CHAPTER 9 : THE SKY TRIP

“Do not shout! I too have a right to express myself. Just because you support the Panchayat does not mean that you can be always right!” Gopal retorted.

“In that case, my dear friend!” Aryaman addressed him, “Please allow me to take your child to his place of education. I assure you that you will not regret it!”

“I trust you, sire!” He called his little son Suraj and asked him if he would go with Aryaman. The child appeared sedate and undecided. It took some time for Aryaman to coax him to sit on his shoulders. Finally, the boy acceded. Aryaman made him sit comfortably and had his tiny legs hang over his neck. He slowly rose in the air, which made Suraj jittery. The flying hero constantly spoke with him in an attempt to make him feel at ease. In addition, Aryaman moved quite slowly and did not fly at a great height from the ground. The sky ride was actually spectacular with the river flowing gently below, hills passing by on either sides and birds flying over closely! However, as this was something he had never experienced before the child was not in his spirits.   Throughout the journey, Suraj just spoke once when Aryaman asked him the name of his guruji.

The child’s face lit only when they reached their destination where a rectangular house stood at the end of the street built with mud bricks. It was surrounded by greenery, which was used as an ashram by Vedananth. Suraj was delighted at the fact that they had reached his house in a few minutes instead of hours! As Aryaman helped him to get down from his shoulders after landing, the boy flashed a smile for the first time! “Thanks!” he expressed his gratitude.

“Oh! You are welcome! Did you enjoy the sky ride?” Aryaman asked smiling at him endearingly.

Suraj slightly gave a nod in affirmation. “How do you know where my guruji stays? Do you know him?” He asked curiously.

“Unseen by you I have been observing the grueling journey of you and your friends to this place. Since God has given me the ability to fly I thought of using it for your benefit.” Aryaman explained.

Just then, the wooden door of the brick house opened and a young bearded man came outside. He had baldhead, trim eyebrows, longs ears and nose with full lips. He was of a medium height and complexion. He wore a very light yellow-layered dhoti and his shoulders were draped in a white shawl. He appeared quite surprised to see Suraj alongwith a stranger.

“You have come so early?”

“This uncle brought me here! Guruji, he flies in the air!” The child exclaimed now appearing excited.

“Are you Aryaman?” Vedananth asked curiously.

“Yes I am!” Aryaman agreed, “You might have heard about my presence in yesterday’s Panchayat meeting!”

Vedananth agreed and then both of them exchanged greetings by folding their palms. Although he did not openly express his thoughts, the teacher appeared quite impressed at the stand Aryaman had taken before the Panchayat. He wanted to know more about him but Aryaman did not disclose much except saying that he was there to help everyone with his powers. The flying hero wanted to discuss with Vedananth about something for which a meeting was fixed the next morning.