80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9Hrqt4Abr3
Saturday morning. As the school bell rang, students happily packed their bags, looking forward to the freedom of the weekend. Near the school gate, the three friends stood. Their conversation seemed ordinary, but the subject was extraordinary.
80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsC5YpuV4dd
"Let’s meet at our usual spot," Vikram said, slinging his bag over his shoulder. "I’ve made some progress with the palm-leaf book."
"The ruined temple?" Arjun confirmed.
"When?" Kiran asked, always practical.
"Give me an hour. I need to bring the dictionaries," Vikram replied. "Let's meet there at 1:30 PM."
"Agreed," Arjun and Kiran replied.
80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMGWUkm4u1c
The Watchful Eye
While they were talking, Priya was nearby, pretending to organize her books. But her ears were tuned to their words.
"Palm-leaf book? Old temple?" she repeated in her mind. "What secret are they always up to?"
Her curiosity grew day by day, especially regarding Vikram. She decided, "I will find out today."
80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrZNru0psbj
---
80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXoLTXDKOsh
An hour and a half later, the friends gathered at their hidden spot among the ancient stones and shadows. Vikram carefully took out the items from his bag: the palm-leaf book, Kannada-English and Sanskrit-English dictionaries, and a notebook filled with notes.
80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdtreDf4oPs
"Look," he said excitedly, opening a specific page. "I finally understood this part!"
Arjun and Kiran leaned in. Vikram showed his notes—pages filled with translations, possible meanings, and question marks.
"Most parts are still complex," he admitted. "But this one section is clear! It specifically talks about 'Shwasa Roga'—breathing ailments."
80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt981xeMoWz
Vikram began to read carefully:
80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8jDaaXKUyp
> "For relief from breathing difficulties,
> Seek the plant grown upon the stone,
> Call it with a song,
> Take its leaves with gratitude."
80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMuEempBuY2
"A song?" Kiran questioned.
"Yes, it says this must be chanted like a song, not just read," Vikram explained.
80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0H0T6crT05
The Instructions:
80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyPIKkEzPYA
> "If chanted correctly, the plant will call,
> A soundless call, yet crystal clear,
> It will guide you to its place."
80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡadAB2XVgma
"That’s the call we know!" Arjun said excitedly. "The one we heard when the tree was being cut!"
"Exactly," Vikram nodded. "But this time, we can do it in a controlled way. We can call it."
80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc5R83errzc
The book continued:
80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTNOyrfEUCY
> "The plant helps in two ways:
> For immediate relief, breathe in the fresh leaves,
> For complete healing, a seven-day 'Kwatha' (decoction)."
80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz2UWNXbtJm
Vikram’s eyes sparkled. "This could cure my asthma forever!" He pulled out his blue inhaler. "I’ve depended on this for years, but it only controls symptoms. It doesn't cure."
80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG1j5XcuElf
---
80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE1Jhlqqucf
About fifty feet from the ruins, hidden behind dense bushes, was Priya. She had followed them carefully, heart pounding with a mix of excitement and guilt.
From her vantage point, she could see them clearly, but couldn't hear their voices. The wind was carrying their words away.
80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKYyLR3SoWJ
"What are they reading?" she wondered. "It looks like an ancient book." She watched Vikram gesture excitedly. She was confused. "A secret study group? But why here? Why not at home or a library?"
80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4aK4zktzhn
As time passed, her legs went numb, but she didn't move. Suddenly, Vikram stood up. He held the book with both hands. He looked grave. Priya leaned forward. "Something is about to happen."
80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUNAExybY9H
---
80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtxrtbBK7cV
Vikram took a deep breath. "The book says it must be in a musical rhythm," he reminded the others.
He began to chant. His voice was uncertain at first, then grew strong:
80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlXLIJi1CzE
> Shwasa kashta nivaranartham
> Shila sthita vanaspate
> Geetena tvam samahvaye
> Kripaya parnamarpaya
80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa4x64qit3u
The chant had a natural flow, like a river. As he repeated it a third time, his voice became steady and clear. The ancient sounds echoed through the air.
