The dragon

Tara a pretty girl with walnut coloured hair and light brown eyes. Her skin had this beautiful bronze tint that all of us long for. Her hair had these beautiful mild curls they were waves actually. There persisted a gleam in her eye which was a gift from her grandmother. Her mother and father had their own leather firm. It was big money and less family time. Tara got all she needed and more materially but not on an emotional scale her needs were never met. Hanna was her nanny. Hanna was Tara's world. She saw the world through her eyes.

Every word uttered by Hanna was stored in Tara's mind. They both had a bond not explained by words. Hanna was too old to be Tara's mother and too close to be a care taker. They both loved each other. TaraTara in her house. She was a widow and childless. Not that she felt so because Tara filled the void. spoke certain Hindi words her mother didn't even know existed. All credits to Hanna. She was proficient in Hindi. Kabir was her favorite writer. All his gohaes (Poems in a verses) were embossed in her mind.  Hanna was an art lover too. Together they shared a special bond. Hanna stayed with

It was early in the morning. Tara's parents were out of station. Hanna got ready and went on with the chores. It was a tedious day. That day had a phenomenal solar eclipse coming. She had to wake up Tara and feed her and ensure that she does not eat at that time. Hanna believed in the general faith in India. Generally most people don't eat during an eclipse and attribute it to bad digestion.

She woke Tara at 8 it was 2 hours earlier then her usual. She did fuss but the soft kiss placed on her fore head by Hanna worked like maya. She was all clean and dolled up by 9. Hanna gave her milk. Tara way toying with the bottle and never drank. She was still sleepy. She fuzzed and cried for being woken up so early.

Tara:” Why did u wake me up so early nana!"

Hanna:” Today is the solar eclipse day sweet heart we must eat before it starts."

Tara: “So what nana? What is elispps?"

Hanna smiled with warmth it radiated and filled the hall. She loved it when Tara asked questions. She believed that it is the mark of a smart child.

Hanna:” It is an event like sun rise."

Tara had tiredness and mild spite in her eyes. "Then why did you wake me up early?"

Hanna:” Eclipse is not like the sunrise. It’s a magical event. It is when the moon comes between the earth and the sun. The sky will look beautiful."

Tara:” What?"

Hanna bites her tongue. Eclipse is too much to handle for a 2 year old. How thoughtless! Then she told the Chinese myth:

"See beti there is a big mean daemon he will swallow the sun. So we must stay pray and stay fast to save the sun."

Tara:” Eat the sun? Is he so big nana?"

"Yes beti.So eat fast, you can be strong and pray and fast to save the sun."

"Ok nana."

Tara didn’t say another word she finished her meal fast the she and Hanna did their prayers. In-spite of being a Christian by birth she was a devotee of lord Shiva she found peace in his shrine. After the prayer they both went into the hall to see the solar eclipse on television live.

Soon Tara's mother Neetha came home. She had bought cream cake for Tara and hence fed it but TaraTara but didn't have time to show it. Money was more important for now. She Had accumulated a kind of jealously over the understanding between Tara and Hanna. She deserved all the attention that Hanna got. But Tara was evidently and naturally closer to Hanna. All this bundled up the stimulant was when Hanna said" Neetha ji don’t feed her now!" refused and ran behind Hanna. Neetha was infuriated. She loved

That ripped the last thread. Neetha's fury ebbed and soared. It came out as words:” Keep quite Hanna don’t teach me how to grow my child."

There was a moment of silence. That seemed like a decade as the discomfort grew. It was broken by the voice of Tara. "Mummy it’s over. Daemons went!"

Neetha saw the TV screen. She saw the news about the eclipse. She knew it but had forgotten that it was that day morning. She wanted to slap herself and beg for sorry. But Hanna was too matured to take all this into her head. She took the cake in one hand and a towels in the other.

"Wash up Neetha ji. Then you both can have cake together." Neetha's eyes were filled with gratitude. That moment their eyes meet. They felt that their souls were tied together.