Karthik,Kausalya and Tantric (878 words)

Ever since Karthik met Kausalya in their Japanese class, he had fallen in love with her. She was a bubbly, extroverted girl, always pleasant when they talked. They became friends easily, meeting frequently over coffee since their offices were close by. He often called, chatted, and texted her, eventually confessing his love. Kausalya, however, made it clear that she didn’t feel the same way, though she liked him as a good friend. Karthik, undeterred, believed that with time and persistence, her feelings would change

Two years passed, and every time Karthik brought up the topic of marriage, Kausalya politely rebuffed him. Yet, Karthik remained hopeful, unable to imagine loving anyone else. It was then that his friend Shankar suggested a female tantric who, he claimed, could resolve such matters easily. Intrigued and desperate, Karthik found the address.

The place was a small shop selling incense sticks, religious books, pictures of gods, and other items used for prayer. At the counter sat a young woman with a large bindi on her forehead and a string of Tulsi beads around her neck. Unsure if he was in the right place, as there was no sign indicating her as a tantric, Karthik hesitated but finally asked.

“I am the tantric,” she smiled. “Tell me what you want from me.”

Karthik hesitated again—she seemed so young and attractive, which made him uncomfortable. But when prompted, he blurted out his story: his unrequited love for Kausalya and his desire for something, anything, that could make her love him.

“Can you give me an amulet or something that will make Kausalya fall in love with me?” he asked.

The tantric laughed softly and invited him into the inner room.

“What a strange and timid man you are,” she teased, “completely unfit to handle a woman’s heart.”

The room was dimly lit, with the scent of burning incense and camphor filling the air. An oil lamp flickered before images of gods. She took out a small yellow thread from a box and, after chanting prayers with her eyes closed for what seemed like a long time, finally opened them.

“Tie this thread around her right wrist on a Friday morning, after she’s bathed,” the tantric instructed. “Make sure you tie only one knot—no more. Tomorrow is Friday, so it’s perfect. You’ll notice a change in her immediately.”

Karthik asked how much this would cost.

“Whatever you feel is appropriate. You may leave it on the plate in front of the gods,” she said.

Excited, Karthik arranged to meet Kausalya the next morning at their usual coffee shop. When they met, he told her, “I got this sacred thread from a temple. Let me tie it on your wrist; it’s supposed to bring good luck and help in your career.”

As he tied the thread around her wrist, she complained that it was too loose and asked for another knot. Remembering the tantric’s warning, Karthik hesitated but eventually gave in. Then, she insisted on a third knot, and though reluctant, he complied.

The moment the third knot was tied, Kausalya’s expression changed. Her eyes lit up, and without warning, she hugged Karthik tightly, rubbing her face against his. The amused glances from the other customers left him mortified. He pulled away, but Kausalya, filled with an overwhelming emotion, clung to him.

“Karthi, I love you! I can’t live without you. Please marry me as soon as possible!” she declared.

Stunned by the transformation, Karthik realized the potency of the tantric’s thread. He quickly escorted her out of the café. But the day took a bizarre turn. Kausalya wouldn’t leave him alone—calling, messaging, and chatting non-stop, professing her love repeatedly. When he left the office at 6 PM, she was waiting outside, and upon seeing him, ran into his arms, hugging him in front of everyone.

Embarrassed and unsure of what to do, Karthik drove her home, but not before they hugged inside his car. At her house, her parents stood at the door, stunned as Kausalya passionately embraced Karthik one last time before going inside.

Terrified by this overwhelming display of affection, Karthik rushed back to the tantric.

“Thank you for your help,” he began, “but is there any way to reduce the power of the thread? Kausalya is behaving strangely, and it’s becoming a problem in public places.”

“How many knots did you tie?” the tantric asked.

“Three,” Karthik admitted, his heart sinking.

The tantric shook her head gravely. “You’ve ignored my instructions. The spell is now irreversible. She will continue behaving this way, and soon, you both will become a laughingstock.”

“No, no!” Karthik cried out in despair.

At that moment, he felt a nudge and heard his mother’s voice.

“Karthi, wake up! Did you have a nightmare? You were screaming in your sleep—talking about yellow threads and tantric. What on earth were you dreaming about? Come on, get up and brush your teeth. I’ll get you some coffee.

Karthik sat up in bed, his heart still racing, and realized with relief that it had all been a scary dream. “Thank god,​ I did not visit the tantric as suggested by Shankar.​ I would rather wait for Kausalya to make up her mind than expose myself to such awkward situations.”