The Third Eye Read Online Free PDF

sighted at Ropar, not too far from us. Be very careful when going to the forest. Don’t venture there alone and never go after dark. Is that clear? Now, go back to your chores.”
    Everyone looked worried. There was a moment of silence. The villagers dispersed while the Panchayat continued chatting. Tara was slow to get up and heard one of the men say, “It was good of you to warn the villagers about the Vetalas, Raka.”
    â€œWhat have we decided about Zarku?” asked another member of the Panchayat.
    The word “Zarku” made Tara’s skin crawl. She gave Suraj a little push.
    â€œGo on home, Suraj. I have something important to take care of,” she whispered.
    Suraj opened his mouth to say something, but Tara’s expression shut him up.
    â€œYes, Didi,” he said and ran off.
    Tara circled the tree to the spot directly behind the Panchayat and squatted below the platform so that she could hear them unseen.
    â€œIt is odd that he turns up from nowhere and knows the affairs of our village so accurately,” said Varun.
    â€œIt seems like he has an informer inside Morni,” said Raka. “Have Dushta bring Zarku here.”
    Kartik called out to a passing villager, asking him to convey the message to Dushta. The villager returned with Dushta — a short man with oily black hair parted down themiddle. His eyes had a shrewd look in them as if constantly searching for the opportunity to make money. His hand alternated between stroking his pot belly and rubbing his thumb and forefinger together.
    â€œWhat are you doing here?” snapped Raka. “We asked Zarku to present himself.”
    â€œMy respected elders,” said Dushta, folding his pudgy hands. “Zarku wishes to speak with Raka, after which he will present himself in front of the Panchayat.”
    Raka looked annoyed at being counter-summoned. He got off the platform and strode off in the direction of Dushta’s hut. Dushta sat down on his haunches next to the others to wait. A long time passed and the remaining members of the Panchayat were starting to get restless.
    â€œWhat is happening?” one of them said. “Why is Raka taking so long? We should investigate.”
    No sooner were the words out of his mouth when they saw Raka striding back. He reached the group and announced, “I have had a long chat with Zarku. I believe that he is an accomplished healer and much better than Prabala.”
    Everyone gaped at him. Tara felt a jolt in her chest at the words.
Morni was going to replace her grandfather
. She had to bring him back.
    â€œRaka, are you sure?” asked one of them.
    â€œI am sure,” he said in an expressionless voice. “I want no further discussion or argument.”
    â€œIn that case, we should give him Prabala’s hut andmake a formal announcement to the village,” said Kartik.
    â€œYes, we should do that as soon as possible. Send messengers throughout the village and let them rejoice that Morni has a new, more powerful healer,” said Raka.
    They all dispersed and, a few seconds later, Tara crept away.
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    As soon as Tara got back, she continued with weeding the vegetable patch. Suraj was nowhere to be seen. Raka’s words echoed in her mind. Morni was in danger and Prabala was gone. Now Zarku would replace him. It was not fair. Her grandfather had done so much for the villagers. The least they could do was wait for him to come back or send someone to find him. He was alive and so was her mother. She knew it in her heart.
    Two thin arms encircled her neck.
    â€œDidi, I worked really hard and made all the vessels gleam, so Mother told me I could go and play till lunchtime, so I came to help you,” Suraj said, all in one breath.
    Tara stood up and hugged Suraj, feeling her throat tighten.
    â€œThank you, Suraj. If you finish weeding this patch, I’ll wash the clothes in the back. Then we can leave a bit earlier to