Ganesh smiled broadly, his heart beating uncertainly, anxious for Kartik’s acceptance. ‘How are you, Kartik?’

The normally fearless Kartik hid behind his mother.

‘Kartik,’ smiled Sati, pointing at his elder brother Ganesh. ‘Why don’t you say hello to your dada?’

The boy continued to stare at Ganesh. ‘Are you human?’

‘Yes. I am your brother,’ smiled Ganesh.

Kartik didn’t say anything. But Sati had taught Ganesh well. The Naga held out his hand, displaying a succulent mango, Kartik’s favourite fruit. The boy was at once delighted and surprised at seeing a mango so late in the year. He inched forward.

‘Do you want this, Kartik?’ asked Ganesh.

Kartik frowned, drawing out his wooden sword. ‘You are not going to make me fight for it, are you?’

Ganesh laughed. ‘No, I’m not. But I will charge a hug from you.’

Kartik hesitated and looked at Sati.

Sati nodded and smiled. ‘You can trust him.’

Kartik moved slowly and grabbed the mango. Ganesh embraced his little brother, who immediately got busy, biting strongly into his favourite fruit. He looked up at Ganesh and smiled, whispering between loud slurps. ‘Wow... Thank you... dada.’

Ganesh smiled again and patted Kartik lightly on his head.

The lead ship docked lightly onto the Dasashwamedh ghat. As the gangway was being drawn, Shiva’s eyes desperately sought Sati. He could see Emperor Dilipa and King Athithigva standing at the royal platform, with their families. There was a multitude of Kashi citizens thronging the ghats, but...

‘Where is she?’

‘I’ll find her, My Lord,’ said Bhagirath as he disembarked, closely followed by Nandi.

‘And, Bhagirath...’

‘Yes, My Lord,’ said Bhagirath, stopping.

‘After all this is over, please take Purvaka to the King’s palace. Ensure that he is comfortable in my family’s area.’

‘Yes, My Lord,’ said Bhagirath, as he darted away, ignoring Dilipa, his father and the Emperor of Swadweep. But Nandi was surprised at the changes visible in the Emperor. Dilipa looked at least ten years younger, his face glowing with good health. Nandi frowned, before turning to catch up with Bhagirath.

Shiva stepped off the gangway.

Dilipa directed one long hard stare at the retreating form of his son and shook his head, before turning towards the Neelkanth. He bowed low before Shiva, touching his feet.

‘May your dynasty continue to spread prosperity, Your Highness,’ said Shiva, himself bowing his head with a namaste to Dilipa.

Veerbhadra, meanwhile, had found Krittika and spun her in his arms. An ecstatic yet embarrassed Krittika tried to free herself, blushing as she asked her husband to restrain his public display of affection.

Athithigva also stepped forward and sought Shiva’s blessings. Having completed the formalities, the Neelkanth turned, searching for his family. ‘Where is my family, Your Highness?’

‘Baba!’

Shiva turned with a broad smile. Kartik was running towards him. As he lifted his son into his arms, Shiva said, ‘By the holy lake, you have grown really fast, Kartik.’

‘I missed you!’ whispered Kartik, holding his father tight.

‘I missed you too,’ said Shiva. His pleasure at seeing his son turned into surprise as he recognised the mouth-watering smell of ripened mangoes. ‘Who has been giving you mangoes so late in the season?’

Just then Sati appeared in front of Shiva. A smiling Shiva held Kartik to his right and wrapped his left arm around Sati, holding his world close to him, oblivious to the thousands staring at them. ‘I’ve missed you both so much.’

‘And we missed you,’ smiled Sati, pulling her head back to glance at her husband.

Shiva pulled her close again, eyes closed, taking pleasure in his family’s loving touch, his wife and son resting their heads on his shoulders. ‘Let’s go home.’

The carriage was moving slowly down Kashi’s Sacred Avenue. The Emperor of Ayodhya and the King of Kashi followed in their carriages while the brigade that had travelled with Shiva marched behind. Citizens had lined the streets, to get their first glimpse of their Lord after more than two–and–a–half years. Shiva sat comfortably, Sati next to him and Kartik on his lap, waving to the crowds.

Both Shiva and Sati spoke simultaneously. ‘I have something to tell...’

Shiva started laughing. ‘You first.’

‘No. No. You first,’ said Sati.

‘I insist. You first.’

Sati swallowed. ‘What have you found out about the Nagas, Shiva?’

‘Surprising things actually. Maybe I have misjudged them. We need to find out more about them. Maybe they are not all bad. Maybe they just have a few bad apples amongst them, like in all communities.’

Sati sighed deeply, finding some release for the tension coiled inside her like a snake.

‘What happened?’ asked Shiva, staring hard at his wife.

‘Umm, there is something that I have also discovered recently. Something very surprising. Something that was kept hidden from me until now. It is about the Nagas.’

‘What?’

‘I found... that...’

Shiva was surprised to see Sati so nervous. ‘What’s the matter, darling?’

‘I found out that I’m related to them.’

‘What?!’

‘Yes.’

‘How can that be? Your father hates the Nagas!’

‘It could be guilt more than hatred.’

‘Guilt?’

‘I was not born alone.’

Shiva frowned.

‘A twin was born along with me. I have a sister.’

Shiva was shocked. ‘Where is she? Who kidnapped her? How did this happen in Meluha?’

‘She was not kidnapped,’ whispered Sati. ‘She was abandoned.’

‘Abandoned?’ Shiva stared at his wife, at a loss for words.

‘Yes, she was born a Naga.’

Shiva held Sati’s hand. ‘Where did you find her? Is she all right?’

Sati looked up at Shiva, her eyes moist. ‘I didn’t find her. She found me. She saved my life.’

Shiva smiled, not at all surprised to hear yet another tale of Naga heroism and generosity. ‘What’s her name?’

‘Kali. Queen Kali.’

‘Queen?’

‘Yes, the Queen of the Nagas.’

Shiva’s eyes widened in surprise. Kali may be the one who would help him find Brahaspati’s killer. Maybe that’s why fate had conspired to bring them together. ‘Where is she?’

‘Here in Kashi. Outside our palace. Waiting to meet you. Waiting for you to accept her.’

Shiva smiled, shaking his head and pulling Sati close to him. ‘She’s your family. That makes her my family. Where’s the question of my not accepting her?’

Sati smiled slightly, resting her head on Shiva’s shoulders. ‘But she is not the only Naga waiting for your acceptance.’

Shiva frowned.

‘Another, even more tragic secret, was kept from me,’ said Sati.

‘What?’

‘I was told ninety years back that my first child was stillborn. As still as a statue.’