Haamdi..

Bhima went inside his cave.. interior was dark.. well before sunrise.. he did light up ..torch by wood stump.. and fixed it by opening to ward off predators.. he wanted to sleep before midday to rest enough for night patrol.. this was one of the vigilance posts over the outskirts of his village.. Bhogal.. was a small village near the river Gomti..

Bhima's father was chief of his clan.. they were taking night vigilance forever to ward off predators and other dangers like stray cattle.. loners and hunters.. who mostly looted on farms.. Bhima took turns to patrol during night and worked on farm by day.. he had planted oats.. this year.. the shining golden crop full of seeds.. flashed in his mind.. his brother looked at in night.. with other farms... he didn't like campfire and snacks party .. so he avoided going to farms during night.. and instead went on outskirts vigilance.. he was tired.. the soft hay bed felt so very restful.. Gori has went his turn .. he will rest for a couple of hours and go to farm.. his meals mostly came to farm .. he drank cold water from chug.. before laying down..

He felt lax as his mussels relaxed.. his body loosened in the effect of drugged mind ready to sleep..

leaves rustlled outside nearby tree some noice.. he listened trying to sense.. feeling irritated by disturbance.. might be some wild boar.. he jumped as he heard a female voice..

He gotup quickly putting on his tunic and kerchief.. getting out to follow.. the voice drifted farther away.. a female voice singing something in blunt voice.. he increased pace following..

The female appeared from behind a tree.. in brilliant colouring clothes and long hair .. her limbs shone as if made of rock weathered in decades.. and she wore an explicit expression.. resigned to the fact of darkness and danger.. she stopped singing.. and walked a couple of steps towards Bhima.. then stood still..

Bhima: who are you..?

"Haamdi" .. she replied..

Bhima: are you alone.. ?

Haamdi: yes ..

Bhima: where do you live?

Haamdi: in jungle..

Bhima: aren't you afraid.. ?

Haamdi: don't follow me..

Bhima: let me drop you to your hut..

Haamdi: i am going to stroll around.. leave me alone..

Bhima: i will stay away.. let me walk behind .. i will protect.. woods are filled with predators and other dangers..

Haamdi: i don't need protection... ..

Bhima: okay..

She turned around.. walking with great speed.. Bhima followed.. almost running.. it seemed she was floating.. after some time.. she disappeared around a boulder.. Bhima recognised the place of his resting during night patrol .. nobody knew about this place.. he hasn't come here for awhile now.. Bhima walked around slowly following her.. to see if she had disappeared inside.. she was standing beside the fig tree.. Bhima stopped by rocks.. watching.. she turned around ..

Haamdi: don't follow..

Bhima: who are you.. ?

" Haamdi ".. she replied

Bhima: would you come back tomorrow to meet me.. here..?

Haamdi: yes..

They did meet many times during next year.. they married later.. and had a son named kaalu.. who became leader of surrounding 50 villages covering a vast area building a small state of Airaavat..