It's A Good Number

I sat at the desk next to her and noticed that all she had brought with her was a small brown folder and a pencil. Her braid had been pulled up into a large bun that covered the whole back of her head. When I sat, she turned her face away from me. Her arms were pulled in only slightly because they were shaking. I took off my jacket and laid it across her shoulders.

Kundalini took a deep breath and her shoulders relaxed a bit. When class started, Mrs. Stock asked for all the assignments. Kundalini didn't move. Gently I pulled her folder from under her arms and pulled it out for her. She slept through class and only woke enough to walk to our next class when I placed my hand on her back. Her steps were a little unbalanced and I wrapped my arm around her waist, carrying her folder and pencil in my free hand.

No one greeted her today as she walked down the hall. She was left alone—ignored—as the students only spoke to close friends. Kundalini's fingers bunched up her skirt so she would not step on it as we walked. Her head remained lowered until we reached class. She stopped outside the door and took my jacket off her shoulders.

"Thank you, Asahel," she said, handing back my jacket.

I traded her folder for my jacket. "Kundalini, if you're still not feeling well, why did you come to school?"

"Because I need to be here."

"Are you sure?"

She closed her eyes and nodded. "Sleep only does so much for me."

"What else helps?" I asked.

"Time."

The final bell rang and we entered the classroom. Kundalini sat slowly, a grimace passing over her face. She pulled out a few sheets of paper and took notes. During pauses, she would write out a math problem we had done in pre-calc. I was amazed that she remembered long enough to write them down since I had believed her asleep. When lunch time came, she looked worse. I grabbed her elbow as she stood.

"Where do you want to go?"

"Back to the trees."

"Do you want to get something to eat?"

"I'm under too much stress right now."

She stepped around her desk and I walked with her to the trees. She sat today, leaned against one of the bigger trees. I knelt beside her, not sure she'd be okay on her own.

"Asahel," she said.

"Yes, Kundalini?"

"Have you ever meditated before?"

"Once. Maybe twice."

"Do you know how to ground your energy?"

"Yes," I said hesitantly.

"Will you? Please."

"Okay?" I was a little confused, but complied.

I walked through a forest of Red Alder trees. I walked until I reached the largest Red Alder. Its bark was warm and rough against my hands. I sat by the base of the tree, leaned against it. I felt safe there, but not yet connected. I desired to connect. I started to feel the energy in my body change and increase. Roots grew out of my tailbone and pushed deep into the earth until they could wind themselves around some of the Alder's roots. Slow moving energy within myself was forced through my roots into the soil beneath me. New energy rose through my roots and filled my entire being. I could feel my tailbone burning a little, but I didn't care as I enjoyed the feel of the new energy. Then slowly I brought the roots back into my tailbone, bringing with it the last of the new energy.

I opened my eyes and Kundalini had a smile on her lips though a few tears slid down her cheeks.

"It felt different that time," I said. "I feel light."

"You have truly cleansed and renewed your root chakra."

"Is this why you come out here every day during lunch?"

"I don't do this every day," she replied, "because there are six other chakras to work on."

"How many are there?"

"Too many to count, but many know of the seven main ones."

I nodded and leaned forward a little. There was a small pain in my tailbone and I winced. I reached back, wondering if I really did have tree roots come out, but my pants were still intact.

"Give yourself time to integrate the new energy you have awakened within yourself."

"Awakened?" I asked.

Kundalini nodded.

"Has your tailbone ever hurt after you've done this?"

"Not that I can recall, but my mom might be able to tell you."

"Okay."

The bell rang.

"Guess we should head to class." I said.

Kundalini nodded and stood.

I stood with a slight wince, but the pain wasn't irritated as we walked to class. A few people greeted Kundalini and I. My friends waved at me from down the hall. Kundalini's steps were a little stronger, but dark circles were appearing under her eyes. With her hair up in a bun, Kundalini seemed to have aged as well.

During class, Kundalini rested her head on the back of her hands. It almost looked like she was trying to keep her head off the desk. We had a paper due and she turned that in. Then we were given another student's assignment to edit. Kundalini kept rubbing her eyes as she worked. I felt so bad for her, I wished she would go home and rest. Class ended and we went to history.

Now her head rested on her desk as her pencil moved across the page. Her eyes were only half open. Sitting for me was a constant reminder of the burning in my tailbone. Was all chakra cleaning this painful? I had barely noticed the burning in my meditation. My focus had been on the five roots that twisted their way down into the ground. Now the burning was a constant presence, but shifting to avoid it only made the burning worse. After class, Kundalini remained seated though she sat up. She put her papers and pencil in the folder as I put my notebook into my backpack and stood.

"Are you coming?" I asked.

"How many roots did you have in your meditation?" she asked.

"Five. Why do you ask?"

"Just wondering." Then she picked up her folder and walked with me to the commons area.

"How many roots do you see?" I asked.

"Three."

"Is the number significant?"

"Only if you want it to be." Kundalini glanced towards the office where a man with silver hair leaned against the wall. He stood when he saw us and approached.

"Is that your dad?" I asked.

"Yes."

Her father stopped beside her. He was a whole head taller than she was. The silver hair seemed to be the only similarity because his eyes were dark green, not the foggy gray that Kundalini had. He was dressed in slacks and a black button up. He rested a hand on her far shoulder.

"How many Silver?" he asked.

"Five, Magno Pater."

"You always seem to find those with five."

"It's a good number. Did you bring it?"

"I did. Are you sure you won't need it tonight?"

"I'm sure."

Her dad handed her a small clear vial that she passed to me.

"What is it?" I asked.

"Sandalwood oil. Add a few drops to your bathwater tonight. It should help if you are still feeling pain from the meditation."

"I should be fine," I said holding back towards her.

"Take it—just in case."

I closed the vial in my fist. "Will I see you tomorrow?"

"You can count on it."

"Okay. Have a good night, Kundalini."

"You as well, Asahel."

She turned with her dad and disappeared into the crowd. When I could no longer see his silver hair, I went to my car and started it. The small vial of oil was in my pocket. Could a few drops really make that much of a difference? Shrugging my shoulders, I put my car in gear and drove home. Every little bump made the burned feeling worse. So much so that by the time I got home, I didn't even want to walk into my house. Now the thought of a few drops of oil seemed ridiculous.

Slowly, I made it into the house and took my pants off. The skin above my tailbone was red and felt warm, but the pain didn't seem to match at all. From the bathroom cupboard, I pulled out the Aloe Vera gels, but applying it only made it burn more. Grabbing a washcloth, I ran it under the water and washed it off. It wasn't until after the gel was off that I realized I had hot water in the washrag. The burning had calmed some, but not completely.

I probably believed I was crazy, but I ran water for a warm bath and added a few drops of the sandalwood oil. It had a peppery smell that added its own heat to the water. Getting in the tub, I slowly lowered myself into the warm water. The moment the inflammation was submerged under the water it cooled and brought immediate relief. Sighing, I laid back and enjoyed the warmth. It had been some time since I enjoyed a bath. It was actually relaxing. Then the brief conversation between Kundalini and her father came back to me.

'You always seem to find those with five,' he'd said.

'It's a good number,' Kundalini had replied.

"Is the number significant?" I asked out loud. I sighed. "Clearly it has a meaning to you and your dad, Kundalini. What is it?"