Adventures of Advik (Part 7)

Three years later

In a secluded area outside of the village and outdoor market, a special ceremony was taking place. Dark pink flowers wrapped around the white columns and hung from a white wall in the front. A ceremonial fire blazed in the center of the room. Two families had gathered together to watch a couple get married. The groom was dressed in a short cream colored robe and wore white dress pants underneath. A red and yellow scarf draped down his front and a red turban decorated with necklaces crowned his head. At the moment, Hiran was waiting for his partner to come inside. After several days of persuasion, the two families finally agreed to allow him and his best friend to be married. Hiran looked at his finger where his engagement ring sat: a gold band with a yang symbol piece on the front. More time passed, then at last, the person he loved the most drifted inside.

She was the most beautiful person he had ever seen. She wore a red bridal gown embodied with golden roses on the front. A pink flower lei was around her neck and down to her waist. A gold and red veil partially covered her dark hair. On her finger, she wore a golden ring with the yin symbol on it. Her left nostril was pierced and a silver circle of jewelry hung from on her forehead like a third eye. To Hiran, the most beautiful quality she had were her brown eyes, the only thing that remained the same through the years. They held her life story in them, her deepest feelings, for these were the eyes of…

“Advika,” Hiran smiled. At last, Advika had gotten the chance to turn into a woman. It wasn’t hard for her to decide her new name; Advika was the feminine form of Advik, her former name. They both took their positions at the front and the priest began the ceremony. “Greetings and welcome to the ceremony,” he said. He had a white beard and wore dark glasses. Hiran tried not to think of Kiaan when he looked at him. Eva and Chariv were standing to the left, wearing orange dresses and holding bouquets of white roses with the bridesmaids. Henna and flower designs decorated their hands. On the other side, Mitul was silently standing with the groomsmen. Samira was watching the event in the audience, tears falling from her eyes. Ojas, who was now a full-grown cat, lay in her lap. As the ceremony progressed, Hiran wondered how Advik was able to pay for her transitional surgery. He noticed his father Shray sitting with Samira. His black hair was starting to gray and his eyes drooped from exhaustion and stress from many jobs. With him working hard for his family… Hiran tried to suppress the shocking thought. He couldn’t have saved enough money to allow his former son to transition. Right? Of course, the extra money that Indranil had given them, helped considerably. Yet maybe, just maybe, his heart had changed over the years. This would further be confirmed by the fancy wedding invitation Shray had sent to him several weeks ago, entrusting Advika to him.

After the introduction, the couple were ready to say their vows. Hiran repeated his vows after the priest, “I will look after my wife just as I look after myself. I swear to support her and look after her family. I will be faithful to her and treat her like a friend.” Hiran finished his vows and Advika stated hers.  The priest then spoke the words everyone waited for: “By the power vested in me, I now pronounce you, partners for life.” The couple shared a passionate kiss and the room burst into applause.

A feast took place afterwards, even though it wasn’t as big as a traditional feast. On the red table cloth were plates of meat, vegetables, a couple desserts, and glasses of wine. Advika took a seat by Hiran and Samira. Shray and Mitul were sitting off in the distance. Eva was talking with the bridesmaids. Advika noticed a woman with the Swastika symbol on her forehead. She was the one who helped fight Kiaan’s army several years ago. “Where is Parinazz and the others?” she asked. The woman looked down for a moment and then said, “Parinazz fulfilled her destiny and passed away peacefully.” The announcement sunk in Advika and her loved ones like a block of ice. “The others are living their lives as usual,” the woman said. “It has been a long recovery. I took over shortly after she passed. She wanted to wish all of you happy, blissful lives.” “Thank you,” Advika said. The woman nodded and returned to her meal. “So how is the emperor doing these days?” asked Shray. “Indranil is doing better,” said another guest. “He comes out of his chamber more often and calls on his advisors to help with finances and the needs of the citizens. Well, at least the needs of the upper and middle class.” “Yes, still not perfect,” said Samira. “Although, I think his time as a cow, helped with his humility.” Several chuckles spread from the guests. “Speaking of cows, I will need some help taking the bull back to the house,” said Shray. A brown bull tied to a pole, grunted in response. “Mitul and I would be glad to help you out, sir,” said Hiran who stood up. “That was a lovely gift from you and Advika,” mentioned Samira. “Being united with your family will surely bring good karma to our own…other good things, besides your wealth of course.” “Hey” said Advika. “I am willing to help too. Just because I am a woman, doesn’t mean I don’t have strong muscles.” Hiran laughed and winked at her. “I don’t think you are man enough for the challenge.” “Bring it on,” retorted Advika. “You are just concerned that I have strength of my own and that your weak point may be discovered.” As if on cue, a small round ball flew by and hit him in the groin. As he groaned in pain, Samira looked over at two children running to get the ball. “Hey, no playing catch in the temple!” More laughter followed.

