106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXywc0CZ2VP
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.
106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhsYyAFwxZ3
"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.
106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUihSZUHVOO
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."
106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTs1VmAtnnt
---
106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ66owiilL01
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.
106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE0z0rEvCQz
"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."
106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡikZtGJhcYA
Vikram began to read carefully:
106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEH6VQVLiqj
> "For relief from breathing difficulties,
> Seek the plant grown upon the stone,
> Call it with a song,
> Take its leaves with gratitude."
106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlOk2MndTn9
"A song?" Kiran questioned.
"Yes, it says this must be chanted like a song, not just read," Vikram explained.
106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZuuKCsjgO1
The Instructions:
106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmiF1kVj8am
> "If chanted correctly, the plant will call,
> A soundless call, yet crystal clear,
> It will guide you to its place."
106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuXEaYpBfhv
"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."
106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW9Nb1qDIbx
The book continued:
106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfW1FSSfJIz
> "The plant helps in two ways:
> For immediate relief, breathe in the fresh leaves,
> For complete healing, a seven-day 'Kwatha' (decoction)."
106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2MuZq8YOOg
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."
106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3M6oCn4amI
---
106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXDtrpS7mF7
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.
106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡekJPvlWfoH
"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?"
106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡidPTwQQqZv
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."
106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBVxfr0bYHa
---
106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ32rJxtEVrk
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:
106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrSvNp1m1wg
> Shwasa kashta nivaranartham
> Shila sthita vanaspate
> Geetena tvam samahvaye
> Kripaya parnamarpaya
106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM1Tz7iys1d
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.
106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIhejle6ggv
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!"
106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO1AcLMFOnU
"Really?" Vikram asked, breathless with joy.
"Yes!" Arjun said. "It's working! We can call it at will!"
106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAuUNFu4c3b
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.
106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5XL5Ozoai2
---
106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZHciDqDHjs
After a fifteen-minute walk, the terrain changed. Trees thinned out, and the ground became rocky.
"This way," Arjun led. "Very close now."
106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl6brckXsUa
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."
106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7NKwqIkK2a
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."
106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPDlhvaw7Ji
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."
106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwBBLjFIiIN
---
106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSHBVwuc2ai
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.
106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5HHtx0Wf2R
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!"
106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSljrmYVXq1
Priya’s Nightmare:
From her hiding spot, Priya saw it all, but heard nothing. She saw:
106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmxTw12VXSV
1. Vikram crushing something.
2. Bringing it to his nose.
3. Inhaling deeply.
4. The instant 'hit'—the relief and excitement on his face.
106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRUw3TZbLCp
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."
106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDrHX2PTmg1
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.
106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuKBh496A5G
---
106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuehy6rL3Z7
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."
106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKATFyD3YWE
"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.
106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfALKsUVe5i
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....
ns216.73.216.243da2
and then Add to home screen.