Suddenly the middle aged monk came running out. "Oh!! Thank lord ! You are here! The old teacher wanted you to know that Rhehan has a very long life. He also told me to convey the same to Xio Lee. Xio Lee still has few days to come over here in jungle, but master said, it"s an urgent message."
Elizabeth guessed that Xio Lee, visited the jungle often, while also living in the city! Wow! What a life!
"Ok Thank you! But why do I need to convey it? Actually, where will I find him?"
"I don"t know. We don"t really question old teacher back. We soon end up getting the answers ourselves."
Elizabeth thanked him again and not wanting to waste their more time, walked ahead on the cemented path. Suddenly she turned her head towards the monk, who was now playing with a small monkey. "If you don"t mind. Can I visit more often. I love this place a lot."
The monk laughed at her words. "Offcourse you can. You have imperial lion"s approval already! You are the eight person in the entire world getting this permission. Seventh was your son! No wonder old teacher forced Xio Lee to take away your son. He wouldn"t have wanted to leave either, if he would have spent more time here. I don"t know how much you know him, but I should tell you he is your replica in everything."
Elizabeth thought for a while and agreed to it. He was indeed quite similar to her, including her love for animals.
She looked around the dark forest happily. There was something enchanting about this place. As if, she could spend her whole life here amongst these animals. "Then why did the old master had to send him back?"
"All I know is that he is no ordinary boy. He will help millions of people in future. He is not destined to live in a jungle and waste his talent. Some people take birth to help others. He is one of them. But yes, we all know, once the right time comes he will often return back!" The monk had a hint of happiness on his face. His love for the boy was evident.
Elizabeth could not help but feel proud at her son. Fighting all the odds, he was indeed born to follow an unusual path.
"Thank you! I shall take your leave."
She walked a few steps ahead but suddenly was blocked by two hyenas, taking Elizabeth by surprise. "What happened?"
She bent down and looked at the two hyenas, looking intently in her eyes. Elizabeth did not realise, she was conversing so naturally with the animals already! As she bent down, a small monkey jumped on her shoulder, hugging her neck. Elizabeth was startled for a few seconds, but could not help chuckle. She could already imagine her son having a gala time with all of them.
"They like you! You have no idea how much fun your son has had with them. He was often spotted floating in the middle of a pond, amongst elephants or on top of a tree branch, always making Xio Lee freak out." The monk laughed, looking at the animals playing around with Elizabeth.
Elizabeth too laughed and patted the two hyenas lovingly.
"These were the first ones to spot your baby."
Elizabeth paused for a while, looking greatfully at the hyenas. Suddenly she was lying on her knees, hugging the two hyenas. Soon three more hyenas sprinted forward, jumping to take part in the group hug, making Elizabeth fall on the ground. Elizabeth was in splits of laughter, while the hyenas licked her all over and lied on top of her.
"They don"t want you to leave. Maybe you should stay the night here."
As if Elizabeth had been waiting to hear these words she immediately nodded and stood up walking towards the Imperial Lion. The imperial lion looked no longer ferocious to her. She stopped just next to the big Lion and hugged its neck again. "I can"t thank you enough for everything! Thank you from my son"s side too."
Suddenly the female lion, came from the dense bushes, followed by three small cubs. Elizabeth oggled over the cuteness of the cubs and played around for almost an hour with all the animals. Soon, she fell asleep on top of the female lion, dreaming happily, of the golden light and green eyed boy again!
Next morning, Elizabeth woke up groggy, feeling something slimy on her face. She opened her eyes and saw a giant chimpanzee licking her cheeks again. Elizabeth screamed in fear, scaring away the chimpanzee. Suddenly remembering everything from the previous night, she called out to the chimpanzee. "Heyy! I am sorry! I was sleepy."
The chimpanzee"s sad face turned bright and he handed over a huge bunch of bananas to her. "Thank you." Elizabeth smiled at him, only to be licked again on her cheek.
She sat upright, only to realise she had slept on the imperial lion"s back, who was lying down lazily!
Holy Cow! Whole night, I was on the back of a lion? Elizabeth peeled a banana, savouring the taste and rolled herself on the ground, looking at the lion"s face.
She kissed the lion on its face." Good morning." The lion did not move but rather blinked its eyes looking at her green eyes.
"Ummm...I am going to go back now. I"ll see you again very soon."
Finally, Elizabeth bid farewell to the monks in the monastery and all the animals present there. She was guided back by a hyena, till the edge of the road. She bent down and hugged the hyena in grat.i.tude. "I will see you soon. Thank you for your hospitality."
Accepting the hug from the woman, the hyena sped off, back towards the forest.
Elizabeth sat inside her car and pondered for a very long time at the recent occurances! Was she dreaming?
She looked at the bunch of huge yellow bananas, big red grapes and a flower, given to her as a parting gift. No she wasn"t! She looked again towards her right and she already knew, every now and then she will end up being in this place. It is going to be her second home.
She drove off back to the city looking at her cell phone. The phone had numerous missed call alerts, majorly from Lillian. She immediately dialed back her number, to narrate her the entire magical experience. She couldn"t wait to tell her that Rhehan was alive!
"h.e.l.lo! Lilly!!!" I have something to tell you."
"Wait Elizabeth! First listen to me. Be very calm. Ok! I am already on my way to the airport, to be with you."
"Just tell me what is it lilly! Nothing in this world can effect my mood."
Lillian gave out a big sigh! Her hands trembled and her eyes were watery!
"Just yesterday night the Graham couple"s adopted son died in a car cras.h.!.+ Rhehan is no more!"