"Ohh so finally he came into pictures. I wish that day either you would have disappeared or some gorillas would have kidnapped him or you would have lost your way in woods or you eat a lot of goose berries and keep sleeping for whole day or you got stuck in big webs of spider at our secret place so that you never come out or bears would have chased him out of here" she finished her little speech in a breath scoffing making Hidimba laugh loudly at her wishes.

"Relax little one catch your breath. You can't change the destined. And you aren't here if that wouldn't have happened" hidimba replied catching her off guard.

"I would have been here in anyway" she replied stubbornly not wanting to lose the debate.

"Oh my little one what I would have done without you?" she said affectionately ruffling her hair."That's true who is going to cook you such tasty sweet corns if I won't be here." She replied grumpily.

Hidimba looked at the little girl amusedly. She is indeed the firefly of her darkest nights. She would be broken and lost long ago if her little one wasn't here. She made her life worth living in her toughest time. She looked lovingly at the girl in front of her munching her favorite spicy sweet corn unaware of anything evil. She is made of light. Darkness hasn't touched an inch of her. She is sure that she would be a great queen far better than her.

"Why are you silent grandma continue the story?"

"So it was like any other day for me. I was ordered to bring some human for my brother to eat. He was leaving for some work so I got the time till his return. I was happy and relieved by his absence around me. I decided to take a tour of our favorite place The Lake of wild lilies in the cave. It was beginning of rainy season. The dark clouds and thundering were indicating that the jungle is about to witness its first rain of the season.

 I was beyond happy with this sudden change in the mood of weather. I left for cave enjoying the cool breeze before rain collecting some goose berries with me. It already started raining when I reached the cave. The cave is intricate with the veils of primroses giving it an artistic feel. It has a small opening leading towards the clearing where there present the lake, full of various colors of wild lilies surrounded by the carpet of lush green grass along with the beautiful blossoming hibiscus and variety of wildflowers. Everything present there made one realizes the beauty of our supreme deity Ma Prakriti. The beautiful rhythms of rain is filling the view with an enchanting music and the magical falling drops on leaves and grass made it look like sky is showering pearls on us.

 I was so lost in the view that I failed to acknowledge the presence of humans there. I danced in the rain till my legs gave up. I sat on the rock feeling tired munching on berries watching the nature getting alive enjoying the music of rain. My trance broke when suddenly my eyes landed on him. He was sitting there on the other side of the lake with his brothers and mother under the roof like stone watching the beauty of surrounding enjoying rain. A tint of pink ran on my cheek when I realized that they are watching me, observing my actions.

 I guessed they thought me as a threat because two brothers were standing in front ready to take the charge while the other three surrounded their mother protectively forming a circle around her. I decided to move towards them to know who are they and what are they doing here? I don't trust humans completely so I pick some stones keeping my hands behind my back. My knives are placed securely around my waist for any emergency. They also took the defending position to prevent themselves from my attack.

"Who are you people? What are you doing here?"I asked taking a step towards them.

"First you tell us who are you and what you are doing here all alone?" One of the two asked me. 

He was a very oddly looking person. I mean in a good way. He has long black hair till shoulders, eyes very focused, sharp facial features and top of that his silver grey complexion gave him a very different aura. 

Just behind him standing person is looking eldest among them calm and composed and very serene eyes filled with knowledge. Besides him there are standing two of them of almost same age. One of them is most good looking among all and another seems the ocean of knowledge. In middle there standing their mother clad in white looking like a fresh white lily. 

And another stood in front of them like a mountain covering a precious valley protecting them. He was tall, well build, strong bold shoulders, big round eyes, sharp nose flaring in anger. His aura gave me a vibe of strong blowing winds. I was awestruck for a moment forgetting all my purpose. His booming voice brought me out of my trance.

"Tell me who are you woman? What are you doing here alone in this illusionary forest?"

"OO so they know about this forest. I have to be careful with my words. They shouldn't be aware of my identity" I thought before answering.

"I am lost here. I was wandering not knowing what to do. My parents are killed and I have no place to go."

"Well you look too happy for being a lost woman whose parents are killed. Are you a demon and all this is an Illusion? Tell me the truth." He roared.

"Argh human and their trust issues some trust blindly without thinking while some think too much." I thought irritated.

"I love rains and this place is enchanting. So being here gave me some peace after a long time. I can't stop myself from feeling elated."

"But you were not here when we arrived we are here since yesterday evening and none of saw you yet." This time it was the other one.

"Well I don't know about you guys but I can feel hunger. I went to collect some wild berries to eat while returning it went dark and I lost my way. I encountered a wild boar and climbed on tree to protect myself. I slept there only and it is a little difficult for me to present at two places on same time pardon me. Now you guys are satisfied or shall I give a demo?" I replied rolling my eyed annoyed at their enquiry.

They are bewildered by my attitude and sarcasm. I can say this from their comical expression. I heard one of them was whispering to another"Look like we got someone who can shut up our brothers. They are in the attire of sage but I can see through the façade. They aren't sages and that brought us on same page made us equal.

"I just asked two simple questions instead of answering it you guys enquired me like I am a psychotic criminal"

"Sorry Devi my brothers are just being cautious. We are also lost here like you" this time it was the eldest.

It was a good opportunity. I thought to manipulate them to come with us and offer them to my brother. They would be enough for almost 1 month and till then I would be free from all this. But life has a weird habit of taking a complete unexpected turn at much unexpected moments. Life never goes according to plans. My plans also lay in ruins when my life took the most unexpected turn.