80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSzRPv2aB2c
Suddenly, the familiar sensation hit them—that irresistible pull.
"It’s working," Arjun whispered, eyes wide. "I can hear the call!"
Kiran looked at his hands. "The same tingling sensation. Just like before!"
80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjttMroo2sH
"Really?" Vikram asked, breathless with joy.
"Yes!" Arjun said. "It's working! We can call it at will!"
80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV63HJRV8Qr
The Response:
The call intensified, coming from a specific direction—away from the ruins, towards a rocky terrain.
"There. That way," Arjun pointed.
The three gathered their things and left the ruins, following the call.
80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBSqigVAiRx
---
80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbpQws7pvxv
After a fifteen-minute walk, the terrain changed. Trees thinned out, and the ground became rocky.
"This way," Arjun led. "Very close now."
80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtgD43LUOb5
They reached a large, flat rock. Vikram stopped, his eyes wide as a memory surfaced. "This rock! I know it! I came here with my grandfather when I was a kid. He said this place was special, but never explained why."
"Maybe he knew," Arjun said softly. "About this plant."
80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmWfJd9d4JS
In a crevice of the rock, a small plant grew. Its leaves were unique—thick and silvery-green.
"The plant grown upon the stone," Vikram whispered. "Exactly as described!"
Arjun knelt. He could see a faint green-silver aura pulsating around it. "It's healthy. It's strong."
80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgMveqOIBJP
Vikram knelt and reached out. "Thank you," he said softly to the plant. "Thank you for offering your healing."
He carefully picked about five or six large leaves, leaving enough for the plant to thrive.
"It wanted to give to us," Kiran said in wonder. "I felt it."
80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWNQhHiOG8t
---
80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqBtSCjmz09
They returned to the ruined temple. Vikram took two large leaves and placed them between his palms. He crushed and squeezed them. A sharp, fresh aroma filled the air—something between mint and eucalyptus.
80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLnu6lrxXTY
Vikram took off his glasses. He brought the crushed leaves to his nose. A deep breath. Then another.
The change was instant. His lungs expanded fully, with ease.
"This... I can breathe more clearly than ever!" he whispered. No tightness. No wheezing.
"It works!" Arjun laughed. "The ancient knowledge works!"
80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs8JA7CQj0N
Priya’s Nightmare:
From her hiding spot, Priya saw it all, but heard nothing. She saw:
80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXhU2f8C8KQ
1. Vikram crushing something.
2. Bringing it to his nose.
3. Inhaling deeply.
4. The instant 'hit'—the relief and excitement on his face.
80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0umWk24iVY
A terrible conclusion formed in her mind.
"Are they... are they smoking something? Ganja (Marijuana)?"
Her heart sank. Vikram—her crush, the brilliant boy—was experimenting with drugs?
"That's why they meet here in secret," she thought, eyes tearing up. "The ancient book is just a cover for drug information."
80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUX1d9NdQIq
Devastated and confused, she decided: "I will wait. A day or two. Collect more proof. And then... I will decide what to do." She slipped away, undetected.
80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0J74dkk8Tz
---
80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnqnbbtguF1
Unaware of Priya, the friends continued.
"I'll start the seven-day decoction tomorrow," Vikram said. "But the other parts of the book are too complex. We need an expert."
His eyes lit up. "My grandfather! He studied Sanskrit and traditional texts in his youth. If anyone can decipher this, it's him."
80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWwtir4jkyD
"Is it safe to tell him?" Kiran asked.
"Grandpa will understand," Vikram said firmly. "Tomorrow is Sunday. He’s usually home at 2 PM. Come to my house then."
"Agreed," Arjun and Kiran said.
80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtFHOHu7n08
The sun began to set, casting long shadows over the ruins. They parted ways, their hearts full of hope, unaware that their secret was now known to another—in the form of a dangerous misunderstanding.
To be continued....
ns216.73.217.22da2
and then Add to home screen.