Invincible Naga

Chapter 6 On The Way Back

On the way back from Bairu, the jeep had to descend the steep terrain. The greenery that rushed past Senan retreated deep into the dark forest as the jeep drove ahead. Senan had been paying close attention to his surroundings. Till then, he considered the wild plants as unwanted since they occupied most of the forest that could be converted to cultivation land.

'We would've unknowingly destroyed such medicinal plants while clearing the land for our crops,' the Dhani told the driver.

Senan always detested the wild plants for being unable to uproot them permanently due to their deep roots.

While facing such a hurdle, the Dhani would say, 'There is no use in destroying these wild plants on the soil surface. They come back shortly after and contribute to the thick forest.'

'I've been thinking which plant is used as antivenom,' Senan said gladly, appreciating the towering vegetation that partially obscured the view of the path in front.

'Oh! See, now Senan has developed a soft corner for wild plants,' Pakirappa said mockingly. No sooner did Senan turn back than Pakirappa had disappeared from the seat, falling apart from his squat pose.

Meanwhile, Senan said, 'If we could find the plant, it'll be helpful the next time.'

'Heck! Don't be silly. Only the Malakudiyas know the plant. They collect it from the reserved forest. Even the forest officers have no idea about it,' Pakirappa explained while returning to his pose.

The Dhani laughed at Senan and asked, 'So sure you'll be struck again?'

Bairu's solemn voice and towering presence contributed much to his warning, which flooded Senan with fear. Everyone laughed at him, including the jeep, which hopped delightfully. It ran into different-sized stones, climbed them, collapsed to the other side, rolled over, swayed, growled, yelled with laughter, and screamed over its horn repeatedly.

Amidst all these, Pakirappa was thrown down onto the floor of the vehicle with a loud sound and lay down as if his body had been bent into numerous folds. The Dhani punched the steering wheel hard and mumbled something as the jeep came to a halt. Groaning in a low tone, Pakirappa returned to his squatting posture on the seat and paid no heed to anyone.

The Dhani sighed and asked Pakirappa sarcastically, 'What now, Paki? How's everything going?'

Ignoring his physical discomfort, Pakirappa said obediently, 'I'm all right, Dhani.'

'That's enough, more than enough!' the Dhani asked the driver to proceed fast.

'If I ever see a snake, I can't help killing it. We can't let it go following superstitions,' the driver said.

'That's a pity. If snakes opt for the same in your case, you're done. In a way, the natives are right. It's forest, the land of different creatures and animals, and we, humans, have no right on it,' the Dhani said as if he had been concerned about wild animals and continued, 'Do you know, sometimes a cobra may cub without applying its toxic fangs to the victim? It may strike without injecting poison. Usually, if it's afraid or enraged, in self-defense, it injects poison on the predator.'

Pressing his jawline firmly, the Dhani glanced at himself in the mirror as if examining a stranger and became contemplative. Immediately, he rearranged its position so that he could see the Pakirappa fallen on the jeep's floor. Pakirappa almost covered his face with the hand towel slung over his shoulder.

'If God made these men snakes, certainly they'll strike me,' the Dhani screamed as if he mentioned Pakirappa. Neither Senan nor the driver understood him.

The Dhani's roaring laughter smashed against the rocks, echoed across the hills, and collided with the jeep. The jeep chuckled and rolled over the stones. Pakirappa was thrown out of his seat and smacked his face with the gear stick between the front seats. He snarled violently, spat several harsh obscenities in Tulu slang, and returned to his squat seat. Then he lowered the jeep's glass window and spat out the blood-red betel leaf concoction in his mouth. He wiped his lips to remove the red stain and mumbled something.

'Why do you bluff in Tulu?' the Dhani sneered at Pakirappa. 'Forgive me, Dhani,' Pakirappa replied, folding his hands. 'I'm a poor man always at your service.'

Pakirappa stroked his limbs softly wherever he had pain due to the several falls in the jeep.

'Uhm! Let it be so,' the Dhani said and turned towards Senan saying, 'You should be careful hereafter. Never avoid Bairu's suggestion. Everyone claims he has a sixth sense and can predict things well.'

Senan nodded. Agreed. The Dhani understood. Senan meant it, but in words, not in deeds. Pakirappa was certain about it. However, Bairu's predictions had rocked Senan, though he stayed calm and stuck to silence.

(to be continued...)