Chapter 10
The missing link
The presence of sunshine and rain are equally more or less equally important for any forest. In some mountain forests the rainwater overflows forming itself as a waterfall and leaves the mountain. In some others it stagnates itself in between the mountains and transforms into a big lake!
When it stagnates like that, the heat in the air blows upwards will be less. It is to ne noted that the mountains are rich in carbon dioxide released by trees at night, which is converted in to oxygen during the day time. The excess gas of these types are to be exhausted out of the mountains so that it does not stagnate in the mountain. People and animals living in the hills and forests are normally very lazy. They will find it very difficult to be active.
But the people in Naga forest are always active as the speed of the wind here is always very high and there are a large valleys after this forest.
The secret of forests says that the existence and development of any forest depends on these two elements namely water and wind.
They reached Kazhugu Medu!
The entire area was filled with lot of Etti trees (Strychnos nux-vomica) and Punnai trees ( Alexandrian laurel) with big thick leaves. In the midst of it there were many trees completely dry with no leaves in it. Eagles were sitting on the dry branches eagerly waiting for their prey. Some of the eagles were seen circling above the trees in the sky. In the middle of the rocks, there were prickly pears and Avaram plants (Senna auriculata).Seeing the eagles sitting there ready to attack Pamman walked ahead with his heart pounding.
"Do not be afraid, Pamma ..."
Raman Kutty took his towel and tied it around Pamman’s head like a turban. Then stuck some Poolan Plant's roots and flowers in it so that it looks clearly visible from outside.
"Pamma, now start climbing the hill... no eagle will attack you. When you reach the top of the hill you can see that spring. Dip this pot into that spring and fill it with the water from the spring. Walk carefully placing it on your head, I will wait for you here."said Raman Kutty.
Pamman climbed the rocks holding the pot trembling with fear. The eagles came up to his head as if they are going to attack him. But the smell of the vine and flowers chased them away. Only a very few experts in the herbs know this secret!
Pamman climbed up the rocks one by one and reached the cliff. When he looked from there, he could see that spring. It was in the middle of a big flat rock, there was a palm size pit there surrounded by water and the water looked green. Pamman went near it and touched it, it was somewhat viscous as Raman Kutty said. He could feel some kind of strange stench there. When he looked around to find the source of that stench, he saw a goat lying there dead a little far away, which has already started decomposing, may be it was lying there dead for several days and the eagles might have already finished eating it and only the left overs were remaining there!
Mountain goats, which drink this thunder hole water thinking that it is normal water for thirst die on the spot because after drinking that water their stomach turn into like a stone. The eagles waiting there for this will immediately pounce up on them and will have a nice feast.
Pamman could understood what has happened!
He collected the water in the pot and placed it in his head and started walking slowly but before he reached the spot where Raman Kutty was waiting for him, many eagles came, just touched his shoulder and went away frightening him.
Collecting all his courage, he reached the spot where Raman Kutty was standing.
He was breathless. A little water spilled out from the pot when he stopped suddenly.
"Pamma, be careful…that water is very precious…do not waste it. "
Pamman removed the towel from his head, covered the mouth of the pot with it and tied it firmly.
"Let us go back now... "Raman Kutty said.
They started their journey back to the cave.
At two places on the way Raman Kutty asked Pamman to handover the pot to him and asked him to climb up some trees and collect the flowers in it. Raman Kutty took those flowers from Pamman and asked him to bring the swampy mud from the middle of the lake which they crossed on the way, he placed it in a big wild leaf, folded it and kept it safe with him.
Pamman could not understand any of Raman Kutty’s actions.
They reached back the cave with all the items they have collected!
In the MB TV office.
Menon was getting very tensed. News Reporter Murali was with him trying to contact Mohan over mobile. Mohan’s mobile was ringing without any response.
"Sir...he might have kept it in the silent mode... "
"Even if it is so, it has to vibrate, right. "
"Perhaps, he might have misplaced it somewhere."
"Murali, I have instructed him clearly that he should not keep the mobile away except when he is taking a bath."
"Then the only way out is to go and search for him, sir.... "
"Can you please go to that forest and find him? "
"Sure, sir, after all he is my colleague."
"I am a little afraid. We are not the police and we can’t take much risk...Safety comes first for us, after that only our investigative journalism and all."
"Mohan is a very careful person, sir. We don't need not worry about him. "at that time a call came from Mohan’s mobile…
"Sir, it is from Mohan..."said Murali as he answered.
"Hello."
But it was not Mohan’s voice on the other end.
"Mohan, I am Murali here."
"Sir, I am Kaladharan, the security guard from the guest house."
'Oh...what happened to Mohan, how did you get his mobile?'
"It is a long story sir! “
Kaladharan started from how he met Mohan in the guest house in the night and ended with Mohan’s adventurous episode of following Manolal. As Murali has put the mobile on speaker Menon was also listening to their conversation.
"Are you sure that Mohan went after Manolal?"
"Yes sir...I think so, as it was very dark at that time. I couldn't see clearly. "
"Then it could be someone else also, right?"
"Maybe sir... everything what is going on here has become a mystery after that doctor Raman Kutty came to this forest…"
"Is that doctor still there? "
"He's roaming around here only. "
"Is Mohan’s backpack and camera with you..? "
"Yes sir... I attended the mobile as it was ringing for a very long time."
"Thank you, Kaladharan, keep everything safe. I am trying to reach there at the earliest, the rest, we can discuss in person. “saying this Murali cut the call and looked at Menon.
At the same time, Menon got a call…
"Sir... I am Manolal’s P.A. speaking. Sir is coming from Germany in two days. You can meet him in the Cochin Airport the day after tomorrow at 8 pm."
"Is it? Excellent. I'll send my reporter and crew to the airport."
"He would be happy if you would come and receive him in the airport because it is an exclusive interview for your channel."
"I will try my level best, sir." - with that answer, he cut the call and stared at Murali.
"Sir…"
"It is from Manolal’s office they say that he is coming from Germany the day after tomorrow...."
"It is really confusing, then whom Mohan has followed?"
"We can know it only when Mohan returns, leave immediately. Try to find Mohan from wherever he is and bring him back safely "
"Sure sir…"
"Be careful, do not take any unnecessary risks! “
Murali started his adventurous journey to Naga forest…
