Cornell and his officers were heading back to their offices inside the governor’s office, probably still discussing about the pirate menace. On the opposite end of Tarkarli bay up from the temple mound, Thatha was silently watching all the activities happening around the fort since morning.
Cool chilly breeze of early morning was blowing through his white beard and long white hairs. Though his body had become weak due to his age, Thatha was standing firm on the ground as if he had some kind of mission in his mind. Due to the aura on his face, his white hairs and big walking pole in his hand, he looked like an old wizard from ancient mythologies who possessed special magical powers.
Indeed people thought that he had some kind of magical powers. He was famous for his Ayurvedic medicines which cured many terminally ill patients over years. He was the last hope of any treatment for many impoverish people in that region. All of his life, he had practiced medicines. But old age and tragedies in his personal life had changed his priorities off late. After devoting his entire life in service of community, he was devoting more time in service of god.
He had revived that temple on the hill top which was along the shores of picturous Tarkarli bay. He used to spend most of his time there offering his service to community.
He had developed his own little routine. Very early in the morning, he began his day with morning prayers, followed by deep meditation. He was meditating to regain his peace of mind and mental strength. He was deeply troubled by seeing East India Company developing stronger foothold in his motherland. It seemed to him that no one could stop them and everyday they were tightening their grip on Kadamba.
A steady flow of devotees visited the temple everyday to seek the blessing from gods. They also came to seek the valuable guidance from Thatha on many problems they were facing in their lives. For many people just a brief conversation with Thatha was good enough to infuse hope. But there was hardly anyone who was willing to solve the problems that troubled him, perhaps with the exception of one person who brought smiles on his wrinkled face.
“Thatha”, he heard a sweet little voice calling him from behind and he knew that special person had arrived.
Thatha quickly turned around with a big smile on his face as he bent down on his knees. With open arms he greeted his granddaughter. Giggling all the time, Indira leaped into open arms of her grandpa and gave him a big hug.
Thatha picked her up and gave her a nice swing in the air. It was their favourite play trick ever since Indira was just a little baby.
Thatha spoke in baby talks, “What my little squirrel is doing up here so early in the morning? You should be feeding your pigeons. They will be waiting for you.”
Indira replied, “Pigeons are already well fed and they are not the one to be complained about.”
Indira continued “It is you who is a trouble maker. It is almost an afternoon and you did not have any food yet.” Indira warned Grandpa.
“Grandma has strictly instructed me to see that you will finish all of this breakfast. Grandpa you need to eat and then only you will remain strong like me.” Indira said posing like a wrestler.
“Oh! Really, let me see how strong you are?” Thatha said almost busting in the laughs.
“I am this strong, Thatha” said Indira pushing her Grandpa towards the bench where she had kept the food that she brought for him.
She pulled out two small laddoos. Thatha resisted by covering his mouth with his hands. But she stuffed those laddoos forcefully in her grandpa’s mouth.
She asked him, “Do you remember what day it is?”
Thatha knew it was the day of Makar Sankranti. But he wanted to test his granddaughter so he acted like he was unaware and said, “Yes, it’s a Wednesday.”
“No!” screamed Indira, “At least from taste of these Sesame laddoos, you should have guessed. Today is the day of Makar Sankanti.”
“Oh really, I did not know that. Thanks for reminding me” said Thatha, as he walked to the temple wall and pulled out a Kite from the top of the ledge.
“Wow!” said Indira almost jumping in joy. “I knew you were cheating. I saw you preparing for festival yesterday. You never forget any festival.”
Thatha said, “How can I miss any festival. Festivals bring joy and happiness in life. You don’t have to go searching for it. We must always celebrate festivals.”
“Let’s fly this kite.” said Thatha.
Both of them sat together on the temple bench. Thatha carefully tied the lace of the kite and checked its balance. Once he found, it was stable, he tied the lace to the thread roll and their kite was ready to fly.
Thatha held the kite in his hands and back tracked few paces while Indira was holding the thread at other end. Then he let it go in the air with a small hop. Indira swiftly pulled the thread. Due to strong air current flowing on top of the hill, quickly the kite caught the air and started floating stably up in the sky.
They let their kite to float in the air steadily. They looked down to Kadamba City on the banks of Tarkarli River. They saw people gathered on the rooftops to fly their kites. The sky was filled with colourful kites some soaring high while other kites were wondering freely as their threads were snapped.
Entire families, kids and elders alike had gathered on the rooftops to enjoy the mid air tussles happening in their neighbourhoods. Champion Kite masters tried to dominate other competitors by soaring their kites in mid air and snapping other’s threads. People cheered or yelled as someone lost their kite to others.
It was fun time to be in Kadamba.
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