Jalliketu suddenly disappeared leaving Shriti in the care of Ritika in that lovely secluded place.[https://i.pinimg.com/564x/93/62/88/9362883c3b32e0dae3d4e1584f67f766.jpg]
Ritika made some gesture and a magnificent elephant appeared from behind a tree. It was bedecked in silver, gold, diamonds and sapphires. Ritika held Shriti's hand in a firm grip and said, "We will go on this elephant." Shriti felt some current flowing through her spine. Suddenly she felt very light. She felt a very strange sensation of weightlessness. And to her surprise, she found that with one hand Ritika lifted her and climbed on to the elephant. After both had sat on the elephant, it started flying. They flew over the lake, hills, forest and city. She felt weightless as if she was sitting not on an elephant but a gas balloon and drifting fast in the sky. She saw many young boys and girls riding on different animals and flying effortlessly in the sky. Some of the boys were riding on horses, which had wings. These boys on horses flew past them at very high speed and showed off breathtaking acrobatic stunts. Ritika said, "Boys will be boys. Be it Vhurab or earth, they are the same everywhere." It was all normal for her, but for Shriti it was so extraordinary. It was difficult for her to comprehend that she was actually flying over the clouds sitting on the elephant back.
They landed in front of a house. Shriti slowly came back to her normal state. The weightlessness sensation gradually subsided. Ritika escorted her into the house. The drawing-room was quite big and well decorated. It had wide windows on both sides. The view through the windows was quite enchanting. One side was sea facing. The sun was going to set into the blue sea on the horizon. The waves appeared golden blue. The other side had a nice garden full of colourful flowers. There were water fountains. Peacocks, parrots and many other beautiful birds added to the beauty of the garden. The walls of the drawing-room were studded with colourful gemstones. The other rooms of the guesthouse were equally magnificent in size and grandeur.
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An attendant came in with a welcome drink. Another came with flowers and fruits. Then they left the room allowing Shriti to take some rest.
Shriti felt it like a dream. The welcome drink was too tasty and rejuvenating. The fragrance of the flowers was intoxicating. Shriti took one bite from a fruit. It was sweet and delicious. Everything was extraordinary. Shriti saw through the glass door. A group of young boys and girls were performing song and dance just outside the door. They performed with remarkable grace, melody and rhythm. All these had a soothing effect and Shriti dozed off.
She was woken up by Ritika, who said, "Shimoyi Shriti! I am responsible for your comfort and your good health. It is already late at night. You should take your dinner and go to sleep."
But Shriti could see that it was still day time. Young boys and girls were still dancing and playing in the garden. But she did not feel like arguing with Ritika. She ate a little bit from what Ritika gave to her for dinner.
Then Ritika asked if she should switch off the lights. Shriti said, “OK.”
Ritika switched off the light. Suddenly everything was dark. Shriti found that she was sitting in the open under the sky. She could see the stars above her head.
Ritika looked at Shriti and said, “I think it has become too dark. Let me increase the lighting”
She did something and a full moon appeared in the sky. Ritika again asked, “Is this OK or should I get another moon?”
Shriti was bewildered. No words came from her mouth. She just shook her head. Ritika made the decision. She got another moon in the sky. Instead of full moon, she made both the moons crescent and adjusted them at proper angle in the sky. It took some time for Shriti to realize that the sky, moons and stars were not real but lighting systems. The young boys and girls who were dancing were also not real. It was displayed on Saya, which is similar to television. The view of the sea and garden were not real but only images. It was awesome. It was difficult to tell artificial from real and dream from reality.
Adapted from the book the book ‘Mahashoti’ by Ashok Mohanty