Taaang… taaang… taaang… Gonnng… gonnng… Ding… dong… ding… dong… Ting-a-ling… ting-a-ling…
The temple bell rang.
"Everyone, come for Pankti," the Naivedyam cook said.
Some people sat facing east, and some people sat facing west, creating two rows where they were face to face. Some people came and served banana leaves. Sharvani was sitting next to Someshwar on the left side, and on the right side, Someshwar's father was sitting next to him.
Sharvani adjusted her long gown so that it wouldn't get any food on it.
"What are the things they offered?"
"Somu, right now they didn't offer anything."
"What is our village GDP?"
"50 lakh."
"Sigh, we have to increase our GDP."
"What happened to Shravu? Why is she so sad?"
Someshwar looked at Sharvani and said, "Sharvani, what do you want to eat?"
"Poison!" After hearing what Sharvani had said, except for Someshwar, all the other people's jaws dropped. For Gayatri, it was like a mental breakdown.
People came and started serving.
Time:7:40 PM
The pandit was preparing five-layered diyas for the arti. Next to the pandit, Someshwar, Hariprasad, and Sharvani were standing. Sharvani was standing next to Someshwar. Lucas and his companions came.
"What was that?" Lucas asked.
"That was Pankti Bhojan," said Hariprasad.
"Explain to me why there were no spices or salt in the food and what foods are served in Pankti Bhojan," asked Lucas.
"The things that were served were foods that our God liked. We never offer spices, sour, salt, or bitter items to our God. Someshwar, explain what foods are served in Pankti Bhojan to them," said Hariprasad.
"First is Plain Khichdi; it is made from rice and moong dal boiled together in water or milk until soft. Second, boiled vegetables. We take pumpkin, ash gourd, bottle gourd, carrots, and beans, cut them, and then we gently boil them. Third, Plain Rice with Ghee, in which we first serve rice and then add ghee according to the required quantity. Fourth, Plain Upma, roasted semolina cooked with water only."
"So, where is the poison?" one of Lucas's companions asked.
She came near Sharvani, bowing down and placing her palms on her knees to reach the height of Sharvani.
"Hey, sweetie! My name is Elena Petrova; you can call me Elena Aunty. So, what's your name, sweetie?"
"Kyah! Demon!" Sharvani screamed and hugged Someshwar.
Elena was struck with utter astonishment; it was as if lightning had struck her.
'This girl is calling me a demon! Do I look like that? I am sure I don't look like a demon.'
Elena stood up straight.
"So why does she want to eat poison? What's her problem?" Elena asked, a question mark on her face.
"It's our family problem. She is not feeling good for a reason I'm not interested in sharing with a stranger."
"Okay, keep your family matters to yourself. Can you at least tell me why you look so unique? The left side of your hair and eye are pink, while the right side of your hair and eye are brown. Did you dye your hair to match your eyes?" Elena asked.
"Sigh..." Hariprasad continued, "Ma'am, when he was born, hr had black hair and both eyes were different colors. As you can see, I have brown hair and eyes, and my wife has pink hair and eyes. Here is my daughter, Sharvani," he pointed towards Sharvani.
"My daughter has brown hair and pink eyes. When he turned five, we saw that his hair color started to change, and as you can see, this is what it currently looks like."
"Really!" exclaimed Elena.
"You are so unique, Someshwar; people born like you are rare," she looked at Sharvani and said, "So your name is Sharvani, sweetie."
"Sarpanch, it's time for puja," the pandit said.
"Okay, and Someshwar, there are three slots empty for today, so you, Aditya, and Sharvani will come," said Hariprasad.
"Okay, I will go and call him."
Someshwar went with Sharvani to call Aditya.
Time 8:10 PM
Five people Hariprasad, Pandit, Someshwar, Sharvani, and Adityaeach holding one diya, started walking inside the forest.
"Why are they going inside the forest?" Luca asked.
"I am pretty sure that they are going to Saptamrita," Hiroshi said.
"Quiet! People will start gasping about us. We will talk about this later," Carlos said.