK had already shared the same pictures with his guru.

  Tony also did not know that his school friend was a follower of dark practices and a part of highly secretive edict with its roots in the Himalayas. When the government had abolished royalty, KK’s father had studied under a powerful tantric and aghor yogi. His yog practices had ensured that he was still able to control his former subjects. His father had also started a fast-moving consumer goods company, which had become enormously successful. He had a new kind of kingdom now, but it was still based on power over his subjects who worked in his production facilities and outlets. KK was exposed to his father’s yogic practices at a very tender age. Since then, he had devoutly followed the practices of his father and his guru, who was now KK’s master. Tony had been right; KK was an aghori hiding in plain sight. KK had been initiated by an elaborate aghori ritual and was sworn to secrecy and absolute devotion to his guru, and only his guru.

  CHAPTER 5

  CHOICE

  Tony spent the week with Gerua and Kally. He showed them all the seven old cities in Delhi and also took them to the usual touristy spots. He made sure that they enjoyed exotic cuisines at many different restaurants in and around Delhi. In spite of the heat, Gerua and Kally both enjoyed their time with Tony.

  By Thursday the same week, Gerua and Tony were holding hands, and she knew she was going to miss Tony when she returned to the US. Although she didn’t want the relationship to go any further, she couldn’t help herself, a
nd Kally kept on encouraging her. Tony just wouldn’t let her go; attending to her slightest needs. Gerua realized that Tony was completely smitten by her. Gerua kept on reminding herself to not fall for Tony’s charm and not to get involved.

  On Friday Gerua shared her feelings with her best friend. “Kally, I’m really concerned. I’m getting too close to Tony, and I know he is in love with me. There is no future in this relationship. I want to stop, but he is very charming and persistent. I don’t want to hurt him. I don’t know what to do. I also don’t trust KK, and I am wary of people who practice tantric yoga. I don’t want to meet his guru. We will find our own way. Let’s tell Tony we will not go with them...” Gerua said earnestly.

  “Whoa...! You are a real heartbreaker! Babe, of course Tony is in love with you. You shouldn’t have gone this far if you didn’t want to get involved, holding hands, cozying up... whatever... Tony is so bowled over by you that I think he would go to the end of the world for you.” Gerua looked away, staring distantly. After a pause, Kally continued. “I hope you realize you are not a teenager with braces anymore. You don’t have to get involved, even if he is. He will get over it in time, if that is what you want. Just don’t get too emotional. And even if you do... who knows? He might move to the US for you.

  “As for going with them, I think we can take care of ourselves. I would rather travel with someone we can trust, like Tony, than be on our own. Besides, he knows the country well. If KK behaves like a creep, we’ll dump him and move on and make our own way with Tony. Tony won’t refuse you. We will be with a guy who really cares about you. We don’t even know where to go and how to find a yoga master. Besides, so far KK has not been bad company. When and if we meet KK’s guru and he is not appealing, we will dump him too. You don’t even have to meet him if you don’t want to. We have to be a bit adventurous. So what do you think?”