Page 150 of Tiger's Destiny
We made eye contact and I jumped up and ran to the front door, throwing it wide. The postal worker was walking slowly down the hill.
“Wait!” I shouted.
Ren and I ran outside, coming to an abrupt halt as the man stopped and turned. The courier smiled. Then he pressed his hands together and inclined his head. The air swirled around him, and his hat vanished to show a balding head and a crown of wiry gray hair. His blue uniform and boots transformed into a roughly woven wrap and sandals.
I gasped and took a step forward. “Phet?” I asked earnestly.
The man smiled. A tear slipped down his cheek, and the magic that swirled around him intensified, obscuring him from view.
“Phet!” I reached for him, but his body faded until he was gone completely.
Once again, my mind reeled. If that was Phet and he had come all this way to give us a message, I definitely wanted to know what was so important.
“I didn’t imagine it, did I? That was Phet, wasn’t it?” I asked, already walking back up the driveway to the house.
“Yes,” Ren confirmed, trailing along behind me.
Even though he stopped by the car to retrieve my grandmother’s quilt and our bags, he quickly caught up to me at the front door, and we both rushed back into the house, straight to the Scroll.
The glass tube seemed to have been blown around the document inside. There was no way to open it.
“I’ll have to break it,” Ren said. “Stand back a little.”
I moved back a step or two as he gripped the cylinder. There was a snap and the tinkling of broken glass, and then Ren had the Scroll in his hand. A heavy wax insignia sealed it shut.
Ren trailed his fingers over the imprint. “It’s my family seal—the house of Rajaram . . .” he said excitedly.
Carefully, Ren broke the seal and spread the ancient pages on the kitchen counter. The sheets of thick Sanskrit-covered parchment quickly began to yellow around the edges.
I smoothed the paper flat for Ren as he ran his fingertip lightly over the words.
“Kelsey, this is a letter fromKishan.”
“What does it say?” I asked anxiously.
Ren and Kelsey,
I apologize for corresponding in such a dramatic fashion, but I couldn’t risk either of you reading this before certain events had been set into motion, and I wanted to dispel any worries either of you might retain over my decision to stay in the past.
After you left, Anamika and I spent many years serving people of different countries. We built a home high in the clouds on the rocky slope of Mount Kailash and used the power of Durga’s gifts to supply food, clothing, and healing all over the world.
Our home was considered sacred ground for many world religions, and pilgrimages were made to the mountain base to worship the goddess Durga. The peoples of Asia thrived under her hands. She inspired artists, poets, political reform, religion, and social harmony.
Anamika and I formed a bond of friendship and respect that led to love. I am proud to have served as her companion, and I am blessed that she agreed to be my wife. We have had a very long and happy life, and it would have been wrong for me to leave you thinking that I was miserable or disappointed with the choice I made. It took me some time to learn to live without you, Kelsey, and I’ll admit that there were many times I cursed my decision to stay behind, but destiny treated me well, and I have a family and a life that has enriched me and made me a better man.
Kelsey, there is still a piece of my heart that belongs to you. I have cherished it all these centuries. You were the angel who saved me from a life squandered, and your influence has impacted me in more ways than you know. The warmth, kindness, and love you offered when you decided to save two lost tigers changed the course of my life. A happy ending was promised, and a happy ending was delivered. Every single day my heart swells with gratitude for you.
Ren, forgive me for my jealous, impetuous youth. Whatever good I have done in the world, whatever strides I have made as a man, it was because I was able to look to my brother for an example. For what it’s worth, you would have made a great king.
If there is one regret that I have, it’s that I wish I could pass through the long centuries with you. I miss you both, but I know that your lives will be full and rich, for I have glimpsed what is to come. Forgive my interference, but it was something I needed to do. The question that has often plagued my mind have been answered.
He’syours,brother.
May your love for each other continue to grow, and may you find joy in the life you build together. Treasure your time with your family for the days pass quickly.
Perhaps in another time and another place we will meet again.
—Kishan
