105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpvWkYnhPZk
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.
105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8kM5oSN3mp
"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.
105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbaYfSeMU3T
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."
105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4clTBJVzd0
---
105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmvRjcyQKxh
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.
105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHMpoedzPOP
"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."
105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡss9wJz4hfJ
Vikram began to read carefully:
105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSuhy1WcTAi
> "For relief from breathing difficulties,
> Seek the plant grown upon the stone,
> Call it with a song,
> Take its leaves with gratitude."
105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvStVtoLj8c
"A song?" Kiran questioned.
"Yes, it says this must be chanted like a song, not just read," Vikram explained.
105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ95iT710GSp
The Instructions:
105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOwKB29KHsC
> "If chanted correctly, the plant will call,
> A soundless call, yet crystal clear,
> It will guide you to its place."
105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbJv9jFbK7r
"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."
105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWW0i0F7eBu
The book continued:
105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxqRWeR9ypM
> "The plant helps in two ways:
> For immediate relief, breathe in the fresh leaves,
> For complete healing, a seven-day 'Kwatha' (decoction)."
105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlE5i6jJxNn
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."
105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNPbYPpEIok
---
105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfEjxsu7x6A
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.
105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ564hHjkAdn
"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?"
105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwPGW1EpDxA
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."
105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCT00yzNRHq
---
105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡozLDUIV5qd
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:
105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFmey9rSybO
> Shwasa kashta nivaranartham
> Shila sthita vanaspate
> Geetena tvam samahvaye
> Kripaya parnamarpaya
105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU898pg9pHl
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.
105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6EGmEhILcH
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!"
105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE1p1YoSQL4
"Really?" Vikram asked, breathless with joy.
"Yes!" Arjun said. "It's working! We can call it at will!"
105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpilH40bgir
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.
105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcqf5WnKD5P
---
105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7dfgFtwmtn
After a fifteen-minute walk, the terrain changed. Trees thinned out, and the ground became rocky.
"This way," Arjun led. "Very close now."
105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAODV3Oib8U
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."
105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcaB24CFZDo
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."
105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡONTExHReo1
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."
105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRBTIm965js
---
105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNNQyW7kIrD
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.
105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0V0QbS6hsq
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!"
105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwOxELWJPog
Priya’s Nightmare:
From her hiding spot, Priya saw it all, but heard nothing. She saw:
105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSLB7HIDppx
1. Vikram crushing something.
2. Bringing it to his nose.
3. Inhaling deeply.
4. The instant 'hit'—the relief and excitement on his face.
105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmGTPoqIbEs
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."
105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaRP1u2nFsO
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.
105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOBzQnOay3S
---
105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqz99KxF156
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."
105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbDLyo7SHRR
"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.
105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzFQZdxemRL
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.