The meal was soon finished and the dances began. The crowd gathered in a circle and watched the dancers perform. Musicians were playing wooden instruments and banging round drums on a platform. Some of the dances were traditional, while other fast-paced moves were added in. Advika was moving as gracefully as a flower in the wind. Her fiery colored dress resembled the colors of a phoenix. Having risen from the ashes of her old self, Advika felt renewed and completely at ease in Hiran’s arms. Her dream had come true at last. They finished the dance and the crowd cheered again. Hiran and Advika held their fingers together so the yin and yang symbols on their rings met. Hiran held Advika close and they leaned in for another kiss. Advika’s forehead glowed as they embraced their happily ever…

A low rumbling broke them from their romantic trance. The ground was starting to vibrate under their feet. “What is going on?” asked Advika. The rumbling grew louder until it overpowered the music. The guests looked around in panic for the cause of the noise. “It’s an earthquake!” cried Shray. “Everyone get out of here!” Ojas was already outside the temple, scurrying to a nearby tree. Spidery cracks branched around the columns and spread across the ceiling and floor. Advika stood silently, focusing on her magic and trying to keep herself calm. Even as her forehead glowed, no amount of magic could stop the forces of nature. She was forcefully waken up by Eva who pulled on her arm and shouted “Come on, let’s go!” Panic surged in her again and her forehead dimmed.

People ran around for any sort of exit. Dishes of food and wine glasses fell from the table and crashed to the ground. More columns toppled to the ground, one of them blocking the doorway. Hiran looked around desperately for an opening but there was none. The only openings were the cracks in the floor, which were getting larger by the minute. Then, Mitul slapped his forehead with his hand and said, “Advika, use your…” but she was already ahead of him as she blasted a large hole through the wall with her hand. Then the ground in front of her split and Advika found herself separated from Hiran and Samira. Her father and sister were by her side, looking for a way across. “Hurry!” cried Hiran. Eva jumped across the widening gap. Advika tried to reach, but the gap was now too wide to jump across.  Wasting no time, Shray picked Advika up and threw her across. Her forehead was glowing and was giving her an extra boost. Hiran and Samira caught her and they made their way through the wall. “Dad,” cried Advika, looking at her father. She saw him mouth the words “I’m sorry,” before hands pulled her outside.

Advika cried as she looked at the temple that was now in ruins. She screamed in sadness as she was carried onto a cart pulled by several mules. Soon, the whole family was on board and the driver and mules traveled back to the direction of the village. After several hours and sudden shakes from the ground, the family were back on the ground, shaken at what just occurred. They huddled together and mourned the loss of their father. He was an abusive, strict, hardworking individual; the main source of trouble for Advika during her former years. Yet, she did not forget the moment when he came into the room, after explaining the situation to the emperor’s guards. Then, he went above and beyond expectations by donating his money to the rest of the family to allow Advika to transition into a woman. Then, his final moments, when he arrived at the wedding and saved her life, fully redeeming for his past sins. And now he was gone. They did not care who was watching them sob, until a pair of guards tapped them on the shoulder. “The emperor requests your presence immediately.” 

Advika noticed the guards and her forehead started glowing. The guards put up their hands and said, “We are not here to arrest you! The emperor might be in danger again!” Everyone ran up to the palace and entered the gates. They arrived in Indranil’s chambers. Inside, they found that the emperor was in no danger at all. He was standing on his balcony, hands clasped behind his back. As Advika, Hiran, Mitul, and Eva came outside, Indranil sighed. “I fear that Parinazz’s prophecy has come to pass. Look.” He pointed out into the distance. Strange figures with white skin were marching toward the palace, holding swords and carrying wooden crosses. Advika sighed deeply and stated, “The French are coming.”